Beast Games Newsjacking: How Contestants Stole the Spotlight Online

Beast Games, a reality TV Show by Mr.Beast, recently concluded, and while the show crowned its official winner, some contestants found victory in an unexpected place: social media.

By leveraging the show’s popularity, some participants gained significant followings, often surpassing the follower count of the actual winner.

Their success highlights a clear pattern—capitalizing on trending moments with simple, reactive content can yield remarkable results.

The Power of Reaction Content

One standout example is Courtney Ferris (@court_ferris on Instagram).

Before Beast Games, Courtney had 8,221 followers. Within weeks of the show’s release, her follower count skyrocketed to 55,036 — a 46,814 increase.

Her strategy was straightforward but effective. She posted reaction videos to key moments from Beast Games, often using clips from the show and adding her own commentary.

Courtney’s formula included:

• Using short clips from Beast Games and talking over them.

• Adding relevant hashtags like #beastgames and #mrbeast.

• Keeping videos concise, around 30 seconds.

• Posting consistently during every episode.

As a social media manager herself, Courtney understood the importance of timing and relevance. She extended this strategy to her YouTube channel, where she posted similar content on her Shorts feed. Her approach demonstrates how even simple, reactive content can resonate with audiences when tied to a trending topic.

Turning Personal Stories Into Viral Moments

Sarah and Josiah, a couple who competed on Beast Games, demonstrated the power of personal storytelling. They shared a unique and relatable experience—getting pregnant during the show—which resonated deeply with viewers. Their YouTube Shorts video on the topic amassed 1.6 million views, while a longer-form YouTube video added another 960,000 views.

Their success highlights the effectiveness of blending personal narratives with trending content.

Beyond Personal Stories: Newsjacking and Opportunistic Content

The impact of Beast Games extends beyond contestants. Podcasters are interviewing participants, capitalizing on the show’s popularity to attract views. When viewers search for their favorite contestants or Beast Games-related terms, these podcasters appear in search results, driving traffic to their channels.

Influencers like Alex Hormozi are also tapping into Beast Games as a newsjacking opportunity. For example, I noticed one of Alex’s reels ranking on Google’s first page for Beast Games-related searches during a specific timeframe and in a particular region—verified through my use of a VPN and frequent location changes. This approach not only enhances visibility but also opens doors for PR links and wider exposure.

PR firms excel at connecting virtually anything to their clients' businesses. For instance, they can leverage a reality show by quickly hiring a contestant like Courtney for a single ad campaign, generating significant attention if they act swiftly.

The Broader Trend: Riding the Wave of Viral Shows

The success of contestants like Courtney, Sarah, and Josiah reflects a larger trend. Viral shows like Beast Games generate significant interest, and those who act quickly can capitalize on the momentum like Hawk Tuah. The key lies in simplicity and timing. Reactive content—whether it’s reaction videos, personal stories, or behind-the-scenes insights—works because it feels immediate and authentic.

This approach isn’t exclusive to Beast Games. Contestants on any viral show can use similar tactics to grow their audience. The formula is straightforward: identify trending moments, create content tied to those moments, and share it consistently across short-form video platforms.

Top Tweets of the day

1/

Mr. Beast features a variety of contrasting videos on his channel:

• $1 vs $500,000 Experiences!

• Ages 1 - 100 Decide Who Wins $250,000

• $1 vs $500,000 Plane Ticket!

Interestingly, I just realized that these comparison-style videos, often featuring a "vs" theme like experiences, plane tickets, or jobs, tend to be the most popular and highest-viewed content on his channel.

2/

Design arbitrage opportunity.

Find high-quality talent on Fiverr for cheap. Sell it expensively behind a brand. Pocket the difference.

All big consulting companies do this. Charge 1st-world country clients like America & hire from 3rd-world country like India, Pakistan, Nigeria.

Heck, most AI labeling opportunities like TikTok moderation or ChatGPT output selection or translation jobs are done in 3rd-world countries even now. And lots of businesses pay consulting middlemens to find these talents.

3/

Big companies attract performers who can't actually perform. That's how startups beat big companies until the cycle repeats itself.

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