Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started your journey? How has this space evolved?
Lakshay:It’s been quite a long and treacherous journey and it definitely hasn’t been a bed of roses for me. Many things have changed in the sphere of digital blogging. Honestly, the biggest change that I’ve seen is that many young, talented individuals are coming forward and starting channels and profiles of their own. The digital blogging space is becoming more creator-friendly day after day and I hope that it will bring in a lot of new talent as we move forward.
Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe?
Lakshay:Well, to be honest, I don’t think I’d have done anything else apart from moto vlogging. I am extremely indebted to this as moto vlogging and the world of social media influencing has made me what I am today. So, I guess that the Lakshay in a parallel universe is probably vlogging on a Battlestar Galactica Gunship! 😀
Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?
Lakshay:I honestly wish I could invent a motorcycle that would make gasoline out of thin air. I would never have to stop for gas that way!.
Ex: What does success mean to you?
Lakshay:For me, success means seeing my parents being proud of me and being happy with my work. It also means the happiness that I find in the thing that I do. I still maintain the principle that no matter how successful a person is, if they aren’t happy with the work they do, then there’s absolutely no point in all that success.
Ex: What is your dream car or motorbike?
Lakshay:Well, I’d love to own an RV someday and travel across continents. That would definitely be a dream come true.
Ex: As the current pandemic has seriously impacted the automotive industry, what does the future hold for automobile bloggers?
Lakshay:The current pandemic has hit us hard. As a matter of fact, every single industry is suffering huge economic losses in the lockdown. India, as a country is also suffering badly. So, I feel that for automobile bloggers the future is a little uncertain as of now, but like everything else this too shall pass and we will ride again and travel to the various corners of the country as soon as this pandemic blows over.
Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved? Debasree: Social media keeps changing constantly, one major change I’ve seen is that the audience has become more aware and the kind of content that’s appreciated more is more raw.
Ex: Can you give us an insight into social media platforms that only an Influencer can know? Debasree: Topical content does best and you need to figure out what kind of content your audience mostly consumes and most importantly it should be something you’re extremely passionate about.
Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options) Debasree: Bio- Technologist
Ex: If you were stranded on an island, what are the 3 gadgets you’d take along? Debasree: My phone, apple watch and camera.
Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented? Debasree: It’s still not invented, I will invent it!
Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!) Debasree: There are so many but the best one was the first one when someone recognized me at a mall and clicked a picture with me. Cause firsts are always special.
Ex: Social Media is known to expose vulnerabilities, with influencers being at the epicenter. How do you deal with the dark side that comes with the medium? Debasree: Yes, sometimes it can be really stressful and get to you but I try to distract myself and concentrate more on the positive than feeding onto the negativity.
Ex: Social media trolling is seeing an upward rise. Do you think this only increases with the popularity of an Influencer? How does one tackle this situation? Debasree: Like I said to concentrate more on the positives and don’t let things demotivate you.
Ex: What does success mean to you? Being happy
Ex: When was the first time you bought your dream makeup product and which one was it? Debasree: Morphe Palette x James Charles from London gave me a lot of happiness because of the colours.
Ex: What would you tell young girls when it comes to ideals of beauty that our society has set up? Debasree: Be comfortable in your own skin, makeup should always enhance your beauty and should never be something your beauty depends on.
Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?
Beebom: The changes in the digital space are more rapid than any other industry and in the past 10 years or so, we’ve seen a lot. What’s cool today might not be there after a few years, things move that fast in the Internet era and you always have to keep up with it. If you don’t, then you might not even be on the map. It’s the same for content creators, and the platforms they’re on.
Ex: Can you give us an insight into social media platforms that only an Influencer can know?
Beebom: If you do it right, then you will see a lot of success in terms of the engagement and reach but if you don’t optimize your content as per the platform and try to repurpose the same content on all platforms then you might not reach the full potential. It’s something you learn once you start making content for the online audience.
Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options)
Beebom: As the co-founder of Beebom, I’ve started working on it at the beginning of my 20s and now I am at the end of my 20s and it’s the only thing I ever worked on.
Ex: If you were stranded on an island, what are the 3 gadgets you’d take along?
Beebom: I’d take my iPhone, my MacBook, and my Airpods Pro because that’s all I use these days.
Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?
Beebom: A hybrid foldable phone that wraps around the hand and becomes a smartwatch and that too in a budget of most people. I am working on it, maybe.
Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)
Beebom: I was in my hometown shopping some essentials for the home with my mother and we stopped at a shop selling towels and the person who worked there recognized me and started having a conversation followed by a selfie request and when I got out of the shop my mother told me that it’s because of you we couldn’t bargain. We could have gotten a better price for these towels and we both laughed.
Ex: Social Media is known to expose vulnerabilities, with influencers being at the epicenter. How do you deal with the dark side that comes with the medium?
Beebom: Since we’re in the business of introducing and reviewing new tech to our audience, we maintain that space very well. We don’t post unnecessary stuff and try to give our opinions only on tech. Sometimes, we need to take a stand in tech as well but we do ensure that we make a comment after properly understanding the situation and forming an opinion basis of true facts.
Ex: What does success mean to you?
Beebom: Success is the celebration of reaching a milestone and planning for the next one while you’re at it., and so on. If you’re happy doing whatever you’re, you’re already successful.
Ex: What are your three favorite photo/video editing tools?
Beebom: We use all the Adobe software and Final Cut Pro as the razor-sharp forged in fire weapons of our choice for video and image editing.
Ex: A machine/gadget that you’re obsessing over right now?
Beebom: It has to be the Boston Dynamics robot dog that costs a whopping $75,000!
Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?
Vishakha: I personally believe change is the only constant, talking digital blogging historically since Pyara Lab developed its blogger; it evolved as a primary mode of expression today. The journey of my blogging from mobile phone to action camera witnessed many turns.
Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?
Vishakha: I wished I would have invented modern-day action cameras. I could have developed them in more friendly ways, sans all difficulties we face while making a travel vlog.
Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)
Vishakha: Seriously, it happened a week before when I received an email from a college-going girl. I was highly emotional reading the mail from Siddhi, who was explaining to me how she was preparing herself to become a female moto-vlogger.
Ex: Social Media is known to expose vulnerabilities, with influencers being at the epicenter. How do you deal with the dark side that comes with the medium?
Vishakha: It applies to each and everything under the sky. One must be mentally strong and strategically clear on what to be done and what not. I would rather say the more light you bring, the more darkness you can remove.
Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come?
Vishakha: The journey just started and has a long way to go. If you see various recent studies, brands started looking at Influencer Marketing as a vital or topmost strategic priority. We still have to go a long way ahead. I was going through some recent studies which suggest around 75% of brands and agencies started developing independent, separate policies for influential marketing programs as a top priority.
Ex: What is your dream car or motorbike?
Vishakha: My dream car or bike must not be to drive or ride but to keep in a décor place with love and care. I am excited to ride CBR500 or Tiger in the future.
Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?
Mithilesh: So, I am pretty new to the digital blogging space. It has just been 2 years, but I have seen a lot of content creators who are emerging, and that is something really exciting because this is just the start of the whole internet revolution in India. Lots of content creators are emerging from small towns and cities.
Ex:A technology you wished you’d invented?
Mithilesh: Realistic looking AI robot based on any of your loved ones.
Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)
Mithilesh: This happened in the mall where I was shopping and there was a boy who was next to me talking to his sister about me and I heard the conversation and I waited there to see the reaction and after a few seconds he approached me and that was one of my first encounters and it was very special to me.
Ex:What does success mean to you?
Mithilesh: Definition of success for me keeps changing. Right now the definition of success for me is getting the diamond play button, but that is too materialistic. Overall, I want to be happy and should be able to achieve whatever I am dreamt of.
Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come?
Mithilesh: Everybody wants to be an influencer these days and there is nothing wrong in that. Lot of them will try and a lot will fail, but that’s who will get good content creators/ influencers in the coming years.
Ex:Which three things does someone starting in the gaming industry need to know?
Mithilesh: 1.Pubg is not everything.
2.It is not just as easy as playing games and enjoying life, it can feel like a job. It takes real efforts.
3.There is a right time for you to start this. This is for all the kids who are in school and are sad because they are not growing on YouTube.
Ex:What would you say is the biggest challenge for a gaming influencer?
Mithilesh: There is always this constant pressure of not staying relevant anymore just because this space is so crowded right now and there are a lot more gaming creators that are going to emerge. So, it’s a big challenge to remain against the top, to co- exist and stay relevant.
Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?
Shivesh: I have seen the influencer and blogging industry completely revolutionize in the past couple of years. When I started off, Instagram was already providing a space to experiment with newer content. Eventually, it bloomed like anything. The digital blogging space enabled brands to have real time engagement and simultaneously increase brand awareness. This space literally becomes more innovative every single day now. We have wonderfully transitioned from static content to more engaging and more dynamic content. People have really started to believe in influencer marketing and it is the new ‘in thing’ in the digital marketing industry. I have loved this process because the creative powers have now shifted from the hands of advertising agencies to independent individuals.
