5 Warning Signs Your YouTube Channel’s Titles Suck

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 use a title generator that uses all the titles ever featured in Creator Hooks, check out Creator Hooks Pro.

Upgrade Time

iphone leaks thumbnail

Title: iPhone 16 Pro Leaks – 10 Reasons to Upgrade THIS year!

Framework: (New Product) Leaks – 10 Reasons to Upgrade THIS year!

Hook score: +343

Why this works:

Curiosity – Everybody loves product leaks because you feel like you’re getting in on a secret.

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

Timeliness – This is about a product that’s about to be released soon and “THIS year” lets you know this video is relevant right now.

Desire – This creator’s audience loves new iPhones and product leaks, and they’re looking forward to upgrading.

How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about an upcoming product’s leaks and why they should upgrade this year.

Examples of this framework in action:

  • Sony A7 V Leaks – 10 Reasons to Upgrade THIS year!
  • xxxxx hbb Leaks – 10 Reasons to Upgrade THIS year!

👆this suggestion was from my 1 y/o daughter. So proud of her already contributing to the family business.

Here’s another suggestion for you: “2025 Tesla Model Y Leaks – 10 Reasons to Upgrade THIS year!”

New Baby, New Challenges

newborn thumbnail

Title: 24 HOURS WITH A NEWBORN | Our Daily Routine (As First Time Parents)

Framework: 24 HOURS WITH A [New Entity] | Our Daily Routine (As First [Profession])

Hook score: +437

Why this works:

Time Frame – The time frame of “24 Hours” makes this video more tangible and, therefore, more interesting.

Daily – Daily things, like “Daily Routine” are also very tangible and interesting.

Beginners – This is all about new babies and new parents. New parents typically struggle more than experienced parents, so new parents will gravitate more toward this because they feel like it’s made for them. Plus, since they’re struggling, they’re more likely to watch a video about it. (This goes for most things — not just parenting.)

How you can use this framework: Show your audience 24 hours with something new and show your daily routine.

Examples of this framework in action:

  • 24 HOURS In Our NEW RV | Our Daily Routine (As First Time Boondockers)
  • 24 HOURS WITH An iPhone 16 | My Favorite Everyday Apps & Features

A Simple Way To Get More Views

I A/B tested 103 YouTube Titles and put all the results into an ebook.

You’ll see:

  • The original title
  • The test titles
  • The before and after CTR
  • And why the results turned out the way they did

Here’s a sample page:

a/b test ebook sample page

If you want to see all 103 test results and breakdowns so you can increase your CTR and grow your channel, get the ebook here.​

New Kid On The Block

etsy competitor thumbnail

Title: Etsy FINALLY has a Competitor

Framework: (Polarizing Entity) FINALLY has a Competitor

Hook score: +714

Why this works:

Curiosity – This opens a loop and makes you want to know who Etsy’s competitor is.

Negativity – There’s a hint of drama in the title and a lot of drama in the thumbnail.

Desire – Not everybody loves Etsy, so this title excites those people who want an Etsy alternative.

News – “FINALLY” makes this feel like this video is breaking news.

How you can use this framework: Tell your audience how something they don’t love, but have to deal with, finally has a competitor.

Examples of this framework in action:

  • Adobe FINALLY has a Competitor
  • Airbnb FINALLY has a Competitor

Something Needs To Change

more nutrients thumbnail

Title: 5 Warning Signs Your Body Needs More Nutrients… | Dr Mindy Pelz

Framework: 5 Warning Signs (Something Needs to Improve)…

Hook score: +749

Why this works:

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

Negativity – Warning signs make for great video ideas because we’re wired to listen to warnings.

I also love this thumbnail because it’s clear, relatable, and builds curiosity because it makes you want to know what’s going on with the circled part of the nail.

How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about 5 warning signs something needs to improve.

Examples of this framework in action:

  • 5 Warning Signs Your Garden Needs More Nutrients…
  • 5 Warning Signs Your Lawyer Isn’t Right For You…

Objection Obliterator

no interview jobs thumbnail

Title: Top 11 No Interview Remote Jobs for Introverts

Framework: Top 11 No (Hard Thing) (Desirable Things) for (Specific Audience)

Hook score: +3699

Why this works:

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

Refute Objection – Many introverts don’t like interviews, so “No Interview” gets rid of that objection.

Specific Audience – By calling out introverts in the title it makes them feel like this video was made specifically for them, which makes them more likely to click.

Desire – All of the points above, as well as this being about remote jobs, increase the audience’s desire for these jobs and this video.

How you can use this framework: Tell your audience about the top things for a specific audience, but make it clear that to get those things they don’t have to do something they’d typically have to do, but don’t like.

Examples of this framework in action:

  • Top 11 No Processed Foods Meal Plans for Busy Moms
  • Top 11 No BS Affirmations for Entrepreneurs

Flop of the Week

etsy tip thumbnail

Title: What’s ONE Etsy tip that changed your life?

Hook score: -87

Why this flopped: This video probably flopped for a simple reason: it’s a question, not a confident statement.

This creator’s audience wants her to tell them how to succeed on Etsy. They want to know that she has the answers to all of their problems, not throw questions back at them.

This video probably would’ve done much better if it was, “This ONE Etsy Tip Changed My Life.”

To avoid this mistake yourself, make bold statements in your titles and help your audience know you can solve their problems.

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 see all of the videos from Creator Hooks in one place, check out Creator Hooks Pro.

Read last week’s edition »