Interview with Aakash Gupta: How I Stumbled Into Content Creation

The face behind the incredibly popular Product Growth newsletter doesn’t need an introduction. Or does he? For Product Voyagers, Aakash is sharing his journey from Product Leader to Content Creator.

If you’re like us and always curious to learn more about Product Management, you’ve probably heard of Aakash Gupta - or maybe you’re even subscribed to his popular newsletter, Product Growth, which boasts an impressive community of over 140k subscribers!

What stood out to us is not only Aakash’s deep expertise but also the vibrant and engaged community he has built around his content. We knew we had to reach out and ask if he’d be willing to share a few words for Product Voyagers about his journey from a 9-to-5 job to becoming a full-time content creator.

And guess what? Despite our star-struck excitement, he was incredibly friendly and eager to engage!

So, here it is - Aakash’s story, brought to you by Product Voyagers. We hope you enjoy reading it!

---

Aakash Gupta : “Alright, so you want to know how I discovered my "talent" for content? Buckle up, because this story is as accidental as finding a $20 bill in your old jeans.”

The Covid Curveball

It all kicked off with Covid. Remember that whole mess? Yeah, fun times.

There I was, grinding away at Epic Games in Cary, NC. Life was your typical corporate dance - 11 hours a day including the commute, rinse and repeat.

Then bam! Everyone's sent home. Including yours truly.

At first, I did what any overachiever would do - I worked even more. Got promoted, gained more scope at Epic. Go me, right?

The Accidental Author

Fast forward to March 2021. I had this idea bouncing around my head: "What if Roblox could be the Shopify of gaming?" Normally, I'd just throw that into our internal Slack channel and call it a day. But with the office vibe on life support, I figured, why not write about it?

So I spent a weekend researching and writing. Published it on my website and... crickets. Tumbleweeds. The sound of one hand clapping.

But then I had a lightbulb moment: LinkedIn! I posted it there, and suddenly, it was like I'd opened Pandora's box of engagement. Old friends reaching out, connection requests flooding in - it was a rush like no other.

The Dopamine Dealer

That rush? It was addictive. I started churning out more posts:

• Gaming stuff (I mean, I worked at Epic, so duh)

• Tech things (InsurTech, anyone?)

• Product Management (you know, the day job)

Each post did better than the last. I was hooked. Weekends? Writing. Evenings? More writing. Sleep? Who needs it when you're riding the LinkedIn fame wave?

YouTube: The Matchmaker

Then YouTube's algorithm decided to play cupid. It served up a video from David Perell, and suddenly I'm tumbling down this rabbit hole of content creation stuff.

One video that really stuck? David livestreaming his newsletter writing to thousands. It was like watching a magician reveal their secrets, except the magic was words and the rabbit was engagement.

The $4K Gamble

Inspired (and maybe a little sleep-deprived), I took the plunge. Signed up for David's Write of Passage course. $4,000 - a chunk of change that made my wallet weep but my brain do backflips of excitement.

The course lined up with my paternity leave. Talk about multitasking: changing diapers and changing my writing game simultaneously. Not sure which one was messier.

Finding My Thing

During the course, I had my "aha" moment. David talked about finding your "personal monopoly" - that unique intersection of your experiences and knowledge.

For me? It was the trifecta: tech, products, and growth. I'd been living and breathing this stuff across B2B and B2C. It wasn't just a job; it was my superpower. Minus the cape. And the ability to fly. But you get the idea.

So, I launched my Substack newsletter, focusing on Product Growth. And guess what? People actually read it! I know, I was shocked too.

The Accidental Career

Fast forward through a rollercoaster of corporate reshuffles, and suddenly, my side gig became my main gig.

The newsletter took off like a rocket, and before I knew it, I was making more as a creator than as a VP of Product at a Unicorn. And I wasn't underpaid at the Unicorn, let me tell you.

---

The Plot Twist

Here's the kicker: I never set out to be a content creator.

I was just a guy with some thoughts, looking for a place to put them.

But sometimes, talent finds you when you're busy making other plans. Or when you're trying to avoid another Zoom meeting. Either way.

The Moral of the Story

So, how did I discover my talent for content? I didn't. It discovered me.

Through curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to hit 'publish' even when I was sure no one would read it.

The lesson?

Sometimes, your greatest talents are hiding in plain sight. All it takes is a global pandemic, a dash of boredom, and a willingness to make a fool of yourself on the internet.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a newsletter to write.

---