TikTok slideshow hooks

In a slideshow, the first slide is the whole hook: one image and one line of text that make someone swipe. These are written to fit on that first slide.

Updated September 29, 2026

Lists

  1. n things that changed my area of life this year
  2. n apps I can't live without as a person
  3. Things I stopped doing in my ages (and why)
  4. n habits that fixed my problem
  5. Underrated category that are actually worth it
  6. n signs you need to change

Relatable

  1. pov: you finally figured out thing
  2. things that just make sense when you trait
  3. me explaining to my family / friends why I behavior
  4. if you habit, this is for you
  5. the time of day routine of someone who goal
  6. tell me you're type of person without telling me

Advice

  1. What I'd tell my age-year-old self about topic
  2. Advice I wish I got before life event
  3. How I result without common sacrifice
  4. Read this if you've been feeling emotion
  5. The topic advice nobody gives you
  6. Save this for when you situation

Curiosity

  1. I asked expert how to goal. Here's what they said
  2. The n-minute trick that result
  3. Why nobody talks about thing
  4. This one change made my thing so much better
  5. What time of habit actually did to me
  6. The science behind why you behavior

Product reveal

  1. Things I use every day that actually benefit (last one is my favorite)
  2. My goal toolkit, ranked
  3. What's on my phone as a person
  4. Everything I use to result
  5. The n things that finally helped me goal
  6. Rating every category I've tried

How to use these hooks

  • Big text, 6 to 10 words, on an image that fits the mood. The first slide should read in under a second.
  • Save the product for slide 3 or later, after a few slides of real value. Slideshows that open with the product get swiped past.
  • Lowercase, casual first slides tend to feel native on TikTok. Title case reads like an ad.

More hooks

All hook typesThe 9 kinds of hooks, with templatesHooks for app videos35 fill-in-the-blank hooks for app marketing on TikTok, Reels and ShortsUGC hooks for brands30 UGC hook templates for brands and creatorsStorytelling hooks25 storytelling hook templates for TikTok, Reels and ShortsEducational hooks25 educational and myth-busting hook templates for short-form video

Questions

What's the best hook for a TikTok slideshow?

A list promise on the first slide (“5 habits that fixed my sleep”) paired with a relatable image. The number tells the viewer the slideshow is worth swiping through.

How many slides should a TikTok slideshow have?

5 to 8 is common: a hook slide, 3 to 6 slides of value, and a final slide or caption with the product or a question for comments.

Where should the product go in a slideshow?

In the middle or near the end, as one item in the list. It feels like a recommendation instead of an ad.