Tashneem Ali Chaudhury – Being critical helps you to stand out!

As an influencer, blogger or reviewer, there is always that sharp dagger that looms over your head. While the PR agency or the brand insists on a 5-star rating and cushy, complimentary words being written about them, it deflates the position of an influencer / reviewer who has to stay loyal to his / her followers.

Taking a look at the other side of the coin, our interview with Tashneem Ali Chaudhury, a seasoned lifestyle journalist for the past two decades, an accidental blogger and mom to two boys makes some startling revelations which will come handy to the social media clan.

As a lifestyle journalist with Hindustan Times, Tashneem learnt much more than she could have ever imagined. Interviewing famous people, writing about them, attending interesting and important events and travelling the world, as part of her job profile. Today, she freelances for a lot of famous publications and also focuses on her blog - www.tashneemreviews.com

So if you are in that state of mind where you have to succumb to the pressures of a 5-star rating and crush your true feelings as an influencer, blogger or reviewer, Tashneem’s interview is surely a re-read for more than once.

The interview:

From being a media professional, how did you drift into blogging? Do share some memorable incidents about your journey.

I think being in media is quite the same, whether it is as a journalist or new age bloggers of today! Both wield influence with their opinions, writings or reviews. It is basically moving with the times when I decided to blog too, along with continuing to be a freelance lifestyle journalist.

Being critical has it downsides. Have you encountered any backlash from PR agencies or the brands you have critically reviewed?

Being critical is necessary in whatever I review, else there would be no difference between anybody else and me being in the media. We are trained to look at things critically and with the kind of observation a layman would miss.

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How do you handle the criticism that comes forth with your review not being appreciated or trolled for that matter?

I have missed out on a lot of work when I tell people that I am not bound by anyone views and will write as I think fit. Not a popular thing, definitely. But it helps to be different from the rest. It helps you to stand out.

I think people will read your review if you write well and can grip their attention right from the beginning. Being a 'yes' person has never worked for me at least!