Nitin Joshi on Hitting 1M Instagram Followers in 94 Days, Business Growth, and Authentic Branding
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In this exclusive interaction with StartupTalky, business content creator Nitin Joshi shares how he gained 1 million Instagram followers in just 94 days. He shares how he found a gap in the market, created valuable content, and grew his audience without paid promotions. Joshi also discusses lessons from his businesses, managing time, and adapting to different industries. He explains his approach to brand deals, market research, and building a strong company culture. Looking ahead, he plans to create multiple IPs and start a digital media company.
What ideas or strategies helped you reach 1M Instagram followers in just 94 days?
Joshi: Identifying a market gap is crucial for standing out. I noticed that quality business content was primarily available in English, so I decided to present it in Hindi—a choice that turned out to be highly effective. Additionally, I committed to posting one video daily, which helped me grow my audience.
How do you decide which topics to cover, and what is your content creation process from idea to posting?
Joshi: I choose topics in various ways. Some are inspired by trending topics, while others come from books I read. Many ideas emerge while consuming content, and some are drawn from my personal life experiences.
What key lessons from scaling PacoMeals and UnMess do you apply to your content creation today?
Joshi: A value-driven approach has always been my priority, whether with PacoMeals, UnMess, or content creation. I strive to provide maximum value, regardless of whether you're investing money or time in me. That’s why my videos deliver a wealth of information in just 90 seconds.
How do you adapt your business strategies when shifting across diverse industries like food, EdTech, and consulting?
Joshi: Business strategies evolve with each industry, but one constant is your value system. A strong value system serves as the foundation for both an entrepreneur and their business.
How do you balance entrepreneurship with content creation? Do you have a time management strategy?
Joshi: Managing both at the same time is extremely challenging. I attempted to juggle both and ended up struggling with both. Focus is crucial for success in anything you do. Along with focus, having a strong team is essential to achieving your goals.
Your expertise in performance marketing seems to play a role in your content creation. How do you grow your personal brand and engage your audience?
Joshi: I have never used paid promotions to gain followers, and I believe no one should. Boosting content can ultimately reduce your page’s organic reach. My goal has always been to grow an authentic audience, as I’m here for the long run and focused on building a strong, engaged community.
As someone who has built multiple businesses, what would you say are the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make when scaling a new venture, and how can they avoid them?
Joshi: One big mistake that many entrepreneurs make is that they invest heavily in marketing to drive sales even before achieving Product-Market Fit (PMF). Also, many founders are unwilling to accept feedback, which is crucial for growth and improvement.
Could you share any specific roadmaps or frameworks that you followed while building your businesses, especially focusing on the early stages of scaling?
Joshi: Dream for 5 years, set a vision for 1 year, and define goals for the next 3 months. Identify the top player in your market and analyze their strategy—then try to replicate it effectively. Create your own effort and efficiency metrics and track them weekly to ensure you're progressing toward your goals.
With your background in consulting and training, how do you think business owners can enhance employee performance and build a stronger company culture?
Joshi: Business owners must recognize the value of every employee, from an office boy to a director. Companies with lower attrition rates are clearly doing something better than those with higher attrition rates. If you want your employees to treat customers like kings, you must first treat your employees like kings because that culture is that they will ultimately pass on.
How do you manage collaborations with brands while maintaining your authentic voice and trust with your audience? What advice do you have for others in the influencer space looking to partner with brands effectively?
Joshi: I focus on understanding the target audience and the campaign’s objective before collaborating. If the brand’s audience aligns with mine and I believe my followers would genuinely benefit from their message, I take on the campaign. I typically partner with well-established brands that have built trust over decades. I especially enjoy promoting educational brands because I strongly believe in the power of education. However, I strictly avoid promoting trading apps and gaming platforms as they go against my value system.
Given your diverse entrepreneurial ventures, how do you approach market research, and what tools do you use to stay ahead of industry trends?
Joshi: I rely on both internal and external research before entering a market. If I identify a unique advantage - a "brownie point" - that gives me an edge, I enter that market. I also analyze the market size, study the top players, and assess their scale and strategies.
Where do you see your content journey in the next 3-5 years, and how will you integrate new trends like AI or emerging tech?
Joshi: I aim to create multiple IPs and establish a digital media company that specifically deals with multiple businesses.
Marlene Ann Anthony
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