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7 Sneaky Ways MrBeast Gets You To Click On His Videos

Welcome to The Pen Pivot!
At 9am (EST) every Wednesday, and Friday, we share the tools and tactics of great content creators so you can replicate their success.
In today’s email:
Creator Of The Day 🎨 - MrBeast is a master of clicks. Learn 7 psychological triggers he uses to get people to click on his content (and use them yourself).
Tool Of The Day 🛠️ - A painting and editing Chrome extension that doesn’t waste your time with useless features.

-CREATOR OF THE DAY-
MRBEAST
MrBeast has amassed a mind-boggling 31 billion total views and 180 million subscribers on his main YouTube channel.
While his videos are notoriously chaotic, his content strategy is very carefully formulated.
He knows what content intrigues people.
He also knows how to title and frame his content to make them click.
I’ve analyzed his most popular videos and listed 7 psychological triggers he uses to increase his click-through rate (CTR).
In other words, here’s exactly how he gets people to click on his content.

1. High Stakes & Rewards
Video Example: "Last To Leave Circle Wins $500,000"
The brain is hardwired to pay attention to potential rewards.
It goes back to evolution and the beginning of human history.
Spotting opportunities meant survival.
The larger the reward, the more dopamine our brain releases - pushing us to pay attention and engage.
The “reward system” kicks in.
Viewers want to know - “Who gets the cash”?
Content where there’s a lot at stake is bound to get clicks.
2. Curiosity & Novelty
Video Example: "I Ate A $70,000 Golden Pizza"
The “Information Gap Theory”:
When there’s a gap between what we know and what we want to know, it makes us feel incomplete.
MrBeast constantly makes use of this trigger in his video titles.
He creates gaps in his viewer’s knowledge and compels them to take action and fill that gap (i.e. by clicking).
The more novel and unusual the scenario, the more desperate people are to fill the gap by consuming the content.
3. Fear & Danger
Video Example: "Surviving 24 Hours Straight In The Bermuda Triangle"
This one goes back to good old evolution too.
The amygdala is the part of our brain that processes emotions like fear.
Dangerous situations will always capture attention because of our natural “fight or flight” response.
We’re both afraid and intrigued.
We want to know if (and how) MrBeast survives the notorious Bermuda Triangle.
Sure, it’s entertaining.
But subconsciously, our survivalist instincts view it as useful.
4. Social Proof & Popularity
Video Example: "$456,000 Squid Game In Real Life!"
The Bandwagon Effect:
When something is popular and trending, we lean towards it.
MrBeast released his own epic, real-life version of Squid Game back when it was the show everyone was talking about.
He knew the timing was essential and he struck while the iron was still hot.
When it was released, the content felt timely and relevant.
It urged viewers to jump in and join the conversation (or else risk getting left out).
5. Extreme Comparisons
Video Example: "$1 vs. $1,000,000 Hotel Room!"
Contrast is a powerful tool.
The more extreme the contrast is, the more intrigued we become.
We’re compelled to understand the differences between the two extremes.
The “Contrast Principle” suggests that our perception of things is affected by what we compare them to.
This video title also creates an irresistible “information gap”.
How can a $1 hotel room possibly compare to a $1000,000 one?
The gap leads to curiosity, which in turn leads to a click.
6. Generosity & Altruism
Video Example: "I Adopted EVERY Dog In A Dog Shelter"
MrBeast is known for his extravagant acts of generosity.
Some of his most popular videos are those where he’s giving away huge sums of money to unsuspecting members of the public.
Humans have a soft spot for kindness.
Seeing acts of generosity releases “oxytocin”, known as the “love hormone”.
By showcasing generosity and kindness, content can resonate emotionally.
It makes the audience feel good and builds a loyal viewership.
The audience wants to see a good thing happen to someone, so click the content to see how it unfolds.
7. Morbid Curiosity
Video Example: "I Spent 50 Hours Buried Alive"
People are often intrigued by topics that are dark and unsettling.
They have the desire to understand or make sense of them.
Part of it may be evolutionary.
By observing dangerous situations and their consequences from a distance, our ancestors learned important lessons about what to avoid.
While a lot of MrBeast’s content has a sense of optimism and positivity, he knows that dark and morbid content will get clicks too.
TL: DR
High Stakes & Rewards: Using tangible rewards grabs attention due to our innate "reward system."
Curiosity & Novelty: Exploit the "Information Gap Theory" – present content that leaves viewers craving answers.
Fear & Danger: Play to innate survival instincts to ensure engagement. Danger = attention.
Social Proof & Popularity: Leverage the "Bandwagon Effect" – if it's trending, it's clickable.
Extreme Comparisons: Use the power of contrast. Stark differences trigger curiosity.
Generosity & Altruism: Acts of kindness resonate. They trigger emotional connections and loyalty.
Morbid Curiosity: Dark or unsettling topics are often compelling.

-TOOL OF THE DAY-
SUMOPAINT
Sumopaint is a painting and editing Chrome extension that packs a mighty punch.
Its core idea is to take the 10% of Photoshop features people actually use and turn it into a simple app.
There are lots of filters, layers, and effects to choose from.
And that’s all for today!
See you on ……………………. 🙂
Misya, The Pen Pivot