The virtual world of marketing

"With the advent of social, the field of media is constantly evolving and you cannot assume yourself to be an expert at it. The moment you do that, you are staring at your failure."

It has been just a few year and social media has already taken 80% of importance in our lives, it is even 101% in some cases. Be it news, songs, a platform to voice opinion or merely a time pass, social media has its own uses and users. There are people like us and then there were brands that came up like a whirlwind on social media making the best use of social media and that was marketing their brand so that it can reach out to maximum people. One such brand, best known for its content was - Social Samosa, a website that provides you one of the most reliable and relevant content. The person who bought this web site into limelight, worked on the content and made it famous on social media using various digital marketing tactics was Mr.Rakesh Kumar after all 1 lac visitors monthly isn't a cake walk, isn't it?.

Mr.Rakesh Kumar who is a Senior Mass communication Manager at Coupondunia believes that one of the most significant skill that every digital marketer must attain is tactfully managing time and handling people. "If you can't understand your audience, you can't create the content they like, and relate with. Content is what works on social media - and to create the best kind of content, you must know your people first." - he added further.

Conversing with him further landed me to a point where he managed to make me believe that content is the king on social media. "You got to know the pulse of people and then present what they exactly want and desire to read." - he said with a grin. He further added - "I have learned to look at the content beyond just articles, videos and images. Today, I see every interface of engagement as a piece of content. Be it a game, an app, an offline activity or even a customer support call - I see all of it as a piece of content that must be used to engage with people and give them a great experience." - when I asked him about what has he taken back from the profession that he is into.

Furthermore, Mr Rakesh Kumar strongly inclines towards the fact that if you are interested in what you are doing, you can never ever get tired. If you feel that this job is tiresome then certainly you got to change the track as soon as you can. Asking him about whether the job is tedious or not he replied that managing time is utterly important more than anything else, and so is the management of perfection and delivery of the output.

A “good enough” idea today is always better than a “perfect” idea tomorrow.

It was impressive and amazing to gather insights that aren't available over the internet, after all there's a difference between merely reading and actually being a part of experience sharing sessions. I thought of asking him to share advice with our readers and this is what he told me -

Always keep learning. Never assume yourself to be an expert at anything

WEAVING THE WEB WITH GRAPHICS

“If you wish to survive, the only way is to think absolutely out of the box.”

Shreya Gune is working as a graphic designer since past two years; her journey in the wide web of designing is filled with challenges. While some are foreseen some simply come without knocking the door but however and whatever it is, this is the most enjoyable part of the profession.

Now you all must be wondering why graphics designing profession is attached with media? Well the answer lies around you, switch on your internet and browse through the websites that you see, the websites that you like, and the websites that you don’t. Think of the businesses that are solely growing and dependent on their websites? Thatscoop? Flipcart? OLX? And what about the SOCIAL MEDIA?

I guess now you must have got why a graphic designer is also a part and parcel of media in some way or the other.

So, coming back to our graphic designer –

While conversing with her, she talked about the challenges that she faces as a graphic designer is to keep up with the competition. It is also difficult to match the expectations and requirements of the clients without letting the creativity suffer because client is not right always and this cannot be an excuse too. She further added that she constantly strives to improve and ensure that she beats her own records because this industry is more about growth than merely survival.

When asked her about the skills that are required to set foot in the profession she immediately replied – “IMAGINATION”. A graphic designer cannot do anything if he or she falls short of imagination. It is also significant to match your performance with the demand of the market.

Shreya is happier to be a graphic designer however; she accepts the fact that media professions are tiring especially if one is not driven with passion and desire. However she

added -

 It is your hunger that is going to take you ahead. You got to be observant enough to understand your work.

On any given day when she feels stressed out, she simply switches off her computer and sips in tea to make her feel relaxed. Talking about the stress she said that the hardest job is to manage your own job and take time out for family as well.

Towards the end of the interview when I asked her to give a piece of advice to our readers and aspiring graphic designers, the only thing that she said was – you got to LISTEN.  

Few words and yet deep indeed. 

