Influencer Session with Maryam Kaite

Socially Powerful interviewed lifestyle and travel influencer Maryamkaite (@desiwesternbaltic) who has over 300K followers on Instagram. Maryamkaite’s passion for travel deepened after she reverted to Islam, and she used her YouTube channel to share her journey as a Muslimah traveler. She focuses on Muslim-friendly destinations by creating personal and meaningful content that resonates with her community. Maryamkaite predominantly uses YouTube for long-form content and Instagram for real-time engagement through stories and reels. She values authenticity and partners only with the brands that align with her values. Maryamkaite anticipates a shift toward long-term brand collaborations and greater transparency in influencer marketing within her niche.

Maryam Kaite @desiwesternbaltic

We caught up with lifestyle and travel influencer, @desiwesternbaltic, to talk all things changing up the creator landscape, community building strategies, and commitment to online content creation. Read on to discover how she’s worked her way up to a following of 300K+ on Instagram alone!

Where does your love for creating travel content come from?

My love for travel has always been a part of me, but it took on a deeper meaning after I reverted to Islam three years ago. That’s when I started my YouTube channel, where I share my journey and my lifestyle as a revert Muslim woman.

Every time I visit a new country—whether it’s a Muslim-majority or not—I love bringing my audience along with me, sharing my experiences, travel tips, and the emotions that come with exploring different parts of the world. My goal is to not only showcase beautiful destinations but also provide valuable insights and a personal perspective on what it feels like to visit these places as a Muslimah traveler.

@maryamkaite

1 year with Hijab already, Alhamdulillah 🥰🥹🧕💜 Comment below, if you want to hear my Hijab Story on my YouTube channel 🤗🥰 I’m a Muslimah Revert, join me on my Daily Life in IG Stories 🤗💜 YTC: Desi western Baltic If you like my channel, don’t forget to subscribe 🤗💜 . . . #muslimah #newmuslim #hijabi #hijabiblogger #hijabinspiration #youtuber #islam #islamic #alhamdulillah #germany #bremen #deutschland #hannover #revert #reverttoislam

♬ All Eyes on Me – DJ Belite

How has the increase in travel influencers online impacted the content you post? Do you feel a need to switch up your content style to stand out?

The rise of travel influencers has undoubtedly elevated the standards of creativity and uniqueness in the space. Rather than viewing it as competition, I see it as an opportunity to reinforce my own identity as a content creator. I stay true to my style by focusing on experiences that align with my values and resonate with my audience. As a revert Muslimah, my content is centered around showcasing Muslim-friendly destinations and sharing what it feels like to explore different parts of the world as a Muslim traveler. My goal is not just to document places but to create content that feels personal, meaningful, and relatable to those who share similar experiences.

Which platforms do you predominantly use? Which do you prefer for posting, and which for community building?

I started my journey on YouTube because I’ve always loved long-form content. It allows me to share as much information as I want without time restrictions, making it one of my favorite platforms. YouTube has always felt like home to me, as I can deeply connect with my audience and take them along on my journey in a more immersive way.

At the same time, I post daily on Instagram—sharing my everyday life through Stories and posting Reels 4-5 times a week. Since my niche revolves around my lifestyle as a revert Muslimah, Instagram sStories allow me to connect with my audience in the most personal and intimate way. It feels like catching up with family, and that’s exactly how I see my audience—my IG and YT fam! The sense of closeness and real-time engagement makes Instagram a special space for me.

As for TikTok, I used to post there as well, but over time, I felt that the fast-paced nature of the platform didn’t align with me anymore. It felt overwhelming, and I struggled to keep up in a way that still felt authentic. So, I gradually stepped back from TikTok, choosing instead to focus on platforms where I can build deeper, more meaningful connections with my audience.

@maryamkaite

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♬ original sound – ✿ 𝐇𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐲 ✿

How does community engagement vary on your chosen platforms?

I find that community engagement varies significantly across platforms. On YouTube, I’ve been able to build a deep and meaningful connection with my audience because long-form content allows for more storytelling and personal expression. However, interaction is mostly limited to the comment section, which, while valuable, doesn’t provide the same instant engagement as other platforms.

Instagram, on the other hand, fosters a stronger sense of community through its interactive features like DMs, Stories, Q&As, and polls. These tools create a real-time, back-and-forth connection, making it feel more personal—almost like chatting with close friends or family.

With TikTok, I found it more challenging to build a true connection. The fast-paced nature of the platform makes content consumption quick and fleeting, and the engagement there didn’t feel as deep or personal for me. That’s why I naturally gravitate toward YouTube and Instagram, where I can engage with my audience in a more authentic and meaningful way.

What is your favorite type of content to create, and which works best for your audience? Is there a juxtaposition?

