Lead magnet generator

Lead Magnet Generator#

Purpose#

Generate 2 viral lead magnet posts that get your audience to comment a trigger word in exchange for a free resource, maximizing engagement and DM opt-ins.

Execution Logic#

Check $ARGUMENTS first to determine execution mode:

If $ARGUMENTS is empty or not provided:#

Respond with: "lead-magnet-generator loaded, proceed with additional instructions"

Then wait for the user to provide their requirements in the next message.

If $ARGUMENTS contains content:#

Proceed immediately to Task Execution (skip the "loaded" message).

Task Execution#

When user requirements are available (either from initial $ARGUMENTS or follow-up message):

1. MANDATORY: Read Reference Files FIRST#

BLOCKING REQUIREMENT — DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP

Before doing ANYTHING else, you MUST use the Read tool to read ALL reference files:

Read: ./references/lead-magnet-patterns.md
Read: ../viral-hook-creator/references/hook-patterns.md
Read: ../viral-hook-creator/references/trigger_words.md

What you will find:

• lead-magnet-patterns.md: Lead magnet post structures, value framing techniques, and CTA patterns
• hook-patterns.md: 18 proven viral hook patterns with templates and psychology (from viral-hook-creator)
• trigger_words.md: Four categories of viral trigger words (from viral-hook-creator)

DO NOT PROCEED to Step 2 until you have read ALL three files and have the patterns loaded in context.

2. Check for Business Context#

Check if FOUNDER_CONTEXT.md exists in the project root.

• If it exists: Read it and use the business context to personalize your output (industry terminology, audience, brand voice, authority metrics).
• If it doesn't exist: Proceed using defaults from the "Defaults & Assumptions" section.

3. Analyze Input#

From the user's requirements, extract:

• Lead magnet: What are they giving away? (framework, template, checklist, course, etc.)
• Credibility hook: What effort/research backs it? (X hours studying, X months building, X years experience)
• Inside contents: What does the lead magnet contain? (for the detailed version)
• Value anchor: Price point to anchor value ($99, $199, etc.) or scarcity (will charge X in Y days)
• Trigger word: What word should people comment? (default: relevant keyword in CAPS)
• Platform: Twitter/X or LinkedIn

For any missing information, apply defaults from Defaults & Assumptions or ask the user.

4. Generate Lead Magnet Posts#

Step 4a: Generate Opening Hooks FIRST Using the hook patterns and trigger words from viral-hook-creator (read in Step 1), generate exactly 2 opening hook options:

1. Select 2 different patterns from hook-patterns.md that fit the lead magnet topic
2. Integrate 1-2 trigger words from trigger_words.md into each hook
3. Each hook should be 1-2 lines that create curiosity about the lead magnet

These hooks will serve as the opening lines for both post versions.

Step 4b: Build Complete Posts Using the best hook from 4a, create exactly 2 versions:

Version 1: Quick Format Structure:

[Opening hook from Step 4a]

[What you created from it]

[Value anchor - could charge $X / will charge $X soon]

Comment "[WORD]" and I'll send it to you for free (must be following)

Version 2: Detailed Format Structure:

[Opening hook from Step 4a]

[What you built from it]

Inside you'll find:

→ [Benefit/content 1]
→ [Benefit/content 2]
→ [Benefit/content 3]
→ [Benefit/content 4]

Want the full [playbook/framework/guide]?

Comment "[WORD]" and I'll send it to you.

(Must be following)

Platform Adaptation:

• Twitter/X: Use the standard CTA endings above
• LinkedIn: Replace the CTA ending with:

1. Connect with me
2. Comment "[WORD]"

I'll send it straight to your DMs.

P.S. Repost for priority in the queue

5. Format and Verify#

• Structure output according to Output Format section
• Complete Quality Checklist self-verification before presenting output

Writing Rules#

Hard constraints. No interpretation.

Core Rules#

• Lead with the credibility hook (effort, time, research, experience)
• Use specific numbers: "73 hours" not "many hours", "3 months" not "a long time"
• Value anchor must feel real and justified
• Trigger word should be relevant and memorable (usually the lead magnet type in CAPS)
• "Must be following" is required for Twitter/X (enables DMs)
• Keep it conversational, not salesy
• No emojis
• No hashtags in the main copy

Format-Specific Rules#

• Quick Format: 4-5 short paragraphs max. Punchy. Gets to the CTA fast.
• Detailed Format: Always use arrows (→) for the list. 3-5 bullet points. Each bullet is a specific benefit or content piece.

