How Ryan Trahan’s $0.01 Series Broke YouTube (Forever)

Ryan Trahan’s Penny Series has made him the new king of YouTube. He survived on $0.01 for 30 days!

This is a masterclass in how to grow and get more views on YouTube. There’s a lot more to this than Ryan Trahan’s catchy outro song.

Intro clip from the great duo Colin & Samir

All other clips from Ryan Trahan

Intro Song: Blue Wednesday - Cereal

Video notes:

Ryan Trahan’s crazy idea, has just changed the formula for growing on youtube…

His new daily series where he crosses america with one penny, has gained his channel 2 million subscribers in the last month…

And it starts with part 1 - giving the algorithm what it wants

Now the title of this part might confuse you, because daily vlogs aren’t supposed to work anymore?

However, these tactics might have helped him solve the retention issue with vlogs…but there’s another major hurdle the penny series needed to overcome, which brings us to part 2 - the episodic problem

So we now have two parts of the formula, retention and optimising for new viewers…but part 3 is where Ryan’s best idea comes into play… audience hacking

My name is Paddy Galloway and I hope you enjoyed this video!

#RyanTrahan

[paddygalloway]

Ok I haven't slept for 3 days to get this video out in time, so can we hit 5, 000 likes? Also...try bankrupt me, 5 pennies donated to Ryan's fundraiser for every subscriber this video gets :)

[chadwildclay]

The other incredible feat Ryan just pulled off is 254M views with only himself, 1 editor, & 1 camera person (while also crossing g the crossing gonna $0.01). I’m so glad you covered this Paddy. Great analysis as always.

[RyanSchuckman]

Ryan Trahan really showed that you don’t have to make a loud, fast paced video to go viral. Personality and storytelling are just as good retention hacks

[TiagoCatarino]

I think he alone will change Youtube, just as Mr Beast has done in the last few years! Refreshing, and much needed!

[MinecraftCurios]

This series is the biggest thing for YouTubers in years.

[TheGrillSergeant]

The only problem is you have to be crazy to upload the way Ryan did. The amount of work that went into the series is insane.

[PlungerPapi]

As a growing YouTuber, I saw this series and felt that it was what I personally needed to see because it proved that you can still bond with personalities, YouTube needed depth again. On top of that, people like me are going to attempt to adopt this format. I have my own 30 day challenge that I’m starting on July 1st, and I am going to try daily vlogging. And I know I’m not the only person that’s going to try this. Ryan has re-inspired many creators that we haven’t seen attempt this new format. Ryan is a true legend for for that.

Edit: paddy, thank you for another amazing video

[GoWithAli]

I must of watched this video 5 times already. Every time I watch it, I learn something new. That's it Paddy, I'm getting the notepad out and making notes!

[HorrorSkunx]

I really dig this channel Paddy! Great content once again 👁

[Gabrielgrassmayr]

Honestly Ryan is straight up inventing a new era on youtube. Just like Casey or Jimmy did.

[brizzle]

I think my favorite part of the penny series was Ryan's personality. He was always so positive and it never failed to make me smile. Even if something didn't go his way Ryan always managed to uplift the mood by introducing a different money-making method or idea. Def my favorite series on youtube

[AquariumInfo]

Such a great analysis. Loved the series and great to see it broken down. Keep it up 😊

[ZekuVsWORLD]

I love how Ryan adds tension and stakes.. yet his content is so calming and wholesome..



..all that with basically a camera and an iPhone.

[definitelynotshabbydashsse]

I love how simplistic the way his videos and thumbnails are edited, so it isn’t over whelming but the viewer still won’t get bored.

[BlankCanvas]

It also makes a huge difference that Ryan’s prime motivation is to raise funds for Feeding America. The underlying motive many YouTubers have of building their own brand is understandable but not something you can rally behind like you can with him. We are cheering him on! He is wholesome, selfless and kind, willing to face rejection and a loss of comfort in order to help others. We all admire him and are inspired to be more like him.

[JohnCooganPlus]

pendulum swinging between retention & personality is an amazing framework.

[andrewspaid]

He created a series that is so simple yet executed so well

[kellyb]

found him before the series . he’s always been so genuine i subscribed but this series made me love him even more. such a great kind personality. the amount of effort he puts in, he deserves all the attention the penny series got

[shyrain]

ive been watching ryan since he had like 100k subs and its so amazing to see him blowing up like this. i always knew he had potential to become another huge youtube creator and with this series i think he will finally have that chance. the fact that this documentary alone exists proves that.
-ps: great video

[CHEFPKR]

Thank you Ryan for showing us that sometimes we, as Creators, need to take a step back to really zone in.