Creator's Crib
Rahul Bagdai Talks About The Difference Between Education & Qualification For Creatives
Rahul Bagdai, Founder of TrueTech – was kind enough to take the time out and have a chat with me about how he’s grown TrueTech.
1. Who is Rahul Bagdai in real life?
Before we begin, I would like to thank Nwsppr for this opportunity. I am always supportive of young creators, bloggers, and websites, thus this avenue helps me express not only my gratitude to the age of the internet but also my awe at the blogging and creative community that we see flourishing in India.
To put into words who Rahul Bagdai is in real life is rather an arduous task. I am very passionate about design, linguistic arts, performing, and other forms of art. I am just your average Joe, with a tad bit of extra niceness. I also have strong views about tech and design, rather unique ideas, talents, and competencies, competencies that I have harnessed to achieve what I have today.
Professionally though, I am the founder of one of India’s fastest-growing and well-known tech websites known as TrueTech Technology Magazine (True-Tech.Net). I have self-educated myself to be a professional tech journalist for 8 years now. I have also worked with companies like RVCJ Media at the age of 15, and HuffPost at the age of 16-17 to gain editorial experience. Additionally, I have also started mentoring and directing entrepreneurial efforts in young adults, teenagers, and the youth in general. Apart from that, I am also a professional graphic designer, pursuing my bachelor’s degree at Canada’s largest design university – OCAD U.
2. What exactly is TrueTech?
TrueTech (https://true-tech.net), which is officially known as TrueTech Technology Magazine, originated as a simple tech blog with me sharing my musings about the world of technology. It slowly progressed into becoming a publication and media website. TrueTech features unbiased tech reviews, tech news, buying guides, and more – we maintain strict standards for our journalism and provide content that is honest. We reach over 200,000 readers monthly, and we are constantly expanding our reach and coverage.
3. In an extremely saturated tech industry, what would you say to someone who wants to start a tech blog or publication?
Starting a tech blog has never been easy, and won’t be easy further along in the future! If you are really passionate about tech, if you are willing to work hard and if you are in the long-term game, the answer is yes! With tech blogs and this suffocating saturation in the industry, you should not expect growth in a short period of time. The room for growth has definitely shrunk, there is tremendous competition in the industry.
However, with that, there are equally more opportunities for you to take advantage of, i.e. more smartphone brands, more gadgets, more PC/computers, etc. My advice is to find your calling – don’t repeat what others are doing. Originality, uniqueness, creative ideas will make your tech blog succeed. TLDR: If you are willing to work hard, if you are legitimately interested in tech and writing about tech (not only for review devices, views or fame – they’re simply perks for the long run), go for it!
4. Do you think an educational qualification is necessary for a career in Creative Space?
That is an interesting question, and one I would really love to share my wisdom on, being enrolled in a university for graphic design. To understand this, we really would have to break down the phrase into two – ‘education’ and ‘qualification’. Bear with me as I individually dissect each word to answer your question appropriately. There has been a lot of misunderstanding about being qualified or attending a school for creative futures.
Let’s start with education. Formal education, regardless of any industry or field, is very important. Formal education refers to gaining knowledge from a professional and/or trained person in the respective professional space. A doctor simply cannot become a doctor without their education, which possibly comes from experienced and trained professionals. An engineer simply cannot become an engineer without their education.
Similarly, for anyone in the creative space, education is just as important – you cannot edit videos without learning the software, color grading (and the knowledge of why certain colors apply to certain scenarios), music (using music strategically to create moods), etc. Another example of this is graphic design. To become a graphic designer, you need to learn the software, you need to learn design theory – knowledge about why certain logos or design works, to make informed design choices. This is your creative education! Unlike the sciences or finance, we creatives have the freedom to get our education online, for free as well, on platforms like YouTube or professional learning websites like Udemy or LinkedIn Learning (formerly Linda.com). When you learn online, you are still learning from trained individuals and professionals currently or formerly practicing in the respective creative space!
Now that we have established that education is vital regardless of your industry, let’s try to understand if ‘qualification’ is equally necessary. Let’s start by understanding what a qualification is. According to Lexico (Oxford), a qualification is a “quality or accomplishment that makes someone suitable for a particular job or activity”. For doctors, qualifications such as their degree and certificates serve as a proof of their training and learning (i.e. education) – making them “suitable” for their job and enabling them to practice. Similarly, engineers have qualifications like diplomas and degrees to prove their gain of knowledge and/or proficiency.
