Insights on Instagram by an Influencer: Ria Goenka

 

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

I started off my page to post my quotes and poems and it gained a lot of popularity within 6 months after which brands started contacting me to promote their products. 

Now my page is all about my writings as well as fashion and lifestyle content.

How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?

A blogger is somebody who writes blogs on certain topics and people may read them and form their opinions however an influencer is someone who influences their readers to believe or not to believe in something.

Is it financially sustainable to be an influencer today?

No, It may sound disappointing but the truth is that so many people have entered the industry and are working for barter (even people who have 500k followers are doing it for barter) so brands do not want to pay these days.

What do you think influences consumer behaviour?

Consumer behaviour in India is highly influenced by the price of a product. If the product is not so useful also but if it is priced at a lower quotient people will buy it just to try it.

Your opinion on Instagram contemplating removing likes option for posts.

It will completely finish off the entire marketing industry on Instagram. No. Of likes may reduce anxiety amongst normal public but it will completely destroy the marketing industry. There will be no authenticity. People may say that brands may ask for insights but it the image of the insights can be photoshopped very easily.

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

Just keep working hard, people may laugh at your choices, they may not understand why you are doing it, but just believe in yourself. That will take you to higher points in life. 

I am a Chartered Accountant, CPFA, a writer and a social media influencer.