10 Things Every Subject Matter Expert Must Do to Build Their Personal Brand Starting Day 1 – With no extra expense 1. Pick One Core Topic, Not 10 Start with one area you know deeply, something you can speak about confidently without research. ➡ Instead of “marketing,” go for “Instagram growth by creative storytelling” 2. Define Your Niche and Ideal Audience Clearly: Be laser-specific. You’re not speaking to “everyone who wants to grow.” You’re helping a very defined persona, know who you want to target/influence/reach ➡ Example: “First-time founders building a SaaS product without a tech co-founder.” 3. Choose One Platform to Begin — Based on Your Strengths & Audience Don’t chase all platforms. ➡ If you’re a good writer, start with LinkedIn. ➡ If you think visually, use Instagram. ➡ If you’re confident on camera, begin with YouTube Shorts or Reels. Once momentum builds, you can repurpose for others. 4. Start Simple: Use What You Already Have No need to create from scratch. Use old presentations, recorded Zoom calls, client FAQs, or handwritten notes. ➡ Turn a webinar into a blog post. A client query into a carousel. A training session into a short-form video. 5. Build Around 3–5 Evergreen Content Pillars These are your go-to themes that solve recurring problems for your audience. ➡ Examples: “Pricing Strategy for Freelancers,” “Time Management for Solo Consultants,” “Negotiation Tactics for First-Time Founders.” 6. Repurpose Ruthlessly Across Formats From one solid post, you can create: → A short LinkedIn video→ A carousel for Instagram→ A YouTube Short with voiceover→ Snippets for Twitter or Threads This multiplies your output without extra effort. 7. Use Free Tools to Stay Consistent Without a Team Use free scheduling tools like Buffer, Canva, Notion, or Metricool to plan and publish without daily stress.You don’t need a social media manager — you need a system. 8. Tell Personal Stories with Real Lessons Facts educate, but stories stick. Share your missteps, mindset shifts, and real-life case studies.It makes your expertise more human — and more memorable. 9. Build Authority First — Monetization Follows Don’t try to sell a course, webinar, or consulting service on Day 1.Use the first 3–6 months to build credibility, proof of expertise, and trust.Only then introduce paid offerings. 10. Treat This Like a 100-Post Game, Not a 100-Post Gamble You don’t become a thought leader in a month. If you stay consistent for 100 posts, you’ll learn faster, grow deeper roots, and unlock clients, speaking gigs, content deals, or investor interest Final Thought You already have the most important asset: your knowledge. What you need now is structure, consistency, and the courage to build publicly. The rest follows
25 Things You Should Never Do as a YouTube Content Creator
25 Things You Should Never Do as a YouTube Content Creator As a YouTuber, it’s easy to focus on growth, engagement, and virality But equally important is knowing what not to do on YouTube The YouTube Community Guidelines are not just fine print, they are foundational rules that protect creators, audiences, & the entire ecosystem Violating them can lead to demonetization, content strikes, or even a permanent ban Here’s a clear checklist every creator should be aware of: 1) Avoid spam or deceptive tactics. This includes fake giveaways, misleading thumbnails or titles, and repetitive comments 2) Do not impersonate individuals, brands, or public figures. Even parody has boundaries 3) Never upload sexually explicit content or fetish-focused material 4) Do not sexualize or exploit minors. YouTube removes such content immediately. 5) Never promote self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders. YouTube actively removes this type of content 6) Avoid graphic violence or gore unless it is used in educational or documentary context 7) Do not perform or encourage dangerous stunts or pranks that could cause harm 8) Never threaten others or reveal their private data. This includes cyberbullying and doxxing 9) Hate speech is strictly forbidden. Do not target anyone based on race, gender, religion, or any protected identity 10) Avoid chronic harassment or targeting individuals with slurs or ongoing negativity 11) Do not share how-to content that teaches dangerous or illegal