What has been the growth rate of the company?

BetterButter is one of the largest platforms for user-generated content in India. With over 50,000 recipes and videos clocking more than 15 million views per month, the company is seeing an incredible level of engagement from its users.

BetterButter which was launched in 2015 has recently launched user-generated videos enabling homemakers to create studio-quality videos from the comfort of their homes. In just 5 months since launching the feature, BetterButter already added 3000 videos to its app. Videos have been added by homemakers in Hindi and English.

What are the total user base and future plans of the company?

BetterButter has over a million monthly active users across platforms and the goal is to triple this number by the end of 2022. The app and web are currently available in English, Hindi, and Tamil with Marathi and Gujarati launching shortly.

What are the fundraising plans and utilize them to the growth of the company?

The company is currently engaged in the process of closing a series of rounds of funding. The investment will be routed into two initiatives – improving our technical capabilities by re-launching our platform with a new UI and also by investing in our video technology to expand our language base. We are also in the process of undertaking other exciting initiatives for our users such as a voice recognition system through which users can speak out the recipes instead of typing them.

BetterButter is also creating an influencer network called Befluence. The objective is to connect influencers to brands. While our focus will be on food and recipe bloggers, we will also have influencers in other categories such as health and fitness.

What led to the birth of BetterButter?

While being a product marketing manager in the Kitchen Appliances category at Philips, I was fortunate to travel the length and breadth of India and interact with women in their kitchens. This helped me discover the deep passion that Indian women have about cooking, as they perceive it not as a chore but as an activity that brings them tremendous joy and satisfaction. However, there was a lack of an Indian cooking platform. A major gap that my partner and I found was that none of the current platforms solved the two most important problems people faced while cooking- deciding which dish to cook (discovery) and once that decision has been made, deciding which recipe to choose (this depends on the availability of ingredients, cooking method as well how the recipe was rated by fellow cooks). The BetterButter platform is trying to solve these two problems at its core.

What initiatives help users to engage with the platform?

Our platform has been built on the premise of creating a resource that users find informative and engaging while they consume content generated by their peers. With there being such a wealth of resources in Indian households in terms of recipes and dishes, we wanted to make them accessible for everyone. Part of that was enabling this information to emerge in the most engagement and consumption-friendly format. Therefore, we built the only tech platform in the world which allows users to make studio-quality videos in Hindi and English from the comfort of their homes.

The BetterButter app allows users to take short video clips while going about their normal cooking, which is then stitched together by us to create a high-quality video. The company has also built a community of users that shares information and clears doubts related to cooking. Users can ask questions or start cooking discussions, and fellow members of the community can answer their questions in real-time. Further, users can save content offline to consume it at their own convenience and in their kitchens while cooking, with a view to improving the user experience. We have also worked hard to make the platform accessible for new cooks and learners. Recipes can be viewed in an ‘easy mode’ which allows them to see each recipe step, and have it explained via video.

Publir helps Publishers like BetterButter amplify their revenue, would you be keen to explore a collaboration?

We would definitely like to explore this opportunity after we launch our new platform in July-August 2022. With our new UI, we are sure Publir could help us strategically plan our AdStack and help us explore new revenue streams.

It was great connecting with Ms. Bedi, and Publir wishes her and BetterButter all the very best!

If you like reading such intriguing interviews, check out our blog here! We have connected with some of the most popular industry experts across domains in the recent past.

Read More

Interview with Founder/Editor ShoutMeLoud – Harsh Agrawal

Interview with Vijayendra Thapliyal – Co-Founder, TourMyIndia

The post Interview with Sukhmani Bedi, Founder, And COO, BetterButter first appeared on Publir.

Mehak Sagar Shahani, co-founder, WedMeGood, said, “The estimates peg this market to be worth $40 billion, however, the online share is currently fairly small. It’s also an industry that is relatively old school when it comes to tech adoption. But, we’re seeing a huge change in the industry in just the 4 years that we have been around, right from trusting online platforms more, to app usage. The industry is extremely disorganized, which makes it ripe for tech disruption.”

