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 save more time and see all of the titles and thumbnails from Creator Hooks in one place, check out Creator Hooks Pro.
Spooky Season
Title: Exploring the weird world of ‘Headless’ MacBooks
Framework: Exploring the weird world of ‘(Unexpected Attribute)’ (Objects)
Hook score: +327
Why this works:
Curiosity – This builds curiosity by using the word “weird” and by talking about something weird and unexpected: ‘Headless’ MacBooks.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about the weird world of something unexpected or strange in your niche.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Exploring the weird world of ‘Boss-Free’ Jobs
- Exploring the weird world of $100,000 JPEGS (NFTs)
Affordable Advice
Title: when living below your means seems *IMPOSSIBLE* (how to get by) | MONEY SAVING TIPS
Framework: When [Best Practice] seems *IMPOSSIBLE* (how to [Achieve Goal])
Hook score: +696
Why this works:
Negativity – This title is all about a deep, specific problem the audience is experiencing. Calling it out grabs the audience’s attention and gets them interested in this video.
How you can use this framework: Call out a deep, specific problem your audience has and show them how to get through it.
Examples of this framework in action:
- when getting your first 1,000 subscribers seems *IMPOSSIBLE* (how to grow your YouTube channel)
- when cooking juicy brisket seems *IMPOSSIBLE* (how to make perfect brisket)
Get Your Personal YouTube Coach
vidIQ just launched their AI Personal YouTube coach to help you grow your channel.
It can help you:
- Come up with video ideas
- Write better titles
- Write your video script
- Write your tags and description
- And more
If you wanna give it a try, you can get a 30-day trial for just $1 here:
(Affiliate link)
Who’s Better?
Title: How I see the US after living in Europe for 2 Years
Framework: How I see (Entity) after (Activity) for (Time Frame)
Hook score: +716
Why this works:
Curiosity – This title opens a loop because it makes you want to see the difference between the US and Europe.
Time Frame & Credibility – The time frame of “living in Europe for 2 Years” adds credibility because it’s not just a tourist’s opinion — he’s actually lived in Europe for a couple of years.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience your opinion on something after being in the game for a few years.
Examples of this framework in action:
- How I see the Plastic Surgery Industry after 5 Years as an Esthetician
- How I see Lamborghini after owning one for 2 Years
Visualization Station
Title: Once you visualize correctly, the shift happens IMMEDIATELY. (this is how.)
Framework: Once you [Activity] correctly, [End Goal] happens IMMEDIATELY. (this is how.)
Hook score: +825
Why this works:
Curiosity – This title builds curiosity by using two open loops: 1) It doesn’t tell you how to achieve this shift, so you have to click and watch. 2) It also promises that you’ll achieve an amazing, but open-ended goal, so your mind starts to wander and imagine your own “shift”.
(Using specific goals in titles also works very well, but this builds so much wonder, curiosity, and desire that the vagueness works well here. The buzzwords “visualize” and “the shift” also help.)
Desire – This creator’s audience wants to learn how to visualize and shift their lives, and they would love to do it immediately (people love speed).
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience that once they do something correctly, they’ll achieve a desirable goal.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Once you get the lighting correct, your photos change IMMEDIATELY. (this is how.)
- Once you get the right-sized golf clubs, your drive changes IMMEDIATELY. (this is how.)
Is It Too Late?
Title: The FIRST Sign of a Magnesium Deficiency Is… (Dr. Berg Explains)
Framework: The FIRST Sign of [Problem] Is… ([Authority Figure] Explains)
Hook score: +1453
Why this works:
Negativity – This leverages fear because the audience doesn’t want to be magnesium deficient.
Curiosity – This opens a loop because it doesn’t tell you what the first sign is.
Authority – Using this creator’s name (Dr. Berg) builds authority and trust becauses he’s a doctor.
Urgency – There’s ugrency here because if you can spot the first sign, then you’re in much better shape than if you have a dozen signs and it’s too late.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about the first sign of a problem.
Examples of this framework in action:
- The FIRST Sign of a Failing YouTube Channel Is… (MrBeast Explains)
- The FIRST Sign you’re dating a Narcissist is…
Flop of the Week
Title: The DOPAMINE Myth
Hook score: -80
Why this flopped: The title and thumbnail text are too vague and too similar.
There’s nothing tangible that makes you say, “Oh wait, really? I’ve gotta learn more!”
One option they could do is to use the thumbnail text, “The Dopamine Myth,” and then have the title be something like, “Dopamine Doesn’t Make You Happy”.
Then the thumbnail would support the title, but be different, and might work better because it’s more tangible and challenges your assumptions.
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.