# Hook Library -- Proven Frameworks

> **AUTO-UPDATING FILE** -- This file is maintained and re-ranked automatically by the Intelligence Update workflow (SKILL.md Workflow 9). The agent will demote underperforming hooks, add new viral patterns discovered in the feed, and update performance stats.
>
> **During onboarding**, the agent generates niche-specific example templates for each hook type. The frameworks below are universal — the examples are customized.

Hooks ranked by historical performance across niches. Reference this before writing any post.

## Performance-Ranked Hook Types

### 1. Authority Anchor

Tag or reference the official creator of a tool, brand, or concept with a high-level technical opinion or unique framing.

**Why it works:** Bypasses low follower reach by appearing in the brand's "Engaged" feed. Instant credibility through association. Especially powerful for accounts under 1,000 followers.

**Universal Templates:**
- "Hot take: [TOOL] is not a [common label]. It's a [reframed label]."
- "[BRAND] does [thing] better than anyone. Here's the one detail nobody notices:"
- "Everyone uses [TOOL] for [common use]. But its real power is [unexpected use]."

**Niche-Specific Examples:**
_[populated during onboarding -- 2-3 examples using the user's actual tools and niche]_

---

### 2. Negative Parallel

Call out a bad practice, then present the solution.

**Why it works:** Negativity bias stops the scroll. The "fix" creates a knowledge gap that drives thread expansion and bookmarks.

**Universal Templates:**
- "Stop doing [bad practice]. Here's what [experts/top performers] do instead:"
- "Your [thing] looks [mediocre] because of [specific mistake]. The fix takes 2 minutes:"
- "[Common approach] is why your [outcome] is [bad result]. Try [alternative] instead."

**Niche-Specific Examples:**
_[populated during onboarding]_

---

### 3. Knowledge Gap

Tease expertise the reader doesn't have.

**Why it works:** Curiosity gap -> thread expansion -> session depth signal.

**Universal Templates:**
- "90% of [professionals] get [thing] wrong. Here's proof:"
- "I've [done X thing N times]. Here's the #1 mistake I keep seeing:"
- "The [technique/trick] [famous brand/person] uses on EVERY [thing] -- and nobody talks about it:"

**Niche-Specific Examples:**
_[populated during onboarding]_

---

### 4. Contrarian Take / Unpopular Opinion

Challenge conventional wisdom or share a relatable "unpopular" struggle.

**Why it works:** Sparks debate or instant relatability -> reply velocity -> Author-Engaged Reply multiplier.

**Universal Templates:**
- "Unpopular opinion: [thing everyone accepts] is actually [contrarian view]."
- "[Widely recommended practice] is overrated. Fight me."
- "Hot take: [group A] can become [group B]. But [group B] can never become [group A]."

**Niche-Specific Examples:**
_[populated during onboarding]_

---

### 5. Showcase Reveal

Build tension around a visual showcase or achievement.

**Why it works:** Media dwell time + technical specificity -> bookmarks.

**Universal Templates:**
- "This [thing] took me [time] to get right. Here's what I learned:"
- "The difference between a [cheap version] and a [premium version]? This one detail:"
- "If your [thing] doesn't [quality], it's forgettable."

**Niche-Specific Examples:**
_[populated during onboarding]_

---

### 6. Social Proof Drop

Lead with numbers and milestones.

**Why it works:** Concrete numbers = credibility. Questions at end drive replies.

**Universal Templates:**
- "Just hit [X metric]. Here's what I learned about [topic]:"
- "[X metric]. Zero [marketing/ads/connections]. Here's why [approach] beats [alternative]:"
- "[Nth achievement]. Here's the pattern across all my top [things]:"

**Niche-Specific Examples:**
_[populated during onboarding]_

---

## Community & Engagement Hooks (for the 60% engagement posts)

### 7. Community Bait

Ask a question or make a "show me yours" request that's impossible to scroll past.

**Why it works:** Low barrier to reply -> high reply count -> massive algorithmic boost. Visual media (gradient, abstract image) forces scroll-stop.

**Universal Templates:**
- "Name something this reminds you of" + visual
- "Show me your best [thing]. I'll give honest feedback"
- "What's the one [tool/technique/principle] you can't live without?"
- "Your favorite [niche-specific thing]? Mine is [yours]. Fight me"
- "This is my favorite [thing]. Show me yours?"

