We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Thrisha Senthilnathan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Thrisha , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Keeping my food blog creativity flowing and maintaining creativity has been an enormous task while juggling being a student and working. However, growing my platform with the work I have been putting into videos and photos has been essential to keeping me motivated and seeing how my content creation has developed over the last two years. Here are some of the ways I have learned to keep my creativity alive.
1. Continuous Learning: Staying updated with the latest food trends, news restaurants and chefs, and culinary innovations.
2. Experiment with Recipes: It is important to go out of your comfort zone. Don’t stick to the same recipes all the time. Experiment with new ingredients, fusion cuisines, or unique cooking methods.
3. Visual Appeal: You want viewers to be attracted by food. The food needs to be presented in a manner that entices people to visit the restaurant. Invest time in food presentation and photography. High-quality, mouthwatering images can make a significant difference in attracting and retaining readers.
4. Collaborate: Collaborate with other food bloggers, chefs, restaurants, or influencers. Guest posts and partnerships can introduce your blog to new audiences and bring fresh perspectives to your content.
5. **Adapt to Feedback**: Keep your content diverse. Learn what fits with your niche and your audience and what they like to see and watch. Listen to your audience’s feedback and adapt accordingly. If certain types of content or recipes are more popular, focus on creating more of that content. Jot down videos you find interesting and keep them in mind.
Keep experimenting, staying engaged with your audience, and adapting to changing trends to keep your creativity alive and your blog thriving.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
As a content creator and food blogger, I’ve had the incredible journey of sharing my passion for food with a growing community since 2021. What started as a personal project has evolved into a platform that brings together food enthusiasts, showcases the best culinary experiences around the US, and helps businesses grow by attracting customers through mouth-watering and enticing photography and videography.
My food blog is not just about sharing recipes; it’s about celebrating the diverse and vibrant landscape of food in the United States. I love exploring and highlighting the best restaurants, food businesses, and local gems, aiming to create a resource for food lovers and travelers looking for exceptional dining experiences.
Over the years, I’ve worked diligently to build an online presence. With over 12,000 followers across my platform, I’ve created a community of fellow food enthusiasts and college students who engage with my content, share their experiences, and provide valuable feedback about the restaurants they have visited.
Collaborating with restaurants has been a significant part of my journey. I’ve partnered with over 150 restaurants to develop effective social media campaigns. These collaborations not only help restaurants increase their customer acquisition but also allow me to introduce my audience to new and exciting dining options.
As I move forward, I’m committed to continuously evolving and expanding my platform. I’m exploring new ways to engage my audience, such as food events, cooking challenges, and collaborations with other content creators to provide even more value to my platform.
I’m always on the lookout for exciting opportunities and partnerships to enhance the experience for my audience. My food blog is all about celebrating the culinary richness of the US, engaging with a passionate community of food lovers, and helping restaurants thrive through effective digital marketing. I’m thrilled to continue this journey, and I’m excited about the new possibilities and adventures that lie ahead in the world of food and content creation.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey as a food blogger and content creator, I believe the following three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge were most impactful: Having a genuine Passion for Food and Curiosity, developing your content creation skills, and not being afraid of failure.
Develop a genuine passion for blogging and become consistent. In the end of the day, you are posting for yourself to be proud of and other people’s judgment should not matter. Be consistent and continue posting. Be genuinely curious and it will fuel your creativity and drive your commitment during challenging times.
Invest time in honing your content creation skills, whether it’s photography or videography. Make yourself an asset to restaurants, businesses, and more. High-quality content is the backbone of any successful blog or online presence.
It is okay to fail or not have high-performing posts. It is okay to get rejected from programs or brands. However, not putting yourself out there and advocating for yourself is a pathway to failure. Learn to be proud of your content and success will follow. Establish a regular posting schedule and stick to it. Consistency helps build trust with your audience and keeps them coming back for more. Be open to feedback, both positive and constructive criticism. Use it to refine your content and grow as a creator. Building a brand or a blog takes time. There will be challenges and setbacks along the way. Stay persistent and patient, and don’t be discouraged by slow progress.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
Striking a balance between going all-in on your strengths and addressing areas of weakness is often the most effective approach. While leveraging your strengths can accelerate your success and set you apart in your chosen field, it’s equally crucial to dedicate some effort to improving your weaker areas. This well-rounded approach enhances your adaptability, opens up new opportunities, and allows you to connect with a broader range of people. Think of it as honing your core strengths while strengthening the supporting skills needed for a successful journey. Ultimately, achieving this balance ensures both personal and professional growth, making you a more versatile and resilient individual in the content creation space. Even though I have a smaller following, I have learned to develop my skills as a photographer and video creator which has allowed me to work with many big brands. I learned that my audience niche is unique as well which are comprised of college students and post-grad students!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftedbythrisha/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thrisha-senthilnathan-0029ba1a1/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=LZPp3RkJa5f251CEYD3xAw
Image Credits
Thrisha Senthilnathan
