Prompts
Reaction video hook prompts
These prompts set up the first 3 seconds of a reaction video (your biggest reaction first, then rewind to the start) and the cut into what comes next.
By Sulan Zhang, co-founder of Vyra · Updated 2026-09-24
- Format
- Reaction video
- Step
- Hook
- Length
- 30-90s short, 8-20 min long
- Aspect
- 9:16 or 16:9
- Platforms
- TikTok, Reels, Shorts, YouTube
The hook is the first beat on our reaction video page. Vyra has the transcript and a description of every scene, so you can point at the moment by what's in it.
At a glance
| Hook style | Your biggest reaction first, then rewind to the start |
| First beat | 0-3s: your peak reaction, cold open |
| Next beat | 3-8s: "okay let's go back", what you're watching |
| Caption style | Captions on your speech only |
Prompt it in Vyra
Minimal:
Find the strongest opening moment in my footage and start my reaction video with it.
Standard:
Open my reaction video with this. Your biggest reaction first, then rewind to the start. Keep the hook under 3 seconds, then go straight into "okay let's go back", what you're watching. No intro, no logo, no "hey guys".
Full:
Open my reaction video with this. Your biggest reaction first, then rewind to the start. Keep the hook under 3 seconds, then go straight into "okay let's go back", what you're watching. No intro, no logo, no "hey guys". Put a bold caption on the hook line. Before you cut, list the 3 strongest opening moments in my footage with timestamps so I can pick one.
Why these settings
- People typically decide to stay or scroll in the first few seconds, so the hook gets its own instruction.
- Saying what comes next ("okay let's go back", what you're watching) keeps the video moving after a strong open.
- Asking for options with timestamps lets you choose the opening yourself.
Fixes
- Hook starts late. "Cut the breath and the half second before I start talking."
- Wrong moment. "Use the clip at 2:14 as the hook instead."
- The video drags after the hook. "Cut straight from the hook into "okay let's go back", what you're watching, no pause."
FAQ
How long should the hook be on a reaction video? About 3 seconds, from the structure we use for this format. By then the video should already be into "okay let's go back", what you're watching.
Can Vyra pick the hook for me? Yes. Ask for the strongest opening line. Ask for three options with timestamps if you want to choose.