The 80/20 Rule of Viral Shorts

When a video goes viral, most people think:
“Must be the editing.”
Or “Maybe they got lucky.”

But here's the truth I’ve learned after writing scripts for creators:
80% of your video’s success comes from the topic you choose.

Not the hook.
Not the transitions.
Not the hashtags.

It starts way before the shoot — with the idea itself.

People don’t scroll looking for your video.
They stop when the topic hits their curiosity.

So before I even write the first line, I ask:
“What are people already thinking about today?”

IPL Season: A Goldmine of Curiosity

IPL isn't just about cricket.
It’s about money, strategy, drama, and legends.

That’s why during IPL season, I don’t write generic cricket content.
I write content that answers curiosity.

For example:
• “How uncapped players earn more than veterans?”
• “How BCCI makes 10,000 crore in just 2 months?”
• “Why Dhoni is still more loved than any other player?”

These are not assumptions.
They’re based on trending data, Google searches, and audience behavior.
(For trend-based ideas, books like Contagious by Jonah Berger and Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath are pure gold.)

A Real Example (Proof That It Works)

One of my clients had only 150 followers when he posted a Reel with this script:

🗣”Lucknow team ke owner ne LSG ko ₹7000 crore mein kharida tha, lekin IPL winner ko sirf ₹20 crore milte hain. Toh aakhir ye teams paisa kaise kamati hain?”

He explained the business model of IPL franchises — brand value, sponsorships, licensing, and media rights.

🔥 The result?
That Reel has now crossed 900,000+ views, and he gained 340+ followers from that one post.

Topic: strong ✅
Hook: curiosity-driven ✅
Editing: basic ✅

That’s the 80/20 rule in action.

The Power of Two Hooks

For every script I write—especially for clients—I always write 2 hook options.

Why?
Because the first 3 seconds decide everything.

Example:
Hook 1:
“Did you know this cricketer earns more from Instagram than IPL?”

Hook 2:
“This player made 14 crore without playing a single match!”

Same topic.
Two different curiosity triggers.

We test both. One often outperforms the other by a mile.

If you're serious about getting better at storytelling and hook writing, "The Anatomy of Story" by John Truby is a powerful guide.

The 80/20 Rule of Scripting

• 80% = Topic selection
• 15% = Hook writing
• 5% = Everything else (editing, effects, etc.)

If your topic is strong, even a basic video can fly.
If your topic is weak, no level of editing can save it.

Final Thought

Just like Steve Jobs said —

Say no to average topics.
Say no to weak hooks.

Because on Shorts and Reels, attention is the currency.
And curiosity is your best investment.

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Let’s connect:

If you’re a creator, marketer, or brand who wants to grab attention in the first 3 seconds —
let’s chat.

—
Sonu | Scriptwriter | Hook Strategist | Helping creators win the scroll war