1. Tell us about your background and journey.
Hi! I am a 24- year old economics honors graduate from University of Warwick, UK and professionally have worked in Govt. Advisory Consultancy. Most people are very content with being part of a stable, successful, and even diverse projects the job has to offer and for the most part of the last three years, I have flourished and enjoyed my time here. Honestly, I have no complaints.
I had often been told that I am very funny, and my timings and content is hilarious. I always accepted the praise with humility and brushed it off as a soft skill useful and limited only to developing connections, networks, and bonds with strangers.
I never regarded it of any professional or public value, because being funny or having good observations to me was never a core skill, just an icing on a cake that was made with intensive technical skills.
But, I was so wrong! The lives of many people are stressful and limited and laughter and relatable content brings a huge smile to their faces at the end of a tiring and maybe even unsuccessful day!
But, I was so wrong! The lives of many people are stressful and limited and laughter and relatable content brings a huge smile to their faces at the end of a tiring and maybe even unsuccessful day!
I started my account (The goofy rant) on 13th May as an outlet to spread happiness and to create engaging and relatable content and the responses I have got in terms of messages and connections is beyond my comprehension!
I have finally found my calling and want to develop my career in the field of content, media & communications supported by master’s degree.
2. What led you to start your page on Instagram and what is it about?
Something unique happened in the past few months, no not talking about the pandemic or the eccentric 2020 beginnings! I made a public account on Instagram with the name of @thegoofyrant as an outlet to my inner 'Nautanki and Dramebaz', as my close friends and family would put it.
Despite overloads of work I manage to make videos because I love writing the scripts, acting out, and even editing. I never thought I would ever have strangers wait for my video to get through their day and this is truly a gift. I have also made a character called #JOJOuncle which is so popular among the viewers and he is simply an annoying ranting uncle!
It’s been about 3.5 months, and with 7000+ followers and growing, I hope I am doing something right. The most surprising element was when one of my REELS went viral! It has crossed 20 million views as we speak and has more than 4000 comments, which made me realize the power of relatable and nostalgic content- at the end of the day we all want to reminisce the happiest and most earnest moments in our lives.
My intention to start this account was to put a smile on people’s faces and today making people laugh and relate to my content has been the greatest joy of my life! My aim now is to deliver relatable, creative, and engaging content wrapped up with a bit of humor and responsibility. I want to create a space where I can connect with as many artists and creators and if possible help them grow as well!
3. How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?
In my opinion, for a blogger – print or video, it is the information provided in the blog that holds the ultimate test of usefulness.
I have finally found my calling and want to develop my career in the field of content, media & communications supported by master’s degree.
2. What led you to start your page on Instagram and what is it about?
Something unique happened in the past few months, no not talking about the pandemic or the eccentric 2020 beginnings! I made a public account on Instagram with the name of @thegoofyrant as an outlet to my inner 'Nautanki and Dramebaz', as my close friends and family would put it.
Despite overloads of work I manage to make videos because I love writing the scripts, acting out, and even editing. I never thought I would ever have strangers wait for my video to get through their day and this is truly a gift. I have also made a character called #JOJOuncle which is so popular among the viewers and he is simply an annoying ranting uncle!
It’s been about 3.5 months, and with 7000+ followers and growing, I hope I am doing something right. The most surprising element was when one of my REELS went viral! It has crossed 20 million views as we speak and has more than 4000 comments, which made me realize the power of relatable and nostalgic content- at the end of the day we all want to reminisce the happiest and most earnest moments in our lives.
My intention to start this account was to put a smile on people’s faces and today making people laugh and relate to my content has been the greatest joy of my life! My aim now is to deliver relatable, creative, and engaging content wrapped up with a bit of humor and responsibility. I want to create a space where I can connect with as many artists and creators and if possible help them grow as well!
3. How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?
In my opinion, for a blogger – print or video, it is the information provided in the blog that holds the ultimate test of usefulness.
A blog is generally something that is information or opinion-driven and people read and seek a particular blog because it is of their immediate help or is written by an expert laying out important/ exciting or new information. I personally seek out bloggers or a blog because I want to know the blogger’s opinion on a topic/product/destination etc.
On the other hand, I believe an influencer, as the word suggests, has the power to influence people. This power is the result of the impression and impact on has had over a large set of audiences over a period of a long time.
On the other hand, I believe an influencer, as the word suggests, has the power to influence people. This power is the result of the impression and impact on has had over a large set of audiences over a period of a long time.
