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.
Listen up
Title: Man with 200 IQ Explains the Secrets of Reality
Framework: (Authority figure) Explains the Secrets of (Entity)
Hook score: +325
Why this works:
Authority & Credibility – This title feels more credible and believable because the information is coming from someone with a 200 IQ.
Curiosity – People love secrets like this.
How you can use this framework: Share with your audience what an authority figure said about the secrets of your niche.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Man with 4% Body Fat Explains the Secrets of Getting Shredded
- Woman With 1,000,000 Instagram Followers Explains the Secrets of Going Viral
The Cliffhanger
Title: Texas Judge Can’t Believe What Was Said In His Courtroom
Framework: (Person) Can’t Believe (Vague, open-ended action)
Hook score: +498
Why this works:
Curiosity – This opens a loop and makes you wonder what was said.
Negativity – Since this title says this video takes place in a courtroom, there’s some expected drama here.
How you can use this framework: Tell the story of how a person can’t believe what happened in their domain. Bonus points if it hints at some drama.
Examples of this framework in action:
- ER Doctor Can’t Believe What Happened To Her Patient
- Farmer Can’t Believe What She Saw In Her Vegetable Garden
- Write better YouTube titles
- Grow your channel
- Save time
Check out Creator Hooks Pro here.
Nobody knows…
Title: What Actually Is Blue Raspberry?
Framework: What Actually Is (Commonly known, but slightly mysterious entity)?
Hook score: +610
Why this works:
Curiosity – This builds curiosity by asking a question about something that everybody knows of, but nobody actually knows about.
How you can use this framework: Ask what something that everybody knows about, but doesn’t know well, actually is.
Examples of this framework in action:
- What Actually Is The Dark Web?
- What Actually Is Vegan Leather?
Health Hacks
Title: 8 Vaseline Hacks That Will Change Your Life | Dermatologist Tips
Framework: 8 (Specific tool) Hacks That Will Change Your Life
Hook score: +1387
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 is into hacks that can change their life.
Curiosity – Vaseline is a pretty common, basic item, so the fact that hacks with it can “change your life” builds curiosity because of the contrast and counterintuitiveness.
Broadly appealing – Almost everybody has Vaseline lying around the house somewhere, so this is relevant for a large potential audience.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about hacks using a common item that can change their life.
Examples of this framework in action:
- 8 Baking Soda Hacks That Will Change Your Life
- 5 Journaling Hacks That Will Change Your Life
The Future Is Now
Title: Top 20 New Technology Trends That Will Define the Future
Framework: Top 20 New (Niche) Trends That Will Define the Future
Hook score: +6572
Why this works:
List – Lists make videos feel more tangible (you know exactly what the video will be about) and they add some curiosity.
Curiosity – An easy way to build curiosity is to talk about the future.
Desire – This creator’s audience is into technology trends.
“New” – Everybody loves new things.
How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about the top new trends of your niche’s future.
Examples of this framework in action:
- Top 20 New Travel Trends That Will Define the Future
- Top 10 New Music Trends That Will Define the Future
Flop of the Week
Title: How A Domino’s Pizza Mascot Caused A Hostage Situation
Hook score: -78
Why this flopped: There are two main reasons I think this flopped:
The first is that it’s a complicated title. Specifically, “Domino’s Pizza Mascot” makes for a long and confusing subject. Compare this to the other video from this channel we featured earlier: “What Actually Is Blue Raspberry?”
The subject “Blue Raspberry” is much simpler and easier to understand.
Could they have just used, “Domino’s Mascot”? That might’ve been better.
But there’s a bigger reason I think this flopped: it’s about a hostage situation.
The audience watches this channel for food videos, not true crime videos. Even though this is technically about a food chain, the main story is still a crime story.
To avoid these mistakes:
- Make sure your titles are simple and easy to read.
- Know why your audience watches your videos and deliver on that premise in each video.
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.