Guide
How to write hook text for Shorts thumbnails
Three kinds of hook text that work for short dramas — question, twist and cliffhanger — and how long and where to put them.
Why the first words matter
On Shorts, TikTok and Reels, people decide in a second or two whether to keep watching. The text on your thumbnail or in the first frame does most of that work.
Three hooks that work for drama
- Question: a line that makes people want the answer. "Who sent this letter?"
- Twist: a line that hints something is wrong. "Why is her name on it…"
- Cliffhanger: a line that stops just before the reveal. "The night the study lights went out…"
Cut Maker picks one of each from your script automatically. You can edit them, copy them, or preview them in the layout guide.
Keep it short
- Aim for one or two lines on screen, about 4 to 8 words in English.
- In Korean, Chinese or Japanese, keep it to about 16 characters.
- Use the recommended size (around 88–92px on a 1080×1920 frame) so it's readable on a phone.
Put it where it won't be covered
Place hook text in the fixed hook box near the top of the frame, below the header area and away from the right-side buttons. See the safe zone guide for exact positions.
Use your own best line
The strongest hook is usually already in your script — a question, a secret, a line that changes everything. Pull it out and put it first.
Check your own scriptPaste it in. See which cuts are too long before you generate.
Open Cut Maker →