Everyone steals ideas.
That shot you saw in the movie, that idea you heard somewhere, that product that solves a problem, even this newsletter.
Most creators draw inspiration from which they create something new.
There is no shame in that.
So, here are some Viral YouTube titles, thumbnails, and Instagram reels from which you can take inspiration.
No one knows(1/3)
Title framework: This is the [superlative entity]… and no one knows [fact/mystery]
Why this works:
- curiosity — if he is the strongest man and nobody knows him that can spark curiosity. Viewers may be intrigued to know why and who this man is.
- extreme — use of superlatives (“strongest,” “fastest,” “richest”, etc) can make the content extreme and unique. Making it stand out
Examples of titles:
- This is the Best Startup of 2024… and No One Knows About It
- This is the Most Beautiful Place on Earth… and No One Goes There
- These are the best YouTube hacks… and no one knows this
- This is the best smartphone of 2024… and no one talks about it
Minimalism (2/3)
Title framework: A [desirable result] You Can (Probably) [achieve]
Why this works:
- desire — people desire a cozy personal space, it is tied to comfort and productivity.
- curiosity — us of “Probably Afford“ sparks curiosity. People want to see if the setup is truly within their budget.
- timelessness — minimalism and productivity are current trends on social platforms. So, this video might get views for a long time.
Examples of titles:
- A Productive Morning Routine You Can (Probably) Stick To
- A Home Gym Setup You Can (Probably) Afford
- A Side Hustle You Can (Probably) Start This Weekend
- A Stylish Wardrobe You Can (Probably) Build on a Budget
Educate and entertain at the same time?
Here is an analysis of a YouTube short that caught my attention a few days ago. When I wrote this letter, the video had over 28 million views. Today, we are going to see why it went viral.
Do me a favor, watch the above video and come back to read further (please don’t get lost in scrolling. I share some important tips below).
Hook Used: If a police officer is at your door, here is what you should do (combined with a strong visual hook of the police standing outside your door)
Hook Framework: If [situation/problem] Happens, Here’s What You Should Do
How to use it?
Here are some variations of the hook framework that may work. Find similar ideas in your niche.
- If You Miss a Payment on Your Credit Card, Here’s What You Should Do
- If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic, Here’s What You Should Do
- If You Get Lost While Traveling, Here’s What You Should Do
- If A Girl Looks At You In Public, Here’s What You Should Do
Why does this work?
- Problem-Solution Framework:
The video’s hook is a problem-solution framework in which the creator introduces a common problem people face in his niche and gives the solution in the video.
The more common/difficult/interesting the problem is, the more likely the video is to go viral.
But in this video, the problem in question (“Police at the door“) is not that common, but the creator made it interesting with storytelling
- Storytelling
He doesn’t just read his script, he introduces characters and dialogues between them as the story unfolds. This entertains the viewers even though the video is for educational purposes.
Because the video is entertaining, people who don’t face this problem may also watch this video because it is now interesting.
Some may also watch it to know what to do in that situation, just in case.
But, the most important part of a good story is building tension which most people don’t do.
- Tension
A good story must build tension, introduce a conflict, and resolve it.
A great story can have multiple conflicts throughout the plot.
Now how to do this in an educational video?
Simple.
Think of questions your audience might ask, then introduce these questions as problems in your video.
Solving one will lead to another problem and then another.
And by the time the video ends, you will have a satisfied viewer who is more likely to like or subscribe to your page without you asking for it.
- Production value
I feel like there is a lot of effort made in producing the video.
There are camera movements, multiple shots, fast-paced editing, sound effects, and graphics to emphasize details, characters, and more.
The production value is a lot high that it feels l like a mini-movie, 🙂
You obviously don’t need to go this far when you are starting out. But you can implement things like shot variations (by changing the angle of your shots), zoom in and out based on the tone and emotions of the video, and adding sound effects and relevant graphics.
That would be a great starting point.
Cheat codes (3/3)
Title framework: Cheat Codes for [Desired Result] That [Group] Don’t Use (But Should!!)
Why this works:
- desire — people desire success and look for shortcuts to achieve it. The use of “cheat codes“ indicates such a shortcut for achieving their desired result.
- specific audience — The title directly calls out a group of people (“Muslims“), calling out your audience/niche in your videos is one of the best ways to get their attention.
Examples of titles:
- Cheat Codes for Growth That Small Businesses Don’t Use (But Should!!)
- Cheat Codes for Viral Content That YouTubers Don’t Use (But Should!!)
- Cheat Codes for Networking That Introverts Don’t Use (But Should!!)
That is it for this week, if you found this helpful, here is the previous letter.
Or check out all my letters from here. See you next Monday, God willing.
– Sayar