In Conversation With Kanvi Dholakia

So, I grew up in Mumbai, and ever since I was a kid, I’ve always loved being in the spotlight, whether it’s on stage or in front of a camera. 

Mumbai is like this big city of dreams, you know? It’s where the magic happens. Back then, being an influencer wasn’t really a big thing yet, but there were many who had hopped onto it early on. 

Nobody really knew how they made money from it, but I found the whole idea fascinating. And then social media came along, opening up a whole new world of opportunities.

So, I guess you could say, with the opportunities this city has to offer and the growth of social media, things just fell into place for me, and here I am now!

I’ve been dancing since I was in first grade, starting with Bharatnatyam for nine years before delving into various Western dance styles.

What I love about dance, especially Indian classical folk, is how it teaches discipline and instills confidence in you. The expressions, postures, and pursuit of perfection in every move have shaped my keen attention to detail.

Dancenot only boosted my confidence and helped me overcome stage fright butalso enhanced my visualization skills.

That’s why I’m so particular about angles and concepts when creating content. 

I used to choreograph dances for quite some time during my college days and hence turning my vision into reality was something I learned on the field.

What inspired you to transition from a passion for performing arts to becoming an influencer?

The transition to becoming an influencer was inspired by my desire to share my experiences, insights, and creativity with others in a more meaningful and impactful way.

I saw it as an opportunity to leverage my background in performing arts to create engaging content that resonates with people from diverse backgrounds and interests.

In essence, my passion for performing arts laid the foundation for my transition to becoming an influencer, empowering me to leverage my creativity, storytelling abilities, and stage presence to make a positive impact in the digital landscape.

Could you elaborate on the initial challenges you faced when starting your journey as an influencer?

As with any new endeavor, embarking on my journey as an influencer presented its own set of challenges. Initially, one of the major hurdles I faced was building a presence and establishing credibility in a crowded digital landscape.

With countless voices vying for attention, breaking through the noise and distinguishing myself required careful strategy and persistence.

Another challenge I encountered was defining my niche and carving out a unique identity amidst a diverse array of content creators. It took time and experimentation to discover what resonated most with my audience and where my strengths as an influencer lay. 

Balancing authenticity with the need to adapt to evolving trends and audience preferences was a continuous learning process.

Moreover, navigating the technical aspects of content creation, including mastering various platforms, understanding algorithms, learning editing and staying updated on emerging trends, posed its own set of challenges.

Learning to use tools and analytics effectively to optimize reach and engagement required a steep learning curve.

How do you balance pursuing education, internships, jobs, andmaintaining consistency on your Instagram page?

You know, it’s all about finding that balance, isn’t it? You could focus on one thing and still not quite get there, or juggle multiple tasks and succeed brilliantly. It really boils down to how you approach it all. 

For me, ever since my college days, I’ve been someone who loves to keep busy and hates sitting idle. I’m always on the lookout for opportunities to explore and push myself.

I remember those days vividly, waking up early to catch the daylight for shooting content, then rushing off to work, only to come back after a long day and dive straight into shooting and editing until the early hours of the morning. It was chaotic, to say the least, but somehow, I managed to make it work.

I think what really got me through those times was good old-fashioned time management. I’d make a list of everything I needed to get done that day and just work my way through it, ticking things off one by one. And you know what? It worked.

Things have changed now that I’ve transitioned to full-time content creation, but I’ll never forget the hustle and struggle of those early days. It taught me a lot about resilience, determination, and the importance of staying organized. And hey, it’s all part of the journey, right?

What strategies have you employed to grow your Instagram page amidst your busy schedule?

You know, when I started out, I didn’t really have a specific strategy in mind. But pretty early on, I realized that consistency was key. I’d see other content creators posting three or four times a day, constantly churning out content like there was no tomorrow. 

It was overwhelming, to be honest. I’d wonder if I was doing enough by posting just four or five times a week compared to their daily posts. Sure, their accounts were growing at lightning speed, but I decided to take a different approach.

I’ve always believed in quality over quantity. Instead of bombarding my followers with content every hour, I focused on delivering less but making sure it was top-notch. It may not have led to instant growth like some others, but I stuck to my guns. And you know what? Over time, I found that my audience appreciated the effort I put into each post, and that meant a lot to me.

Can you share some memorable experiences or milestones in yourcontent creation journey so far?

One of the most unforgettable moments for me would definitely be when I landed a collaboration with an international brand. Ever since I started creating content, I had my sights set on working with this particular brand.

I’ll never forget the day I received that message from their marketing representative, inviting me to be a part of their ongoing campaign. I was over the moon with excitement! Without a second thought, I said yes, without even thinking about the commercials. It was a dream come true for me.

What message or theme do you aim to convey through your content onInstagram?

Through my content on Instagram, I aim to share insights and experiences centered around fashion, beauty, travel, and lifestyle. These are the themes that resonate with me and reflect my interests and passions. 

Whether it’s showcasing the latest fashion trends, sharing beauty tips, capturing breathtaking travel destinations or offering glimpses into my everyday life, my goal is to inspire and connect with my audience through engaging and authentic content.

How do you engage with your audience and what methods do you use tokeep them interested in your content?

Engaging with my audience is one of the most important aspects of being an influencer. I strive to foster meaningful connections and keep my followers interested in my content through various methods. 

One way I do this is by actively responding to comments and messages, fostering a sense of community and dialogue. I love hearing from my followers and value their feedback and perspectives.

Moreover, I consistently diversify my content to keep it fresh and engaging. Whether it’s experimenting with different formats, exploring new topics, or collaborating with other creators, I strive to offer diverse and engaging content that resonates with my audience.

You know, it’s pretty surprising, but I haven’t encountered any hate yet, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. However, if I ever do face it in the future, I honestly don’t know how I’ll handle it.

I tend to be quite emotional, so there’s a good chance it might affect me in some way. But at the same time, I’m aware that dealing with criticism is just part of the territory in this industry. 

Learning to take hate constructively is something I’ll have to figure out along the way. Deep down, I know it’s important to approach it with resilience and a growth mindset. So, while I hope to avoid it, I’m also prepared to handle it in a way that helps me grow personally and professionally.

Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations in the realm of content creation and influencing?

Looking ahead, my goals and aspirations in the realm of content creation and influencing are pretty clear to me. I want to continue evolving and growing as a creator, exploring new avenues and pushing the boundaries of creativity. 

One of my main goals is to build a strong and engaged community of followers who resonate with my content and find value in what I share. 

I also aspire to collaborate with more brands and creators whose values align with mine, fostering meaningful partnerships that benefit both parties and deliver authentic experiences to my audience.

Additionally, I aim to expand my reach and influence across different platforms, diversifying my content while staying true to my authentic voice and vision. 

Just like the other fashion/beauty and travel macro content creators, I want to grow and get associated with bigger brands while maintaining the authenticity and integrity of my content and connections with my audience.

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