Reverse-engineer viral hook formulas from 10M+ view posts

Scan time: 3-4 min / Read time: 5-6 min

Hey rebel solopreneurs 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

Most creators think studying viral posts for months is the only way to write hooks that stop the scroll.

It's not.

Here's the system: 3 proven templates that turn any trending topic into viral X hooks in 60 seconds. BAM.

⛳️ Why this works

Before you write anything on X, you need a hook that makes people click.

Without one? Your brilliant insight gets buried. Scrolled past in 2 seconds. No matter how valuable the rest of your post is. Don't get read. Don't get shared. Don't get remembered.

Manual hook writing? You stare at successful posts for hours. Try to reverse-engineer what worked. "Was it the contrast? The specificity? The controversy?" Still end up with something generic.

Here's the thing...

Your hook is like a storefront window display.

Most creators treat it like arranging products randomly. "This looks good, right?" Then they wonder why nobody comes inside.

But great window displays follow proven formulas. The contrast display (expensive next to affordable). The transformation display (before/after). The mystery display (partially hidden with intrigue).

These viral hook templates work the same way. They give you 3 proven formulas that have generated millions of views: The Narrative Flip (personal transformation story), The Joke Opinion (controversial take with analogy), The I Spent My Weekend (breakthrough analysis).

When you plug your trending topic into these templates, you're not guessing. You're using patterns that already worked for millions of readers.

Turns out, templates beat staring at viral posts every time. BAM.

Let's see how Marcus figured this out...

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Marcus runs a productivity newsletter on X.

But here's his problem. He'd spend 3 hours every week writing hooks for his posts.

Study viral tweets. Take notes. "Okay, this one used a number. This one had a shocking statement. This one told a story."

Try to apply those patterns. Write 10 versions. Still sound generic.

His hooks? Average. "Here's how to be more productive." "5 tips for better time management." The kind of stuff that gets scrolled past instantly.

Engagement stayed flat. 200 impressions per post. Maybe 3 likes. Sometimes zero. No growth. No subscribers. No momentum.

Three months of this. He was dying.

Then Marcus found something. Three viral hook templates that had generated 10M+ views each on X.

Changed everything.

Marcus decided to follow these steps:

Step 1: Learn the narrative flip template for his topic Step 2: Learn the joke opinion template for his topic
Step 3: Learn the "I spent my weekend" template for his topic

Step 1: The narrative flip - Show transformation journey

Marcus opened ChatGPT/Claude (his AI sidekick).

He had trending topics. AI tools. Productivity systems. Newsletter growth.

But wait. How do you turn "AI tools" into a hook that makes people stop scrolling?

He had no clue.

Every hook felt the same. "AI is changing everything." Boring. Generic. Gets ignored.

Here's what he tried...

The narrative flip prompt

I am going to train you to become a hook writing machine.

Here's the text of what is called a "Hook." And the type of "Hook" it is, is called "The Narrative Flip."

--
NARRATIVE FLIP HOOK = 

ChatGPT is overhyped.

That's what I told myself after 2 weeks of trying (and failing) to use it well.

Turns out, I was just a poor prompt writer.

But after spending hundreds of hours tinkering, I've finally cracked it.

And now, it's my personal writing assistant.

Here's how:

--

NARRATIVE FLIP HOOK TEMPLATE=

{Trending Topic} is {Old Belief about Trending Topic}.

That's what I told myself after {Time Period} of trying and failing at {Trending Topic}.

Turns out I was just a {Old Identity}.

But after {Time / Money / Spent Or Saved}, I figured it out.

Now I {Personal Transformation}.

Here's how:

--

I am going to give you an industry, and you are going to write 3 "The Narrative Flip" hooks using elements from the above text.

The key to writing a great hook in this style though (keep this in mind) is the very last sentence. It needs to give the reader a reason to click and read more. How? By:

• Telling the reader very specifically what you're going to give them (like "an actionable step-by-step guide" or "a full-proof plan to..."
• Being very specific about the outcome. We want tangible, noun-oriented outcomes ("...to buy your first $1 million house") not intangible adjective-oriented outcomes ("...to live happily ever after").
• Don't say "we." This is coming from an individual, so just speak directly to the reader. 

