"One Should Always Embrace Their Distinctiveness and Try to Be Themselves"- Pallavi Jha

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If you would have to introduce yourself in a gist, what all will you include about yourself?

I am Pallavi, a 25 y/o girl, who hails from Jharkhand and has survived 2 major metros- Bangalore and Delhi. Someone who is just as enthused about anything and everything. I love experimenting, travelling, meeting new people, trying out new things etc. but then there are also days when I just want to be all by myself and listen to the old 90s love songs. I studied triple majors from Christ University, Bangalore. Over the past 4 years I have built for myself a stable career in Public Relations and as you know- this has both pros and cons. My job allows me to meet and interact with new people, it allows me to travel places and that is something I absolutely love. I write Shayaris and poetries occasionally and I am very etched to my roots, I love the local part of me. Not a foodie like most people would say, but yes, the thought of street food definitely makes me go gaga. 

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

Like most of us, when I got on Instagram in 2014, I never knew this would be THE dais in future years. I started very casually, and I still have those posts in my archives which initially had 4 or 10 likes max. Slowly I realized that people like what I have been posting (at least that’s what I would like to believe, hahaha) and I decided to make my Instagram account public. That decision also had a lot of speculations, my data and content would be public and often I thought - what about those who I did not want to connect on Instagram. But then there is only as much as you can do, and you also have to consider the larger picture. I used to post about places I visit, food that I explore and my experiments with fashion etc. When I started posting more strategized content, I even heard people asking me if I was trying to be one in the rat race of these influencers. But I never built my page with an intent to commercialize from it. If you look at my page, I don’t endorse/promote much also I don’t put up anything until I absolutely believe in it. And I want to keep it slow rather than having an exponential growth.

How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?

Bloggers put more focus into content creation and maintain a blog that is interesting. I believe influencers are shaped by chance, thanks to social media and digital liberation. No one can start with a thought that I am going to be an influencer, its only mid-way that one realizes the power of influencing others. And then an influencer tries to influence through the right means. Being an influencer comes with a lot of responsibilities and the choices play a key role. There has to be credibility and originality attached to whatever you say/post. Otherwise don’t you think anyone, and everyone with a massive social media following would be an influencer :P

Is it financially sustainable to be an influencer today?

Well, the good thing is that I do not rely on my page to help me financially. I do it as something that keeps me happy and going. I have a stable career and hence I’ve never thought about this. But yes, I do know a lot of influencers and bloggers who are running their households with money from their social media. For them, this comes with a lot of instability. Like I remember one of my influencer friends saying- some month’s business is too good and some month they just have no campaigns or only barters. So, in this business you always have to have sufficient backup balance. Plus, influencing comes at a cost, like if you have to shoot for a product, you need to look good and presentable (accounts for a salon visit), same if you are attending an event, you need to hire a photographer or have a really good phone, have a doable background etc. So yeah, one should always consider a stable option A and keep influencing as a wing profession.

 What do you think influences consumer behaviour?

Consumer today is smart; they know when you are being genuine and when you are promoting just for those extra bucks. But I feel that influence comes well in picture if there is a product that is either new or is less spoken about or is underrated. So yeah, consumers will be influenced if you pick up something that is relatable, genuine and allures them. This actively results in the success or failure of brand campaigns- brands need to pick up influencers smartly to influence the right consumers.  

Your opinion on Instagram contemplating removing likes option for posts

This is definitely debatable, but please do not kill me if I say that this really doesn’t bother me. I have never been under pressure to garner more likes and hence I absolutely can pick no sides.

 Which is your favorite book and why?

Well, to say that I read books/novels would be wrong because lately I haven’t been able to do that. The last book that I read was The Cartiers: The Untold Story of a Jewellery Dynasty since I had heard Francesca Cartier talk about this and it was very-very interesting. But yeah, I do read online- news, excerpts, interviews, crisis, gossip etc. on an everyday basis. You can ask me for my favorite movie instead and I will say Veer Zara without pausing.   

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

One should always embrace their distinctiveness and try to be themselves. That’s when people will remember you for being you! Pay no heed to what people say, break the glass ceiling and chase that dream (like Priyanka Chopra Jonas said). Also, there is no right path to success, it is very subjective so each one of us should know our strengths and take a path that is built on it. 

Instagram ID: @Thatbonitagirl

Interview By- Sandeep Virothu