Hook swipe file for a topic
Have ChatGPT hand you 20 reusable social media hooks on one topic across several styles, so you never stare at an empty first line again.
Last updated: July 2026 · Collective Brain
Good for
- You are filling a content calendar and need several angles on one topic at once
- You want to test which hook style earns the most stops from your audience
- You are building a swipe file to pull from for reels, posts and newsletters
The prompt
You are an experienced social media editor who writes hooks that stop the thumb in the feed.
Context:
- Topic: [your topic]
- Platform: [e.g. Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok]
- Audience: [who you want to reach]
- Tone: [e.g. casual and direct, factual, provocative]
Task:
Write 20 reusable hooks on the topic. Each hook is the first line of a post, at most 15 words, no hashtags and no emojis. Avoid empty promotional phrases and keep everything concrete.
Spread the 20 hooks across these styles (about three to four each):
1. Question that names a real problem
2. Surprising statement or number
3. Story opener in first person
4. Common myth you immediately debunk
5. Concrete benefit or clear result
6. Contrast or before and after
Output format:
Numbered list from 1 to 20. After each hook, add the style in parentheses so I can filter later. Then a short note on which three hooks you would test first and why.Replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Frequently asked
Can I use the hooks as they are or do I need to edit them?
Treat them as raw material. ChatGPT gives you 20 clean angles, but the strongest hooks come from sharpening them with a concrete detail from your day or your product. Also check every number, since the model can invent figures.
How do I get even more out of the prompt?
When one style stands out, just reply with "Give me ten more in the story style". That way you grow your swipe file on purpose instead of starting from scratch every time.
Related
Rather have it done?
Prompts are a start.
Results are our job.
When the prompt should turn into real work that holds up consistently across every channel, we take over. Start free, finish professionally.