Building a Viral Short-Form Quiz Business on YouTube, TikTok & Instagram

✉️ Everyone likes trivia, right? (even if you try to deny it) - Then why not create an easily scalable content business around it that takes less than an hour of work each day?

In this edition of Easy Startup Ideas, we’ll break down how you can build a highly engaging, monetizable trivia brand by creating viral short-form quiz content on YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels—leveraging automation, AI, and strategic monetization to scale quickly.

Today’s Idea

A content-based business that creates engaging, fast-paced trivia and quiz videos using simple tools like Canva, CapCut, or Premiere Pro and shares them across YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok.

The goal is to build an engaged audience while monetizing through ads, sponsorships, digital products, memberships, and affiliate marketing.

Ideal Customer

• Casual Social Media Users – People who enjoy quick, engaging trivia content and love testing their knowledge.

• Quiz & Trivia Enthusiasts – Users who actively participate in online quizzes and games.

• Students & Lifelong Learners – Those looking for bite-sized educational entertainment.

• Teachers & Educators – Teachers looking for easy, engaging content to use in classrooms.

Why It Will Succeed

1. Short-form content is growing rapidly. Platforms like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok prioritize engaging, quick content, making it easier to gain organic reach.

2. Trivia is highly shareable. People love testing their knowledge and challenging friends, increasing engagement and virality.

3. Minimal production effort. Trivia content can be easily created using AI-generated questions and basic editing tools.

4. Multiple revenue streams. Monetization options range from ad revenue to digital products and affiliate marketing.

5. Evergreen content. Trivia remains relevant over time, meaning old videos continue generating views and revenue.

Getting Started and Building an MVP

Step 1: Choose a Trivia Niche

Selecting a niche helps target a specific audience and stand out in the algorithm. Some high-engagement trivia niches include the following (but you can go deeper into any one of these):

• General Knowledge: Classic trivia covering history, science, and geography.

• Pop Culture & Entertainment: Movies, TV shows, celebrity facts, music.

• Science & Space: Fun facts about physics, astronomy, and technology.

• History & Geography: World history, famous battles, country capitals.

• Sports Trivia: Facts about famous athletes, records, and historic games.

• Educational Trivia: SAT-style questions, IQ tests, or riddles.

• Funny or Absurd Facts: Bizarre trivia, weird laws, and little-known facts.

Step 2: Research & Collect Trivia Questions

Gather engaging, fact-checked trivia questions. Use sources like:

• AI Tools: Use ChatGPT or Perplexity.ai to generate quiz questions.

• Trivia Books & Websites: Resources like Sporcle, Trivia Plaza, or Jeopardy Archive.

• Reddit & Forums: Check subreddits like r/trivia for unique quiz ideas.

Format each trivia question as:
Q: What is the capital of Canada?
A. Toronto
B. Vancouver
C. Ottawa
D. Montreal
Answer: C. Ottawa

Step 3: Create Trivia Video Content

Use Canva or CapCut to make visually engaging videos.

Option 1: Using Canva (Best for Animated Trivia Slides)

1. Go to Canva and choose a video template (16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for TikTok & Instagram).

2. Create a quiz slide with a background, the trivia question, and four answer choices.

3. Duplicate slides to show the correct answer that appears 10-20 seconds later with a short explanation.

4. Add motion effects to make text and images dynamic.

5. Download as MP4.

Option 2: Using CapCut (Best for Shorts with Motion & Sound)

1. Open CapCut and create a new project.

2. Import trivia question slides from Canva or type text directly in CapCut.

3. Use animated text for questions and multiple-choice answers.

4. Add sound effects and background music. Use CapCut’s built-in library or Epidemic Sound.

5. Include a progress timer (e.g., a countdown bar to create urgency).

6. Export as MP4 in 1080p.

Option 3: Using AI Voiceovers (Optional, but Engaging)

1. Use ElevenLabs or Play.ht to generate a natural-sounding AI voice.

2. Upload the script (question + answer choices).

3. Download the voiceover and add it to your video in CapCut.

Step 4: Post the Trivia Content Across Multiple Platforms

• YouTube Shorts: Use strong keywords and an engaging thumbnail.

