Zainab, also known as @zai.eats on Instagram, is a food blogger based in Montreal. With around 35 thousand followers on Instagram and a peak of 19k followers on her TikTok account, she brings food, lifestyle and sales content to her audience. We recently had a chance to catch up with her to learn more about her content and future plans as a content creator.
What is your YouTube channel/Twitch stream/podcast/etc called and what is it about?
My Instagram and TikTok accounts are called “zai.eats”!
“Zai” being short for Zainab and “eats” because, well.. I eat!
I mainly post food reviews in the Greater Montreal area and I especially love finding hidden gems in the city!
When did you start it? What motivated you at the beginning?
About a year and a half ago, I decided to quit my 9-5 job in order to pursue content creation. Initially, I started this account showcasing my recipes because I love to cook! However, I then made the transition to food reviews because I thought that that type of content would get me more engagement. I still love to cook, and every now and then I post my recipes, but my true passion is discovering local restaurants and sharing my experience online.
Who were you inspired by? Any influences?
I wouldn’t necessarily say that I was inspired by anyone in particular, however, I’ve always loved watching YouTube and admired the people who did content creation.
How would you describe your audience?
I would just like to start off by saying that I have the best followers ever!!! I honestly don’t even like calling them “followers”, but friends instead! They are so supportive and kind and their trust truly is my #1 priority. Whenever they tell me that they tried a spot that I posted online, it just warms my heart.
What is your creative process? Do you have people who work with you?
It’s just me and my phone, baby! From researching spots to filming and editing, it’s a one-woman show. So in the case where I’m looking for an interesting spot to film, I usually type out special keywords on Google Maps (i.e. “Korean food) in hopes of finding something cool! (This could take over 30 mins sometimes!!). I then go to said spot, film everything and go back home to edit. I usually just edit directly on TikTok or CapCut. Filming time varies but I’d say around 1 hour and editing ~35 minutes.
How do you monetize your content? Do you also have another job?
So content creation is my full-time job! I earn money by doing paid collaborations. Companies usually just email me and then, well, we make some magic! However, as I mentioned before, my followers’ trust is my #1 priority and I only post my review if I genuinely enjoyed it and had a positive experience.
What is your favourite piece of content you have created?
Oh gosh, what a hard question!! I’ve been to so many amazing spots in the city. Hm. I’ll have to go with something I’ve recently done. In the video, I am showcasing a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant that serves Egg Coffee and Cake in a can! It’s stuff that is so foreign and new to me (and the majority of my audience) and I know that a lot of people enjoyed that video. I also have a soft spot for family-owned businesses!
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part is that I get to help local businesses! I love meeting so many wonderful people and discovering this city’s gems, and let me tell you, we got A LOT of gems!! Plus there’s always something new opening up in town. I also love the community that I built and I am very grateful for them!
The worst part is the editing LOL. Although it doesn’t take me much time now as I’ve gotten used to it, I still don’t enjoy it. But a job is a job!
What are your future plans for your channel?
I hope to start my YouTube channel very shortly! Hopefully this year actually! I would like to do more vlogs. I feel like YouTube is so different from IG and TikTok and I think that’s why I’m procrastinating so much. However, I think it would really open many other doors for me and would push my content creation abilities.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another Canadian content creator that you love?
I’d have to say Wassim, “@ak.wassim” on IG and TikTok. He’s also a Montreal content creator and I really enjoy his approach and style. He interviews a lot of restaurant owners and is always genuine with his reviews. I wish him a lot of success!
