Missing in Action: Why are India's OG YouTube Stars Calling it Quits?!

The real OGs are all gone - A new era has begun! The biggest names from the creator’s world like Ashish Chanchlani, Bhuvan Bam or AIB, are all gone! But where are they now? 🤔

The real OGs are all gone - A new era has begun!

The biggest names from the creator’s world like Ashish Chanchlani, Bhuvan Bam or AIB, are all gone!

But where are they now? 🤔

Let’s dive deep into the world of lost creators and what made them “Call it Quits”

In today’s edition, we’ll talk about

  1. Deep Dive: Why Are Creators Calling it Quits! 👀

  2. Creator Economy Roundup - What’s new with Instagram? 🌟

  3. Featured Creator of the week 🎉

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Missing in Action: India's OG YouTube Stars - What Happened to AIB, Ashish Chanchlani, Bhuvan Bam? 👀

India's OG YouTube Stars

The real OGs of content creation have been MIA for long now. When was the last time you saw Ashish Chanchlani putting out a youtube video? Or a Mostly Sane video that made Prajakta Koli a star Youtuber? AIB, Bhuvan Bam, Sahil Shah, Salil Jamdar. WE can go on and on. The truth is These OG channels are basically now ….DEAD!!!

And the story gets even murkier 💅

Recently, Ashish Chanchalni explicitly made a statement of his decision to quit YouTube as he could no longer deal with the negativity. Sahil Shah, the famous comedian cited burnout. As for Bhuvan Bam, he refuses to create content based on online trends!

This phenomenon is not just local, it's global. MatPat, the Youtuber behind game theorist channel created a strong 40 million subscriber base. In his poignant “Goodbye Video,” MatPat confessed: “We couldn’t do this forever.” And he's not the only one. Only this year celebrity YouTubers like Tom Scott, Meat Canyon and Leon Hendrix bid adieu to content creation citing various reasons.

And here lies the dichotomy…

On one hand, the digital content creation market size is expected to be approx 28 billion US dollars by 2030. On the other hand, many content creators are hitting pause or even pulling the plug on their content creation. 

Here are some facts and they are undisputed.

  • 90% of Creators Experience Burnout.

  • 44% of creators have left a platform at least temporarily due to hate and harassment.

  • 71% of creators contemplate quitting altogether.

  • 43% of creators are facing social media burnout on a monthly or quarterly basis, and an additional 29 percent are struggling weekly or daily.

At the heart of this exodus is the biggest monster: Burnout.

Sure, the world of digital creation seems like a dream job. You're your own boss, calling the shots and doing what you love. But behind the scenes, there's a whole different story. Juggling everything, from content creation to managing your personal life, can take a toll. But unlike Hansa Ben, the struggle is real!

Struggle Behind the Spotlight

Relentless Pressure to Produce: The creator economy demands constant output. Creators feel the weight of maintaining a consistent presence, engaging with fans, and delivering fresh content. The pressure to grow their following and churn out unique material can lead to emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion.

Hustle Mentality: The prevailing mindset glorifies hustle and non-stop work. Creators often find themselves caught in a cycle of perpetual productivity, neglecting self-care and rest. The hustle mentality can drain their creative energy and contribute to burnout.

The Mr. Beast Effect: When Mr. Beast burst onto the scene, he revolutionized content creation. His hyperactive, fast-paced style captivated viewers, and other creators followed suit that led to Beastification of Youtube.  But this frenzy took a toll—mental health suffered under the relentless demand for captivating content.

Online Hate: Content creators face a barrage of negativity online. Hurtful comments, trolling, and cyberbullying have become rampant that adds to their mental stress and even causes trauma.   

How to deal with burnout? Right off the bat we would say: Accept The Reality! 

Acknowledge that what you are facing is burnout. It’s important to recognize the signs of burnout and take proactive steps to address it. 

Learn from these awesome creators how they did it! 🙌

Diversifying Content: Creators like Lilly Singh have taken breaks from their usual content to explore other creative avenues, such as writing books or performing live shows. This diversification can alleviate the monotony that leads to burnout.

Community Support: Creators such as Emma Chamberlain have spoken about leaning on the support of their community and fellow creators during tough times. This sense of solidarity can be a buffer against the isolating effects of burnout.

Professional Help: Some creators, like Elle Mills, have been open about seeking professional help to deal with the pressures of content creation. Therapy can provide strategies to cope with stress and prevent burnout.

Prioritize self care: As a fashion content creator with over a decade of experience, Masoom Minawala has unquestionably faced content fatigue. Amidst the hustle, Masoom prioritizes self-care. She emphasizes staying hydrated, practicing mindfulness, meditation and taking breaks when needed.

And last but not least.

Learn to DISCONNECT and DELEGATE.

Remember: Your mental health is more important than the next post!

But the story doesn't end with the burnout. 

Platform Support is another critical factor in the decision to quit is the perceived lack of support from platforms. Many creators express frustration over low earnings and invalid traffic and changing algorithms, feeling that platforms like YouTube fail to provide adequate guidance or assistance.

Then there are surmountable problems like,

Difficulty Connecting with Brands, Lacking Creative Freedom, Lacking Deals - No Contracts, Payment problems- all these can add to creators’ frustration and they are forced to pull the plug.

Or maybe not. We did say surmountable, didn't we? Because they can be taken out of the equation.

SPREADD: A creator economy platform designed to address the very issues that often lead creators to quit. With SPREADD, you can:

  • Connect with Brands: Choose who you work with, ensuring your creative vision aligns with the brands you endorse.

  • Centralize Your Media: Manage all your content across different platforms from one convenient location.

  • Be Discovered: Put your best foot forward and let brands come to you, appreciating your unique style.

  • Automate Payments: Say goodbye to payment delays and complications with a streamlined, automated system.

Why Connect Your Social Media Profiles? Because your digital portfolio matters! Linking them to SPREADD simplifies brand understanding, fostering partnerships.

And Don’t worry about a thing - Your privacy is our top priority and we are committed to ensuring safety of your data. 

Ready to Elevate Your Creator Journey? Join SPREADD today and take control of your creative destiny. Quitting is not the option anymore!

What’s new on Instagram?

Let’s wind up the Top 5 Creator Economy News This Week.

2. Instagram adds “Notify” sticker for Creators!

3. YouTube Shorts Opens Door to More Revenue!

4. Prajakta Koli wins Indian of the Year Award!

5. April Fool Day’s prank breaks YouTube view records!

👑 Featured Creator of the Week 👑 

@ankushbahuguna

Meet Ankush Bahuguna, a multifaceted talent who has carved his path from architecture to becoming one of India's most celebrated influencers. With 691k followers on his makeup-focused @wingitwithankush page and over 1.1 million followers on his personal page @ankushbahuguna, Ankush is a beacon of inspiration for many, including the LGBTQ+ community.

🏢 Starting his career as an architect, Ankush transitioned into writing for online publications and content curation before emerging as a social media sensation. His engaging short videos on platforms like Instagram and YouTube have garnered him a dedicated fan base and propelled him to success.

💄 Known for his captivating makeup content, Ankush's influence extends beyond the beauty realm. He has contributed to esteemed networks such as MensXP and Restless Mind, showcasing his versatility and expertise.

📰 Ankush's star continues to rise as he graces the pages of prestigious magazines like Elle India and Forbes India, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the influencer landscape.

Spreadd celebrates Ankush Bahuguna's journey and the positive impact he's made over the years with his fabulous content. More power to him! 🎉

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Keep Creating,

Team Spreadd