"My Inclination Towards Fashion Became an Outlet for Me to Be the Way I Am"

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1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I am a Hyderabad based fashion and make-up content creator. By qualification, I am an Electrical Engineering graduate from National Institute of Technology, (NIT) Durgapur. I was born and brought in Durgapur, West Bengal.

By the end of my final year, I had made my mind to give content creation a try. After I graduated, I worked as a software engineer for a MNC and started reading about this industry. Once I was confident I wanted to take this up, I started creating content on my page since June 2019. From buying my first tripod to this interview, there has been no stopping. Getting up each morning with a purpose, to do something which feeds your soul is the biggest blessing ever! The journey has been full of ups and downs, the only thing constant has been my willingness to work hard and keep growing.

2. What led you to start your page on Instagram and what is it about?

As a child, I was very shy and introvert. I always felt I was unable to express myself the way I wanted to. I always feared being myself because of judgements and opinions. With time I gave myself permission to be and do what I want to. And there was no better medium than fashion to do that. This is how I developed this love towards fashion. My inclination towards fashion became an outlet for me to be the way I am.

I always had this desire to build something from scratch and thus starting with this page literally was a combination of all my ambitions. My page on Instagram @nupursiingh started as my take on fashion but now I perceive it as sharing my journey to doing what makes me happy. I talk about fashion, makeup, fitness, lifestyle and social topics and everything that is essentially a reflection of who I am as a person.

3. How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?

Blogger is someone with a website where they post their content. Influencer is someone with a huge online following. I don’t quite agree with the term ‘Influencer’ though. It is basically creating content and your audience relating to your content. The review posted by creators definitely does influence viewers to take a look at the product.

4. Is it financially sustainable to be an influencer today?

Digital market is growing exponentially and this is the time you should begin. Though it will take you a good time span to build a decent audience. It is basically building your own brand and any business does take a lot of investment, time and efforts. So if you ready to put in the work, you are good to go.

5. What do you think influences consumer behavior?

Content creators establish genuine relationships with their audience. Every creator has different takes about the same product. So it majorly depends on how much you connect to your audience. Hearing good reviews about a certain product from someone who’s content you relate to makes you want to give a look at the product.

6. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?

My parents have always emphasized on being honest and sincere in whatever you do. It is very important to have a work ethic to establish something big. Along with that, I am a believer of manifestation. The energies you give out come back to you. If the foundation of whatever you do is positive and something you believe in, it will be successful. You just have to be patient and keep putting in your blood and sweat. As my father says “There is no substitute for hard work”!

7. How can someone become a successful social media influencer?

People are mesmerized by the glamorous lifestyle of influencers/content creators. What they don’t see in the effort that goes in behind each post. In my one year journey I have learnt the following about content creating:

Be Authentic – Every person is unique and that is your power. Be who you are and people will eventually connect.
Find your Niche – It is very important to know what content you are going to create and how will you add value in your audience’s life.
Be consistent – You cannot make a page and post once in a while and expect results. You should have a content strategy and be regular with your posts.
Be Open to Learning – Digital world changes every day. You need to be ready to adapt to this dynamic industry and keep yourself relevant.

8. Which is your favourite book and why?

My favourite book has be ‘How to be a Bawse’ by Lilly Singh. I literally utilized even the 10 minute breaks between my office work to read a chapter from the book- I was so into it! Coming from someone who is one of us makes it so relatable. It is sort of a workbook and that is the best part of it! With each chapter there is a lesson associated and an exercise at the end of the chapter emphasizing on how to incorporate it into your daily life. I have personally tried so many methods from the book and it has changed my life in incredible ways. It is an accumulation of how to succeed in your personal and professional life and thus is something everyone should read!

- Nupur Singh (IG: @nupursiingh)

Interview by - Abhirup Dey