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.
The Old New
Title: I Bought a Brand New 40 year Yamaha Motorcycle
Formula: I Bought a Brand New (Old) (Object)
Hook score: +438
Why this works:
Curiosity – There’s contrast between “brand new” and “40 year”, which builds curiosity because it doesn’t make sense.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about a counterintuitive object you got.
Examples of this hook in action:
- I Bought a Brand New 30-Year-Old Camera
- I Bought a Brand New Vintage Conventional Fishing Reel
“Let’s Circle Back On That”
Title: 5 Things You Should NEVER Tell Coworkers
Formula: 5 Things You Should NEVER Tell (Group of People)
Hook score: +820
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 – What you should never tell your coworkers makes for a more spicy and interesting video than one about what’s ok to tell your coworkers.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about things they should never say to a group of people important to them.
Examples of this hook in action:
- 5 Things You Should NEVER Tell a Job Recruiter
- 5 Things You Should NEVER Tell Your Husband
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Mystery Meat
Title: This Food is WORSE than Sugar on a Keto (Low Carb) Diet
Formula: This [Object] is WORSE than [Other, Seemingly Worst Object]
Hook score: +881
Why this works:
Curiosity – This title builds curiosity three ways: 1) It opens a loop by telling you this food is worse than sugar, but not telling you what it is. 2) It makes you feel like you’re getting in on a secret because you assume sugar is the worst thing for you on a keto diet. 3) It’s also counterintuitive because of this.
Negativity – Talking about foods that are bad for you gets your audience’s attention more than talking about foods that are good for you.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about something that is worse for them than what they currently think is the worst thing.
Examples of this hook in action:
- This Device is WORSE than iPads for Kids
- This New Workout Trend is WORSE than CrossFit For Your Joints
Hacker’s Haven
Title: These Home Cameras are NOT Private!
Formula: These (Objects) are NOT (Important Quality)!
Hook score: +1004
Why this works:
Negativity – This title picks at a very strong fear in our culture right now.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about objects that are not as safe or effective as they think they are.
Examples of this hook in action:
- These Austin Neighborhoods are NOT Safe!
- These “Weight Loss” Foods are NOT Healthy!
Tis’ The Season
Title: Asking Strangers Their Thoughts On Christianity
Formula: Asking Strangers Their Thoughts On (Subject)
Hook score: +1012
Why this works:
Curiosity – This style of video is going crazy on YouTube right now because it makes you want to know what these strangers said.
Credibility – There’s an element of credibility to this style of video because it’s not the creator’s opinion — it’s what real people think or have experienced.
How you can use this hook: Ask strangers for their thoughts on your industry or a highly-debated topic.
Examples of this hook in action:
- Asking Strangers Their Favorite Travel Destination
- Asking Strangers How Much Money They Have In Their Bank Accounts
Flop of the Week
Title: Answering Your Career Questions
Hook score: -90
Why this flopped: This title is too boring. I think it could’ve done better if the creator made it a little spicier.
Something like:
- “Answering Your Embarrassing Career Questions”
- “Answering Your Toughest Career Questions”
On top of the title being boring, the quotes in the thumbnail are boring, too.
“Managing workload” is pretty boring compared to something like, “Horrible Boss”.
And “what’s up with the hat?” is kinda funny, but doesn’t make me want to click as much as, say, “2023 interview tips”.
Even if she didn’t get interesting questions like this, I’d probably throw them in there because it’ll make for a better video and more clickable thumbnail and title.
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.