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Marques Brownlee on Building an Audience and Other Advice for Creators

Marques Brownlee on Building an Audience and Other Advice for Creators

34 segments available

Marques Brownlee is a YouTuber. He has over 8 million subscribers to his channel MKBHD where he reviews electronics, drives electric vehicles, and interviews people such as Kobe Bryant and Bill Gates. https://twitter.com/MKBHD https://www.youtube.com/MKBHD The YC podcast is hosted by Craig Cannon. https://twitter.com/craigcannon *** Topics 00:00 - What does Marques attribute his channel's success to? 2:15 - The early days 4:45 - How does he go about evaluating a product? 7:05 - Features that Marques thought were great that didn't catch on 8:15 - Peak smartphone? 10:05 - Folding phones and new trends 11:00 - Tesla and the EV market 15:20 - Getting older and staying relevant 16:40 - New kinds of videos and podcasting 22:00 - Does Marques feel limited by gear? 25:45 - Storytelling techniques 27:50 - Tech vs Marques as the star of the show 29:30 - Marco Castro asks - What advice do you have for new creators on YouTube? 30:30 - When did Marques find his voice as a creator? 33:30 - Overcoming perfectionism 34:30 - Gut instinct vs data 37:00 - YouTube comments 39:05 - Austin Ryder asks - In the early years of his channel, Marques took a several month hiatus from YouTube, but then came back with a new video format and seemingly renewed drive. What happened during those months off that led to the channel becoming what it is today? 40:15 - Winston asks - What’s your daily schedule? 42:40 - Ultimate frisbee injuries 43:00 - Amad Khan asks - Are there any problems that you see or face that you really wish engineers/developers would solve? 44:25 - Christian Giordano asks - Any tips on how to engage/work with influencers when you are a very early stage startup with little or no money? 46:15 - The future of creators supporting themselves financially 49:05 - His biggest challenge as a creator 50:05 - Long-term goals

Segments Timeline

1
0:01 - 2:12
2:11 duration411 words

The Secret to My Success

Marques Brownlee attributes his YouTube success to the enduring interest in technology and his unique, consistent voice over the years. He discusses the importance of consistency and how the channel's growth has been a gradual process rather than a sudden spike, emphasizing the value of building a reputation in the tech space.

"going good how are you doing well so I'm curious I've followed your channel for a while but I definitely did not follow it in the beginning when you were reviewing software on your laptop you've been ..."

2
2:12 - 3:01
0:49 duration163 words

From Software to Hardware

Marques reflects on his early days of reviewing software and how he transitioned to receiving hardware for review. He shares his experiences with early influencer culture, including his first event and the types of products he initially reviewed, highlighting the evolution of his channel.

"and because in the beginning you were just doing software right right for the most part free software yeah and then did you start getting phone sent to you in like the early days of influencer culture..."

3
3:01 - 4:15
1:13 duration253 words

The Hacker Ethos

In this segment, Marques discusses his early curiosity about technology, including his experiences with Hackintosh and building PCs. He reflects on the hacker ethos and how it shaped his approach to tech reviews, emphasizing the importance of understanding both the process and the final product.

"you know I grew up getting like pirated keys off LimeWire and all that kind of stuff did you ever dip into that and think like man maybe I should review Final Cut Pro on mic at one point I definitely ..."

4
4:15 - 5:29
1:13 duration273 words

Evaluating Tech: Gimmicks vs. Daily Drivers

Marques explains his approach to evaluating tech products, distinguishing between gimmicky features and those that are genuinely useful for daily use. He shares insights on how he measures product quality and the challenges of quantifying user experience in his reviews.

"work for you okay but when I watch your videos now you're pretty into the stats of it all like all those like hard metrics with the products right yeah yeah so it attracts you in some way yes I mean I..."

5
5:29 - 8:02
2:32 duration532 words

Features That Didn't Catch On

Marques discusses features he found impressive that ultimately didn't resonate with the broader audience. He emphasizes the importance of high-resolution displays and how personal preferences can differ from general consumer interests, illustrating the nuances of tech evaluation.

