THE 12-DOOR TAXONOMY (Range Check β /hook-matrix)
Before pulling formulas, pick the DOOR. 12 psychological hook types (Mark Masters, copywriting.ai, 07-2026) β use as a range checklist so a batch never becomes one idea rephrased. Full workflow (spread 2/type β best/worst-3 diagnostic β drill winners 20 at a time β tag [Type] and track results) lives in the /hook-matrix skill.
| Door | Maps to formula categories below |
|---|---|
| Direct Callout | 2. Conditional / Avatar Callouts |
| Contrarian | 8. Contrarian / Reversal |
| Open Loop | 6. Story Openers, 17. Emotional Open |
| Statistic | 13. Specificity & Data |
| Question | 1. Question Hooks |
| Command | 4. Commands |
| Named Mistake | 12. Mechanism / Hidden Cause (error framing) |
| Big Promise | 3. Bold Declarations |
| Curiosity Gap | 12. Mechanism / Hidden Cause Reveal |
| Common Enemy | 11. Conspiracy / Industry Lie |
| Confession | 9. Confession / Vulnerable |
| Future Pace | 18. POV / Identity / Aspirational |
1. Question Hooks
Yes-Question (Hormozi)
- "Would you [action] to have [dream outcome]?"
- "Would you pay $1,000 to have the business of your dreams?"
Open-Choice Question (Hormozi)
- "Which would you rather be β [option A] or [option B]?"
- "Which would you rather be β overworked or overpaid?"
Wonder / Curiosity Question (Hormozi)
- "[Audience]: Do you ever wonder if [hidden problem/cause]?"
- "Business owners: Do you ever wonder if you're working on the wrong stuff?"
Who-Else-Wants (Nick)
- "WHO ELSE WANTS [desired result] β WITH [removed limitation]?"
- "Who else wants whiter wash with no hard work?"
What-If Reframe (Travis Reversal)
- "What if everything you knew about [topic] was wrong?"
- "What if everything you knew about saving for retirement was wrong?"
What-If Reveal (Sam Piliero)
- "What if I told you there's a [product] that [unexpected claim]..."
- "What if I told you there's a moisturizer that doesn't moisturize..."
Have-You-Wondered (PTI / Bishal)
- "Have you ever wondered why/how [phenomenon]..."
- "Have you ever wondered how you can build your own software company?"
Status-Recognition Question (Evan)
- "Do you keep [getting passed over for / not winning] [outcome] despite [their qualifications]?"
- "Do you keep getting passed over for management opportunities despite an insanely good track record?"
Poignant Comparison Question (Ad Angle Mining)
- "Are you tired of [emotionally loaded scenario] while [enemy/peer] [enjoys outcome you want]?"
- "Are you tired of watching everyone else succeed while you're stuck?"
Industry-Insider Question (Sky House BRT)
- "Ask any [Expert]: What would you Give your own Wife for [Problem]?"
- "Ask any Derm: What would you Give your own Wife for Dark-Spots?"
Should-I-Fire Question (Sky House BRT)
- "Should I Fire My [Authority] After '[Solving]' My [Problem] Without Her Help?"
- "Should I Fire My Dermatologist After 'Clearing' My Dark-Spots Without Her Help?"
Why-Can't-You-Fix-Your-Own (Sky House BRT)
- "'You're supposed to be a [Expert]... Why can't you fix YOUR [Problem]?'"
- "'You're supposed to be a Dermatologist... Why can't you fix YOUR Dark-Spots?'"
Best-Place-To-Shop (Sky House BRT)
- "Where's the BEST place to shop for [product]... is it [Store 1], [Store 2], [Store 3], or [Store 4]?"
- "Where's the BEST place to shop for Dark-Spot Creams... is it Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks, or Bloomingdales?"
Twin-Challenge (Nick)
- "WHICH [comparable item] HAS [the proprietary thing]?"
- "Which Twin Has the Toni?"
Industry-Pissed Question (`/hooks` Authority Betrayal)
- "Is anyone else pissed that no one prepared you for [life stage]?"
- "Is anyone else pissed that no one prepared you for menopause?"
Common-Product-Scam Question (`/hooks` Authority Betrayal)
- "Can we talk about how [common product] is basically a SCAM?"
- "Can we talk about how body wash is basically a SCAM?"
Paradox Question (Luke Iha)
- "How is it that [accepted fact A] and [accepted fact B] can both be true?"
- "How are 2,500-year-old teeth perfectly preserved while ours rot by 40?"
Moral / Too-Good Question (Nick)
- "IS IT [moral/legal concern] TO [achieve result] THIS EASILY?"
- "Is it immoral to make money this easily?"
Disarmingly Direct Ask (Hormozi)
- "Can I have your [contact info / email / phone]?"
- "Can I have your email address?"
2. Conditional / Avatar Callouts
Direct Avatar Callout (Hormozi Label Hook)
- "[Avatar/audience], [promise or gift]"
- "Local business owners, I have a gift for you"
Conditional Avatar (Hormozi)
- "If you're a [specific avatar] [doing/charging/struggling with X]..."
- "If you're a copywriter charging less than $5K/month..."
Filter-Upmarket Avatar (Evan)
- "If you're a [premium qualifier] tired of [premium-tier pain]..."
- "If you're a sales manager tired of long hiring cycles for your next A-player closer..."
Generic Identity (PTI)
- "If you're a [specific persona], this is for you"
- "If you're a woman over 45 who's tried everything..."
Tried-Everything Conditional (Hormozi)
- "If you've tried everything and still [unresolved pain], this is why"
- "If you've tried everything and still can't lose weight, this is why"
CauseβEffect Conditional (Hormozi)
- "If you're [doing thing], you're [consequence/why it's failing]"
- "If you're working all the time and your business isn't growing, you're working on the wrong sh*t"
Address-Direct (Aspirational) (Nick)
- "TO THE [target identity] WHO WILL [aspirational stance]..."
- "To the man who will settle for nothing less..."
Address Disqualified (Nick)
- "IF YOU'VE ALREADY [done the thing that disqualifies them], DON'T READ THIS"
- "If you've already taken your vacation, don't read this"
Categorical Us-vs-Them (Brandon swipe)
- "[Specific category of person] who [behavior/situation] β this is for you. Everyone else, scroll past."
- "People over 40 who wake up exhausted no matter how much they sleep"
3. Bold Declarations / Statements
Smartest-Thing Declaration (Hormozi)
- "The [smartest/biggest/dumbest] thing you can [do/believe] [today/in this market] is..."
- "The smartest thing you can do today is..."
Exclusivity / Rarity (Hormozi)
- "Most people will never [learn/do/figure out] this"
Blueprint Claim (Hormozi)
- "This is the blueprint to [aspirational identity/result]"
- "This is the blueprint to becoming a millionaire"
Statistic Hook (PTI)
- "[Specific number] people are dealing with [problem]"
- "1 in 3 women over 50 are dealing with thinning hair."
Bold Visceral Statement (PTI)
- "[Bold claim that stops scrolling]"
- "Your body wash is aging you faster than time itself."
Statement with Energy Interjection (Hormozi Provocative)
- "[Energy interjection]... [bold claim]"
- "Ahhhhh... This is the blueprint to becoming a millionaire"
You-Are-Better-Than-You-Think (Nick)
- "YOU ARE [N TIMES better than they think] AS YOU THINK"
- "You are twice as smart as you think"
True-Statement Visible-Proof Opener (NHB)
- "You know it's possible to [outcome] because you see [visible evidence] every day."
