Notes on Beluga's YouTube Success Story

Introduction

• Beluga, a YouTuber, reached 4 million subscribers in 3 months with around 50 videos.
• Known for random videos about Discord conversations.
• Initially gained about 800 subscribers a month.
• Sudden growth in June due to being widely recommended on YouTube.
• Videos consist of Discord conversations with no voice-over.
• Growth reasons hard to pinpoint; thumbnails are poorly cropped and blurry.

Beluga's Backstory

• Formerly gained subscribers through a channel on lucid dreaming.
• Changed channel name from "Survival Mode" to "Beluga".
• Promised to post some of the best videos on the internet.
• Confidence suggests prior experience with YouTube.

Factors Contributing to Growth

Step 1: Utilized Growth Catalyst

• YouTube algorithm rewards well-made videos.
• Initial difficulty in gaining the first 1,000 viewers.
• Beluga used cross-promotion from his previous channel.
• Mentioned and linked new channel in old videos and community posts.
• Traffic funneling via end screens helped gain initial viewers.

Step 2: Mastered Session Time and Engagement

• Watch time is crucial for growth.
• Beluga's videos are bingeable, creating long session times.
• Session time refers to the total duration of watching, not just one video.
• Used sound effects and fast-paced message appearances to keep viewers engaged.
• Tactics encourage viewers to rewind and pause, increasing average view duration.
• Videos follow a storytelling template: a relatable situation, characters clashing, and a punchline.

Step 3: Optimized Titles and Thumbnails

• Titles are relatable and concise, averaging 33 characters.
• Uses "when you" style for inclusivity.
• Incorporates random numbers for uniqueness in titles.
• Thumbnails mimic recognizable elements like Discord or iPhone screens.
• Thumbnails appear before an event, creating intrigue.
• Deliberately amateur-looking thumbnails stand out among polished ones.
• Combines title and thumbnail to create "statement plus intrigue."

Conclusion

• Beluga's growth was strategic and well-executed.
• Considered a blueprint for YouTube success.
• Potential for others to learn and replicate this strategy for rapid growth.