Social media hook:
Expectation vs Reality
Contrast perception with truth
Reality is never what you expect
"Expectation vs Reality" works because it creates contrast. People think: "I thought it was one way, but it's actually different. I want to see the truth." It's curiosity wrapped in relatability.
Plus, expectation vs reality creates connection. When you show the gap between what people think and what actually happens, they relate. "What people think [job] is like vs what it's actually like" makes people think: "I've had that expectation. I want to see the reality." People love seeing their assumptions challenged.
The gap between expectation and reality is where engagement lives
It works because it hits three triggers: contrast, relatability, and curiosity. The expectation creates a baseline. The reality creates contrast. The gap creates curiosity. People see "What people think [job] is like vs what it's actually like" and think: "I want to see if my expectations match reality." They click because contrast is compelling—especially when it challenges what they thought they knew.
Real-World Examples
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Start Hooks SessionAbout Comparison Hooks
Comparison Hooks work because people love contrast. When you show expectation vs reality, you create a gap they want to understand. Not because they're smart—because they're human and want to see if their assumptions are right. These hooks don't need to be clever. They just need to show difference. The "expectation vs reality" hook does exactly that—it promises to reveal the truth behind assumptions.