activities 12) Never show minors in inappropriate or risky situations, like handling fireworks or drinking alcohol 13) Refrain from promoting or linking to illegal goods such as firearms, drugs, or fake documents 14) Medical misinformation can cause real-world harm. Avoid spreading unverified health claims 15) Do not share content that misleads about elections or discourages people from voting 16) Avoid manipulating engagement metrics. This includes buying views, using bots, or misleading thumbnails 17) Repetitive, low-quality, or copied content may lead to demonetization or channel removal 18) Respect copyright. Use licensed audio, video, or media assets 19) Protect privacy. Do not expose others’ personal details like phone numbers or addresses 20) Never promote or associate with violent extremist groups or criminal organizations 21) Harmful or deceptive links, such as phishing sites or crypto scams, are not allowed 22) Animal cruelty is not entertainment. Do not upload such content, even staged ‘rescues’ 23) If content is made for children, label it accurately and follow all kid-focused policies 24) Do not mislead about age-appropriate content or encourage unsupervised usage by minors 25) Never try to bypass enforcement by creating new channels after strikes or bans 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
YT Shorts vs YT Long-Form
Shorts vs Long-Form: The Truth Every Creator Should Know Every content creator today is facing one question should you go all-in on short-form Reels/Shorts for viral reach, or focus on long-form videos & podcasts for long-term growth? Here’s the reality, based on deeper research and real numbers: 1) Short-form (Reels/Shorts) feels exciting 1 viral post, overnight reach, phone flooded with notifications. But the same viral shorts (1M views) gets you only ₹5-24 thousand.(About $10–60 in the US scenario) The same 1M views on a long-form YouTube video can get you ₹1–2 lakh (or $1200–6000+). That’s the gap. Why? Platforms reward watch time, not just views. Platforms like YouTube & Instagram want you creating short videos. Why? – 60–80% finish a 30-sec video, only 20–30% complete a 30-min one – 60 short videos mean 60 ad slots, 1 long video = 1–2 ad slots – Each swipe = 15x more data points for the platform to learn from 2) For content creators: – Short-form brings FOLLOWERS– Long-form brings TRUST—and sales– Most brand deals, product sales, and e-courses come from long-form videos, podcasts, and deep interviews – No one pays ₹50,000 for a course after watching a reel they do after binging 3 hours of your content. Even Gary Vee & BeerBiceps use both:• Use Shorts to get attention• Use long-form to build strong revenue streams Gary Vaynerchuk’s Approach: – Creates pillar long-form content, then cuts it into dozens of short clips distributed everywhere.– His philosophy: “Be where attention is, but build where trust pays.” BeerBiceps (Ranveer Allahbadia) Strategy: – 2-3 hour podcast episodes with A-list guests form the foundation.– Instagram Reels are just appetizers that drive people to the main course. But here’s what most ignore: Short-form content is TRULY rewiring our brains Research shows that heavy social media use correlates with reduced attention spans and impaired cognitive control. 5 years ago, you could watch a 3-hour movie without checking your phone. Today, 10-minute videos feel too long. – Attention spans are collapsing– But deep focus is what separates top professionals from the crowd– In 2025, your ability to focus for 30+ min is your secret weapon 3) So, how to win? Follow the 70-20-10 Rule for content:Creators: – 70% focus = long-form (foundation, money, trust)– 20% = short-form (repurpose main video, new experiments)– 10% = collabs, newsletters, livesConsumers:– 70% should be podcasts/videos/masterclasses– 20% strategic Shorts/Reels, only to discover deeper content– 10% newsletters/reading Key: – Don’t obsess over views– Focus on watchtime, retention, & monetization– Stop chasing scattered virality– Start building content assets that compound– Both formats are TOOLS – not destinations– Short-form gets you noticed– Long-form gets you PAID India: 600M+ daily viewers: 385M IG users70B Shorts views/day: 490M YT users But the creators who make a living?They play the long game.
