Karishma Mehta: "It's Not Just About Content; It's About Telling Impactful Stories" | Exclusive

Podcaster, author, and founder of Humans of Bombay Karishma Mehta has exclusively connected with whosthat360. In this conversation, she gets candid about her journey, her passion for storytelling, and much more.

Here are a few edited excerpts of this delightful conversation,

What was the turning point in your journey as a content creator? 

The turning point in my journey came when I realized just how impactful content can be. It's not just about the likes, shares, and comments, but content has the ability to help people, make them feel less alone, and give them a sense of belonging. We've changed laws, raised funds, and changed lives through our content.

Photo Credit: Instagram

What was the biggest challenge in turning your passion into a profitable business? 

I wouldn't call it a challenge, but rather an interesting learning curve. When we started in 2014, content creation as an industry was still new, and there was a lot to figure out. We had to learn how to monetize content and find the best way to do it.

How do you choose the stories or content you share with your audience? 

We choose stories through a combination of methods. We go out and shoot people organically, our curation team is always on the lookout for new stories, and we also receive hundreds of narratives from people who write to us. We believe everyone has a story to tell, so it's just about when we tell it.

Photo Credit: Instagram

You're venturing into advertising with HSBC. How important is it for content creators to diversify? 

It's very important for content creators to diversify. Partnering with prestigious companies like HSBC adds credibility to the conversations we want to have. Our partnership with HSBC is for Realign Season 3, which focuses on mind, body, and soul.

How do you see the future of digital storytelling and content creation evolving?

I think there will be a significant role for AI and tech. We'll see a shift towards hybrid models that incorporate AI. This is the future, not just for content creation, but for everything.

Photo Credit: Instagram

What advice would you give to aspiring content creators looking to turn their passion into a career? 

My advice is to begin. Don't get caught up in planning every detail. Start creating and then figure things out. Also, create a blueprint of your business model, including who you want to engage with, what brands you want to work with, and how you want your content to be received.

How do you balance social impact with content creation in your work? 

For us, it's not just about content creation; it's about telling stories that create impact. We want to help people live better lives, so we focus on shaping narratives that inspire change.