Interview: It really pains to see how undervalued are content writers' efforts in Indian market: MumbaiGloss, Parimita Chakravorty

MumbaiGloss, a selection of Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle blogs by Parimita Chakravorty who converses about experiences like exciting things to do in Maldives, her experience in an overnight train from Amsterdam to Salzburg via Munich, and a lot more exciting stories.

Parimita shares the aim behind the name of the blog, a day in her life, a message for upcoming bloggers and more, in an interaction with Social Samosa.

Looking back, where did it all begin? 

I was a contributing feature writer for popular fashion and beauty magazines in 2011. I authored a book ‘Look Stunning At Any Size’, a style guide for everyday woman in 2012. That’s when I became a mother for the very first time. To continue with my passion in the field of food, fashion, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle, I created my blog Mumbaigloss.in, in 2013. Since then it has reflected my individual voice in all the aspects of my persona. Be it travel, be is style or adventures with my kids, you can read it all here. It has unique articles about Mumbai as a city. Today my blog stands at 39 in Page Authority (PA), 42 in Domain Authority (DA), 1,444,211 in Alexa Rank and 4 in Google PageRank. I feel proud about these numbers as they are the fruits of my hard work and initiatives.

What's in the name?

I live in Mumbai, I am a beauty junkie, I love dressing up well, love the glam and glitz as well as the eccentricity of this place. Mumbaigloss was an obvious choice for my blog. It reflected the soul of the blog.

What is your USP in this cluttered space? How does your content give you an edge?

I am not a mom-blogger, but my posts are about my life with the kids, about my travel, the fashion I like, the food I enjoy. The USP is that the blog is the voice of an individual who enjoys life and the various aspects of life in the Mumbai city. Almost all of my blogs are either my own experiences or about the topics that I feel strongly about.

Please take us through your content creation process. How do you stay relevant and relatable?

Content creation process is simple. I jot down notes when I have freshly experienced something. For example if I travelled to a new place, or tried a new dish I quickly document what I observe or notice or feel. Later on develop a post around it, carefully curating the images and the experience. Eventually, blog is about individual experiences. I stay relevant by writing about the current topics, I stay relatable because I my posts are not fancy advertorials, they are real-life experiences of a mother, a wife, a woman who is struggling with weight, parenting, career and many other aspects of life like everyone else.

How do you make moolah with your efforts?

Through Google advertisements and brand collaborations.

How do you maintain editorial objectivity with the influx of brand briefs?

A very close friend once advised that I should not chase money, if I do good work then money will chase me eventually. I have taken that advice very seriously. I don’t take up all the assignments that come my way. I pick and choose the assignments that go with my blog’s theme and helps me to create the right balance between maintaining my editorial quality as well as accommodating brand requests.

Also Read: Interview: Be your own unique voice: Prerna Sinha, Maa Of All Blogs

One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile

There have been many. It feels good when I make a difference to the lives of others.

Weirdest brand brief/request ever

I would not like to point out anything in particular here but I get very cheesed off when people forget the difference between a freelancer and free work. It really pains to see how undervalued the efforts are of a content writer in the Indian market. Free programs are available online to correct spellings and grammar or check SEO, but nothing can beat the individual expression and the choice of words. I keep on getting these barter deals in the times of bitcoins and I wonder if these people belong to Mesopotamia in 6000 BC. (Apologize for being sarcastic!)

If not blogging, you would be?

I would still be a content writer. Not many are aware that I hold a Diploma in Creative Writing and have been creating speech for various occasions, corporate video scripts, case studies, white papers, brochures especially in the IT domain. I have been with the IT industry for close to a decade now. I could write my second book and the third and become a full-time author as well. I have been blessed with two beautiful kids and I would love to spend more time raising them into strong and talented individuals.

A day in your life....

Every day is different. I cannot give a routine here. Sometimes I am traveling. Sometimes I go cycling early morning. But mostly it’s getting the kids ready and sending them off to school and then going about my day at work.

Message/tips for upcoming bloggers

If writing is therapy for you, if you enjoy the process of creating content then keep creating blogs. Do not try to copy anybody. Do not write to please anybody. Be honest and just be yourself. Always proof-read before publishing and give reference wherever possible.

Your Favorite Influencer

Prerna Sinha from Maaofallblogs. Her content is very useful. She is very inspiring.

The Future you foresee for your Personal BrandThe growth might be slow. But with social media and digitization, the brand will definitely grow. It will become bigger and better in the coming years.