YouTube’s 2025 Monetization Shake-Up
YouTube dropped its biggest creator economy updates in 2025 – and it’s reshaping everything we know about content monetization After deep-diving into YouTube’s revolutionary changes, here’s what every content creator, brand manager, and marketer needs to know: 1) MONETIZATION CRACKDOWN IS REAL: YouTube renamed “repetitious content” to “inauthentic content” – targeting AI-generated, mass-produced videos. Template reactions and low-effort compilations? Say goodbye to monetization. This isn’t just policy tweaking; it’s YouTube betting big on authentic storytelling. 2) THE HYPE FEATURE = DEMOCRATIZED DISCOVERY: This changes everything for smaller creators (under 500K subs). Viewers can “hype” 3 videos weekly, pushing content up ranked leaderboards. In beta testing alone: 5M+ hypes across 50K+ channels. For brands scouting emerging talent? This is your new goldmine. 3) COLLAB FEATURE FOR LONG-FORM VIDEOS: YouTube’s Instagram-inspired collaboration tool is now live. Creators can tag up to 4 collaborators per video, displaying all avatars beside the title. The game-changer? Videos get recommended to ALL collaborators’ audiences simultaneously. MrBeast was first to showcase this with Mark Rober and others. Revenue currently goes to uploader, but exposure is 4) MULTI-LANGUAGE AUDIO = GLOBAL REACH UNLOCKED: Every creator now gets AI-powered dubbing in multiple languages. Jamie Oliver tripled his viewership. Mark Rober averages 30+ languages per video. For Indian creators speaking Hindi, Tamil, Telugu? Your content can now reach global audiences effortlessly 🇮🇳 INDIA STATUS CHECK: – Hype Feature: Live since July 2025– Multi-language Dubbing: Rolled out September 2025– Collab Feature: Currently testing with select creators– Dream Screen AI (Veo 2): Coming late 2025/early 2026 THE BRAND OPPORTUNITY: 1) 491M YouTube users in India (largest globally) 2) 110K-170K Indian creators actively monetizing 3) Collaborations can 4x audience reach instantly 4) Only 8-10% of 2.5M active creators earn meaningful income STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS: → Authentic collaboration > sponsored content → Cross-audience exposure through collab tagging → Smaller creators can access larger audiences → Revenue sharing discussions needed off-platform The creator economy just shifted from individual silos to collaborative ecosystems. Those who adapt early win big.
Stop Creating More, Reuse Your Best Reels.
The most overlooked Instagram growth tactic right now does not involve paid ads, trending audio, or even fresh content. It is about being smart with what has already worked for you. Recently, a viral clip featuring a digital creator known as “Saurik Girl” shared a valuable insight on using Instagram Trials, and it is one of the most practical organic strategies I’ve seen in a while. Here’s the idea:Instead of only uploading new Reels, go back to your top-performing videos from the past. The ones that brought you the most views, reach, engagement, or followers. Re-upload those videos using Instagram’s Trials feature. Instagram Trials is still being rolled out to more users, but it acts like a testbed for creators to try out their content with a wider audience. It is designed to help Instagram surface content to new viewers based on performance and interest matching. So what happens when you re-upload past hits to Trials?– You bypass the need for ads or boosting– Instagram’s algorithm does the work of distributing it to fresh audiences– You get sustained reach from content that already proved itself– You gain new followers without producing new content every time This is smart content leverage. It is about working with data you already have your own best-performing content, and letting the algorithm serve it to people who haven’t seen it yet. A few key tips if you want to try this:– Choose Reels that performed well organically– Add small updates to captions or hooks to keep them fresh– Monitor what works and refine your content strategy accordingly– Don’t over-repost too often. Keep a balance to avoid fatigue Many creators and businesses believe growth on Instagram today requires either heavy creativity or heavy spend. But thoughtful strategy often wins. By using what worked in the past, you increase your odds of future reach, without burnout or budget. Sometimes the best social media strategy is not always about “what’s next,” but “what still works.” If you’re building a personal brand, coaching business, or creative studio, remember: smart reuse is not lazy. It’s strategic. Let the algorithm work for you. Let me know if you’ve tried this tactic or plan to. 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
Stop Creating More, Start Reposting Smart.
