Hooks That Fall Flat

Generic openings can drain attention before the talk starts. "Today I'm going to talk about..." is an announcement, not a hook. "Thanks so much for having me" is a polite reflex.

Weak hooks are often dishonest ones. Open with a shock you cannot support and credibility drops quickly. A good hook works like a fair trailer: it promises something the talk actually delivers. An overpromising hook feels like clickbait dressed up as a speech.