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.
Pencil Progress
Title: If I started drawing TODAY, this is what I would do.
Framework: If I started (Activity) TODAY, this is what I would do.
Hook score: +317
Why this works:
Beginners – This resonates with beginners since it’s about starting from scratch. Beginners are the biggest, hungriest group of any audience, so making videos for them is often a great way to get tons of views.
Curiosity – This opens a loop and makes you want to know what they would do.
Timeliness – “TODAY” lets the audience know this video is relevant right now.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience that if you started something today, this is what you would do.
Examples of this framework in action:
- If I started learning piano TODAY, this is what I would do.
- If I started a new business TODAY, this is what I would do.
Pitch Please
Title: Every Major League Baseball Pitch, Explained
Framework: Every (Entity), Explained
Hook score: +599
Why this works:
Desire – This creator’s audience is into MLB pitches.
Epic – “Every” makes this video feel complete and kinda gives it an epic feel.
How you can use this framework: Explain every variant of something in your niche.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Every Major World Religion, Explained
- Every NYC Neighborhood, Explained
New In Creator Hooks Pro: Generate Titles From Your Transcript
We just added the ability for you to upload your transcript to Creator Hooks Pro’s title generator and generate titles.
We’ll generate 4 different angles based on your transcript, then you can select which angle you want to generate titles about.
This will help you:
- Save time explaining what your video is about
- Find the perfect angle to write titles about
You can learn more about Creator Hooks Pro here.
Forbidden Questions
Title: LAWYER: 🚨 NEVER Answer These 3 Police Questions!
Framework: (Authority Figure): NEVER (Specific Action)
Hook score: +671
Why this works:
Authority – Starting this title with “LAWYER” builds trust and credibility in the content.
Warning – Warnings like this grab the audience’s attention and add a little bit of stress, which makes people more likely to click your video.
List – The list here serves to make this video feel more tangible and interesting, and build curiosity.
How you can use this framework: Start your title by dropping an authority position to build trust and credibility, then give a specific warning.
Examples of this framework in action:
- RECRUITER: NEVER Say These 3 Things in Interviews!
- ACCOUNTANT: NEVER Make These 3 Tax Mistakes!
Free Fixes
Title: Mechanics HATE These Reset Tips – It Fixes 97% of Car Problems for FREE
Framework: (Authority Figures) HATE These (Solutions) – It Fixes 97% of (Entity) Problems for FREE
Hook score: +6068
Why this works:
Authority & Controversy – By talking about the fact that mechanics (authority figures) hate these tips (controversy), it increases their value.
Desire – This creator’s audience would love to fix their car problems for free.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience that the pros in your niche hate these tips — they solve big problems for free.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Chiropractors HATE This Simple Exercise – It Fixes 97% of Back Pain for FREE
- Lawyers HATE This AI Tool – It Handles 95% of Cases for FREE
Sew Organized
Title: 42 STITCHES You Need To Know And Wardrobe ORGANIZATION Ideas
Framework: 42 (Specific moves) You Need To Know And (Goal) Ideas
Hook score: +13571
Why this works:
List – Lists make videos feel more tangible (you know exactly what the video will be about), and they add some curiosity.
Desire – This creator’s audience is into stitches and wardrobe organization.
Specific – This is about specific stitches, which are very tangible and feel like they’re likely to be helpful. This not the case for abstract things like tips, which may or may not be helpful.
Note: I’m typically not a fan of having 2 subjects in a title. I wonder if this video would have done just as well (or even better) if the second part, “And Wardrobe ORGANIZATION Ideas,” was deleted.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about specific, tangible things they need to know.
Examples of this framework in action:
- 16 Easy Toddler Activities You Need To Know
- 47 Everyday English Phrases You Need To Know
A/B Test of the Week
Here’s a simple test: comparing “$1.5 Million” vs. “$1,500,000”.
My hypothesis was that all the zeroes would grab people’s attention and really show how big a number $1,500,000 is.
I’m not saying it always works, but it did work here.
It also simplified the title to only focus on the coolest part of the video and not ask a potentially distracting question.
(This is the reasoning behind my extra note in the breakdown of the title above.)
A question for you this week as you’re writing your titles: How can you show (not just tell) how interesting your video is?
If you want to see 100+ other test results like this, you can get the 103 YouTube AB tests ebook here.
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.