Sareeka Neupane is the face behind the Instagram page, ‘lil.foodie_’ which has 160K followers and over 1,500 posts. She started food vlogging four years ago, after finishing her 10th-grade exams. She is just 20 years old. Currently pursuing a degree in BHM (Bachelor in Hotel Management), Sareeka aspires to own a restaurant in the future and continue exploring new places for compelling food vlogging content. Babita Shrestha from ApEx spoke to Sareeka to find out how she makes content that is relevant, interesting, and fun.
How do you brainstorm and come up with ideas for food vlogs?
Coming up with ideas for my food vlogs is pretty spontaneous. I just chill, observe things around me, and the idea for the content kind of just pops into my head. Recently, I heard about Tamu Lhosar, so I thought, why not go all out? I rented a Gurung dress and headed out to capture some cool content. I prefer to visit locations and make content for their exceptional food menus and inviting ambiance. I also create paid promotional content for places that reach out to me. I like to mix in some information along with the visuals of food. I like to, as they say, ‘go with the flow’. If you’re starting and feeling a bit unsure, you could start by basing your content on the ongoing festivities or the time of year. Since it’s winter now, I’ve been dropping some cozy winter recipes.
Are there specific strategies you used to attract and retain followers?
The deal on getting and keeping followers is all about being consistent with your posts. You’ve got to keep your audience engaged by regularly sharing content. I drop my reels and videos every morning and post other food-related content throughout the day. If you want to boost your followers, post some reels with trendy songs. For paid promotion, I like to do voice-overs in my reviews, and for the regular posts, I go with some catchy music. Also because people love to learn, I focus on informative content details like presentation, ambiance, taste, reviews, location, pricing, and even parking information. Gaining followers can be pretty stressful at first but if you keep updating reels and posts, exposure and followers are sure to come by.
What factors do you consider before entering into a brand partnership?
Usually, brands reach out through emails and PRs. Some brands prefer a barter system, offering freebies like food, services, or accommodation in exchange for promotional posts. While some food bloggers even approach brands for collaborations, I haven’t done so yet. If you don’t have a huge following, you can reach out to brands with persuasive pitches for mutual growth. If you’re a beginner looking to grow, I can even assist with collaboration opportunities.
How do you work on your videos?
I often take help from my mom with homemade food content. Getting recipes from family members who know their way around cultural cuisine adds a nice touch. I recently shared a video on ‘Gheu Chakhu Bhaat’, a perfect winter dish that got a good number of views on Instagram. In addition, I spice up the reels with some interesting information, sharing memories and personal stories to make each post more engaging.
If we are shooting at a restaurant, I make sure they are pre-informed and we stick to our schedule. Once we’re there, I talk to the staff to decide on what to eat, especially focusing on seasonal and special dishes. I like to capture everything so I ask them to let me know when they’re plating the food. When the dish is on the table, I take close-up shots and pictures of myself enjoying the meal. Later, when I’m editing, I add my thoughts and reviews.
Can you share any specific filming techniques or tips that you find effective while vlogging?
When it comes to filming, especially if you’re just starting, I believe that your phone is all that you need. It’s more about capturing things aesthetically with the right angles and keeping your hands steady. I’ve shifted to using an iPhone now because it helps with stabilizing motion, managing lighting, and getting those close-up shots, especially in 2x mode. I also bring along LED lights to ensure good lighting in darker places and during the nighttime. When shooting food content, it’s better if you focus on food rather than the background. Even if your phone is moving, make sure the focus on the food remains steady. For best results, shoot in natural light. Shooting in sunlight maximizes the wow factor of any shot.
Is there a way to monetize food vlogging?
As of now, I haven’t started making money directly from my food vlogging channel. My current earnings come from brand promotions. However, if you’re looking to monetize your page, you can check the rules and guidelines on the platforms where you share your content. When it comes to featuring local places, I don’t charge them. I love to explore local cafes and help boost their business. But for small cafes and major brand promotions, I do charge a fee based on the collaboration.
