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An interview with Ms.Chahna Soni aka Karia 22 years young lady who made it big in social influencer circuit in Mumbai. A detail discussion explored her many angles not known to many.
Do you see yourself as an “Influencer”, and if so, what does that mean to you?
Ans. A social influencer has become the new medium of the digital age. An influencer to me is somebody who can take their platform and inspire a whole new generation. People like me have managed to create a voice more valuable than any commercial. Some might think this is a negative thing, but I believe we have created a more trustworthy base used by the right people, can be treasured for advertisers. For example, I would never buy an item without reading or watching several reviews on it. This was never an option back in the day without the internet. I believe we are an accessible medium with a positive and time-efficient cause.
Where do you see yourself in the competition?
Ans. I am a very non-competitive person. The only person that I do compete with is myself. And that too every time I feel that I could have done better. Mostly, I concentrate on my own work and leave the competition part to people who are not secure about their talent.
How has stardom changed you?
Ans. Stardom has changed me for sure but not in the conventional way most people believe. I am the same person that I was 5 years ago when the world didn’t know me. However, I do crave privacy and alone time now. So basically, stardom hasn’t changed me – it has changed my circumstances.
How do brands generally contact you?
Ans. They usually contact me with an email or direct message on Instagram.
How has your experience been working with brands?
Ans. Amazing, I stay in touch with the brands that I’ve worked for, a lot of the people in the industry have become friends of mine.
What topics are you influential in?
Ans. Beauty, Health, Lifestyle.
How many hours a week do you spend working as an Influencer and all that goes with it?
Ans. Mmmmm, that’s a tough question. It varies! I do a lot outside of Instagram. I probably spend about 3 hours a day on it!
Do you take the photos on your own or do you have assistance from someone else?
Ans. I use professional images where possible from shoots, events, collaborations, etc – but I also have friends and family who help me keep up to date on content in between.
Which social networks do you prefer?
Ans. The most important social network for me is definitely Instagram. On Instagram, it is essentially about visual communication which conveys many different emotions in a very direct and easy to understand way. Also, Instagram combines inspiration from various areas such as art, fashion, travel and lifestyle in one pool.
Do you see yourself as a marketer?
Ans. I believe everyone is a marketer in today’s world because everyone should be marketing something, at least him/herself especially with a social channel. I started out having absolutely no plan of marketing to becoming very knowledgeable in this field.
How do you handle stress or pressure?
Ans. Stress management is an art based on scientific theory, I feel. I prefer a little bit of yoga, meditation, and some functional exercise to remove stress. I work well under pressure because I use the pressure to help me work more efficiently & I don’t panic. I maintain self-control and work as efficiently as possible. In all my experiences, I did well and I always enjoyed the experience.
If you were to give someone advice who is thinking about getting into social media and the world of influencing, what would it be?
Ans. My advice would always be to do it for the right reasons. Be authentic. I have heard of people getting into this industry because they want free products and fame. It isn’t about having all the followers in the world or getting products sent to you. Sure it is a perk, but you have to be able to create authentic content that will keep people engaged to your blog which is pretty hard. You have to dedicate a lot of time into building a content, getting the know-how on editing photos and of course have a little spare money to pay ongoing fees. That certainly is the less glamorous side of this business. I always pride myself on creating frequent content. Find a topic you are excited in and don’t be discouraged because of the mass number of bloggers out there. If you stay original and create good posts, who says you can’t be successful? It’s never too late to start.
