The 'stop doing this' hook playbook

The 'stop doing this' hook playbook

A productivity creator only wrote positive hooks and they all blended in. So I gave her the negative-frame playbook. Step one: take your positive tip. Step two: flip it into the mistake people already make. Step three: aim it at the viewer directly with "you" or "your."

Before: "Here's a better way to plan your day." Generic, opened at 52% retention.
After the flip: "Your to-do list is why you finish nothing."

The result: 1-second retention went 52% to 86%, that post pulled 112k against her 9k average, and the comments filled with people defending their lists, which fed reach.

The principle: a positive tip invites a nod. An accusation about the viewer's own behavior demands a defense, and defense means watching.