The Insider Hook Library.

30 insider hook templates

1. 1.

   What [group] won't tell you about [topic]

   • “What recruiters won't tell you about resumes”
   • “What car salesmen won't tell you about financing”
   • “What dermatologists won't tell you about acne”
2. 2.

   Here's what [profession] say behind closed doors about [topic]

   • “Here's what real estate agents say behind closed doors about open houses”
   • “Here's what doctors say behind closed doors about Ozempic”
   • “Here's what VCs say behind closed doors about solo founders”
3. 3.

   [Group] uses a trick they don't share — it's [thing]

   • “Flight attendants use a trick they don't share — it's the overhead-bin tap”
   • “Top chefs use a trick they don't share — it's the cold-salt test”
   • “Realtors use a trick they don't share — it's the Tuesday showing”
4. 4.

   I worked inside [industry] for [duration] — here's what I saw

   • “I worked inside Big Pharma for 7 years — here's what I saw”
   • “I worked inside private equity for 4 years — here's what I saw”
   • “I worked inside network TV for a decade — here's what I saw”
5. 5.

   The word [profession] use for [customer behavior] is [insider term]

   • “The word used-car dealers use for indecisive buyers is 'be-backs'”
   • “The word servers use for tables who sit too long is 'campers'”
   • “The word gym staff use for people who quit mid-January is 'resolutioners'”
6. 6.

   [Industry] has a secret rule: [rule]

   • “Hollywood has a secret rule: never test a movie in New York first”
   • “Real estate has a secret rule: price at $499k, not $500k”
   • “Publishing has a secret rule: the first page decides everything”
7. 7.

   What [group] really think when you [do common thing]

   • “What bartenders really think when you order a vodka soda”
   • “What flight attendants really think when you press the call button”
   • “What therapists really think when you say 'I'm just venting'”
8. 8.

   I'm not supposed to say this, but [revelation]

   • “I'm not supposed to say this, but most extended warranties are pure profit”
   • “I'm not supposed to say this, but SEO agencies are 90% automation”
   • “I'm not supposed to say this, but nursing homes price based on family guilt”
9. 9.

   The tip [authority type] give their own family about [topic]

   • “The tip dentists give their own family about whitening”
   • “The tip ER doctors give their own family about ibuprofen”
   • “The tip mechanics give their own family about new tires”
10. 10.

    When [professional] goes off-duty, they do [insider move]

    • “When pilots go off-duty, they never sit in row 1”
    • “When chefs go off-duty, they order the cheapest thing on the menu”
    • “When mechanics buy their own car, they skip the extended warranty”
11. 11.

    Why [specialist] never [do common thing]

    • “Why dermatologists never use body scrubs”
    • “Why dentists never drink sparkling water on its own”
    • “Why financial advisors never own whole-life insurance”
12. 12.

    The [tool/product] every [expert] keeps private about

    • “The knife every Michelin chef keeps private about”
    • “The database every VC quietly uses”
    • “The plant food every master gardener keeps to themselves”
13. 13.

    [Insider group] has a name for [common situation] — it's [term]

    • “Car salesmen have a name for buyers who waffle — it's 'lot rot'”
    • “ER staff have a name for patients who come in weekly — it's 'frequent fliers'”
    • “Lawyers have a name for clients who lie — it's 'clean-up cases'”
14. 14.

    The real way [group] does [process] is nothing like what you see

    • “The real way TV reporters get their quotes is nothing like what you see”
    • “The real way agents close a home sale is nothing like what you see”
    • “The real way magazines shoot a cover is nothing like what you see”
15. 15.

    [Profession] keeps [insider knowledge] from clients for a reason

    • “Financial advisors keep fee breakdowns from clients for a reason”
    • “Wedding planners keep vendor discount structures from clients for a reason”
    • “Tax preparers keep their own deductions from clients for a reason”
16. 16.

