Introduction:

If you knew what MrBeast knows, hitting 10 million subscribers in six months wouldn't seem like an impossible feat. From explosive challenges to viral giveaways, he has cracked the code for engaging audiences on YouTube. In this blog, we'll break down the key strategies MrBeast uses to dominate YouTube and how you can replicate his success, all while carving out your own unique style.

1. Start Now—Don't Wait for Perfection

The first and most important piece of advice from MrBeast is simple: start now. Many aspiring creators suffer from “analysis paralysis,” spending too much time planning their first video. MrBeast suggests uploading as soon as possible, as your first videos are likely to perform poorly anyway.

"Your first 10 videos are not going to get views. So stop overthinking, start uploading, and improve with each video."

2. Make 100 Videos—Learn Along the Way

MrBeast emphasizes the need for quantity when starting. His recommendation is to make 100 videos, with the goal of improving something each time—whether it’s scripting, editing, or even thumbnails.

"Improve one thing every time you upload. By the time you make your 101st video, you'll be ready for success."

3. Your Videos Aren’t Good—Yet

One harsh truth from MrBeast: in the beginning, your videos are probably terrible. And that’s okay. Early in his career, he also thought his videos were great, but over time, he realized they needed improvement. This mindset is crucial for long-term growth.

"Your videos suck, and the sooner you realize that, the faster you’ll improve."

4. Focus on Thumbnails and Titles First

For MrBeast, creating an engaging thumbnail and title is the foundation of any successful video. Before filming, he brainstorms the title and thumbnail concepts, ensuring they are both clickable and relevant.

"If people don't click, they won't watch. Thumbnails and titles are 50% of your video's success."

5. Optimize the First 5 Seconds

With YouTube autoplay, the first five seconds of your video are more critical than ever. Your intro should directly tie into the promise of your title and thumbnail to immediately hook viewers and set their expectations.

"The first five seconds are now more important than ever. Grab attention right away to reduce drop-off."

6. Keep Titles Short but Intriguing

Your title should be under 50 characters to avoid it being cut off on certain devices. But beyond just length, it needs to intrigue viewers enough that they feel compelled to click.

"A good title isn’t just short—it’s so interesting that people feel like they have to click on it."

7. Use Extreme Opinions for Better Click-Through Rates

When MrBeast uses titles that take extreme positions, such as "This is the Worst Water I've Ever Tasted," he sees higher click-through rates. However, delivering on that extreme title within the video is crucial.

"The more extreme your opinion in the title, the higher the click-through rate—but you must deliver."

8. Match and Exceed Expectations

One of the biggest mistakes YouTubers make is setting up expectations in the title or thumbnail and failing to meet them within the first few seconds. To avoid this, ensure that the opening seconds of your video confirm the topic and then surprise viewers by exceeding their expectations.

"Assure viewers right away that they clicked on the right video, then blow their minds with even more."

9. The Algorithm is the Audience

Many creators complain about the YouTube algorithm, but MrBeast reveals that it's not the algorithm you need to please—it’s the audience. The algorithm reflects what people want to watch, so focus on keeping viewers engaged.

"Replace 'algorithm' with 'audience.' If people love your video, the algorithm will promote it."

10. Track Your Audience Retention

Retention is one of the most important metrics on YouTube. In the first 30 seconds, aim to keep as many viewers as possible by hooking them immediately. A small improvement in retention can lead to millions more views.

"If you lose fewer viewers at the start, you could double or triple your views for the entire video."

11. Leverage Auto-Play Features

With the rise of autoplay, many viewers might not even see your thumbnail. This is why MrBeast emphasizes making the first few seconds of your video visually compelling without relying on people clicking first.

"You have to convince people to watch and click at the same time now."

12. Master Storytelling

A great video isn’t just about production quality; it's about storytelling. Whether you’re doing a challenge, a giveaway, or a tutorial, your narrative should keep people hooked from start to finish.

"Your story is the core of your video. If the narrative isn't compelling, viewers will leave."

13. Constantly Innovate

To grow, you need to continually innovate. MrBeast didn’t get to where he is by making the same type of videos repeatedly. Experiment with new formats, try new challenges, and never get too comfortable with what works.

"There’s always something new to learn. Keep innovating to stay ahead."

14. Create Videos with Broad Appeal

MrBeast’s videos have a universal appeal because they target broad audiences. He knows how to create content that can entertain everyone, from a 13-year-old in the U.S. to a 40-year-old in India. Tailor your content for a wider audience if you want massive growth.

"Your video should appeal to anyone and everyone if you’re aiming for millions of views."

15. Collaborate Strategically

Collaborating with other YouTubers is an excellent way to gain exposure to new audiences. However, make sure the collaboration aligns with your content and adds value to the viewer.

"Strategic collaborations can expose your channel to new viewers, but always add value."

16. Don’t Just Copy—Develop Your Own Style

While MrBeast offers a blueprint for success, simply copying him won’t lead to long-term success. It’s important to develop your own unique style that differentiates you from other creators.

"Learn from successful YouTubers, but don’t be a carbon copy. Build your own brand."

17. Consistency is Key

Posting regularly is vital to retaining viewers and growing your channel. MrBeast recommends maintaining a consistent upload schedule so that viewers know when to expect new content.

"Consistency builds trust. If people know when you’ll upload, they’re more likely to return."

18. Learn to Adapt

YouTube is constantly evolving, and what works today might not work tomorrow. Keep an eye on changes in the platform and be willing to adapt your content strategy.

"Stay flexible. The only constant on YouTube is change."

19. Thumbnails are Visual Stories

Your thumbnail should not only be visually appealing but also tell a story. It should give viewers an idea of what to expect and make them curious about the content.

"A good thumbnail is a visual representation of your video. It should spark curiosity and promise value."

20. Keep Experimenting

You won't always know what works until you try it. MrBeast advocates experimenting with different types of content, editing styles, and storytelling techniques to see what resonates with your audience.

"There’s no single formula for success. Experiment with everything and figure out what works best for you."

21. Never Stop Improving

The journey to YouTube success is one of continuous learning and improvement. As MrBeast puts it, there’s no such thing as a perfect video—there’s always something to improve.

"There’s always room to grow. Every new video should be better than the last."

 

MrBeast’s advice is both practical and insightful, especially for aspiring creators. While achieving his level of success takes time, effort, and a willingness to learn from mistakes, his blueprint can serve as a guide to help you build your own empire on YouTube. Start by applying these 21 tips, and with consistent improvement, you could be well on your way to millions of subscribers.