M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I think one of the videos we've already made might get a billion views, probably the squid game video, which is only a year old and it's already at 300 million views.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

It's much easier to hypothetically get 10 million views on one video than a hundred thousand on a hundred videos because if you make a really good video, it's just so evergreen and it never dies.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

If you want to gain subscribers, views, or make money, it all comes back to making great videos instead of focusing on arbitrary vanity metrics.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I think we will hit a billion subscribers eventually. I don't have a plan on going anywhere, and I don't see any reason why I'd ever get burnt out or quit.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I posted a Twitter poll asking if someone would take $10,000 if it meant a random person on Earth dies, and 45% of people said yes, which was surprising to me.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The responses to my Twitter poll reveal something about human nature; many people are attracted to the darker aspects of our nature, even if they don't want to admit it.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I think if something like a YouTube or a different platform streamed public executions, a lot of people would say it's unethical but would still tune in to watch.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I could see myself doing something risky like going to Mars, but it wouldn't be for a video; I wouldn't risk my life for content.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

When we shoot videos, we consult with experts and pre-plan everything to minimize risks, ensuring safety is prioritized.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I filmed videos scheduled to be released in the future, including one where I predicted I would have a million subscribers in five years.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I fantasize about making a decade's worth of content and scheduling it to automatically go public after I die, creating a sense of digital immortality.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I think it's a good exercise to create a video to be released if I die; it helps clarify what you really care about.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I believe that in our lifetime, they will figure out a way to slow down aging, allowing us to live longer, possibly up to 200 years.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I think Twitter will always be closer to TikTok than YouTube, focusing on short and snappy content rather than long videos.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

YouTube is likely to keep growing because it's owned by Google, while Twitter's future is uncertain and could change rapidly.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

It's unlikely that Twitter will be able to pay creators more than YouTube because Google has been doing ads better for a long time.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Integrating brand deals into videos is crucial; if you can show how the money improves your content, viewers will support you instead of feeling sold out.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The quality of the ad read is more important than factors like timing and placement.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I often think about what percentage of viewers have seen my videos before, which influences my brand deal process.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I find it interesting that many people might not understand the specifics of my brand deal process, yet I still enjoy discussing it.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

When creating content, I focus on audience retention and constantly calculate how many viewers might tune out during a video.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

To maintain high audience retention, I believe every second of the video needs to be entertaining, while also having an overarching narrative.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The longer viewers watch a video, the more likely they are to continue watching, which means I can ease up on the intensity in the latter half of the video.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I aim to immerse viewers in the content and keep them engaged throughout the video.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I prefer hiring people who are coachable and understand the specific values I prioritize in content creation.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

It's easier to train hard-working individuals who are passionate about content creation than to hire from traditional media backgrounds, which often come with preconceived notions.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

To generate innovative content, I avoid placing constraints on my team, allowing for more creativity and fresh ideas.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I look for team members who are obsessed with their work and willing to learn, as this leads to better content creation.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I spend a lot of time training my team to think like me, which allows them to make decisions that align with my vision for content.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I believe that the best video ideas come from a constant stream of inspiration and creativity, leading to original and engaging content.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The title and thumbnail of a video are crucial; they need to be interesting enough to compel viewers to click and watch.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Extreme opinions in titles can lead to higher click-through rates, but they must be delivered effectively in the content.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Creating positive content that helps people is more challenging than producing negative content that garners views, and not many creators make videos that involve giving away money because they are challenging to produce.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The amount of money given away in videos doesn't significantly impact viewer engagement; for instance, giving away $100,000 feels substantial to most people, but the difference between $100,000 and $1 million isn't as impactful as one might think.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Our relationship with money is fascinating; finding a small amount of cash, like $20, can bring immense joy, which raises questions about why that is.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

After a certain point, the excitement of winning larger amounts of money, like over $100,000, diminishes for viewers, as they perceive it as just a big number.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

When I give away money, the impact on the recipient's life is significant; for example, a million dollars can drastically change someone's life compared to $100,000.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The returns on viewer engagement from giving away money level off dramatically after $100,000; this is a nuanced insight that applies to very few people.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The difference in viewer clicks between giving away $10,000 and $100,000 is noticeable, but the jump from $100,000 to $1 million is minimal.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

For a thumbnail to be effective, it should clearly convey the video's content and grab attention; for example, using recognizable elements like police cars can enhance viewer interest.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

In thumbnails, brand recognition is crucial; my face is prominently featured to ensure viewers can easily identify my content, especially as others start to mimic my style.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