    Behind the scenes of [industry], [reality] looks like this

    • “Behind the scenes of reality TV, the edit looks nothing like the shoot”
    • “Behind the scenes of venture capital, the 'no' comes before you enter the room”
    • “Behind the scenes of a Michelin review, every plate is pre-tasted”
17. 17.

    [Group] will never recommend [option] — here's why

    • “Dietitians will never recommend detox tea — here's why”
    • “Mechanics will never recommend dealer-brand tires — here's why”
    • “Realtors will never recommend buying the cheapest house on the block — here's why”
18. 18.

    Only [profession] know this rule about [topic]

    • “Only pharmacists know this rule about generic drugs”
    • “Only electricians know this rule about surge protectors”
    • “Only CPAs know this rule about deducting home office space”
19. 19.

    The [industry] handshake: [secret gesture/practice]

    • “The poker industry handshake: the chip flip”
    • “The hedge fund handshake: the Bloomberg chat invite”
    • “The restaurant industry handshake: the industry stagiaire”
20. 20.

    Here's what [group] actually charges clients for [service]

    • “Here's what divorce lawyers actually charge for custody cases”
    • “Here's what wedding DJs actually charge for the rehearsal dinner”
    • “Here's what plumbers actually charge for 'emergency' calls”
21. 21.

    [Profession] always picks [choice A] over [choice B] — here's why

    • “Chefs always pick gas over induction — here's why”
    • “Dentists always pick unwaxed floss over waxed — here's why”
    • “Pilots always pick window seats over aisle — here's why”
22. 22.

    The one thing [authority type] keep from the public about [topic]

    • “The one thing skincare reps keep from the public about retinol”
    • “The one thing mortgage lenders keep from the public about credit scores”
    • “The one thing car dealers keep from the public about MSRP”
23. 23.

    [Industry] code word for [bad customer] is [term]

    • “Hotel code word for a problem guest is 'DNR' — do not return”
    • “Retail code word for a shoplifter is 'shopper 5'”
    • “Airline code word for a drunk passenger is 'non-compliant'”
24. 24.

    Off-the-record, [expert type] will tell you [truth]

    • “Off-the-record, most dermatologists will tell you 90% of skincare is sunscreen”
    • “Off-the-record, pediatricians will tell you most ear infections heal without antibiotics”
    • “Off-the-record, most VCs will tell you they pattern-match on the founder”
25. 25.

    I caught [profession] doing this and it changed how I see [topic]

    • “I caught a dentist using a $10 toothbrush and it changed how I see dental care”
    • “I caught a chef eating rice and beans and it changed how I see nutrition”
    • “I caught a therapist journaling in a notes app and it changed how I see tools”
26. 26.

    What happens in [exclusive setting] stays there — until now

    • “What happens in the VC partner meeting stays there — until now”
    • “What happens in the NFL locker room at halftime stays there — until now”
    • “What happens in the restaurant kitchen at 10pm stays there — until now”
27. 27.

    [Group] signal to each other with [hidden cue] — here's how

    • “Bartenders signal to each other with a specific napkin fold — here's how”
    • “Realtors signal to each other with their sign placement — here's how”
    • “Waitstaff signal to each other through the water refill pattern — here's how”
28. 28.

    Every [profession] knows [secret] — none of them admit it

    • “Every financial advisor knows index funds beat them — none of them admit it”
    • “Every dermatologist knows $300 creams aren't worth it — none of them admit it”
    • “Every hiring manager knows they decide in the first 5 minutes — none of them admit it”
29. 29.

    The leaked [industry] rule book says [rule]

    • “The leaked airline pricing rule book says prices drop on Tuesdays”
    • “The leaked hotel rule book says corner rooms are 30% cheaper after 9pm”
    • “The leaked Amazon rule book says you can return after the 30-day window”
30. 30.

    What [profession] whisper about [topic] when you're not around

    • “What teachers whisper about your kid's behavior when you're not around”
    • “What doctors whisper about your chart when you're not in the room”
    • “What mechanics whisper about your car when you hand over the keys”

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