The "Cheat Code" Audit: How I Turned a Bland Money Video Into a Magnet
I recently spotted Brian Moran's video and couldn't help but notice a massive opportunity. His content is solid gold (he's actually built real companies, unlike most "gurus"), but his packaging was burying his expertise.
So I went into the lab and did a full audit. Here's what I found...
The Original Package: Why It Was Failing
Title: "5 Simple Steps to $1,000,000 Per Year (How I Did It)"
Zero tension: "How I did it" is a flat, overused phrase that kills curiosity
Generic structure: "5 simple steps" could apply to fitness, SaaS, or anything else
No emotional trigger: Nothing urgent, forbidden or unexpected to drive clicks
Thumbnail: Puzzle Graphics, "$0 → $1 Million", #1–#5 Pieces
Visually noisy: Attention scattered across five puzzle pieces with no focal point
No tension: "$0 to $1M" gives away the payoff before anyone clicks
It looked like 10,000 other "make money online" thumbnails – easy to scroll past and ignore.
My Strategy
New Title: "The 'Cheat Code' 5 Steps to $1M/Year (They Hope You Never Find)"
Introduces danger: "They hope you never find" creates friction and forbidden knowledge
"Cheat Code" adds edge: Not just a method – it's a shortcut that triggers curiosity
Targeted payoff: $1M/year is still there, but wrapped in something exclusive
New Thumbnail: Clean Path, "5-Step Formula", Story-Led Design
Visual clarity: Steps mapped in a linear path that guides the eye naturally
Consistent identity: Creator looks composed and credible in a focused spotlight
Strategic story: Terms like "Repeat Profits," "Pitch Right," and "Easy Buy" hint at tactical depth
The new design guides viewers into the video instead of trying to impress them with noise. This thumbnail format has been consistently performing well in recent weeks.
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