Psychologist Explains How To Write Great YouTube Titles

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 see all of the titles and thumbnails from Creator Hooks in one place, check out Creator Hooks Pro.

Keepin It Cool

winter backpacking thumbnail

Title: Training for Winter Backpacking! | How I Sleep WARM in Freezing Temperatures with Lightweight Gear

Formula: (Activity) for (Future Event)! | How I (Achieve Goal) with (Contrasting Object)

Hook score : +338

Why this works:

Timeliness – It’s about to be winter, so this channel’s audience is thinking about winter backpacking.

Desire – This channel’s audience (and pretty much everybody) wants to sleep warm, especially when it’s cold out.

Curiosity – There’s contrast between “sleeping warm”, “freezing temperatures” and “lightweight gear”, which builds curiosity.

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about how you’re preparing for the upcoming season.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • Preparing For 2023 Tax Season! | How I Pay $0 In Taxes On My $500,000 Income
  • Prepping My Ecom Store For Christmas! | How I Get A 10X ROAS On Ad Spend

Towing Tragedy

ford lightning thumbnail

Title: Towing with my Ford Lightning EV Pickup was a TOTAL DISASTER!

Formula: (Activity) with my (New Product) was a TOTAL DISASTER!

Hook score : +367

Why this works:

Negativity – People love drama and this title about a total disaster promises the video will have lots of drama.

Timeliness – Ford Lightning EV Pickups are new and everybody is interested in what they can do.

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about how it was a disaster when you used a new product.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • Shooting A Wedding with my Sony Alpha a7 II was a TOTAL DISASTER!
  • Planting Vegetables in my Vertical Garden was a TOTAL DISASTER!

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Harvard Haggling

harvard negotiator thumbnail

Title: Harvard negotiator explains how to argue | Dan Shapiro

Formula: (Authority Figure) explains how to (Activity) | (Authority Figure’s Name)

Hook score : +553

Why this works:

Authority – This channel borrows the credibility from this Harvard negotiator to get people to click.

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about how an expert in your field does something.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • Michelin Star Chef explains how to cook | Alain Ducasse
  • Olympic Marathon Runner explains how to run without getting tired

Controversial Contraptions

banned gadgets thumbnail

Title: 14 BANNED GADGETS YOU STILL CAN BUY ON AMAZON

Formula: 14 Banned (Objects) You Still Can (Action)

Hook score : +592

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 – “Banned” gadgets make this video so much cooler than just regular gadgets.

Curiosity – It’s counterintuitive that can still buy these “banned” gadgets, which builds curiosity and makes you want to click.

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about banned or controversial objects they can still buy or use.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • 14 Forbidden Museums You Still Can Visit
  • 10 Banned iPhone Apps You Still Can Download

Boss Moves

excel things thumbnail

Title: I saw my boss do these 10 things in Excel!

Formula: I saw my boss do these 10 things in (Platform)!

Hook score : +2682

Why this works:

Authority – “My Boss” adds a little extra credibility here.

Curiosity – This title opens a loop (and builds curiosity) by telling you about “these 10 things in Excel” but not telling you what they are.

List – Lists make videos feel more tangible (you know exactly what the video will be about) and they add some curiosity.

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about 10 things you saw an authority figure in your niche do.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • I saw my boss look for these 3 things on resumes
  • I saw MrBeast look at these 5 things in YouTube Studio!

Flop of the Week

deep clean thumbnail

Title: HERE’S HOW PROFESSIONALS DEEP CLEAN THINGS

Hook score: -91

Why this flopped: This channel is all about crazy gadgets and inventions (like the banned gadgets video above).

You know what it’s not about? How professionals deep clean things.

Not that that’s a bad topic, it’s just a bad topic for this channel.

So if you don’t want your video to flop, make sure that you’re choosing a topic your audience wants to watch on your channel.

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.

Here’s to the war on boring content.

– 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.

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