WedMeGood is India’s most popular wedding planning app. WedMeGood is the brainchild of couple-preneur, Anand and Mehak. After facing tons of issues in planning their own wedding, WedMeGood was born to give engaged couples a seamless experience to plan their wedding right from the stage to the union stage. Couples can browse over 1.7 million photos, find relevant wedding vendors, and stay on track with a checklist.

In conversation with Publir, Mehak Sagar Shahani, co-founder, WedMeGood, shares her valuable inputs on the nitty-gritty of the Indian Wedding Industry.

USP is the Key

Having a unique selling proposition is beneficial as well as essential for any business. In the wedding industry, businesses should leverage their USPs to attract more customers.

“Our USP is that our platform is built on user-generated content. Every single of 1.7 million photos you see has been uploaded by real brides or wedding professionals. We rely heavily on user reviews of wedding vendors so that future brides can make informed planning decisions,” said Mehak.

Emerging Trends

The wedding industry is ever-evolving. It is necessary to keep a note of what’s new in the industry to effectively use them for your benefit.

“Intimate weddings are a definite trend. People are cutting down on guest lists and preferring small weddings that focus more on experiences, rather than big, 500 people gatherings. Residential weddings are a trend too, where both the families stay in the same city but move into a resort in the same city for all their celebrations. Apart from this, there are tons of trends specific to each category,” stated Mehak.

Art of Collaboration

The wedding business is all about partnerships. “We don’t make money unless the vendors we partner with make money so it’s a deep-rooted relationship. There is a lot to learn about the industry from wedding vendors, and there are a lot of opportunities for them to grow their business with new-age platforms like us,” commented Mehak.

Managing Revenue Streams

Mehak says, “it is very important to be able to make money while you do what you love. When we started and had decent traffic on our website, we relied on Google Adsense and a few more media networks. Now, we have explored more revenue streams, and are quite happy with the performance without having to showcase bothersome Ads to our readers. However, we are always looking out for opportunities and would be excited to hear newer strategies.”

Importance of Social Media

In today’s digital era, social media is important for almost every industry but more so for the wedding industry since it is such a visual medium.

“The important thing, however, is to know what your social media aims to do: have a clear, tangible aim that you can measure. This could be sales, it could be app downloads, it could be engagement but having a clear goal helps,” asserted, Mehak.

To read more such intriguing interviews, check out Publir’s Blog!

The post In Conversation with Mehak Sagar, Co-founder, WedMeGood first appeared on Publir.

What inspired you to become a blogger/ influencer?

I studied to be a Dental Surgeon and after practicing for a couple of years; I was running out of excitement. Soon after that, I got a chance to travel across the globe with my husband’s work profile. This was my first rendezvous with the immense range of localization in global cuisine, the various different ways, and methods of cooking, different ingredients, and ways of serving which excited me a lot. I wanted to replicate some of these dishes in my kitchen but it was hard to get a good recipe. I used to try the recipe multiple times and when something turned out good, it was documented in a hard copy diary. My husband suggested, it was a good idea to share it with other people too and this eventually became WhiskAffair, a blog that gave tried and tested recipes to help everyone experience food.

What kind of content do you create? How did you find inspiration in food?

I create content related to food. I love exploring local and seasonal ingredients, trying out new recipes; I love my cookware, utensils, and serving a nicely plated dish. I get a lot of compliments from people across the globe who try my recipes. This is my inspiration which keeps me going.

When did your first collaboration happen? How has your business grown since then?

I’ve been working with food brands for many years, curating recipes and trying out newly launched products. I have strict criteria to select the kind of collaborations I do with the brands. I only work on those, which I really believe in and I can suggest that to my family and friends. This has helped me build strong credibility with my readers and followers. I create high-quality content which is appreciated by brands. You can see a lot of these collaborations on my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and also on my blog.

My social following has grown organically and so has my blog. I get about 700,000 page views a month on my blog now. I’ve also been able to grow my Instagram following organically to more than 65,000 organic followers in a short time; only with a focus on quality content.