Platform-Specific Rules#

• Twitter/X:

  • Character limit doesn't apply (this is a thread opener or long post)
  • End with: Comment "[WORD]" and I'll send it to you for free (must be following)
  • OR: Like + Comment "[WORD]" and it's yours for free. (Must be following so I can DM you)

• LinkedIn:

  • Professional but still direct
  • End with the numbered CTA format:

    1. Connect with me
    2. Comment "[WORD]"
    
    I'll send it straight to your DMs.
    
    P.S. Repost for priority in the queue

Opening Hook Rules#

• Opening hooks MUST use patterns from viral-hook-creator's hook-patterns.md
• Integrate 1-2 trigger words from trigger_words.md
• Each hook should create curiosity and establish credibility in 1-2 lines
• Common patterns that work well for lead magnets: Authority Credibility, Data-Driven Insight, Time Investment

Value Anchor Patterns#

• "Could easily charge $X for this."
• "Will charge $X for it in Y days."
• "This would cost $X from a consultant."
• "Normally $X. Free for the next 48 hours."

Output Format#

## Lead Magnet Brief
**Lead magnet:** [What they're giving away]
**Credibility:** [The effort/research/experience behind it]
**Value anchor:** [$X or scarcity framing]
**Trigger word:** [WORD]
**Platform:** [Twitter/X or LinkedIn]

---

## Opening Hook Options
(Generated using viral-hook-creator patterns)

### Hook 1: [Pattern Name]
[Hook text - 1-2 lines]

### Hook 2: [Pattern Name]
[Hook text - 1-2 lines]

---

## Version 1: Quick Format

[Full post using Hook 1 or 2 as opener]

---

## Version 2: Detailed Format

[Full post using Hook 1 or 2 as opener]

Example (Twitter/X):

## Lead Magnet Brief
**Lead magnet:** Product Hunt launch checklist (Claude Skill)
**Credibility:** 3 months studying every #1 Product Hunt launch
**Value anchor:** Could charge $99
**Trigger word:** SKILL
**Platform:** Twitter/X

---

## Opening Hook Options
(Generated using viral-hook-creator patterns)

### Hook 1: Authority Credibility
I spent 3 months studying every #1 Product Hunt launch.

### Hook 2: Data-Driven Insight
I analyzed 247 Product Hunt launches that hit #1. Here's what they all had in common.

---

## Version 1: Quick Format

I spent 3 months studying every #1 Product Hunt launch.

Then I built a Claude Skill that gives you a personalized launch checklist based on YOUR product.

Could easily charge $99 for this.

Comment "SKILL" and I'll send it to you for free (must be following)

---

## Version 2: Detailed Format

I spent 3 months studying every #1 Product Hunt launch.

Then I built a Claude Skill that creates a personalized launch checklist based on YOUR product.

Inside you'll find:

→ Pre-launch timeline with exact tasks for each day
→ Hunter outreach templates that actually get responses
→ Community building tactics the top launches used
→ Launch day hour-by-hour checklist

Want the full playbook?

Comment "SKILL" and I'll send it to you.

(Must be following)

Example (LinkedIn):

## Version 1: Quick Format

I spent 3 months studying every #1 Product Hunt launch.

Then I built a tool that gives you a personalized launch checklist based on YOUR product.

Could easily charge $99 for this.

1. Connect with me
2. Comment "SKILL"

I'll send it straight to your DMs.

P.S. Repost for priority in the queue

---

## Version 2: Detailed Format

I spent 3 months studying every #1 Product Hunt launch.

Then I built a tool that creates a personalized launch checklist based on YOUR product.

Inside you'll find:

→ Pre-launch timeline with exact tasks for each day
→ Hunter outreach templates that actually get responses
→ Community building tactics the top launches used
→ Launch day hour-by-hour checklist

Want the full playbook?

1. Connect with me
2. Comment "SKILL"

I'll send it straight to your DMs.

P.S. Repost for priority in the queue

References#

These files MUST be read using the Read tool before generating posts (see Step 1):

Why this matters: Lead magnet posts need two things: (1) a viral opening hook that stops the scroll, and (2) a clear value-to-action structure. Hook patterns create the initial curiosity. Lead magnet patterns convert that attention into comments.

