A 4-Step Formula For An Irresistible Opening

CONTENT HACK

If There Were Ever A Formula For An Irresistible Opening — This Would Be It

I’ve spent 200 hours analyzing 1,000 introductions over the past 2 years.

Out of all of them, the intro style you’re reading right now is the one that never failed to hook me in.

The beauty of it?

It boils down to a simple 4-step formula that you can use to instantly hook any audience with any article or video.

This isn’t your typical advice on ‘how to write an intro.’

You won’t find this formula in standard writing guides or content blogs.

I even ran a thought experiment:

If I had to erase everything I know about intros and keep only one way to open any piece of content, this would be the formula I’d choose.

Coming up:

• The psychology behind the intro style you just read. 

• The 4-step formula for using it in your own content.

• A dead-simple way to turn it into a 3-5 second hook for a short-form video.

The Psychology Behind An Irresistible Introduction

A great intro makes the content feel invaluable — like a rare gem.

Each line polishes that gem until it shines so bright you can’t help but reach out and grab it.

Compare it to a standard opening:

“Introductions are possibly the most important part of a piece of content. Here’s a great format you can use to hook your audience.”

No intrigue. 

Just another tip, not something transformative.

An intro should have one goal:

Make what’s being shared feel like the most important thing to pay attention to at that point in time.

Here’s how it does that…

A Line-By-Line Dissection:

“I’ve spent 200 hours analyzing 1,000 introductions over the past 2 years.”

• Signaling – Shows commitment and expertise.

“Out of all of them, the intro style you’re reading right now is the one that never failed to hook me in.”

• Scarcity – Suggests it’s rare and high value. 

“This isn’t your typical advice on ‘how to write an intro.’”

• Contrast – Frames it as unique and superior.

“You won’t find this formula in standard writing guides or content blogs.”

• Exclusivity – Suggests insider knowledge.

“If I had to erase everything I know about intros and keep only one…”

• Curiosity – Makes the audience want to know why it’s the best.

The 4-Step Formula For Using This Intro Style In Your Content:

It works best for educational articles or videos where you share one or more items from experience — tips, tools, places, products, etc.

Follow these 4 steps:

1. Start with an Impressive Stat – Share the time, effort, or money it took to gain what you’re about to share. Use specific numbers.

2. Add Scarcity – Frame your knowledge as rare.

3. Add Exclusivity – Frame your knowledge as insider info. 

4. Add a Thought Experiment – Use a hypothetical like “If I had to choose only one…” to build curiosity.

Let’s Test It Out:

• Random Niche: Indoor gardening

• Random Topic: How to grow pothos plants

"I’ve spent over 100 hours experimenting with 20 different techniques for growing pothos plants" – Impressive Stat

"Out of everything I’ve tried, the 3 tips I’m about to reveal never failed to grow lush and thriving ones” – Scarcity

"This isn’t your typical guide on pothos plants. You won’t find these tips in standard gardening books or blogs" – Exclusivity

"I even ran a thought experiment:

If I had to erase everything I know about pothos care and keep only a select few tips, these would be the 3 tips I’d choose"

Adapting This Intro Formula For Short-Form Content (3-5 Second Hook):

A 20-second intro would be too long for a 60-second TikTok video or Instagram Reel.

Here’s how I’d convert this newsletter’s intro into a 3-5 second hook:

“I’ve spent 200 hours analyzing 1000 openings. This is the 1 intro format that never failed to hook me in.”

It’s short but packed with the same signaling and intrigue the original had.

Get A Ready-Made Intro For Any Piece Of Content In 3 Seconds

I’ve turned this irresistible intro format into a plug-and-play template you can reuse in any niche forever — one for both long-form and short-form content.

Plus, I’ve created an AI prompt that takes your content details, applies the template, and generates a perfect intro in 3 seconds.

Even better: it’ll also give you ideas for what to include in the piece of content itself.

Here’s the template and prompt.

🔒️ For paid subscribers only:

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