Waneesa Zai - Engaging With the Followers and Keeping up With Them Isn't as Easy as It Looks

I have always been a creative person and started my journey on Instagram and sharpened my photography and advertisement skills over the years. I always had a passion to become a blogger but I got occupied with my new baking business and so I actively started posting from 2018 onwards.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I'm a student of business administration and I plan on pursuing my studies and career in marketing due to my sheer interest in advertisement and photography. I also started my own baking business (@cupsandcakesksa) back in 2018 which was truly of one the best decision! I'm originally from Pakistan but I was born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

My hobbies mainly include baking, photography, art, videography, connecting with new people and writing and advertising about all the interesting things and places in Riyadh especially when it comes to food, beauty and fashion.


2. What led you to start your page on Instagram?

I have always been a creative person and started my journey on Instagram and sharpened my photography and advertisement skills over the years. I always had a passion to become a blogger but I got occupied with my new baking business and so I actively started posting from 2018 onwards.

I have been very fortunate as my skills were appreciated by many, including Estee lauder middle east on Instagram where they chose to post my picture of their product publicly. I was also asked to cover and advertise La Brasserie- Faisaliah tower for their cooking and baking courses which was a successful event and fruitful for the restaurant. 

I was offered to work as a marketing executive for a well known restaurant in Riyadh as well. Currently I'm working as a freelancer for editing pictures and videos for my clients while on the other hand, enjoying blogging and photography of many other restaurants and cafes besides capturing and sharing my favourite personal moments with all my lovely followers.


3. Is it financially sustainable to be a blogger today?

Being a blogger requires a lot of time, hard work and continuous dedication. Engaging with the followers and keeping up with them isn't as easy as it looks.
As they say, "easier said than done". But everything is possible if you're passionate enough and willing for obtaining what you truly desire.


4. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?

Everybody's definition of success is different. For me, I believe success is growing in every aspect of life, especially when it comes to your career, succeeding while doing what makes you happy is the truest form of success. I don't believe in following any trends for the sake of gaining success and followers, but rather, as a personal hobby, creating something raw and exciting for my followers and providing them with something new to look at makes me really happy.


5. Who is your favourite blogger and why?

I appreciate all the work done by so many bloggers and I personally realize that the amount of time it takes is ineffable and staggering but definitely worthy. I have many favourites when it comes to bloggers for example, here in Saudi Arabia, as a travel blogger @Blueabaya is doing an amazing job. @withloveleena is a really talented modest fashion blogger and I love how she styles her outfits in a modest yet modern way.


6. Do you have any tips for people who want to join this field?

I'd suggest the new bloggers (or anyone who's interested in blogging) to follow your heart and be raw because no one likes to see repeated pictures and information. Something new is always exciting and fun. Don’t rush to gain followers, real connection with your real followers is something you cherish the most during your blogging journey, they’re like a little Instagram family!


7. Which is your favourite book and why?

I absolutely love reading books! I find comfort in reading sci-fi, self improvement or literature books and one of my favourite is “Tuesday’s with Morrie” by Mitch Albom. It’s a very moving book with lots of lessons and values on how to live your life. 

It gives a different perspective to life that aging is not our choice but growing up definitely is. The book represents a beautiful bond between a professor and his ex student. The lessons of life are learned through the experiences. It’s the kind of book you can read over and over again and find comfort in it and that is why I love it so much.

- Interviewed by - Nishad Kinhikar