Blogging is not as easy as it seems: Charvi Shah, LoveWithTravel

What started as inspiration from her honeymoon in Bali, never stopped for Charvi Shah who went on to create 'Love With Travel'.

"Do what your passion is, create unique content and always remember what you are doing and why you are doing it", says Charvi Shah from LoveWithTravel in an exclusive conversation with Social Samosa.

With much enthusiasm towards content and blogging, it doesn't come as any surprise when the influencer shares tips with the viewers in a straight-forward and apt manner. Hear it all from the horse's mouth...

Looking back, where did it all begin?

It all started when we were on our Honeymoon in Bali, Indonesia. As it was our Honeymoon, Jaymine wanted to plan it perfectly and exclusively. He researched all day and nights to plan everything on his own. It was a perfect trip for us. Then it triggered in our minds that why not share our experience with other couples.

Eventually, we decided to build our own blog and write about all the experiences we had, to help as many people as we could, especially couples so that they could enjoy their trips as much as we did.

What's in the name? 

I would like to say it is all in the name. Jaymine and I believe that “Everybody is in Love With Travel but the matter of fact is only a few of them discover this love” and we both are definitely in love with travel and thus we named our blog as Love With Travel.

What is your USP in this cluttered space? How does your content give you an edge?

Our primary USP is staying true to our write-ups and reviews. We write about the real things we have experienced. Above all, we do not share fixed itineraries with our followers as other travel bloggers do, because we believe every individual has a different taste. We help our followers plan their itineraries according to their taste.

Our content includes everything starting from which destination to choose, where to live, what to see, where to roam, what activities to do and all the dos and don’ts of a particular location.

Please take us through your content creation process. How do you stay relevant and relatable?

Our content creation is a stepwise process. Maintaining any blog involves dedication and hard work. You have to work with a web developer and a graphic designer who arranges things right for you and post that website content is created.

Right from getting ideas, content development, pictures, blog image creation, and publishing, it is quite challenging when you are doing it all on your own.

How do you make moolah with your efforts?

Monetizing our blog was never our motive or intention. We have started our blog primarily just to help people across the globe to plan their perfect trips with the utmost ease. In return for our hard efforts, we get messages from our followers, who are grateful to us on a daily basis. This satisfies us the most.

Also read: Be consistent when on social media: Jemmylizo Nadar, TheHeroinee

How do you maintain editorial objectivity with the influx of
brand briefs?

We always collaborate with the brands who are related to our domain. Also, we discuss the brief received from the client and try molding it with Travel.

Also, we don't collaborate with the brands which we personally would never use.

One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile

There are many such instances. It is really hard to pick one. When we receive messages from the brands we have collaborated with mentioning that they really loved our work and that it is helping them in their brand awareness as well as in many profitable ways; it makes it all worthwhile.

Also, messages from our followers on a daily basis mean a lot to us.

Weirdest brand brief/request ever

We have not experienced any weird brand brief yet. However, we do receive opportunities that are not relevant to us which makes us think that why do brands do not research enough before trying to contact us.

If not blogging, you would be?

Probably, working 10-7 in a Digital Marketing Agency, helping other brands to grow.

A day in your life...

My day starts with checking my Instagram first. Later I prepare a meal for my husband and myself. Then, I go through emails, messages, and DMs.

Further, planning and creating content for the blog goes on. Sometimes I hang around with my friends, have some events or fest to attend. Then in the evening we have our dinner together, watch TV or a movie and then bedtime.

Message/tips for upcoming bloggers

When it comes to blogging, most of the people think that it is just about clicking the pictures, roaming around, and sharing it all over the social media. However, blogging is not as easy as it seems. It takes lots of effort and hard work to become a successful blogger or Influencer.

Do what your passion is, create unique content and always remember what you are doing and why you are doing it. If you are blogging just to earn money then it will not solve the purpose. Being a Blogger/Influencer you have to stay true to your heart. Be honest and always write what you feel is right. Never write blindly as per the brands.

Your Favorite Influencer

There are many who are
doing great in their own ways. It is hard to name one.

The Future you foresee for your Personal Brand

• To write and provide more relevant content by visiting more and more places in the world.
• To increase our brand collaborations including the big players in the industry
• Lastly, I look forward to gaining many more followers and readers who would appreciate our brand & work.