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. Last month I ran 103 YouTube Title A/B tests to see how the strategies I’ve shared in this newsletter work.
See what happened here.
Ballin on a Budget
Title: What I Spend In a Week as a 24 Year Old in NYC
Formula: What I Spend In (Time Frame) as a (Specific Person)
Hook score: +359
Why this works:
Time Frame – The time frame “in a week” makes this video more tangible (and therefore, more interesting).
Curiosity – This feels like you’re getting in on a secret. Especially because this video is about money, and money is typically a private subject.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about how much you spend in a specific time frame, or give them insight into another typically private subject.
Examples of this hook in action:
- What I Spend In a Week as a Full-Time YouTuber
- What I Spend In a Month as a Full-Time Digital Nomad
Retirement Woes
Title: 6 Uncomfortable Retirement “Truths” You Need to Hear…
Formula: 6 Uncomfortable (Niche or Activity) “Truths” You Need to Hear…
Hook score: +466
Why this works:
List – Lists make videos feel more tangible and add some curiosity.
Negativity – “Uncomfortable Truths” are way more interesting than, say, “Happy Truths”.
Curiosity – This title makes you wonder what these “uncomfortable truths” are, so you have to watch.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about the uncomfortable truths they need to hear.
Examples of this hook in action:
- 6 Uncomfortable “Truths” About Being A Mom You Need to Hear…
- 6 Uncomfortable 6 Pack “Truths” You Need to Hear…
Climbing Legends
Title: World’s Steepest Climb Vs World’s Best Climber: Can He Defeat It?
Formula: World’s (Extreme Element) Vs World’s Best (Element Conqueror): Can (Person) Defeat It?
Hook score: +797
Why this works:
Extreme – Extreme things, like world’s steepest climb and best climber, make for an interesting story.
X vs. Y – Everybody loves a little competition and they have to click to see what happened.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about a big challenge that the world’s best took on.
Examples of this hook in action:
- World’s Best Fisherman Vs World’s Biggest Fish: Can He Land One?
- World’s Fastest Eater Vs World’s Biggest Steak: Can He Finish It?
Amazon Alternatives
Title: Where Else To Self-Publish Books That’s NOT Amazon KDP – Self-Publish Low Content Books
Formula: Where Else To (Activity) That’s NOT (Current Leader In Activity) – (Keywords)
Hook score: +874
Why this works:
Refute an objection – This channel’s audience might think their only option to self-publish books is Amazon KDP, so they’re interested to hear other options.
Curiosity – A simple way to build curiosity is to tell your audience about what something is not, so they have to click and find out what it is.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about a little-known alternative to solve a big problem they have.
Examples of this hook in action:
- Safe Places To Invest Your Money That’s NOT The Stock Market
- Where Else To Fix Your Marriage That’s NOT Marriage Counseling
Sticky Pans
Title: Food Sticking to Stainless Steel Pans? 4 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Formula: (Problem)? 4 Common Mistakes To Avoid
Hook score: +18966
Why this works:
Negativity – This title starts with a pain point and then talks about mistakes to avoid.
List – Lists make videos feel more tangible and add some curiosity.
How you can use this hook: Address a big paint point for your audience, then tell them about the common mistakes to avoid.
Examples of this hook in action:
- Instagram Engagement Down? 4 Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Knee Pain? 4 Common Mistakes To Avoid
Flop of the Week
Title: Top 5 Ways To Train On Your Commute!
Hook score: -78
Why this flopped: My first thought was that this flopped because it’s a narrow topic — how many people are actually riding their bike to work?
But a video titled, “What’s The Best Way To Ride To Work? | GCN Commuter Challenge,” recently did well for this channel (350K views).
My theory is that this flopped because those who are riding their bikes to work are doing it because they enjoy it, not because they’re trying to train hard on their way to work.
Whether or not that’s true, the lesson is to always strive to know your audience better and understand their goals and motives.
Alright, that wraps up this week’s Creator Hooks!
If you know a fellow creator who needs help with 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.