I don't think there's any use in bad-mouthing anyone: Bhumika Walia

Along with posting good content consistently, Bhumika Walia feels it is important to not get insecure about not getting enough likes.

When it comes to reviews, it can be tricky to work around with brands and stay true to your audiences. When she doesn't like something about a product, Bhumika Walia tries to discuss it with the team directly, nudging for improvements. She feels it is important to be respectful of others and their work even when you don't agree with them.

Looking back, where did it all begin?

My friends and I love to discover new places and try out good food, which led to my quest of finding the best of everything in Delhi. I liked clicking pictures, sometimes for the aesthetics, sometimes just to maintain a Snapchat streak with a friend. Somehow, I planned to get on Instagram and have never looked back.

What's in the name? 

Honestly, it took me a lot of effort to decide a name, I wanted something witty, and that is how I came up with My food fetish. I did a little wordplay there and it worked out well.

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

I have a great audience. They're supportive. The majority of my followers are teenagers and young adults, so I try to relate to their liking.  That's my USP. Moreover, I frequently do a Q&A with my followers asking for their suggestions because I think it’s important to connect to them personally.

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

I look at what my audience is responding more to. I study the insights of my account frequently. For example, I know that junk food will do great on my feed. So whenever I go out to a new place, I order accordingly. The response I get when I post street side momos or noodles is truly unbelievable.

How do you make moolah with your efforts?

I earn from brand collaborations. When a brand wants me to promote their product and I charge as per the deliverables they expect from me.

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

I try my best to give an honest review about the brand to my audience.  Even if I didn't like a thing or two about the product, I discuss it with their team directly so that there is room for improvement. I don't think there's any use in bad-mouthing anyone. You have got to be respectful even if you don't agree with them.

Also Read: What works for others may not work you, find your original style: Vidit Jain

One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile

A couple of months ago, I was contacted by the team of Lays India and they wanted to put my face on the packet of Lays. So, later they sent a package that was custom made for me, as a gift. It was a huge deal for me to have my smile on their new packaging, and at that moment I felt proud of myself like I've done something significant in my life.

Weirdest brand brief/request ever

Once in a while, I would get a collab from some established brand, where they would ask for like a million deliverables, and they'd expect me to work on a barter basis. That feels really weird to me. Creating content takes a lot of time and effort and they just expect us to promote their product for free. It’s laughable.

If not blogging, you would be?

I'm currently pursuing my career in Engineering, and that's what I'd like to be.

A day in your life...

I don't have a very happening life. I would choose to stay home in my PJs over everything. I'm very lazy and I leave my home only if I plan on going to college or out to review some restaurants. I'm not an early bird. I wake up around 10 am, have my breakfast and leave. It takes around 4 to 5 hours to create content at a cafe/restaurant. When I'm back from the review, I always try to catch up with my friends on my way home (mostly because I like meeting their dogs).

After that, I come back home and freshen up. I mostly skip dinner to compensate for all the junk I had eaten all day. I like to binge-watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S and How I Met Your Mother over and over so that's what I do to chill and around 11 pm, its time to play few games of PUBG with my squad. That's a casual day in my life. But it’s a different story when my exams are near.

Message/tips for upcoming bloggers

The biggest tip is to be patient and give your 100%. Sometimes we get insecure about little things like not getting enough likes and followers but it’s going to work out if you're true to yourself. Keep posting good content and stay consistent.

Your Favorite Influencer

I love Kusha Kapila and Malvika Sitlani. Both of them are amazing at what they do and are so kind at the same time.

The Future you foresee for your Personal Brand

I do have some great plans in store for my page, but I'm having second thoughts. I plan on turning my account into a Lifestyle page so that there is more exposure for me. Nothing is final yet, I still have to make some big decisions for myself. I have my fingers crossed.