Quality Checklist (Self-Verification)#

Before finalizing output, verify ALL of the following:

Pre-Execution Check#

• I read ./references/lead-magnet-patterns.md before generating posts
• I read ../viral-hook-creator/references/hook-patterns.md before generating hooks
• I read ../viral-hook-creator/references/trigger_words.md before generating hooks
• I have hook patterns, trigger words, value anchors, and CTA formats in context

Opening Hook Check#

• Generated exactly 2 opening hook options
• Each hook uses a DIFFERENT pattern from hook-patterns.md
• Each hook contains 1-2 trigger words from trigger_words.md
• Hooks are 1-2 lines that create curiosity

Content Check#

• Opening hook uses specific numbers (hours, months, years)
• Value anchor feels real and justified
• Trigger word is relevant and in CAPS
• Quick format is punchy (4-5 short paragraphs max)
• Detailed format uses arrows (→) for the list
• Detailed format has 3-5 specific bullet points

CTA Check#

• Twitter/X posts end with proper "Comment + must be following" CTA
• LinkedIn posts end with numbered CTA format + "P.S. Repost" line
• Trigger word matches in CTA

Writing Check#

• No emojis
• No hashtags in main copy
• Conversational tone, not salesy
• Active voice throughout

Output Check#

• Both versions are complete
• Brief accurately summarizes input
• Platform-appropriate CTAs applied

If ANY check fails → revise before presenting.

Defaults & Assumptions#

Use these unless the user overrides:

• Platform: Twitter/X (most common for lead magnet giveaways)
• Trigger word: The lead magnet type in CAPS (e.g., "FRAMEWORK", "CHECKLIST", "TEMPLATE")
• Value anchor: "Could easily charge $99 for this" (safe default)
• Credibility format: Time-based ("I spent X hours/months...")
• Bullet count: 4 items for detailed format
• Tone: Confident, direct, generous

If the user doesn't provide what's inside the lead magnet, ask for 3-5 key benefits or contents before generating the detailed version.

Supporting file: references/lead-magnet-patterns.md#

Lead Magnet Post Patterns#

This reference contains proven patterns for lead magnet giveaway posts that maximize comments and DM opt-ins.

Note: Opening hooks are generated using viral-hook-creator patterns. This file focuses on value anchors, CTAs, and post structure.

The Psychology#

Lead magnet posts work because they stack three psychological triggers:

1. Viral hook — Stops the scroll with curiosity (from viral-hook-creator)
2. Value perception — "This is worth real money"
3. Low friction — "All I have to do is comment"

Miss any of these and engagement drops significantly.

Value Anchor Patterns#

Value anchors make the free offer feel valuable. Without them, people assume it's low quality.

Direct Price Anchors#

• "Could easily charge $[X] for this."
• "This would cost $[X] from a consultant."
• "Worth at least $[X] based on what's inside."
• "Normally $[X]."

Scarcity/Urgency Anchors#

• "Will charge $[X] for it in [Y] days."
• "Free for the next 48 hours."
• "Going behind a paywall next week."
• "First [X] people only."

Social Proof Anchors#

• "[X] people have already grabbed this."
• "[X]+ downloads in the first week."
• "The same framework [notable person/company] uses."

Implicit Value Anchors#

• "What I wish I had when I started..."
• "This took me [X] years to figure out..."
• "The exact [thing] I used to [achieve result]..."

CTA Patterns#

The CTA must be crystal clear and low friction.

Twitter/X CTAs#

Standard:

Comment "[WORD]" and I'll send it to you for free (must be following)

With Like:

Like + Comment "[WORD]" and it's yours for free.

(Must be following so I can DM you)

With Repost:

Comment "[WORD]" and I'll DM you.

Repost to help others find this.

(Must be following)

LinkedIn CTAs#

Standard:

1. Connect with me
2. Comment "[WORD]"

I'll send it straight to your DMs.

P.S. Repost for priority in the queue

Alternative:

Want it? Here's how:

1. Connect with me (so I can message you)
2. Comment "[WORD]" below

I'll DM you the link.

