MrBeast: Future of YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram | Lex Fridman Podcast #351 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Mr Beast discusses the importance of making great videos, the future of YouTube, the psychology behind viral content, and his hiring and brainstorming processes.

Key Insights

• 🤩 Quality and evergreen content are key to achieving viral success on YouTube.
• 💁 Planning and recording content for future release can provide a form of digital immortality.
• ❓ Twitter polls can reveal unexpected insights into human nature and our fascination with extreme scenarios.
• 🫵 The more extreme an opinion or perspective in a video, the more likely it is to attract views.
• ❓ Titles and thumbnails should be attention-grabbing, clear, and represent the content accurately.

Transcript

I'm here with Mr Beast the brilliant Mastermind behind some of the most popular videos ever created do you think you'll ever make a video that gets 1 billion views I think maybe one of the videos we've already made might get a billion views which one do you think probably like the the squid game video with enough time I mean it's only a year old an... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Mr Beast's strategy for reaching one billion subscribers on YouTube?

Mr Beast believes in focusing on creating great videos rather than chasing arbitrary metrics. He predicts that with enough time and consistent high-quality content, he will eventually reach one billion subscribers.

Q: How does Mr Beast ensure the quality of his videos and avoid burnout?

He believes in making one great video rather than a bunch of mediocre ones, as YouTube's algorithm favors evergreen content. He also emphasizes the importance of constantly trying to improve and innovate in order to keep viewers engaged and interested.

Q: What insights did Mr Beast gain from his Twitter poll about the willingness to cause a random person's death for $10,000?

The surprising responses to the poll revealed darker aspects of human nature, such as the attraction to witnessing the suffering of others. Mr Beast compares this to historical examples of public executions and believes it exposes a truth about human fascination with extreme drama.

Q: Has Mr Beast planned and recorded videos to be released after his death?

Yes, he has recorded videos in the past for future release and has contemplated the idea of recording a series of videos in case he only had a few months to live. He believes it would be a form of immortality and a way to continue entertaining his audience even after his death.

Q: What is Mr Beast's strategy for reaching one billion subscribers on YouTube?

Mr Beast believes in focusing on creating great videos rather than chasing arbitrary metrics. He predicts that with enough time and consistent high-quality content, he will eventually reach one billion subscribers.

More Insights

• Quality and evergreen content are key to achieving viral success on YouTube.

• Planning and recording content for future release can provide a form of digital immortality.

• Twitter polls can reveal unexpected insights into human nature and our fascination with extreme scenarios.

• The more extreme an opinion or perspective in a video, the more likely it is to attract views.

• Titles and thumbnails should be attention-grabbing, clear, and represent the content accurately.

• Mr Beast's hiring process focuses on finding individuals who are coachable and share his passion for creating great content.

Summary

This video features an interview with Mr Beast, a popular YouTube creator known for his viral videos and massive viewership. The conversation covers a variety of topics, including Mr Beast's thoughts on reaching one billion views, growing his subscriber base, dark questions posed to his audience, the future of YouTube and Twitter, and his hiring strategies. Mr Beast emphasizes the importance of creating high-quality, engaging content, integrating brand deals effectively, and staying true to the authenticity and innovation that YouTube offers.

Questions & Answers

Q: Will any of Mr Beast's videos reach one billion views?

Maybe one of the videos he has already made, such as the squid game video, has the potential to reach one billion views. With YouTube's longevity and popularity, certain videos could continue to grow in views over time.

Q: Why does Mr Beast think it's easier to get 10 million views on one video than a hundred thousand on a hundred videos?

Mr Beast believes it's easier to create one exceptional video that stands out and receives consistent views over time, rather than producing multiple mediocre videos. Exceptional videos that capture viewers' attention and continue to be recommended by YouTube algorithms can sustain viewership for years.

Q: Has Mr Beast considered reaching one billion subscribers?

While Mr Beast has surpassed PewDiePie as the most subscribed YouTube channel, he believes that focusing on creating great videos is more important than striving for arbitrary subscriber counts. However, he is confident that with enough time, his channel will eventually reach one billion subscribers.

Q: What did Mr Beast learn about human nature from the Twitter poll on taking $10k at the cost of a random person's life?

The Twitter poll seemed to indicate that many people were willing to take the money despite the consequences. Some respondents believed they were trolling, but others expressed serious willingness to commit murder for the sake of money. This reveals a darker aspect of human nature, reflecting our attraction to drama and extreme experiences, which can be seen in historical examples throughout time.