Most people are creating twice the content they actually need to grow on Instagram. Every day I see talented creators posting new reels, new posts, new stories, thinking the only way to grow is to keep producing fresh content at high speed. But here is the reality: Instagram is not just about new. It is about effective. The algorithm rewards content that already has proof of performance. If something worked once, Instagram will happily show it to more people… if you give it the chance. That is where Instagram Trials comes in, one of the most underused tools on the platform. Trials allows you to repost your best performing reels so they can reach new audiences who have never seen them before. And you can do it without spending on ads or creating from scratch. Here is a simple strategy you can start today:– Audit your past reels. Look at reach, watch time, shares, and saves. Shortlist the top 5–10. – Repost with Trials. Use the same hook, same visuals, same caption, if it worked, do not fix what is not broken. – Time it right. Leave a gap of a few weeks or even months before reposting so it feels fresh. – Track performance. See if the repost pulls similar or even better numbers. Often it will, because it is hitting a completely new audience. This is not “recycling content.” This is content compounding, letting your proven winners keep working for you instead of getting lost in your feed history. This is how you grow reach and followers without burning out..
Instagram Features Content Creators Can’t Ignore in 2025
Instagram Features Content Creators Can’t Ignore in 2025 Here are the most powerful features and how to unlock them for real results 1) Reels: Your Discovery Engine: – Short-form videos remain the fastest path to new audiences.– In 2025, Reels can be up to 20 min.– Use strong hooks in the first 2 seconds, focus on retention, pick trending audio that fits your niche, and keep most content under 90 seconds for broadest reach.– Trial Reels allow you to test new content with non-followers before publishing to your main grid. 2) Stories: – The Engagement Swiss Army Knife– Stories sit at the top of your followers’ feed for max attention. Here’s a full list of what’s possible: * Creative Tools:– Upload or snap photos/videos,– add text overlays,– AI-generated images,– Boomerangs (looping mini-clips),– Layouts (collages),– GIFs, &– even hands-free video recording * Video: Shoot clips up to 60 seconds * Add Music: Overlay trending tracks or original audio * Stickers: – Polls, Questions, Quizzes, Emoji Sliders for instant audience participation– “Add Yours” chain sticker for viral challenges (exponentially extends reach)– Link, Mention, Location, Hashtag, Timer (Countdown), and Product stickers for deeper interaction and conversion drives– GIFs and custom stickers for personality and CTA nudges– New in 2025: Comment directly on Stories (publicly visible to all viewers) * Live: Go live solo or with others * Captions/Transcriptions: Make your content accessible and boost completion rates * Design Tips: Use custom fonts, overlays, consistent visuals; avoid placing text at screen edges * Sequence: Think in mini-stories (beginning, middle, end for each batch of Stories). * Frequency: 3–7 Stories/day keeps you visible and boosts engagement. 3. Highlights: – Evergreen Stories on Your Profile– Save Stories: Highlights allow you to save your top Stories permanently on your profile, now in a dedicated tab– Categories: Organise Highlights by topic (About, Tips, Reviews, Products, Events, BTS, Testimonials)– Custom Covers: Use brand-aligned graphics for a cohesive look– Keep Updated: Refresh regularly: most important highlights first– Conversions: Use them to feature FAQs, story sequences, product demos, teasers, and even direct followers to shops or landing pages. 4) Collab Posts: Double Audience, Double Impact– Co-author content with up to 2 creators/influencers and share all engagement/visibility mutually across profiles.– Ideal for cross-niche growth, giveaways, and brand partnerships. 6) Carousels:– Storytelling that Gets SavesPosts with up to 20 slides capture attention. – Hook with the first image, use clear structure, and end with a call-to-action (“Swipe”, “Save”, etc.)– They’re perfect for step-by-steps, stories, and before/afters 7) Broadcast Channels:– Speak to Superfans– Broadcast Channels (DM to many) are perfect for nurturing loyalists with exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes, tutorials, & product drops
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