# Thread Hook Writer > 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. - Skill: `reaperinvest/thread-hook-writer` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/thread-hook-writer` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/thread-hook-writer/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/thread-hook-writer --- # 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.