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
The Spiritual Point of View for Content Creators.
Spiritual Lens for Content Creator 🌱0 to 10K Followers: The Grounding Stage You’re in obscurity and that is divineThis is your sadhanaPlant deep roots 1) Create without craving– Don’t chase likes, chase truth– Let your voice mature in solitude 2) Your content is karma– Each post is a karmic action– Be mindful of intention, not just impact 3) Master the basics:– Learn editing, writing, design– This is your modern day tapasya 4) Show up daily– Consistency is greater than talent– Publish imperfectly, learn ruthlessly 5) Don’t fear invisibility– No one noticing is your chance to experiment wildly– Treat obscurity as freedom 6) Engage deeply– Every comment matters now. Build your first 100 loyal people 7) Consume consciously– Study 10x more than you create but don’t mimic, assimilate 🔥10K to 100K Followers: The Refinement Stage Now the world is watchingYou are not starting anymore, start behaving like it 1) Double down on what works– Find your lane and own it– Don’t keep pivoting 2) Build systems– Weekly calendars, templates, and rituals will set you free– Don’t just gather followers create ‘Satsang’ 3) Invest with intention– Buy only what boosts efficiency– Flashiness drains karma (and money) 4) Balance passion & profit– Say no to brands that dilute your messagel even if they pay 5) Mentor and be mentored1 Learn from those ahead– Pull those behind– It’s all seva 6) Reflect weekly– Ask: “Am I still serving, or am I chasing?”– Truth keeps you clean 🌳100K to 500K Followers: The Expansion Stage You’re not small anymoreThis stage amplifies everything, strengths and weaknesses 1) Ego will knock – don’t open– Stay humble– Talk less– Serve more 2) Watch your money– Spend consciously– Save aggressively– Don’t chase creator lifestyle traps 3) Give before you ask– Your audience owes you nothing– Keep serving– Keep giving 4) Watch your inputs– Avoid mindless scrolling– Curate your information diet like a monk’s meal 🏔️500K to 1M Followers: The Legacy Stage You are now a voice of influenceThe question is: influence for what? 1) Choose leadership over control– Uplift your team, don’t manage them– Be the sun, not the spotlight 2) Detach from praise AND criticism– Neither defines you– The work does 3) Don’t become a prisoner of persona– Reinvent if needed– Don’t sell your soul to an old version of yourself 4) Create from stillness– Let your next evolution come from silence, not pressure 5) Give back daily– Sponsor education– Run impact projects– Teach openly– Use your spotlight to illuminate others 6) Ask yourself one question weekly– If I lost it all today, would I still be proud of how I showed up? Create like a RishiServe like a SikhDetach like a JainBe mindful like a Buddha If you want to connect with me to discuss starting/scaling content, strategy, growth, feel free to block my time using topmate.io/join2manish, book your slot
The Evolution Of The Indian Creator Economy.
The EvolutionOf The Indian Creator Economy (2016–2025) The Indian creator economy has moved from content-first to company-first approach in last ten years. It’s no longer about chasing attention, it’s about owning it & monetizing This isn’t just a trend or a fad anymore. It’s India’s next big industry – creating opportunities, jobs & more From side hustles to socio-economic powerhouses here’s a crisp breakdown of how the Indian creator ecosystem has evolved: 1) Mid-size content creators are on a rise: – Creators with 10K–500K followers now earn ₹50K–₹5L/month.– This segment drives 65–70% of brand campaigns. 2) Creators = Businesses No longer just influencers, today’s creators launch products, courses, communities, and full-stack digital companies creating job opportunities 3) Regional wins: 70%+ of YouTube viewership is non-English. Vernacular creators dominate engagement metrics. 4) Multi-platform strategy is non-negotiable: Each platform plays a different role: – YouTube (depth)– Instagram (reach)– LinkedIn (credibility)– WhatsApp, Telegram (community) 5) Indian creator SaaS is booming: DIY tools now let creators monetize faster through courses, stores, & memberships 6) Live Commerce Still Early: Unlike China, India hasn’t scaled live commerce yet however infra is catching up 7) Influencer Marketing is Mainstream: – Brands now allocate 10–25% of digital budgets here– Market size: ₹2,800–₹3,000 Cr. growing at 25–30% CAGR 8. Performance > Popularity: – Clicks, conversions, & retention > likes & views– ROI is the new currency 9) Education goes creator-led: Niche knowledge in finance, AI, fitness, & content creation is being taught directly by content creators and their teams 10) Podcasts are trust engines: – Long-form content drives deep relationships– Repurposing into Shorts = bonus reach 11) Creator Economy = Jobs: – Every full-time creator generates 4–6 indirect jobs– Over 10L+ employed across roles 12. Micro-agencies on the rise: – Mid-size creators (50K+) now need managers– The ecosystem has exploded with agencies & reps 13) Real engagement win: – Saves, comments, shares, & CTRs are what brands care about not vanity metrics. 14) Legal, financial maturity: Contracts, GST invoices, ASCI compliance creators are now run like startups 15) Burnout is REAL: With algorithm pressure, many creators now actively manage mental health & breaks 16) AI = 10x content output: – One creator can now do the work of ten– AI is the new teammate 17) UGC Creators → Better ROI: – Everyday creators (2K–10K followers) drive authentic content & cheaper performance wins 18) Collabs > Competition: – Crossovers between creators unlock network effects and audience sharing. 19) Global Playbook, Indian Roots: – Indian creators are gaining global traction in tech, finance, & culture with Hinglish-led formats 20) Creator-Investors: – Top creators are now funding and launching startups bringing capital and attention