How Zach King Built His $500M Empire (Interview)

I interviewed Zach King about how he's gotten over 20 billion views, created over 3,000 videos, and become one of the world's most popular creators. In this interview, Zach broke down his step-by-step process for turning simple ideas into viral videos. We also covered: how Zach uses AI, how much money he's made from YouTube Shorts vs TikTok, when it makes sense to hire a team vs not, how to script your next YouTube video, and what it's like working with Terry Crews, winning money from MrBeast (aka Jimmy Donaldson) and Airrack, and we may have started beef with another YouTuber cough cough Graham Stephan ; )

0:00 - 1:19 Who is Zach King?
1:20 - 3:38 Zach's Creative Process: Then vs Now
3:39 - 4:36 Using Prompts to Spark Ideas
4:37 - 5:57 "T-Sheet" Brainstorming
5:58 - 10:47 Example Video: Step-By-Step
10:48 - 12:55 The Extra 10%
12:56 - 15:38 Process for Long-Form Videos
15:39 - 18:34 How Zach Makes Money
18:35 - 19:20 Thank You Fourthwall
19:21 - 23:18 Comparing Pay: TikTok vs YouTube
23:19 - 25:45 YouTube Strategy 2023
25:46 - 26:58 Higher Budget Videos
26:59 - 30:18 Solo Creators vs Teams
30:19 - 31:06 Thank You Creative Juice
31:07 - 31:49 Zach's Hiring Rules
31:50 - 34:22 What YouTubers Can Learn From Hollywood
34:23 - 36:18 The Rise of Twitter Creators?
36:19 - 39:15 Most Expensive Videos
39:16 - 43:04 Re-creating "The 9-5" for creators
43:05 - 47:32 Future of Filmmaking 

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ABOUT JON:

One of few marketers to work at both YouTube and Instagram, Jon Youshaei has been featured in Business Insider, Time, and Inc Magazine and known as the "Creators' Creator"

During five years at YouTube, Jon was Head of Creator Product Marketing where he worked with YouTube's top creators and brands to grow their audience and their incomes. During three years at Instagram, Jon helped build their creator team to empower even more creators to grow and monetize.

Now a creator himself, Jon has garnered 500K+ followers, 300M+ views, and has interviewed Logan Paul, Paris Hilton, Terry Crews, Charli D'Amelio, Danny Duncan, Mark Rober, and more. He's been sponsored by top brands like American Express, HubSpot, Fiverr, and Microsoft and got signed by Gary Vaynerchuk to his speaking agency, VaynerSpeakers.

Jon is also a sought-after advisor, investor, and speaker who serves as a Head Creator Advisor for TubeBuddy (analytics platform used by 9M creators), and recognized by NPR as one of the best commencement speakers since 1774 alongside Steve Jobs, Oprah and John F. Kennedy. He has also been Forbes 30 Under 30 and LinkedIn named him as one of their Top Voices on the platform.

[ZachKing]

Thanks for having me Jon, an honor to be on one of my favorite shows on YouTube!

[kevinbparry]

Fantastic interview! Great to hear Zach's perspective and insight. And I appreciate the shoutout ☺

[zoeunlimited]

Fascinating and super informative interview! Can’t wait for the next!

[krefix]

not me absorbing all of the creator advice every time Jon uploads:

[DacianGradaMusic]

With all the (often warranted) negativity and worry about AI nowadays, it's so cool seeing how Zach uses it to kickstart the creative process and bring out ideas to life! I think that's the best use of these new tools, not to necessarily replace or invalidate some job categories, but to amplify them.

[Jejkobbb]

Zach inspired me so much back in the day and I learned how to edit videos from his old tutorials back when he was Final Cut King. So cool to hear everything directly from the source!

[devonwilliams]

Always SO excited when you post!

You're the Mr beast of interviews and knowledge based content !!

[ericchips]

Over a decade ago, I watched Zach King's video editing tutorials everyday when he had Final Cut King. Then, one day, I was at the University bookstore waiting in line to checkout. Then, Zach King's very first major national spot played on the main TV. I flipped out! Students looked at me like I was crazy. 😜 I was ecstatic! It was surreal to see someone whom I followed on Day 1 climb to such great heights. I remember when he taught the selective color effect making everything black and white except for yellow. I think Zach's sister helped him with that and most other tutorials. It was awesome to see his sister help him. She had his back the whole time. I remembered when he participated in Film Festivals and explained how he achieved his effects. Gosh, the memories, the memories. I'm old! 😅

[MariaOliviaTravel]

Another banger interview from Jon! Thank you for all the wisdom you share with us! Zach just confirmed my theory; I always try to delay posting a new video if the previous one is doing really well, but I always question that decision because I've never heard anyone else talk about it...UNTIL NOW!!

[DoctorFashion]

Jon you are killing it with these interviews.. 🔥🔥

[gabrielgrassmayrtoo]

All this short/tiktok talk was so insightful!
Thank Jon for making this video 🔥

[MinuteMon]

I learned so much in this video with Zach. Your videos are under appreciated Jon, you deserve so many more views!!

[shwanslife]

A Zach King interview?! A dream come true. You’re the goat wtfff

[AliexFolgueira]

this interview turned epic when Zach started asking questions Epic

[StephaniRoberts]

Love to see Zach and hear his approach. Such an interesting interview! Thank you!! 👏🏼

[radelortizz]

Been watching Zach since vine so happy to see his growth what a beast 🫡

[marketingescucha]

I really love how he gets inspired by other creators productions, that's where you realize that a TOP Creator is the one who opens his mind and executes with his own style. 💯

[rubize]

This interview was so insightful and helpful, Jon!! Loved it so much!! Zach King is full of amazing advice! Inspiring to see how far he’s come since the days where I watched his vines!

[fastfoodclub]

What an amazing episode. As a new creator, this was very inspiring and I love how blunt you are with asking the questions that are awkward but really necessary for creators to understand and learn. Great job Jon! Hopefully we'll be on there one day in the future. 😀

[jameswang]

47 minutes!! (Struggling to decide if I should watch this at work or at home)

Fingers crossed that the interview would be filled with Zach's magic every 2 minutes!!