21 million YouTube subscribers. 9.4 million TikTok followers. 379,000 Instagram followers. Nearly 20 billion YouTube views. Over 260 million TikTok likes. Multiple TikToks in the millions of views, including one with nearly half a billion.

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Justin Flom has become synonymous viral digital content. Oh, and mind-blowing magic too.

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He went from child magician to aspiring YouTuber in the early 2010s to being brought in as a regular guest on The Ellen Show to viral sensation.

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Today, he amasses over one billion views each month. He’s gotten the gist of it.

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But while his journey to stardom may appear meteoric, nothing is what it seems. He is an illusionist after all.

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So, how did Justin Flom go from child magician to social media mogul?

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On this week’s episode of Break The Internet, the magician revealed his secrets.

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A house full of magic

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Justin Flom was born into a family deeply rooted in magic. He was introduced to the art of illusion at a young age. 

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His father, Scott Flom, also a magician, nurtured Justin's passion and talent.

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It was written in the stars. Since birth, Justin’s surroundings laid the foundation for what would become a flourishing career.

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By drawing inspiration from his father and renowned magicians like David Copperfield, he honed his skills. 

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Slowly but surely, he began to build performances that would mesmerize audiences.

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The same performances that would wow the internet a few years later.

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The social beast

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Justin’s journey took a turn with the massive growth of social media. 

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From the get-go, he seemed to recognize the potential of platforms like YouTube and Instagram.

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He saw digital content creation for what it truly was: a means to reach a wider audience.

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Beyond simply using it as a creative outlet, Justin leveraged social platforms to reach new heights.

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And that was the pivotal moment that marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career.

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Initially, his content revolved around traditional magic tricks. He showcased his ability and flair for illusion.

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But he was quick to realize he needed to adapt and innovate to stand out in a crowd that grew more immense by the minute.

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Experimentation became the first step in his creative process. He strived to push the boundaries of conventional magic and captivate viewers with fresh, engaging content.

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As Justin’s digital presence grew, so did his understanding of audience engagement.

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He studied the intricacies of platform dynamics and tailored his content to suit the preferences of different audiences.

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Short, attention-grabbing videos for TikTok. Longer, more elaborate performances for YouTube. 

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Justin proved time and time again he was versatile enough to ride the wave and keep up with shifting trends.

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Digital literacy

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When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it posed unprecedented challenges for performers worldwide. How would they stay relevant without being able to meet audiences?

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For Justin, it was an opportunity to explore new ways of connecting with his audience. 

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He jumped into live streaming and virtual performances to bring his magic directly into people's homes.

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His focus was on creating daily content to take advantage of the availability of attention spans.

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He created puzzles and challenges for the audience. Started doing bizarre and funny content. Demystified magic tricks. Delved into art and DIY projects.

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He adapted.

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Justin paid attention and constantly sought ways to become more appealing.

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From comedy sketches to house renovation and family content. He took every route he needed to stay relevant, all while keeping his flare.

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Even if it meant earning a bad name in the magic community for revealing his secrets. He knew what he needed to do.

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Now you see him…

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Today, Justin has amassed nearly 100 billion views across all platforms.

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His content is varied and he’s ventured into different projects to diversify his revenue stream.

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He has plans to sell art stencils for children and wants to take the next step into bringing magic to people’s homes by selling products to make houses more fun.

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Though he’s had opportunities to work in television and other mediums, he’s stayed true to social media and its experimental possibilities. A smart decision, considering the empire he’s built.

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Justin Flom wasn’t just talented or creative, he was resilient, adaptable, and innovative. He persevered.

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Becoming a content machine. Experimenting with all types of formats. Going the extra mile to make people interested.

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And in a crowd full of wannabe viral stars, that might just be the secret behind the trick.

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