A) LinkedIn’s Reality – Read through it: 1) Organic reach down 65% from peak and median impressions dropped 18% year-on-year 2) Top 1% creators grow 157x faster than average: excellence and niche focus are critical 3) Virality is capped, rewarding consistent, authority-driven posting over one-off viral hits 4) “Golden Hour” matters—first 60 minutes after posting drives initial reach, so aim for early engagement 5) The feed now prioritizes audience interests and relationships-not just recency-so quality evergreen content lasts longer B) Master the Art of Commenting: 1) The top 5% creators comment 499% more than average: 150-160 meaningful comments weekly is the benchmark 2) LinkedIn restricts daily comments to about 90 per day: make each one count and target high-value threads 3) Avoid generic, spammy AI-style comments; personalize with value, examples, and stories 4) Comments with images, anecdotes, and stories can get up to 30k views: go visual and real C) Format Matters: Prioritize These: 1) Carousels: 4x reach. Use >5 slides and stories. Make educational content interactive 2) Infographics: 3x reach. Actionable tips, structured “do this, don’t do that” formats work best 3) Motivational Quotes: 2.5x reach. Use unique brand backgrounds and iconography: billboards are outdated 4) Personal Images: 2.3x reach. Prioritize behind-the-scenes shots and real moments, not just staged photos 5) Videos: 1.9x reach. Blend teaching with personality for best performance 6) Text-Only Posts: Authority hooks, >1,250 characters, and 14+ short paragraphs perform best D) Algorithm Updates Every Creator Should Know: 1) Carousels are king and story-driven education works best 2) Infographics pull newsletter-level engagement; use them for shortcut learning 3) Longer, paragraph-rich posts (7+) boost reach by up to 74% 4) Write at a 4th–7th grade level for mass appeal; statistics and questions drive engagement, but avoid bland queries 5) Personal stories win-feed is tuned to push authenticity and expertise 6) External links in the main post still reduce reach; push important links to the comments 7) Native content-polls, carousels, videos-gets the biggest algorithmic bump E) Engagement Factors to Leverage: 1) LinkedIn values expert insights and insightful reposts that make readers smarter 2) Longer dwell time drives higher algorithmic visibility; favor saves, shares, and bookmarks 3) Likes matter less than meaningful engagement but still signal trust F) Advanced Creator Hacks: 1) Use Creator Mode and update hashtags quarterly to stay discoverable 2) Mix formats for weekly variety: audience and algorithm reward diversity 3) Analyze what works: iterate quickly for sustainable growth
Training the New LinkedIn Algorithm.
LINKEDIN IS CHANGING This change isn’t about chasing higher reach It’s about training the algorithm intentionally Because LinkedIn just rolled out its biggest transparency update yet The 360brew Report: – It finally explains what the platform actually rewards now and it’s not hustle, frequency, or hacks – The new algorithm is no longer rewarding activity – It’s rewarding coherence Let’s decode that for a second * The old game was simple:Post daily. Engage with everyone. Stay “active.” * The new game? Much smarter and much deeper. So, Write for LinkedIn’s reasoning engine. – Position yourself as an authority in your domain through consistent, coherent signals. Here’s how to train this new system to work for you: 1. Profile = Your Personal Brochure – Your profile is now your most important SEO/GEOon LinkedIn– The headline and first paragraph of your “About” section carry the most weight– Front-load your value, talk about who you help, how you help, and why it mattersA Keep it consistent with your content themes.– The AI reads this context while ranking your posts– Think of it as your executive summary: short, sharp, and story-led. 2) Content = Your Case Studies – Every post is a new data point for LinkedIn’s algorithm– It learns what you stand for by what (and how) you post– Go deep, not broad. Coherence > Virality– Structure your logic clearly: data, lists, or frameworks perform better because they signal expertise – Mix 3 core post types for balance: i) Credibility – authority led insightsii) Connection – personal, storytelling postsiii) Conversion – actionable, valuable lessons – Here’s a little-known insight: when users pause on your content for just 3 seconds,– LinkedIn interprets it as high relevance and scales your reach accordingly– So clarity & depth now matter more than polish 3) Engagement = You’re Training the Algorithm: – Your engagement activity is part of your “coherence score.” It’s how LinkedIn maps your professional identity– Don’t like or comment randomly– Leave thoughtful comments only on topics you want to be known for.– Engage 10 minutes before posting, this “warms” your feed and primes visibility In short, every interaction is a signal You’re not just networking you’re teaching the algorithm who to associate you with This shift means it’s no longer about performing It’s about positioning The creators and professionals who win here will treat LinkedIn as a long-term ecosystem, not a short-term stage Train the machine with intention and it will reward you with the right visibility, not fleeting reach So, how are you training your LinkedIn algorithm lately? Are you even doing it, if not- what are you waiting for? May be this post, haha Go for it now, pay attention, all the best
The Creator Playbook.
