James Donaldson (a.k.a Jimmy a.k.a MRBEAST)
How to succeed in MRBEAST Production
Jimmy. 2024. (View Paper → )
Hi, I'm Jimmy (MrBeast) and as the team is growing larger, I no longer get to spend as much time with everyone as I used to. The first dozen employees had unfiltered and unlimited access to me to learn as much as they could about my vision and what I wanted. Sadly, you don't have that luxury.
So, I thought it would be useful to try to braindump as much as I can into this silly little book to give new people to help bring them up to speed on everything we've learned over the past decade with this channel. We've been through a lot and chances are most of the problems you face we've dealt with.
So I genuinely believe if you attently read and understand the knowledge here you will be much better set up for success. So, if you read this book and pass a quiz I'll give you $1,000.
Sorry in advance for all the run on sentences and grammar issues, I'm a youtuber not an author haha.
Part of the promise of consultants is that they're able to help industries and cross-pollinate great ideas. So what can Product Managers learn from MrBeast?
Relentless Focus on Audience: MrBeast emphasizes making the best YouTube videos possible, not necessarily the highest production quality. Product managers should prioritize user needs and experience over purely technical features.
Data-Driven Decisions: Key metrics like Click-Through Rate (CTR) and Average View Duration (AVD) drive decisions at MrBeast Productions. Product managers should leverage data to continuously improve products and features.
Speed and Flexibility: MrBeast stresses nimbleness and adaptability, especially in a fast-changing digital environment. Product managers should be prepared to pivot quickly based on market trends and customer feedback.
Team Accountability: Ownership and daily check-ins on tasks are essential at MrBeast. Product managers should encourage accountability and communication within teams to prevent bottlenecks and ensure project success.
Creativity Over Budget: Creativity is often used to solve problems cost-effectively. Product managers should not always throw money at challenges but instead foster creative solutions.
User-Centered Problem Solving: MrBeast tailors content to engage and excite viewers. Product managers should adopt a user-centered approach, focusing on features that resonate most with their users.
Iteration and Experimentation: MrBeast's success comes from testing and refining small details, like lighting or re-engagement points in a video. Product managers should iterate and A/B test product features to improve outcomes.
Cross-Departmental Understanding: Everyone at MrBeast Productions is encouraged to understand all aspects of the company. Product managers should have a broad understanding of all departments (engineering, design, marketing) to make well-informed decisions.
Wow Factor: MrBeast’s videos stand out by delivering unique, unexpected experiences. Similarly, product managers should aim to create a “wow factor” in products that differentiate them from the competition and captivate users.