Soumya Jain is the Chief Editor and CEO at LuxuryFacts.
WHAT LED YOU TO START WORKING IN DIGITAL/MEDIA PUBLISHING?
I was already working in print media when digital media started creeping up in the Indian media scene. Readers were starting to lap up blogs. Newspapers were ramping up their online presence and there was no credible portal about luxury and high fashion in the online media space in India at that time. So I started LuxuryFacts.com in 2010.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
I am a new mom, so my typical day is very different from what it was six months back! Mornings now are a whirl of quick coffee and breakfast, accompanied by diaper changes and cooing talks. Once we both are ready for the day, we head out for the baby’s music school and other chores. Once back home, the baby does away for a quick nap and I sit down to work on LuxuryFacts. This includes discussing agendas and article topics with my team (which is spread across the world), editing articles, working on my own pieces, and working on future technical advancements for the website. Freelance writing and editing projects also take up some time usually.
Work time is punctuated with some wailing and milk time, but we manage to work in coordination mostly! By evening, we get ready for dinner, and some fun family moments.
WHAT’S YOUR WORK SETUP LOOK LIKE? (YOUR APPS, PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS, ETC.)
It’s quite simple actually — a trusted wooden desk, a comfy couch, my Apple MacBook and iPhone, a notepad (yes, a physical notebook!), and pen. Rest everything I need is stored or accessible on my laptop. Some apps/websites that I use regularly as part of work are Google Analytics and Adsense. Social media networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, are part of my daily schedule as well.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO GET INSPIRED?
I have to read the newspaper every day. Whether I manage to do it in the morning or later in the day, I have to scan it. It helps to be abreast of what’s happening in the world, irrespective of whether it is related to luxury or not.
Talking to new people — individuals from normal walks of life — is very inspiring. It’s not just about getting ideas for articles. I think it’s more about learning what interests everyone and what is important to them that helps. Writing is not just a business of words. It’s a business of interaction with a wide variety of people.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF WRITING OR QUOTE?
I love and admire many quotes and written pieces. The list is too long to mention here!
WHAT’S THE PASSIONATE PROBLEM YOU ARE TACKLING AT THE MOMENT?
I think mostly it is managing my time between a demanding baby, a fast-paced digital business, and my own need of lazy downtimes!
IS THERE A PRODUCT, SOLUTION, OR TOOL THAT YOU THINK IS A GOOD MATCH FOR YOUR DIGITAL PUBLISHING EFFORTS?
The sophisticated newsletter software that is available today, which makes creating and sending newsletters to a large database a breeze, are extremely valuable. That being said, I wouldn’t mind if they were savvier in terms of design options.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR AMBITIOUS DIGITAL PUBLISHING AND MEDIA PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT?
Keep at it! Garnering large amounts of hits/customers, making revenue and earning fame is not as easy as it seems in most fairytale movies. But be persistent. Be bullish. Be active. It will all come together eventually!