You write in a simple, conversational, jargon free tone that a 10 year old would understand. You favor short, punchy, spartan sentences

Keep the line spacing format of the NARRATIVE FLIP HOOK TEMPLATE.

I want you to create hooks for: [YOUR TRENDING TOPIC]

His AI sidekick analyzed the template.

Controversial opener (flip the narrative). Vulnerable admission (tried and failed). Credibility builder (time invested). Transformation tease (cracked it). Promise (actionable outcome).

Then generated 3 hooks for "AI productivity tools":

• AI productivity tools are overhyped. That's what I told myself after 3 weeks of trying and failing to make them work. Turns out I was just using them wrong. But after testing 50+ tools and $200 in subscriptions, I figured it out. Now I finish in 3 hours what used to take 10. Here's the exact 5-tool stack that changed everything.

• Notion AI is a waste of money. That's what I told myself after 2 months of trying and failing to see results. Turns out I was just a poor template builder. But after creating 100+ templates, I finally cracked it. Now it's my second brain that never forgets. Here's how to set it up in 20 minutes.

• ChatGPT for writing is overrated. That's what I told myself after 4 weeks of getting generic outputs. Turns out I was just a terrible prompt writer. But after studying 200+ viral prompts, I figured it out. Now I publish 5 posts per week instead of 1. Here's the 3-prompt system I use daily.

Marcus stared at his screen.

Each hook had a narrative arc. Controversy that grabs attention. Personal failure that builds connection. Time/money investment that establishes credibility. Clear transformation. Specific, tangible promise.

Not bad.

Step 2: The joke opinion - Use controversy plus analogy

Marcus had the narrative flip working.

But he needed variety. Not every post fit the transformation story format.

Some topics needed a different angle. A bold take. Something that made people disagree immediately.

Here's what he tried...

The joke opinion prompt

I am going to train you to become a hook writing machine.

Here's the text of what is called a "Hook." And the type of "Hook" it is, is called "The Joke Opinion."

--
JOKE OPINION HOOK = 

All these ChatGPT-4 threads are a joke.

The best AI writing prompts aren't 1 sentence. That's like having a Ferrari and driving it 5 mph.

Here's a 60-second masterclass on how to create prompts like a virtuoso writer:

--

JOKE OPINION HOOK TEMPLATE=

{Trending Topic} is a joke.

The best {Sub-Topic} aren't {Misconception}. That's like {Analogy} and {Analogy Misuse}.

Here's a 60-second masterclass on how to {Desired Outcome} like a {Ideal Reader Identity}:

--

I am going to give you an industry, and you are going to write 3 "The Joke Opinion" hooks using elements from the above text.

The key to writing a great hook in this style though (keep this in mind) is the very last sentence. It needs to give the reader a reason to click and read more. How? By:

• Telling the reader very specifically what you're going to give them (like "an actionable step-by-step guide" or "a full-proof plan to..."
• Being very specific about the outcome. We want tangible, noun-oriented outcomes ("...to buy your first $1 million house") not intangible adjective-oriented outcomes ("...to live happily ever after").
• Don't say "we." This is coming from an individual, so just speak directly to the reader. 

You write in a simple, conversational, jargon free tone that a 10 year old would understand. You favor short, punchy, spartan sentences

Keep the line spacing format of the JOKE OPINION HOOK TEMPLATE.

I want you to create hooks for: [YOUR TRENDING TOPIC]

His AI sidekick understood the pattern.

Bold controversial opener (calls something a joke). Specific misconception identified. Memorable analogy (makes it instantly clear). Fast promise (60-second masterclass). Identity elevation (become the ideal).

Generated 3 hooks for "productivity systems":

• All these morning routine threads are a joke. The best productivity systems aren't 15-step rituals. That's like having a race car and stopping every 5 miles to check the oil. Here's a 60-second masterclass on how to build a morning routine like a top performer.

• Most time-blocking advice is a joke. The best schedules aren't hour-by-hour plans. That's like having a GPS and manually inputting every turn. Here's a 60-second masterclass on how to design your day like a CEO.

• These "productivity app" recommendations are a joke. The best tools aren't 20-app stacks. That's like buying a full toolbox when you only need a hammer. Here's a 60-second masterclass on how to choose apps like a minimalist.

Marcus studied the outputs.

Each hook created immediate disagreement. Made a bold claim people wanted to argue with. Then delivered a memorable analogy that made the point stick. Clear, fast promise to pull them in.

