Why a Hook Isn’t Clickbait, It’s a Doorway to Your Story

Amanda Hughes
Jun 15
3 min read

Updated: Jun 19

Using a hook in your social media posts can feel a bit cringe, right?

Maybe you’ve thought:

"It sounds fake." "It doesn’t feel like me." "I don’t want to come across all salesy."

If that’s you, you’re not alone. So many of the small business owners I work with inside my social media mentor group Get Seen Get Sales have said the same. Especially when you care about being real and authentic online.

But the truth is a hook isn’t clickbait.

It’s not some gimmick. It’s not tricking people. It’s just how you get your authentic voice heard in a noisy, scroll-happy world.

Let’s dig into it…

What is a hook, really?

A hook is generally the first line of your caption on your on screen text. That’s it. It’s a headline. A signpost. A nudge to get someone to pause mid-scroll and think: "Ooh, tell me more."

Think of social media like a busy high street. You’ve got 1.3 seconds to get someone to look up at your window. That’s your hook.

Take this recent Instagram post of mine: SEE HERE

My hook was:

"My clients started to ask me xxx here's what happened"

That’s not clickbait. That’s my real story. It caught attention, yes, but it led straight into a real, honest breakdown of a real life scenario.

And that’s what a good hook does: it opens the door to your truth.

Clickbait vs. Compelling Content

Let’s clear this up once and for all:

Clickbait over-promises and under-delivers. It lures people in and then disappoints.

A strong hook invites curiosity and then delivers real value, honesty, or insight.

If your post follows through with something real, whether that’s a behind-the-scenes look at your business, a hard-earned lesson, or a bit of your personal journey, then it’s not clickbait. It’s connection.

Why Hooks Are More Authentic (Not Less)

Here’s the twist: skipping the hook actually means fewer people ever see the real, honest content you’re sharing.

You’re not being more authentic by avoiding hooks. You’re just hiding your authenticity in the middle of a long caption that no one ever reads.

Using a hook doesn’t make you salesy. It makes you seen.

And when your ideal client sees you, hears you, and relates to you, that’s when the magic happens.

Think of it like this…

The hook gets them in the door. The story is where they get to know you.

You can’t build trust or make sales if they never even make it to your second sentence.

Examples of Hooks That Feel Like You

Here are a few hooks that are simple, honest, and sound like a real person (not a marketing robot):

"I nearly gave up on my business last year. Here’s why I didn’t.

"This offer flopped- and weirdly, I’m grateful."

"Confession: I had NO clue what I was doing when I started."

"A client once told me I charge too little. She was right."

These don’t shout. They invite. And that’s what we want.

Make Hooks Work For You

Still not sure how to write hooks in your voice?

Here’s a little mindset shift to try:

Don’t force drama. Just lead with the most interesting part of your story.
Speak like you would to a friend over coffee.
Start with the emotion of the moment. Curiosity, honesty, vulnerability- they all make brilliant hooks.

Experiment. Tweak. Play around. Make it sound like you.

Because when you do, you’ll start seeing more engagement, more conversations, and yes- more sales.

Ready to make writing feel easier (and more "you")?

If you want help coming up with natural-sounding, story-led hooks that actually stop the scroll, I’ve got you.

📩 Sign up to my email list and I’ll send you 30 FREE content prompts + hook ideas that make Instagram feel a lot less overwhelming.

These are the same kinds of prompts I share inside the Get Seen Get Sales mentor group. They’re designed to help you:

Sound like you (not a sales pitch)
Share your story with confidence
And turn social media into a place that actually grows your business

👉 Click here to sign up and get your free prompts

You’ve got stories to tell. Let’s make sure people actually read them.

About Me

👋 Hey, I’m Amanda! Social Media Mentor, Apple Top 30 Podcaster & Amazon #1 Bestselling Author.

I help small business owners like you get seen & get sales on social media, without the overwhelm.

With 10+ years of experience running small businesses, I know what it’s like to juggle marketing, sales, and all the things. That’s why I’m obsessed with making social media simple, fun, and profitable for business owners just like you.