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Oct 27, 2023
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5
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How Did Mr. Beast Start? An Inspiring Guide for Creators

Decoding MrBeast's YouTube Success: The Journey, Strategies, and Lessons for Aspiring Creators
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Mr. Beast’s net worth is estimated at $500 million. Mr. Beast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, is a YouTube phenomenon with over 204 million subscribers. He is known for his outrageous stunts, philanthropic efforts, and unique content style that have gained him immense success and recognition. 

In this article, we will explore Mr. Beast's inspiring journey as a Youtube creator, look at his early beginnings, the strategies that propelled his channel to success, and what we can learn from his career trajectory.

Who is MrBeast?

Jimmy Donaldson created his online persona as MrBeast in 2012 when he launched his YouTube channel. MrBeast initially struggled to create a following, posting uninspired gaming videos with haphazard thumbnails and titles. However, MrBeast soon pivoted his channel, focusing on topics like estimating YouTubers' earnings from Adsense, which introduced his first viral format.

After gaining a modest following from his "Counting to 100,000" video, MrBeast's channel exploded with the #TeamTrees campaign. The campaign's goal was to raise $20 million to plant 20 million trees by 2020, and ended with MrBeast gaining over $22 million in donations and planting over 23 million trees within a year. This successful campaign solidified MrBeast's philanthropic efforts and popularity across his massive audience. He is also known for videos where he can be seen giving away large sums of money, helping 1,000 blind people see for the first time, and putting on elaborate stunts like a real life Squid Game.

Apart from his philanthropic ventures, MrBeast has expanded his brand by venturing into entrepreneurship. He has launched a merch store called Shop MrBeast, an online delivery-only restaurant called MrBeast Burger, and even co-founded a better-for-you snacking brand called Finger Lime. MrBeast can be considered one of the most influential creators globally, with a worldwide audience, the most-watched YouTube channel in 2021, and the 2023 Streamy Creator of the Year. In November of 2022, MrBeast also became the most subscribed to individual YouTuber, surpassing the Youtuber/Twitch streamer Pewdiepie who had held the title for almost a decade.

How Did MrBeast Start His Career?

MrBeast's YouTube career began humbly, uploading low-quality content with no specific focus. Early videos were mostly related to gaming, and he never paid much attention to his thumbnails or video titles. MrBeast would soon realize that consistency, experimentation, and audience targeting were crucial elements when creating a successful YouTube channel.

He started uploading videos about different YouTubers, expecting bigger views and more engagement. However, he realized that creating a community around his content was essential for a successful YouTube channel. He began targeting a younger audience's interests, and this change in direction proved beneficial with his views gradually increasing. MrBeast's channel truly gained attention with a viral video he posted in 2017 where he counted to 100,000. The video's concept was completely novel which helped propel MrBeast's channel to new heights.

How Did Mr. Beast Grow His Channel? 5 Best Practices

  1. Staying Consistent: Consistency is crucial for content creators. MrBeast ensures he is releasing videos regularly, making his channel a “must-watch” for his audience. This keeps him in the forefront of their minds and has helped raise awareness of the channel, boosting views and subscriber numbers.
  2. Engaging with the Audience: MrBeast's unique content style invites his audience to participate, such as with the #TeamTrees campaign. He keeps his audience engaged by asking questions and inviting them to participate in challenges. This strategy fosters a sense of community and keeps the audience returning for more content.
  3. Collaboration with Other Creators: Collaborating with other creators and partnering with brands can increase a creator's reach and attract new audiences to their channels. His #TeamTrees and #TeamSeas campaigns, for example, were a collaboration with fellow Youtuber Mark Rober. MrBeast's collaborations bring new viewers to his channel, enhance the authenticity of his content, and keep his audience entertained.
  4. Taking Risks: MrBeast's content is both unconventional and exciting. His willingness to take risks by featuring outrageous stunts and grand acts of philanthropy boost views on his channel. It makes his audience feel involved in his challenges and also shows his willingness to take risks that could have negative personal outcomes, indicating his trust and commitment to his audience.
  5. Following Trends: MrBeast's content focuses on current events and trends, ensuring that his audience is kept up-to-date. By responding to trending topics and events, he demonstrates that he is aware of what is happening online, keeping his channel relevant and more entertaining. He also makes sure to stick to what the algorithm loves. He's used this skill after realizing how powerful it was once he had his first viral video.

Join Fourthwall to Boost Your Career!

MrBeast's success story is an excellent example of how a content creator can go from uploading random videos to achieving massive success, and a vital sign that by using the right techniques and platforms, content creators can achieve their goals and scale their business.

Fourthwall is an all-in-one solution for creators looking to launch their own websites, source and sell products, and offer memberships to supporters. By joining Fourthwall and using these simple strategies, content creators can elevate their brand, expand their reach, and create a lasting impact on their audience.

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