For an influencer, their personality and being itself holds the test of ‘being an influencer’. It is not the information but the person that becomes of value. People will only listen to you if they connect with you, like you, and enjoy the content you are creating- this develops a trust factor and therefore an influencer also has way more responsibility to conduct themselves in the most correct manner they know.
4. Is it financially sustainable to be an influencer today?
This is a tricky question but also a very important one! I believe that the desire to become an influencer must be supported by a financial backup. No one, and I repeat, no one starts earning from the first day of making an account.
It is a very slow and gradual process and one needs to understand that only when you have a set of large, stable, and connected audience reach would any company reach out to you!
I advise anyone who asks me that never start ‘being an influencer’ with the aim of making money. Financial benefits are a by-product and may be validation of your content and account being great but never the primary driver.
I am not an expert and am myself relatively new, but not expecting any brand promotion requests, financial inflow or free goodies to come my way has been the best thing for my original content to thrive!- I do it for the love of creating content and my only validation at this point is people’s response and love! J
5. What do you think influences consumer behavior?
A lot of things! Being an economics student my answer would be more technical than generic. Price, age, lifestyle, past consumption pattern, location, trend, etc. are the more basic ones.
I advise anyone who asks me that never start ‘being an influencer’ with the aim of making money. Financial benefits are a by-product and may be validation of your content and account being great but never the primary driver.
I am not an expert and am myself relatively new, but not expecting any brand promotion requests, financial inflow or free goodies to come my way has been the best thing for my original content to thrive!- I do it for the love of creating content and my only validation at this point is people’s response and love! J
5. What do you think influences consumer behavior?
A lot of things! Being an economics student my answer would be more technical than generic. Price, age, lifestyle, past consumption pattern, location, trend, etc. are the more basic ones.
But if all these parameters are kept fixed then endorsement, advertising, marketing, promotions play very important to maximize the reach and sale of a product.
Today, the artificial intelligence of internet websites and social media corporates such as Facebook is well known, when you even search about a product- and advertisements for it start showing all over your feed, this is personalized marketing and more or less everyone falls for it!
Today there is a very thin line between what you actually want and what you are convinced to buy! One must be careful and vigilant. Secondly, one must buy from trusted sources.
Today there is a very thin line between what you actually want and what you are convinced to buy! One must be careful and vigilant. Secondly, one must buy from trusted sources.
6. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?
I don’t have any specific mantra in life but I have always believed in ‘Change is the only constant’. Once you believe this then any change good or bad does not affect you! I have studied in 11 schools growing up and sometimes worried that there is too much change that is happening- change of city, school, friends, etc.
But today when I look back it is the result of all those years’ experiences that today I have good communication and interpersonal skills, resilience to overcome any troubles in life and temperament to effectively interact and get any work done.
So I guess all work itself out as long as you are determined to keep going and just working hard!
7. How can someone become a successful social media influencer?
I myself am trying to figure that one out! Hahaha. Although I do feel it is the same as being a good influencer in normal life. I feel honest, responsibility and kindness are the three pillars of being a good influencer, a successful one, I’ll let you know when I become one!
8. Which is your favorite book and why?
I do have a few:
1. Many Lives, Many Masters: It’s a non-fiction book that deals with past-live connections and spirituality in the most logical and practical sense.
2. Homo Sapiens, a brief history of humankind: I recently finished this book and it has been the most satisfying read. The evolution of the human species is something that has always fascinated me!
3. A thousand splendid suns: This Khalid Hussain book is about the struggles and life journey of two women that are so different than each other but they navigate life together, so beautiful, sad, and real!
- Juhi Mandloi , Influencer
So I guess all work itself out as long as you are determined to keep going and just working hard!
7. How can someone become a successful social media influencer?
I myself am trying to figure that one out! Hahaha. Although I do feel it is the same as being a good influencer in normal life. I feel honest, responsibility and kindness are the three pillars of being a good influencer, a successful one, I’ll let you know when I become one!
8. Which is your favorite book and why?
I do have a few:
1. Many Lives, Many Masters: It’s a non-fiction book that deals with past-live connections and spirituality in the most logical and practical sense.
2. Homo Sapiens, a brief history of humankind: I recently finished this book and it has been the most satisfying read. The evolution of the human species is something that has always fascinated me!
3. A thousand splendid suns: This Khalid Hussain book is about the struggles and life journey of two women that are so different than each other but they navigate life together, so beautiful, sad, and real!
- Juhi Mandloi , Influencer
- Interviewed by Shilpy Sharan
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