What’s Your Hook? Why Every Message Needs One
Let’s talk about hooks.
Not the kind for fishing—but the kind that grab attention and don’t let go.
In marketing, a hook is a simple, powerful idea that makes people stop and say, “Tell me more.” It pulls people in by making them feel something. It touches a need, a desire, or a deep emotion.
If your message is a sandwich, the hook is the first bite that makes someone want the rest.
What Is a Hook?
A hook is the heart of your message. It’s the reason someone cares. It’s what makes your offer stand out and stick in someone’s mind.
Think of it as your core emotional appeal. It’s not about the features. It’s about the feeling.
Here are some types of hooks:
A promise – “Get more done in less time.”
A problem – “Tired of feeling stuck every Monday morning?”
A desire – “Finally feel confident in your own skin.”
A fear – “Don’t let your money vanish in hidden fees.”
A dream – “Turn your side hustle into a full-time thing.”
Each one speaks to something your audience feels. That’s what makes it powerful.
Why Hooks Work
People make decisions based on emotion, not just logic. A good hook connects to what people want or need—deep down.
Let’s say you sell planners. You could say:
“Our planners have monthly and weekly pages.”
Sure. That’s a feature.
But a hook would be:
“Take back control of your day.”
Now that speaks to a feeling. It’s about freedom. Calm. Focus.
That’s what people really want from a planner.
Finding Your Hook
Here’s how to start:
Ask what problem your offer solves.
What’s broken, stressful, or missing in your audience’s life?Think about how your offer makes life better.
What’s the happy ending? What can your product or service give them?Listen to real words people use.
Look at reviews, comments, or customer messages. People will often tell you what matters most.Choose one core idea.
One clear emotion. One strong benefit. One thing they’ll remember.
Great Hooks in the Wild
You’ve seen these kinds of hooks before. Here are a few simple examples that work:
“Because you’re worth it.” (L’Oréal – appeals to self-worth)
“Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.” (M&M’s – focuses on ease and fun)
“Think different.” (Apple – speaks to creativity and identity)
“Save money. Live better.” (Walmart – blends value with a better life)
Each one is short. Emotional. Clear. And unforgettable.
Your Hook = Your Starting Point
A hook isn’t just a headline. It’s the foundation of your message.
Use it in your emails. On your website. In your ads. In your social posts. Your hook is the big idea everything else wraps around.
If you don’t have a hook, your message might feel flat. If you do, your audience will feel it right away—and they’ll want to know more.
Final Thoughts
Marketing isn’t about shouting louder. It’s about saying something that sticks.
A good hook is clear, emotional, and real. It’s the “why” behind your offer. It’s what makes people care—and act.
So next time you’re writing a message, ask yourself: What’s the hook?
Because that’s what turns readers into customers—and ideas into impact.
Until next time, keep it simple, keep it strong, and lead with the hook.
Why Your Website Needs a Headline That Makes You Curious
When someone visits your website, what’s the first thing they see?
The headline.
It’s the big words at the top. It’s the first thing people read. And guess what? It matters a lot.
Your headline is like the front door to your website. If it looks boring, people might not come in. But if it makes them curious, they’ll want to know more. And that’s exactly what you want.
Let’s break down why curiosity is so powerful—and how it can help your website work better.
Curiosity Makes People Pay Attention
Think of curiosity like a little spark in your brain. When something surprises you or makes you wonder, your brain wants to figure it out. That’s curiosity at work.
Now imagine a headline that says:
“We Sell Shoes”
Okay. That’s clear. But it’s also kind of dull. You already know what it means. No mystery. No reason to read more.
Now try this one:
“The Most Comfortable Thing You’ll Ever Put on Your Feet”
Ooh. That sounds interesting. It makes you wonder, What is it? Are they really that comfy? So you keep reading. That’s the power of curiosity.
A Good Headline Makes You Want More
Your website headline doesn’t need to tell the whole story. It just needs to start it.
