“Make the audience feel smart” (this is the cheat code)

This line is gold.

Because the viewer doesn’t want to be “told.”

They want to figure it out 0.8 seconds before you confirm it.

That tiny moment makes them feel smart, and they stay.

Example

Bad listicle:

“10 things I can’t leave the house without… number one, keys.”

Now the viewer is annoyed because the payoff is obvious and early.

Better:

Start with a mini setup:

“One of these is so boring I almost didn’t include it… but losing it can destroy your entire day.”

Let the brain guess.

Then reveal: keys.

That micro-puzzle creates a tiny dopamine hit.

That’s retention.

Rule: Don’t hand answers like a receipt. Make the viewer earn the click in their head.