Ex: Can you give us an insight into social media platforms that only an Influencer can know?
Shivesh: Often, people have the perception that being an influencer is an easy task. But, churning out content on a constant basis requires endless hours of ideation with my team, planning shoots, researching about newer and more public-friendly content, endless to and fro with brands and organizations, and so much more. We end up not having a 9 to 5 job but one that requires 24 hours of our energies. But at the end of the day, I absolutely love what I do and love creating, so I do not mind this one bit.
Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options)
Shivesh: I have always loved anything related to mass communication, media, and related aspects. I even enrolled in Indian Institute of Mass Communication after completing my graduation. So, if I didn’t have Bake with Shivesh, I would definitely be a part of the world of Media.
Ex: If you were stranded on an island, what are the 3 gadgets you’d take along?
Shivesh: I’d definitely take my phone, a power-bank, and a lighter to help me start some fires! A technology you wished you’d invented? Air pods, I think? They’re uber cool and have really made life 100% easier and convenient!
Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)
Shivesh: There was one time when I had a workshop and a 60 year old very sweet woman came from a distance to meet me. She ended up telling me that I remind her of her grandson and this is by far the sweetest encounter I have ever had with a fan. Social Media is known to expose vulnerabilities, with influencers being at the epicenter.
Ex: How do you deal with the dark side that comes with the medium?
Shivesh: I think Baking is the perfect form of therapy for me. Sometimes, when I need an off from everything, I bake for myself or enjoy some ‘me-time’ with my movies, popcorn, and good food! Social media trolling is seeing an upward rise.
Ex: Do you think this only increases with the popularity of an Influencer? How does one tackle this situation?
Shivesh:Trolling is not limited to influencers with a huge following, it happens with budding bloggers and of course, even with celebrities. The best way to deal with it is to just block out the negativity. In the comments section, even one bad comment can really affect someone. My way is to see the many other positive comments and not allow one to affect me.
Ex:What does success mean to you?
Shivesh: Success to me means always having the opportunity to do what I love and what makes me happy. I feel successful when I post a recipe and I see people instantly trying it out, using the recipe to celebrate occasions and what not!
Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come?
Shivesh:Influencer marketing is anything but a fad. It’s the fastest growing space in the digital marketing industry and it promises the greatest ROIs to major organizations. Sure, like every industry, it will take a turn here and there, evolve to become even bigger, but it’s not a fire that can be put out quickly.
Ex: Which is that one dish or cuisine that you haven’t tried yet but are looking forward to?
Shivesh:I really am looking forward to trying some Armenian food! I heard it’s super great and I’d absolutely love to give it a try What do you do to make your content unique from others? I think my style of food photography allows me to make my content unique and appealing. I invest proper time in setting up a particular set for my desserts and give the production process the attention it requires. Besides this, I love how I am able to churn out content on YouTube which has recipes that are super easy yet delicious!
Ex:Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?
Ujjwal: Rise of Mobile gaming as compared to PC gaming and competition.
Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options)
Ujjwal: App Developer/ programming.
Ex:If you were stranded on an island, what are the 3 gadgets you’d take along?
Ujjwal: Phone, Internet, and computer.
Ex:A technology you wished you’d invented?
Ujjwal: Mobile Gaming.
Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)
Ujjwal:One of Ujjwals fan started crying on Discord live call.
Ex: Social Media is known to expose vulnerabilities, with influencers being at the epicenter. How do you deal with the dark side that comes with the medium?
Ujjwal: Always be attentive, think twice before clicking on links from unknown/corrupted sources.
Ex: What does success mean to you?
Ujjwal: Owning my own gaming company.
Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come?
Ujjwal: Influencer marketing is doing wonders for Brands and Influencers both. It has a great future as digital modernization is rapid.
Ex: Which three things does someone starting in the gaming industry need to know?
Ujjwal: Consistency, New trend, Content quality.
Ex: What would you say is the biggest challenge for a gaming influencer?
Ujjwal:Making your identity at the beginning because the competition is too much, a concern of gaining followers and family pressure at the same time.
Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?
Somya: Back then it wasn’t, even so, commercialized there weren’t as many brands and influencers as well. So yes I think it’s become more of a profession now and not just one’s passion.