"material one thing I was talking about on a recent podcast is is how it's very hard for the market to to recognize how good a product's quality is like just that actual feel like when you sit when you..."

6
8:02 - 9:26
1:24 duration296 words

Are We at Peak Smartphone?

In this segment, Marques addresses the question of whether we have reached peak smartphone technology. He reflects on past trends and the continuous evolution of smartphone features, suggesting that innovation will persist as new trends emerge, despite the perception of diminishing returns.

"you can at least say ah right out I'll discount this point because screens aren't my thing okay yeah because I've kind of wondered if we're going to reach a point of complete diminishing returns with ..."

7
9:26 - 10:50
1:23 duration297 words

The Future of Folding Phones

Marques shares his thoughts on the current state of folding phones, viewing them as proof of concept rather than fully realized products. He discusses the potential future of folding technology and how it could evolve to become more practical and integrated into daily life.

"yeah but yeah I don't I mean I know a lot of people are holding on to you know iPhone basically five form file that's definitely true phones are better and they last longer yeah than they ever did so ..."

8
10:50 - 12:00
1:10 duration257 words

Tesla: The Future of Cars?

Marques discusses his enthusiasm for Tesla and electric vehicles, comparing them to the iPhone in terms of cultural impact. He reflects on the growing trend of electric vehicles and how they represent a significant shift in the automotive industry, blending technology with traditional car culture.

"okay so so then I've noticed you filmed a bunch of Tesla videos right based on you know the ratio of types of content on your channel are you just betting electric vehicles that is the next big trend ..."

9
12:10 - 12:54
0:44 duration160 words

Sound vs. Silence in EVs

Marques addresses the common concern about engine sound in high-end cars versus the quiet operation of electric vehicles. He argues that for most consumers, the silence of EVs is a benefit, especially for everyday transportation needs, while also noting the advanced tech features that come with electric cars.

"I've been kind of wondering where the eview market will end up going because the model 3 is also pretty quick yeah yeah but you know yeah but what's your impression of like the low-end UV market the t..."

10
12:54 - 14:00
1:05 duration220 words

Charging Infrastructure Challenges

Marques discusses the critical importance of charging infrastructure for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. He emphasizes that while the technology is advancing, significant work remains to make EVs practical for the average consumer, focusing on charging speed and battery longevity.

"I'd step on the pedal and I felt like zippy like I was in Model S so even low-end V's will have that feel and that's attractive to people um I think a lot of people over rate how much sound matters li..."

11
14:00 - 15:06
1:06 duration227 words

Staying Relevant in Tech

As Marques reflects on his age and relevance in the tech industry, he expresses a fear of becoming out of touch. He shares his strategy for staying connected to trends and innovations, emphasizing the importance of immersion in the tech world to maintain a pulse on new developments.

"where because you spent so much time reviewing products both like smart phones and cars and stuff like you kind of get an impression of the bleeding edge but I'm wondering like where you're you're see..."

12
15:06 - 16:30
1:23 duration317 words

Creative Evolution and Diversification

Marques talks about his efforts to diversify his content on YouTube, exploring new topics and formats beyond smartphone reviews. He shares his interest in production and plans for a podcast, highlighting the importance of evolving as a creator to stay engaged and relevant.

"more like on the infrastructure side it's really important getting it on yeah this is less flashy and like you know magic feature that's winning the market over but it's like that's what you have to n..."

13
16:30 - 17:40
1:10 duration210 words

Navigating Creative Strategy

In this segment, Marques discusses the complexities of creative strategy in content creation. He reflects on the challenges of balancing multiple ideas and formats while trying to innovate within the video medium, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking in his creative process.

"like core fear as a you know creative person where you're like dude my yeah my old school right now am I out of it yeah yeah yeah so do you uh does that fear like motivate you to try like weirder YouT..."

14
17:40 - 19:01
1:21 duration274 words

Exploring New Mediums: Podcasting

Marques shares his thoughts on exploring podcasting as a new medium for content creation. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities that come with podcasting, particularly in connecting with other creators and discussing nuanced topics that go beyond traditional video content.

"sit in of course through you know making tech videos interest so what else would be the on the podcast I want to talk to other creators yeah it's like probably in the main thing because that's not som..."

