Thread Hook Writer

---
name: thread-hook-writer
description: "Writes scroll-stopping first lines for social media threads optimized by platform (X, LinkedIn, Threads). Use when you need compelling opening hooks that earn the click and the read."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# Thread Hook Writer

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Write scroll-stopping opening lines for social media threads or posts
- Generate multiple hook variations to test different angles
- Optimize hooks for specific platforms (X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Threads)
- Turn a good topic into a must-click first line

**DO NOT** use this skill for writing full threads (use twitter-thread skill) or full posts. This is specifically for the opening hook — the first 1-3 lines that earn the read.

---

## Core Principle

THE HOOK IS THE AD FOR YOUR CONTENT — IF THE FIRST LINE DOES NOT CREATE AN IRRESISTIBLE URGE TO KEEP READING, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.

---

## Phase 1: Brief

### Required Inputs

| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|-------|------------|---------|
| **Topic** | "What is the thread/post about?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Platform** | "X/Twitter, LinkedIn, or Threads?" | X/Twitter |
| **Thread type** | "Story, framework, listicle, myth-bust, or how-to?" | Framework |
| **Key result or insight** | "What is the most impressive or surprising element of this content?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Target audience** | "Who should stop scrolling for this?" | Solopreneurs and business owners |
| **Number of hooks** | "How many variations do you want?" | 10 |

**GATE: Confirm brief before generating hooks.**

---

## Phase 2: Skip (no outline needed for hooks)

Move directly to generation.

---

## Phase 3: Write

### Generate Hooks by Formula

For each hook, provide the text and label the formula used.

```
## Hook Variations

### Formula 1: The Bold Claim
"[Impressive result or claim]. Here's exactly how:"
Example: "I grew my email list from 0 to 10,000 in 90 days. Here's exactly how (thread):"

### Formula 2: The Curiosity Gap
"[Hint at something surprising] that nobody talks about."
Example: "There's a pricing strategy that 10x'd my revenue. Nobody teaches it."

### Formula 3: The Mistake Confession
"I [made a mistake] for [time period]. [What it cost me]."
Example: "I undercharged for 3 years straight. It cost me $200K in lost revenue."

### Formula 4: The Contrarian Take
"Unpopular opinion: [common practice] is [negative outcome]."
Example: "Unpopular opinion: posting every day is killing your engagement."

### Formula 5: The Direct Address
"If you're a [specific person] who [specific struggle], read this:"
Example: "If you're a freelancer who hates pricing conversations, read this:"

### Formula 6: The Result First
"[End result]. [Brief context]. A thread on what changed everything:"
Example: "$0 to $50K/month in 18 months. No funding. No team. A thread on what changed everything:"

### Formula 7: The Time-Bound Story
"I [did something] for [time period]. Here's what happened."
Example: "I cold-emailed 500 prospects in 30 days. Here's what happened."

### Formula 8: The List Tease
"[Number] [things] that [result]. Most people only know #1."
Example: "7 pricing strategies that doubled my revenue. Most people only know #1."

### Formula 9: The Question Hook
"Why do [successful people] always [do this specific thing]?"
Example: "Why do the top 1% of freelancers never charge by the hour?"

### Formula 10: The Before/After
"[Time] ago I was [bad state]. Today I [good state]. Here's the turning point:"
Example: "12 months ago I was charging $50/hr. Today my minimum project is $10K. Here's the turning point:"
```

### Platform-Specific Optimization

```
## Platform Adjustments

### X/Twitter
- Hard limit: 280 characters
- Hook must work WITH the "Show this thread" button
- Ending with "(thread):" or "A thread:" signals there is more
- First tweet IS the hook — nothing above it

### LinkedIn
- First 2 lines show before "see more" — these ARE the hook
- Can be longer (up to 3,000 chars total, but hook is first 2 lines)
- Professional tone — avoid clickbait that feels out of place
- Line breaks after the hook create visual pause

### Threads
- Similar to Twitter but allows more length
- Can use formatting and line breaks
- Tone is more casual than LinkedIn, more authentic than Twitter
```

### Scoring Each Hook

Rate every hook on:

| Criteria | What It Measures | Score (1-5) |
|----------|-----------------|-------------|
| **Stop power** | Would this make someone pause mid-scroll? | |
| **Curiosity** | Does it create an itch to know more? | |
| **Specificity** | Does it include numbers, names, or concrete details? | |
| **Platform fit** | Is it optimized for the target platform? | |

---

## Phase 4: Polish

### 1. Top 3 Recommendations

Present the 3 highest-scoring hooks with reasoning:

```
## Top 3 Hooks

1. "[Hook text]" — Score: [X/20]
   Why: [1-2 sentences on why this works]

2. "[Hook text]" — Score: [X/20]
   Why: [1-2 sentences]

3. "[Hook text]" — Score: [X/20]
   Why: [1-2 sentences]
```

### 2. A/B Test Suggestion

Recommend testing 2 hooks that use different psychological triggers.

### 3. Hook Checklist

```
- [ ] Under character limit for the platform
- [ ] Creates curiosity or tension in the first line
- [ ] Includes a specific number, result, or detail
- [ ] Does not give away the full answer (earns the read)
- [ ] Sounds natural, not forced or gimmicky
- [ ] Matches the actual content (no misleading hooks)
```

---

## Example: 10 Hooks for "How I Doubled My Freelance Rate"

```
1. "I doubled my freelance rate in 90 days. Not a single client complained. Here's exactly what I changed:"
2. "The pricing conversation that changed my freelance career forever:"
3. "I was charging $75/hr for 2 years. Then a mentor told me something that made me feel sick:"
4. "If you're a freelancer charging less than $150/hr, you're making one of these 3 mistakes:"
5. "Unpopular opinion: raising your prices is the fastest way to get BETTER clients."
6. "Why the best freelancers never share their hourly rate (and what they do instead):"
7. "$75/hr → $150/hr in 90 days. Zero new skills. Zero new clients. Just one pricing shift."
8. "I asked 50 six-figure freelancers how they set their rates. Every single one said the same thing:"
9. "Stop charging by the hour. Here's the math on why it's costing you $50K/year:"
10. "3 months ago I raised my rate 100%. Here's what happened to my pipeline:"
```

---

## Anti-Patterns

- **Burying the hook** — "Hey everyone, so I've been thinking about pricing lately and..." is not a hook. Lead with the punch.
- **Clickbait without payoff** — "You won't BELIEVE what happened..." with a mediocre story erodes trust.
- **Too vague** — "Here are some pricing tips:" has zero curiosity. Add specificity: numbers, timeframes, results.
- **Too long** — a 5-sentence hook is not a hook. It is an intro paragraph. Hooks are 1-2 lines.
- **Same formula every time** — if every hook is "I did X. Here's what happened:" your audience gets pattern-blind. Vary the formulas.

---

## Recovery

- **Topic is boring:** Find the most surprising or specific detail and lead with that. Every topic has at least one interesting angle.
- **No impressive results to cite:** Use the curiosity gap or question formula instead of the result-first formula.
- **Hooks feel clickbaity:** Ground them in specificity. "I did something amazing" is clickbait. "I went from $50/hr to $5K projects" is specific and credible.
- **None of the hooks feel right:** Ask what emotion the content should trigger (surprise, curiosity, recognition, urgency). Generate 5 more hooks targeting that specific emotion.