Ex: Can you give us an insight into social media platforms that only an Influencer can know?
Somya: One thing which I think they might not realise from the outside is that it’s not roses all the way. It’s really difficult to shoot, edit and churn out content daily and it takes a lot of commitment.
Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options)
Somya: If not this then I would have tried my hands on acting.
Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)
Somya: All of them have been super special to me, because all of them are so sweet, I can’t choose one.
Ex: Social Media is known to expose vulnerabilities, with influencers being at the epicenter. How do you deal with the dark side that comes with the medium?
Somya: To be honest, I have been really lucky that I haven’t had to go through a phase like that, I hardly get negative comments, also I have learnt to ignore those. Also, my family and especially my mom always tell me to stay chill and not let things affect me.
Ex: What does success mean to you?
Somya: I have always believed in being happy and spreading happiness and that’s what it is for me. I just want to keep creating content and make my audience happy.
Ex: When was the first time you bought your dream makeup product and which one was it?
Somya: When I started, I wasn’t into makeup at all. Later when I started going for photoshoots and stuff is when I discovered makeup so I didn’t really have a dream product.
Ex: What would you tell young girls when it comes to ideals of beauty that our society has set up?
Somya: Keep your head high, work hard, be kind and rest will follow, also remember to keep smiling.
Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?
Usaamah: I started off 6years ago, at a time when there were hardly 10 bloggers in the country, of course digital marketing is on a high right now & hence there are more bloggers in the space.
Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options)
Usaamah: I’d run a restaurant in Greece
Ex: If you were stranded on an island, what are the 3 gadgets you’d take along?
Usaamah: Phone, GoPro & a Drone
Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?
Usaamah: self driving cars
Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)
Usaamah: A reader once tracked me down to a club in London, through my Instagram stories.
Ex: Social Media is known to expose vulnerabilities, with influencers being at the epicenter. How do you deal with the dark side that comes with the medium?
Usaamah: I’m very content with what I do & where I am, obviously this comes with time & understanding your space.
Ex: Social media trolling is seeing an upward rise. Do you think this only increases with the popularity of an Influencer? How does one tackle this situation?
Usaamah: trolling & negativity is very common, one has to really put those things aside & move on with whatever they’re doing. Ofcourse it has a lot to do with an individuals thinking & maturity.
Ex: What does success mean to you?
Usaamah: Being happy is success to me. I don’t think anything monetary necessarily defines success, because that will always be a never ending process.
Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come?
Usaamah: influencers do change a perception of a brand. Also proven to be very successful for brands even if they’re doing something already existing in the market. Influencer marketing creates the vibe of the brand on a whole.
Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?
Riya: Definitely, this industry has evolved immensely. I mean a few years ago in India people didn’t know how blogging works. My daily routine of adorning stylish clothes & uploading it on the gram paved the way to my career with no clear intentions of course as it was just out of passion. And now we play a key role in marketing the products in the market. Every brand considers this mode as an important tool in receiving organic awareness. It feels great that we are accepting the change and learning each day. Let’s see what’s more in store in the future.
Ex: Can you give us an insight into social media platforms that only an Influencer can know? – That’s a secret you’ll never know!
Riya:What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options) A spy for sure!.
Ex: If you were stranded on an island, what are the 3 gadgets you’d take along?
Riya:My phone for sure i mean who wouldn’t want to capture the moment, powerbank & Alexa
Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?
Riya: A phone
Ex: Social media trolling is seeing an upward rise. Do you think this only increases with the popularity of an Influencer? How does one tackle this situation?
Riya: I would just say don’t take it to your heart. Dealing with it can be difficult & you might doubt yourself too but just remember this if 10 people dont like you that’s alright because there are 20 people out there who love you for who you are. I believe in this and it truly works out for me.
Ex: What does success mean to you?
Riya: Success at this point in time for me is to be more creative & produce content for my #CIACFam because nothing makes me happier than the appreciation I receive from them.
Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come? Yes, a lot of people have started taking this as a serious profession. I just see it evolving and developing.
Riya:As Fashion-Tech is on the rise, what is your take on this new style of couture? Do you think it’s here to stay? – I feel this trend is like a glimpse into the high tech fashion that the upcoming future holds. I’d love trying it out though but can’t predict much. Maybe this is more to be explored.
Ex: How would you define your personal style?
Riya:My personal style is a mix of everything like sometimes I like being dressed up in a casual comfy simple T-shirt & sometimes I like experimenting with crazy trends.
