The 3-second rule: short video ads that stop the scroll

You have three seconds. After that most people are gone. Here are the five openings that worked best across 300 tests.

1. The relatable moment. “POV: the bill arrives and everyone looks at you.”
2. The bold claim. A specific number on screen in the first frame.
3. The question. Something your audience has asked themselves.
4. The before and after. Show the result first, then the how.
5. The creator face. A real person talking to camera beats any animation.

Film five hooks for every video and let the data decide. Your best idea is rarely the one you expected.