A blog that started as a hobby has also become a good-paying job. My sources of revenue include Ads on the website, brand collaborations, and consulting.

In these times when every other person claims himself to be an influencer/ blogger, how do you keep up with the growing competition on the platform especially when you have difficult algorithms to beat?

I believe all algorithms are trying to do is to help the user; so I don’t chase an algorithm or any other influencers/ bloggers but I do the quality work that I feel is best for my readers and followers. WhiskAffair is known for its tried and tested recipes which are easy to follow. More and more brands are starting to realize that it is not the number of influencers that is important but the quality and that’s where I focus; highest quality content.

You would find all kinds of recipes on WhiskAffair, which turn out good each and every time. This is how I want to help my readers experience food and make my blog a one-stop place for all recipes.

How do you keep yourself away from negativity? What motivates you to keep creating more?

I’m in general a positive and consistent person. I’ve worked consistently and smartly to grow organically and that’s what I focus on. I get regular appreciation from my readers which keeps me going.

What is your dream about taking your blogging journey to the next level? How do you plan to grow next?

High-quality food-related content keeping my readers in mind is the main thing. I want to grow to more than a million views a month by the end of the year, that’s a short-term goal. There are many interesting things in work for the long-term, which I would like to keep a surprise.

How much time do you spend on monetization – working with ad partners, troubleshooting ad issues, etc – versus managing content and growing the site?

I do spend quite some time on monetization. I churn revenue from Ads and affiliate marketing.

What are some new revenue streams that you would like to see on your blog in the next 1 to 2 years?

I plan to have my own range of Gourmet Food, so I would like to integrate a shop-e-commerce widget into my blog. Something like Publir’s QuickShop.

What advice would you like to give to the coming-of-age bloggers/ influencers?

Well, I would suggest anyone focus on quality; not just immediate success. This is a continuous commitment and needs a lot of hard work and you need to enjoy doing this work. Try to differentiate yourself from others; rather copy somebody and you would do well with consistency.

To read more such intriguing interviews, check out Publir’s Blog!

The post Publir Interviews Neha M, Founder-WhiskAffair first appeared on Publir.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your Blog?

I am Sonam Jain, a food artist running a blog named “The Magic Platter”. My journey in blogging started after I took a sabbatical from the corporate world to enjoy motherhood. My blog focuses on creating whimsical, colorful & healthy platters for kids in form of visual stories that entice young minds to explore & love home-cooked meals.

2. What did you do before Blogging? What inspired you to start blogging?

I was a marketing post-grad, working for MNC’s in BTL Marketing. My last stint was Radio City 91.1 FM before I started blogging full time. Initially, I just posted my food recipes on social media platforms. When I got positive responses, I knew people loved what I did, so I took blogging seriously.

3. As a blogger, what are the challenges you face? How did you overcome it?

There are three challenges I am facing:

1. Getting people to understand there is a segment called Food art and it is a different entity in itself. Don’t generalize it as a food blog.

2. Marketing Myself, as there are a plethora of bloggers and they know the tricks and trade of business

3. Being Consistent, as I am a mom and time flies just running around him

To overcome these, I am trying to follow a systematic method of showcasing my content from time to time, seeking help from approaching bloggers in case I have my doubts & moreover enjoying the journey with fellow moms.

4. What would you consider to be your biggest achievement in your journey so far as a Blogger?

it’s been not even 6 months and my blog was nominated by IFBA ( Indian Food Blogger’s Association 2021) for their Insta Awards under Food Styling Category.
Also, I have been featured with one of the largest mom communities in India – The First Moms Club. They were the first community to bring my talent to other moms.

5. Have you worked/collaborated with brands? If yes, name a few brands you worked with

Yes, I have collaborated with a few brands like Popular Essentials & Mimmo Organics Past Brand.

6. What is your primary revenue stream on your blog?

Currently, I earn through my blog via Sponsored Posts, and with Brand Partnerships.