- "You know it's possible to make $5K, $10K, $15K a month because you see everybody doing it."
Bold Industry Stake (Hormozi You're Being Lied To)
- "[Industry/expert group] is lying to you about [topic]"
- "The fitness industry is lying to you about cardio"
Question-Generating First Line (NHB / Brandon Vasquez)
- "[Statement that creates immediate questions, not answers]"
- "Conscription day is always the deadliest"
4. Commands (Stop/Start/Watch/Read/Do)
Read/Watch This (Hormozi)
- "[Read/Watch/Stop] this if you're [pain/situation]"
- "Read this if you're tired of being broke"
Stop-Doing (Hormozi)
- "Stop doing [thing] if you want to [desired outcome]"
- "Stop doing this if you want to scale"
Stop-Start Substitution (NHB)
- "Stop [old approach], start [new approach]"
- "Stop chasing banks, start partnering with people"
Don't-Waste (RMBC UGC)
- "Don't waste your money on [category] until you see this"
- "Don't waste your money on dark-spot creams until you see this."
Stop-Buying-Like-This (Travis Negative)
- "Stop [action] before it's too late"
- "Stop buying [product] like this, or you're wasting your money"
Lazy I-Beg (`/hooks` Emotional)
- "I BEG YOU... please - never [do this] this way"
- "I BEG YOU... please - never wash your body again this way."
How-To (Nick / Ad Angle Mining)
- "HOW TO [achieve high-value outcome] [without common pain]"
- "How to win friends and influence people"
Bribe Command (Hormozi ACQ)
- "I'll give you [valuable thing] if you [simple action]"
- "I'll give you my $10K ad swipe file if you comment SWIPE"
Challenge-With-Prize (Hormozi ACQ)
- "Do [specific thing] and win [prize]"
- "Post your transformation and win $1,000"
5. List Hooks
Numbered Mistakes (Hormozi)
- "[Number] ways to [stay in negative state] / [Number] things every [avatar] gets wrong"
- "28 ways to stay poor"
Compressed Experience (Hormozi)
- "[Years] of [hard-won lessons] compressed into this [video/post/thread]"
- "13 years of brutal business truths compressed into this video"
N Reasons Why This Is The Only (Vini)
- "[N] Reasons Why This Is the Only [Product Category] You'll Ever Need"
- "4 Reasons Why This Is the Only Water Bottle You'll Ever Need"
N Steps to X For Good (Ad Angle Mining)
- "[Number] steps to [outcome] for good"
- "3 steps to eliminating back pain for good"
N Things You're Doing Wrong (Ad Angle Mining)
- "[Number] [habits/foods/routines] that are actually making your [problem] worse"
- "5 morning habits that are actually making you gain weight"
N Facts In Under X (RMBC Educational)
- "[Number] facts about [condition] in under [time]"
- "3 facts about thinning hair in under 30 seconds."
Looking-For-N-Avatars (Hormozi ACQ)
- "Looking for [specific number] [specific avatar] who want [specific result]"
- "Looking for 5 gym owners who want to add $50K/month in 90 days"
Data Stack (Hormozi ACQ)
- "In [timeframe]: [stat 1]. [stat 2]. [stat 3]."
- "In 14 months: 8 companies. $178M in revenue. 99.3% client retention."
Twitter Pick-Two (Hormozi)
- "[Thing 1]. [Thing 2]. [Thing 3]. Pick two."
- "Youth. Free time. Money. Pick two."
N Out Of M Use (Nick)
- "[N OUT OF M] [aspirational identity group] USE [product]"
- "9 out of 10 decorators use Wundaweve carpets"
Decade-By-Decade (Besque)
- "The Decade-by-Decade Truth About Your [body part] (And Why Everything Changes at [age])"
- "The Decade-by-Decade Truth About Your Skin (And Why Everything Changes at 40)"
ADHD Rapid-Fire Stack (RMBC)
- Front-load 3-5 standalone curiosity hooks back-to-back in first 15-30 seconds
- Hook 1: "Your body wash is aging you" / Hook 2: "Dermatologists won't tell you this" / Hook 3: "I threw $500 of skincare in the trash"
Bulletproof Stack (Travis Bulletproof)
- "[Result claim] + [proof element 1] + [proof element 2] + [proof element 3]..."
- "$2.4M in 90 days β here's the screenshot, the customer list, and the live ad account"
N Months Testing Every Brand (Sky House BRT)
- "Just spent [X]-months testing EVERY [Category] treatment (from $[low] to $[high]+)..."
- "Just spent 6-months testing EVERY Dark-Spot treatment (from $12 to $400+)..."
We Tested N So You Don't Have To (Sky House)
- "Which [Product Category] ACTUALLY Works? We tested [N] different products so you don't have to..."
- "Which Dark-Spot Treatment ACTUALLY Works? We tested 37 different products so you don't have to..."
Ranked Top-5 By Authority (Sky House)
- "[Authority figure]'s Top Choices to '[Erase/Fix]' [Problem] (in [year]) β Hint: You'll Never Guess the #1 Choice"
- "Dermatologist's Top Choices to 'Erase' Dark-Spots (in 2025)..."
Three Generations Same X (Besque)
- "Three generations, same [item], and somehow I was the one people kept talking about"
- "Three generations, same bikinis, and somehow I was the one people kept talking about!"
6. Story Openers
Time/Place Opener (Hormozi Narrative)
- "[Time marker], I was in [setting], when [unexpected event]..."
- "Last Tuesday I almost made the biggest mistake of my business life..."
Origin Story Setup (Hormozi)
- "[Time period] ago I was [low-point specific situation]..."
- "Three years ago I was $100K in debt and sleeping on my gym floor..."
Underdog Origin (Hormozi ACQ)
- "I was [broke/failing/lost] until [turning point]"
- "I was sleeping on my gym floor until I figured out one offer-stacking trick"
Story Lowest-Point (PTI)
- "I was at my [lowest/worst point] when..."
- "I was at my lowest when..."
Flashback Start (Travis Transformation)
- "A [time period] ago, I was [bad state]"
- "A year ago, I was 250 lbs and couldn't climb stairs without wheezing"
The Morning I Woke Up (Sky House)
- "The morning I woke up to [disturbing visceral detail], EVERYTHING changed"
- "The morning I woke up to a clump of my dry, brittle hair on the hotel pillow, EVERYTHING changed..."
Emotional Story Onset (Sky House)
- "Watching my [Loved One] fade to [Disease] was the hardest thing I've ever endured..."
- "Watching my Dad fade to Alzheimer's was the hardest thing I've ever endured..."
Sobbing Pivot (Sky House)
- "After SOBBING in [Public Place] over my [Problem]... I Skipped right Past the [Aisle]"
- "After SOBBING in Target over my Thinning-Hair... I Skipped right Past the Hair-Care aisle."
Spent-Years-Blaming Story (Sky House)
- "I spent years blaming my [Problem] on [Common Cause 1] and [Common Cause 2]. Turns out, I was completely WRONG..."
- "I spent years blaming my 'Thinning' Hair on Hormones and Aging. Turns out, I was completely WRONG..."
Days Away From Procedure (Besque)
- "I was days away from scheduling [expensive procedure] when I tried [Product]"
- "I was days away from scheduling a tummy tuck when I tried Besque Magic Body Oil."
Imagine-Losing-Everything (Loss Aversion) (Bishal)
- "Imagine losing everything you worked hard for over [single bad event]"
- "Imagine losing everything you worked hard for over one bad lawsuit."
