The Simmonds Signal

Write to bring peace to your mind. Write to create financial abundance. Write to find your people. Write to discover your personal path to spirituality. Write to know yourself.

Write.

A newsletter for writers, creatives, and storytellers…

Has my newsletter lost its way?

Somewhere along the way, my newsletter—this living thing I’ve slaved over with my bare hands—wandered off into the weeds.

I started writing about spirituality. Personal development. Mental health.

Not bad topics, sure. But they might not be why you subscribed to this beast.

So, today, I'm bringing it back. Back to writing—the love of the craft, the blood-slick fight for words that matter.

We're gonna talk about writing viral hooks.

And yeah, I hear you already. “Can you even write a decent hook, Taylin? You’re always off meditating in the jungle, writing about consciousness and theology.”

Fair point. Let me answer it head-on…

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Do I Even Know How to Write Viral Hooks?

Here's the ugly truth: for years, I dodged hook writing.

My co-founder at the ghostwriting agency wrote most of the hooks while I wrestled with sales calls, newsletters, and building products.

This left me feeling like a fraud—a self-proclaimed writing teacher who hasn’t mastered one of the most important skills in the game.

So, I set out to change that.

Over the past few weeks, I dove into the fire. Spent weeks up to my ear lobes in hooks. Studied them. Wrote them. Failed with them.

And yeah, none of my threads have gone viral yet.

But that’s the point. Failure is a goldmine.

Every flop is a lesson, a guidebook of what not to do. And now, I’m ready to share the whole gory mess with you.

The Essential Ingredients in Every Viral hook

Every failed hook is missing two things:

1. Cultural Relevance – Why is this important right now?

2. Emotional Resonance – Why should I care?

A viral hook isn’t just about having a good idea. It’s about getting people to care deeply about that idea.

Here’s where it gets tricky: Some topics are easier to make relevant and resonant than others.

Take “Reality Distortions”—a concept I’m fascinated by.

Most people don’t know what it is, why it matters, or how it could improve their lives.

Now compare that to an idea like this:

“The baking soda in your cupboard could help fight cancer.”

See the difference? One stops you mid-scroll. The other? A shrug and a swipe.

So the challenge isn’t just to have a good idea—it’s to frame your idea in a way that makes people stop scrolling and start reading.

How to Write Hooks People Can't Ignore

Here’s the silver bullet: any idea can be interesting. But you’ve got to frame it right.

The key is to fit your ideas into a proven structure—a hook frame that’s already worked for others.

After handwriting nearly 40 pages worth of viral hooks, I’ve noticed there are only two battle-tested frames:

1. The Story Frame

2. The Value Frame

Each requires a different approach, so let’s break them down.

1) The Story Frame

People love stories. No—people live for stories.

And this frame turns your idea into a compelling story.

To apply it, ask yourself:

• Who popularized the idea?

• How did they discover it?

• Why did it matter to them?

• What problem did it solve?

• How did it change their life?

Take “Reality Distortions.”

Did you know Steve Jobs’ team coined the term? They used it to describe his almost supernatural ability to bend people’s will, making them achieve the impossible.

You can almost see the man himself, pacing, glaring, conjuring billion-dollar products from raw ambition.

That’s an irresistible hook angle. That’s a story.

One that could easily go viral.

A Story Frame Example:

2) The Value Frame

Not every idea lends itself to drama. Some need the cold, hard steel of utility.

This frame turns your idea into a tool—something people can use to make their lives better.

It’s ideal for posts focused on education.

To apply it, ask yourself:

• What problem does this solve?

• What dream outcome does it offer?

• How can people apply it in their own lives?

• Who used this idea to achieve success?

• What did this idea allow them to achieve?

In the case of Reality Distortions, you could write about how it helps leaders influence teams, attract talent, and build game-changing products.

While the story frame is more compelling here, the value frame could work for a different angle.

A Value Frame Example:

The Bottom Line

Every idea is a spark, but a spark needs kindling. Frame it with relevance and resonance, and it’ll catch fire.

Whether you choose the story frame or the value frame, the secret to writing viral hooks is making people care about your idea.

Start with something you love, find the right frame, and let your curiosity do the rest.

So, which frame suits your idea—the drama-soaked story or the razor-sharp value pitch?

Figure it out, then light the match.

Until next time,

-Taylin John Simmonds

P.S.

If you want to earn a good living as a writer in 2025:

GrowthGhost launches this January—a proven system to help writers and freelancers turn their love of writing into a profitable ghostwriting business.

Learn how I:

• Land $3,000-$7,000 /mo clients

• Get paid to learn from 7 figure founders

• Built a steady stream of income with writing

Doors open January 6th.

Join the waitlist HERE to secure your spot.