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1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I am Swarnali Sen, a first year M.A Student in English studying at Kalyani University. I've completed my schooling from Auxilium Convent School and my graduation from Victoria's college for girls. Apart from being a student, I also dabble in food blogging and influencing, under the name Mostly Hungry.
I've always been a food enthusiast, and have always loved exploring different eateries- from luxury hotels to local eats. Being a logophile and a lover of Food Photography, I decided to merge my interests - and this the food blogger that is Mostly Hungry, was born back in 2018.
I've always been a food enthusiast, and have always loved exploring different eateries- from luxury hotels to local eats. Being a logophile and a lover of Food Photography, I decided to merge my interests - and this the food blogger that is Mostly Hungry, was born back in 2018.
2. What led you to start your page on Instagram and what is it about?
7. How can someone become a successful social media influencer?
Someone can become a successful social media influencer by the following ways:
It all began back when I was 19. During graduation, our attendance requirement wasn’t as high and English honours meant that my college would get over quite early, around 2pm, as there were no practicals. I wanted the free time to indulge in activities that could allow me to pursue my interests, while being engaged in something fun and adventurous. My combined love for food, words and photography led me to transform my Private Instagram Account to business page, further leading to a Facebook page and a Zomato account. You must visit my Instagram handle @mostlyhungry_.
My Page is about a 22 year old girl from Kolkata who explores everything from luxury Hotels and local eateries, weaving a Food Story, making words meet food photography. Having covered over 200+ eateries and tried different cuisines ranging from Indonesian to Turkish to Thai to Spanish to Japanese and more, my page should help any hungry soul find the recommendations they seek to satiate their cravings! It is also for fellow food enthusiasts and adventurers who love to explore new spaces and eateries.
I not only love to explore but also host Promotional Events at Restaurants and Hotels. I’ve hosted over 60 events at different hotels and restaurants. So my passion is not just sharing my food stories but also pitching and curating events.
3. How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?
My Page is about a 22 year old girl from Kolkata who explores everything from luxury Hotels and local eateries, weaving a Food Story, making words meet food photography. Having covered over 200+ eateries and tried different cuisines ranging from Indonesian to Turkish to Thai to Spanish to Japanese and more, my page should help any hungry soul find the recommendations they seek to satiate their cravings! It is also for fellow food enthusiasts and adventurers who love to explore new spaces and eateries.
I not only love to explore but also host Promotional Events at Restaurants and Hotels. I’ve hosted over 60 events at different hotels and restaurants. So my passion is not just sharing my food stories but also pitching and curating events.
3. How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?
This confusion is most evident when people talk about bloggers and influencers. The terms are used almost interchangeably, even though they shouldn’t be.
A Blogger has their own website. A Blogger maintains their own website from which they publish their own original content. I mean no disrespect to those who blog on Free Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Zomato but for the sake of this discussion, let’s restrict the official term “Blogger” to those who own their websites. This is because bloggers who have their own website have ultimate control over the content they publish.
Bottom Line : A blogger isn’t necessarily an influencer.
Influencers use their platform or multiple platforms to motivate their followers to purchase products and services from brands and companies they’re working with. An influencer promotes products and services through their platforms. You know you’ve stumbled on an influencer’s Instagram when their feed contains visually stunning flat lays of products or carefully lit photos of them having a good time while using a specific product.
Bottom Line : An influencer doesn’t have to have a blog. They can be influencers in one or more platforms, which may or may not include a blog.
A Blogger has their own website. A Blogger maintains their own website from which they publish their own original content. I mean no disrespect to those who blog on Free Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Zomato but for the sake of this discussion, let’s restrict the official term “Blogger” to those who own their websites. This is because bloggers who have their own website have ultimate control over the content they publish.
Bottom Line : A blogger isn’t necessarily an influencer.
Influencers use their platform or multiple platforms to motivate their followers to purchase products and services from brands and companies they’re working with. An influencer promotes products and services through their platforms. You know you’ve stumbled on an influencer’s Instagram when their feed contains visually stunning flat lays of products or carefully lit photos of them having a good time while using a specific product.
Bottom Line : An influencer doesn’t have to have a blog. They can be influencers in one or more platforms, which may or may not include a blog.
