I never promote things I don't consume: Simrun Chopra

Simrun Chopra believes it is important to read every message and comment before creating content as an influencer.

Using her experience and expertise, Simrun Chopra aims to help people with solutions that are real and simple. She hopes to put across health-related solutions that aren't difficult to execute, irrespective of where the person resides of does for a living.

Looking back, where did it all begin? 

After my baby was born, I started eating without reservation and before I knew it, I was 20kgs overweight and thoroughly depressed. The weight aggravated the PCOS. My self-image was at the lowest. I started avoiding social gatherings and resorted to binge eating. At first, it was occasional and suddenly it became a constant habit. I was stuck in a vicious cycle. I knew I had to do something about it, I just didn't know what.

One day when I was alone at home with my 3-month-old baby, I collapsed and I couldn't move. It brought to light a number of health issues and complications. Though I was in a lot of pain, I couldn't take muscle relaxants because I was still feeding. The same happened twice more. My doctors told me to lose weight, strengthen my core, hamstrings and back.

I resorted to dieting despite limited knowledge. I just thought it was about eating less. I lost a couple of kilos but nothing was noticeable. I was nudged by a friend and it made me look for a sustainable solution.

I decided to work out and eat right. There was no looking back.

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

I try to help people with solutions to real, simple problems they face. Whether you live in a hostel, eat at the office cafeteria or travel through the week, I try to offer solutions that aren't difficult to execute. Simple, sustainable solutions that anybody can use is what I believe sets me apart.

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

There are two ways to create content: What you want to say and promote, and what your audience needs. I focus on the latter. My objective is to help people and in order to do so, I reply to every single comment and DM. I have conversations, listen to stories, answer their questions. I look for trends and address them. Every post I put up is based on something someone has asked me in private.

How do you make moolah with your efforts?

My guiding principle is to stay true to my audience by helping them. I keep this in mind for all the decisions I make. This is why my profile is not over-run by collaborations and paid content. I only promote ideas and items that I personally use. I have never promoted anything that I haven't consumed.

Implementing this cuts off the possibility of many collaborations that come my way. It is a trade-off but my ethos comes before all else.

Also Read: ‘Why should the brand pay you if you don’t come to the office?’ recalls Deepali Soam

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

It's simple. Stay true to your value. Stay true to your ethics and focus on your audience. 

One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile

One instance that really stood out for me was a girl who said she needed to lose weight and become fair in a month as per the conditions laid down by the prospective groom's family. I couldn't believe that her parents supported this and were asking her to give up her education as well. I had encouraged her to stand her ground, give her exams and get a job. Months later, she messaged me that she had done so.

A day in your life...

I wake up at 5 am to get in an hour of reading and studying. This is followed by a workout regime. I then wake my son and help him get ready for school. I drop him off and head to work. Most of my social media replies and posts are done in transit to save as much time as I can. I head home post-work to spend time with my son, have dinner with my family and read bedtime stories to my son till he falls asleep. Then, I reply to DMs and get in some reading.

Message/tips for upcoming bloggers

Understand your niche, what you want to communicate and why someone would want that information. Stay true to your values. Listen to your audience and adapt as required. Don't start with the idea to turn it into a profession. Nothing compares to a real-life educational qualification and job.

Your Favorite Influencer

Martin Mac Donald, one of the worlds leading nutritionists, who stays true to his values no matter what.

The Future you foresee for your Personal Brand

It is my objective to provide women across India with quality fitness and nutrition solutions, irrespective of their socio-economic background. I have started offering weightloss programs for as low as Rs 500 a month where they get a complete solution with professionally designed workouts and eating plans. This is my way to ensure that no woman ever needs to resort to starving or go on a crash diet. No one should compromise their health to lose weight. I hope I can help as many people as I can with this.