P.S. Repost this and I'll prioritize your DM

Trigger Word Selection#

The trigger word should be:

• Relevant to the lead magnet (FRAMEWORK, CHECKLIST, TEMPLATE, GUIDE, etc.)
• Memorable and easy to type
• Uppercase for visibility

Common Trigger Words by Lead Magnet Type#

• Framework → "FRAMEWORK"
• Checklist → "CHECKLIST" or "LIST"
• Template → "TEMPLATE"
• Course → "COURSE" or "FREE"
• Guide → "GUIDE"
• Playbook → "PLAYBOOK"
• Swipe file → "SWIPE"
• Tool/Software → "TOOL" or product name
• Blueprint → "BLUEPRINT"
• Custom/Specific → Use the product name (e.g., "SKILL")

Post Structures#

Quick Format Structure#

[OPENING HOOK - from viral-hook-creator]

[WHAT YOU BUILT]

[VALUE ANCHOR]

[CTA]

Example:

I spent 3 months studying every #1 Product Hunt launch.

Then I built a Claude Skill that gives you a personalized launch checklist based on YOUR product.

Could easily charge $99 for this.

Comment "SKILL" and I'll send it to you for free (must be following)

Detailed Format Structure#

[OPENING HOOK - from viral-hook-creator]

[WHAT YOU BUILT]

Inside you'll find:

→ [Benefit/content 1]
→ [Benefit/content 2]
→ [Benefit/content 3]
→ [Benefit/content 4]

Want the full [playbook/framework/guide]?

[CTA]

Example:

I spent over 100+ hours researching the best prompts for Claude, Gemini and OpenAI.

So I built a blueprint on how to prompt AI the right way.

Inside you'll find:

→ 100+ examples on how to actually prompt AI the right way
→ A guidebook on the best AI tools for specific tasks
→ Why traditional prompting won't cut it anymore
→ How to use the tools in sync

Want the full playbook?

Comment "FRAMEWORK" and I'll send it to you.

(Must be following)

High-Performing Examples#

Example 1: SaaS Framework (Quick Format)#

My team & I have developed dozens of SaaS products that raised over 150M+ combined.

So I've spent 73 hours packaging our learnings into this Framework.

Will charge $199 for it in 7 days.

Like + Comment "framework" and it's yours for free.

(Must be following so I can DM you)

Why it works:

• Team credibility + specific achievement ($150M)
• Specific time investment (73 hours)
• Urgency anchor (7 days)
• Like + Comment increases engagement

Example 2: AI Prompting Guide (Detailed Format)#

I spent over 100+ hours researching the best prompts for Claude, Gemini and OpenAI.

So I built a blueprint on how to prompt AI the right way.

Inside you'll find:

→ 100+ examples on how to actually prompt AI the right way
→ A guidebook on the best AI tools for specific tasks
→ Why traditional prompting won't cut it anymore
→ How to use the tools in sync

Want the full playbook?

Comment "FRAMEWORK" and I'll send it to you.

(Must be following)

Why it works:

• Specific time investment (100+ hours)
• Clear deliverable (blueprint)
• 4 specific bullet points showing value
• Simple CTA

Example 3: Product Hunt Skill (Quick Format)#

I spent 3 months studying every #1 Product Hunt launch.

Then I built a Claude Skill that gives you a personalized launch checklist based on YOUR product.

Could easily charge $99 for this.

Comment "SKILL" and I'll send it to you for free (must be following)

Why it works:

• Time investment with specific scope (every #1 launch)
• Personalization angle (based on YOUR product)
• Reasonable price anchor ($99)
• Direct CTA

Common Mistakes to Avoid#

1. Weak opening hook — Generic opener vs viral hook pattern with trigger words
2. No value anchor — Without price context, free feels worthless
3. Vague bullets — "Useful tips" vs "47 email subject lines that got 60%+ open rates"
4. Complex CTA — More than 2 steps kills conversion
5. Wrong trigger word — Generic words like "YES" or "ME" get lost in comments
6. Missing "must be following" — You can't DM non-followers on most platforms
7. Too salesy — Lead magnet posts should feel generous, not pushy

Platform-Specific Notes#

Twitter/X#

• Long-form posts work well
• "Must be following" is essential for DMs
• Repost requests can double reach
• Thread format can work for very detailed lead magnets

LinkedIn#

• "Connect with me" is necessary (can't message non-connections)
• More professional tone, but still direct
• "Repost for priority" creates urgency
• Avoid hashtags in the main post body

Supporting file: skills/viral-hook-creator/references/hook-patterns.md#

Viral Hook Patterns Reference#

This document contains 19 proven hook patterns with templates and examples. Use these as inspiration when generating hooks.