4. Is it financially sustainable to be an influencer today?
Being an influencer is “worth it” if the benefits outweigh the negatives. That's a personal thing for everyone to determine for themselves. It's the modern equivalent of setting out to “Be a Rock Star”. Most people will never see success and there's a lot of hard work involved. With time and commitment, and consistent effort, it is possible for an average person to become a Successful Influencer and then of course it is definitely financially sustainable.
5. What do you think influences consumer behavior?
Consumer behaviour is influenced by four major factors:
1) Cultural
2) Social
3) Personal
4) Psychological.
These factors cause consumers to develop product and brand preferences.
Bottom Line : Social media always influences their buying behavior. The relationship between social media and consumer decision-making presents that social media affects advertising attitudes, brand attitudes, and purchasing intentions of consumer. Social media can build brand attitudes through images, videos, writing skills that definitely affect buying behavior.
1) Cultural
2) Social
3) Personal
4) Psychological.
These factors cause consumers to develop product and brand preferences.
Bottom Line : Social media always influences their buying behavior. The relationship between social media and consumer decision-making presents that social media affects advertising attitudes, brand attitudes, and purchasing intentions of consumer. Social media can build brand attitudes through images, videos, writing skills that definitely affect buying behavior.
6. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?
Do whatever, do it Perfect! Quality speaks more than Quantity and Self Satisfaction is the Biggest and the Real Deal! There's no compromising in the Quality of my work. If I'm studying a chapter, I'll study it in such a manner that I never again forget it. If I'm clicking a picture, I'll keep clicking it till I get the perfect angle and shot. My Shot!
And most importantly, always having a healthy competitive mind is more my thing. Nobody inspires me but myself.
Lastly, I always believe in doing what I take interest in! I'll read a book either because the writer is my favourite or it's my favourite genre book or because the subject matter has piqued my interest. I won't read it because all my friends are reading it. I'll read it only if I take interest in it. DO NOT FOLLOW THE TREND, SET ONE!
And most importantly, always having a healthy competitive mind is more my thing. Nobody inspires me but myself.
Lastly, I always believe in doing what I take interest in! I'll read a book either because the writer is my favourite or it's my favourite genre book or because the subject matter has piqued my interest. I won't read it because all my friends are reading it. I'll read it only if I take interest in it. DO NOT FOLLOW THE TREND, SET ONE!
7. How can someone become a successful social media influencer?
Someone can become a successful social media influencer by the following ways:
- By investing behind Quality and not Quantity. The intellectual and picky Mass and renowned Brands still value one interesting content over several tedious ones.
- By Interacting with your audience through stories and posts.
- By upgrading your work quality with every passing day.
- By creating content for all categories of mass.
- By giving your Content a story line.
8. Which is your favorite book and why?
Being a Literature Student it's really tough to pick one but if I must at all cost, I'll be biased about Sidney Sheldon's Tell Me Your Dreams since I love fiction.
When asked why, most of His best sellers revolved around the lives of female protagonists. Sidney Sheldon said, “I like to write about women who are talented and capable, but most importantly, retain their femininity. Women have tremendous power — their femininity, because men can't do without it.” This is one of the reasons why I love Him. Also, Sheldon has the power to captivate the readers' mind to the extent that they’re incapable of carrying on with their lives until they finish his book. His work inspires me to build a story that is just as enthralling. Tell Me Your Dreams is one of his finest works and is one of the most well written stories of crime and psychology, that has captured the hearts of millions of readers, like myself.
Being a Literature Student it's really tough to pick one but if I must at all cost, I'll be biased about Sidney Sheldon's Tell Me Your Dreams since I love fiction.
When asked why, most of His best sellers revolved around the lives of female protagonists. Sidney Sheldon said, “I like to write about women who are talented and capable, but most importantly, retain their femininity. Women have tremendous power — their femininity, because men can't do without it.” This is one of the reasons why I love Him. Also, Sheldon has the power to captivate the readers' mind to the extent that they’re incapable of carrying on with their lives until they finish his book. His work inspires me to build a story that is just as enthralling. Tell Me Your Dreams is one of his finest works and is one of the most well written stories of crime and psychology, that has captured the hearts of millions of readers, like myself.
- Swarnali Sen (IG: @mostlyhungry_)
Interview by - Abhirup Dey
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