Turning a simple “thank you” into a multi-million-dollar empire sounds impossible. 

Yet, that’s exactly what Sergey Kosenko did, transforming a viral video into a social media phenomenon. 

But behind the cash giveaways and daily reels lies a story of relentless dedication, entrepreneurial savvy, and a dash of serendipity that’s too compelling to ignore.

In this exclusive Net Influencer interview, we have a story of the man behind “Mr. Thank You,” viral content, unconventional monetization, and the power of authentic connection in the age of social media.

The Birth of “Mr. Thank You”

Sergey’s journey to social media stardom was atypical. He was born in Hungary but grew up in Russia.

After a successful banking career in Russia, he ventured into entrepreneurship, experiencing both highs and lows. 

“My debt was around $1 million,” Sergey recalls his first failed business selling blankets with sleeves. “That was insane for a 25-year-old guy.”

Undeterred, Sergey pivoted to social media and educational programs. He eventually launched a successful giveaway company in Russia, collaborating with celebrities and influencers. 

“We gave away around 100 cars, including Rolls Royce, Bentley, Mercedes Benz,” he says. “I love to give away money to people.”

Sergey’s global ambitions were sparked during a trip to Los Angeles. 

“I met one nice girl… she’s a Russian influencer,” he explains. “One American girl was screaming when she saw [her]. I was like, ‘Wow, is it real that someone can move to another country, start from zero, and make a big fan audience?'”

This realization led Sergey to launch multiple social media accounts. After initial struggles, a video featuring repeated “thank yous” went viral, garnering 40 million views in a week.

“That was the day Mr. Thank You was born,” Sergey tells us.

In just two years, he has amassed 46 million followers on Instagram, making his account one of the fastest-growing on the platform.

Breaking Instagram

Sergey’s transformation into “Mr. Thank You” was an unexpected result of social media virality. 

“If you made something viral, if you found something that works, you should just repeat, repeat, repeat,” Sergey explains. 

This strategy paid off as subsequent videos garnered millions of views. “Every video was like 10 million, 10 million, 10 million,” he adds.

The nickname “Mr. Thank You” was coined by his followers, leading Sergey to embrace the moniker. He even purchased the Instagram verification for $1,000.

Three key factors drive the content creator’s hunger for social media fame. 

“The first biggest reason is my son, the second biggest reason is to give away real money to people, and the third biggest reason is consistency and discipline,” Sergey states.

Initially using prop money for content, Sergey transitioned to giving away real cash to evoke genuine reactions. 

“When you give money to real people and when they show the emotions, that changes everything,” he notes.

Sergey’s commitment to content creation is evident in his posting schedule. “I posted 20 reels a day, every day without breaks, for the last eight months,” he reveals.

This strategy has led to explosive growth, with Sergey claiming his account has gained approximately 5 million monthly followers since November 2023.

Creating Without Compromise

Sergey’s approach to content creation is driven by genuine passion and a desire for authenticity.

“I love what I’m doing,” he emphasizes. 

The love manifests in diverse content, from cash giveaways to relationship-focused videos and musical endeavors. 

“I love giving away money. I love people’s emotions when they’re happy. And I love to make these funny videos with relationships and for my musical career,” he explains.

Sergey’s content strategy is guided by his interests rather than a rigid plan. “I never do what I don’t want to do, really,” he states. 

Such an approach leads to unpredictable content schedules, with Sergey sometimes releasing multiple songs in a single day, followed by months of musical hiatus.

Despite his forays into music, the Russian influencer acknowledges that his audience primarily engages with his humorous videos and cash giveaways. 

“I’m trying to make my music popular, but I think that my followers, my audience, they just love my funny videos, and they just love [when] I’m giving away money,” he reflects.

Self-awareness doesn’t deter Sergey from pursuing his diverse interests. Instead, it reinforces his commitment to authenticity in content creation. 

“I don’t know what differentiates me from other creators. But I’m sure I love what I’m doing,” he tells us.

Monetization and Content Management

Sergey has developed a unique strategy for content management and monetization that defies industry norms. 

Despite being one of the fastest-growing Instagram accounts globally, Sergey faces challenges in traditional platform-based monetization.

“Instagram doesn’t pay me; YouTube pays me around $200 monthly. TikTok doesn’t pay me anything,” Sergey reveals. 

Content restrictions compound this lack of direct platform revenue. “When I send someone money, sometimes Instagram deletes these posts, deletes these reels, and makes restrictions on my recommendation feed,” he explains.

Nevertheless, Sergey leverages his entrepreneurial background to monetize independently. His primary strategy involves organizing large-scale giveaways, a method he perfected in his previous ventures. 

“I made around 300 giveaways on my Russian company,” he notes.

Recently, Sergey orchestrated what he claims to be “the biggest giveaway in the world,” offering a Porsche Cayenne, 30 iPhones, and $20,000 cash. 

Despite skepticism from industry peers, Sergey sold sponsorship spots for $25,000 each, significantly higher than established influencer rates.

“Yesterday, it was 8 million views, 8 million reach [on Instagram stories],” Sergey says, comparing this to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 18 million views despite the soccer player’s substantially larger follower base.

According to Sergey, the giveaway’s success was staggering. “Each sponsor gets 500,000-550,000 followers in one week,” he reports, exceeding industry standards.

Sergey’s approach to content management is equally unconventional. He handles all Instagram posts, believing that personal energy has more power than algorithms. 

“When you believe, have the state of mind, and have a lot of energy, it works,” he explains.

While open to brand collaborations, Sergey is selective, often finding offered rates below his perceived value. 

“Sometimes they just ask me to make a reel for $20,000 or something like that. But on my Russian account… if you want to be the guest [on my podcast], you should pay me $100,000,” he reveals.

The Formula for Viral Success

Sergey offers a simple formula for aspiring content creators seeking quick growth: consistency and volume.

“If you find something that works, you should repeat it,” Sergey advises. “You should make it constantly.” 

His strategy involves posting 20 reels daily on Instagram, surpassing the typical creator’s output.

“For now, you post one reel a day, and I post 20 reels a day, where there are no competitors,” he explains. “I have 20 times more chances to become viral.”

However, Sergey acknowledges the challenge of maintaining such a rigorous posting schedule. “I can tell them everything, but I think 0.1% will do it,” he admits, highlighting the intense dedication required for his approach.

Beyond content creation, Sergey emphasizes the importance of human connection in his journey. “I’m grateful for all the people I met in this journey because only people and their emotions… This is real,” he reflects.

Sergey has serious goals. He aims to reach 100 million Instagram followers by the end of 2024, star in a major Hollywood film, and welcome a second child.

His parting wisdom transcends content creation: “You never know what will happen tomorrow. You cannot change anything in your past. So the only happiness is the moment right now.”