Plan-B Story (Travis)
- "When Plan A failed, I had two choices: quit or rebuild"
- "I never wanted to run paid ads. Then my biggest organic source died in one Google update."
Adventure / Leap of Faith (Travis Adventure)
- "I had no plan, just a backpack and a dream"
- "Everyone told me not to do it β so I did"
Full Circle Return (Travis Adventure / Guru)
- "I left chasing something β and came back with something better"
Almost-Cancelled Pivot (`/hooks` Emotional)
- "I almost cancelled a $[amount] [event] because I was terrified of [activity]"
- "I almost cancelled a $4,000 vacation because I was terrified of wearing a swimsuit."
Chest-Tight Memory Open (`/hooks` Emotional)
- "A few months ago, something happened that still makes my chest tight when I think about it..."
7. Comparison / Contrast Hooks
Old Way / New Way (Hormozi ACQ)
- "Old way: [painful current method]. New way: [easier/faster method]"
- "Old way: cold calling 100 leads a day. New way: inbound DMs from a single post"
Anchoring Was/Now (Travis)
- "I was [high anchor number/state], but now I [low/better number/state]"
- "I was spending $10,000/month on ads and barely breaking even, but now I spend $500/month and make $15,000 in profit"
Side-By-Side Setup (Travis Comparison)
- "Here's life before [X]... and here's life after"
Time-Jump Comparison (Travis Comparison)
- "48 hours before vs. 48 hours after trying this"
Invisible Difference (Travis Comparison)
- "They look the same, but one of them is destroying your progress"
Two Versions Of Me (Travis)
- "Normal me vs. [transformed] me"
N Times Better Than Rival (Nick)
- "[N TIMES better metric] THAN THE LEADING COMPETITOR"
- "Six times whiter washes than the leading competitor"
Sister Got Procedure But X Worked Better (Sky House)
- "My [Relation] got '[Expensive Procedure]' but my [Cheap Product] gave me BETTER results... Should I feel Guilty?"
- "My Sister got 'Botox' but my Face-Wash gave me BETTER results..."
Cheap Beats Expensive (Sky House)
- "This Viral [Product] for [Audience] Beats $[X] Treatments ([Authority] Stunned)"
- "This Viral Sun Spot Cream for Women 45+ Beats $400 Treatments (Dermatologists Stunned)"
Big Purchase Contrast (`/hooks`)
- "I spent $[large amount] on a [luxury purchase]. But the $[small amount] [product] changed my life more"
- "I spent $100K on a new Jeep. But the $120 body oil changed my life more."
Strategic Exaggeration / Miami Effect (Travis)
- "[Common humble label] [revealed reality that contradicts the label]"
- "Just a small side hustle I run..." (reveals $500K/year revenue)
Then-vs-Now Industry Shift (Travis Historical)
- "Five years ago, this was impossible. Now, it's standard"
Contrast Hook (Motion) (`/hooks` Motion)
- "[Old way / past me / what I expected] vs [new way / current me / what happened]"
- "How I used to do X vs how I do X now."
Lemme Time-Lapse (Sam Piliero)
- "This is what [duration] of [doing X] looks like"
- "This is what 12 weeks of [doing X] looks like"
Before-and-After State (Nick)
- "[Bad state]... [Good state]"
Dramatize the Benefit (Vini)
- "Before: [exaggerated bad state]. After: [exaggerated relief with product]"
- "Before: 6 hours of back pain from sitting. After: Comfort all day with this ergonomic chair"
8. Contrarian / Reversal Hooks
Common-Belief Reversal (NHB)
- "People think [common belief], but [counter-truth] β and that changes everything about [desired outcome]"
- "People think webinars are the best way to sell β but the economics don't work, and that changes how you should be running your funnel"
Unexpected-Method Reveal (NHB)
- "I did not [achieve result] by [expected method]. I did it by [unexpected method]"
- "I didn't raise $155 million for real estate from banks. I did it by partnering with people."
Counter-Truth Reframe (NHB Pre-Opening)
- "Most people think [common belief]. Turns out, [counter-truth] β and that changes how you [desired outcome]..."
Contrarian Lead (Travis Reversal)
- "Everyone says to do X... but that's exactly why you're stuck"
- "Everyone says to post daily... but that's exactly why your engagement is dying"
Misunderstood Truth (Travis Reversal)
- "You've been told [X] fixes the problem β it actually causes it"
Backwards Belief (Travis Reversal)
- "What if everything you believe about [topic] is backwards?"
Inverted Rule (Travis Contrarian)
- "The less you try, the more it works"
Backward Formula (Travis Contrarian)
- "What if the secret to [goal] isn't [common method], but [opposite]?"
You-Don't-Need-X (Travis Contrarian)
- "You don't need [common requirement] to [achieve outcome] β you need this"
Industry-Call-Out (Travis Contrarian)
- "The [industry] doesn't want you to know this"
Industry Wake-Up (Travis Common Enemy)
- "Our industry has been lying to you for years..."
Sacred-Cow Attack (Travis Status Quo)
- "This is the rule everyone follows β and it's costing you everything"
Confess-Belief-Failure (Travis Revelation)
- "I used to believe [X], and it almost ruined everything"
- "I used to believe more cardio was the answer, and it almost ruined my metabolism"
Why-Common-Advice-Fails (RMBC)
- "Why [common advice] is making [problem] worse"
- "Why moisturizing every day is making your wrinkles worse."
Controversy (PTI)
- "Everyone's wrong about [topic]"
- "Everyone's wrong about retinol."
Pattern-Interrupt Negation (Travis Triple Hook)
- "I'm NOT going to [expected action]... because [reframe]. What I'm going to [do instead] is [unexpected reframe]."
- "I'm NOT going to show you how to make money online... because you already know how. What I'm going to show you is why you're not doing it."
Stop-Trying-To-Go-Viral (Hybrid) (Travis Hybrid)
- "Stop [negative action] and start [positive action]"
- "Stop trying to go viral and start building an audience that actually buys"
Mechanism Contrast (Travis Unique Mechanism)
- "Most [category] only [partial solution]. Mine does [complete solution]"
- "Most gluten-free recipes only replace one of the three functions gluten performs"
Wrong Villain (Travis Unique Mechanism)
- "Everyone thinks the problem is [common villain]... it's not. It's [real villain]"
- "Everyone thinks the problem is calories... it's not. It's timing"
9. Confession / Vulnerable Hooks
Embarrassing Admission (Travis Confession)
- "[Vulnerable admission about a belief / mistake], and here's what changed"
- "I'm embarrassed to admit I was doing this wrong for 2 years before I figured it out"
Disadvantage Reframe (Travis Disadvantage)
- "[Perceived weakness/handicap] is actually why I [achieved unexpected result]"
- "Being broke and unknown is exactly why my offer converts at 8%"
Used-To-Be-Ashamed (Travis Transformation)
- "I used to be ashamed to admit this..."
Confession Opener (Travis Testimonial Story)
- "I didn't think this would work for me..."
Skeptic-Becomes-Believer (Travis Testimonial)
- "I was sure it was a scam β until I saw the results myself"
Cried-When-I-Realized (Travis Testimonial)
- "I cried when I realized how simple it actually was"
Permission-Slip (Jeremy Haynes)
- "It's not your fault you [past failure]. Time to [turning point]"
- "It's not your fault you gained weight hibernating all winter. Time to turn it all around."