Lights - Camera - Focus

“If you are 23 and less this is the time to experiment and let yourself loose... Let things come to you if you have no direction yet. This way who knows you may be in a cover of a magazine one day and people will look out for your story” – quotes Mr.Sethi with a grin on his face.

My association with Mr.Paramveer Sethi was short but we remain to be in contact even after my internship. I was unaware of the fact that this man who speaks a lot through the lens of his camera has so much to talk about in person as well. I am glad to have such an insightful interaction with someone who is so young and brewing with talent.

He is the proud Entrepreneur and CEO at Our Wedding Chapter. Our Wedding Chapter is firm dealing in Pre Wedding shoots, Candid Wedding Photography, Wedding Films, Animated Invites and some more personalized services. Mr. Sethi along with his small but power packed team ensures that each click, each shot, each video that is captured has to be worth a million emotions. He consistently ensures that whatever be the budget, demands, place, timing, quality is something that just cannot be compromised.

When asked him about the greatest challenge that he deals is today, he replied that the greatest challenge that he deals is to wake up every morning and ensure that he and his team is performing better than yesterday. Being born and brought up in the family that is more inclined to business, he believes that his love for experiments and execution of ideas in real time has led him to come up with this Start - up which will complete a year this 20th April. He proudly says that entrepreneurship is not for everyone it requires more than what we all felt from the surface.

On asking him about what has he learned from his experiences in this field of media he replied in two words – “TRUST COUNTS.” Mr.Paramveer Sethi also added that, it is important to go along right people, they help you in fueling your dreams by adding motivation in your baggage.

He also admitted that there are days when he feels exhausted and lack of enthusiasm but on the similar note the thing that brings him back to track is his family and never ending love for photography. “This field is hectic no doubts however, sheer passion can lead you ahead” – he added.

Quite proudly he believes that the real education lies in experience, in meeting people, in knowing them and in taking risks at times. He remembered how his during teenage he used to say “science mein bohot scope hai yaar” and now he has realized that the scope in not in a field but in the person himself. He firmly believes that if you like to do something, do it! Do not think whether it is going to pay you or not.

Towards the end of the interview, I made it a point to ask him what is that thing in the media which he feels like changing, to which his prompt reply was –“I’ve witnessed many Film Posters, Logos and Camerawork being copied from other sources and due to our weak copyright law they get away.. It needs to be stopped. It’s going to hamper you as a Professional because you are bringing nothing new to the table. I am disappointed at times with those 100cr movies with posters than even I made about 5 years back. This is not creativity, it’s not even smart work.. If you're doing it then you need to rethink because it won't last long.”

Lastly this is what he wants to share with our readers –

Don't stop believing yourself and always respect your competitors. Life is more than survival and money but don't work for cheap either. Learn to say NO.

Welcome, my facilitators and mediators!

Living in this point of the universe, I must admit that Media has formed a part of our lives. The term - MEDIA, has always fascinated me. The hardships that people in media go through, the passion that keeps them going, the incidents that they encounter, the opinions that they form and most importantly the significant role that they play. When I say Media, generally a bunch of reporters with cameramen flashes before us, however, media is much more deeper to understand and expanded to learn about. My occasional interactions with media persons pertaining to various sector like - print, digital and broadcast never fail to amuse me. The immense talent and creativity makes me wonder how on earth are people blessed with such a pool of talents and intelligence. Their insights on matters, decisions of crucial moments and using the best of the worst situation is something that engaging and alluring.

image source - http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/sites/digital-agenda/files/EU%20Media%20Futures%20Forum%20pic_0.jpg


I believe that there is quite a lot to learn about media which textbooks or notes just cannot teach us. Afterall the learning never ends and it is we who have to look out of the window. Their survival and growth stories won't just inspire you but indeed make you feel proud of being a part of this sphere.
I welcome you to this blog, here you are going to encounter some of the creatively quirkiest people who don't need to dress up formal to set an impression because their intelligence speaks for them. If you love to interact, to gain knowledge, to listen and analyse opinions, to know the story "behind the scenes', to appreciate the work of art well, then this blog is meant for you.