On this week's Friday Follow we take a look at how Indian content creator Jagriti Pahwa found her magic in the world of content creation and took it up as a full-time job.
Life doesn't always go as planned. One manages to be surprised by the turns that it takes to learn to accept it as it goes. This was the case with Jagriti Pahwa who ended up becoming a content creator, entertaining millions every day. Hailing from Fatehabad, Haryana, Jagriti Pahwa is someone with a Master's in BioTechnology who like many grew up wanting to be a teacher. But the desire to amuse others or do something creative was always part of her. She tried to stay connected with art by participating in different acts and dramas at her school. And at some point, she saw herself grow as a content creator and her hobby soon became her full-time profession.
She began creating content back in 2015-16 during her college days with her YouTube channel ‘Tricity Explorer’ where she used to post videos of places that one can explore in Chandigarh, she was an ardent budding creator. Due to certain ups and downs, she discontinued posting videos on that channel. And like many, the introduction to the short-video platform encouraged her to start an Instagram page where she started posting different kinds of videos and continued doing that. "When I realised that I was able to entertain so many people through my content, I decided to start my full-time content creation journey."
Jagriti always considered content creation to be just another hobby/passion that she indulged in just for fun. "But gradually when I started making money out of it and got that financial stability, I decided to start my full-time content creation journey and this is how my passion got converted into my profession." Coming up with new concepts and being able to engage the audience every day is not a cakewalk, especially with the growing competition that one gets to experience in content creation.
When asked where she finds her inspiration to make her content stand out, she mentioned how her content revolves around two major things. The first is hostel life and the next is a family drama. According to her it's all about one's personal experience and observation. "In my case, I’ve spent 5 years living the hostel life due to which I am aware of each and everything that happens in a hostel. Family drama is something that is very common for everyone. And when a bit of humour is added in that, people enjoy watching such things."
She understands that no matter how hard one tries, it is only possible to find their own style through a series of trial and error. People are continuously experimenting and trying new content to watch and create when it comes to creators. And Jagriti finds experimenting to be the coolest part of her profession. She says that experimenting is in itself a journey in itself. "I feel no one can be so sure about which content is going to work and which one is not. It’s all about trying new things and who knows which one goes viral, just like my hostel life series. But the most important rule is to be consistent and honest towards the profession."
The other thing that also accounts for this ever-growing industry is the popularity of short-video platforms. It has added to the always-evolving content world pushing the creators to be better over time. Jagriti has been able to witness this change. “During my initial days of creating content, I started with long-form content on YouTube. In fact, I used to work more on IGTV on Instagram." Contrary to today, she never wanted to go for short-form content because she found it very difficult to understand how someone can engage with the audience in such a short span of time. "That is why I started very late in short-form content and even this can be the reason behind my slow growth. If I would have started early on short-form content, then I would have reached 1 M by now. But no worries. This is how I evolved and now I might evolve once again and get back to long-form content as well."
Trends are another part of this world that she has come to like. While she loves watching other create them, she herself doesn’t like to follow them. "I don't want to be a part of a crowd," she said. She forces herself at times to reach only when she experiences a lack of content ideas. "But in general I don't want to be a part of a crowd as I prefer to do things that I like to do." But one thing makes sure to do is follow Indian creators and follow their content.
Here’s what she said in this candid interview!
Since you started creating videos, what according to you are the best and worst parts of content creation?
The best part of content creation is that you start getting fame, and people start recognizing you for your work even on a small scale. And it’s not like other conventional jobs where things are very predictable. Every day brings a new challenge and I think that increases my versatility.
The worst part is that it’s not easy to come up with creative ideas each and every day. And when people come across the decline phase, they are not able to accept it or deal with it, and then that starts affecting their mental health.
Who do you look to for inspiration?
People who work hard in their day-to-day life inspire me a lot. This can be a fellow content creator who is doing well for a long period of time or it can be anyone in general who is working hard and dealing with different struggles in their life.
A quote that always motivates you
If you quit now you’ll end up right back where you first began. And when you first began you were desperate to be right where you are now. So keep going.
Have you received any DM from your followers that stayed with you?
Oh yes! I receive a lot of DMs. In fact, the best part is when I receive DMs from my hostel mates and when they appreciate my work. That makes me happier.
If you had to describe your hopes for 2023?
To be positive, stay fit and give myself a healthy lifestyle and to be a happy individual. In fact, I don’t have any kind of statistical hope that I want to reach certain milestones in content creation. These can be achieved by working hard and for that, it's important to be healthy, disciplined and have a positive mindset. That’s all.
How do you keep yourself motivated to do what you love? Let us know in the comments below.
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