Think of it like the first line of a good book. If the first line grabs you, you keep reading. If not, you close the book.
That’s how visitors act on a website. They read the headline. If it’s boring or confusing, they leave. If it makes them want to know more, they stay.
And when people stay, they’re more likely to click, buy, or sign up.
What Makes a Headline Curious?
Here are a few tricks that make people curious:
Ask a question
Example: “What’s the one thing your morning routine is missing?”Leave out just enough
Example: “This simple trick helped us double our sales”Say something unexpected
Example: “Why we stopped selling our best-selling product”Hint at a benefit
Example: “Get better sleep—in just 5 minutes a day”
Each of these makes you think, Wait… what is it? How does that work? That’s curiosity pulling you in.
Curiosity + Clarity = Magic
But here’s the key: your headline should still make sense.
Don’t be tricky. Don’t be confusing.
You want people to wonder—but you also want them to know they’re in the right place.
The best headlines are clear and curious.
For example:
“The App That Saves You 10 Hours a Week (Without Changing Your Schedule)”
This headline tells you what it is (an app), what it does (saves time), and makes you curious about how. That’s headline gold.
Final Thoughts
Your headline is small—but mighty. In just a few words, it can decide whether someone stays or leaves.
Make it count.
Be clear. Be bold. And most of all, make people curious. Because curiosity gets clicks. Curiosity keeps people reading.
And curiosity opens the door to everything that comes next.
Until next time, keep your words simple, your headlines strong, and your readers wondering.
Marketing Is Part Art, Part Science
Marketing isn’t just one thing. It’s not just about being creative, and it’s not only about numbers and data. It’s both. Marketing is part art and part science. And the best marketers know how to use both sides.
Let’s break it down in a simple way.
The Art of Marketing
The “art” side of marketing is all about how something feels. It’s the look, the sound, and the message. It’s the colors you choose, the words you write, and the story you tell. It’s what makes someone stop, smile, or think, “Hey, that’s for me.”
Here are some examples of the art in marketing:
A logo that’s bold and fun
A headline that makes you curious
A video that makes you feel something
A brand voice that sounds like a friend, not a robot
This part is where creativity shines. It’s where your big ideas come out to play. It’s how you show the heart of your brand.
But art alone isn’t enough. That’s where the science comes in.
The Science of Marketing
The “science” side of marketing is about facts, not feelings. It’s about looking at what works and what doesn’t. It’s testing. It’s tracking. It’s numbers and charts and graphs—but don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple.
Here are some ways science helps in marketing:
Learning which ads people click
Seeing what posts get the most likes
Knowing what time of day gets more views
Finding out which words make people take action
The science side helps you make smart choices. It’s like a map that shows you where to go next.
Why You Need Both
If you only use the art, you might create something beautiful that no one sees. If you only use the science, you might have the right numbers, but the message may feel cold or boring.
When you blend the two, magic happens.
Let’s say you make a fun ad with bright colors and a catchy message (that’s the art). Then you see how many people watched it, clicked on it, or shared it (that’s the science). If it worked, great! If it didn’t, you can change the words, the look, or the timing—and try again.
Good marketing is like a dance. One step is creative. The next is careful. You try, test, learn, and grow.
A Real-World Example (Made Simple)
Imagine you sell lemonade. You make a sign that says:
“Cool, Sweet, Summer Sips – Try Our Lemonade!”
You draw a smiling sun and a bright yellow cup. That’s your art.
Then you try two versions of the sign—one at the front of the stand and one near the sidewalk. You see which one brings in more people. That’s your science.
Next time, you make a new sign with what you learned. Now you’re doing both—and your lemonade stand is doing better.
Final Thoughts
Marketing is not just about being clever. It’s not just about measuring clicks. It’s both. It’s thinking like an artist and acting like a scientist.
So next time you work on a message, think about how it feels and how it works. Mix creativity with curiosity. Let the art speak—and let the science listen.
That’s the power of marketing done right.