In the vibrant and competitive world of social media, standing out requires a blend of creativity, perseverance, and authenticity. Anum Zeeshan Sayal, a UAE Licensed Influencer, exemplifies these qualities. In an exclusive interview, Anum shares her journey, insights, and experiences, shedding light on what it takes to thrive as a digital creator.
Anum’s journey started in 2019, a time when her follower count was less than 1,000. Reflecting on that period, Anum acknowledges the challenges she faced but emphasizes that her passion for her craft was her driving force. “It was indeed challenging, but my passion for what I do was stronger than the numbers. At that time, I wasn’t focused on followers; my main goal was to pursue my talent and passion. The drive to share my creativity kept me motivated despite the slow start,” she recalls.
Contrary to the notion of sudden fame, Anum’s growth was the result of consistent effort and dedication over six years. She states, “Actually, it wasn’t sudden growth. I’ve been working hard each day for the past six years. The progress has been gradual, but now I’m truly happy and thankful to see that my efforts are gaining the trust of my audience. It’s been a humbling experience.” Reaching 200,000 followers has been a significant milestone, one that Anum finds both thrilling and gratifying.
Anum attributes a significant part of her success to her mother, who always believed in her potential. “My mother always believed I had something special and encouraged me to pursue my passion. She saw potential in me even when I wasn’t sure myself. Starting my Instagram account in 2019, Glamfam_anumzeeshan, was a step towards fulfilling that potential. Alhamdulillah, I’ve been growing steadily and am excited about the journey,” she says.
Throughout her journey, Anum has collaborated with numerous brands, each holding a special place in her heart. Among her most memorable collaborations is her current project with MAC. “All the brand collaborations I’ve done are significant to me, as they align with my passion. Currently, I’m thrilled about my collaboration with MAC. It’s a project I’m excited to share with my audience, and it’s an honor to work with such a renowned brand,” she shares.
Inspired by her mother’s unwavering belief in her unique talent, Anum embarked on her digital creator journey, which she describes as incredibly rewarding. “The experience has been incredibly rewarding. It has allowed me to explore my creativity, connect with a diverse audience, and grow both personally and professionally,” Anum reflects.
Anum’s content aims to highlight the vibrant lifestyle of Dubai, focusing on fashion, food, and travel. She also emphasizes self-love and personal growth, offering insights and inspiration that resonate with both local and international audiences. “I aim to highlight the vibrant lifestyle of Dubai through my content, focusing on fashion, food, and travel. Additionally, I emphasize self-love and personal growth, offering insights and inspiration that resonate with both local and international audiences,” she explains.
Consistency, authenticity, and a genuine passion for her niche have been crucial in building trust with over 800 brands. Anum attributes her strong relationships and reliable reputation to delivering high-quality content and staying true to her values. “Consistency, authenticity, and a genuine passion for my niche have been crucial in building trust with brands. Delivering high-quality content and staying true to my values has helped establish strong relationships and a reliable reputation,” she states.
Anum believes that maintaining authenticity involves staying true to her voice and values while being transparent with her audience. “Maintaining authenticity involves staying true to my voice and values while being transparent with my audience. I engage genuinely and share content that reflects my real experiences and opinions, ensuring that my audience feels a personal connection,” she says.
Winning awards has been a significant honor for Anum, serving as a validation of her hard work. However, she values the daily rewards she receives from her audience and the brands she works with even more. “Winning an award was a significant honor and a validation of my hard work. But more than winning an award, I believe in delivering the best to my audience and the brands I am working with. If they are happy, I am getting rewards from them daily in terms of love,” she concludes.
