How I Built This with Guy Raz

HIBT Lab! MKBHD: Marques Brownlee

Nov 3, 2022

Marques Brownlee, creator of the influential tech YouTube channel MKBHD, reflects on his rise from a teenager with a laptop to a content creation powerhouse with over 16 million subscribers. He discusses the importance of honesty in product reviews to maintain audience trust amid sponsorship opportunities. Marques shares his unique approach, prioritizing high-quality showcases over trends, and reveals how he successfully transitioned from a hobbyist to a full-time creator, all while navigating the challenges of balancing quality content with business growth.

49:54

Episode guests

Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Building a Team

01:05

Intro

4min

From Gadgets to YouTube Success

11min

The Unique Approach Behind a Tech YouTube Phenomenon

5min

From Hobby to Profession

11min

Balancing Brand and Business: The Dual Role of a Content Creator

4min

The Balance of Honesty and Sponsorship in Product Reviews

2min

Navigating Quality and Revenue in Content Creation

4min

Navigating the YouTube Ecosystem

15min

Conclusion and Acknowledgments with a Touch of Nostalgia

3min

“Right now I have approximately 70-ish subscribers,” declared a teenage Marques Brownlee at the beginning of his 100th YouTube video back in 2009. Marques recorded his first of many product reviews earlier that year, after buying his first laptop. Quite simply, he wanted others to have more information about this computer than he did when he bought it.

Since then, Marques has grown his channel, MKBHD, into a full-fledged business with more than 16 million subscribers and over 3 billion total views. He’s expanded beyond reviews too, posting interviews with well-known public figures like Kobe Bryant, Bill Gates and Elon Musk.

This week on How I Built This Lab, Marques reflects on his journey as a content creator and how he turned a love of tech into a lucrative and sustainable business. Plus, he shares his philosophy for building a strong team – which interestingly enough, is inspired by an octopus...

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