However, with our creatives, a qualification is not limited to a paper that makes us suitable for a job. Your portfolio and creative works are also your qualifications since they are your “accomplishments”, they show your skills and “quality” of work, to make you suitable for a “job or activity”. That does not mean having a degree is not beneficial – it is still a qualification, ensured by an educational institution.
Therefore, the answer to this question is yes and no. If your idea of educational qualification is one that pertains only to an orthodox degree or diploma certificates issued by educational institutions, then the answer is a no. It is also the wrong way to look at it all together. The educational qualification for creatives is not limited to degrees or diplomas, but also their creative works and endeavors. Because they validate their skills, knowledge, and learning.
5. Is there something you’d like to say to our readers?
There is a lot I would love to share with your readers, but to keep it short, I would like to request you, readers, to support budding and growing websites like Nwsppr by not only reading their articles, but sharing a word (it’s free!), and engaging in the comments, in social discussions, etc. Help young minds flourish, our country needs that the most right now! Most of the larger conglomerates, media groups and websites are greedy, yellow in their journalism, and dishonest to a certain degree. While I know not all young blogs and websites will have the promise or the objective to change that, but a few just might! It only takes a few to start a revolution!
6. Is there something you’d like to say to Nwsppr?
I could ramble on and give you tons of advice, but from what I see, you guys are doing great! Nwsppr’s interview series is an attempt at unique content – definitely a strategic move. Keep up the good work and come up with equally engaging new ideas.
I would like to end by saying that there’s nothing that could make me happier than to see the Indian blogging community grow with young minds like yours! It only points me to looking forward to a better future in the realm of Indian journalism. Keep it up guys, and thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
Creator's Crib
HOW CHRIS SARCHET BELLS’ SHUTDOWN EVENT IS DISPENSING RELIEF ACROSS THE COUNTRY AMIDST THE PANDEMIC
The past decade has seen an immense influence of music in our day to day lives. Music has also been tagged as a universal language as it captures the attention of any audience, no matter how strange the singer or the beat appears to be. It appears that Chris Sarchet Bell is fluent in the language of this activity as he orchestrates it as the brain instrument in capturing the trust and attention of the teenage fan base across the United Kingdom.
While most event brands in the country invest in over 18s because they are trying to promote a more exclusive environment where clients have more disposable income and unofficially overprice their drinks, Shutdown is dragging its attention towards the attention of the minors.
The brand is as unique as its motivation and Chris Sarchet Bell is redefining what it means to have fun and enjoy the moment in the country. Since the past year where many event establishments were ravished because of the limitation on social excitement, Shutdown is coming out of this hurdle, stronger and better.
The Journey to the top
As Chris boldly restates concerning how the journey to stardom has been so far amidst the torrent of negativity and bias that his brand has attracted, he states ‘Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done and never give up’. After losing his father at a young age, Chris found his pleasures in music and nightlife entertainment.
He established his brand in his hometown, Burnley, in 2014 where his target of business was the over 18s. After gathering enough experience in his nightlife establishment, Shutdown took a turnover in its interest and started to organize shows for the U18s across the country. Because of the stigma of adult themes that are normally attached to raves, Shutdown had to take innovative steps in redefining its position on entertainment so as to garner the trust and permission of the police and parents in the society alike.
Now a homegrown name in the country, Shutdown has toured from as high up as Scotland to as far down as Newquay hosting some of the most talked-about events in the area. With the colourful party and foam parties, it has also invited celebrity guests to attract attention.
Into the spotlight of Shutdown
Shutdown has garnered worldwide fame on social media and their phone lines are buzzing with requests from enthusiastic clients across the country yearning for a taste of the fun and excitement that they bring to any city. Their high demand has earned them the UK’s largest leading U18s brand within the first two years of their establishment.
Chris had a tough time growing up and he has experienced first-hand the intense competition of the nightlife business. He advises to “take a step back and assess a situation before jumping into it and to also not take on too much at one given time”.
Jon Reyes is a professional scooter rider and content creator living in NYC. Jon has over 300k followers on Instagram & over 350k subscribers on YouTube.
1. Who is Jon Reyes in real life?
1- I’m a Razor Scooter Era Survivor haha. Just a city kid trying to chase my ” 7 year old self ” dreams of being a professional in action sports. Most people know me as “easy’ or in my eyes content with not needing much to be happy.
2. How did you start your Sccooter Riding career?
Born and raised in NYC, when those razor scooters were a “thing” (for a summer) I was hooked on just pushing around and jumping off curbs. Simple fun has always been an addiction for me and this was/is exactly that. I knew I would be riding a scooter for eternity, just never thought of it actually becoming a big sport.
