Category: Content Marketing

Stopping that thumb from swiping…

Sometimes I take trips on the metro just to observe how people consume content. It’s the moment of truth for all the hard work behind content, videos, ads, or campaigns. One swipe up of a thumb, and it’s gone!

Amid all our video and ad formats, brand guidelines, campaigns objectives, and CTAs, the audience seeks just one thing—authentic storytelling. ‘What’ you create is far far more important, than any fancy production, celebrity, or flashy logo. The only thing you cannot buy in this game, is engagement.. that you need to earn.. by stopping that thumb from swiping.. meaningfully engaging till the end and getting them to share.. that’s a tall order.. but it’s better to shoot for the stars.. and reach the moon.. than to shoot for the electricity pole and end up standing on the table..

For me, it’s about being in love and truly walking in the shoes of the audience, honing the creative process consistently to engage, holding their hand, and taking them on a journey on their screens, in the chaos of a newsfeed before the next station comes.

Videos have a longer shelf life, when the idea is share-worthy

Whoa! Even after two years.. this April fools videos is still going big.. 15k reactions within a day.. on LinkedIn videos have a longer shelf life.. when the idea is share-worthy.. Top that with killer in-house execution.. ❤️
 
Thanks @pascal_bornet for sharing this, sending you the book, grateful
 

Jaisa Ghar Waisa Desh

One of my favourite videos, created few years back for Swachh Bharat, crossed 10M in the first week, we released eight versions in different languages with targeted distribution, and the results blew our minds. 
Super proud of the team work, from brainstorming, super fast production, shooting to editing.. with bulk of revisions happening across time zones.. all in-house :)

Be Yourself.. nobody told us how

“Be Yourself” is something I’ve heard as advice for success so many times over the years.. but nobody tells how..

I see young people so full of self doubt, from dancing impromptu to how they present ideas in office..

Here’s what helped me…

1. Your instincts lead you in life, your mind creates hurdles and doubts, listen to what your instinct tell you in any moment, write it down as often as you can.

2. Your job may not be about what you love or are passionate about, find time every week to pursue what you love.. where only you decide what you do and how you do, do more of that.

3. Comparing with others is natural, we’ve been conditioned that way growing up in competing school system.. it takes focus away from the magic you have inside to the stuff outside.. next time your compare with anyone.. notice how you compare on one thing and not overall life.. compare all.. beyond money.. fame success to love.. family.. friends.. freedom.. and you’ll begin to notice how what you have inside is enough for your happiness

4. Notice when you’re yourself 100%, could be singing alone in your car, or animatedly talking to a close friend.. the more you notice and practice being authentic, the more you’ll see magic happen.. when you flow spontaneously.. which will surprise you. Be okay with who you are, try operating in life as if there is ‘no lack’, experiment with it.

5. Being yourself is not about following your mind’s whims.. but being true to what your heart says in any moment, the more you practice.. the more it becomes your nature.. heart > mind

You’re a force of nature, just like a celebrity you love or a flower which blooms.. best way to stop dancing and reacting to everyone else.. is to listen to what you are inside, coz inside you’re awesome.. and enough.

Your best ideas, your best work will happen when you channel what’s inside to solve a problem outside, and that will become your legacy.

All the best ❤️🙌