I've watched hundreds of TikTok/Reels/Shorts flop for the same reason: the hook.

Most creators write their script first and the hook is an afterthought — something like "hey guys, today I'm gonna talk about..." That's a scroll trigger, not a stop trigger.

The pattern that actually works across niches:

1. Open mid-thought — start like you're already 3 sentences into a story

2. Create an information gap — tease the outcome without giving it away ("this one mistake cost me $4k")

3. Use a pattern interrupt — visual or verbal, in the first 0.5 seconds

I broke this down into 150+ reusable hook formulas + full scripts by niche because I got tired of rewriting the same structures every week. Built it as Viral Hook Vault here on Whop if anyone wants the swipe file — but even if you don't grab it, try rule #1 on your next video and watch your retention graph change.