Why No One Is Paying Attention to Your Content (70 Content Ideas to Fix It)

You’re posting. You’re showing up. You’re putting in the work.

So why does it feel like no one is actually listening?

It’s not because your content isn’t valuable. It’s because people aren’t sticking around long enough to notice.

The truth? It’s not about WHAT you’re saying—it’s about HOW you say it.

If you don’t hook people immediately, they’re gone.
If you don’t keep them curious, they lose interest.
If you don’t make them need to know more, they’ll never make it to your offer.

The Fix? The Open Loop Formula.

It’s a simple psychology-backed technique that keeps your audience engaged, invested, and wanting more—whether you’re writing, talking, or filming.

Before we discuss open loops, make sure you  Download this list of video ideas  for your next content creation session!

So, what Are Open Loops?

Open loops are storytelling and content techniques that tease information but don’t give everything away immediately. It creates curiosity and forces the brain to seek closure.

Think of movie trailer that hints at a huge twist or a podcast that teases an incredible guest story before cutting to a break. The best content creators, copywriters, and marketers use open loops to keep you engaged longer—which leads to more views, higher conversions, and stronger sales.

How Open Loops Work in Different Types of Content

Open loops are one of the most powerful ways to keep your audience engaged, no matter what type of content you’re creating. They work by triggering curiosity—giving just enough information to spark interest but not enough to fully satisfy it. This keeps people reading, watching, or clicking to find out more.

On Your Social Media Posts

For social media, open loops can be as simple as cutting off a caption mid-thought (“The biggest mistake I see people make is…”), using a carousel post that requires swiping for the answer, or structuring a video where the payoff doesn’t come until the end.

The social post you tried: “New blog post out now! Go read it.”
Your new improved open loop social post “Most people are making THIS mistake in their marketing—are you?” (Then have them tap, dm or swipe through for the answer.)

Use This Open Loop Formula on Your Social Posts:

1. Tease a mistake, secret, or lesson.
2. Make them curious about the answer.
3. Reveal it in the comments, a carousel post, or a follow-up.

On Your Video Content (YouTube, Reels, TikTok)

short videos, open loops are your best friend for keeping people watching. Platforms like Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts reward videos that hold attention, so you need to hook viewers fast. One of the easiest ways? Start with a bold statement, a question, or an unfinished thought that makes them need to stick around. Something like, “I made a huge mistake in my business, and there’s a good chance you’re making it too…” instantly creates curiosity. You can also use visual cues, like pointing at on-screen text that says “Wait for it…” or adding a quick countdown before revealing the punchline. The key is to create just enough tension that people have to stay for the answer—because the second they feel like they’ve got all the info, they’re scrolling away.

People decide within seconds whether to keep watching. Open loops keep them hooked.

The video script you tried: “Here’s my 3-step content strategy.”
Your new improved open loop video script: “If you’re struggling to sell, it’s probably because of THIS mistake. Let me explain…”

Use This Open Loop Formula on Your Videos

1. Start with a hook that teases the outcome.
2. Delay the answer by setting up the problem.
3. Deliver the answer later (or at the end).

Want 129 Video Hooks? Download this list of video ideas 

On Your Podcast Episodes

Listeners drop off when they feel like they can predict what’s coming next. Open loops keep them listening.

In podcasts, open loops are a simple but effective way to keep listeners engaged from start to finish. Since there’s no visual component, you have to rely on curiosity-driven storytelling to hold attention. A great way to do this is by teasing something intriguing early on—like, “Later in the episode, I’ll share the one mistake that almost tanked my business… and it’s probably not what you think.” That little breadcrumb makes people stick around because now they need to know. You can also create open loops between episodes by hinting at what’s coming next: “Next week, we’re diving into a strategy I wish I knew years ago—trust me, you don’t want to miss it.” The trick is to give just enough to spark curiosity without fully satisfying it—so your audience keeps listening (or comes back for more).

Bad Podcast Structure: “Today, we’re talking about productivity tips.”
Better Open Loop Podcast: “I once lost an entire week to this productivity mistake. Here’s what happened…”

Use this Open Loop Formula On Your Podcasts:

1. Start the episode by teasing a story or result.
2. Drop hints throughout the episode.
3. Deliver the payoff near the end to keep listeners engaged.

In Your Emails & Sales Pages

In emails, they work great in subject lines and opening sentences, hinting at something intriguing to get people to open and keep reading. Emails get ignored when they feel predictable. Open loops are a great way to increase open rates and click-throughs on your emails.

Bad Subject Line: “Here’s your free guide!”
Open Loop Subject Line: “You’re making this one sales mistake… (here’s how to fix it).”

Use This Open Loop Formula in Your Emails or Sales Pages:

1. Use a curiosity-driven subject line.
2. Start with a story or a problem.
3. Reveal the solution only after they keep reading.

Use More Open Loops In Your Content Any Of These 70 Content Hooks:

Want to keep people hooked on your content? Open loops are the secret. They create curiosity, hold attention, and make your audience need to stick around for the answer. Whether you’re writing a post, filming a video, or recording a podcast, a well-placed open loop can be the difference between someone scrolling past or staying engaged. Below, you’ll find 70 content hooks designed to spark curiosity and boost retention—just plug them into your content and watch what happens.

