a8fc9c7715
* fix(shellcheck): declare and assign separately in router.sh (SC2155) * feat(plugin): enhance context management and skill invocation - Update .context-manifest.json to include profile and detailed source information. - Revise context-scout.md to clarify context root discovery and navigation. - Modify commands to replace deprecated skills with updated ones (brainstorming → approach, systematic-debugging → debugger). - Streamline install-context.md for clarity and remove interactive profile selection. - Improve oac-status.md to provide a more comprehensive status report. - Add OAC system paths to session-start.sh for better context management. - Remove obsolete skills and improve documentation for existing commands.
242 lines
6.2 KiB
Markdown
242 lines
6.2 KiB
Markdown
<!-- Context: content-creation/hooks | Priority: low | Version: 1.0 | Updated: 2026-02-15 -->
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# Writing Compelling Hooks
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Techniques for creating attention-grabbing openings that make people want to keep reading, watching, or listening.
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---
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## Why Hooks Matter
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**First 3 seconds are critical**:
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- 80% of people decide to continue or leave within 3 seconds
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- Hooks determine whether your content gets consumed or ignored
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- Strong hooks increase engagement, shares, and conversions
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---
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## Hook Types
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### 1. Question Hook
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Ask a question that resonates with your audience's pain points or desires.
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**Examples**:
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- "Ever wonder why some content goes viral while yours gets ignored?"
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- "What if I told you there's a better way to write hooks?"
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- "Are you making these 3 fatal mistakes in your content?"
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**Best for**: Blog posts, emails, social media
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---
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### 2. Statistic Hook
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Lead with a surprising or compelling statistic.
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**Examples**:
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- "95% of content gets zero engagement. Here's why."
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- "The average person scrolls past 300 posts per day. Here's how to stop them."
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- "I analyzed 10,000 viral posts. Here's what they all had in common."
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**Best for**: Data-driven content, credibility building
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---
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### 3. Story Hook
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Start with a relatable story or scenario.
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**Examples**:
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- "I spent 6 months creating content that nobody read. Then I changed one thing..."
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- "Picture this: You hit publish on your best work yet. Crickets."
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- "Three years ago, I was exactly where you are now..."
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**Best for**: Personal content, case studies, testimonials
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---
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### 4. Bold Claim Hook
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Make a provocative or counterintuitive statement.
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**Examples**:
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- "Everything you know about content marketing is wrong."
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- "You don't need more content. You need better hooks."
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- "The secret to viral content has nothing to do with quality."
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**Best for**: Thought leadership, contrarian takes, attention-grabbing
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---
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### 5. Problem-Agitation Hook
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Identify a problem and agitate it before offering a solution.
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**Examples**:
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- "Your content is invisible. Not because it's bad, but because nobody sees it."
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- "You're working twice as hard and getting half the results. Sound familiar?"
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- "Every day you wait, your competitors are stealing your audience."
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**Best for**: Sales copy, problem-solution content
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---
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### 6. Curiosity Gap Hook
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Create intrigue by hinting at valuable information without revealing it.
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**Examples**:
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- "The one thing nobody tells you about content creation..."
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- "I discovered something that changed everything. Here's what happened."
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- "There's a hidden pattern in all viral content. Once you see it, you can't unsee it."
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**Best for**: Clickable content, social media, email subject lines
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---
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## First Sentence Formulas
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### Formula 1: Problem + Promise
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"[Problem] is killing your results. Here's how to fix it."
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### Formula 2: Surprising Fact + Explanation
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"[Surprising fact]. Here's why it matters."
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### Formula 3: Personal Story + Lesson
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"I [did something]. Here's what I learned."
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### Formula 4: Question + Answer Preview
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"[Question]? The answer might surprise you."
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### Formula 5: Bold Statement + Proof
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"[Bold claim]. Here's the data to prove it."
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---
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## Opening Patterns by Format
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### Blog Posts
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- Start with a question or statistic
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- Use 1-2 sentence paragraphs for easy scanning
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- Promise value in the first 50 words
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### Videos
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- Visual hook in first 3 seconds (movement, text, face)
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- Verbal hook in first 5 seconds
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- Pattern interrupt (unexpected sound, visual, statement)
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### Social Media Posts
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- Hook in first line (before "see more")
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- Use line breaks to create curiosity
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- Emoji or formatting to stand out
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### Emails
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- Subject line = hook
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- First sentence reinforces the hook
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- Preview text extends the curiosity
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### Podcasts
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- Tease the most valuable insight upfront
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- Use a story or surprising fact
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- Promise a clear takeaway
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---
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## Attention Retention Techniques
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### Open Loops
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Create questions or promises early that you answer later.
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**Example**: "I'll share the exact framework at the end, but first..."
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### Pattern Interrupts
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Break expected patterns to recapture attention.
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**Examples**:
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- Sudden format change
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- Unexpected question
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- Contrarian statement
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- Personal aside
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### Value Stacking
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Continuously promise and deliver value throughout.
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**Example**: "Not only will you learn X, but I'll also show you Y and Z."
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### Micro-Commitments
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Get small agreements that lead to continued engagement.
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**Example**: "If you've ever felt this way, keep reading..."
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---
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## Hook Testing Checklist
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Before publishing, ask:
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- [ ] Does it grab attention in the first 3 seconds?
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- [ ] Does it create curiosity or promise value?
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- [ ] Is it relevant to my target audience?
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- [ ] Does it align with the content that follows?
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- [ ] Would I stop scrolling for this?
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- [ ] Is it specific rather than generic?
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- [ ] Does it trigger an emotional response?
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---
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## Common Hook Mistakes
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### ❌ Too Generic
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"In this post, I'll talk about content creation."
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### ✅ Specific and Compelling
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"The 3-second rule that determines if your content lives or dies."
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---
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### ❌ Burying the Lead
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Starting with background info instead of the hook.
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### ✅ Lead with Value
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Put the most compelling information first.
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---
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### ❌ Overpromising
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Making claims you can't deliver on.
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### ✅ Honest Value
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Promise what you can actually deliver.
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---
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## Hook Templates
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### For How-To Content
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- "How to [achieve desired outcome] without [common obstacle]"
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- "The [number]-step process to [desired result]"
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- "[Desired outcome] in [timeframe]: Here's how"
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### For List Content
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- "[Number] [things] that [result]"
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- "I tried [number] [things]. Here's what worked."
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- "The only [number] [things] you need to [result]"
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### For Case Studies
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- "How I [achieved result] in [timeframe]"
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- "From [starting point] to [end point]: The full story"
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- "[Result] without [expected requirement]: Here's how"
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### For Opinion/Thought Leadership
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- "Why [common belief] is wrong"
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- "The truth about [topic] nobody talks about"
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- "[Controversial take] and why it matters"
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---
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## Usage
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Apply these hook techniques to:
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- Blog post openings
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- Video intros
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- Social media posts
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- Email subject lines and openings
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- Podcast intros
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- Landing page headlines
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**Remember**: The hook's job is to get people to consume the next sentence, not to tell the whole story.
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