On YouTube, my favorite type of content to create is travel and lifestyle vlogs. It allows me to share my journey as a revert Muslimah and showcase how I experience the world through my unique perspective. I also really enjoy creating reaction videos, which have become a fun way to engage with my audience. They often recommend the videos they’d like me to react to, and I love delivering content based on their requests—“they ask, I do!”

On Instagram, my focus shifts a bit. I share interesting moments from my life, along with travel tips and advice for my Muslim audience. Instagram reels are a great way to highlight quick, yet impactful, content, but I don’t stress about whether something goes viral. My main goal is always to create content that has meaning, whether it’s helpful or inspiring someone in my community. It’s about making a difference in someone’s life, even if it’s just in a small way.

In your own words and experience, how would you define “influencer marketing”?

Influencer marketing, in my words, is about building authentic connections between creators and their audience while partnering with brands that align with the creator’s values. It’s not just about promoting products, but sharing genuine experiences that resonate with followers. For me, it’s about recommending brands that reflect my lifestyle as a revert Muslimah, creating trust, and helping my community make informed choices.

Why do you think influencer marketing is so powerful in today’s society?

People connect with people, not ads. Influencer marketing works because it brings a human touch to recommendations, offering real experiences and relatable perspectives. As a revert Muslimah, I share products that align with my values, making my content more authentic. A creator’s word holds more weight than a generic ad, as it’s built on trust and genuine connection.

Do you have experience working with brands? How do you decide which brands you would like to work with?

Yes, I’ve worked with numerous brands, including skincare, travel, and lifestyle brands. When choosing collaborations, I prioritize alignment with my values and audience interests. Authenticity is key—I only partner with brands I genuinely support and believe will provide value to my community.

@maryamkaite

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♬ Wedding – nxsheedz2

How do you foresee the influencer marketing space changing within your niche in the next 12 months?

I see influencer marketing moving towards long-term, meaningful partnerships instead of one-off promotions. As a revert Muslimah, I believe authenticity and transparency will remain key, with brands seeking creators who genuinely align with their values. Video content, especially on TikTok and YouTube, will continue to dominate, allowing us to share deeper, more personal stories that truly connect with our communities.

Based on your experience, what would you advocate to change about the content creator space?

Based on my experience, I would advocate for a greater focus on authenticity and transparency in the content creator space. There’s often too much pressure to conform to trends or create overly polished content, which can dilute genuine connections. I believe the industry would benefit from supporting creators who stay true to their values and share real, relatable experiences. Brands should prioritize long-term, meaningful partnerships with creators who align with their message, allowing for more authentic content that resonates with audiences.

How do you balance your online and offline lives?

Balancing online and offline life is crucial, especially with a lifestyle like mine, where my content is so personal. I set boundaries by scheduling content in advance, taking digital detox days, and making sure I fully experience moments before sharing them with my audience.

Prioritizing the 5 daily prayers and organizing my day around them helps me stay closer to Allah (God) and grounded in my values. I also dedicate time for reading the Holy Quran before starting my daily tasks, which helps me reflect on my purpose. Scheduling meetings before or after prayers allows me to maintain balance. Prioritizing personal time in this way helps me stay creative, connect with my community authentically, and avoid burnout while continuing to share meaningful content.

@maryamkaite

My FIRST MORNING ROUTINE VLOG on My YouTube channel: desi western Baltic Search my channel & watch the VLOG NOW! Enjoy 💜 I’m a Muslimah Revert, join me on my Daily Life in IG Stories 🤗💜 YTC: Desi western Baltic If you like my channel, don’t forget to subscribe 🤗💜 . . . #muslimah #newmuslim #hijabi #hijabiblogger #hijabinspiration #youtuber #islam #islamic #alhamdulillah #germany #bremen #deutschland #hannover #morningroutine #morningvlog #vlogger #Vlog #fyp #foryou

♬ The Future (Vocals only) – Halal Beats

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years, I can still see myself creating content, sharing my journey, and inspiring others with my lifestyle as a revert Muslimah. I’ll continue offering travel tips, especially for Muslim travelers, and motivating my audience to stay strong in their faith. My goal is to keep creating authentic, relatable content that resonates with my audience and helps them lead a fulfilling life. Above all, I see myself maintaining a balance between my online and offline life, staying grounded in my faith, and nurturing the strong sense of community I’ve built with my Instagram and YouTube FAM/ audience.

What is a piece of advice you would give to your younger self when starting out in content creation?

I would tell my younger self to remember that if you inspire just one person, it’s already a win. Content creation is not about numbers or perfection, but about making a real impact, no matter how small. Stay true to your values, embrace your journey, and never lose sight of the difference you’re making in someone else’s life. Success isn’t measured by likes or views, but by the connections and positive influence you have on others.