Recently MM, got into a conversation with one of the very popular food bloggers of Delhi, Vickrham. He has been one of the senior bloggers that the industry looks up to and has immense experience in the field. Let us read more about his interesting journey
Tell us about your journey, how did blogging come into the picture? Are you a full-time blogger?
This has been one helluva ride. Since childhood, I was a big FOODIE as was always surrounded by passionate eaters like my maternal grandpa who knew almost everything I mean it almost everything about the pre-partition side food and even more.
Tell us more about your life story. What did you do before you set up your blog?
I developed a love for cooking (read eating) when I was just 8 years old. The best part is nobody in the family ever stopped me to do that. The critique which was evolving inside me was becoming aggressive as the days passed. I was always finding faults in the dishes made at home and for that matter anywhere on this earth. This led to many problems for me too.
How did you decide on a niche for your blog?
I always wished to be a Chef and wanted to go in for an HM degree. But As time passed and situations changed, I finally landed up pursuing my masters in Management. Tried to cope up by doing some jobs because I had to and then quit. Started many businesses in garments, finance etc but somewhere wasn’t at all satisfied.
When I shifted to the millennium city of Gurgaon I found a different culture altogether. People from different sects, regions, and cultures were living here as their jobs demanded them to be here. Everyone was on social media (read Facebook) that time. I also jumped in and formed a Food group and Page named Foodmaniacs Born2Eat on FB and started writing on different foods and food places. In a short span, we were a group of approx 3 thousand members and thousands of likes from all over Delhi/NCR ( currently we are 10kMembers and more than 20k likes ) We did many events at newly opened restaurants and discussed a lot on food. Few good souls suggested me to start my own Blog as it will be a more professional way of going ahead and making it big.
What challenges have you faced with your blog?
It’s been 4 years now since I started the blog, and a transition from Foodmaniacsborn2eat.Blogspot.com (focussed only on food) to www.thecuratedbuzz.com (food, travel, hospitality, lifestyle) now.
It’s been an awesome journey altogether coz passion and not money was the most important factor which got me to where I wanted to be or trying to be. It’s not easy at all, by pressing the publish button you are exposed to the whole world per se but how many takers actually. You need to devote lots of time yes lots of it. Pursuing your passion also requires a lot of discipline, it’s not just like ordering a pizza.
I have come to a stage where my being an influencer has worked more than being a blogger but it’s two sides of the same coin. Years of evolution has also transformed serious blogging into microblogging which is confined to 140 characters and a nicely edited picture. One needs to adapt and evolve as per the need of the times, which u also did by incorporating all that’s required to be at the top.
What advice would you give to other people who want to start their own blogs?
This doesn’t happen overnight. You need to do something, get good at it, be passionate about it. This could take months or years, but if you’re having fun, that’s what’s most important. When you get to the point where someone would pay you for it, then you’re golden — there are many ways to make a living at that point, including doing freelance or consulting work, making information products such as writing a blog and selling advertising. In fact, I recommend you do a blog if you’ve not already — it’ll help solidify your thinking, build a reputation, find people who are interested in what you do, demonstrate your knowledge and passion.
Finding your passion and purpose requires a lot of reflection and soul-searching, at first, then a lot of courage and learning and experimentation, and finally a lot of commitment. You need to get the word out about your new blog so that those interested in your niche can find your blog, consume your content and spread the word. Engagement is yet another most important thing to do, in person or on social media, keep shouting about what you do. Mention your blog as well as social media handles everywhere possible. Build your own network groups, be active on relevant platforms, comment on other blogs, interact with other bloggers, email your curated newsletters and just be as natural as you can be.
But it’s all worth it — every second, every ounce of courage and effort. Because in the end, you’ll have something that will transform your life in so many ways, will give you that reason to jump out of bed, will make you happy no matter how much you make.
Overall, blogging is one field where you can follow your never-ending passion for food, travel, photography, or any field of expertise with no one telling you what’s right or wrong. You are your own boss and you are responsible for your own mistakes.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I see myself working with majorly most food and hospitality brands for their promotions as well as spreading the right information about different brands and their services. Also look upon starting something which helps budding bloggers and people from other walks who wish to be bloggers. As there is no formal training or education in this field which helps to make it a career in a professional manner.
You can follow Vickrham on