Pattern Categories#

1. Proxy Learning (Study/Collect)
2. Popular Name
3. Authority Credibility
4. Tools/Resources List
5. Cautionary Tale
6. Analysis-Based Insights
7. Achievement with Constraint
8. Steal My Process
9. Proxy Learning (Action-Based)
10. Myth-Busting
11. Reset Expectations
12. Opposite/Contrarian
13. Data-Driven Insights
14. The Unexpected
15. You're Losing
16. Tiny Change, Big Impact
17. Everything Wrong
18. Less Beats More
19. Behind-the-Scenes Testing

1. Proxy Learning (Study/Collect)#

Psychology: People want shortcuts. "I did the research so you don't have to."

Template:

• "I study [topic] so you can copy them"
• "I collect [topic] like [unexpected comparison]"
• "I've analyzed [number] [items] so you don't have to"

Examples:

• "I study strategies that make SaaS startups grow so you can copy them."
• "I collect SaaS growth strategies like billionaires collect cars."
• "I've analyzed over 100+ growth strategies SaaS companies use to go viral."

Best for: Educational content, frameworks, templates, curated lists

2. Popular Name#

Psychology: Authority by association. Leveraging well-known names/brands creates instant credibility and curiosity.

Template:

• "[Famous person] uses this [thing] and has over [percentage] [outcome]. Today I'm sharing it for free"
• "[Famous brand] used this [industry] strategy to secretly [action] their users"
• "I cracked the [industry] code [prestigious group] are gatekeeping"

Examples:

• "Alex Hormozi uses this template and has over 80% close rate. Today I'm sharing it for free."
• "Coca Cola used this marketing strategy to secretly dopamine spike their users."
• "I cracked the marketing code Fortune 500 companies are gatekeeping."

Best for: Authority borrowing, attention-grabbing openings, credibility building, curiosity hooks

3. Authority Credibility#

Psychology: Social proof + expertise = trust. Numbers validate authority.

Template:

• "I run a [number]-person [business]. Here are [number] things I would never do again"
• "After [timeframe] in [industry], here's what nobody tells you"
• "Built [achievement] with [constraint]. Here's the blueprint"

Examples:

• "I run a 23-person software development agency. Here are 5 things I would never do again."
• "After 10 years in SaaS, here's what nobody tells you about scaling."
• "Built a 7-figure business with no employees. Here's the blueprint."

Best for: LinkedIn, thought leadership, strategic content, experience-based advice

4. Tools/Resources List#

Psychology: Practical value. People love tools that save time.

Template:

• "Here are [number] tools that will save you [time/money]"
• "[Number] [resources] every [role] should bookmark"
• "Things are moving fast. Here are [number] tools that will save you [time]"

Examples:

• "Startup Founders, things are moving fast. Here are 15 tools that will save you 100+ hours."
• "Here are 12 AI tools that will save you 20 hours a week."
• "5 Chrome extensions every marketer should bookmark."

Best for: Quick-win content, listicles, resource roundups, practical value

5. Cautionary Tale#

Psychology: People learn from others' mistakes. Stories create emotional connection.

Template:

• "I [action] and [negative outcome]. Here's what I learned"
• "My friend [did action] in [timeframe]. After [timeframe], [consequence]"
• "The [time] I [action] and [unexpected result]"

Examples:

• "My friend vibe coded an app in 2 weeks. After 5 months, he's still trying to fix bugs he couldn't understand."
• "I hired too fast and burned $200K. Here's what I learned."
• "The time I ignored customer feedback and lost 40% of my users."

Best for: Personal stories, lessons learned, vulnerability marketing, relatability

6. Analysis-Based Insights#

Psychology: Research = credibility. Data satisfies our need for proof.

Template:

• "I analyzed [number] [items]. Here are the top [number] [insights]"
• "After studying [number] [examples], [surprising finding]"
• "Data from [number] [sources] reveals [insight]"

Examples:

• "I analyzed over 100+ growth strategies SaaS companies use to go viral. Here are the top 10 that you should steal."
• "I analyzed 1,000 LinkedIn posts. Here are the top 5 patterns that drove engagement."
• "After studying 200 landing pages, 87% ignored this one thing."

Best for: Data-driven content, research findings, industry insights, credibility building

7. Achievement with Constraint#

Psychology: Constraints make achievements more impressive. "How did they do it?"

Template:

• "How I [achievement] in [timeframe] while [constraint]"
• "How I built [outcome] in [timeframe] while [limitation]"
• "[Result] with [limitation]. Here's how"

Examples:

• "How I built a $100k MRR SaaS in 3 months while still in college."
• "How I gained 300 users for my SaaS while still at Uni."
• "10,000 followers in 30 days with zero paid ads. Here's how."

