I’ve asked some of the best creators on YouTube, “How do you write such great titles?”
And they’ve all said the same thing: “I just model what works.”
So this email will show you 5 videos worth modeling to help you write great titles and save time.
Btw, if you want to save more time and use a title generator that uses all the titles ever featured in Creator Hooks, check out Creator Hooks Pro.
Flip Your Life Around
Title: Changing to a Flip Phone changed my Life
Framework: (Small, Counterintuitive Action) changed my Life
Hook score: +357
Why this works:
Curiosity – This buids curiosity two ways:
- “Changed my life” is open ended and makes you wonder what happened and what’s changed.
- It’s a bit counterintuitive that something small and weird, such as changing to a flip phone, would change your life.
Desire – This creator’s audience (and most people, really) wants to do something that’ll change their life.
Confirm Suspicions – Some people are wondering if smartphones actually cause more harm than good, so this video puts it out in the open.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience how something small and counterintuitive changed your life.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Changing to barefoot shoes changed my Life
- Getting rid of my microwave changed my Life
Gimme 5
Title: 5 minutes and you’ll forget about glasses in 2024!
Framework: 5 minutes and you’ll forget about (Problem) in (Current Year)!
Hook score: +491
Why this works:
Negativity – This is all about forgetting a problem this creator’s audience struggles with. (Yes, I know glasses are technically a solution to a problem, but this audience would rather see without glasses, so in this context, glasses are a problem.)
Curiosity – This opens a loop and makes you wonder what’s this solution that only takes 5 minutes and will let you forget about glasses.
Time Frame – The time frame of “5 minutes” makes this feel like a simple solution since it’s so short.
Timeliness – Dropping “in 2024” lets people know this is relevant right now and speaks specifically to those people who are saying, “Whelp, I guess I gotta get glasses this year.”
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about a solution that only takes a short, specific amount of time and will help them forget about a problem they’re dealing with.
Examples of this framework in action:
- 5 minutes and you’ll stop slicing the ball today
- 5 minutes and you’ll save thousands on taxes in 2024!
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Hidden Gems
Title: 7 HIDDEN Apps in Microsoft 365 that will EXPLODE Productivity
Framework: 7 HIDDEN (Tools) that will (Achieve Goal)
Hook score: +709
Why this works:
List – Lists make videos feel more tangible (you know exactly what the video will be about) and they add some curiosity.
Curiosity – “Hidden” makes you feel like you’re getting insider knowledge on secret apps.
Desire – This creator’s audience would love to explode their productivity.
*Quick note about clickbait here. “HIDDEN” and “EXPLODE” in all caps might make make this title come off to some as being too clickbaity. Sure, it does feel a little bit dramatic, but how much hype and emotion you want to convey in your title is totally up to you.
Another way he could’ve written this if he wanted to tone it down a bit is, “7 Hidden Apps in Microsoft 365 that saved me 10 hours per week”. A little bit more specific and less dramatic. But again, this is up to you, your channel, your audience, and the vibe you want to give off. And since this worked so well for this creator, I can’t knock him for it.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about hidden tools that will help them achieve their goals.
Examples of this framework in action:
- 7 HIDDEN Tools in Home Depot that will EXPLODE Productivity
- the hidden menu items at Waffle House that will blow your mind
A Little Bit Every Day
Title: I Invested $5 a Day for 2 1/2 Years. Here’s What Happened.
Framework: I (Activity) a Day for (Long Time Frame). Here’s What Happened.
Hook score: +713
Why this works:
Curiosity – “Here’s What Happened” opens a loop and makes you want to know what happened.
Time Frame – The time frame of 2 1/2 years adds credibility to this because it’s so long. It makes you value and trust this video more.
Daily – Investing $5 every day makes this video more tangible, simple to understand, and interesting. “I Invested $4,565 over 2 1/2 years” sounds more complicated and less interesting than “I Invested $5 a Day for 2 1/2 Years.”
Credibility – This isn’t about theory or a hypothetical situation, this creator is showing what he actually did. This adds credibility and makes you more interested in the video and trust the creator.
How you can use this framework: Do something every day for a long period of time and show your audience what happened.
Examples of this framework in action:
- I Played Piano 30 Minutes a Day for 3 Years. Here’s What Happened.
- I Did 100 Squats a Day for 1 Year. Here’s What Happened.
Solo Suitcase
Title: How I travel the world with just a carry-on ✈️ (pack with me for Europe!)
Framework: How I (Cool Activity) with (Constraint)
Hook score: +837
Why this works:
Desire – This creator’s audience would love to travel the world and they’d like to do it without having to lug around lots of big bags.
Constraint – The constrait of “with just a carry-on” makes this more challenging and interesting, and increases the desire.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience how you do something amazing, but with a constraint that makes it even more desirable and interesting.
Examples of this framework in action:
- How I made amazing street tacos with only 4 ingredients 🌮 (cook with me!)
- How I bought 5 storage facilities in 2024 without spending any of my money
Flop of the Week
Title: Restore this MUSCLE and your BACK will be like NEW!
Hook score: -90
Why this flopped: This title isn’t clear or simple enough. What does “Restore this muscle” actually mean?
A better way to write this could be, “Do These 3 EXERCISES Every Day and your BACK will be like NEW!”
Exercises are more tangible and clear than restoring muscles.
And since restoring a muscle doesn’t really mean anything, so you’re less interested in this video.
To avoid this mistake, use words in your title that your audience uses and understands.
Alright, that wraps up this week’s Creator Hooks!
Hope you enjoyed this week’s edition and if you know a fellow creator who needs help writing better titles, please send them to creatorhooks.com.
– Jake
(@jthomas__ on Twitter)
P.S. Read previous editions here.
P.P.S. If you want to see all of the videos from Creator Hooks in one place, check out Creator Hooks Pro.