As part of an ongoing series, Branding in Asia talks to influencers across the globe, learning more about how they got started, what has driven their success, and other insights to inform both brands and agencies as well as aspiring influencers.
This time we feature Meghna Kamdar, a banker turned Baker-FoodBlogger widely followed across YouTube with over 1 million followers and Instagram where she has 2 million followers tuning in for “Meghna’s Food Magic.”
Meghna told us that she became an influencer with the aim of empowering individuals to make informed, homemade food choices using affordable and readily available ingredients, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
The Basics
Name: Meghna Kamdar
Age: 44
Hometown: Ahmedabad / Mumbai
Current Location: Mumbai
Platforms You Work & Number of Followers: Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Koo, Pinterest, Threads – 6 Million
Date of your first post: September 2015
Some brands you’ve worked with: Maggi Masala, Voltas, Bosch Dishwasher, ITC Ashirvad, MTR, Tata Housing, zee5, Star Tv, Switz, Xiaomi Air Fryer, US Cranberries, Chilian Cherries, California Walnuts, and many more
Agency Representation: Goat
What were you doing before you became an influencer?
I wore several hats before stepping into the world of influencing—starting off as a banker, then trying my hand at baking, eventually donning the chef’s hat, and now proudly embracing the role of an influencer.
What inspired you to pursue it as a career?
My inspiration to pursue this career stemmed from a deep desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives, contribute to meaningful causes, and share my passion for food, health, and fitness.
I aimed to empower individuals in making informed, homemade food choices using affordable and readily available ingredients, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
As you were building a following, was there a particular post or posts you felt pushed you to the next level?
During the journey of building my following, several posts stand out as catalysts that propelled me to the next level. One such pivotal moment was the Reels featuring Moong Sprouts, which unexpectedly went viral on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
I also found that South Indian food content consistently received a warm welcome from viewers, creating a strong connection with the audience.
The “Pehle Aap With Meghna” series became exceptionally popular, becoming a go-to for my followers.
Furthermore, creating content with my daughter added a personal touch and resonated well with the audience. These instances collectively played a significant role in elevating my presence and engagement in the influencer space.
View this post on Instagram
What do you love most about being an influencer?
The best part of being an influencer is the love and connection from viewers worldwide. Whether I’m travelling or at home, people recognise me, share their experiences with my recipes and motivational talks. It’s heartening that my content resonates so well, and they even recognise my daughter.
Being a part of their lives for a few minutes to a few hours daily is truly gratifying. Knowing they’re striving for a healthier lifestyle and finding my recipes helpful adds a beautiful layer to the joy of being an influencer.
What do you like the least?
The least enjoyable aspect for me is witnessing people not making an effort to enhance or bring positive change into their lives. It’s disheartening when I see a lack of motivation or initiative towards improvement.
How do you decide which brands to partner with, and how do you ensure that sponsored content resonates with your followers?
My approach to brand partnerships is rooted in authenticity. I choose to collaborate with brands that align with my personality and are products or services I would genuinely use. This authenticity is crucial for translating influence effectively—if I’m not inspired, how can I inspire others?
And Goat being the world’s leading social-first marketing agency has empowered influencers like myself. They have been a consistent supporter in ensuring these values align, making our collaborations truly impactful in influencing positive change.
If the content is authentic, positive and one that resonates with the audience, they will likely carry the essence and message of the content in their lives, and now, with INCA, as my agency representation, we hope to have a fantastic relationship with the brands moving forward.
Image via Meghna Kamdar
What inspires you to consistently create new content?
The consistent demand from my viewers is a significant inspiration for me to keep creating new content. Their expectations for a daily dose of fresh recipes stem from the fact that it solves various daily challenges for them. Many follow my page for this reason alone.
Witnessing how my work motivates people to make positive changes in their lives is the ultimate reward, making the continuous creation of content a fulfilling endeavour.
Any tips do you have for someone who wants to become an influencer?
Success as an influencer is rooted in hard work, a principle with no substitute. Overnight success is often short-lived, akin to a newspaper’s fleeting relevance. To those aspiring, particularly women, stepping out of the comfort zone is crucial—striving for independence, not just in earnings but in contributing back to society.
Equality, in this context, involves making a positive impact that fuels your motivation. The key to being loved by viewers lies in touching their lives through consistent hard work and the creation of compelling content every day.
Choosing and collaborating with the right influencer marketing platform, like Goat, is vital in ensuring your efforts are supported and amplified.