Confession Hook (Motion) (`/hooks` Motion)
- "[Person] admits [past wrong belief / mistake / failure]"
- "I used to think [common belief]... turns out I was completely wrong."
This-Isn't-Something-I'd-Share (Travis Transparency)
- "This isn't something I'd normally share publicly, but..."
Open-The-Books (Travis Transparency)
- "I'm about to show you the real numbers β no filters"
Probably-Shouldn't-Tell-You (Travis Qualifier)
- "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but..."
Wake-Up-Moment (Travis Regret)
- "I didn't realize how bad it was until this happened..."
Wasted-Years (Travis Regret)
- "I could've saved myself years if I'd known this"
10. Authority Betrayal / Insider Hooks
Authority Endorsement (Brandon swipe / FB Ad Creative)
- "[Expert/credential] [endorses/uses/prescribes] [thing] for [outcome]"
- "Dermatologists are quietly recommending this $12 drugstore cream over their own clinical brands"
Authority Tells How (Nick)
- "[Authority figure] SHOWS HOW TO [achieve outcome / avoid pain]"
- "Boss mechanic shows how to avoid engine repair bills"
Doctor as Rebel Insider (`/hooks` Ryan Connolly)
- Expert/insider exposing/betraying their own industry
- "Most of my Patients 'Fire' their Dermatologist after just 10 minutes in my office."
I-Tell-My-Patients (Turing) (RMBC)
- "I tell my patients to [counterintuitive/seemingly insane advice]"
- "I tell my patients to avoid moisturizing their paper-thin skin."
As-A-Credentialed-Authority (Luke Iha)
- "As a [credentialed role] with [years of experience], I'm telling you [counterintuitive claim]"
- "As a dermatologist with 24 years in clinic β I haven't recommended a moisturizer in 6 years."
Industry-Poisoning (`/hooks`)
- "The [industry] is poisoning you. And they know it"
- "The beauty industry is poisoning you. And they know it."
Apologize on Behalf of Profession (Sky House)
- "I want to Apologize on behalf of all [Profession]... to every [Audience] struggling with [Problem]"
- "I want to Apologize on behalf of all Doctors... to every Woman struggling with Thinning-Hair."
If-You-Have-X-Don't-Go-To-Y (Sky House)
- "If your [Problem]... do NOT go to a [Expected Authority]"
- "If your Hair is 'Thinning'... do NOT go to a Dermatologist."
Industry-Whistleblower (Brandon swipe)
- "Former [insider role] exposes what [industry] doesn't want you to know about [topic]"
- "Former cosmetic exec exposes what's really in your moisturizer"
Hidden Expert (Brandon swipe)
- "What your [doctor/dentist/financial advisor] isn't telling you about [problem]"
- "What your doctor isn't telling you about statins"
Doctors-Now-Recommend (PTI)
- "Doctors now recommend [approach] for [condition]"
- "Doctors now recommend body oil for thinning skin"
Authority's Top Choices (Sky House)
- "[Authority]'s Top Choices to '[Solve]' [Problem]"
- "Dermatologist's Top Choices to 'Erase' Dark-Spots (in 2025)"
Authority Had A Meltdown (Sky House)
- "My [Authority] [had a Melt-Down / nearly Fainted / FREAKED] when [she/he] saw what actually '[Solved]' my [Problem]"
- "My Dermatologist had a Melt-Down when I showed her how I actually 'Erased' My Dark-Spots..."
The Real Reason Sales Pro (Travis Guru Story)
- "It wasn't a course or a book β it was a five-minute conversation"
Quotation-Mark Provocateur (`/hooks` Ryan Connolly)
- Put quotation marks around the most provocative/loaded word
- "I can tell if a Woman has 'Wrinkles' just by looking at which Face-Wash she uses."
Insider Reveal (Travis Myth)
- "After 10 years in this field, here's the myth no one talks about"
The Industry Secret (Travis Myth)
- "No one in this space wants to admit this..."
11. Conspiracy / Industry-Lie Hooks
Engineered-To-Keep-You-Stuck (NHB / Jeremy Haynes)
- "[Established institution/method] is designed to keep you [paying / stuck / dependent]"
- "The diet industry is designed to keep you fat enough to keep coming back."
Conspiracy Frame (NHB)
- "What they told you about [topic] doesn't work because [hidden truth]. Here is what actually works."
- "What they told you about losing weight doesn't work because the food pyramid was funded by sugar lobbyists."
They've-Been-Lying-To-You (Hormozi)
- "[Industry/expert group] is lying to you about [topic]"
- "The fitness industry is lying to you about cardio"
Big-Industry-Furious (Brandon swipe)
- "Big [Pharma/Food/Beauty] is furious that this [cheap/natural] alternative is replacing their [profit center]"
- "Big Pharma furious as 9-second tea replaces blood pressure pills"
Industry-Made-Billions-Convincing (Sky House)
- "The [Industry] has made Billions convincing [Audience] that [Problem] can be 'Fixed' with [Common Solution]"
- "The Beauty Industry has made Billions convincing Women that Thinning-Hair can be 'Fixed' with Shampoo."
You-Were-Never-Supposed-To-Win (Travis Common Enemy)
- "You were never supposed to win with their method"
The Red Flag (Travis Common Enemy)
- "If someone tells you this, run"
100-vs-1 Reputation (Jeremy Haynes)
- "[Big number] people can love you, but [single hater] β and you'll think about that one all day"
Try-To-Ban / Suppress (Brandon swipe)
- "[Authority/big brand] is trying to [ban/sue/suppress] this [thing] because the results are [too dramatic / too cheap / too easy]"
- "Why the FDA tried to pull this 19-cent ingredient from shelves"
The Common Lie (Travis Myth)
- "You've probably heard this a thousand times β and it's wrong"
The Hidden Cost (Travis Myth)
- "This 'healthy' thing might be what's making you sick"
The Deceptive Fix (Travis Myth)
- "The thing you're using to solve it is what's causing it"
12. Mechanism / Hidden-Cause Reveal
Hidden-Reason Diagnosis (NHB)
- "You are [stuck situation] not because of [assumed reason], but because of [hidden reason]. Once you [break it], [outcome]"
- "You're not broke because you don't work hard. You're broke because the offer is wrong. Fix the offer, money flows."
Pattern Break / Real Culprit (Vini)
- "Your [thing they're focused on] isn't the problem β your [overlooked thing] is..."
- "Your landing page isn't the problem β your TIMING is..."
Surprising Culprit (Luke Iha)
- "The real villain behind [problem] isn't [usual suspect] β it's [unexpected everyday thing]"
- "The real villain behind chronic fatigue isn't your sleep β it's your morning shower"
Reverse Causation (Luke Iha)
- "[A] doesn't cause [B] β [B] causes [A]"
- "Stress doesn't cause your back pain. Your back pain is causing the stress."
Multiple Causes (Luke Iha)
- "It's not just [A] β it's [A + B + C] together that creates [problem]"
- "It's not just sugar. It's sugar + seed oils + late-night eating compounding all night."
Hidden Constraint / Control Point (Luke Iha)
- "The real limiting factor isn't [obvious factor] β it's [hidden upstream factor]"
- "The real limiting factor in your scaling isn't ad spend β it's pixel signal quality"
Insight-Based Reframe (Luke Iha)
- "You don't have [labeled problem] β you have [reframed deeper cause]"
- "You don't have arthritis β you have chronic inflammation, and here's the difference"
Mechanism-Based Hook (RMBC)
- "What happens when [body part/system] loses its [mechanism]?"
