Hooked

Nir Eyal introduces the Hook Model in his book, a four-step process that companies use to build customer habits. It's a cycle that includes a trigger, action, variable reward, and investment. This model is a great tool to understand how to create products that people will use regularly.

Triggers are the first step in the Hook Model. They can be external or internal. External triggers are things like notifications or emails, while internal triggers are emotions or thoughts. Eyal emphasizes that understanding your users' internal triggers is key to creating a product they'll love.

After the trigger comes the action. This is the behavior done in anticipation of a reward. The reward, however, should not be predictable. According to Eyal, variable rewards are more addictive. So, if you're looking to create a habit-forming product, consider how you can incorporate variable rewards.

The last step in the Hook Model is investment. This is where the user puts something into the product, like time or data, which makes them more likely to return. Eyal suggests that the more users invest in your product, the more they value it, leading to higher engagement.

While the Hook Model can be powerful, Eyal also discusses the ethical implications of creating habit-forming products. He encourages creators to ask themselves if they're making the world a better place with their product. So, as you explore the strategies in this book, remember to consider the impact on your users.