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.
P.S. If you want to save more time and use a title generator that uses all the titles from this newsletter, check out Creator Hooks Pro.
Dutch Deeds
Title: 5 Simple (and kinda weird) Dutch habits to Simplify Your Life
Framework: 5 Simple (and kinda weird) [Specific entity] [Actions to [Achieve Goal]
Hook score: +556
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 – The word “weird” is a simple, but great way to build curiosity, and this title uses it perfectly with the “(and kinda weird)” bit. Also, the phrase “Dutch habits” is very specific, which adds to the curiosity.
Desire – This creator’s audience would love to simplify their life. Plus habits often make for great topics because they’re tangible and people like the idea of them.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about simple, weird, and specific habits or other things they can do to achieve a goal.
Examples of this framework in action:
- 5 Simple (and kinda weird) Kenyan habits to Run Faster
- 5 Simple (but weird) Samurai sayings to Stay Focused
Rags to Riches
Title: How I Became a Millionaire on a 9-5 Salary
Framework: How I (Achieved Goal) (With Unexpected Constraint)
Hook score: +702
Why this works:
Desire – This creator’s audience would love to become millionaires.
Refute Objection – Many people might think “You can’t become a millionaire on a 9-5 salary, you have to start a big business or do some shady stuff.” This title refutes that objection.
Constraint – Similar to the point above, people might think being on a 9-5 salary is a constraint to becoming a millionaire, which makes this video way more interesting.
Resonates with the audience – The audience is probably on a 9-5 salary, they want to become millionaires, but they don’t have much, so the thumbnail text and title both resonate with the audience.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience how you achieved a big goal even with a common objection or constraint.
Examples of this framework in action:
- How I Became a Software Engineer with No Experience In Tech
- How I Grow my own Food while Living in an Apartment
- Write better YouTube titles
- Grow your channel
- Save time
Check out Creator Hooks Pro here.
P.S. Here’s a big win from a Creator Hooks Pro customer:
“I got this title directly from Creator Hooks Pro’s title generator. It’s a 1 of 10 and it’s brought in 5 clients worth over $25k in less than 3 weeks”
– Jeff Hampton, Hampton Law, 360K Subscribers
Worst Whips
Title: 17 WORST Cars That NO ONE Buys According to Consumer Reports
Framework: 17 WORST (Entities) That NO ONE (Action) According to (Authority)
Hook score: +951
Why this works:
List – Lists make videos feel more tangible (you know exactly what the video will be about) and they add some curiosity.
Negativity – People love drama and controversy like this. Plus, this sparks the fearful question, “Is my car on this list?”
Authority – This leverages the authority of Consumer Reports to be more credible.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about a list of negative things according to an authoritative source.
Examples of this framework in action:
- 11 WORST Foods NO ONE Should Eat According to Harvard Study
- 17 OVERHYPED Countries That NO ONE Visits According to Tourism Reports
Covert Conspiracy
Title: Hitler’s Last Secrets Revealed in Unpublished Archives
Framework: (Authority Figure’s) Last (Possession) Revealed in (Secretive source)
Hook score: +3696
Why this works:
Curiosity – This leverages curiosity in two ways:
- “Last Secrets Revealed” uses secrecy to build curiosity.
- “Unpublished Archives” also makes you feel like you’re getting in on a secret because these archives were “unpublished.”
Authority – This leverages the name recognition and notoriety of Hitler.
Scarcity – The fact that these are his last secrets makes them feel unique and scarce, which makes this video feel more interesting.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about something notorious or scandalous that was just revealed.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Amelia Earhart’s Last Secrets Revealed in Recovered Radio Logs
- Leonardo da Vinci’s Biggest Creativity Secret Revealed in Recovered Notebook
Maine Mysteries
Title: What Real Estate Agents DON’T Tell You About Living In Maine
Framework: What (Authority Figures) DON’T Tell You About (Activity)
Hook score: +3806
Why this works:
Curiosity & Negativity- “What they DON’T tell you” gives you FOMO and makes you feel like you’re getting in on a secret.
Authority – This leverages the authority of Real Estate Agents.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience what the authority figures in their niche don’t tell them about something.
Examples of this framework in action:
- What Wall Street DOESN’T Tell You About Investing In The Stock Market
- What Lawyers DON’T Tell You About Personal Injury Claims
Flop of the Week
Title: 13 DEADLY Mistakes Manual Drivers Make (that Kills Your Car)
Hook score: -99
Why this flopped: Here’s a quick story:
I had a dog channel a while ago and made a video for puppy owners. It flopped horribly, even though it was a good title and good content.
I’m pretty sure this happened because it was such a small segment of the audience. And I think this is the same issue here.
It’s a good title, but manual drivers are such a small segment of this channel’s audience that it just didn’t quite get off the ground.
It’s great to make videos for specific segments of your audience sometimes, but know that if the segment is too small it can also result in a flop like this or my puppy video.
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 write better titles and grow your channel, check out Creator Hooks Pro.