YouTube gained its first 10,000 users through a combination of strategic marketing efforts, word-of-mouth promotion, and the appeal of its unique platform. Here is a detailed explanation of how YouTube achieved this milestone:

1. Founders' Background: YouTube was founded by three former PayPal employees, Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim, who had experience in technology and online marketing. Their expertise and network played a crucial role in the initial growth of YouTube.

2. Viral Video Strategy: YouTube's founders recognized the power of viral videos in attracting users. They created a simple and user-friendly platform that allowed anyone to upload, share, and embed videos easily. To kickstart the platform, they uploaded a short 19-second video titled "Me at the zoo" featuring Jawed Karim, which became the first video on YouTube. This video quickly gained traction and went viral, attracting thousands of users to the platform.

3. Influencer Marketing: In addition to viral videos, YouTube leveraged influential bloggers and internet celebrities to promote the platform. They reached out to influential bloggers and asked them to embed YouTube videos on their blogs, which helped to drive traffic and gain new users.

4. Partnering with Online Communities: YouTube engaged with online communities and forums where users shared and discussed videos. They actively participated in these communities, sharing YouTube links and encouraging users to join the platform. This grassroots approach helped to create a buzz around YouTube and attract early adopters.

5. Cross-Promotion: YouTube leveraged existing social media platforms like MySpace to gain users. They allowed users to embed YouTube videos on their MySpace profiles, which helped to expose the platform to a wider audience. This cross-promotion strategy helped YouTube tap into the existing user base of popular social media platforms.

6. Media Coverage: YouTube received media coverage from influential outlets like TechCrunch and The New York Times, which helped to generate interest and attract new users. The coverage highlighted the unique features of YouTube, such as the ability to easily share and embed videos.

7. User Experience: YouTube's user-friendly interface and innovative features, such as video comments and video responses, contributed to its initial growth. These features encouraged users to engage with the platform and share videos with their friends and followers, leading to organic growth.

8. Word-of-Mouth Marketing: As YouTube gained traction, users started sharing videos with their friends, family, and colleagues, leading to word-of-mouth promotion. The ease of sharing videos and the viral nature of some content helped YouTube spread rapidly among various social circles.

References:

• "The YouTube Effect" - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/magazine/16youtube.html)
• "YouTube: The Start of Something Big" - TechCrunch (https://techcrunch.com/2005/11/13/youtube-the-start-of-something-big/)