Looked great.

Step 3: The "I spent my weekend" - Share breakthrough analysis

Marcus had transformation stories. He had controversial takes.

But some posts needed a different angle. The "breakthrough discovery" story. "I analyzed something complex so you don't have to."

Here's what he tried...

The "I spent my weekend" prompt

I am going to train you to become a hook writing machine.

Here's the text of what is called a "Hook." And the type of "Hook" it is, is called "I Spent My Weekend."

--
I SPENT MY WEEKEND HOOK = 

ChatGPT can now browse the entire internet.

I spent my weekend analyzing the Twitter algorithm with help of the new GPT-4 browsing feature. 

Here's EXACTLY how to optimize your Twitter posts for maximum virality:
--

I SPENT MY WEEKEND HOOK TEMPLATE=

{Trending Topic} can now {Powerful New Feature}.

I spent my weekend analyzing the {Benefit of New Capability} with help of the new {Feature}.

Here's EXACTLY how to {Desired Outcome} for {Long-Term Result}:
--

I am going to give you an industry, and you are going to write 3 "I Spent My Weekend" hooks using elements from the above text.

The key to writing a great hook in this style though (keep this in mind) is the very last sentence. It needs to give the reader a reason to click and read more. How? By:

• Telling the reader very specifically what you're going to give them (like "an actionable step-by-step guide" or "a full-proof plan to..."
• Being very specific about the outcome. We want tangible, noun-oriented outcomes ("...to buy your first $1 million house") not intangible adjective-oriented outcomes ("...to live happily ever after").
• Don't say "we." This is coming from an individual, so just speak directly to the reader. 

You write in a simple, conversational, jargon free tone that a 10 year old would understand. You favor short, punchy, spartan sentences

Keep the line spacing format of the I SPENT MY WEEKEND HOOK TEMPLATE.

I want you to create hooks for: [YOUR TRENDING TOPIC]

His AI sidekick recognized the formula.

Major breakthrough announcement (new capability). Time investment signal (I spent my weekend). Specific benefit analyzed. Bold promise (EXACTLY how to). Clear long-term result.

Generated 3 hooks for "newsletter growth strategies":

• Newsletter platforms can now track every subscriber action in real-time. I spent my weekend analyzing what makes people open emails with help of the new Beehiiv analytics feature. Here's EXACTLY how to optimize your subject lines for maximum open rates.

• AI can now write personalized emails at scale. I spent my weekend analyzing what converts cold subscribers into paying customers with help of Claude's new memory feature. Here's EXACTLY how to nurture your list for consistent revenue.

• LinkedIn now shows you exactly who's viewing your profile. I spent my weekend analyzing what makes people click "follow" with help of the new Creator Analytics dashboard. Here's EXACTLY how to turn profile views into newsletter subscribers.

Marcus reviewed all three templates.

Each hook promised a breakthrough. Showed time invested (credibility). Made a specific, clear promise. Gave people a reason to click immediately.

Done.

🏆 Marcus's results after 6 weeks

Before:

• Spent 3 hours per week writing hooks manually

• Studied viral posts trying to reverse-engineer patterns

• Wrote generic hooks that got scrolled past

• 200 impressions, 3 likes per post average

• Engagement completely flat for 3 months

After:

• Generates 3 hook variations in 60 seconds

• Uses proven templates that already have 10M+ views

• Writes hooks that stop the scroll consistently

• 2,400 impressions, 47 likes per post average

• 12x engagement increase in 6 weeks

His process now:

1. Identifies trending topic (30 seconds)

2. Picks template based on post type (10 seconds)

3. Runs template prompt (20 seconds)

4. Reviews 3 options, picks best one (30 seconds)

Total time: 90 seconds. Not 3 hours.

His AI sidekick handles the pattern recognition and variation generation. BAM.

🧩 Your turn

Copy any of the 3 template prompts above into ChatGPT/Claude.

Replace [YOUR TRENDING TOPIC] with your topic.

Your AI sidekick generates 3 variations instantly. Pick the one that fits your vibe. Post it.

Generation time: 60 seconds. Time to publish: 2 minutes.

That's it, my fellow outliers!

Yours 'helping you work less and earn more with AI' Vijay peduru 🦸‍♂️