Hook library / SaaS and apps
16 hooks for software founders.
App content fails when it explains features. It works when it shows the job done in seconds: a real screen, a real result, and a hook that names the annoying task the app removes.
Before / afterThis used to take me an hour. Now it takes this long.
Named thing + stakeIf you still do [task] by hand, watch this.
POVPOV: you find the app that does [task] for you.
Verdict questionWould you pay for this? Be honest.
Countdown3 things our users do with it that we never expected.
Contrarian claimYou don't need another tool. You need this one to replace three.
Insider viewWhy we built this, in one screen.
Number with stakes[Number] clicks to [result]. Watch.
Curiosity gapThe feature nobody asked for became our most used.
The mistakeMost people set this up wrong. Here's the right way.
Countdown5 apps I use every day to run the business.
Verdict questionOld way or new way? Watch both.
Named thing + stakeTry this before you hire someone to do it.
POVPOV: your Monday spreadsheet does itself.
Insider viewWhat we learned from our first [number] users.
Before / afterMy inbox before and after this.
Make your own, for any topic
Type what your next saas and apps video is about and get ten more, one per pattern.
How to use these hooks
- Pick one that's trueOnly use a hook your video actually pays off.
- Fill the bracketsYour real numbers, product and place.
- Show it by 0.5 sWords on screen and a matching picture straight away.
- Test twoTwo versions over a week; keep the one that holds.
Why these work
- Before / afterShows the change in the first second, then explains how.
- Named thing + stakeNames something specific and says what it costs the viewer to ignore it.
- POVPuts the viewer inside a moment they recognise.
- Verdict questionAsks the viewer to judge. People stay to see if they were right.
- CountdownPromises a fixed number of items, so they stay to the last one.
- Contrarian claimSays the opposite of what the niche repeats. The disagreement keeps them watching.
- Insider viewSomething only someone inside the job would know.
- Number with stakesA specific number in the first line reads as proof, not opinion.
Hooks for software founders: questions
Should I show the real app?
Always. A real screen recording beats a mockup, and it's honest.
How fast should app demos move?
One new screen every two to three seconds. Zoom into the part that matters.
What's the best call to action?
One action they can do now: 'Try it free at the link' or 'Comment DEMO'.
Got the hook? Make the whole video.
Avouch writes, cuts and captions the rest. Film on your phone or type an idea; a finished video comes back in minutes.