Best for: Aspirational content, case studies, growth stories, inspiration

8. Steal My Process#

Psychology: People want proven systems they can copy. "Steal" implies exclusivity.

Template:

• "Steal my [process] to [outcome]"
• "Steal my process to [achieve specific result]"
• "The exact [system] I use to [result]"

Examples:

• "Steal my process to get 10,000 followers in 30 days."
• "Steal my cold email sequence that books 15 calls per week."
• "The exact content system I use to go viral every week."

Best for: Tactical content, processes, frameworks, actionable advice

9. Proxy Learning (Action-Based)#

Psychology: Vicarious learning. "I took the risk so you can learn safely."

Template:

• "I [did action] so you don't have to. Here's what I learned"
• "Spent [resource] on [thing] so you can skip it"
• "Tried [number] [items] to find the best one. Here it is"

Examples:

• "I read 50 marketing books so you don't have to. Here are the 3 that matter."
• "I spent $10K on courses so you can skip them. Here's what actually works."
• "Tried 30 project management tools to find the best one. Here it is."

Best for: Product reviews, comparisons, recommendations, saving time/money

10. Myth-Busting#

Psychology: Contrarian views grab attention. People love being "in the know."

Template:

• "The biggest lie you've been told about [topic] is to [action]"
• "The biggest lie you've been told about [industry/trend]"
• "[Common belief] is completely wrong. Here's why"

Examples:

• "The biggest lie you've been told about SaaS growth is to run more paid ads."
• "The biggest lie you've been told about content marketing ."
• "Work-life balance is completely wrong. Here's why."

Best for: Contrarian takes, thought leadership, attention-grabbing content

11. Reset Expectations#

Psychology: "Clean slate" thinking. Permission to start fresh.

Template:

• "Forget everything you know about [topic]"
• "Forget everything you know on [topic]. I'll teach you how to [outcome] in [number] steps"
• "Ignore all the advice about [topic]. Do this instead"

Examples:

• "Forget everything you know on SaaS. I'll teach you how to become profitable in 10 steps."
• "Forget everything you know about cold outreach."
• "Ignore all the advice about work-life balance. Do this instead."

Best for: Disruptive content, new frameworks, paradigm shifts, bold statements

12. Opposite/Contrarian#

Psychology: Cognitive dissonance creates curiosity. "Wait, what?"

Template:

• "[Authority/Company]'s [public advice] [contradicts] their [internal practice]"
• "Everyone tells you to [action]. I did [opposite] and [result]"
• "[Big company]'s internal team [ignores/bans] the [practices] they recommend publicly"

Examples:

• "Netflix's most successful shows break all their own public guidelines."
• "Apple's internal design team ignores 90% of their public design principles."
• "Stripe's engineering team banned the coding practices they recommend publicly."

Best for: Contrarian content, personal brand building, debate-starters, viral potential

13. Data-Driven Insights#

Psychology: Numbers feel objective and trustworthy. Surprising data creates curiosity.

Template:

• "After studying [number] [items], we found [surprising stat/finding]"
• "I studied [number] [examples] to find [unexpected insight]"
• "[Percentage] of [group] don't know this about [topic]"

Examples:

• "After studying 100K cold emails, we found longer subject lines get 3x more responses."
• "I studied 100+ viral posts to find the perfect share trigger."
• "I tracked 50 successful founders for a year. None of them use a to-do list."

Best for: Research-backed content, industry reports, surprising stats, credibility

14. The Unexpected#

Psychology: Pattern interruption. Finding uncommon threads creates insight.

Template:

• "The one thing I noticed about every [successful group]"
• "The [counterintuitive habit] shared by every [successful person] I interviewed"
• "Every [high-performer] does this [unexpected thing]"

Examples:

• "The one thing I noticed about every 7-figure newsletter."
• "The counterintuitive habit shared by every CEO I interviewed."
• "The fastest-growing startups all removed this one popular tool."

Best for: Pattern recognition, insights, thought leadership, curiosity

15. You're Losing#

Psychology: Loss aversion is powerful. Fear of missing out drives action.

Template:

• "You're losing [metric] by [common action]"
• "Your [thing] is costing you [consequence]"
• "Every [timeframe] you don't [action], you lose [result]"

Examples:

• "You're losing 12 hours every week by following the standard meeting schedule."
• "Your documentation process is stealing 23% of your team's creative time."
• "Your productivity tools are wasting 40% of the time they're supposed to save."