I had watched an interview of Tanmay Bhat with Varun Mayya quite some time ago, it made a lot of sense These are hard-earned lessons from the trenches of India’s digital ecosystem These were lying in my notes app, putting it out here, most things beautifully put by Tanmay, he indeed is a master of words I have modified a few things based on knowledge that I have gathered too Reaching 1K, 10K, 100K, 500K, 1 Million followers/subscribers isn’t just luck, it’s a result of systems, storytelling, & showing up relentlessly Whether you’re at follower 54 or 540K, this post is your playbook to build a scalable content engine from scratch 1) Find Product-Market Fit for ‘Enjoyment’: – Before you look for an audience, find what lights you up– Create around a topic you’d stick to for 3+ years– Test formats: video, writing, audio to find your medium– Use early feedback as guidance, not gospel– The best creators blend passion with market need 2) Build the Most Overlooked Skill: ‘Writing’ – No matter your platform, writing powers every hook, script, title, & caption– Great writing helps you:• Structure ideas that stick• Create emotional or intellectual payoff writing is a long-term leverage 3) Play for Asymmetric Returns: – One video can change your life– 1 out of 50 posts may go viral– Growth is spiky, not linear– Each post is a ‘lottery ticket’ with better odds through consistency– Show up often enough to get lucky 4) Master Retention: The Secret to Growth – Likes don’t scale, retention does– Open with curiosity– Add tension or mystery– Deliver a surprise halfway “oven moment”– Refresh visuals every 30/60 secs– Close with insight or clarity– Platforms reward content that keeps people watching 5) Short-form vs Long-form: – Use Both– Start with short-form to build confidence & audience habit– Evolve into long-form for trust and monetisation– Rule of thumb:. Short-form gets you discovered. Long-form earns you loyalty & money 6) Monetisation: Think Beyond Ads – Top content creators don’t rely on one stream– Courses & Coaching are high-margin, scalable impact– D2C Products: product opportunity– Consulting/Services: when businesses want your playbook 7) Build Your Content Team – Solo is fine to start but scale needs leverage and tribe– Start with freelancers: editors, writers, producers – Hire for:• Speed• Storytelling – Build small but sharp teams 8) From Creator to Company: – Content is the entry point, business is the outcome– Build IP, not just posts– Step out of ‘creator only’ mode into operator/founder mode– The best creators evolve into content entrepreneurs 9) Track What Matters: – Ignore vanity metrics, focus on:• Retention rate• Watch time• RPM• Repeat viewership• Engagement/impression• Upload velocity ‘Top creators aren’t guessing, they’re optimising’ ‘This Is a Marathon, Not a Meme’ ‘The creator economy isn’t a trend, it’s a revolution’ ‘Start today, not someday’
