All stories need a good hook to grab your audience’s attention and keep them around to inspire action in some way to benefit your business. The hook is the first fifteen to twenty seconds of your visual, oral, or written content that sparks interest in your audience. The purpose is to draw them in to read further, listen or watch your story.
The following are seven ways to hook your audience and keep their attention:
Be Humorous
A common way to hook an audience is by starting with a relatable and funny joke. However, it’s important to note to never use your audience or anyone else as the “butt” of the joke, as this can quickly lead to the opposite reaction.
Be Controversial
Use shock value or thought-provoking statements to lock your audience in. Bring up their problems or a shocking fact that relates to your business and how you can solve it for them.
Ask Questions
Get your audience fueling for more by asking a series of rhetorical questions or instruct the audience to write their answers down as they go along. Most people like to be involved and getting them to do something easy will spark their curiosity.
Start with A Catchy Phrase or Sound
Use the element of surprise and wake up your audience. Develop a catchy phrase that is repeatable and memorable to make your audience feel like they are involved and a part of a community. Think of the company Foragers Coffee and their songs and how welcoming they make you think. All you want to do is stick around and grab a cup of their coffee, kick back and relax.
Start with Imagination
Help your audience imagine their world differently or to go along another journey for just a moment – anything to catch them off guard and wonder what’s next and to create a mental picture. These images become more personal and emotional, creating a deeper connection with your audience and making them want to stick around for more.
Use Curiosity
Spark their curiosity with a fun fact, different perspectives, or dramatic experience into your life that reflects the goals of your business.
Show or Tell Them the Ending
A common visual hook used on YouTube is to show the audience the ending and then guide them through how they got there. A “wow-factor” way to entice your audience to stay around and continue watching.
Visual, oral, and written content all need a hook to gain their audience’s attention. Find the hook that is right for your audience and be sure to include one for each story you develop for your brand.
Over the next 60 days, we will be talking exclusively about becoming a better storyteller so you can work on increasing your audience engagement.
It’s a fact that the human brain is wired or attracted to stories. This is because stories are how the human brain learns, grows, and remembers things. Through stories, you can better remember important events and communicate or connect with your peers and audience. And, more importantly, through stories, you gain audience engagement and the action required to run a successful and sustainable business.
Let’s be honest, we know that you’re unlikely to follow us through the entire series, so here’s a little cheat for you – the entire series of articles as an ebook – our gift – no strings attached. If you’re ready to catch up on some summer reading that will actually propel your business forward then this is for you.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE E-BOOK: Become a Good Storyteller to Increase Audience Engagement
