Match the Hook to the Promise of Your Title

A viewer clicks because of a title and a picture, then judges the video by its first seconds. If those first seconds do not match what the title promised, the viewer feels misled and leaves. Matching the hook to the promise keeps the people you attracted.

Read the promise as a viewer would

Take the title and the cover image and write one sentence describing what a viewer expects to see. For a title such as "Three ways to fix muffled audio", the expectation is three fixes and clearer sound. The hook has to move toward that.

Check the first five seconds against it

Play the opening and list what it shows and says. Then ask:

• Does the opening mention or show the subject of the title?
• Does it hint at the format, such as three ways, one trick or a story?
• Does it set up the answer the title promised?

If any answer is no, the opening has drifted from the promise. Either rework the opening or adjust the title.

Bring the title words into the opening

Using the key words of the title in the first line reassures the viewer that they are in the right place. For the example above, an opening line might read "Muffled audio, fixed three ways". It repeats the promise in different words, and the viewer relaxes.

Place the line in the cut

1. Press T in DepCut to add a title that reads "Your text".
2. Change its words in the Text tab or by double-clicking the title in the preview.
3. Time it to the first frame.
4. Keep the wording close to your published title.

If you write your upload details in the Details tab, keep the title and the opening line side by side so you can compare them.

Keep the cover and the video in the same style

The picture that attracted the viewer should look like the video. If the cover shows a bright close-up and the video opens on a dark wide shot, the mismatch is jarring. Choose a cover frame from the video itself, or match the look of the opening to the cover.

Watch for extra promises

Titles sometimes promise more than the video holds. A title with a number sets the viewer counting. If your title says "five tips", deliver five, and make each one easy to spot. If you are down to four, change the title. A clear title and a clear structure make the video easy to follow.

Test with a fresh viewer

Show the title and the first five seconds to a friend and ask what they expect next. If their answer matches your plan, the hook and the promise agree. If it does not, adjust one of them.

Check the match on your next video in DepCut.