Conversations with Chitra

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chitra. 

Hi Chitra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Being a travel enthusiasts, started my Instagram travel page @us_exploringtheworld when we moved to Columbus, Ohio in May 2019 to record our travel experiences to keep the memories. Little did know I would make this account public and share my travel stories experiences and, help people plan their travel, and give travel tips to the huge audience. Being a very private person, not being active on social media my whole life, and also a camera-shy person though love taking pictures. Somewhere in August of 2019 decided to make my private account public and named as @Us_explroingtheworld, but was not active and also regular in posting the content an active, But when the pandemic hit in 2020, the world was shut, and all our travel pans got cancelled indefinitely, with so much uncertainties and the we as a human race were going through so much the planning for future travel plans seemed irrelevant and meaningless and also stuck at home with no physical contact with the outside world, as travelers/humans this was kind of low moment this when to relive our travel memories, to connect with the world virtually, share positivity and to bring hope to our life and people around us we started sharing our past travel stories and experiences. This is how our journey on Instagram began. 

Have built the Instagram travel, fashion, and Lifestyle page Us_exploringtheworld from the scratch to than more than 11k followers consisting of niche audience interested in travel and fashion content. I started creating the travel content in the form of Instagram stories, Static post, and recently introduced feature reels by providing travel-related information about the places, things to do in area, hidden places, how to reach and provide travel tips too which helps people to plan their travel itinerates. Have basic understanding on how Instagram works, its features understand the latest features, trends, its changing algorithms, and creation the content based on the trends and changing audience preferences but within my niche and maintain the theme and uniqueness of my page. Have gained knowledge on strategies how to build a brand on Instagram. 

After establishing the page as brand and sustainable audience started working with brands in my niche related to travel and fashion to produce content for them to create awareness and promote their products to my audience and general audience on the Instagram too. 

Have worked International Brands and Local USA brands related to travel such as Tesalate Beach towels, RTIC Outdoors, Hydraflow Bottle, Suavs shoes, Dream Pair shoes, Astor Choclates, My Cali case Waterproof phone covers, Baeleaf sports, Thermajane thermal wear, Uin Footwear, etc 

Have worked with Fashion Brands such as RoseweOfficial, Sioro Store, Rotita Official, Neesees Dresses, Koze Company store, etc. 

Have hosted giveaways to the audience by collaborating some brands too 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As I started this journey with zero experience in content creation be it content writing to pose in the picture or to select the right picture along with it being consistent with the content and keeping the audience engaged and glued to the content was biggest challenge, and still it is. I would like to mention here all these wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my life partner and husband, Kartheek; he has been the biggest support system; really appetite his patience in clicking the hundreds of pictures and video. And he is always up for all the travel plans be it super short-day trip or long travel plans, and he also helps in planning the trip. And always encourages to push my limits and keep going. He doesn’t appear on the our Instagram page would love to thank him for all the support and what he does behind the scenes. 

The other challenge is to maintain the niche of Travel and fashion keeping the balance striking the balance between these to cater to our audience on a regular basis, and also to deal with everchanging Instagram trends and changes in algorithm. To create a content what we believe or what we like vs. keeping up with the ever-changing trends and audience expectations is the key. 

To keep up your individuality and uniqueness 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Following my passion of travel and creating the travel and fashion content 

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I would like to say: It’s never too late to start something new you love; follow your passion, and you will succeed. 

Never hesitate to share your real story, no matter how small it is be authentic, be real, be you, and be kind, and people will connect with you. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @us_exploringtheworld / https://instagram.com/us_exploringtheworld?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=