**Usually needs a Visual Hook Image** -- a bold gradient, abstract art, or simple visual to force the scroll-stop.

---

### 8. Debate Bomb

Drop a deliberately arguable statement to create a war in the comments.

**Why it works:** Controversy -> reply velocity -> the algorithm sees "important conversation" -> pushes to more feeds.

**Universal Templates:**
- "[Group A] can become [Group B]. But [Group B] can never become [Group A]."
- "[Popular tool] is overrated. Fight me."
- "[Popular belief] is just [reductive reframe] and nobody wants to admit it."
- "If your [portfolio/product/profile] doesn't have [thing], you're not a real [role]."

**Works great with a reaction image, meme, or bold statement card.**

---

### 9. Trend Jacker

Ride a viral format or trending topic. Copy what's working and adapt it to your niche.

**Why it works:** Proven formats have pre-validated engagement patterns. Adapting them to your niche gives you the viral mechanics + your unique angle.

**How to use:**
1. Spot a viral format in your feed (gradient + question, "unpopular opinion", ranking list, before/after, etc.)
2. Copy the structure, swap the content for your niche
3. Credit the inspiration if appropriate

**No fixed templates** -- that's the point. Adapt whatever is trending.

---

### 10. Spotlight Generosity

Share someone else's great work with your genuine commentary.

**Why it works:** Builds goodwill -> the spotlighted person engages -> their audience sees you -> network expansion.

**Universal Templates:**
- "[Professionals in niche], this might be the next-level [thing]. Bookmark it for later"
- "I've been using [@person]'s [thing] for [time]. It changed how I [do thing]. Here's why:"
- "[Person/Tool] just shipped [thing] and it's genuinely impressive. Here's what I noticed:"

**Screenshot of their work or product adds scroll-stopping power.**

---

## Hook Selection Guide

| Post Type | Best Hook Types | Visual Media? | Fallback |
|-----------|----------------|---------------|----------|
| Portfolio Piece | Showcase Reveal, Authority Anchor | Media (recommended) | Negative Parallel |
| Deep Dive | Knowledge Gap, Contrarian Take | Optional hook image | Authority Anchor |
| Process Reveal | Contrarian Take, Knowledge Gap | Video preferred | Showcase Reveal |
| Social Proof | Social Proof Drop | Screenshot/stats image | Knowledge Gap |
| Trend Rider | Trend Jacker | Copy the trending format's media | Community Bait |
| Community Question | Community Bait | Visual hook image (recommended) | Trend Jacker |
| Debate Starter | Debate Bomb | Reaction image / bold statement card | Contrarian Take |
| Spotlight Others | Spotlight Generosity | Screenshot of their work | Community Bait |

## Anti-Patterns (NEVER USE)

- "Built a new [thing]" -- zero tension, zero curiosity
- "Check this out!" -- no hook, no specificity
- "Rate it guys" -- generic ask, no value exchange
- "Just launched: [product]" with external link in main post -- link penalty + no hook
- Hashtag-only hooks with no human text
- 5+ self-promo posts in a row -- kills community feeling, looks desperate
- Text-only posts that could be scrolled past without at least considering a visual hook image

## Hashtag Strategy

Use 1-3 maximum per post. Place at end or weave naturally.

**How to pick hashtags:**
- Use 1 broad niche tag (high reach) + 1-2 specific tags (targeted audience)
- Check what Tier 1 accounts in your niche use
- Track which tags correlate with higher reach in your Post Performance Log

**Common high-value tags by niche:**
- Dev: `#WebDev`, `#React`, `#Frontend`, `#Backend`, `#DevOps`, `#BuildInPublic`
- Design: `#UIDesign`, `#UXDesign`, `#DesignSystems`, `#Figma`
- AI/ML: `#AI`, `#MachineLearning`, `#LLM`, `#AIAgents`
- Startup: `#StartupLife`, `#SaaS`, `#IndieHacker`, `#BuildInPublic`
- Marketing: `#GrowthHacking`, `#ContentMarketing`, `#SEO`

**Avoid:**
- Tags that are too generic (`#coding`, `#tech`)
- More than 3 hashtags -- looks spammy
- Hashtags that dilute your niche vector

**Niche-specific tags for this user:**
_[populated during onboarding]_