It’s important to find a particular niche: Hrish Thota

Starting his journey as a blogger in 2001, Hrish Thota has adapted to the new social media platforms along the way in the last two decades.

To be able to make a mark in the blogging industry, it is important to have expertise in the topics you discuss on your platform. While quite a few people tend to talk about multiple topics, Hrish Thota believes in the importance of having a niche. Among the various things under the umbrella of travel, he prefers to write about travelling with family on Dhempe. He tells us more about his content creation process.

Looking back, where did it all begin?

I began blogging in 2001 on a blogging platform called LiveJournal where I used to chronicle my weekend outings and travel. As new tools of social media emerged like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, I adopted my content for them too. 

What's in the name? 

When I started blogging, I had created a blog page for my college called Dhempe College in Goa. But as no one else in my college was blogging on that page, it became my personal blog and over the years, people online started knowing with me by that name and it stuck! 

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

I am a family travel blogger who shares content about different destinations, hotels and resorts across the world along with the information on how you can keep your children engaged on these vacations.

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

I look at the recent trends in the hospitality and tourism industry and create content around them while reviewing destinations and hotels.

How do you make moolah with your efforts?

I mostly collaborate with lifestyle and hospitality brands where I talk about my personal experiences in which I highlight the USP of these brands. 

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

I always ensure that I put up my objective review as my authenticity has been my strength always with my followers.

One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile.

I was the only Indian blogger among an international group of 30 bloggers who was invited on a familiarization trip of Great Britain to explore the food and drinks of the wonderful country by Visit Great Britain tourism board.

Also Read: I see people wasting food for the sake of content and it breaks my heart: Bhawna Mehta

Weirdest brand brief/request ever.

I have brands reach out to me to review a product or service for a fee just by sharing pictures or videos, which I never do as the authenticity of my content is very important to me.

If not blogging, you would be?

As blogging has been a passion, I have expanded my career into a digital marketing professional from knowledge management professional. I would have loved to be a reporter too. 

A day in your life...

I start my day with fitness exercises and breakfast. Then, I go through the briefs brands have approached me for and explore ways to work together. After lunch, I create digital strategizes for different brands and in the evening, I spend with my son who is one of the youngest aviation geeks and discuss our next journeys with him and my wife who is also a co-content creator.

Message/tips for upcoming bloggers.

There a lot of bloggers and influencers now and so, it’s very important to find a particular niche in your field of expertise – if you are a travel blogger, concentrate on luxury travel blogging, if you are a lifestyle blogger, concentrate on ethnic wear, etc. You should customize your content according to your niche as I do with family travel blogging. 

Your Favorite Influencer

Globally I would say Sam Chui who is an aviation geek and creates wonderful content around various flight journeys. In India, I would say Shivya Nath who does slow-paced travel to various destinations to explore a place like a local.

The Future you foresee for your Personal Brand

As more families are travelling across India and abroad, they are looking for interesting content on what activities they could get their children to do at different destinations – so future seems quite bright for my brand which covers family travel.