- "What happens when skin loses its hooks between layers?"
Hidden-Cause Hint (Besque)
- "Hint: it's the thing you've been made to believe [does positive thing]"
- "Hint: it's the thing you've been made to believe plumps your skin."
Effort Betrayal β Cut Out Everything (`/hooks`)
- "I cut out [sacrifice 1]. Cut out [sacrifice 2]. Did all of it for [X] years and my [problem] STILL [bad]. Turns out [real cause]"
- "I cut out processed foods. Cut out takeouts. Cut out sugar. Did all of it for 4 years and my skin STILL looked like it was rotting off my body."
Daily-Effort Failing (`/hooks`)
- "You [do the right thing] every day. Your [body part] still [disappointing result] by [time]"
- "You moisturise every single day. Your skin still feels tight by lunchtime."
Common-Product-Accelerates-Problem (`/hooks`)
- "[Common product] accelerates [problem] DRAMATICALLY!"
- "Body wash accelerates skin aging DRAMATICALLY!"
Current-Treatment-Backfire (`/hooks`)
- "I started [common treatment] and now EVERYTHING [negative consequence]"
- "I started tretinoin and now EVERYTHING BURNS."
Problem-Reframe (`/hooks`)
- "[PROBLEM] is NOT [common belief]. It's [real cause]"
- "Cellulite is NOT a fat problem. It's a circulation problem."
Product-Not-Designed-For (`/hooks`)
- "Your [product they use] is NOT designed for [their situation]"
- "Your shower product is NOT designed for winter skin."
The Real Reason (DR-KB Foundations)
- "The real reason [problem] has nothing to do with [common belief]"
- "The real reason your back hurts has nothing to do with your posture"
Curiosity Reason (RMBC Curiosity)
- "The [adjective] reason your [problem] won't go away"
- "The strange reason your wrinkles won't go away"
13. Specificity & Data Hooks
Hyper-Specificity (Travis)
- Replace round numbers with exact numbers in any claim
- "I made $53,847 last month without spending a single dollar on ads"
Quantified Result (Nick)
- "I AM [specific quantified result]" / "[Quantified claim]"
- "I AM 61 POUNDS LIGHTER..."
Speed Claim (Nick)
- "[Result] FAST" / "[Result] IN [tiny timeframe]"
- "FEEL BETTER FAST" / "[Result] in 2 seconds"
Specific-Stat Hook (Sam Piliero)
- "[X]% of people said [specific outcome] happened after [single use/short timeframe]"
- "94% of people said X happened after one use"
Big Number Transformed (Besque)
- "[Big number]+ [audience] transformed their [outcome]. Still people don't believe me"
- "440,000+ women transformed their skin. Still people don't believe me."
The Numbers Hook (Tracked) (Travis Data)
- "I tracked everything β and here's what changed"
Impossible Result (Travis Data)
- "We cut [metric] by [%] in [timeframe]"
- "We cut screen time by 82% in 3 days"
The Live Experiment (Travis Data)
- "I wanted proof β so I measured everything"
The Graph Reveal (Travis Data)
- "This line right here? That's the day everything changed"
7-Day Real Data Challenge (Travis Data)
- "I ran a 7-day test and here's the actual data"
Demonstrate With Prime Example (Nick)
- "AT [extreme condition], [surprising specific detail proves the claim]"
- "At 60 mph, the loudest noise in this Rolls Royce is the electric clock"
Show How Much Work (Nick)
- "[Action verb] [specific quantified scope] [adverb of speed]"
- "Relieves congestion in all 7 nasal passages instantly"
Value Anchor (Hormozi ACQ)
- "This took me [years] and [$ amount] to figure out... you can get it today for [low price]"
- "This program took me 10 years and $2M to figure out... you can get it today for $997"
Stress Newness (Nick)
- "NOW! [Result] WITHOUT [old required steps/equipment]"
- "Now! Chrome plate without heat, electricity, machinery"
Stress Exclusivity (Proprietary) (Nick)
- "ONLY [brand] HAS [proprietary mechanism/ingredient]"
- "Only Gleem has GL-70..."
Sensitize (Nick)
- "THE [thing] YOU LOVE TO [sensory verb]"
- "The skin you love to touch"
Metaphorize (Nick)
- "[Vivid action verb] [problem]"
- "Melts away ugly fat"
Dramatize the Claim (Nick)
- "THEY [doubted/laughed] WHEN I [setup action] β BUT WHEN I [reveal action]..."
- "They laughed when I sat down at the piano β but when I started to play..."
Future-Pace Numbers (Hormozi ACQ β North Star)
- "In [timeframe], here's what your [business/life/body] could look like..."
- "In 90 days, here's what your business could look like..."
14. Stakes / Challenge Hooks
Challenge With Stakes (Travis Triple Hook)
- "I'm going to [attempt something difficult] in [timeframe], or [consequence]"
- "I'm going to start a business from scratch with $0 and try to make $10,000 in 30 days, or I'll give my entire course away for free"
Declaration Challenge (Travis Challenge)
- "I'm giving myself [timeframe] to [challenge]"
- "I'm giving myself 72 hours to launch a $27 product"
Curiosity Experiment (Travis Challenge)
- "What happens when you [action] for [timeframe]?"
Stakes-First (Travis Challenge)
- "If this doesn't work, I'm donating $100 to a stranger"
Provocation Challenge (Travis Challenge)
- "Everyone says this can't work β I'm about to find out"
Time-Bound Promise (Travis Tutorial)
- "Give me [X minutes] and I'll show you exactly how to [specific result]"
- "Give me 90 seconds and I'll show you exactly how to write a winning hook"
Live-Build Promise (Travis Tutorial)
- "I'm going to build [specific output] in front of you right now using [tool/method]"
Time-Based Hook (PTI)
- "In the next [short timeframe], I'm going to show you [outcome]"
- "In the next 30 seconds, I'm going to show you why."
Stakes Library (Travis)
- "...or I'll give [money amount] to a random commenter"
- "...or I'll delete my entire [account/content]"
- "...or I'll [embarrassing consequence]"
- "...or I'll give away [valuable thing] for free"
- "...or I'll donate [amount] to charity"
- "...and if I succeed, [reward]; if I fail, [consequence]"
15. Concealment / Pain-Avoidance Hooks
Almost-Never-Wore (`/hooks`)
- "I almost never wore [clothing] and it pisses my [partner] off"
- "I almost never wore shorts and it pisses my husband off."
Couldn't-Wear-Then (`/hooks`)
- "I COULDN'T WEAR [clothing] BUT THEN..."
- "I couldn't wear shorts but then..."
Look-At-Your-X (`/hooks`)
- "Look at your [body part] right now"
- "Look at your upper arms right now."
When-Did-It-Start (`/hooks`)
- "You know that moment when you look at your [body part] and think... 'When did it start looking like [vivid metaphor]?'"
- "You know that moment when you look down at your arms and think... 'When did my skin start looking like an alligator handbag?'"
Dents-Holes-Too-Gross (`/hooks`)
- "My [body part] had all these [vivid description]. It felt so [emotion] I couldn't even [activity] anymore"
- "My skin had all these dents and holes. It felt so gross I couldn't even wear my bathing suit anymore."
Used-To-Hide (Sky House)
- "I used to hide my [Body Issue] everywhere I went"
- "I used to hide my Sun-Spots everywhere I went."
