The best way to learn about what makes something successful is to learn from, and sometimes emulate those who've done it best. Here's a look at some of the unique creators and what makes their YouTube channels work.
Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)
Technology changes so fast that it’s impossible to keep up with every new product, let alone know how to use it. Marques Brownlee is arguably the most popular tech reviewer on YouTube with nearly 16 million subscribers. After posting his first review over 14 yrs ago, he’s now become the first person top companies like Apple and Google send their products to.
Each of his videos are a masterclass in seamlessly combining sleek visuals, professional cinematography, and trustworthy insights. In fact, he’s just released an actual Masterclass series where he teaches viewers step by step how to do what he does. To top it all off, he’s also had the opportunity to interview some of the most influential people on the planet like Kobe Bryant, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and President Obama — just to name a few. Definitely one of the quintessential YouTube Channels for all things tech.
Casey Neistat
Casey is often heralded as the “first vlogger,” popularizing the now common style of talking directly to camera. He’s taken his 12+ million subscribers on a journey that gave insight into his everyday life (literally) and inspired a generation of creators with his unique filming & editing style.
Known for epic intro segments with timelapses of NYC set to the perfect song, Casey became a celebrity of sorts with fans hoping to catch him riding an electric skateboard throughout Manhattan. While he no longer vlogs everyday, and has move to LA to focus more on his family, his videos have literally inspired a generation of content creators and continue to do so today.
Johnny Harris
Johnny Harris makes informative content focused on maps, borders, and how the most unknown factors influence our everyday lives. Visual learners will appreciate his storytelling and use of dynamic motion graphic maps. The most intriguing thing about his channel is that he has an uncanny ability to tell a gripping story filled with facts (thanks to his investigative reporting), without it ever becoming boring.
We’ll even go as far as to say you can watch ANY video on his YouTube channel from start to finish and leave feeling informed and entertained. Some of his stand-out videos include “The REAL Reason McDonalds Ice Cream Machines Are Always Broken” (well worth the watch, currently sitting at 10m views), NFTs, Explained, and a gripping person story about why he left the Mormon church.
Peter McKinnon
For the best photography and cinematography videos, tutorials, and the most epic b-roll of all things coffee, Peter McKinnon is your guy. His most watched videos include After Effects basics, Lightroom tips, and dozens of other tutorials that should be on every budding photographer/videographer’s must watch list.
He’s also an avid vlogger who practices what he preaches with luscious cinematic b-roll ranging from the backwoods of Canada to arctic mountaintops. He often collaborates with other top YouTube channels like Matti Haapoja and Casey Neistat, which we’ve mentioned in the past as a great way to expand your YouTube audience.
Bright Trip
Co-founded by Johnny Harris, Bright Trip creates video-based travel courses to help you travel smarter. From travel hacks, to location-based guides, they offer visual experiences, created by fellow travelers, that aim to make you a confident explorer.
From guides of the best places to travel with kids, the best places for solo travelers, and deep insights into why famous cities are built the way they are, his channel has something for every kind of traveler. In addition to the YouTube channel, there is a whole subscription-based site with detailed courses in visual storytelling, a language learning guide, and many more.
