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.
Chinese Collapse
Title: The total economic death of China (is happening NOW)
Formula: The [Negative Event] (is happening NOW)
Hook score: +383
Why this works:
Negativity – People can’t get enough of the drama and this title is full of it.
Timeliness – People also love news and “(is happening NOW)” lets the audience know, well, this is happening now.
Curiosity – This title reads like the start of a story, and you can’t help but want to know more.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about a negative event that is happening now.
Examples of this hook in action:
- The Biggest Google Algorithm Shift (is happening NOW)
- Florida’s Deadliest Hurricane Season (is happening NOW)
Timely Thoughts
Title: My HONEST Opinion After 1 Month in the Philippines
Formula: My HONEST Opinion After (Time Frame) (Experience)
Hook score: +541
Why this works:
Time frame – This time frame gives his video credibility because he’s been there an entire month, as opposed to some people who’ve traveled there for just a few days.
Curiosity – It might just be me, but the way he uses “HONEST” makes you feel like you’re getting insider information here.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about your honest opinion after a specific time frame of doing something or being somewhere.
Examples of this hook in action:
- My HONEST Opinion After 1 Month with an iPhone 14
- My HONEST Opinion After 1 Month of CrossFit
T-Bone Time
Title: I SURVIVED 50 HOURS W/ LIVER KING…
Formula: I SURVIVED (Time Frame) W/ (Authority Figure)…
Hook score: +554
Why this works:
Authority – Liver King’s name and picture makes a ton of people click.
Negativity – “Survived” adds to the feeling that you’re about to watch an intense video with some tough adventures.
Time Frame – The time frame of 50 hours makes this video feel more tangible and interesting.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience how you survived with an authority figure for a specific period of time.
Examples of this hook in action:
- I Survived 1 Year Working For Elon Musk…
- I SURVIVED 50 HOURS IN AMERICA’S HOTTEST DESERT
Look Rich, Be Rich
Title: How to LOOK RICH and WEALTHY! Simple tips and tricks to achieve that sophisticated, polished look!
Formula: How to (Achieve Goal)! Simple tips and tricks to (Achieve Specific Goal)!
Hook score: +602
Why this works:
Desire – This creator really nailed down what their audience wants. “How to LOOK RICH and WEALTHY!” is way more specific than just, “How to Look Pretty.” Plus, people love simple tips and tricks.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience how to get their very specific desire.
Examples of this hook in action:
- How to Get 10,000 YouTube Subs Per Month! Simple tips to grow your YouTube channel!
- How to Run a 20-Minute 5K! Simple tips and tricks to run faster!
Quittin Time
Title: I Quit Teaching & Here’s What I Learned
Formula: I Quit (Activity) & Here’s What I Learned
Hook score: +702
Why this works:
Negativity – Quitting something good is a great way to get people’s attention.
Curiosity – “Here’s What I Learned” opens a loop and makes you want to find out what she learned.
Milestone – Your audience will love hearing about big milestones, like quitting a job.
How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about how you quit something good and what you learned from it.
Examples of this hook in action:
- I Quit Journaling & Here’s What I Learned
- I Ended a Toxic Relationship & Here’s What I Learned
Flop of the Week
Title: Your money is cheating on you (with your bank)
Hook score: -87
Why this flopped: This title is a classic example of “clarity > cleverness.”
It’s not immediately obvious what she means by, “your money is cheating on you.” And if you can’t instantly understand what a video is about, you’ll keep scrolling right past it.
This probably would’ve done better with a clearer title, like, “You’re Losing Money Every Day (thanks to your bank)”.
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.