Best for: Problem-aware audiences, conversion content, urgency, wake-up calls

16. Tiny Change, Big Impact#

Psychology: Small actions feel achievable. Disproportionate results create curiosity.

Template:

• "One [small action] can [big result]"
• "A [tiny change] can [massive outcome]"
• "[Small modification] [unexpectedly large impact]"

Examples:

• "One settings change can double your team's output."
• "A 2-minute calendar adjustment can recover 6 hours of your week."
• "Removing one Slack channel type boosted productivity by 26%."

Best for: Quick wins, optimization content, tactical tips, low-effort high-reward

17. Everything Wrong#

Psychology: Challenge assumptions. Comprehensive problem identification creates trust.

Template:

• "Everything you know about [topic] is wrong, because [reason]"
• "Everything you know about [topic] is wrong, because [surprising truth]"
• "Your entire approach to [topic] is backwards. Here's why"

Examples:

• "Everything you know about productivity is wrong, because rest periods beat work periods by 3x."
• "Everything you know about team size is wrong, because smaller teams ship 4x faster."
• "Everything you know about user interviews is wrong, because angry customers give better feedback."

Best for: Paradigm-shifting content, educational content, thought leadership, bold claims

18. Less Beats More#

Psychology: Simplification is appealing. "Doing less" feels counterintuitive and interesting.

Template:

• "[Group] with less [thing] outperform those with more [thing]"
• "I cut [thing] in half and [surprising positive result]"
• "[Fewer X] beats [more X]. Here's the data"

Examples:

• "Teams with no project managers outperform those with dedicated PMs."
• "Products with fewer features retain users 2x longer."
• "Companies with no roadmap raise 3x more funding."

Best for: Counterintuitive insights, minimalism content, efficiency, simplification

19. Behind-the-Scenes Testing#

Psychology: Specific personal sacrifice details (late nights, long hours) create authenticity and trust. The reader thinks "they actually did the work" and wants to know the verdict. Combining effort with a comparison or hands-on test creates a strong curiosity gap.

Template:

• "I stayed up until [time] [timeframe], [testing/comparing action]"
• "I spent [duration] [timeframe], [running/testing specific experiment]"
• "I pulled an all-nighter [doing specific hands-on action]"

Examples:

• "I stayed up until 2 AM yesterday, testing Opus 4.6 and GPT-5.3-Codex side by side."
• "I stayed up until 3 AM last night, A/B testing 47 different subject lines on my actual email list."
• "I spent 6 straight hours yesterday, running every AI writing tool through the same 10 prompts."
• "I pulled an all-nighter rebuilding my entire funnel in two different platforms to see which one actually converts."

Best for: Product comparisons, tool reviews, experiment results, AI/tech content, personal brand building

Usage Guidelines#

When generating hooks:#

1. Match pattern to content type and goal
2. Personalize with user's specific data/stats
3. Adapt language to platform norms
4. Combine patterns when appropriate (e.g., Authority + Data-Driven)
5. Always create curiosity gap - promise value, withhold details
6. Use specific numbers over vague terms
7. Test variations within same pattern

Pattern Selection Matrix#

Platform-Pattern Fit#

Supporting file: skills/viral-hook-creator/references/trigger_words.md#

Viral Trigger Words Reference#

Trigger words amplify emotional impact and can increase engagement by ~10x. Use 1-2 per hook for maximum viral potential.

Category 1: Insider Words#

Purpose: Create exclusivity, scarcity, and "insider knowledge" feeling. Makes readers feel they're getting privileged information.

Best paired with: Authority Credibility, Steal My Process, Proxy Learning, Analysis-Based patterns

Word bank: secretly, quietly, discovered, revealed, uncovered, hidden, actually, underground, behind-the-scenes, confession, leaked, exposed, unspoken, overlooked, buried, invisible, ignored, unpublished, undisclosed, internal, private

Examples in Action#

Pattern: Steal My Process

• ❌ Weak: "Here's my process to get 10K followers"
• ✅ Strong: "Steal my secretly tested process to get 10K followers"

Pattern: Authority Credibility

• ❌ Weak: "I run a 23-person agency. Here's what works"
• ✅ Strong: "I run a 23-person agency. Here's what nobody tells you (quietly revealed)"

Pattern: Analysis-Based

• ❌ Weak: "I analyzed 500 viral posts. Here's what I found"
• ✅ Strong: "I uncovered patterns in 500 viral posts nobody talks about"

Category 2: Helper Words#

Purpose: Highlight pain points, losses, and urgency. Triggers loss aversion (fear of missing out or continuing to lose).

