How to Write Storytelling Hooks That Actually Sell Your Art

If your posts aren’t getting saves, shares, or sales, there’s a good chance your hooks are too vague or not hitting the right audience. And let’s be real—if no one is sharing your stuff, it’s probably because you’re just showing your art without actually telling a story.

Good news: You don’t need to be a marketing expert. You just need to know who you’re talking to, what they love, and how to make them feel something.

This can be you talking directly to the camera, a simple text-on-screen moment, or even a voiceover over your work. But the key is this—your art alone isn’t enough. If you’re not giving people a reason to stop, feel something, and hit that share button, they won’t.

Here’s how to craft the perfect hook (plus fill-in-the-blank templates so you can customize them for your art).

Step 1: The 5 Key Things You Need to Know for Strong Hooks & SEO

Before you write any content, you need to be clear on these five things:

1. Who You’re Talking To

Your ideal buyer isn’t just “anyone who likes art.”

Get specific:

• Are they Millennials, Gen Z, or older collectors?

• Are they tattoo lovers, fantasy nerds, or cozy cottagecore types?

• Are they artists themselves, or just people who love cool visuals?

Example: “I make dark fantasy art for people who feel like they were the main villain in a past life.”

2. Their Aesthetic & Vibe

Your art attracts people who have a specific taste—lean into that.

• What kind of fashion do they wear? (Goth, streetwear, boho?)

• What kind of music do they love? (Heavy metal? Lo-fi beats?)

• What books, movies, or pop culture are they obsessed with?

Example: “This sticker is for people who have a Pinterest board full of haunted mansions and Victorian ghosts.”

3. Your Medium

Make it clear how you create your work. (This helps with SEO too!)

• Are you a digital artist or a traditional painter?

• Do you work with ink, watercolor, acrylic, sculpture?

• Do you mix mediums in a unique way?

Example: “I create digital artwork that looks like it was pulled from an old gothic fairy tale book.”

4. Your Value Proposition (Why Should People Care?)

What makes your art or products different and desirable?

• Is your style unique, nostalgic, hyper-detailed?

• Do you make things that help people express themselves?

• Are your products high-quality, limited edition, or eco-friendly?

Example: “My T-shirts are made for alternative girls who are tired of boring, mass-produced designs.”

5. Your Product (What Are You Selling Right Now?)

The biggest mistake artists make is trying to market too many things at once.

Focus on one product at a time:

• Are you selling stickers, posters, hoodies, digital prints?

• Is it a brand-new drop or a best-seller?

• What’s the easiest way for people to get it? (DM for link, comment ‘ART’ below, etc.)

Example: “This downloadable print is for the people who need their walls to match their ✨main character energy.✨”

Step 2: Hook Templates for Artists

Now that you know who you’re talking to and what makes your work special, use these templates to craft scroll-stopping hooks for different types of content.

Hooks for Talking About Your Process

(Use these to make people care about how you make your art.)

✔ “I create [art style] using [medium], and this piece was inspired by [specific aesthetic or interest].”

✔ “This started as a [old sketch, random idea, inside joke], and now it’s turned into [final product].”

✔ “Ever wondered how [product or medium] is actually made? Here’s how I do it.”

✔ “This piece almost didn’t happen because [weird mistake, challenge, backstory].”

Example: “I create hyper-detailed ink illustrations inspired by vintage horror novels. This one was inspired by my latest sleep paralysis demon.”

Hooks for Selling Physical Products (Posters, Stickers, T-Shirts, etc.)

(Use these to make people want to buy your art.)

✔ “If you love [specific vibe, aesthetic, or interest], you NEED this [product name].”

✔ “This [product] is for [very specific type of person].”

✔ “I made this [product] for people who [emotion or struggle].”

✔ “You ever see a [sticker/poster/T-shirt] and think, ‘This was made for me’? That’s what I tried to create.”

Example: “This sticker is for the people who live for gothic romance, haunted mansions, and dramatic rainy nights.”

Hooks for Getting More Clients (Murals, Logos, Book Covers, etc.)

(Use these if you want to attract commissions & freelance work.)

✔ “This client came to me with [problem or need], and here’s how I designed [solution].”

✔ “Ever wondered what it’s like to commission an artist for [service]? Here’s what happens behind the scenes.”

✔ “I designed this [logo/mural/book cover] for [type of client] who wanted something [specific vibe or feeling].”

✔ “Here’s what goes into designing a [logo/mural/book cover] that actually stands out.”

Example: “I created this mural for a new tattoo shop that wanted a design that screamed ‘dark elegance meets high fashion.’”

Hooks for Engagement (To Get More Comments & Shares)

(Use these when you want people to interact with your post.)

✔ “If you could describe your aesthetic in 3 words, what would they be? I’ll go first: [your three words].”

✔ “Which one would you pick? A, B, or C?” (Great for color variations or product mockups.)

✔ “Tag a friend who would totally wear this.”

✔ “Be honest—would you put this on your wall?”

Example: “If you could describe your personality in one print, which one would you pick? 1, 2, or 3?”

Step 3: How to Use These Hooks in Your Content

✔ Use visual + said hooks + written hooks together. (Example: A video starts with “I almost gave up on this painting” + zoom-in on details + caption says, “This piece almost never existed.”)

✔ Match the hook to the vibe of your brand. (If your art is fun & lighthearted, don’t make your hook sound too serious.)

✔ Test different hooks & see what gets the most engagement. (Your audience will tell you what they love!)

Struggling with what to post? I’ve got you covered!

I create 30-day social media calendars tailored for artists, complete with:

• Post ideas for 3 posts a week.

• Engaging hooks to grab attention.

• A production to-do list to stay organized.

• Essential keywords for better reach.

• A full strategy so you always know what to post.