Bhavik: A Realist Believer & A Known Word Maniac

A ‘Word Maniac’ since he was 9, Bhavik has been determined to turn his passion for writing into a profession. Post starting his career as a mechanical engineer, with an itch to do something creative and innovative he started his own content and copywriting business. Featured in the list of the ‘Best Content Writers in the World’, he believes in delivering personalized and tailored content to gain competitive advantage. According to him, as a freelance writer, your individuality is your integrity and USP.

As someone who finds happiness in writing, he is an author of four published books which he says has helped him widen his creativity. Acknowledging the power of Google for generating leads, he appreciates the advantage of unlimited earning potential for freelancers. He understands the risk that comes along with freelancing and emphasizes on ‘quality comes with a price’ for clients. 

He firmly agrees with whatever happens, happens for a reason. We wish him success in his journey of getting to be known as ‘The Weird Storyteller’ to the world.

Read Bhavik’s success story here:

Q1. Introduce yourself to us? Where are you from? About your family, parents? How was your childhood?

Let me start it differently. I have always wanted to be famous since I was 5. Everyday when I wake up, I know I am still a common man and that keeps me going like anything. ‘Feed me Fame’ after I reach my saturation of hard work is what I tell myself everyday. It’s quite perplexing, you know when you have got 2 skills & your parents are still thinking ‘Is he going to make his passion into a profession?’, ’Is he serious about his passion or just a casual wish to fulfill?’. Yes, I must admire that Parents do care about my quest since they consider it as my special ability. They support me like anything & I still remember my father saying before my book was published ‘It’s Ok if you can’t do traditional publishing, tell me how much money will you require for the whole process?’

Q2. Post doing engineering, why did you choose the field of content writing? Speak to us about your passion for writing? Tell us about being listed amongst the best content writers?

I wrote more than a high school student does his homework and classwork combined. A collection of 12 personal diaries made me ‘Word-Maniac’ since I was 9. During the College (2010-2014), I would write for the newsletters, events and inauguration. 

After completing graduation in Mechanical Engineering, I was offered a variety of options. I chose to work in one of the reputed organizations in Bhuj, Gujarat. Not before 15 months were completed then I started to feel some unusual itching inside the brain. I thought of doing creative and innovative things it loved. I decided to go forward with what I loved – writing! 

The thought of following my passion motivated me to jump off in a full time content writing career. I published my first short story book ‘The Weak Point Dealer’ in March, 2015 which was not a hit but certainly a feather to my cap. Trouble didn’t seem to leave my back and the decision of jumpstarting into writing was evidencing immense doubt within me when I was dismissed (fired) just after 3 months of service because of the company’s new cost-effective policy. 

That day and this day, well, it’s totally east and west. I am so grateful for the opportunities that I have received alongside working very hard.

Q3. Tell us about the importance of having your own website and a blog? Mention about the value and the credibility it adds in your portfolio?

Everything in this world can be copied and competition is cut-throat everywhere. So, I will have to be a little diplomatic here. Unlike other writers in the market, I deliver personalized and tailor made copywriting and Content writing services. Being in the list of ‘Best Content Writers in the World’ and the same list of India needs a good portfolio and I have been writing for 7 years now. Actually, consistency is the key here. Absolutely.

Q4. Speak to us about your three published books. Tell our readers about the value and the credibility it adds in your content writing portfolio?

I will rather keep it really short about the books because none of the books are best-sellers and I don’t want to glorify it but yes writing makes me happy and writing 4 books have explored and widened my creativity. It helps prove your worth as a writer. 

Q5. Why did you choose to freelance? When did you begin to freelance? Were you planning it, or how did it happen?

It happened suddenly in 2015 when I was sure that I was not made for a ‘Mechanical Engineering’ job. That’s it. Freelancing was the only option in the beginning. Then, honestly, I went with the flow and obeyed the universe’s sign – constantly writing slogans, blogs, tv ads, newsletters, press releases, catalogues and whatever came into my way. I wrote. Before I slept and after I woke up. I wrote.

Q6. As a freelancer, speak about having integrity as an essential characteristic? Tell our readers about being original, giving credits and having a USP with your work and services offered.

Having a USP is really vital, like every other business. Here, your individuality is your integrity and your USP. It worked with me then and now. I feel lucky.  But, it came with a price of four constant years of significantly low pay.

Q7. As a freelancer, how are your services priced? What are the key strategies for you?

When you are working as a freelancer, it is really crucial to have your pricing strategies defined. Especially for new freelancers, you need to know to price your customers to maintain clarity and avoid any frauds. I usually charge on a per word or per page basis. Also, ensure to prove your worth and maintain credibility by not writing plagiarised content and having good grammar; write an error free text. It’s simple.

Q8. How do you use social media to your strength to build an effective network and generate sales leads?

To build a strong effective network, I rely on the power of Google – The Main Demon, rather than focusing on various social media platforms. I think that Google exposes you to plenty of opportunities, which when leveraged on efficiently will help you generate sales. 

Q9. What is the one major pro and/or con of freelancing, according to you?

As a freelancer, you have the freedom to work on multiple projects with various clients in the same timeframe. Once you get in the cycle and have a lot of projects flowing in you have unlimited earning. There are confined boundaries. I like how you can leverage on your full potential and work in a flexible manner. It is limitless. 

However, freelancing is risky, as there is no stability and there exists unpredictability of the future. At a point, you can be very uncertain of what work you are going to get next. Therefore, the ability to manage your finances and having a strong network, long-term clients and referrals is crucial for your successful freelancing career. 

Q10. What is the one thing about clients that you dislike? What can they do to improve your work life?

Clients at times fail to understand the worth of your work; they want to pay less for more work. What they need to consider is that ‘quality comes with a price’. If the client’s want quality work, they need to understand the value of the worth too when it comes to making payment

Clients just want to pay less, however, once you start growing as a freelancer, price your services accordingly. Always receive value equal to or more of what you give. 

Q11. What mission and vision do you have? How do you want history to look at you?

I want to be known as ‘The Weird Storyteller’ to the world; who can do some stand up, rap, writing and mimicry.

Q12. Do you feel content with yourself as you look back or do you think you have missed something?

Yes, I am totally and definitely satisfied. I agree with whatever happens it happens for a reason. I am a believer and a realist.

Bhavik can be reached out on Refrens, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Soft skills are what sets you apart in today’s workforce. Read our article on ‘Essential Soft Skills You Should Develop‘ in order to gain a competitive advantage.