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1. Tell us about your background and journey.
My name is Pranay Anand and I’m an influencer based in Delhi, India. Apart from helping young men transform their personality through fashion, lifestyle and grooming, I also work as a Data Scientist.
I am always up for creative and unique ideas to work on and deliver the best in order to attract the potential audience. I won’t hesitate in mentioning that creativity is my USP (Unique Selling Proposition). My handle is @thatvoguelens
2. What led you to start your page on Instagram and what is it about?
I used to enjoy photography as a hobby. Slowly I started to explore more and came across digital content creation. From there I started learning image and video editing. Going about searching designs and ideas on Pinterest.
I went about learning design and marketing concepts which helped me boost my work and make it reach a wider audience. It’s about exploring, learning and growing. So, just start!
My profile is a content hub where an Indian man can portray himself. I talk about fashion, lifestyle, grooming hacks and how one can transform themselves by learning about it. My ultimate goal is to teach men about various aspects of styling, grooming, fitness and how one can apply the same principles and bring a change in their life.
3. How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?
A blogger is a person who regularly posts on a blog or Instagram about a particular niche. An influencer is a person holding power to influence other’s opinion. He/she may use formats like blogs, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok etc. to express his/her opinion.
If a blogger’s followers listen to him/her, then that blogger is an influencer.
4. Is it financially sustainable to be an influencer today?
There’s no straight answer to that. The cash flow totally depends on how influential you actually are. Just like any other field, you start as an intern. You get paid less but what you actually gain is knowledge and a network of like-minded people.
As you learn and grow, you prove your worth and your paycheck gets bigger.
5. What do you think influences consumer behaviour?
Not just one, but quite a few factors influence consumer behaviour. Trends definitely controls one’s buying decision and tends to shift it from needs to wants. Secondly, trust cannot be ignored as one won’t consider someone’s opinion until he/she knows and trusts them.
And finally, value accounts for How something will impact his/her life. Will it bring any psychological benefits, change in social status/role or even affect their personal life, all of this falls under value.
6. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?
I believe life is about two things – what you do and the people around you. So, having the freedom to do what I love and being surrounded by people (dogs too) whom I love, defines success for me.
Life is all about learning and one should never stop that. Keep exploring, make mistakes, learn from them and keep growing. That’s how life is and my ultimate mantra for it.
7. How can someone become a successful social media influencer?
Well, one can find a whole guide/book for that online but I’ll just add my personal experience. Consider it just like any other business and always have a strategy: Create, Promote, Measure, Analyse, Optimize. These are the essential steps people often forget.
And just like in a business, one would gather customer requirements, right? Apply the same here! Listen to your audience, gather insights and serve what they want.
And at last but not the least, network! One may even create a media kit which comes handy in networking while putting your work out. (Check mine here: https://www.behance.net/thatvoguelens)
8. Which is your favorite book and why?
Not an avid reader but I when do, I always grab a self-help book.
My favourite is “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.
You ask why? Well, this book helped me become a people person.
One can relate to the stories mentioned in the book and that’s what makes it interesting and helpful at the same time.
Instagram: https://www.
Pinterest: http://pinterest.
Interviewed by - Vayun Sahni
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