Rising Above with Rising Litera
Rising Litera was born from WhatsApp interaction that got conceptualized into a community startup. Spearheaded by Neha Thakur, Rising Litera boasts of more than 3k followers online and offline in 11 months from its inception on 22nd May 2015.
Neha Thakur answers questions posed by eChai
Q. How did you come up with the idea of Rising Litera ?
I always loved reading as far as I remember and after relocating to Indore, managing family, kid and a job; I felt something missing in my life. I formed a whatsapp group adding a few friends who were into reading and their talks motivated me to pick up books again! That’s when I realized the power of reading, writing, arts and culture and putting them together, formed the community.
Q. What problem are you solving?
Most of the readers/writers/artists are perceived to be loners. However, the fact is that they want to connect to each other. Share their thoughts and have wonderful interactive moments. I realized that most of the people who had interests in reading, writing, arts and culture were hesitant in sharing their thoughts or didn’t have anyone to open up to. This community was started to fulfill that gap
Q. How does it work?
We started off with WhatsApp and then created an FB Page, now we have an eMagazine “Resurgam” too which enables people to connect to each other and also share their thoughts and stories. We have connectivity with more than 3k people via different forms of social media platforms.
Q. What is your target market?
Rising Litera and Resurgam are open to all irrespective of age, education or any criteria whatsoever. Anyone who loves to read and/or write, is an artist or is passionate about culture can be part of the community.
Q. What is your competitive advantage?
Being avid readers and devoted writers, we are able to understand our Fellow Risers really well.
Q. How much time did it take you from conceptualization of Rising Litera to actually launching it in the market ?
It started with a WhatsApp group on 22nd May 2015 and we moved on to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram after that. We got the idea and immediately started it on WhatsApp.
Q. Tell us more about your team?
We have a fantastic and passionate team. Irfan Ali is our Editor in Chief, managing the Resurgam Magazine. Isha Maharana is the Managing Editor. Deepak Sharma is our events manager (www.jarvise3.com) and I’m the CEO.
Q. What is your technology stack?
All social media sites and email
Q. How do you plan to market your product?
We’re currently having a huge network of members who love our work. They are our marketers!
Q. What are your customer acquisition strategies?
Social media engagement and events
Q. What is the revenue model of Rising Litera ?
Participation charges during events and sponsorship
Q. What do you want to achieve from this?
A connected and engaged community that supports each other
Q. What is your larger goal or vision?
Making the community a model for people to connect and share their journey with each other thereby growing successful in the process of appreciative feedback.
Q. What sort of support and feedback are you looking from the community?
Awareness and like-minded people should be part of this community endeavor. It’s basically for the people!
Connect:
Website: www.risinglitera.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RisingLitera
Twitter: @RisingLitera
