Srinagar, Nov 01: Rubeena is fond of cooking traditional and exotic dishes.
For years, she has been making mouth watering cuisines during functions and family gatherings, which got her enough praise.
Last year, she established her food outlet “Neimat”, which serves harissa and other dishes to people of north Kashmir.
To extend the reach of her services, she utilized social media, which eventually yielded positive results.
“Last year when it was the beginning of ‘Neimat’ I got orders for Harissa and other dishes from faraway places including Sopore, Baramulla and even Srinagar. This was only possible when it promoted my food outlet through social media platforms, which have a global reach,” she said.
Not just Rubeena but scores of the entrepreneurs explore social media to showcase their businesses and reach a broader audience.
These entrepreneurs are embracing the digital era to connect with a majority of audiences, providing a much-needed economic boost to the region.
Another entrepreneur Junaid Ahmad who owns a business that specializes in traditional hand woven Pashmina shawls and intricate handicrafts.
Junaid recognized the potential of social media early on and created an Instagram profile to showcase her products. Through beautiful images and engaging content, he has managed to gain a following of over 10,000 people, a significant portion of whom are her loyal customers.
“Social media platforms like Instagram have been a game-changer for my business,” said Junaid.
“I can connect with customers from around the world, showcase our unique craftsmanship, and even take custom orders. It has opened up new markets and opportunities that were previously unimaginable,” he added.
Entrepreneurs across Kashmir, known for their expertise in handicrafts, tourism, and agriculture, are using a variety of strategies to leverage social media for their businesses.
Many have taken up content creation, sharing informative posts, and storytelling that showcase the rich culture and traditions of the region.
Social media marketing has also enabled these entrepreneurs to bypass traditional advertising and reduce their marketing costs significantly.
“Apart from a bigger reach, social media advertising costs no or least money. Any entrepreneur who owns a business post pictures and videos on social media including Instagram, which proves fruitful for him,” said Ishtiyaq Ahmad Khan who uses social media endorse his nutrition supplement store.KNO
