Watch the example, then copy the hook, middle and ending.
Showing 49 of 49 formats
Place items into S/A/B/C/D tiers one at a time with a quick justification.
Adapt it: The final grid works as a standalone image on X/LinkedIn ("AI tools tier list 2026"). @danvmartell: 8.9M on TikTok.
The creator lists 3 lessons they learned the hard way in a field.
Adapt it: The same list converts directly into a carousel or a LinkedIn text post. It works as a TikTok photo carousel too (@elle_kvl 11.8M).
Test the same item at rising price points ($1 → $1,000) side by side and crown a winner.
Adapt it: Text-free visual test, so it travels as-is. For LinkedIn/X, cut it into a two-image comparison post ("$9/mo tool vs $299/mo tool") and put the verdict in the text.
First-person role-play of a relatable situation, 'POV: you…'.
Adapt it: Works on every video app. LinkedIn only takes office or industry POVs ('POV: the client asks for one more revision').
Stop strangers with one repeatable question and cut the best answers together.
Adapt it: Subtitles have to be burned in. Travels unchanged across the video apps; LinkedIn likes the 'what do you do and how much do you make' version.
Try items one by one, score each out of 10 or rank blind before seeing the next.
Adapt it: Long TikToks (3–9 min) need a sub-60s cut for Shorts/Reels. Post the final ranking card as a standalone image on X/LinkedIn.
Open a package on camera with the reveal as the payoff.
Adapt it: Travels as-is.
Act out 4–8 archetypes of people in one setting.
Adapt it: Also works as a 'which one are you' carousel (Canva's archetype carousel: 10.2K likes, 233 comments).
Top-down, fast-cut recipe from raw ingredients to the final bite.
Adapt it: Put the full recipe in the caption on IG/TikTok and in a pinned comment on Shorts.
Compress a complex topic into one minute with a visual aid.
Adapt it: Keep it under 60s so it stays eligible everywhere. The LinkedIn version adds a text summary.
Ask a question where everyone deliberately answers wrong, for laughs and comments.
Adapt it: The brand version is a single image plus 'wrong answers only' on X/IG; comments do the work.
Show the start state, then the end state after time or effort.
Adapt it: As a carousel it's 2 slides (before/after photos). On LinkedIn/X it's a 'then vs now' chart or dashboard screenshot.
Host asks someone to guess a price; if they're close they win it.
Adapt it: Long TikTok versions (2–3 min) should be cut under 60s for Shorts, with an earlier reveal.
The same situation acted out twice, 'rich' vs 'poor' (or broke vs wealthy habits).
Adapt it: The finance/habits version ("rich habits vs poor habits") also works as a LinkedIn/IG carousel.
Uninterrupted footage of a process from raw input to finished result, with no talking.
Adapt it: No language, so it goes everywhere untouched. On LinkedIn it works as a factory or 'how our product is made' clip with a 1-line caption.
Show the common way, call it wrong, then show a better trick.
Adapt it: Works on every video platform. On X/LinkedIn post it as a screen-recording GIF with 'most people do X, do Y instead'.
State a contrarian opinion bluntly and let the comments argue.
Adapt it: One of the strongest LinkedIn/X text formats. The same line works as a text post.
The polished version first, then the messy truth.
Adapt it: As a carousel it becomes a 2-slide before/after. LinkedIn: 'what the job posting said vs the actual job'.
Two options per screen; the viewer picks before the timer or reveal.
Adapt it: Works as an IG carousel poll (one pair per slide) and as X polls.
Timestamped montage of one day in a specific role or life.
Adapt it: Works on every video app. For LinkedIn, frame it around the job ('day in the life of a solo SaaS founder').
Build tension with an on-screen promise of a payoff, then deliver it in the last seconds.
Adapt it: Keep the loop tight. Shorts gets the most out of it because it counts replays.
The strongest 30–90s from a long conversation, reframed vertically with big captions.
Adapt it: Most-cross-posted format of all. On LinkedIn, lead with the business quote in text.
Show exactly what a fixed budget buys in a specific place.
Adapt it: The running total needs burned-in text. Travels as-is.
Reveal the setup behind a finished result.
Adapt it: For brands, LinkedIn is strong for BTS of launches or campaigns.
A quick tour of clever details in a place or setup.
Adapt it: The business version ('things in our office/app that just make sense') is a light brand post on any platform.
Give an AI a prompt on screen and react to the result.
Adapt it: Screen-recording versions also do well on X and LinkedIn.
Show one telling detail that identifies a group without naming it.
