How Mr. Beast Became Successful on YouTube

Summary

In this transcript from The Joe Rogan Experience, the guest shares their journey from a young YouTuber at age 11 to a successful content creator with millions of subscribers. They discuss the challenges of starting with no money or equipment, the evolution of YouTube's monetization, and the importance of reinvesting in their channel. The conversation highlights the power of obsession, learning from mistakes, and the impact of a supportive community. The guest also talks about their approach to wealth, living modestly, and their philanthropic efforts, emphasizing the value of focusing on passion and impact over material possessions.

Takeaways

• 🎮 A passion for YouTube began at a young age, with the creator starting at 11 and becoming obsessed with creating content.
• 🚀 Early success with a video on the game 'Battle Pirates' led to 20,000 views, sparking a lifelong commitment to content creation.
• 💻 Initial challenges included a lack of funds and equipment, but reinvesting earnings led to gradual improvements in video quality.
• 📈 The journey was not an overnight success; it involved a slow and steady climb to a large subscriber base.
• 🎓 High school and community college were not the ideal environments for the creator, leading to a focus on YouTube instead.
• 🌟 The turning point came after high school, with a decision to pursue YouTube full-time despite financial instability.
• 🤝 Forming a group with other dedicated YouTubers led to daily discussions and analyses, which significantly improved their content creation skills.
• 📊 Systematic study of successful videos, thumbnails, and viewer engagement helped refine their content strategy.
• 🌐 Expanding into other languages and markets by dubbing videos in local languages, with the help of voice actors and translators.
• 💼 Building a team and a non-profit channel, demonstrating a commitment to philanthropy alongside the pursuit of personal success.
• 🏡 A modest lifestyle choice, with a focus on investing in content and philanthropy over material possessions and luxury.

Q & A

What was the first video uploaded by the guest on The Joe Rogan Experience?

The guest's first video was a recording of a hacker destroying his base in a game called Battle Pirates, which unexpectedly got 20,000 views almost instantly.

How did the guest's early years on YouTube start?

The guest started on YouTube at the age of 11, initially not making any money. He saved up for months to buy a microphone and then a computer, always reinvesting in his content creation.

What was the turning point for the guest in terms of monetization on YouTube?

The turning point was after the guest graduated from high school, when he was only making a couple of hundred dollars a month. He then decided to go all-in on YouTube, working 15 hours a day on content creation.

How did the guest's mother react to his decision to focus on YouTube full-time?

Initially, the guest's mother was not supportive and did not understand the potential of YouTube as a career. However, after the guest started making significant income, she became more accepting and proud of his success.

What was the guest's approach to learning and improving his YouTube content?

The guest and a group of other small YouTubers would talk every day, studying what makes a good video, what goes viral, and analyzing various aspects of successful content. They called these daily sessions 'daily masterminds'.

How did the guest expand his YouTube presence to other languages?

The guest created dubbed versions of his videos in different languages, hiring voice actors and translators to make his content accessible to a wider audience. He even secured famous local celebrities to dub his voice in different markets.

What is the guest's perspective on wealth and material possessions?

The guest believes that chasing material possessions like cars and houses is not a fulfilling way to live. He prefers to live modestly and invest in his content and philanthropy.

How did the guest's experience with a break-in at his home affect his lifestyle?

After his home was broken into and everything was stolen, the guest realized that material possessions do not bring happiness. This experience also led him to upgrade his living situation for security reasons.

What was the guest's strategy to grow his YouTube channel?

The guest focused on creating content consistently, learning from his and others' mistakes, and constantly improving his skills in video editing and understanding what trends and content resonated with viewers.

How has the guest's life changed since the beginning of his YouTube journey?

From making a dollar a day to now having millions of subscribers and over 100 employees, the guest has grown his channel exponentially. He attributes this success to his hyper-obsession with YouTube and continuous learning.

What is the name of the non-profit channel the guest runs?

The non-profit channel is called Beast Philanthropy, where they do a lot of work to help people in need.