I asked MatPat how to grow on YouTube (40M+ Subscribers)

Summary

In this insightful video, MattPat, the creator behind the Game Theory YouTube channel, shares his journey of growing a successful digital brand. From perfecting video strategies, such as thumbnails and CTAs, to overcoming the stigma of being a YouTube creator, he discusses his team's hard work and his drive to bridge the gap between digital creators and traditional media. MattPat reveals his passion for education, his goals to inspire learning, and his aspiration to host Jeopardy! He advocates for digital media's influence and the power of collaboration, aiming to reshape the creator landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 MatPat's *Game Theory* has evolved into a highly successful multi-channel network under Dearest Media, with *Food Theory* becoming particularly profitable.
• 😀 Despite being a decade-old channel, *Game Theory* continues to see growth, marking its best year yet in viewership, revenue, and subscribers.
• 😀 MatPat aspires to host *Jeopardy!* and launched a petition with over 350,000 signatures, driven by his love for game shows and the desire to inspire learning.
• 😀 MatPat sees a gap in the media world where digital creators face stigma and often struggle to be recognized by traditional media, despite their success and educational contributions.
• 😀 His ultimate goal is to shatter the wall between traditional celebrities and digital creators, advocating for a unified understanding of influence and celebrity in modern media.
• 😀 Despite huge success (e.g., raising $3 million for St. Jude), MatPat notes that digital creators still face hesitance from mainstream media figures and companies when it comes to collaboration.
• 😀 MatPat emphasizes that creating educational content is central to his platform, wanting to make learning fun and inspiring, much like *Jeopardy!* did for him growing up.
• 😀 MatPat believes in bridging the gap between digital platforms like YouTube and traditional television by modernizing formats while maintaining their intellectual integrity.
• 😀 He highlights the power of community, noting that the success of his charity livestreams reflects the potential of digital platforms to raise massive amounts of money for good causes.
• 😀 MatPat advises couples in business to ensure their partnership works both professionally and personally, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and shared goals for success.
• 😀 He advocates for more creative calls to action on YouTube, recommending engaging and entertaining ways to encourage viewers to interact, rather than overused, generic prompts.

Q & A

What was MatPat’s reaction to reaching the milestone of a decade-long YouTube channel?

MatPat was initially surprised and somewhat intimidated by the idea of having a decade-old channel, acknowledging that it’s rare for YouTube channels to last that long. Despite this, he emphasized that his channel’s success continues to grow, with its highest viewership, revenue, and subscriber numbers yet.

How did MatPat describe the success of his 'Food Theory' channel?

MatPat highlighted that 'Food Theory' became a highly profitable channel very quickly, contributing significantly to the overall success of his brand. He pointed out that they are doing well and are looking forward to further expansions and projects.

Why does MatPat believe he could be a good host for 'Jeopardy!'?

MatPat has a deep admiration for Alex Trebek and game shows in general. He believes his platform, which is education-focused, aligns with the spirit of 'Jeopardy!', and he sees it as a way to bring new audiences to the show while maintaining its core integrity.

What challenges does MatPat mention regarding his petition to become the host of 'Jeopardy!'?

MatPat notes that despite gathering 350,000 signatures for his petition, the media and traditional industry gatekeepers still hesitate to take him seriously, largely due to the stigma surrounding YouTube creators and their ability to transition into traditional media roles.

What does MatPat believe needs to change in how the media views digital creators?

MatPat argues that there is a persistent bias against YouTube creators, which makes it difficult for them to break into traditional media roles or get the recognition they deserve. He feels that this wall between traditional celebrities and digital influencers needs to be shattered to recognize creators as legitimate figures in entertainment.

What did MatPat say about YouTube’s audience and its impact on traditional television?

MatPat noted that television viewership is declining, and people are increasingly turning to platforms like YouTube and TikTok for entertainment. He believes that 'Jeopardy!' could benefit from adapting to these changes by incorporating a fresh, younger host to bring in new viewers.

How does MatPat view the role of his community in charity events?

MatPat expressed immense pride in his community, particularly for their role in raising $3 million for St. Jude in a charity livestream. He sees this as a testament to the power of digital communities in making a real-world impact, despite the media often overlooking these efforts.

What does MatPat mean by 'optimization of channels' and why is it important?

MatPat refers to optimizing channels by strategically refining content and engagement tactics to maximize reach and viewer engagement. This includes using calls to action that go beyond just asking for likes or subscriptions, and instead encouraging viewers to continue watching, which leads to higher watch time and stronger community engagement.

What does MatPat see as the biggest hurdle in the creator space moving forward?

MatPat views the lingering stigma against YouTube creators as the final major obstacle to overcome. If digital creators can break through this barrier and be recognized as legitimate celebrities or media figures, it could mark a significant shift in how creators are perceived both by the media and the public.

What did MatPat imply about the role of traditional celebrities in digital media?

MatPat suggested that while digital creators are often sidelined, traditional celebrities still hesitate to embrace the opportunities that come with digital media. He sees figures like Lily Singh and Addison Rae as early examples of this shift, but believes that more traditional celebrities need to take the leap into the digital space to bridge the gap.