The Startup Ideas Podcast
The best businesses are built at the intersection of emerging technology, community, and real human needs.
Contradiction Hook Framework
A video opening technique that presents two seemingly conflicting statements to create unresolved tension that compels viewing.
How It Works
Leverages the brain's attraction to cognitive dissonance and need to resolve contradictions, creating a psychological hook that prevents scrolling past.
Components
Identify a negative condition or limitation
Pair it with a positive outcome that seems impossible given the limitation
Present both in the first 3 seconds of video
Follow with explanation of how the contradiction was resolved
When to Use
When creating short-form content for audiences that respond to counterintuitive success stories or unconventional approaches.
When Not to Use
When your audience values traditional approaches or when the contradiction feels forced or inauthentic to your brand.
Anti-Patterns to Avoid
Example
“A developer creates a video starting with 'I'm broke, but I'll show you my $50K MRR SaaS' or 'Zero coding skills, but built $100K SaaS in 6 months' to immediately grab attention from aspiring entrepreneurs.”