Sensation-Isn't-Normal (Besque)
- "That [tight feeling / itching / sensation] after [activity] isn't normal. It's a [warning sign / barrier breaking down]"
- "That tight feeling after showering isn't normal. It's a warning sign."
Used-To-Think-Normal (Besque)
- "I used to think these are just normal after [age]"
- "I used to think these are just normal after 40."
Body-Part-Tells-Truth (Besque)
- "Your [body part] tell[s] the truth about aging before anywhere else on your body"
- "Your arms tell the truth about aging before anywhere else on your body."
16. Family / Relationship Witness Hooks
Child / Grandchild Pointed (`/hooks`)
- "My [age]-year-old [grandchild] pointed at my [body part] at [location] and said '[innocent question].' Every adult went quiet"
- "My 6-year-old granddaughter pointed at my leg at the pool and said 'Grandma what are all those purple spots.'"
Daughter Took Picture (`/hooks`)
- "As my [daughter/son] took this picture [she/he] said '[compliment implying disbelief at age]'"
- "As my daughter took this picture she said 'Mom you can't look like this at 58 it's not fair.'"
Spouse-More-Attractive (`/hooks`)
- "My [partner] said I keep getting more attractive and [he/she] didn't like it"
Spouse-Threw-Away (`/hooks`)
- "My [partner] and I got into a huge fight after I threw $[amount] worth of [products] down the drain"
- "My husband and I got into a huge fight after I threw $500 worth of skincare down the drain."
Younger-Sibling-Jealous (`/hooks`)
- "My [sister/friend] was jealous of my [body/skin] at [event] ([she's] [X] years younger)"
- "My sister in law was jealous of my body and skin at our family vacation (she's 15 years younger)."
Daughter-Compliment (Besque)
- "My [daughter/relation] asked me what I'm doing differently. '[Compliment]'"
- "My daughter asked me what I'm doing differently. 'Mom, your skin looks amazing.'"
Husband-Bragging (Besque)
- "I caught my [husband/partner] bragging to his friends about how amazing my [body part/result] is becoming"
Mistaken-For-Daughter (Besque)
- "I'm [age] and people mistake me to be my [husband/relation]'s daughter"
- "I'm 46 and people mistake me to be my husband's daughter."
Mom-Shouldn't-Look-This-Good (Besque)
- "My [relation] said to me I shouldn't look this good at [age]"
- "My sister said to me I shouldn't look this good at 55."
At-Age-Younger-Relative-Jealous (Besque)
- "At [age], my [younger relative] is jealous of my [body part/result]"
- "At 51, my daughter is jealous of my skin."
Stranger-Asked-Surgery (Besque)
- "A [woman] [half my age / younger] asked me what surgery I'd had. I told her the truth and she didn't believe meβ¦"
Neighbor-Thinks-I-Got-Procedure (Sky House)
- "My [neighbor/relation] thinks I got '[expensive procedure]' to [Erase/Fix] my [problem]... Should I [tell/show] her [what I actually use]?"
- "My neighbor Susan thinks I got 'Laser' to Erase my Dark-Spots... Should I tell her what I actually use?"
Ex-Husband's-New-Wife-Begged (Sky House)
- "When my Ex-Husband's New [Bride/Girlfriend] [begged/asked] to know who '[Removed/Did]' my [problem]... I couldn't help but smile..."
- "When my Ex-Husband's New Bride begged to know who 'Removed' my Dark-Spots..."
Mad-At-Friend (Sky House)
- "I'm SO Mad at my friend [Name] for not telling me about this [Solution] sooner..."
Spouse-Said-When-I (Brandon)
- "What my [husband/wife] said when I [transformation moment]..."
- "What my husband said when I came down the stairs in my new dress"
Child-Pulled-Me-Aside (Brandon)
- "My [child] pulled me aside and asked [observation about my problem/transformation]"
- "My daughter pulled me aside and asked why I never smile in photos anymore"
17. Emotional Open Hooks
Chest-Tight Memory (`/hooks`)
- "A few months ago, something happened that still makes my chest tight when I think about it..."
I-Beg-You (`/hooks`)
- "I BEG YOU... please - never [start your day / do this] this way"
Almost-Cancelled (`/hooks`)
- "I almost cancelled a $[amount] [event] because I was terrified of [activity]"
Would-Have-Been-Okay (Empathy/Absolution) (NHB)
- "Not too long ago, you had [dream/ambition/setup]... But things didn't work out. That would have been okay β you couldn't have known. And if you did, you wouldn't be here. But in the next few minutes, I'm going to show you how [product] will [outcome]..."
Personal Loss (Travis Regret)
- "I missed out on moments I can't get back"
Watching X Fade (Sky House)
- "Watching my [Loved One] fade to [Disease] was the hardest thing I've ever endured..."
Nobody Talks About (Motion / `/hooks`)
- "Nobody talks about how [specific pain] actually feels"
- "Nobody talks about how menopause skin actually feels."
Senior-Discount-Without-Asking (`/hooks`)
- "The Cashier Didn't Even Ask for My ID... She Just Automatically Applied the Senior Discount. I was [age] then"
- "The Cashier Didn't Even Ask for My ID... She Just Automatically Applied the 'Senior Discount.' I was 56 then."
Millennials-Acting-Like (`/hooks`)
- "Millennials are out here acting like [age] is ancient. Like we should just accept [problem] and cover up"
Generation-That-Thought (`/hooks`)
- "I'm [age]. We're from a generation that thought [outdated belief] was [what we believed]"
- "I'm 59. We're from a generation that thought baby oil was sunscreen."
Decade-Damage (`/hooks`)
- "The [trend] in the [decade] left me with this:"
- "The tanning craze in the 90s left me with this:"
Not-Taught-About (`/hooks`)
- "I was NOT taught about [important thing] growing up. And [consequence] has [aged/damaged] me DRASTICALLY"
- "I was NOT taught about sunscreen growing up."
18. Pov / Identity / Aspirational Hooks
POV Decision Statement (Travis B-Roll)
- "POV: You finally [made the decision / achieved the milestone] that changed everything"
- "POV: You just made your first $100 online"
POV Micro-Win (Travis B-Roll)
- "POV: You [first small win that signals trajectory]"
POV Freedom (Travis)
- "POV: You built your business, quit your job, and booked the flight"
POV Relief (Travis)
- "POV: You wake up without [pain] for the first time in years"
POV Pride (Travis)
- "POV: You followed through β and now they're asking how you did it"
POV Empowerment (Travis)
- "POV: You stopped listening to everyone else and trusted yourself"
POV Cold-Open (Sam Piliero)
- "I've been [doing/buying X] for years and..."
POV Aspirational (Travis Aspirational Identity)
- "POV: You finally [aspirational outcome]"
- "POV: You finally built a business that lets you live anywhere"
Three-Years-Ago Identity Shift (Travis Aspirational)
- "Three years ago, I never believed I could live like this"
One-Year-Stuck-Next-Aspirational (Travis Aspirational)
- "One year you're [stuck state]... the next you're [aspirational state]"
- "One year you're tired and stuck... the next you're homeschooling your kids in Bali"
Identity-Hook (PTI) (PTI)
- "If you're a [specific persona], this is for you"
Casual Question Cold-Open (Sam Piliero)
- "[Casual question to camera/scene]?" β cut to product
- "Where's your hat from?"
Curiosity-Gap (Sam P style) (Sam Piliero)
- "What if I told you there's a [product] that [unexpected claim]..."