7. Top 3 Blogging tools that you would recommend to your readers?

Choose the right blogging platform – I prefer WordPress, Add Yoast SEO plugin, Beautify your pictures with Canva App.

9. Publir helps publishers such as yourself diversify their revenue streams? Do you see yourself using a service like Publir in the future?

Yes, definitely! While I have the expertise in creating good content, it will be of great help if I could have multiple ways to monetize it.

While it was great connecting with Ms. Jain, we wish her the best for all her future endeavors! To read more interviews like this, head to our blog and explore. Go on!

The post An Interview with Sonam Jain – Founder, The Magic Platter first appeared on Publir.

How has your journey been into the world of Blogging?

I started blogging way back in 2008, and use to write in an online journal called Wattpad. With many entries published, I got an opportunity to write for Harpers Bazaar for the Wedding Niche. And that’s how my journey into Wedding Blogging started.

What was the idea behind developing a platform like Weddingz.in?

While I initially started it as a blog, within a few months I realized how competitive this market was. Just having blogs with the best weddings gowns would not help me connect with my Target audience. So, after doing a thorough research and market survey, we developed a service-based platform. Today we have more than 500 vendors listed on our website.

How has Weddingz.in evolved since it is the launch?

We launched in 2014, with the idea to be the go-to blog for brides-to-be. But very soon, our area of focus changed to a broader audience. We wanted to be the go-to platform for all wedding needs/planning. Right from Mehndi artists, to caterers, and to honeymoon planning, we do it all on the platform now. And I am still looking at adding more verticals to my platform.

What are the primary revenue streams for the site? Could you give us an approximate % breakdown of these revenue streams?

Most of our revenue is from vendor listing, Google Ads, direct advertisements, and affiliate marketing.

What are some of the challenges you face with monetizing the site?

We have always looked at the big picture and never really had issues monetizing the site. From the very beginning, we have advertised ourselves to have a great kitty of clients and that has helped our revenue generation from Vendors go up and up. For Online monetization, our team works with Media Networks and has a decent collection. But yes, our primary revenue stream is our vendor listings.

How much time do you spend on monetization – working with ad partners, troubleshooting ad issues, etc – versus managing content and growing the site?

Well, I primarily focus on growing the reach of the blog by developing great content and finding suitable vendors for new categories. With regards to the rest, my team handles it for our platform.

What do you see your website accomplishing five to ten years from now?

We only want to grow and grow, and evolve has the pioneer platform for all wedding needs. Idea is to explore and add more categories to our platform so that we can capture the whole of the wedding industry, both online and offline.

Publir helps publishers such as yourself diversify their revenue streams? Do you see your company using a service like Publir in the future?

It is good to know that there is a platform like Publir, that can help websites like ours amplify our revenue streams. While I think there is definitely scope for us working together, I would however have our Marketing team connect and discuss this further with you all.

Any advice you would like to give wedding bloggers who are starting new?

Well, my advice to everyone who wants to be a content creator is to think and dream bigger. If you will restrict yourself to just blogging and have a few articles on your name and be happy, then this journey would be short-lived. Blogging irrespective of what niche you choose is extremely competitive, so it is very very important that you have your eyes wide open and pace up with the evolving industry right from day 1. 

To read more interviews like this, head to our blog and explore.

The post Publir Interviews Ms Shalini Thapar – Co-founder and Editor, Weddingz.in first appeared on Publir.

Publir recently had a quick interview with Jayanta Deka to learn more about his work and The News Mill’s future potential. We discussed his future monetization ideas as well as the most recent digital marketing tactics. We also talked about The News Mill and how the website came to be known as the voice of Northeast India.

As answered by Jayanta Deka –

1. Before we begin talking about TheNewsMill, can you share your journey into the world of News and Journalism?

I am a working journalist for over a decade now. Right after college (Bachelor in Media Science), I joined The Sentinel newspaper in Guwahati as a sub-editor. A short stint at the Sentinel and I went on to do my post-graduation in public relations (PR). Thereafter, I joined the Times of India in Lucknow as a copy editor. I worked closely with the ‘Nation’ & ‘Global’ desk during my first few months with the Times of India before I was moved to the front page desk of the editions. During the six years-time at TOI, besides being a desk hand, I used to cover business and human-interest stories – with a special focus on technology, e-commerce, and social media.  

