In the online world, initial impressions are vital. An engaging video hook can enhance your audience and seize viewers’ attention right away, although mastering it can be difficult.

During VidCon 2025, Jason Gandy, a content creator and educator at Quantum Courses, discussed ways to captivate viewers in the first three seconds through humor, pacing, and clever edits in the panel “Hook, Line, and LOL: Making the First Three Seconds Count.”

Gandy points out that a weak hook leads to poor viewer retention but offers four methods for crafting a strong hook:

1. **Bold statement**: Make a “specific and direct” bold assertion that “challenges common perceptions, offers value or benefits,” and ensure your video substantiates it. “Start with something shocking or provocative,” Gandy recommended.

2. **Pose an intriguing question**: Ask questions that “ignite curiosity and entice viewers to continue watching to discover the answer.” They should evoke an emotional connection and suggest a reward.

3. **Humor**: Kick off with a quick, relatable, or surprising joke, keeping it concise and punchy. Use gestures and props to amplify humor during those opening moments.

4. **Storytelling**: Launch with a “concise narrative or tale that captures emotions, piques curiosity, or connects with your viewer’s experiences.” Maintain brevity and relatability.

“To effectively hook viewers using any of the techniques we’ve outlined, you need to incorporate pacing and rapid cuts,” Gandy stated. This “creates an immersive experience” for the audience. Include audio elements like music and sound effects, visual elements like b-roll and animations, and meticulous editing.

While Gandy didn’t delve into visual hooks, many TikTok users share advice on achieving them—like pulling your camera out of a drawer, flipping it open like a book, or grabbing your phone from a fridge.

To discover more instances of effective visual hooks, reflect on the videos that quickly caught your attention and analyze the creator’s approach. You can also type “hooks” into TikTok’s search.

Mashable will be reporting live from the Anaheim Convention Center this week, covering VidCon 2025. Return to Mashable.com for insights as we engage with your favorite creators, discuss the latest trends, and provide tips on how creators are expanding their audiences, their impact, and earning a living online.