3. What problems did you face while you were just starting?
Ah man, I was the only “Scooter Kid” for the longest. In school, in the neighborhood, and at the skate spots. At the time you’re supposed to roll up with a skateboard if you wanted to be “cool”. Years ago the world never understood anything new and different, now creativity is an asset to most successful stories. I was the perfect example of an outcast.
4. What was your inspiration behind “Ride NYC”?
Fun, pure effortless fun. When I started YouTube I was all about getting the right idea, getting the perfect footage. The first RideNYC was led from a conversation with my buddies about just pushing around the city at night, turn on the GoPro, and just post whatever happens.
5. You’ve successfully grown your YouTube channel to 300k+ subscribers, what was your mindset like getting to that point? YT – JON REYES
My incentive was to document my journey being a professional so I could have something to look back on years from now. YouTube has such an awesome connection with it’s audience, it helped me appreciate everyone who’s supported me over the years and I think that’s what made my channel successful.
6. What are your key takeaways as a professional Scooter Rider/YouTuber?
It’s definitely a blessing to turn something I’m addicted to and love into a career. It’s still a ton of work that will probably never stop, but all that earns me more time to ride off camera, which is why I’m grateful
7. Do you think an educational qualification is necessary to succeed in life?
School is designed to learn a skill that can’t be taught in the real world. It all depends on what you’re trying to do. Most of the successful people I know now grew from self awareness and a creative mindset. Success is happiness, and if you can learn something from school to help you work toward being happy then go for it.
8. Is there something you’d like to say to our readers?
If you have a job or a path in life already, awesome….. but never delete the dreams you had when you were a kid because that is your fuel. Take risks and do everything in your power to be happy. In the end that will tell a better story.
9. Is there something you’d like to say to Nwsppr?
JON REYES – You guys are great, so much energy, and everything is clean. I love how you guys support anybody and anything that contributes to moving forward…and thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story. This is just the beginning, I’ve got so much more i’ll need to do! 🛴
In today’s society, running a successful digital marketing firm can prove a little difficult. With the ongoing pandemic and the devastating state of the economy, most entrepreneurs in the digital marketing industry will definitely find it hard to keep their agencies afloat due to the absence of key staff and team members. A week ago, I got the chance to speak with digital marketing expert Landon Murie. Landon is the founder of Goodjuju, a marketing and SEO agency that helps property management companies gain more online exposure so they can get more clients and grow.
During the interview, Landon discussed ways by which business can stay afloat during this period with a not so new concept known as Remote working, and successfully manage a team.
The Covid Pandemic has brought to light the importance of remote working, how has your company adjusted to this modern way of completing projects?
To say the least, my company, Goodjuju is built on the foundation of remote working. So far, I’ve been able to scale my marketing agency, which is situated in the U.S, internationally. All my clients are property managers in America and so far they’ve not had any reason to complain.
My team is composed of remote workers from around the world and this has helped us adjust quite perfectly to the changes brought about by the pandemic. Our operations were virtually uninterrupted and we’ve continued to run things the same way we did before.
This is why I always counsel agency founders on the importance of imbibing remote working to their business models. You’ll never know when the next global/economic shift might happen.
Awesome! Usually Coordinating Small Teams At Work Is Difficult, How Are You Able To Manage Such A Diverse Team Who Haven’t Even Met Each Other Physically?
To be honest, I’ve struggled a lot with this. When I created Goodjuju, I didn’t bring on team members at first. Due to this, I forgot to create adequate systems. When I finally brought some team members onboard, It was chaos. Over time, I learned that the only way to manage our remote team members was to utilize expertly created systems, and processes.
Eventually, we were able to create a good system and track everything with a project management software called “Clickup.” We still use this system to date and it’s kept us on track so far.
Based On Your Personal Experience As An Entrepreneur, What Should Anyone Striving To Run A Successful Team Do?
Well, in light of this topic, the first thing I think anyone striving to run a successful team should do is to be part of one. When you are part of a team, you’ll notice how things are done and which aspects need improvement the most. You’ll also know what it feels like to be a team member.
After this here are a few other things I suggest;
1- Create teachable systems/processes people can follow
2- Don’t micromanage people. “Trust, but verify”
3- Keep in touch as best as possible (chat/app)
4- Make sure you and team aligned on vision/goals
5- Create a motivational environment with incentives
Apply all of these, and you’ll be well on your way!
ALSO READ: CJ BOLING ON HOW GARY VAYNERCHUK CHANGED HIS LIFE