Hook Intent Matrix — Designing Hooks That Qualify Leads (Not Just Views)

TL;DR Most hooks optimise for attention, not intent. The Hook Intent Matrix helps you pick hooks that match where the viewer is in the funnel — so you get fewer “wrong clicks” and more qualified conversations.

1 Why “viral” hooks can hurt your funnel

If your hook only optimises for “stop the scroll”, you can accidentally buy:

• The wrong audience (high engagement, low conversion).
• The wrong expectations (high clicks, fast bounce).
• The wrong signal for the algorithm (it keeps finding more of the wrong people).

This is why we pair hook strategy with funnel intent and measurement:

• Funnel blueprint: https://instavar.com/blog/funnel-tactics/Short_Form_Funnel_Blueprint_From_Hook_to_Checkout
• Measurement framework: https://instavar.com/blog/paid-analytics/True_ROAS_Incrementality_First_Paid_Social_Measurement

2 The two dimensions: intent × awareness

2.1 Funnel intent (what the content is supposed to cause)

Pick one primary intent per post:

• Awareness: “I exist” (reach + recall).
• Consideration: “I’m the best option” (trust + differentiation).
• Conversion: “Take the next step” (DM, form fill, checkout).
• Retention: “Stay and repeat” (community, repeat purchase).

2.2 Audience awareness stage (what the viewer already knows)

Your hook should match the viewer’s mental model:

• Unaware: doesn’t know there’s a problem.
• Problem-aware: feels pain, no clear solution.
• Solution-aware: knows solution types, not options.
• Product-aware: knows your category/brand exists.
• Most-aware: needs timing, proof, and an offer.

3 The Hook Intent Matrix

Use this as a starting point (then refine with data).