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.
P.S. If you want to save more time and use a title generator that uses all the titles from this newsletter, check out Creator Hooks Pro.
Easy Way Out
Title: Hate Talking On Camera for Content? THIS is for YOU
Framework: Hate (Beneficial, but difficult action)? THIS is for YOU
Hook score: +359
Why this works:
Negativity – This starts with a pain point to grab the right audience’s attention.
Curiosity – This opens a loop and makes you wonder what “THIS” is.
How you can use this framework: Ask your audience if they hate something that they have to or should do, then say your video is for them.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Hate Cleaning Your Toilets? THIS is for YOU
- Hate “Productivity Hacks”? THIS is for YOU
Helpful Habits
Title: 30 Habits That (Quietly) Changed My Life Forever
Framework: 30 Habits That (Quietly) [Achieved Goal]
Hook score: +1092
Why this works:
List – Lists make videos feel more tangible (you know exactly what the video will be about) and they add some curiosity.
Desire – This creator’s audience would love to change their life.
Curiosity – “(Quietly)” kinda makes this feel like you’re getting in on a secret.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about the habits that achieved a big goal in a quiet way.
Examples of this framework in action:
- 10 Habits That (Quietly) Changed My YouTube Channel Forever
- 5 Habits That (Quietly) Changed My Golf Game Forever
- Write better YouTube titles
- Grow your channel
- Save time
Check out Creator Hooks Pro here.
“Creator Hooks Pro has helped me generate millions of views on my channel since I started using it by giving me amazing title ideas I would not have been able to come up with on my own. It’s like having a team of title experts at your fingertips.”
– Matt Outlaw, 731 Woodworks, 667K Subscribers
2 Bad
Title: Nintendo is ALREADY BANNING Switch 2
Framework: (Entity) is ALREADY (Negative Action) (Entity)
Hook score: +1734
Why this works:
Negativity – People love drama like this.
Curiosity – The word “Already” makes this feel like the ban at this time came as a surprise and makes you wonder why they’re banning it so soon.
News – People love news like this.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about some news that is “already” happening. Bonus points if it’s negative.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Tesla is ALREADY Crushing Waymo
- Celtics Are ALREADY Regretting Blowing Up Their Roster
Video Proof
Title: Do Snap Swivels REALLY Hurt Lure Action? (Side-by-Side Look Underwater)
Framework: Do (Entities) REALLY Hurt (Desired outcome)? ([Proof of evidence])
Hook score: +2138
Why this works:
Curiosity – This builds curiosity by asking a question, and the “REALLY” enhances that curiosity.
Negativity – This is about avoiding a problem (hurting your lure action).
Credibility – By promising a side-by-side underwater look, this video feels more credible and believable.
How you can use this framework: Ask if something really causes a problem, and then promise some element of proof.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Do Credit Checks REALLY Lower Your Credit Score? (FICO Score Tracking)
- Does Leaving Your Phone Charging REALLY Damage the Battery? (30 Day Test)
Oh, really?
Framework: Every (Entity) is Free
Hook score: +3755
Why this works:
Desire – This creator’s audience would love for every front to be free.
Curiosity – This is counterintuitive because many fonts are not free.
This combo of desire + curiosity makes this video feel too good to be true, but there’s a sliver of hope, so you’ve gotta watch it if you’re a font guy or gal.
How you can use this framework: Make a bold, counterintuitive statement that feels too good to be true.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Every Marketing Tool is Free
- Every Plane Ticket is Free
Flop of the Week
Title: The 1 Bass Spawning Behavior I DIDN’T Expect (Dock Cam Footage)
Hook score: -71
Why this flopped: This creator’s audience has one goal: catch more bass.
My guess is that although bass spawning behavior can be related to catching bass, it’s a few steps away.
It takes a bit of mental work for the audience to realize that this video can help them with their main goal.
And since most people are mindlessly scrolling on YouTube, any amount of mental work is often too much work, so they scroll on by and choose another video.
A super simple change might be just: “The 1 Bass Behavior I DIDN’T Expect (Dock Cam Footage)” (just remove the word “spawning.”)
You could also try a more dramatic title with a broader angle: “Underwater Video Changes Everything I Thought I Knew About Bass”
TLDR: Know why people watch your videos and have your titles reflect that, and make your titles super simple to read and understand.
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 write better titles and grow your channel, check out Creator Hooks Pro.