Always engage with your followers. You are there because of them. Remember to reply to comments and messages no matter how painstaking that task becomes. Remember to be humble.
Engage with your fellow bloggers as well. Take inspiration but never copy content.
Also, it's extremely important to be authentic in today's age. Be true to yourself as well as your audience. Don’t follow trends for the sake of it. Share your own personal style, your likes and dislikes and your audience will love that!
Have fun creating content and don’t run after numbers. Don’t quit if your followers aren’t growing for months. Trust me, every single influencer has gone through this. Whenever you feel like quitting, remember why you started it all In the first place.
Tell us about your background and journey.
My name is Areesha Khan and I was born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, till I recently moved to London in 2021 with my husband. Growing up I was always obsessed with art and anything creative so I knew I will pursue that in university as well. I did my undergrad in Visual arts and post-grad in Interior designing.
Apart from that, I had been travelling with my family since the age of 6 so travel has always been an integral part of my life. It helped me grow as a person and also boosted my confidence. I learnt so much about art, architecture and culture just through travelling to different cities and countries. I knew once I become independent, this is what I will be earning for, my travels.
Once I finally graduated and was ready to pursue my career, I realised those 6 years of endless art made me drift apart from my passion. I had gotten so sick of it, that I decided to pursue Teaching instead in 2016. Another reason for choosing Teaching as a profession was because I could get at least 3.5 months of vacation! It wasn’t a hindrance in my travels at all. 2016 was also the year my husband and I started travelling together. That's when I independently planned trips hence giving me the idea of starting my own travel blog to help others as well.
What led you to start your page on Instagram, and what is it about?
I had always been keen on taking photographs of nature and architecture whenever I travelled abroad. I filled up countless Facebook albums with those random photos till my friends suggested moving to Instagram which was all about photography. That's how my IG Handle was formed. Initially, I mindlessly used to upload photographs of anything and everything. Whether it was me and my husband, architectural buildings, sceneries, my outfit of the day or some fancy meals. I started observing the world of travel bloggers and influencers on Instagram.
Apart from that, I had been travelling with my family since the age of 6 so travel has always been an integral part of my life. It helped me grow as a person and also boosted my confidence. I learnt so much about art, architecture and culture just through travelling to different cities and countries. I knew once I become independent, this is what I will be earning for, my travels.
Once I finally graduated and was ready to pursue my career, I realised those 6 years of endless art made me drift apart from my passion. I had gotten so sick of it, that I decided to pursue Teaching instead in 2016. Another reason for choosing Teaching as a profession was because I could get at least 3.5 months of vacation! It wasn’t a hindrance in my travels at all. 2016 was also the year my husband and I started travelling together. That's when I independently planned trips hence giving me the idea of starting my own travel blog to help others as well.
What led you to start your page on Instagram, and what is it about?
I had always been keen on taking photographs of nature and architecture whenever I travelled abroad. I filled up countless Facebook albums with those random photos till my friends suggested moving to Instagram which was all about photography. That's how my IG Handle was formed. Initially, I mindlessly used to upload photographs of anything and everything. Whether it was me and my husband, architectural buildings, sceneries, my outfit of the day or some fancy meals. I started observing the world of travel bloggers and influencers on Instagram.
I learnt how to take those picture-perfect ‘Gram worthy’ photos while travelling. Lucky for me, my husband is a photographer too, so in a way that made my blogging life easier. While making sure my photos looked perfect on my Instagram grid, I also provide information regarding the places, travel tips and hacks. Anything which might help my fellow travellers when planning their trips. That had always been my aim for my Instagram page, till covid hit us and I was forced to explore and introduce some fresh content for my audience. I now make sure my content is relatable for my audience, yet entertaining as well. But once the world opens up I would definitely continue uploading all about my travels.
How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?
In simple words, a blogger is someone who was a blog/website. They write about specific topics in their niche, gives their point of view and shares knowledge about it. They earn money through writing and creating blogs and through affiliate links in their blogs to earn a commission.
An influencer is someone who has an online public presence and enough following to be able to influence their audience. They earn money through advertising for brands and sharing those products with their following. A blogger can be an influencer too, but not every influencer is a blogger.
Is it financially sustainable to be an influencer today?
