Best Android app of 2021, Hotstep: Making learning dance affordable and accessible
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Hotstep is an online platform for all dancers, fitness enthusiasts, and people who just want to have fun, offering top-class dance tutorials and live sessions from various artists. The app aims to build what it calls ‘Biggest Dance Community’ by connecting renowned choreographers with dance enthusiasts. The app’s founder and CEO is Vinay Khandelwal, an actor-dancer-entrepreneur who has been a part of the entertainment world for over 15 years. He has featured in films, dance reality shows, music videos and more. During the pandemic, he founded Hotstep, aiming to make learning dance affordable and accessible for people.
How did it feel to feature on Google Play’s Best of 2021 list in India?
It was a great feeling. Google Play has played the most important role in our journey so far. It has made it easy for us to reach out to users across 1000 cities and 25 countries, given a seamless experience to our users, and has also helped us with great insights. We always believed in our vision, and now this award has worked as a morale booster for us. We are glad to be recognised and awarded by Google Play.
What do you think is the USP of your app that has helped you get here?
There is a great passion for dancing in India. Our dance reality shows, wedding performances, and more prove that. People love to dance but finding a studio is a stressful process. So, we used the power of digital to ensure everyone has access to high-quality dance classes by the best in the business. From a product perspective, our variety of services like on-demand tutorials, live interactive classes, and exciting events keep our users hooked. Our customised video player with mirror view, section break down, and speed control aims to make learning dance easier.
How has the pandemic changed things for you, what has been the biggest learning across 2021?
We launched during the pandemic. While everyone was at home, Hotstep helped users take care of their mental and physical health. There was a shift to online learning due to the pandemic, which helped people understand that one could learn dancing at home. It has been only eight months since we launched and we have impacted a lot of lives positively. We have made families dance together and connected dancers across the world. Hotstep has users across the world today. In our first three quarters, we have seen 200% QoQ user growth, and this has all been organic, without any marketing investment or funding.
What plans do you have for the app for next year?
We aim to make dance learning affordable and approachable. Our target is to make Hotstep the biggest marketplace for dance where all the dance teachers can connect with dance enthusiasts across the globe. In 2022, our biggest target will be to have Hotstep classes as a part of the curriculum at schools. We want to target the roots and help school kids get proper dance education and exposure.
Any message that you have for users of your app?
As the popular saying goes: Dance first, Think later. It is the natural order and that is what we want to tell our users. It is great to improve your skills but do not forget to have fun.
How did it feel to feature on Google Play’s Best of 2021 list in India?
It was a great feeling. Google Play has played the most important role in our journey so far. It has made it easy for us to reach out to users across 1000 cities and 25 countries, given a seamless experience to our users, and has also helped us with great insights. We always believed in our vision, and now this award has worked as a morale booster for us. We are glad to be recognised and awarded by Google Play.
What do you think is the USP of your app that has helped you get here?
There is a great passion for dancing in India. Our dance reality shows, wedding performances, and more prove that. People love to dance but finding a studio is a stressful process. So, we used the power of digital to ensure everyone has access to high-quality dance classes by the best in the business. From a product perspective, our variety of services like on-demand tutorials, live interactive classes, and exciting events keep our users hooked. Our customised video player with mirror view, section break down, and speed control aims to make learning dance easier.
How has the pandemic changed things for you, what has been the biggest learning across 2021?
We launched during the pandemic. While everyone was at home, Hotstep helped users take care of their mental and physical health. There was a shift to online learning due to the pandemic, which helped people understand that one could learn dancing at home. It has been only eight months since we launched and we have impacted a lot of lives positively. We have made families dance together and connected dancers across the world. Hotstep has users across the world today. In our first three quarters, we have seen 200% QoQ user growth, and this has all been organic, without any marketing investment or funding.
What plans do you have for the app for next year?
We aim to make dance learning affordable and approachable. Our target is to make Hotstep the biggest marketplace for dance where all the dance teachers can connect with dance enthusiasts across the globe. In 2022, our biggest target will be to have Hotstep classes as a part of the curriculum at schools. We want to target the roots and help school kids get proper dance education and exposure.
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As the popular saying goes: Dance first, Think later. It is the natural order and that is what we want to tell our users. It is great to improve your skills but do not forget to have fun.