To grow on YouTube, creators should focus on being unique rather than trying to replicate my success; finding your own lane is essential.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I believe in sharing knowledge with other creators; helping them succeed doesn't harm my brand but adds value to my life.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Transitioning from YouTube to TikTok involves understanding a fundamentally different algorithm and content style, focusing on short, engaging videos.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

We've started to innovate on TikTok by creating original concepts that differ from our YouTube content, ensuring we don't just repost our longer videos.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The current landscape allows for content to go viral across multiple platforms, which is a new phenomenon in social media history.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Content can now go viral on every platform without needing to tailor it specifically for each one, which was not possible a few years ago.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Virality can be engineered rather than being purely accidental; consistent success comes from understanding what works and applying that knowledge.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Creating viral content is a teachable skill; with the right knowledge, anyone can learn to produce videos that attract millions of views.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The idea generation process is crucial for success; creators need to focus on brainstorming and refining their concepts to produce compelling content.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Improving content quality is essential; creators should strive to enhance every aspect of their videos, from scripting to editing, to achieve better engagement.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

If starting over, I would advise new creators to produce a large volume of videos without overthinking, as the first few will likely not gain traction.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

It's important for creators to push through challenges and explore various ways to achieve their goals, rather than accepting limitations at face value.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Having a dominant personality and resilience is crucial for creators; they must be willing to challenge the notion that something is impossible and find solutions.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I trust my instincts about what my viewers want, as I know them better than anyone else.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I believe that the typical viewer of my content is likely a teenage boy who plays video games.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Even though 35 to 40% of my audience is women, that still represents a significant number of female viewers, making my content appealing across demographics.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

To create engaging educational content, we need to tailor our approach to each channel and audience, rather than relying on generic principles.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The key to successful video creation is to generate a lot of ideas and keep refining them based on what works best.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The hardest metrics to optimize for are likely surveys, as they reflect viewer satisfaction more accurately than click-through rates or average view duration.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Transparency is crucial in addressing issues like shadow banning and censorship on platforms like YouTube.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The hardest part of making a video in Antarctica was just getting there due to its remoteness and challenging conditions.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The process of creating a video involves building a team, setting up equipment, and iterating on ideas to enhance the final product.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

When a video doesn't perform well, I analyze the data unemotionally to identify issues and improve future content, as poor performance can lead to stress and depression over time.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

As we've matured and increased our budgets to multi-million dollars per video, failure has become less of an option, making me more selective about projects.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

In the past, I filmed a video on a deserted island but didn't like the edit, so I returned to re-film it after spending another 24 hours there.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The execution of ideas can fail, not the ideas themselves; poor conditions during filming can lead to miserable experiences.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I learned to avoid filming in extreme heat or on water, as those conditions can significantly affect my enjoyment and performance.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I used to feel immense stress before publishing a video, but I've learned to detach myself from that anxiety over time.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

As a content creator matures, they learn to accept the possibility of becoming irrelevant and focus on believing in their content.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Success can mean different things to different creators, from retiring a parent to simply quitting a job, so it's important to define your own success.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Chasing subscriber counts can be misleading; they don't always correlate with views or engagement, which are more important metrics.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Subscribers are often a vanity metric; the real value lies in consistent viewership and engagement with content.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

It's crucial to keep experimenting and trying new things while still growing, rather than waiting until you plateau to make changes.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Feastables was built from scratch over two and a half years, focusing on assembling the right team and ensuring quality before launch.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The biggest challenge with Feastables has been keeping products stocked in stores like Walmart due to high demand and supply chain issues.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

While physical products take time to distribute globally, I'm excited about moving into less physical products and focusing on software that everyone can actually use, especially if there's a social element to it, like gaming, allowing for rapid engagement.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I want to obsess over making a great product that my audience will love, and as long as I keep that as my North Star, I believe I'll do well.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

To be worth 100 billion dollars, I just need to keep creating videos that get 100 million views, as the video is the foundation of everything I do.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

If we can keep growing Feastables and expand internationally, one day we could be in 100,000 retail locations, which would be a huge success.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I don't see a world where my YouTube channels won't be relevant in the next couple of years; this is what I live for, and I want to keep expanding my businesses.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

The best thing for my mental health has been giving in to my innate nature to work; I feel happiest when I work without constraints.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Surrounding myself with people who encourage my passions is crucial; they help me stay motivated and keep going with my ideas.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Finding someone who makes you a better person is essential; I can't truly love someone who doesn't contribute positively to my life.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

Don't settle for less; find someone who truly makes you happy and better, as there are billions of people out there.

M

MrBeast

01/12/23

@ Lex Fridman

I hope my legacy is a net positive on the world, impacting billions of people in a meaningful way, similar to what Steve Jobs and Elon Musk have achieved.

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

Takeaways