With 3 years of experience as a blogger, Shiwangi Peswani takes us through her journey.
Having been a tech writer for six years, Shiwangi Peswani ventured into blogging to pursue her dream. She loves to talk about the glamorous world of Fashion and Lifestyle and it clearly shows in her blog.
Take a look at the excerpts to understand her view on the industry.
Looking back, where did it all begin?
Its been three years and a few months when I
joined Instagram. It was just a casual approach to it just like any other
social media platform to share my lovely pictures with friends and make them
jealous.
What's in the name?
It's on my own name. Initially, I tried a few nicknames but soon realized that I better keep it on my name, so its Shiwangi_peswani.
What is your USP in this cluttered space? How does your content give you an edge?
I think my USP is my age and my choice of
keeping it real. I am 42 now and I try to give the fashion and lifestyle tips
to the women of my age. I always feel that Indian women after 40 avoid getting
dressed or trying new fashion styles, so this is my aim to make them realize
that fashion has nothing to do with the age. Also, as I said, I love keeping
the things real, I share the way I dress, I travel, place I go to and the food
I eat.
In the world full of fake influencers who mislead their followers with the over-edited professional pictures, I try to give them the real picture of fashion. I try to give them the doable tips and wearable fashion ideas and not just something which looks good in pictures.
Please take us through your content creation process. How do you stay relevant and relatable?
As I said above, I keep it real so it not really tough for me to create the content. For example, if I am going for a movie and wearing something good, I get the pictures clicked in good lights and background of course, and post it as my movie outing outfit. Similarly, if I am shopping for a family wedding, I take my followers along through my stories. I ask for their help in selecting my outfits, shoes, makeup and even groceries. This way they are more connected to me always.
How do you make moolah with your efforts?
Brands who love my content contact me to promote their products on my handle and they pay me for the same. We many times do the barter collaborations also, especially with the luxury properties who sponsor all our travel and accommodation in exchange for a few Instagram stories and posts.
How do you maintain editorial objectivity with the influx of brand briefs?
I am very clear with one thing and that is my
audience. I promote only the products I like or I know my audience would like.
I have returned many products and said NO to many collabs just because the
products weren’t good.
One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile
Nothing really. All I remember for now is my recent trip to Goa where I was a speaker in a three days conference about how to make money via the internet. I was very sceptical and confused about it because I don’t really find myself deserving enough to be on such a platform but to my surprise, my session went excellent, the best of all in fact. The audience there, especially the women connected so well to me. The huge applause and the standing ovation, people asking for selfies and autographs and whatnot.
Weirdest brand brief/request ever
Was once contacted by some condom brand where
I was supposed to talk about the real and fake orgasm on my Instagram handle.
They also wanted me to fake orgasm on camera, weird right?
If not blogging, you would be?
A news reporter or a journalist. Always wanted
to be one but got married when I was 19 and a mom at 21 so never got a chance.
My day starts with mommy duties, making
breakfast and lunch for my son, then regular homemaking chores and then me and
my laptop (If there is no event to attend).
Message/tips for upcoming bloggers
Do not follow the rat
race, before you start with blogging, ask yourself will you be able to continue
with it for many many years or not?
Do not start with
something you just want to. Make sure you are good at that because there is no
place for average on Instagram. You at least have to be good if not great.
Select something which you can stick on. Do not start with fashion and then
jump on to food or travel or tech. It is not always important that you are good
at something you like to do, so, think well and then select your niche.
There are many. I love the comic timings and camera presence of Dolly Singh and Kusha Kapila, I love the styling of Kritika Khurana and Juhi Godambe and many more.
Honestly speaking, it's not easy to sustain in this cut-throat competition but still, I am trying my best. Want to work with some leading designer brands in fashion and lifestyle and hoping for the best.
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