why your YouTube channel isn’t growing…

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.

Snoozin Susan

so tired thumbnail

Title: why you are so tired

Framework: Why You Are So (Big Problem)

Hook score: +520

Why this works:

Negativity – This is one of the simplest titles you’ll see featured in this newsletter, but it works because it addresses such a big, common problem. And the thumbnail works well with this title because it’s a warning and shows a common thing so many people do.

How you can use this framework: Tell your audience why they’re dealing with such a big, common problem, and show a big mistake they’re making in the thumbnail.

Examples of this framework in action:

  • Why You Are So Poor
  • Why You Are So Lonely

Canva Cash

canva clip art thumbnail

Title: I made $3,995/Week with Basic Canva Clip Art – Here’s How

Framework: I (Achieved Specific Goal) with (Simple Tool) – Here’s How

Hook score: +607

Why this works:

Desire – This creator’s audience would love to earn $3,995 a week. This title also uses the “a lot for a little” concept: earning $3,995/week is a lot, but “Basic Canva Clip Art” is a little.

Curiosity – This title builds curiosity two ways:

1) There’s contrast between $3,995 and “Basic Canva Clip Art” (the “a lot for a little” concept builds both desire and curiosity).

2) It opens a loop because “Here’s How” invites you in and makes you want to know how.

How you can use this framework: Tell your audience how you achieved a big, specific goal with a small or simple tool or effort.

Examples of this framework in action:

  • I Lost 20 Pounds By Only Walking – Here’s How
  • I Learned To Code In 8 Weeks By Playing Video Games — Here’s How

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Tax Time

tax return thumbnail

Title: URGENT: Do Not File Your Tax Return Yet (wait until Jan. 29th)

Framework: URGENT: Do Not [Activity With Upcoming Deadline] Yet (wait until [Specific Date])

Hook score: +625

Why this works:

Negativity – This title is a warning that works great to grab people’s attention and get them to click.

Curiosity – This opens a loop and makes you wonder why you should wait until Jan. 29th.

Timeliness – The timing of this video was perfect since it was published two weeks before the January 29th deadline and at a time when people start to think about filing taxes.

How you can use this framework: If your audience is about to do something too early, warn them and tell them they should wait until a specific time.

Examples of this framework in action:

  • URGENT: Do Not Buy Apple Vision Pro Yet (wait until March 19th)
  • URGENT: Do Not Quit Your Job Yet (wait for this to happen first)

First Class Fancy

first class thumbnail

Title: Flying First Class to Every Continent in 7 days

Framework: (Fancy Activity) Every (Entity) in (Short Time Frame)

Hook score: +702

Why this works:

Epic – This is a fancy, epic challenge.

Desire – This creator’s audience would love to fly first class to every continent.

Time Frame – “in 7 days” makes this video more tangible, challenging, and interesting.

How you can use this framework: Do an epic challenge in a short time frame.

Examples of this framework in action:

  • Eating at Every NYC Michelin-Starred Restaurant In 7 Days
  • We Drove Every Supercar In 7 Days

Thank You Next

apple glasses thumbnail

Title: Apple Glasses Release Date and Price – FORGET VISION PRO! Wait for APPLE GLASSES!!

Framework: (Upcoming Trending Product) – FORGET (Currently Trending Product)! Wait for (Upcoming Trending Product)!!

Hook score: +749

Why this works:

I don’t love “Apple Glasses Release Date and Price” in the beginning of this title — it feels like generic keyword stuffing to me. However, there are a few things I like:

Curiosity – “Forget Vision Pro” is counterintuitive because the Vision Pro is the coolest thing out right now, should you really forget about it?

Timeliness – This video is riding the wave of the Apple Vision Pro’s popular release.

Desire – This creator’s audience loves cool tech like the Vision Pro and Apple Glasses.

How you can use this framework: Tell your audience to forget the newest trend and wait for the next one that’ll be even better.

Examples of this framework in action:

  • Best Investment of 2024 – Forget the Stock Market! Invest In This Instead
  • Forget the 2025 Mustang – Wait for the 2026 Mustang Raptor

Flop of the Week

printify hacks thumbnail

Title: 15 Genius Printify Hacks In Under 10 Minutes

Hook score: -85

Why this flopped: I actually like this title, but two things could be better:

First, the thumbnail text just repeats the title.

This is wasting an opportunity to try another angle to get the viewer to click.

If it were me, I’d show one of the tips and tricks, or an outcome or benefit from one of them.

The second issue is that it seems like it might be too specific.

The video featured in this newsletter earlier was about Canva tips, but Canva is so much more popular than Printify.

Here’s a screenshot from Google Trends comparing the search volume of Canva vs. Printify:

canva vs. printify

This creator has had a few successful videos about Printify, but they all seem to be search-based videos published a few years ago, while this has more of a browse-friendly title.

If it were me, I’d either double down on search (something like, “How To Make Money With Printify In 2024”) or be more broad.

I’d do this by talking about making money in general, instead of talking specifically about one tool, like Printify (ex: “10 Genius Side Hustle Ideas In 10 Minutes”).

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.

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