• TikTok: Post using trending sounds and add hashtags like #trivia #quiztime #didyouknow.

• Instagram Reels: Share to Stories for extra reach.

• Facebook Reels: Repurpose for Facebook’s growing short-form video audience.

Step 5: Engage Viewers & Optimize for Algorithm Growth

• Encourage comments by asking questions like “Can you get this right? Comment below!”

• Reply to comments with new trivia questions to boost engagement.

• Pin a call-to-action comment (e.g., “Follow for daily trivia challenges!”).

Monetization Strategies

1. YouTube Shorts Ad Revenue

• YouTube’s Partner Program pays for Shorts views. To qualify, a channel needs 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views in 90 days.

• Expected earnings range from $1,000 to $5,000 per 50 million views per month.

2. Sponsorships & Brand Deals

• Partner with brands in education, gaming, quiz apps, books, and board games.

• Sponsorship rates can range from $500 to $10,000 per sponsored video, depending on audience size.

3. Affiliate Marketing (Trivia Products & Games)

• Promote trivia-related products such as board games, quiz apps, and educational books using affiliate links.

• Example: A trivia board game selling for $25 with a 5% commission yields $1.25 per sale. If 1,000 followers purchase, that results in $1,250 per month.

4. Patreon or Membership Model

• Offer exclusive trivia challenges, extended quizzes, or a private trivia club through Patreon or YouTube Memberships.

• A $5/month subscription with 500 members results in $2,500/month in recurring revenue.

5. Selling Digital Trivia Packs (E-books, Printables, or Apps)

• Create downloadable trivia packs, printable quiz sheets, or digital escape room games and sell them on Gumroad, Etsy, or a personal website.

• If priced at $10 per pack, 200 monthly sales generate $2,000.

6. AI-Powered Trivia Chatbot

• Use AI tools like ChatGPT API or ManyChat to build an interactive trivia chatbot where users pay for premium quizzes.

• Example: A chatbot that charges $1/month for daily premium trivia could generate passive income from engaged users.

7. Hosting Live Trivia Games (TikTok & YouTube Super Chats)

• Go live on YouTube or TikTok and allow users to donate via TikTok Gifts or YouTube Super Chats.

• If 1,000 viewers each send $1 worth of gifts per session, earnings reach $1,000 per live event.

Marketing Strategies

1. Create Viral Hooks: Use attention-grabbing intros such as “99% of people fail this quiz!”

2. Post 3-5 Times Per Day: Frequency is crucial for algorithm growth.

3. Cross-Post Content: Repurpose videos across YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Facebook Reels.

4. Use Trending Sounds & Effects: Incorporate popular music and video templates to increase discoverability.

5. Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with established trivia or education-focused creators to expand reach.

Expanding and Improving

1. Build a Full-Scale Trivia Brand: Launch a dedicated trivia website or app with interactive games and premium content.

2. Merchandise: Develop branded merchandise such as trivia-themed shirts or mugs.

3. Offer Custom Trivia for Businesses: Sell tailored trivia quizzes to corporate events, schools, and team-building activities.

4. Launch a Trivia Podcast: Convert video content into a long-form podcast available on platforms like Spotify and YouTube.

Brainstormed Business Names

Names for a business like this should likely include some aspect of the niche it’s focused on, but here are a few generic names:

1. Trivia Titan

2. Smart Shorts Quiz

3. QuickFire Trivia

4. 60-Second Genius

5. The Quiz Vault

6. MindSprint

7. Trivia Takedown

8. Fact or Fake?

9. Ultimate Brain Bites

10. Trivia Shock

Thanks for checking out another edition of Easy Startup Ideas!

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