Over time, brand briefs become easier to work on: Sucheta Thakur

Sucheta Thakur hopes to transform The Vegetarian Bhukkad into a digital magazine, including recipes to vlogs and more in its fold.

If not a blogger, Sucheta Thakur would have probably need a chartered accountant or a criminal lawyer. However, running The Vegetarian Bhukkad is something that she loves for the satisfaction she gets. In conversation with Social Samosa, she talks about the journey so far.

Looking back, where did it all begin?

I distinctly remember attending a conference and out of sheer boredom, starting a blog. A lot of my friends would approach me for recommendations of what to eat and where. They enjoyed the experiences that came from my suggestions and so they pushed me for months and eventually the blog came about.

What's in the name?

I thought of the name The Vegetarian Bhukkad impulsively in a conversation with a friend. The name has stayed with me since then.

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

I began over six years ago and amongst very few vegetarian bloggers back then. It helped me create an audience that was looking for vegetarian options across, even in restaurants that primarily focus on meat. To add to it, the fact that I am brutally honest about what I feel about the food and the service helps my followers know that I am not sharing feedback just for the sake of it.

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

The first step is to figure out new places, unique places, new festivals, even all-time favourites and what makes them stand out! Once that is done, I figure out if it can do with just social promotions or would I be able to dedicate a few hours on writing about if it really is worth doing so, and once that is done, everything somehow always falls in place.

How do you make moolah with your efforts?

To be honest, all these years my blog was always a passion and a hobby, I have always had a job and a business alongside that I do but now on, slow and steadily, I have started charging for what I write on the website, the time and effort that goes in is huge. 

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

Having spent all these years, curating and creating content around food has literally become a routine for me, so once the brand brief is in and understood, it gets easier to curate content.

Also Read: Creating quality content that showcases your sincere efforts: Rupesh Kadam

One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile 

It is difficult to pick out one in particular, but yes, over the last one year to be specific, there have been times when my mum’s actions have shown how proud she is where the blog has got me and knowing that makes the entire journey worthwhile. 

Weirdest brand brief/request ever

None that I can particularly pick out or rather remember. 

If not blogging, you would be? 

Oh, hands down a chartered accountant and a criminal lawyer! 

A day in your life...

Well, I usually spend the morning scheduling my social media posts and stories, check out what’s new and what needs attention and if there are trends that need to be picked up on.

Message/tips for upcoming bloggers

Please do not run behind the concept of free food! There is no such thing as a free meal. Learn your food, understand your food and then put yourself in a position to talk about it! Not telling you to take up degrees or anything, but basic knowledge, maturity and understanding is a must!

Your Favorite Influencer 

Most of my inner friend circle are made of influencers, people who I got to know through blogging. They’ve been there for me all through but if I need to pick out just one name, it has to be Zenia! She recently moved to Canada and I miss having her around so much! 

The Future you foresee for your Personal Brand

By looking at the way a plan is shaping up as of now, hopefully, I will only write for thevegetarianbhukkad full time! So yes, on the lines of a digital food magazine maybe, not just focussing on restaurant reviews, but a lot more. From recipes to vlogs to a lot more.