Understand the trends and figure how to bring them out in your own style: Muneeta Aneja

When not working on creating content for her feed, Muneeta Aneja is busy juggling her to-do lists as a PR professional and a journalist.

With a firm belief in giving her followers a fair and honest review, Muneeta Aneja uses the product for days before penning her thoughts. Most of her content creation happens late at night after she is done working for her day jobs. She tells us more about her journey so far and the road ahead.

Looking back, where did it all begin?

When I started this journey and started writing blogs, I would cover topics ranging from trending fashion, home decor, life, mental health and positivity and much more. With the pace of time, I realized the power of digital influencing and the market potential of 'social media business'. I used to look at my trending section and the images of all these flamboyant bloggers popped out, and I used to observe the hard work and patience that goes behind the picture, and how they would have started this journey. I never ever copied or plagiarized the idea of any bloggers or influencers, I've always believed in authenticity and being unique. But I used to look at them and learn about colour combinations, the way they create fusions and take some inspiration from them and create my own unique style. 

What's in the name? 

Haha, my Instagram ID name is ms.journo. I am a journalist by profession and thus 'journo' was the word I could come up with. I really didn't give much thought towards creating a very edgy Instagram ID name and I think ms.journo perfectly defines me as a woman who is driven towards her passion for media and journalism, and this whole space involves social media influencing too. 

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

My USP is in being 100% authentic and genuine towards my audience and work. I try to curate looks for college-going girls, working women and homemakers with minimal budgets. I want them to know that you don't need 100 dresses. Rather, you can use 10 to create 100 looks. I focus on handlooms, hand painting, recyclable and budget-friendly styles that everyone can try.

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

Whenever I post about skincare or review a beauty a product, I use the product for about 21 days or even a month and a half to ensure it is an honest review. While clicking pictures, I ensure they are high-resolution and sharp. Sometimes it gets me in trouble with the brand if the review is negative. But that is what influencing is all about! It is my primary responsibility to inform people It applies to not just fashion and lifestyle but also to matters of body positivity, mindset shaping, mental health and women empowerment too. I have always had a strong opinion and that helps me connect with my audiences as they interact with me, asking me questions, replying in comments and stating their point of view. It helps me make my feed interactive.

How do you make moolah with your efforts?

If you want to make money in this business, you need to forget you are working for money. My aim to level up my content and give it my best shot every time. When you put your creative best forward, money follows. I usually make my money by working out the entire strategies for brands, along with time frame and publicity plans.

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

All brands work with defined objectives these days and it becomes difficult to add your own thoughts in alignment with the campaign. If I believe in something, only then it goes on my feed as an in-depth review and people are open to ask me questions about it. I feel that is how an influencer should maintain objectivity. There needs to be a balance between brand relations and audience relations. With time, you will get a lot of brand sponsorships but if you lose the credibility in the eyes of your audiences, you won't get that back.

Also Read: Do what you like, showcase your personal favourites: Gurleen Bedi

One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile 

I just can't name one, there are hundreds of things which make me happy and satisfied at the end of the day. Whether it is about helping out new bloggers and watch their content grow or see my writing make people feel something. It has always been about creating an impact with content, leaving people with something to think about. It is when women comment on my feed or send a DM to tell me that I have inspired them to be powerful, strong and impactful, I wonder if I deserve the compliment, but it does mean the world to me. It gives me faith and determination to create something extraordinary and keep working hard on my content.

Weirdest brand brief/request ever

I really don't understand the brands that contact you on their own, force you to buy their products online and ask you to give mandatory 5-star reviews on various e-commerce platforms.

If not blogging, you would be?

I am a journalist and PR personnel by profession. Though blogging is my third job, it is equally important to me. I can't imagine my life without blogging. It makes me a stylish and trendy journalist and I love that fact about me. It activates that little experimental fashionista in me.

A day in your life...

I wake up around 8 am in the morning and clean my house. I rush to work by 9 and work from 10 to 6. I visit my office about three times a week and work remotely for the rest. I also work as a journalist, for which I have to take time to conduct interviews, take quotes, research, gather information for my story, edit and capture pictures. My blogging work usually starts at 6 in the evening where I click, record and edit. I plan my feed and write down content ideas on pending briefs. I work late into the night.

Message/tips for upcoming bloggers

Have fair in your content, stay unique and create your own fresh style. Do not get into that rat race. Make your name and work stand out. No matter how small your audience is, take care of them, respect their sentiments and deliver content that continuously upgrades on every front. Be ethical. Never plagiarize someone's content or go for cheap measures to get likes. Use the most appropriate hashtags, choose the correct timing when your audience is active, interact with them and understand what they want and what trending these days and how to bring it out in your own style. Lastly, have patience in your content and stay consistent and reluctant, don't get disheartened and leave this journey incomplete. Do it for yourself. Do it for your love for fashion or whatever niche you are working for. 

Your Favourite Influencer

There are a lot of supremely talented digital creators out there but I really love Aakriti Rana's dedication towards her work. She is consistent, works hard for every picture and her content is aesthetically appealing. She keeps upgrading with time.

The Future you foresee for your Personal Brand

I want to level up my content every day and use different mediums and techniques to create content. My aim is to serve the general public, answer their queries and help them with their personal choices. I want to promote handloom, handpainting, handicraft and the ancient traditional art forms of India via my feed. I hope to gather funds and find some spare time to create my own designs that reflect the beauty, art, culture and diversity of our country in the best way possible.