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.
Every Day I’m Hustlin
Title: We Ran Every Day for 30 Days, Here’s What Happened
Formula: We (Activity) Every Day for (Number) Days, Here’s What Happened
Hook score: +519
Why this works:
Curiosity – This builds curiosity by opening a loop with “here’s what happened,” and not telling you what happened.
Time Frame – Challenges with a time frame are more interesting and make the video feel more tangible.
Daily – People love to watch videos about things to do every day.
How you can use this hook: Do a 30-day daily challenge, then tell your audience what happened.
Examples of this hook in action:
- We Did Date Night Every Night for 30 Days, Here’s What Happened
- I Sent 100 Cold Emails Every Day for 30 Days, Here’s What Happened
Why Not?
Title: Do NOT Shut Down Your Computer! (here’s why)
Formula: Do NOT [Innocent, Common Action] (here’s why)
Hook score: +916
Why this works:
Negativity – This title is a warning for you to not shut down your computer.
Curiosity – Shutting down your computer feels like an innocent thing to do, so this title builds curiosity because it doesn’t really make sense. It’s counterintuitive.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience to not do something that seems innocent, harmless, or is even a best practice.
Examples of this hook in action:
- Do NOT Sell Your Bitcoin Right Now (here’s why)
- Do NOT Ask People To Subscribe (here’s why)
Living Illegal
Title: German Neighborhoods are ILLEGAL IN AMERICA | Zoning & NIMBY-ism
Formula: (Entity) are ILLEGAL IN (Place) | (Keywords)
Hook score: +993
Why this works:
Negativity – “Illegal” catches your eye and makes this video more interesting.
Curiosity – Like the title above, this builds curiosity because it’s a drama-filled title about a seemingly innocent thing.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about something seemingly innocent that’s actually illegal.
Examples of this hook in action:
- Boats are ILLEGAL In This Water | No Boating Zone Lagoon
- Airbnbs are ILLEGAL IN THIS STATE | Short-Term Rental Mistakes
Anti Packing List
Title: Things I Never Pack Travel 2022
Formula: (Objects) I Never (Action) (Current Year)
Hook score: +1870
Why this works:
Negativity – This is about things she never packs, not things she packs. We’re drawn to warnings like this.
Timeliness – Slapping the current year on the end of the title is a great way to tell your audience that this video is relevant right now.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about the items you never use.
Examples of this hook in action:
- Banks I’d Never Use in 2022
- Foods I Never Eat in 2022
Digital Dollars
Title: 12 digital products that can make AT LEAST $10k/month
Formula: 12 (Objects) that can (Achieve Goal)
Hook score: +2030
Why this works:
Desire – Everybody in this creator’s audience would love to have a product that earns $10K/month.
List – Lists build curiosity and make a video feel more tangible.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about a list of things that can help them achieve their goals.
Examples of this hook in action:
- 10 Cameras that can take BEAUTIFUL Outdoor Photos
- 12 Job Boards that may have your DREAM JOB
Flop of the Week
Title: My Studio Tour 2022! Where we film & tools we use
Hook score: -89
Why this flopped: This creator’s audience watches her channel for Excel and technology tips that they can use, not for a tour of the studio where she films.
Plus, most of her thumbnails have her face nice and big on the thumbnail, not a zoomed out shot of her on a couch where you can’t really tell if it’s her or not.
Both the topic and thumbnail style were new. If you’re going to branch out on one of these, at least use what’s proven for the other.
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.
– Jake
P.S. Follow me on Twitter for more title tips @jthomas__
P.P.S. If you want to see all of the videos from Creator Hooks in one place, check out Creator Hooks Pro.