She Gets 100K Views. I Get Silence. Here’s the TikTok Hook Strategy That Finally Worked for Me

I’d spend 3 hours making a “value-packed” tutorial on how to grow an audience or build a funnel — only to get 32 views and one like (from my mom). Meanwhile, I’d see creators half my age go viral with one sentence and a ring light.

At first, I thought

• Maybe I’m too late.
• Maybe I’m just not entertaining enough.
• Maybe people don’t want tutorials anymore.

But it turns out I wasn’t missing talent. I was missing the hook.

What I Was Doing (That Killed My Views)

Here’s how I used to open every tutorial video:

Hey guys! So today I want to show you this really helpful strategy I’ve been using for client campaigns, and I think you’ll find it super useful.

If you’re not punching the algorithm in the face in the first 3 seconds, your content dies before it gets seen.

Then I Studied Her

There’s a woman in my niche who dominates TikTok with tutorials.

1. She doesn’t use fancy gear.
2. She doesn’t dance.
3. She doesn’t even film outside her bedroom.

But every video starts with a sentence that feels like this:

• Here’s why no one’s buying from you — even though your content’s great.
• This is the one thing you’re doing that’s killing your reach (and it’s not hashtags).
• What I wish someone told me before I wasted $600 on Facebook ads.

Each hook creates friction in your brain. It makes you go, “Wait… what?” “Is this about me?” “Oh no — am I doing that wrong?”

The Day It Finally Clicked

Here’s the first video that worked for me:

“I used to get 13 views on every tutorial until I changed my first sentence. Watch this.”

No crazy editing. There are no jump cuts. It’s just a raw hook based on a story + transformation. Result? 28K views in 4 days. 312 profile clicks. 67 saves. And actual DMs asking for more.

It worked because the hook created curiosity, promised a change, and made people feel like I’d been where they were.

5 Hook Formulas That Work (Try These)

If you feel like your TikToks are full of value but no one’s watching, try rewriting your first line using these:

1. “I wish someone told me ___ before I ___.”

I wish someone told me this before I wasted 6 months on email content that didn’t convert.

Emotion: regret

Impact: relatable pain + fast payoff

2. “Here’s why your ___ isn’t working (even if you’re doing everything right).”

Here’s why your Facebook ad isn’t converting — even if your targeting is perfect.

Emotion: confusion + insecurity

Impact: Makes people self-check.

3. “This one small change got me ___.”

This one small change in my blog structure got me 3x more leads.

Emotion: curiosity

Impact: Mini transformation.

4. “If your ___ looks like this, you’re doing it wrong.”

If your TikTok bio looks like this, you’re missing leads.

Emotion: anxiety + correction

Impact: Visual tension.

5. “Everyone’s telling you to do ___. I do this instead.”

Everyone’s telling you to use trending sounds. I don’t — and my videos still pop off.

Emotion: contrarian relief

Impact: Anti-guru authority.

Real Talk: It’s Not That You’re Bad at TikTok

It’s just that your intros are boring. And nobody told you that being boring on TikTok is the same as being invisible. You’ve probably got great advice, smart strategies, and value people could use. But if you want them to listen, you’ve got to hit them in the gut before you hit them with the game.

You’re 3 Seconds Away From Breakthrough

If your TikToks are getting views:

• Don’t make longer videos
• Don’t change your niche
• Don’t buy another mic

Just fix your first 3 seconds. That’s what she did. That’s what I did. And that’s probably what you need to do next.