Anamika Shukla - Don’t Go Restlessly Finding Your Inspiration, Just Look Around and Make One (Digital Creator From India)

I love to observe people, things and everything that is around me with a very creative aspect. I don't need to think specifically about a topic to write one, I just look around and whatever I find interesting I start to scribble. Be it a pillow, a pen, a bottle, my wardrobe... be it anything - that is my content.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

This question is always a fascinating one for me to answer. Being a super enthusiastic person myself, I always love to talk about my journey - the challenges, the gloomy days and the efforts and hard work that landed me here. Holding the torch a bit towards my background.

I am a commerce graduate - I also have a post-graduate degree in Brand Management and Marketing. Succeeding the academics, I have served two of the most reputed companies, The Hindustan Times and Armani (Furnishing and Fabrics).

Later at a fortunate period when the reality of "I can't work under someone and notably in the corporate" hit me hard - I thought of honing my writing skills for a year which in any which ways was my love since I was 18 years old. I did a few freelance content writing projects for quite a while until I got associated with a startup as one of the core members.

My life was a whirlwind from 2017-2020 when I came face to face with my entrepreneurial self. As the startup was a publication house, I was elated to take full responsibility for the areas I loved - editing, guiding authors, hosting the open mics in Mumbai and creating and writing content.

I performed my work with utmost dedication and love. The patience, the people, the wisdom, the knowledge, the trust, the learning - prominently the art of putting my foot down for self is what I have earned and gained in these crucial years of mine.

Although due to some unforeseen circumstance, I had to quit the startup - the decision that demanded a lot of courage and emotional breakdowns. But every cloud has a silver lining. The Almighty had a different yet spectacular path ahead of me.

2. When did you first decide that you wanted to create digital content and how did you start?

Amidst 2020 where everyone's business and life was doomed, my career took off at lightning speed. To wave off my anxiety and boredom of doing nothing for a while, I started to share my knowledge (to the extent I have) of Spoken English through Instagram reels under the name "Paathshala English Ki".

I posted my first content of "Paathshala English Ki" on the 27th of July 2020. Within 3-4 months, my Instagram algorithm gave me an astounding result with a massive boost in my Instagram followers. Although, I'm not a person who is fascinated by the number of followers but the quality of the service.

Gradually as the Instagram family started to love the content, I decided to create more of those and even began to give personal Spoken English sessions. At the very initial stage, I was hesitant to accept the request of the audience for a personal Spoken English session as I don't have any teaching background.

I'm a Content and Creative writer by profession which was coming in way of embarking upon this altogether new arena of my life. Nevertheless, I took the risk of trial and it did wonders.

Starting from one single student in March, I have around 30 students to date - for Spoken English, Content Writing and Creative Writing. Well... it seems that my profession has become my passive income and teaching is my primary.

3. Is vlogging and digital content creation a financially sustainable career?

Honestly, I don't have much idea about how vlogging works. So, I prefer not to comment on that part. Yes, about digital content creation I would like to put forth a few aspects that I have learnt. The term financial stability is a big word!

Let's call it "my regular income" - sounds easier and less scary, isn't it? Digital content creation is at its peak for the past 5-6 years and it is doing pretty well when it comes to hitting on the perfect nerve of the audience. In my opinion, digital content creation works 50-50.

Consistent good content is the call of the hour and one must be specifically focussed on it if that's what they want to make their bread and butter. Randomly putting out content without zero know-how about the audience preference and behavioural aspect might land you in peril.

Yes, it has great financial sustainability but 50% - the other 50% shall bloom from your regular learning, consistent valuable content creation, acceptance of constructive criticism, evaluation of your decisions and extreme love for it. Trust me! If you're at par with these aspects apart from your content creation, you're at your growth curve. 

4. How and where do you find inspiration to churn out content?

Firstly, I get 80% of my content inspiration from myself. I have felt, experienced and learnt so much in these few years that I get every area of my content covered from my life itself. Besides, the other 20% of the ideas I take from my surrounding.

I love to observe people, things and everything that is around me with a very creative aspect. I don't need to think specifically about a topic to write one, I just look around and whatever I find interesting I start to scribble. Be it a pillow, a pen, a bottle, my wardrobe... be it anything - that is my content.

Believe me, it's true! Take any random item or person and start to think about it creatively, I bet you - you will come up with excellent & quirky content. A piece of advice, "Don't go restlessly finding your inspiration, just look around and make one."

5. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring digital creators?

I don't know whether exactly I'm giving advice or not, but I would love to share my learning which transformed me into a better self. 

• Trust your gut.
• Be super confident in what you do and your expertise.
• Never be self-critical - appreciate yourself (take constructive criticism too).
• Be consistent, dedicated and a regular learner.
• Don't feel inferior if someone is better than you. Maybe they are better in a particular field, but even you're great in your line of expertise. So, the question of comparison is ruled out totally.
• Practice healthy living and gratefulness (seems philosophical but this is the first step for whatever you want to achieve).
• Last but not least - IGNORE negative criticism (it's a blessing).

6. Which is your favourite book and why?

Tough question it is as I love many books and which are my favourite. But I believe 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hossaini remains my favourite till date - and - maybe - forever. The only reason I love this book to such an extent is the way the author has put forth the emotions that an individual faces at a certain point in time in their life (contexts may vary).

The story is devastatingly beautiful. As a writer, three aspects need to be considered i.e the language, the story and the writer-reader connect. The author has gracefully covered all these aspects.

If one reads this book, I promise the whole story will run in front of the eyes, making you feel every ounce of it - touching you and diving you deep into the visuals. The author has done a spectacular job with the writing, plotting, language and emotions. ONE MUST READ 'THE KITE RUNNER' - it's my recommendation. 

Interviewed By: Namisha Saxena

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