- "What if I told you there's a moisturizer that doesn't moisturize..."
19. Trance / Future-Pace Entry Hooks
Imagine-For-A-Moment (NHB)
- "Imagine for a moment [scene/scenario]..."
- "Imagine for a moment you're sitting in your office and the calendar pings β another booked call."
Next-Time-You (NHB)
- "The next time you find yourself [common situation]..."
- "The next time you find yourself staring at an empty pipeline..."
Close-Your-Eyes (NHB)
- "Close your eyes and when you open them you're looking at [future scene]..."
As-You-Begin (NHB)
- "As you begin to [use product], you notice [sensory detail]..."
- "As you begin to apply the framework, you notice your closing rate creep up..."
Five-Years-Ahead Bridge (NHB)
- "Here in [region], we still think [old method] is the best way. While that is still working, the [reference group] are no longer doing [old method]... Imagine if you could be [N] years ahead..."
Imagine-Losing-Everything (Bishal)
- "Imagine losing everything you worked hard for over [single bad event]"
- "Imagine losing everything you worked hard for over one bad lawsuit."
Vision Frame (Travis Philosophy)
- "Imagine a world where [outcome]"
Without-Negative-State (Travis Without Ad)
- "Five years from now, if nothing changes, here's the email you'll be sending your team..."
20. Stalker / Hyper-Specific Pain Hooks
Stalker Hook (Stack 3+ Specifics) (Evan)
- "If you're [hyper-specific situation] AND [hyper-specific symptom] AND [hyper-specific frustration]..."
- "If you're spending $300-$500/day on ads, your show rates are sucking, and your sales team is complaining..."
Specificity Hook (Older + Pain Layers) (`/hooks` & Sky House)
- "Are you over [age], carrying an extra [N] lbs, and have been trying for the past [X] years to crack the [problem] code, but nothing seems to work?"
Stuck-At-Spend-Tier (Evan)
- "You're probably stuck at the [low-budget range] in ad spend and struggling to scale your [offer] past that..."
- "You're probably stuck at the $300 to $500 range in ad spend..."
Time-Frustrated (Evan)
- "Have you been running [thing] for the past [X] months but cannot get them to [outcome]?"
- "Have you been running ads for your agency for the past 2-3 months but cannot get them to scale?"
ROAS-Focused Pain (Evan)
- "If you cannot get your [metric] above [threshold] for your [offer], let me show you what you're doing wrong."
- "If you cannot get your ROAS above 3x for your agency offer, let me show you what you're doing wrong."
Validation-Failure (Evan)
- "You know [thing] works, but for some reason they just aren't working for your [offer]. Let me tell you why."
Still-Struggling-With (PTI)
- "Still struggling with [specific pain]?"
- "Still struggling with adult acne?"
Tired-Of-Specific-Pain (Hormozi Awareness)
- "Tired of [specific problem]? There's a better way"
When-You're-State (Nick)
- "WHEN YOU'RE [specific painful state]..."
- "When you're weary with day-time fatigue..."
Why-Audience-State (Nick)
- "WHY [target group] [verb describing painful state]..."
- "Why men crack..."
21. Visual Hook Frames
Visual structures that work AS hook formulas β fill-in-the-blank applies to the visual setup, not the verbal opener.
Dynamic Opening (Vini)
- Open with fast-paced visual + bold text overlay + sound effect in first 3 seconds
Unexpected Visuals (Vini)
- Lead with surprising/unique visual related to product β curiosity
Visual-Prop / Weird Scene (Evan / Vini)
- Carrying ladder, flipping laptop, pulling out coffee mug β stop scroll via unusual visual event
Whiteboard / Flip Chart (Evan / `/hooks`)
- Author at flip chart with key claim, draws math/diagram during hook
Look-The-Part Environment (Evan)
- Visual + environment + dress that matches audience's world more than marketer aesthetic
- Roofer at Home Depot in polo + truck (NOT studio in suit)
Text-Stickers-For-Features (Vini)
- "[Feature 1] [emoji] | [Feature 2] [emoji] | [Feature 3] [emoji]"
- "Fast Charge β‘ | Lightweight β¨ | Long Battery π"
Show-Versatility (Vini)
- Same product across multiple contexts (work / travel / hiking / gym)
5-Different-Demographics (Vini)
- 5 distinct personas using same product (busy mom, fitness enthusiast, student, traveler, office worker)
Different Backgrounds (Vini)
- Same product, different settings (urban / nature / cozy home)
POV/Selfie (Vini)
- First-person/mirror POV using the product
Outcome First (Vini)
- Show the ultimate end-state benefit, then reveal the product that produced it
Show-The-Before-State (Vini)
- Open on relatable problem scenario β product solves it
Skit / Problem-In-Action (Travis)
- "[character voice]" with chaos erupting
- "'Mom, the Wi-Fi's down again!' (chaos erupts)"
Sarcastic Mock Commercial (Travis Skit)
- "Introducing... the brand-new [absurd product]! Because who doesn't love [absurd benefit]?"
Visual Symbol Metaphor (Travis Metaphor)
- "This [object] is exactly like your [problem]. Watch..."
- "This dirty sponge is exactly like your dopamine system. Watch..."
Cause & Effect Demo (Travis Metaphor)
- "When you pour [this] into [that], the reaction is just like what happens when..."
Live Build (Tutorial) (Travis Tutorial)
- "Watch over my shoulder as I [perform process] from scratch"
Screen-Record Process (Travis Tutorial)
- "Let me screen record my exact process for [outcome]"
3-Act Universal Hook (Sam P) (Sam Piliero)
- Act 1 Setup (0-5s) β micro hook + curiosity loop
- Act 2 Body β problemβsolution stack
- Act 3 Resolution β disaster moment + result + CTA
768-Permutation Founder (Sam Piliero)
- 4 Intros Γ 4 Hooks Γ 4 Bodies Γ 4 Proofs Γ 2 Promises Γ 3 CTAs from one 2-3 min take
22. Travis Stephenson Triple Hook System
Structure: Qualifier + Main Statement + Twist (False-Belief Breaker), arrangeable in 6 orders.
The 6 Arrangements
- 1. Qualifier β Main β Twist: "[Qualifier], but [Main] [Twist]"
- 2. Main β Qualifier β Twist: "[Main], and [Qualifier], but [Twist]"
- 3. Twist β Main β Qualifier: "[Twist] and [Main], and [Qualifier]"
- 4. Main β Twist β Qualifier: "[Main] [Twist], and [Qualifier]"
- 5. Twist β Qualifier β Main: "[Twist], and [Qualifier], but [Main]"
- 6. Qualifier β Twist β Main: "[Qualifier], but [Twist] and [Main]"
Example #1: "You're not going to believe this, but my business made $60,000 in the last 30 days, and I did it without going viral."
"Without" Twist Formula
- "I [achieved result] without [false belief / common method]"
- "I lost 15 pounds in 30 days without cutting carbs"
Unexpected Twist Variation
- "I [achieved result], and [unexpected disqualifier that makes it more impressive]"
- "I built a six-figure business, and I'm only 19 years old"
Qualifier Library
- "You're not going to believe this, but..."
- "This is the moment everything changed for me..."
- "As a [shared identity], we both know..."
- "Everyone thinks [X], but..."
- "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but..."
- "I'm going to be completely honest..."
- "I was spending [high number], but now..."
- "In the next [timeframe]..."
- "I'm going to set a timer for [timeframe]..."