Curiosity Hooks

1. Nobody’s talking about this, but it’s the reason you’re stuck…
2. I made this one mistake for years, and it cost me BIG. Don’t do this…
3. You think you need [X], but what if I told you it’s actually hurting you?
4. The biggest myth about [your niche] that’s holding you back…
5. I tested this ‘hack’ so you don’t have to. Here’s what happened…

Contrary Hooks

6. You’ve been told to do [X]—but that’s exactly why it’s not working.
7. The WORST advice I’ve ever heard about [topic] (and why it’s everywhere).
8. I stopped doing [industry standard]—and my results skyrocketed.
9. Think you need to do [common belief]? Let’s break that myth right now.
10. The ‘correct’ way to [do something] is actually making things harder.

Shock Value Hooks

11. I was today years old when I realized [something mind-blowing].
12. If I had to start from scratch tomorrow, I’d do this differently.
13. I almost quit because of this one thing—here’s what changed my mind.
14. The one decision that completely changed my business (and it’s NOT what you think).
15. I ignored this red flag for too long—learn from my mistake.

‘Do You Know?’ Hooks

16. Did you know most people fail at [X] because of this?
17. Ever wonder why some people make [X] look easy while others struggle?
18. Most people don’t realize how much [X] is slowing them down.
19. Want to make [X] easier? Start doing this one small thing…
20. If you feel stuck with [problem], this might be why…

Tease the Payoff Hooks

21. Struggling with [problem]? This one tweak changed EVERYTHING.
22. I never thought this tiny shift would make such a big difference.
23. What I’m about to tell you will change how you see [topic] forever.
24. By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to fix [problem].
25. Give me 30 seconds, and I’ll show you the simplest way to [goal].

‘Imagine This’ Hooks

26. Imagine waking up and finally NOT worrying about [pain point].
27. What if [common struggle] could be solved with just one change?
28. Picture this: You [dream scenario], and it only took [X] to get there.
29. What would it feel like if [big result] was your reality?
30. Let’s pretend you’re starting over from scratch—what’s the first thing you do?

‘Wait, What?’ Hooks

31. This one thing you’ve been avoiding is actually the key to your success…
32. You’re making [X] harder than it needs to be—here’s why.
33. I was doing [X] all wrong until I figured this out…
34. You think you know how to [task], but you’re probably missing this.
35. This unexpected lesson from [random experience] completely changed how I do [X].

‘You Won’t Believe This’ Hooks

36. I did everything they said to do, and it STILL didn’t work. Here’s why…
37. I ignored this advice for years—and it cost me BIG.
38. The most ridiculous [thing] I ever tried… and why it actually worked.
39. I swear, I didn’t believe this would work either—until I tried it.
40. People laughed at me when I started doing this… now they ask for my secret.

‘You’re Making a Mistake’ Hooks

41. If you’re doing [X], STOP. It’s killing your [results].
42. Most people don’t realize they’re sabotaging themselves when they [do X].
43. You’re following all the right steps… so why isn’t it working?
44. This one simple shift will save you months (or even years) of frustration.
45. You think you’re being productive, but here’s how you’re actually slowing yourself down.

‘Insider Secrets’ Hooks

46. Nobody tells you this about [industry/niche]—but you need to know it.
47. The real reason successful [people in niche] get results (it’s not what you think).
48. Behind the scenes: The strategy I don’t usually share publicly…
49. The one thing that separates successful [niche] from everyone else.
50. Here’s what I actually do when I feel stuck…

‘This Changes Everything’ Hooks

51. I never realized how much easier [task] could be until I did this.
52. Once I figured this out, everything started to click.
53. I was today years old when I realized I could [X] in HALF the time.
54. This tiny change made a MASSIVE difference in my results.
55. Why has no one ever told us this before?!

‘I Bet You Didn’t Know’ Hooks

56. Most people think [X], but the truth is way different.
57. You can get [desired result] without [assumed hard thing]—here’s how.
58. Did you know you’re only [tiny adjustment] away from making this easier?
59. I bet you’ve never thought about [X] like this before…
60. The weirdest but most effective trick for [solving problem].

‘What If’ Hooks

61. What if I told you that [thing everyone struggles with] is actually optional?
62. What if you’re overcomplicating [task] and the solution is this simple?
63. What if you could [achieve goal] without burning yourself out?
64. What if the ‘right way’ to do [X] is actually the wrong way?
65. What if you’re one small tweak away from finally getting [result]?

‘Faster’ Hooks

66. Want to skip the mistakes and get to the good part? Here’s how.
67. I wasted YEARS doing [X] the hard way—don’t make the same mistake.
68. If you want to speed up your results, start with this first.
69. Forget everything you’ve heard about [X]. Here’s a much faster way.
70. I’ve tried every method out there—this is the only one that actually works.

Need Even More Hooks? Download this list of video ideas 

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