15
19:01 - 20:45
1:43 duration317 words

Innovating Video Formats

Marques reflects on his experiences with different video formats, including 360-degree videos. He discusses the challenges of storytelling in VR and the potential for innovative uses of technology in video production, while also expressing his preference for traditional video formats.

"YouTube video right like what are the other mediums that you're like testing out to feel like I hope maybe there's an audience here like maybe I can break ground here yeah I feel like video as a mediu..."

16
20:45 - 22:43
1:58 duration389 words

Camera Limitations and Creativity

In this segment, Marques discusses the limitations he faces with his current camera equipment. He shares his thoughts on autofocus, battery life, and the importance of adapting to these challenges to achieve the desired visual quality in his content.

"been sort of a head-scratcher well it's very we did a podcast with Jessica brillhart who's a VR creator and I New York and it's a difficult storytelling challenge because like with film you're inheren..."

17
23:00 - 24:00
1:00 duration230 words

Shooting Challenges with Car Reviews

This segment focuses on the unique challenges of shooting car reviews, particularly the difficulties in capturing footage from various angles. Marques discusses the technical hurdles of filming moving vehicles and the innovative solutions he and his team are exploring.

"all kinds of other hacks to get around it okay but yeah that's like one of those hundred things do you do much drone stuff a little bit for cars it's funny because we I always wanted to do drone stuff..."

18
24:00 - 25:00
1:00 duration237 words

Collaboration and Gear Discussions

Marques shares insights into his collaborations with other creators and the discussions around gear and production strategies. He reflects on the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences with fellow YouTubers to enhance their content creation.

"back of a car in front of you is hard because there's a sloped windshield so it's distorted so do you hang out the side of a thing or off axis so there's kind of a weird problem with shooting the back..."

19
25:00 - 26:00
1:00 duration205 words

The Art of Storytelling in Tech Reviews

In this segment, Marques emphasizes the significance of storytelling in tech reviews. He explains how he contextualizes products within their competitive landscape, making comparisons to previous models and other devices to create engaging narratives.

"you want I've had a couple friends who are obviously in LA cuz that's where almost everyone is play and we talk about gear all the time and like production strategy in a way like how do you shoot thes..."

20
26:00 - 27:00
1:00 duration193 words

Personal Branding in Tech Content

Marques discusses the balance between personal branding and focusing on technology in his videos. He shares how he injects his personality into content while keeping the tech as the main focus, highlighting the importance of authenticity in his storytelling.

"lot of it also is cuz they're really busy people yeah that's just it all the time that we get with them and it all we have but yeah that's like a it's like a happy medium of talking a little longer th..."

21
27:00 - 28:00
1:00 duration164 words

Finding Your Unique Voice as a Creator

Marques offers advice for new creators on YouTube, stressing the importance of finding one's unique voice and perspective. He encourages aspiring creators to draw inspiration from others while ensuring their content remains original and authentic.

"when iPad pro came out yeah that story was like iPad was already so far ahead in tablets and then iPad pro took a massive step forward versus the last iPad like this is obscene how how much like there..."

22
28:00 - 29:00
1:00 duration194 words

The Evolution of Marques' Creative Voice

Reflecting on his journey, Marques shares how he discovered his creative voice early on. He discusses his commitment to high-quality production and how his passion for technology has shaped his content style over the years.

"occasion just because it's it's fun and keeps it interesting and that's its own challenge but I've always considered tech the star of the show and any way I can I try to make that the main story inter..."

23
29:00 - 30:00
1:00 duration168 words

Quality Production as a Creator's Goal

Marques elaborates on his pursuit of high-quality production in his videos. He explains how his background in tech influences his standards and the importance of delivering a visually compelling experience to his audience.

"I I really try to make the tech the star of the show well I think it's it's the focus in your video I appreciate the modesty look but like there are how many million YouTube channels with people revie..."

24
30:00 - 31:00
1:00 duration191 words

The Drive for Perfection in Video Creation

In this segment, Marques reflects on the ongoing challenge of striving for perfection in video production. He discusses the evolving nature of quality standards and the personal motivation behind his commitment to excellence.

