The Best YouTube Strategy For Beginners In 2023

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.

India Here I Come

india guide thumbnail

Title: INDIA travel guide 2023 | EVERYTHING to know before you go

Formula: (Place or Object) guide (Current Year) | EVERYTHING to know before you (Action)

Hook score: +411

Why this works:

Desire – This creator’s audience wants an India travel guide before they go.

Timeliness – This video was published in the beginning of 2023, and using the year in the title lets the audience know this is relevant right now.

How you can use this hook: Give your audience a guide for the current year and tell them everything they need to know before they do something.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • Homesteading guide 2023 | EVERYTHING to know before you start
  • Portland Living 2023 | EVERYTHING to know before you move here

ABSolutely Killer Workout

best workout routine thumbnail

Title: The Best Workout Routine for Beginners

Formula: The Best (Activity) Routine for Beginners

Hook score: +488

Why this works:

Desire – This creator’s audience wants the best workout routine.

Beginner – Videos for beginners do well because they’re the biggest, hungriest part of any audience.

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about the best routine for beginners.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • The Best Piano Practice Routine for Beginners
  • The Best Painting Kit for Beginners

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Bye Bye 9-5

Title: Quit your 9-5 with these 3 Etsy Store Ideas – Six Figure Strategies

Formula: Quit your (Unwanted Responsibility) with these 3 (Niche) Ideas – (End Goal) Strategies

Hook score: +548

Why this works:

Desire – This creator’s audience wants to quit their 9-5.

Negativity – This title is all about moving away from pain — “Quit your 9-5″.

List – Lists make videos feel more tangible (you know exactly what the video will be about) and they add some curiosity.

Curiosity – This title mentions “these 3 Etsy Store Ideas”, but doesn’t specify what they are, which builds curiosity by opening a loop.

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience they can achieve a goal and move away from pain with your list of ideas.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • Quit Overeating with these 3 Weird Mind Tricks
  • Quit Slicing The Ball with these 3 Golf Swing Drills – Professional Golf Strategies

iPhone Infatuation

iphone case thumbnail

Title: I’ve Never LOVED An iPhone Case More

Formula: I’ve Never LOVED An (Object) More

Hook score: +572

Why this works:

Desire – This creator’s audience love tech accessories.

Curiosity – This title is a cliff-hanger — why does he love this one so much?

Extreme – This title is a big, bold statement, which typically does better on YouTube than weaker statements (“I Really LOVED This iPhone Case,” for example).

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience how you’ve never loved an object more.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • I’ve Never LOVED A BBQ Sandwich More
  • I’ve Never LOVED A Video Game More

Hopeful Habits

negative programming thumbnail

Title: HABITS to Break the NEGATIVE Programming of Your MIND! | Joe Dispenza | Top 10 Rules

Formula: HABITS to Break the (Negative Activity)! | (Authority Figure) | Top 10 Rules

Hook score: +1282

Why this works:

Negativity – This title is about moving away from pain — “Break the Negative Programming of Your Mind.” Plus, there’s a bit of “stick it to the man” vibes, fear, and conspiracy here with the “Programming of Your Mind” part.

List – This title finishes off with a list, which builds curiosity and makes this video more tangible.

How you can use this hook: Tell your audience about the habits to stop an unwanted state they’re currently in.

Examples of this hook in action:

  • HABITS to Break the Poverty Cycle In Your Family
  • HABITS to Break the Constant Arguing With Your Wife

Flop of the Week

KL hotel thumbnail

Title: $60 DIGITAL NOMAD hotel in Kuala Lumpur😁🙌🏼

Hook score: -86

Why this flopped: A $60 hotel is pretty unremarkable.

Even if a $60 hotel is the “best hotel in KL” (like the thumbnail says) or expensive for KL, $60 is too average to grab most people’s attention.

If it was a $5 hotel or $1,000 hotel, those prices would probably do a better job at getting the audience’s attention.

Plus, these creators broke the “Show, Don’t Tell” rule in the thumbnail.

They’re telling me in the thumbnail that it’s the best hotel in KL, but they certainly aren’t showing me (what am I even looking at?).

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 with 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.

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