The Storytelling Trick Steve Jobs and Netflix Both Used

Hey,

Here’s a fact:
Your brain hates unfinished stories.

Filmmakers know it.
YouTubers exploit it.
Steve Jobs mastered it.

It’s called the open loop — and it’s the invisible string that pulls your audience through the entire video, script, or sales page.

🎬 Let’s Start at the Movies

Remember Inception?

Boom.
No answer. No closure.

Millions sat there, stunned. Some angry. Most amazed.
Why? Because Nolan opened a loop… and never closed it.

Same with Slumdog Millionaire:

The movie starts after he wins.
Then takes you back to unravel how.

You stay for the ride — because you need to know how he pulled it off.

This is what every viral creator does on YouTube today.
They start at the result… and reverse-engineer the journey.

🎯 What Is an Open Loop?

An open loop is a mental itch.
You create tension. Curiosity. A question that must be answered.

You don’t tell them the decision.
You tell the story.
And that story is what people stay for.

🧠 Why Open Loops Work (Backed by Science)

Studies in psychology (Zeigarnik effect) show our brain remembers incomplete tasks more than completed ones.

This is why:

• People binge-watch Netflix for one cliffhanger.

• You stick around till the end of a YouTube video to hear “the twist.”

• Apple never revealed features in their ads — they told stories, made promises, and waited for you to experience the answer.

✍️ How to Use Open Loops in Your Scripts

1. Start with the Ending

2. Delay the Details
Keep teasing. Keep teaching.
Make them earn the answer.

3. Use Flashbacks
Start at the peak moment — then rewind.

📚 Want to Get Better at Storytelling?

Here are 3 must-reads that taught me how to think like a storyteller — not just a creator:

1. Made to Stick – Chip & Dan Heath
Learn how to make your ideas unforgettable.

2. Building a StoryBrand – Donald Miller
Turn your audience into the hero of the story.

3. The Storyteller’s Secret – Carmine Gallo
Breaks down how Jobs, Oprah, and other legends used narrative to change minds.

(Yes, these are affiliate links — but they’re also storytelling gold.)

🧲 Hooked Tip of the Week

Want me to personally guide you?
Whether it's crafting powerful scripts, refining your storytelling, or improving your video performance—I'm here to help.
👉 Book a 1:1 call with me on Topmate

Stay Hooked,
Sonu
Helping you write like a creator. Think like a filmmaker. Grow like a founder.