Best paired with: You're Losing, Cautionary Tale, Problem/Solution patterns, Tiny Change Big Impact

Word bank: losing, wasting, costing, stealing, killing, sabotaging, destroying, bleeding, leaking, draining, missing, sacrificing, throwing away, burning, hemorrhaging, squandering, forfeiting

Examples in Action#

Pattern: You're Losing

• ❌ Weak: "You're losing time with bad meetings"
• ✅ Strong: "You're bleeding 12 hours every week on pointless meetings"

Pattern: Cautionary Tale

• ❌ Weak: "I hired too fast and it cost me money"
• ✅ Strong: "I hired too fast and it hemorrhaged $200K in 6 months"

Pattern: Tiny Change, Big Impact

• ❌ Weak: "One meeting change saved me time"
• ✅ Strong: "One calendar tweak stopped me from wasting 8 hours per week"

Key difference:

• "Losing time" = generic, forgettable
• "Bleeding 12 hours" = visceral, shareable (~10x more engagement)

Category 3: Thinker Words#

Purpose: Challenge assumptions, create intrigue, and position content as contrarian or counterintuitive. Makes readers question what they know.

Best paired with: Myth-Busting, Opposite/Contrarian, Reset Expectations, Everything Wrong, Data-Driven Insights

Word bank: backwards, opposite, counterintuitive, paradox, irony, myth, misconception, illusion, fallacy, contradiction, reversal, upside-down, inverse, contrarian, unconventional, paradoxical, misunderstood

Examples in Action#

Pattern: Myth-Busting

• ❌ Weak: "The advice about posting daily is wrong"
• ✅ Strong: "The biggest myth about posting daily is completely backwards"

Pattern: Opposite/Contrarian

• ❌ Weak: "Everyone says hustle. I did the opposite and grew faster"
• ✅ Strong: "Everyone preaches hustle. The paradox: I worked half the hours and grew 3x faster"

Pattern: Reset Expectations

• ❌ Weak: "Forget everything about productivity"
• ✅ Strong: "Everything you know about productivity is a misconception. Here's why"

Category 4: Amplifiers#

Purpose: Intensify any message or pattern. Use with other trigger words or standalone to boost emotional impact.

Mix with any category or pattern for intensity boost

Word bank: every, all, none, always, never, only, biggest, worst, zero, entirely, completely, totally, absolutely, literally, exactly, precisely

Examples in Action#

Amplifier + Insider Word

• ❌ Weak: "I found a pattern in viral posts"
• ✅ Strong: "I uncovered the only pattern every viral post shares"

Amplifier + Helper Word

• ❌ Weak: "You're wasting time on social media"
• ✅ Strong: "You're literally bleeding 15 hours every single week on social media"

Amplifier + Thinker Word

• ❌ Weak: "This advice is backwards"
• ✅ Strong: "This advice is completely backwards. Here's the exact opposite that works"

Standalone Amplifier Usage

• ❌ Weak: "I analyzed 1,000 posts and found insights"
• ✅ Strong: "I analyzed exactly 1,000 posts. Zero of them followed this 'rule'"

Integration Guidelines#

DO:#

• ✅ Integrate naturally during hook creation (not as an afterthought)
• ✅ Match trigger word category to hook pattern type
• ✅ Use 1-2 trigger words per hook (more = diluted impact)
• ✅ Combine amplifiers with other categories for maximum effect
• ✅ Use specific numbers with trigger words ("bleeding 12 hours" not "bleeding time")
• ✅ Test: Does the trigger word make the hook feel more compelling?

DON'T:#

• ❌ Force trigger words awkwardly into hooks
• ❌ Use multiple trigger words from same category in one hook
• ❌ Use trigger words without specific details (e.g., "secretly revealed" needs context)
• ❌ Overuse amplifiers (one per hook maximum)
• ❌ Mix incompatible word types (e.g., "secretly bleeding" rarely works)

Quick Reference: Pattern-to-Trigger-Word Matching#

Impact Comparison#

Understanding the measurable difference trigger words make:

The difference is measurable. Trigger words transform good hooks into viral hooks.