Q: Does Mr Beast think that extreme content, such as the squid game, would receive even more views if it were real?

Mr Beast speculates that if extreme content like the squid game were authentic and not taken down by YouTube, it would likely receive billions of views due to people's fascination with the suffering of others. He references the historical attraction to public executions and extreme dramas as evidence of this human inclination.

Q: How does Mr Beast think he will die?

Mr Beast jokingly suggests that he might die doing something foolish, like attempting to go to space or Mars when he is older. However, he clarifies that his videos prioritize safety, and he does not engage in risky activities for the sake of content. He believes that even if he were to die, his videos would continue to be released as he has scheduled them in advance.

Q: Does Mr Beast take risks when shooting videos, such as going to Antarctica?

While Mr Beast does engage in adventurous content, he emphasizes that extensive planning and consultation with experts ensure safety. For example, when going to Antarctica, they consulted experts to assess potential risks, including crevasses, and took measures to ensure their safety.

Q: Does Mr Beast record videos to be released after his death?

Mr Beast filmed videos when he had 8,000 subscribers and scheduled them to be released in the future. He has already released videos that predicted his subscriber count milestones. He mentions that if he were to know that he had a limited time to live, he would vlog daily and schedule videos to be automatically released over the following years, providing an illusion of ongoing presence and content creation.

Q: What are Mr Beast's thoughts on the future of Twitter?

Mr Beast expresses excitement about the future of Twitter since Elon Musk acquired it. He believes that Elon's willingness to move quickly and experiment could lead to interesting developments for the platform. He reflects on the potential for new features and improvements that could enhance the user experience.

Q: How does Mr Beast compare Twitter to YouTube in terms of their future paths?

Mr Beast anticipates that YouTube will continue to grow steadily since it is a well-established platform owned by Google. He believes that not much will change, but growth will continue. On the other hand, he sees more uncertainty regarding Twitter's future and states that it is harder to predict due to various external factors such as economic states.

Q: Why does Mr Beast think Twitter is unlikely to pay creators more than YouTube?

Mr Beast believes that Twitter's inability to pay creators higher rates than YouTube is due to YouTube's well-established and efficient advertising system through Google AdWords. The high potential earnings for YouTubers during Q4, for example, prove that YouTube's advertising model is highly effective. He suggests that it is unlikely for Twitter to match or surpass these rates in the near future.

Q: What strategies does Mr Beast employ to ensure high viewer retention for his videos?

Mr Beast discusses the importance of both macro and micro aspects in creating engaging content. The overarching narrative of a video needs to captivate viewers, and each second of the video should be entertaining to keep them immersed. He mentions that the longer viewers watch, the more likely they are to continue watching, so it is crucial to create immersive content that holds their attention.

Q: How does Mr Beast transfer his refined taste for content creation to his team?

Mr Beast emphasizes the need for coachable individuals who see the value in content creation and share his vision. He prefers to hire people who are hardworking, obsessed with success, and open to learning his specific way of creating content. He finds it easier to train individuals who lack YouTube experience rather than hiring from traditional media, as traditional creators often have preconceived notions that are not aligned with his approach.

Q: How does Mr Beast hire a great team?

Mr Beast looks for individuals who are coachable, hardworking, and passionate about YouTube. He believes that finding people who align with his values and vision is crucial. He emphasizes the importance of hiring individuals who are willing to learn and adapt to the unique demands of content creation on YouTube.

Takeaways

Mr Beast's success on YouTube stems from his focus on creating exceptional content and building a dedicated team. He values authenticity, innovation, and captivation when creating viral videos. Mr Beast believes in training individuals to become skilled content creators rather than hiring from traditional media. His refined taste and attention to detail contribute to his ability to create engaging videos that retain viewers' attention. Ultimately, his vision is to continue producing great videos on YouTube while exploring the possibilities of social media platforms like Twitter under Elon Musk's leadership.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mr Beast believes it is easier to reach 10 million views on one video than 100,000 views on 100 videos due to YouTube's algorithm favoring high-quality, evergreen content.

• He predicts that YouTube will continue to grow and believes he will eventually reach one billion subscribers, focusing on creating great videos rather than arbitrary metrics.

• Mr Beast conducted a Twitter poll asking if people would take $10,000 and cause a random person's death, which received surprising responses and revealed insights into human nature.

• He discusses his fascination with planning and recording videos that would be released after his death, contemplating the concept of digital immortality.