16 Mistakes Every New Content Creator in India Should Avoid.
1) Chasing Views Instead of Connection – Focusing on followers, likes, or virality kills long-term joy.– Instead, track comments, DMs, saves, shares. 2) Posting Without Purpose – Random posts confuse both the audience and the algorithm.– Post to educate, inspire, or entertain. Every post should have intent. 3) Trying to Be Someone Else – Copying tone, aesthetics, or persona to mimic successful creators? Audiences sense it.– Your voice and story are your power. 4) Ignoring Your Niche – Trying to appeal to everyone makes you forgettable.– Define what problem you solve. Stay in your niche until people recognize you for it. 5) Creating Only for Trends/Virality – Chasing reels and hooks without value turns content hollow.– Use trends as tools, not strategies. Build depth. Be known for something useful. 6) No CTA (Call-to-Action) – Ask the audience:“Agree?”“What would you do?”“Tag someone.”– Tell them what you want them to do next. 7) Spreading Too Thin Across Platforms – YouTube, Insta, LinkedIn, X, ThreadsAll at once? You’ll burn out.– Dominate one. Repurpose later. 8) Monetizing Too Soon or Unethically – Pushing products your audience doesn’t care for? Damages trust.– Monetize through value-first models: real brand fits, digital tools, helpful services. 9) Treating Followers Like Numbers, Not People – Posting without replying.– Never asking questions.– Every like is a person.– Start dialogues.– Use comments and DMs to build real community. 10) Neglecting Personal Branding – No visual identity. No consistent voice.– Changing your tone every week.– Pick a vibe. Stick to it.– Make people recognize you in 3 seconds. 11) Overprioritizing Quantity Over Craft – Posting daily but adding no value is worse than not posting at all.– Post less but better. 12) Creating Without a Backup Plan – Every day feels like “what do I post today?”– Batch content.– Build a 30–60 day reserve.– Keep yourself ahead. 13) Hiding Your Face or Voice – Faceless quotes and stock reels get scrolled past.– Audiences trust faces.– Start with voiceovers if needed, but show yourself. 14) Not Listening to Feedback – You have audience signals but you’re ignore them.– Ask what they want.– Watch comments.– Build content from questions and pain points. 15) Avoiding Collaboration – Trying to do it all alone? You’ll go far slower.– Collaborate. M– Learn.– Feedback from peers accelerates growth and confidence. 16) Treating It as a Hobby, Not a Serious Career – Time-block your week.– Track insights.– Create like it’s your career because it can be. Your first 1,000 followers are your foundation. Your first 10,000 shape your identity. Your first 100,000? That’s where the flywheel kicks in. If you want to connect with me to discuss starting/scaling content, strategy, growth, feel free to block my time using topmate.io/join2manish, reserve your slot
10 Habits of Long-Term YouTubers Who Still Win.
The content creators who started creating long-form content (10 minutes+) back in 2015-16 and those wo are still regular with their content journey, they show up on YouTube, post videos and have managed to stay relevant have done a few things in common If you want to be a content creator and be relevant over the years, here are a few things you must consider paying attention to These are common behaviours that each of these content creators who have stood for over a decade has done, again and again: 1) Storytelling is everything: Capture interest in the first 10 seconds. Narrative arcs, hooks, and dynamic visuals keep viewers watching and YouTube notices. 2) Technical polish matters: Invest in crisp audio, quality visuals, and seamless editing. Consistent branding (thumbnails, intros, end screens) builds trust and keeps audiences coming back. 3) Thumbnails & Titles Are First Impression: Test faces, emotions, colour, fonts. Use concise, relevant titles packed with keywords. Proper metadata helps your content get seen. Less but to the point – is more when it comes or both thumbnails and titles. 4) Retention is king: Hook instantly, then vary pace and inject “pattern breakers” at likely drop-off points. Strong retention tells the algorithm your video deserves to be recommended. Healthy AVD is everything, it matters more than the number of views. 5) Build real community: Engage actively: pin comments, answer questions, host livestreams. Loyal audiences boost returning viewers and organic reach. 6) Consistency & Formats win: Stick to a reliable schedule (full-length videos + Shorts). Diversify formats to reach both core fans and new users algorithms reward this. Use all the forms and tools. 7) Obsess over analytics: Let data (CTR, retention, watch time) guide every decision, from thumbnail improvements to topic shifts. Always test, learn, iterate, and implement. 8) Be the niche authority: Go deep in your field. Prioritise evergreen content that ages well and attracts long-term views—freshen it up as trends return. 9) Collaborate strategically: Partner with peers and complementary content creators. Cross-promote on multiple platforms (Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Discord, Reddit, Telegram, WhatsApp, Newsletters) to expand your ecosystem 10) Stay adaptable: YouTube is always evolving. Embrace new features, formats, and monetisation tools quickly. Agility means survival and growth. Sustained YouTube success isn’t luck.It’s a craft: blending art, analytics, technology, and deep audience empathy, day in, day out. Comment the names of content creators who you think started back in 2015/16 and are still going strong