2. What gaps did you see in the News and Media Industry that led you to launch TheNewsMill?

When I envisioned TheNewsMill, there was a big vacuum of stories from the Northeast region – in the newspapers, on the internet, on TV, and everywhere. The Northeast region was underrepresented. Only a few political and conflict stories from the region could break the clutter and that too could only muster to get a single-column coverage. I and my team wanted to fill this gap and provide news and information from the region, through the digital platform, for the audience across the globe. Since our beginning in 2016, we have seen a number of digital-first media organizations evolving in the region, which is a big testimony to our belief and vision.        

3. Could you tell us about how TheNewsMill has evolved since its launch?

When we launched in 2016, TheNewsMill was mainly focused on providing news and information from the Northeast region. With time, we created a niche for ourselves through our unique bouquet of offerings and are now among the known digital media organizations working in the region. Besides news, our opinion pieces are widely-read and have been a part of the discussion – thereby setting the agenda and facilitating a discussion on the same. Our presence on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter has been ever-growing. At present, we have nearly 4 lakh followers on Facebook while the number is around 30k on Instagram.

4. What are the primary revenue streams for the site? Could you give us an approximate % breakdown of these revenue streams?

Most of our revenue is from advertisements which include direct-sold as well as programmatic advertising. 

5. What are some of the challenges you face with monetizing the site?

Chasing revenue is a two-way sword. While you cannot sustain without a proper revenue stream, the user experience may get a severe dent if the website goes overboard with advertisements. Finding a balance has been a challenge. Till now our primary focus has been on creating content that is loved by the readers. We hope that with good content, we will be able to increase our readership which will in turn result in better advertising performance – a flowchart we want to master. 

6. How much time do you spend on monetization – working with ad partners, troubleshooting ad issues, etc – versus managing content and growing the site?

Monetization is a part of the core work, but creating/curating content is our primary focus area. It will be difficult to mention the exact “time spent on monetization”, but you may say we are fully dedicated to providing the best user experience and hence we devote ample time to test, adjust, deploy and troubleshoot monetization. If you ask me to provide a percentage-wise breakup, probably we devote 80% of our time to managing content, 15-20% on monetization, and on ‘growing the site’. 

7. Do you think the Indian Government will enact digital privacy laws similar to the European Union’s GDPR?

The Indian government has already moved in this direction. 

8. What are some new revenue streams that you would like to see on TheNewsMill in the next 1 to 2 years?

The subscription model has been touted as the future of digital news media. We have not tried it as yet but would like to give it a try. For a subscription to work, you should provide value to the subscribers. Today you get to read news everywhere – so why would Miss X or Mr. Y subscribe to you? The day you figure this out, give it a try and evaluate the results!    

9. What’s next for TheNewsMill? Any new areas that you’re working on?

Increasing our content bouquet has been one of our core focus areas for the last few years. We enjoy a good readership and we want to give the readers more diverse content. In 2022, we want to cater to this.  

10. What do you see your website accomplishing five to ten years from now?

The vision has always been to be a trusted source of information. In years to come, we want to be that trusted voice, the go-to source. We are moving in the right direction… let us hope for the best.   

11. Publir helps publishers such as yourself diversify their revenue streams? Do you see your company using a service like Publir in the future?

We haven’t used the services of Publir till now but that does not mean we won’t be using the services in near future. As said, we want to find out a balance between advertising and content/user experience and if Publir helps us optimize and diversify our revenue streams without compromising on what we have to offer to our readers, we would be glad to test the waters. 

Head to our blog to read more such candid conversations!

The post Publir Interviews Jayanta Deka – Founder and Digital Editor, The News Mill first appeared on Publir.