"what I'm doing now which is like you take your inspiration from other places but you always have to come back to your own voice in your own perspective don't try to be something else that already exis..."

25
33:30 - 34:30
1:00 duration214 words

Gut Instinct vs. Data

In this segment, Marques explores the tension between relying on gut instinct and data-driven decisions in video creation. He shares how he navigates this balance to create engaging content.

"creators have to overcome and that a lot of times you don't want to you like if you end up like I would consider myself borderline like perfectionists and some stuff I remember doing like SAT stuff wh..."

26
34:30 - 37:00
2:30 duration503 words

Navigating YouTube Comments

Marques discusses his experience with YouTube comments, sharing how he categorizes feedback and uses it to improve his content. He reflects on the challenges and benefits of engaging with viewers.

"is there like a data-driven approach to what kind of videos you're making mmm no it's I'd say it's almost no data at all it's I mean you get you yeah you get you have comments of people who are like t..."

27
37:00 - 39:05
2:05 duration374 words

The Hiatus That Changed Everything

Marques recounts a pivotal hiatus from YouTube during his senior year of high school. He explains how this break allowed him to refocus and return with renewed energy and a fresh video format.

"you deal with YouTube comments um I've it's I think people really hate YouTube comments and for whatever reason it hasn't been that bad for me okay now I can't say lately meme culture has made its app..."

28
39:05 - 40:15
1:10 duration225 words

Daily Schedule of a Creator

In this segment, Marques shares his daily schedule, detailing how he balances video production, fitness, and personal time. He emphasizes the importance of structure in managing his creative workflow.

"Austin Ryder asks in the early years of the channel Marcus took a several month hiatus from YouTube but then came back with a new video format and seemingly renewed Drive what happened during those mo..."

29
40:15 - 42:40
2:25 duration427 words

Ultimate Frisbee and Fitness

Marques discusses his passion for ultimate frisbee and how it fits into his fitness routine. He shares insights on maintaining physical health while managing a busy content creation schedule.

"Winston asks what's your daily schedule because I'm particularly curious because you also maintain a level of fitness for ultimate yeah yeah I practice last night my daily schedule so I kinda I would ..."

30
42:40 - 43:00
0:20 duration49 words

Challenges in Tech Development

Marques addresses the challenges he sees in tech development, particularly regarding camera technology in smartphones. He shares his hopes for future innovations and improvements in the industry.

"college went to go lay out to get a defensive play and I on the turf skidded forward and snap my finger in half so I had I got a little plate and screws in there now fix that bone strongest bone in my..."

31
43:00 - 46:15
3:15 duration609 words

Engaging with Influencers

In this segment, Marques offers tips for early-stage startups on how to engage and collaborate with influencers. He shares strategies for building relationships without a significant budget.

"yeah I got that screws my shoulder I feel the same way yeah yeah all right I'm ed Kahn asks are there any problems that you see your face that you really wish engineers or developers would solve engin..."

32
46:15 - 49:05
2:50 duration522 words

The Future of Creator Finances

Marques discusses the evolving landscape of creator finances and the challenges of supporting oneself as a content creator. He shares insights on monetization strategies and sustainability.

"most often in relation to podcasts right how are people gonna monetize if you can shake here on YouTube especially lately just because of where we're at and I get it the easy answer is just just be PC..."

33
49:05 - 50:05
1:00 duration193 words

Facing Challenges as a Creator

Marques reflects on his biggest challenges as a creator, discussing the pressures of content creation and the importance of resilience in overcoming obstacles.

"problem right now as a creator is like figuring out how to do these more difficult things yeah yeah I mean I'm still on that quest of production like I know my videos can be better like there there's ..."

34
50:05 - 52:00
1:55 duration269 words

Long-Term Goals for MKBHD

In the final segment, Marques shares his long-term goals for his channel and content creation. He discusses his vision for the future and the impact he hopes to have on the tech community.

"all right so I guess my last question for you then matcha is a your long your long term goal like what are you shooting for in 10 15 years well 10 years I'll be 35 over the hill yeah man no longer rel..."