Skill for creating optimized YouTube video opening hooks (first 5-30 seconds) that maximize viewer retention and watch time. Use when planning video scripts, reviewing video openings, or optimizing existing content for better retention metrics.
/plugin marketplace add kenneth-liao/ai-launchpad-marketplace/plugin install yt-content-strategist@ai-launchpadThis skill inherits all available tools. When active, it can use any tool Claude has access to.
This skill provides concrete requirements and proven patterns for creating video opening hooks that retain viewer attention, extend title/thumbnail curiosity, and maximize watch time. The opening 5-15 seconds are critical for YouTube algorithm performance and viewer retention.
Use this skill when:
The opening seconds must EXTEND the curiosity created by the title and thumbnail, not repeat or waste it.
The viewer already clicked based on the title/thumbnail promise. The opening must ADD new intrigue and make them MORE interested, not simply restate what they already know.
Opening seconds MUST build upon the intrigue from the title/thumbnail, never repeat it.
✅ CORRECT Example:
❌ INCORRECT Example:
The opening must make the viewer MORE interested than when they clicked. Viewer attention must INCREASE, not drain.
Opening seconds MUST directly relate to the title and thumbnail content.
Rules:
✅ CORRECT: "Secret Fruit Trick" video → Opens immediately showing or teasing the trick
❌ INCORRECT: "Secret Fruit Trick" video → Opens with "Hi everyone, I'm June, thanks for watching! I absolutely adore fruit so much! I usually eat like 10 pieces a day! I got this habit from my grandmother who..."
These patterns are DISQUALIFYING violations that cause immediate failure:
Never verbally restate what the title already communicated.
Examples of FORBIDDEN openings:
Why: The viewer already has this information. Repetition drains attention.
Never start with greetings, channel welcomes, or introductions before the hook.
Examples of FORBIDDEN openings:
Why: This is friendly but not engaging for first-time viewers and doesn't build upon title/thumbnail momentum.
Exception: Welcomes and introductions are acceptable AFTER the initial hook is established (after first 15 seconds).
Never open with tangents, stories, or content disconnected from the title/thumbnail promise.
Examples of FORBIDDEN openings:
Why: Viewer confusion triggers abandonment. YouTube interprets this as low-quality content.
Use one of these proven hook structures:
Show a brief glimpse of the payoff.
Example: Quick montage of the 5 cat tricks in action (visual proof of value)
Creates thought: "I need to know how to do that!"
Add surprising context that makes the promise MORE compelling.
Example: Title about a trick → Open with "What I'm about to show you took professionals years to discover, but you'll learn it in 60 seconds"
Creates thought: "This is even better than I expected!"
Immediately validate why the viewer needs this content.
Example: Title about mistakes → Open with "If you're doing [X], you're losing [specific bad outcome]"
Creates thought: "I need to fix this now!"
Jump straight into delivering on the promise. No preamble, just results.
Creates thought: "This is exactly what I came for!"
Critical timing rules:
Hook must occur within 5-15 seconds
After hook is established (within first 15 seconds), THEN:
Main promised content must begin within 30 seconds of video start
Open with result preview or value proof:
DO NOT open with explanations:
Open with the most exciting/surprising moment:
DO NOT open with setup or context:
Tease the most interesting items without revealing details:
Before finalizing any opening hook, verify ALL of these:
❌ "Hi guys, welcome to my video, I'm Sarah!
Thanks so much for being here today..."
Problem: Drains attention before value is delivered.
❌ Title: "5 iPhone Hidden Features"
Opening: "Today I'm showing you 5 hidden iPhone features"
Problem: Viewer already knows this. No new information.
❌ Title: "Amazing Cooking Hack"
Opening: "So I was at the store yesterday and I saw
this interesting ingredient and it reminded me of..."
Problem: Takes too long to get to the promised content.
❌ "Before we get started, let me explain why this is
important and give you some background on..."
Problem: Delays the payoff. Viewer loses patience.
✅ Title: "Amazing Cooking Hack"
Opening: [Shows the hack in action immediately]
"Watch this..." [demonstrates stunning result in 3 seconds]
✅ Title: "iPhone Hidden Feature"
Opening: "Your iPhone has been hiding this from you..."
[Shows something unexpected happening on screen]
✅ Title: "5 Photoshop Tricks"
Opening: [3-second rapid montage of all 5 tricks' results]
"You're about to learn all of these..."
When creating or reviewing opening hooks, follow this workflow:
Understanding the algorithmic impact of opening seconds:
Opening seconds directly impact:
Optimization for watch time:
Patterns that cause quick abandonment:
Priority Order (highest to lowest):
CRITICAL: If opening seconds repeat the title, welcome viewers first, or start with unrelated content, the hook has FAILED regardless of other qualities. These are disqualifying violations that must be corrected.