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 save more time and use a title generator that uses all the titles ever featured in Creator Hooks, check out Creator Hooks Pro.
A big But
Title: NEW: Kuronami Skin Bundle is PERFECT, but…
Framework: NEW: (Product) is PERFECT, but…
Hook score: +357
Why this works:
Curiosity – This title opens a loop because it makes you want to know what’s wrong. Plus, the contrast between “PERFECT” and “but…” adds to the curiosity.
Negativity – The title hints that there’s some drama or something wrong with this new bundle, and the thumbnail lets you know there’s definitely something wrong.
Timeliness – This video was published right around the time this new bundle was released. Plus, people love new things and this title made it very obvious this is about something new by starting with, “NEW:”.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience how a new product is perfect, except for one thing.
Examples of this framework in action:
- NEW: Cybertruck is PERFECT, but…
- NEW: Fender Jazzmaster is PERFECT, but…
You Know What’s Cool? A Billion Dollars
Title: Rockefeller: The World’s First Billionaire
Framework: (Person): The World’s First (Milestone Achiever)
Hook score: +375
Why this works:
Extreme – “The World’s Second Billionaire” is a lot less cool than the world’s first. Extreme things, like the biggest, fastest, cheapest, or first, make for much more interesting topics.
Epic – “World’s First” and “Billionaire” make this video feel epic.
Authority – A lot of people know Rockefeller’s name, which helps grab extra attention.
How you can use this framework: Tell the dramatic story of the world’s first big milestone achiever in your niche.
Examples of this framework in action:
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Slumbnail
Title: I Spent a Day in Haiti’s Most Dangerous Slum
Framework: I Spent a Day in (Entity’s) Most Dangerous (Place)
Hook score: +412
Why this works:
Negativity – This title leverages fear to get people to click.
Extreme – “Most Dangerous Slum” is a lot cooler and more epic than, say, “A Pretty Dangerous Slum”.
Time Frame – Spending a day here makes this video feel more tangible, which makes it more interesting.
How you can use this framework: Spend a specific amount of time in a dangerous place.
Examples of this framework in action:
- I Spent a Day in America’s Most Dangerous School
- I Had Lunch in America’s Most Disgusting Restaurant
The Truth Comes Out
Title: How Do Portland Residents Feel About Living in Portland Oregon?
Framework: How Do (Group of People) Feel About (Their Current Choice or Activity)?
Hook score: +416
Why this works:
Curiosity – This builds curiosity by asking a question.
Desire – This works well because this creator’s audience is considering moving to Portland.
Credibility – This has credibility because it’s about how real residents feel about living in Portland, not visitors or a realtor trying to sell you on living in Portland.
How you can use this framework: Ask people who are currently doing the thing your audience wants to do how they feel about it.
Examples of this framework in action:
- How Do Married Men Feel About Marriage?
- How Do Successful YouTubers Feel About Being A YouTuber?
Spicy Spicy
Title: Why I Don’t Own A House as a Multi-Millionaire…
Framework: Why I Don’t (Expected Action) as a (Person Who Would Do Expected Action)…
Hook score: +751
Why this works:
Curiosity – This builds curiosity because it’s counterintuitive. You would expect a multi-millionaire to own a house.
Negativity – The thumbnail piles on the drama and fear and the rent vs. buy argument is a controversial one that a lot of people have strong opinions about.
Credibility – Since this creator is a multi-millionaire he brings more credibility to this argument.
How you can use this framework: Explain why you don’t do something even though a person of your status is expected to.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Why I Don’t Own A Boat as a Professional Fisherman…
- Why I Don’t Cook My Own Food as a Michelin Star Chef…
Flop of the Week
Title: 9 Features Riot NEEDS to add to Valorant in 2024
Hook score: -82
Why this flopped: I don’t play Valorant, so this might just be me, but this thumbnail doesn’t scream “this is a cool Valorant video.”
It’s kinda like keywords in titles. You don’t always need them for the algorithm, but you do need at least some sort of keywords (and in this case, imagery) to let your target audience know your video is about something they’re interested in.
If it were me, I’d probably show one or two of the features they need to add, but in a more Valoranty way.
In addition to the sus thumbnail, the title could be better.
Now if this video did well I’d be telling you how great it was because it was a list and it had “2024” in the title.
But this video flopped, so something went wrong, and if they don’t wanna change the thumbnail, here are a few ways to rewrite the title:
- They could focus on just one of the features in the title and say, “The BIGGEST Thing Valorant needs to add in 2024”
- Apparently Valorant lied about adding replay, so you could frame the title around that: “Valorant Lied About This, But It Needs To Change In 2024”
- The creator said Valorant is getting a little bit stale, so that could be another angle he could take: “Valorant Is Getting Stale — Here’s What Needs To Change In 2024”
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 see all of the videos from Creator Hooks in one place, check out Creator Hooks Pro.