How does the YouTube Algorithm know what makes a good video?

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, check out Creator Hooks Pro.

Protein Party

Title: Protein is great for weight loss… but you’re doing it wrong

Formula: (Popular Tool) Is Great For (Goal)… But You’re Doing It Wrong

Hook score*: +365

Why this works:

Curiosity – This opens a loop because when I hear I’m doing protein wrong I assume I’ll lean how to do it right in the video, so I need to watch and close that loop.

Desire – This creator’s audience wants to lose weight.

Negativity – “doing it wrong” feels like a warning here.

How you can use this hook: Tell you audience that something they commonly use is great to help reach their goals, but they’re doing it wrong.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • Rental Properties are great for passive income… but you’re doing it wrong
  • Apple Watch is my favorite smart watch… but you’re using it wrong

A Great Hook

Title: START Fishing A KEITECH Like This (Don’t FALL Behind)

Formula: START [Action] Like This (Don’t FALL Behind)

Hook score: +377

Why this works:

Curiosity – “Like This” opens a loop and makes you wonder how to fish a keitech.

Negativity – The “don’t fall behind” part at the end adds a warning.

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience how to use a tool, but then warn them to not fall behind.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • START Making TikToks Like This (Don’t FALL Behind)
  • START Doing Date Night Like This (Don’t Have A BORING Relationship)

Permitting Profits

Title: Just Permitted 56 Acres to make $50,000/month

Formula: Just (Achieved Big Goal or Started Inspiring Project)

Hook score: +411

Why this works:

Desire – This creator’s audience would love to make $50,000/month.

Timeliness – Starting out with “Just” makes you feel like this video is about a new thing that just happened. It’s kinda mixing news and education together.

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about a big project you started or a big goal you reached.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • Just Bought A 50 Acre Self-Sustaining Farm
  • Just Hit 10,000,000 Views On A Brand New Channel

Pa-Pow-Pow

Title: Where does the POWER in the GOLF SWING Come From???

Formula: Where does the (Desired Trait) Come From??

Hook score: +469

Why this works:

Curiosity – The title builds curiosity by asking a question. This audience may assume the answer is legs, but the thumbnail adds to the curiosity by showing a guy sitting down and not using his legs.

Desire – Most golfers would love to have more power in their swing.

How you can use this hook: Ask a big question everyone in your audience is already asking.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • What makes your lawn GREENER?
  • How do you STOP your legs from burning during a run???

Lit AF

Title: BROKE AF? Start w/ Zero Make $250 a day online (DO THIS)

Formula: [Pain Point]? Start [From Beginning] [Achieve Big Goal] (DO THIS)

Hook score: +533

Why this works:

Curiosity – This title starts by asking a question to build curiosity, then finishes by opening a loop to build even more.

Negativity – “Broke AF” is a big pain point many people in this creator’s audience have.

Desire – This creator’s audience would love to make $250 a day online.

Beginner Tips – If you’re a beginner starting from zero, you feel like this video was made for you.

How you can use this hook: Call out a pain point, then show your audience how to achieve a specific goal.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • TIRED AF? Keep Your Home Clean as a New Mom (DO THIS)
  • BUSY AF? Start w/ a Blank Page and Plan Your Whole Week (DO THIS)

Flop of the Week

Title: DON’T Fish Like Everyone Else (Fish The EXTREMES)

Hook score: -67

Why this flopped: This title was good in that it’s got a warning and kinda opens a loop.

But I think it flopped because it doesn’t speak to any real fear or desire. The audience doesn’t fear fishing like everyone else — they fear not catching fish.

And they don’t care about fishing the extremes — they want to catch fish.

Don’t try to be too clever with your titles and always think about what your audience wants.

Alright, that wraps up this week’s Creator Hooks!

Have any questions about the hooks in this edition?

Reply to this email and let me know!

And 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

P.S. If you want to see all of the videos from every Creator Hooks edition in one place, check out creatorhookspro.com.

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