Despite of blogging not being Pooja Kawatra's cup of tea, she started to pen down her parenting experiences and baby recipes.
Fast forward, she was invited to be a guest speaker and a part of the campaign by Max factor. Her content is a reflection of what she believes in and experiences with her kids. This interview is a reflection of her creation recipe.
Looking back, where did it all begin?
It all started with creating an online platform for moms to connect in a foreign land helping each other raising our little one and to make some friends. Well, blogging was never my cup of tea and if someone would have asked me to do that year back my expression would be like "NO WAY". I believe my cancer journey has taught me to appreciate and treasure so much that back in 2011 that I started to pen down my parenting experiences and baby recipes.
What's in the name?
Mums&Babies was the only name which came to my mind when I thought about blogging as this was something I was representing to share my journey as a mum with my babies.
What is your USP in this cluttered space? How does your content give you an edge?
Sharing what I believe in and how my everyday journey is with my kids. My motherhood journey is very simple without anything fancy strings attached and that is how I connect with my readers. We are not supermoms who know it all and raising kids all alone in a foreign land, managing everything without family support is quite challenging. Luckily I have a very supportive hubby to always encourage me and help me keep my motherhood journey real.
Please take us through your content creation process. How do you stay relevant and relatable?
My content is a reflection of what I believe and experience with my kids. Over the years, I have added more to my horizon - motherhood, baby recipes, travel, fitness, lifestyle and living with a positive attitude. I can never write my content beforehand nor can prepare for my posts. I always need to have a photo and then the thoughts will flow in. I usually get many messages on how positively I took my cancer journey and despite that, there is never a dull moment on your Instagram with your kids.
How do you make moolah with your efforts?
When I started writing, the money part was never on my mind for me it was my diary to make memories with my kids which they can read when they grow up. In the last few years, I have collaborated with many big brands which were relevant to my niche and goes with my values. They have helped me to grow and get paid for all the efforts which go into content creation and most importantly the time. I don't share or review anything which I don't believe myself.
How do you maintain editorial objectivity with the influx of brand briefs?
The market is flooded with the new products every single day and I am quite selective to work with the brands which I use or can recommend to others. Also, as mommy Influencer readers take our words and believe in those recommendations so it becomes a responsibility to share the genuine feedback.
One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile
I will say there are many such instances and all of them make this journey worthwhile where you feel that people can connect to you and remember you. When you get messages, emails, comments or at times when I am at an event and some of them will come and talk to me to tell that we read your blog Pooja and you are so inspiring.
Also Read: Interview: I like challenging the usual notions: Sonal Agrawal, Pink Peppercorn
Weirdest brand brief/request ever
Everyone is learning at some or other stage so quite unfair to comment about anyone.
If not blogging, you would be?
I have worked in the Insurance sector for more than a decade and left my job to spend time with my kids. I am very much loving this phase of blogging if not I would love to travel and enjoy nature.
A day in your life….
Every single day comes with its own beauty and in a mom's life, nothing goes as planned. Take your life as it comes your way!
Message/tips for upcoming bloggers
I always stick to this simple rule - There is no short cut to hard work in your life! Give your 100% and stay determined to your dreams because success won't come in a day or two, it takes years of passion to reach there. Don't compare your journey with anyone else if you can't learn anything from it.
Your Favorite Influencer
There is always something to learn and get inspiration from everyone! Learning every day on social media and hoping to have a community over competition.
The Future you foresee for your Personal Brand
I was invited as a guest speaker and part of the campaign by Max factor to empower women with enriching life journey. It is something close to my heart to see myself sharing that journey!!
Remember that you really need to work hard until you find out what you were looking for because you can't change the way things are but you can change the way you look at things!!