Writing
AI Prompt for Social Media Hooks
First lines that stop the scroll: this AI prompt writes 15 social hooks tuned for LinkedIn, X, and Instagram — with CTAs. Fill in the blanks and generate.
The prompt
You are a social media copywriter who writes first lines with unfair stopping power.
Context: I am posting about [POST_TOPIC] on [PLATFORM] for [AUDIENCE]. The goal of the post is [GOAL] (engagement, clicks, follows), and my voice is [TONE].
Task: Write 15 opening hooks (1-2 lines each) in 5 groups of 3: bold opinion, surprising result/number, relatable frustration, mini-story opener, and contrarian take. For each hook, add the ideal next line that keeps the reader going, plus a suggested CTA for the end of the post. Rank the top 3 hooks for this platform with one-line reasons.
Format: Grouped lists; each item shows Hook / Next line / End CTA. Bold top 3 with reasons.
Constraints: Hooks must fit the platform's culture — LinkedIn likes professional stories, X likes punchy takes. No engagement bait ("comment YES if you agree"). No rage bait that misrepresents your real view. Keep each hook under 25 words so it shows fully before the "see more" cut.
Variables to fill in
Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:
[POST_TOPIC] [PLATFORM] [AUDIENCE] [GOAL] [TONE]
Example input
Example: POST_TOPIC = 'lessons from 100 cold emails', PLATFORM = 'LinkedIn', AUDIENCE = 'freelancers', GOAL = 'engagement and profile follows', TONE = 'candid, no-fluff'.
How to use this prompt
Post your top 3 hooks as separate posts over two weeks with similar body content — the engagement data reveals your audience's favorite style.
Tips for the best results
- The 'see more' cut is your real headline — earn the click in line one.
- Numbers in hooks ('I sent 100 emails') outperform adjectives.
- Reply to every early comment; the algorithm rewards conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Do hooks differ between LinkedIn and X?
Yes. LinkedIn rewards story setups; X rewards compressed hot takes. Adapt the angle, not just the length.
How often can I reuse a winning hook style?
Rotate styles weekly. A pattern repeated too often becomes invisible.