👀 Your UGC is great - but are people actually watching it? 👀

Your edits, your energy, your authenticity — all top-notch. But here’s the thing: even the best UGC can get ignored if viewers don’t stay long enough to watch it all. And that usually comes down to one small, fixable issue: the first 5 seconds.

This week, we’re diving into why the first few seconds matter more than you think, and how to craft hooks that keep viewers engaged - with real examples you can try today 👇👇👇

⏱ 1. Hook Fast - Don’t Wait to Impress

One of the most common mistakes is starting a video with “Hi guys, today I’m…” or a long setup. Even if your content is excellent, people won’t stick around to see it.

💡 Actionable Tips + Hook Examples:

• Start with a problem: “I can’t believe this fixed my dry skin in one week 😱”

• Start with a surprising result: “This is the cheapest product that actually works like magic ✨”

• Start with action/movement: Show the product in use immediately (“Watch this coffee hack change your mornings”)

✅ Tip: Visual first, words second. Even a 0.5–1 second shot of the product or outcome helps viewers know why they clicked or why they should stick around.

🎬 2. Show Off the Product or Key Moment Immediately

Another common pitfall: creators show 3–5 seconds of unrelated scenery, talking, or filler before showing the product or key moment.

Even if your video is beautifully shot, people decide in less than 5 seconds if it’s relevant - and if they don’t see the product, they scroll.

💡 Actionable Tips + Hook Examples:

• Close-up shot first: “This cream literally melts into your skin in seconds” + immediate texture & application shot

• Outcome first: Show a before/after in frame one, then explain

• Reaction first: Capture your face reacting to the product instantly (“Wait… this actually works?”)

✅ Tip: Even lifestyle or routine content can do this - show one clear product interaction immediately, even in a “day in my life” video.

🎤 ⚡ 3. Add Micro Hooks — Keep Momentum in the First 5 Seconds

After your initial hook, keep energy high with small cuts, mini reactions, or exciting angles. These micro hooks encourage viewers to stick around without losing clarity.

💡 Actionable Tips + Hook Examples:

• Quick cuts: Jump between 0.3–0.5 second clips of product use, reaction, or mini scene changes

• Close-up + wide shots combo: Show the product up close, then zoom out for context

Example hook flow for a 3-second opening:

1. 0–1s: Product close-up + your reaction

2. 1–2s: Quick cut to using the product

3. 2–3s: Reaction or short snippet of outcome

✅ Tip: Keep each micro hook natural - it should enhance, not distract.

✅ 5-Second Hook Checklist

Make sure your viewers stick around from the very first second

Before You Start Filming:
⬜ Decide the main hook: problem, result, or reaction
⬜ Identify the product or key moment you want to show first
⬜ Plan 1–2 micro hooks to follow in the opening

During Filming:
⬜ Start with action or outcome - don’t wait to explain
⬜ Capture close-ups + reaction shots immediately
⬜ Keep energy natural but dynamic
⬜ Film 1–2 extra takes of the first 5 seconds to test pacing

During Editing:
⬜ Add micro cuts (0.3–0.5s) to maintain momentum
⬜ Check that the product is visible early
⬜ Ensure first 5 seconds clearly communicate the value or benefit

Optional Pro Tip:
🎯 Watch your first 5 seconds without sound - if it still makes sense and grabs attention, you’re golden.

👀 Want a Deeper Dive? 👀

🎧 Make sure you watch our Clip Collective podcast episode all about hooks, watch time, and converting content.

It’s full of examples, creator stories, and actionable tips - perfect if you want to hear hooks in action and make your content actually get watched.

👉 Go listen now on Spotify or YouTube - and DM us your hot takes after 🎙️

🚀 🛠 Already hooked?… Log in to Clip, check out the latest briefs, and start applying today!

Happy Creating,

Team Clip