Long-form videos in the ‘Building a Business for a Stranger’ format are crushing it on YouTube, pioneered (or brought back to relevance at scale) by creators like Alex Hormozi.
The format is simple: a business expert sits down with an entrepreneur they have never met and, in a single session, builds them a detailed growth plan on a whiteboard to hit a specific revenue target.
Videos are titled with a bold financial outcome, such as “Building a $1,000,000 Business for a Stranger in 56 Mins,” and show the raw, unedited process of deconstructing a business and finding opportunities for growth.
If you’re thinking, “But I’m not a business coach,” don’t worry – you don’t have to be a business coach to leverage this trend.
Just as with most of the trends we share at Vavoza, you can implement it conceptually.
For course creators and info marketers, this trend is a powerful tool for demonstrating expertise and building trust, whether through business advice or other forms relevant to what you sell.
This format allows you to showcase your frameworks, your thought process, and your ability to deliver results, which is the most effective way to sell high-ticket programs and coaching.
The best part is that it feels like a high-value, behind-the-scenes consulting session, delivering immense value to viewers while positioning you as the go-to authority in your niche.
Here’s an example from Alex:
How To Create ‘Building a Business for a Stranger’ Videos Step By Step
Here is a simple, 5-step guide to using this effective content marketing trend to build market authority and generate high-quality leads (regardless of whether or not you are a business coach):
Step 1: Find Your “Stranger”
Your “stranger” should be a real business owner or someone who wants to achieve the outcome you sell in your course or coaching program – someone who represents your ideal client.
You can find them in your existing audience, your email list, or through a public call for applications.
- For a course creator specialized in email marketing, your stranger could be an e-commerce brand struggling to convert subscribers.
- For a solo creator teaching sales, it could be a freelancer looking to land bigger clients.
The key is that their problem is one you are an expert at solving. This makes the transformation you create for them more impactful and relevant to your target audience (the viewers).
Step 2: Set a Clear, High-Stakes Goal
The title of your video needs a specific, impressive goal. This is what creates the hook and makes viewers click.
Alex Hormozi uses titles like “Building a $12,000,000 Business for a Stranger in 25 Minutes.”
The bigger the number, the more compelling the promise. The time constraint adds urgency and makes the feat seem even more impressive.
Make sure the goal is ambitious yet believable within the business context. The point is to create a captivating case study, not an unrealistic fantasy.
Step 3: Structure the Whiteboard Session
The core of the video is the whiteboard breakdown. This is where you will diagnose the stranger’s business and map out your strategic plan.
Start by understanding their current situation: their revenue, their offer, their marketing channels, and their biggest challenges.
Then, use your unique framework or methodology to identify the key levers for growth.
Draw diagrams, write out formulas, and use a clear, step-by-step process. This visual demonstration of your expertise is what makes the format so powerful.
Step 4: Record and Edit for Clarity
While the format feels raw, the final video should be edited to be as clear and engaging as possible. Use on-screen text to highlight key numbers, concepts, and action items.
Cut out any fluff or dead air to keep the pace moving. The goal is to create a dense, high-value educational asset that viewers will want to watch from start to finish.
Even though the session is with a “stranger,” the production quality should still be professional. Good lighting, clear audio, and sharp editing will make your content feel more legitimate.
Step 5: Add a Strong Call to Action
At the end of the video, after you have delivered a massive amount of value, give your viewers a clear next step.
This could be an invitation to apply for your coaching program, a link to download a free resource that complements the video’s content, or a call to subscribe to your channel for more case studies.
Since you have just spent the entire video proving your expertise, the call to action will feel natural and earned, leading to higher conversion rates.
Our advice? Use a strategic lead magnet as explained in our Lead Multiplier Kit to drive viewers into your sales funnel and convert them into buyers.
Our Key Takeaways
The ‘Building a Business for a Stranger’ trend is a powerful way to turn your expertise into a compelling video asset that builds authority and drives high-quality leads.
- With this format, you provide a real-time, high-value consultation that showcases your unique frameworks and problem-solving abilities.
- The trend is effective because it combines a high-stakes (often financial) promise with a tangible, step-by-step demonstration of how to achieve it.
- To implement this for your info business, find someone in your niche, set a bold goal, and map out their growth plan on a whiteboard in a single, focused session.
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