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3 reels that hooked me
why they worked + what you can steal
Eric Dodds
October 28, 2025
Hey — Eric here.
If you’re new — each week I send a breakdown, a strategy, or a tip to help you grow your audience and business using short form content.
This week I’m sharing three videos that grabbed my attention + commentary on why they worked.
Process Voyeurism (the universal curiosity about how things get made)
Why it works:
“Show me” hook: “Watch me build this set…” promises transformation and insider access to open a curiosity loop.
Sequential tension: Each “because / so we had to” line follows a clear cause-and-effect rhythm (a mini But/So structure) that keeps momentum.
Sensory specificity: Concrete details (12-foot walls, three coats of paint, acrylic cleaner) create vivid realism that holds attention.
Show & Tell: She hits both sight and sound by mapping the words she is saying to the clips she is showing
Satisfying payoff: She satisfies the viewers curiosity by showing the final result at the end
Problem —> Solution Product Storytelling
Why It Works:
Relatable problem as hook. Hooks people who have a similar problem (“I hated modern golf fashion”). Pairs this with a compelling title hook (“The perfect trousers for golfing”) Hook filters for those who understand the problem he is solving and they keep watching to see the solution.
Details + effort invested signals quality. Highlighting the craftsmanship “tee pocket, mesh pocket, custom buttons” & calling out the investment “six months and thousands spent” frames price and builds trust through perceived investment.
Scarcity and proof close the loop. The sellout mention and drop reminder drive urgency with credibility.
Compelling Point Of View Differentiation
Why It Works:
Instant tension: “People fucking hate me” is a great hook. Controversial, emotionally charged, and scroll-stopping. He leans into the villain role to earn attention.
Differentiation through a compelling POV: He reframes the “real estate developer” stereotype by contrasting himself with the norm and defines a clear POV around preserving character and creativity.
Show and tell: Uses specific details (100-year-old building, brick, bow & truss ceilings, skylights) to show what his POV is built on.
Micro hooks: Keeps retention high by using pattern resets mid-video (“Am I getting too close?”) + voice variation.
Aspirational close: “Follow my journey as a 26-year-old developer…” positions this as a larger journey he is taking viewers on.
That’s all for this week.
Thinking about doing this format as a recurring series (3 Reel Tuesday), but what do you think?
Do you like this format?
Let me know below 👇
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