Storytime Opener
Best for: Storytimes, vlogs, comedy
The hook
- Say
- So I just got kicked out of my local gym.
The first 3 seconds
- 0.0s“So I just got kicked out of my local gym.”
- 1.5sA beat of silence, or a look.
- 2.0s“Here's what happened.”
- 3.0sThe viewer needs the rest of the story.
Why it works
Starting with the most dramatic line of the story makes people need the rest.
What you need
- A story with a dramatic moment
- The story's most dramatic sentence, written down
- A quiet place to talk
Step by step
Plan
- Write the story out, then find the most dramatic sentence. That's your first line.
- Cut the story into short beats, and save one twist for the end.
Film
- Open with the dramatic line. No greeting, no background.
- Tell the rest in short sentences. Film it in one take if you can, then trim.
Edit
- Cut every pause and filler word (“um”, “like”) in the first 10 seconds.
- Add captions. A lot of people watch storytimes on mute.
Use it in your niche
- SchoolSo I just got sent home on the first day of school.
- WorkSo my boss just texted me at 2 a.m.
- TravelSo I just missed my flight because of a sandwich.
Pro tips
- Start with “So”. It sounds like you're mid-conversation.
- Add photos or clips from the story if you have them. Visuals hold attention longer.
Avoid
- Starting with the background (“So last year I joined a gym…”). Start at the drama.
- Making up drama. Exaggerated stories get called out.
