What Makes the Top 0.1% of YouTube Creators?
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital content creation, YouTube stands out as one of the most influential platforms. With many wondering how to become a youtube influencer, what separates the truly exceptional from the rest?
Zach Hanar, who has worked with over 10,000 creators since 2017, including managing channels like Yes Theory before they became massive, shares his insights on what it takes to reach the upper echelons of YouTube success.
The Curious Mindset
One of the most striking characteristics of top creators, according to Hanar, is their relentless curiosity. These individuals aren’t just focused on superficial metrics or quick hacks.
Instead, they demonstrate a deep interest in understanding the fundamentals of audience engagement, trust-building, and content creation.
“There’s a curiosity like a relentless curiosity of what could I get better at, what is missing from this content, what do people look for, how does attention work, how do you earn trust,” Hanar explains.
This curiosity goes beyond just learning editing techniques or following trends. It’s about developing a holistic understanding of content creation and audience connection.
The Power of Authenticity
While many aspiring creators try to emulate successful channels, Hanar emphasizes the importance of authenticity.
He points to Emma Chamberlain as an example of someone who has achieved tremendous success by being unabashedly herself on camera.
“I think Emma Chamberlain is probably so crazily herself on screen that that’s what’s led to her being able to achieve what she’s achieved,” Hanar notes. “She’s incredibly vulnerable, she’s incredibly herself.”
This level of authenticity creates a powerful connection with viewers, making them feel like they’re watching a friend rather than a performative character.
It’s a skill that takes time to develop, as many creators initially feel the need to put on a “YouTube persona” when the camera starts rolling.
The Willingness to Sacrifice
One often overlooked aspect of becoming a top creator is the level of sacrifice required. Hanar stresses that achieving extraordinary success often means giving up other aspects of life.
“It’s an unhealthy amount of obsession that goes into being the biggest creator in the world,” Hanar says, referencing MrBeast as an example.
The sacrifices can include:
- Social life
- Mental health
- Anonymity
- Ability to live a normal life outside of content creation
This level of dedication isn’t necessary for everyone, but it’s crucial for those aiming for the very top.
Hanar advises creators to honestly assess what they’re willing to give up to achieve their goals and to ensure their ambitions align with their desired lifestyle.
Work Ethic and Smart Work
While consistent hard work is undeniably important, Hanar emphasizes that it’s not just about the hours put in, but also about working smart.
He notes that many creators avoid the tasks that would make the biggest difference, often due to discomfort or insecurity.
“The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding,” Hanar quotes.
This could include:
- Improving a particular skill
- Tackling a challenging project
- Addressing a weakness in their content strategy
The Importance of Evolution
As creators grow and change, so too should their content. Hanar points to Logan Paul as an example of someone who has successfully evolved his content and persona over time, allowing him to maintain relevance and grow with his audience.
“Logan Paul is not the same personality on camera today as he was when he first started,” Hanar observes. “He has allowed himself to mature and it’s been one of the main reasons why he’s been able to have the longevity as a creator.”
This willingness to evolve is crucial for long-term success, as it allows creators to:
- Maintain authenticity
- Adapt to changes in their own interests
- Respond to their audience’s evolving preferences
- Stay relevant in the broader content landscape
Redefining Success
One of the most important shifts for aspiring creators is how they define success. While views and subscriber counts are often the go-to metrics, Hanar suggests that the most successful creators focus on different goals.
“I think everyone has their own definition of success and that’s what makes life beautiful,” Hanar says.
He advocates for creators to prioritize:
- Peace
- Fulfillment
- Happiness in their day-to-day lives
Alternative success metrics might include:
- Becoming the best storyteller possible
- Constantly improving their craft
- Making a meaningful impact on their audience’s lives
The key is to find a goal that provides ongoing motivation and fulfillment, rather than a finite endpoint that could lead to a loss of purpose once achieved.
Building Meaningful Connections
While many YouTube strategies focus on attracting new viewers and growing rapidly, Hanar emphasizes the importance of building strong connections with existing audience members.
“We’ve seen a lot of creators grow in the top of funnel metrics such as views or subscribers, but then not have the connection with an audience that feels loyal to them or feels connected to them or feels part of a community,” Hanar explains.
Benefits of strong audience connections:
- Weathering platform changes and algorithm updates
- Successfully branching out into other ventures (products, businesses)
- Creating a loyal fan base that supports long-term success
Hanar suggests that creators find ways to measure and optimize for this connection, even if it’s not as easily quantifiable as views or watch time.
For example, with Yes Theory, they focused on how many people they could get to take a specific action beyond just watching the video, such as subscribing to an email list or purchasing a product.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
For creators in the early stages of growth (around 5,000 to 50,000 subscribers), Hanar advises against common distractions that can hinder progress. These include:
- Starting a business
- Launching a podcast
- Creating a second channel
- Focusing too much on brand deals
“You’re finally starting to build momentum and connection with an audience,” Hanar explains.
Instead, he recommends doubling down on what’s starting to work. Taking on these additional projects can erode trust with your audience and divert time and energy from improving your main content.
The Power of Peer Feedback
For creators looking to accelerate their growth, Hanar suggests seeking out honest feedback from peers.
Steps to get valuable peer feedback:
- Find creators at a similar or slightly higher level in your niche
- Ask them to critique your videos
- Be open to constructive criticism
- Implement the feedback and track improvements
This peer feedback can provide specific, actionable advice tailored to your content and audience, which is often more valuable than general YouTube growth tips.
The Future of Social Platforms
Looking to the future, Hanar has a hunch that we’re on the verge of a significant shift in social media.
He observes that many platforms that started as ways to connect with friends have transformed into entertainment platforms, filled with content from strangers rather than personal connections.
“I think that we’re on the verge of a huge white space for more consumer applications to come out that actually give us a place to meet and connect with friends,” Hanar predicts.
While he’s not sure exactly how this will impact the creator economy, he believes it could fundamentally change how we interact with social media platforms.
Opportunities for New Creators
Despite the competitive landscape, Hanar believes there are still ample opportunities for new creators.
He points to the introduction of YouTube Shorts as a game-changer, lowering the barrier to entry and providing quicker feedback loops for creators.
“I think shorts was one of the greatest things that could happen for video creators because it just took the bar of entry so much lower,” Hanar says.
“The feedback loop grew so much quicker because you could create something and not have to put in a month of work to be able to know if it sucked or not.”
Benefits of YouTube Shorts for new creators:
- Lower barrier to entry
- Quicker feedback loops
- Faster iteration and improvement
- Accelerated growth and learning process
The Path to Exceptional Success
Becoming a prominent YouTube creator is no easy feat. It requires a unique combination of:
- Relentless curiosity
- Authentic self-expression
- Willingness to sacrifice
- Smart work ethic
- Adaptability
- Focus on building meaningful connections with your audience
While views and subscriber counts are important, the most successful creators often define their success in terms of personal fulfillment, craft mastery, and audience impact.
They’re not just chasing numbers, but striving to create content that resonates deeply with their viewers and provides value beyond mere entertainment.
For those aspiring to reach the heights of YouTube success, the path is challenging but rewarding. It requires constant self-reflection, a willingness to evolve, and the ability to stay focused on what truly matters amidst a sea of distractions and opportunities.
Remember, success on YouTube isn’t just about becoming famous or making money. It’s about finding your unique voice, telling stories that matter, and creating a community around your content.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your channel to the next level, focus on these fundamental principles, and you’ll be on your way to joining the ranks of truly exceptional creators.
(Source: Creator Science Podcast With Jay Clouse and Zack Honarvar )