- "This is why you're not [achieving goal]..."
- "Stop [action] before it's too late..."
- "If you're a [target audience] who wants [result]..."
- "I'll never forget the moment when..."
- "This is embarrassing to admit, but..."
- "Not to flex, but..."
Main Statement Library
- "I made/earned/achieved [specific number] in [timeframe]"
- "I went from [negative state] to [positive state] in [timeframe]"
- "This is the exact [number]-step process I use to [achieve goal]"
- "This one technique increased my [metric] from [low number] to [high number]"
- "I'm going to build/create/achieve [goal] in [timeframe]"
- "Here's exactly how to [achieve goal]"
- "I'm going to show you the [number] things you need to [achieve goal]"
- "I discovered the one [thing] that changed everything"
Twist (False-Belief Breaker) Library
- "...and I did it without [common method/false belief]"
- "...and I only worked [surprisingly low amount]"
- "...and I'm only [surprisingly young age]"
- "...and my [circumstance] is [surprisingly bad]"
- "...and it only takes [short timeframe] to implement"
- "...and you don't need any [skill/resource] to use it"
- "...and it's the one thing everyone told me NOT to do"
- "...and you probably don't even know you're making this mistake"
- "...without spending a single dollar on [common expense]"
- "...despite having [major obstacle]"
Stakes Library (Optional 4th Element)
- "...or I'll give [money amount] to a random commenter"
- "...or I'll delete my entire [account/content]"
- "...or I'll [embarrassing consequence]"
- "...or I'll give away [valuable thing] for free"
- "...or I'll donate [amount] to charity"
- "...and if I succeed, [reward]; if I fail, [consequence]"
23. The 30 Archetype Opening Library
Travis Stephenson's archetype system. Each archetype is a positioning angle (covered in the angle file) with 5-7 hook openers. Quick reference of archetype β top hook pattern. For full hook libraries within each archetype, see
formulas-extracts/extract-hooks-2-travis-vini-nick.md.
| # | Archetype | Top Hook Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Challenge | "I'm giving myself [timeframe] to [challenge]" |
| 2 | Tutorial | "Give me [X minutes] and I'll show you exactly how to [specific result]" |
| 3 | Transformation | "A [time] ago, I was [bad state]" |
| 4 | Revelation | "I used to believe [X], and it almost ruined everything" |
| 5 | Reversal | "Everyone says to do X... but that's exactly why you're stuck" |
| 6 | Metaphor | "This [object] is exactly like your [problem]. Watch..." |
| 7 | Without | "I built [result] without [common belief]" |
| 8 | Comparison | "Here's life before [X]... and here's life after" |
| 9 | Testimonial Story | "I didn't think this would work for me..." |
| 10 | Skit | "[character voice]" + chaos erupting scenario |
| 11 | Myth | "You've probably heard this a thousand times β and it's wrong" |
| 12 | Prediction | "Most people have no idea what's coming..." |
| 13 | Philosophy | "We're done doing it their way" |
| 14 | Regret | "I could've saved myself years if I'd known this" |
| 15 | Data | "I tracked everything β and here's what changed" |
| 16 | Contrarian | "Everything you've been told about [topic] is wrong" |
| 17 | Guru Story | "It wasn't a course or a book β it was a five-minute conversation" |
| 18 | Historical | "Remember when we all thought [X] would [Y]?" |
| 19 | Plan B | "I thought this idea would make me rich..." |
| 20 | Morality | "I could've made more money if I just stayed quiet..." |
| 21 | Adventure | "I had no plan, just a backpack and a dream" |
| 22 | B-Roll/POV | "POV: You finally [made the decision] that changed everything" |
| 23 | Transparency | "You guys gotta see this..." |
| 24 | Unique Mechanism | "You didn't fail β your method failed you" |
| 25 | Status Quo | "Everyone believes this... and it's dead wrong" |
| 26 | Common Enemy | "The real reason you're stuck? This one industry lie..." |
| 27 | Aspirational Identity | "POV: You finally [aspirational outcome]" |
| 28 | Confession | "I'm embarrassed to admit I was doing this wrong for [time]" |
| 29 | Disadvantage | "[Perceived weakness] is actually why I [achieved unexpected result]" |
| 30 | Underdog | "Everyone said [I/they] couldn't [outcome] because [obstacle], but [achievement]" |
| Bonus | Bulletproof | "[Result] + [proof element 1] + [proof element 2] + [proof element 3]..." |
24. Luke's 10 Unaware Hook Types (+ 2Γ2 Matrix)
Source: Luke Iha β Creative Strategist KB Β§32 (Static Image Generation SOP). For unaware/cold long-form. Full detail (trigger reference banks, unaware ad structure, 4-step generation method):
Work/DR Learning/Ads/Creative-Strategist-Knowledge-Base.mdΒ§32.
Paradox
- Contradictory truths create cognitive tension
- "The more you [do the common fix], the [worse the problem gets]"
- "The more you exercise, the fatter you get"
Lost Wisdom / Forgotten Remedy
- The answer existed, we forgot it
- "[Ancient group] knew this [solution] β modern [industry] buried it"
- "Ancient Tibetan monks knew this..."
Conspiracy / Historical Inflection
- Villain + date + something hidden
- "In [year], [villain] [hid/changed/buried] [thing]"
- "In 1910, Rockefeller..."
Warning Sign
- Reframes something normalized as serious
- "If you [normalized behavior/symptom], it's not [benign explanation]"
- "If you wake up at 3am, it's not insomnia"
Everyday Threat
- Something trusted is secretly harmful
- "Your [trusted daily thing] is destroying your [valued thing]"
- "Your morning coffee is destroying..."
Story
- Narrative identification through a specific person
- "A [age]-year-old [relatable identity] from [place]..."
- "A 67-year-old grandmother from Ohio..."
Big Win
- Pure aspirational transformation
- "[Specific person] [achieved dream outcome] in [timeframe]"
- "She paid off her mortgage in 18 months"
Big Horror
- The deepest dread they avoid thinking about
- "[Authority] found [terrifying thing] in/after [routine event]"
- "Doctors found this in her blood after..."
Symptom Call-Out
- Observable behavior without explanation
- "If your [body part/behavior] [does specific observable thing]..."
- "If your hands tingle when you wake up..."
Sacred Cow / The Lie
- Fundamental belief proven false
- "Everything you know about [foundational topic] is wrong"
- "Everything you know about cholesterol is wrong"
The 2Γ2 Hook Matrix (which direction to aim the hook)
| GOOD | BAD | |
|---|---|---|
| YOU | Possibility (transformation available) | Danger (something bad happening to you) |
| WORLDVIEW | Validation (you were right all along) | Destabilization (what you believed is wrong) |
Sources & Raw Extracts
For source-by-source breakdown with all original examples and source attributions:
formulas-extracts/extract-hooks-1-hormozi-nhb.md(375 lines, ~66 formulas)formulas-extracts/extract-hooks-2-travis-vini-nick.md(610 lines, ~223 formulas)formulas-extracts/extract-hooks-3-hooks-skill-and-others.md(538 lines, 113 formulas)
Master count: ~400 distinct hook formulas synthesized from 14 sources.
Use sequence:
- 1. Pick the formula category that matches your goal (story / contrarian / specificity / etc.)
- 2. Scan formulas in that section
- 3. Fill in the blanks with your offer's specifics
- 4. Cross-reference 2-3 categories to compose hybrid hooks (Travis's Triple Hook = Qualifier + Main + Twist already does this)