Adapt it: Mostly 2021–22 examples. Still recognizable, but not rising.
A credentialed professional lists what they personally avoid.
Adapt it: Ideal LinkedIn text post: 'As a [role] for 10 years, 5 things I'd never do'.
Call out a common behavior as wrong, then show the fix.
Adapt it: LinkedIn/X text: 'Stop doing X. Do Y.' works as a one-liner post.
Rapid list of products with a demo of each.
Adapt it: Travels as-is. IG/TikTok need an affiliate or storefront link; on Shorts put the link in a pinned comment.
A personal experiment with day markers and a result reveal.
Adapt it: Series variant (Day 1/30 daily posts) is TikTok-native. The recap version travels everywhere and doubles as a LinkedIn 'I tried X for 30 days, here's what happened'.
ASMR packing of a real customer order, addressed to the customer by name.
Adapt it: TikTok hits run 4–17 min. Trim to 60s for Shorts/Reels; the addressed-to-customer hook still works.
A numbered list of warnings for a place, time, or situation.
Adapt it: Faceless versions travel best. Post the list as a carousel on IG/LinkedIn.
List warning signs (or good signs) in a person, job, or product.
Adapt it: The client/job red-flags version works as a LinkedIn text post.
One tweet-style card per slide, 30–60 words each.
Adapt it: Native on X as a text post. On IG/LinkedIn it's a carousel; on TikTok, a photo slideshow with audio.
Break a hard skill into 3 progressive steps.
Adapt it: The same steps can go out as a carousel or a LinkedIn how-to.
Show common beginner mistakes, each followed by the fix.
Adapt it: Converts directly to a carousel (marketingharry 'UGLY FONTS KILL POSTS' is the carousel version).
Countdown of clips ranked 5 to 1 with a ranking bar on the side.
Adapt it: Often uses third-party clips, which carry copyright/unoriginal-content risk on YouTube. Using your own footage travels unchanged.
Text caption of a universal moment over a reaction clip or performance.
Adapt it: Relies on trending audio that may be unavailable on other apps. Swap to original audio or royalty-free sound when cross-posting.
Pose one question to a big number of people and show the tally.
Adapt it: The B2B version ('we asked 100 marketers') becomes a data carousel or LinkedIn post with the stat.
The creator in front of a screenshot (tweet, headline, comment, Reddit post) reads it and reacts or explains.
Adapt it: TikTok's green-screen effect has no IG/YT equivalent. Record it with TikTok or CapCut and export the file; the output travels unchanged.
Tell a story or rant while doing makeup, cooking, or cleaning on camera.
Adapt it: The TikTok hits run 5–10 min. Cut a 60–90s version with the payoff for Reels/Shorts.
Honest list of purchases that weren't worth it.
Adapt it: SaaS variant: 'tools I stopped paying for'. Works as a LinkedIn text post too.
Reveal real earnings for a job or shift, itemized.
Adapt it: Travels as-is. LinkedIn/X: an income screenshot plus a breakdown text post (a proven X format).
A comment sticker on screen, then the creator answers it on video.
Adapt it: The native comment sticker exists on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and IG. When cross-posting, burn in a screenshot of the comment so it reads on every app.
A written story (often from Reddit) read by text-to-speech over unrelated looping footage.
Adapt it: TikTok allows long parts; Shorts caps at 3 min and Reels at 3 min, so split into parts. Commonly flagged as unoriginal on YouTube, so change the story and voice.
A cover promising N items, then numbered items across slides with continuous numbering.
Adapt it: IG and LinkedIn take the same PDF/image set (LinkedIn wants a PDF document post). TikTok photo mode needs a 9:16 or 3:4 crop. X takes up to 4 images, so split it or post as a thread.
A screenshot of the iPhone Notes app (or a plain black card) carrying a confession, list, or question.
Adapt it: The TikTok version is a 6s slideshow with audio. On IG/X/LinkedIn post the static screenshot (influencersinthewild's question card got 52.7K likes and 1,121 comments).
Casual selfie with native text as the cover; the following slides are a Notes-app or plain list of tips, apps, or brands.
Adapt it: Built for TikTok photo mode with a trending sound. Repost to IG as a carousel (add the music in the IG app). The 'Part N' website series (@lucaswebq, 2.6M plays at part 772) shows how well it serializes.
Ranked by the number of examples with over 1M views, how many platforms a format works on, and median views. View counts are from when we collected them. Open any format with a hook from the hook vault. Last updated 2026-11-09.