I feel it only becomes financially sustainable once the influencer reaches a certain level of following and recognition. I know a lot of famous influencers who are doing this as a full-time job now. On the other hand, some who are new to the world of influencers, do this as a part-time job, as a source of extra income while also pursuing their full-time careers.
What do you think influences consumer behaviour?
I think in today’s age social media itself plays a massive role in influencing consumer behaviour. We spend a whole lot of time browsing through social media every single day. I, for instance, learn about new deals, new products, new styles as soon as I open up my Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. I imagine myself styled up in the same way as an influencer or a model and the thought of buying it will instantly come across my mind.
What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?
Work hard but never forget what you’re working hard for. Don’t forget to live and enjoy the little moments in life. Don’t lose yourself in the everyday hustle. You won’t get each day back so enjoy it to the fullest. That everyday contentment makes me feel successful regardless of whether I have achieved my final goals or not.
How can someone become a successful social media influencer?
Sounds a bit cliched but it is extremely important to deliver good quality content to your audience. Do it IF you are passionate about it. I know a lot of people who want to become an influencer for the perks and PR. What they don’t know is the amount of hard work involved in delivering to all those brands they’ll be working for.
Have a target niche you’ll be creating content for. Whether it’s travel, art, fashion, makeup, photography. But stick to that niche. Explore video and photography and figure out what works for you.
Always engage with your followers. You are there because of them. Remember to reply to comments and messages no matter how painstaking that task becomes. Remember to be humble.
Engage with your fellow bloggers as well. Take inspiration but never copy content.
Also, it's extremely important to be authentic in today's age. Be true to yourself as well as your audience. Don’t follow trends for the sake of it. Share your own personal style, your likes and dislikes and your audience will love that!
Have fun creating content and don’t run after numbers. Don’t quit if your followers aren’t growing for months. Trust me, every single influencer has gone through this. Whenever you feel like quitting, remember why you started it all In the first place.
Interviewed by - Saba Parveen
How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?
In simple words, a blogger is someone who was a blog/website. They write about specific topics in their niche, gives their point of view and shares knowledge about it. They earn money through writing and creating blogs and through affiliate links in their blogs to earn a commission.
An influencer is someone who has an online public presence and enough following to be able to influence their audience. They earn money through advertising for brands and sharing those products with their following. A blogger can be an influencer too, but not every influencer is a blogger.
Is it financially sustainable to be an influencer today?
I feel it only becomes financially sustainable once the influencer reaches a certain level of following and recognition. I know a lot of famous influencers who are doing this as a full-time job now. On the other hand, some who are new to the world of influencers, do this as a part-time job, as a source of extra income while also pursuing their full-time careers.
What do you think influences consumer behaviour?
I think in today’s age social media itself plays a massive role in influencing consumer behaviour. We spend a whole lot of time browsing through social media every single day. I, for instance, learn about new deals, new products, new styles as soon as I open up my Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. I imagine myself styled up in the same way as an influencer or a model and the thought of buying it will instantly come across my mind.
What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?
Work hard but never forget what you’re working hard for. Don’t forget to live and enjoy the little moments in life. Don’t lose yourself in the everyday hustle. You won’t get each day back so enjoy it to the fullest. That everyday contentment makes me feel successful regardless of whether I have achieved my final goals or not.
How can someone become a successful social media influencer?
Sounds a bit cliched but it is extremely important to deliver good quality content to your audience. Do it IF you are passionate about it. I know a lot of people who want to become an influencer for the perks and PR. What they don’t know is the amount of hard work involved in delivering to all those brands they’ll be working for.
Have a target niche you’ll be creating content for. Whether it’s travel, art, fashion, makeup, photography. But stick to that niche. Explore video and photography and figure out what works for you.
Always engage with your followers. You are there because of them. Remember to reply to comments and messages no matter how painstaking that task becomes. Remember to be humble.
Engage with your fellow bloggers as well. Take inspiration but never copy content.
Also, it's extremely important to be authentic in today's age. Be true to yourself as well as your audience. Don’t follow trends for the sake of it. Share your own personal style, your likes and dislikes and your audience will love that!
Have fun creating content and don’t run after numbers. Don’t quit if your followers aren’t growing for months. Trust me, every single influencer has gone through this. Whenever you feel like quitting, remember why you started it all In the first place.
Interviewed by - Saba Parveen
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