REFLECTION: What It is Like Being A Creative In Nigeria, Lessons I Learned In 2020 And Earning 6-Figures As A Content Creator

Ever wondered what it is like to be a Creative in Nigeria? Do you want to know what it feels like to live and breathe content? And even the juiciest part, how to earn 6-figures as a content creator? Then this is for you.

First of all, I have to say that it is still a shock to me that I survive mostly through writing and creating content, so I think that is something that would hit you as a creative…especially living in Nigeria.

Read More: 25 Things I Want To Do AT 25 https://goldgerry.com/2020/08/17/25-things-i-want-to-do-at-25/

This is true because being a creative in Nigeria is like proving yourself every day in a job pool filled with ‘professional jobs’ such as Accounting, Administrator, Nursing and others we’ve been conditioned to see as ‘real jobs’. The constant reminder that there are little or no jobs in general so you have to create most of your opportunities yourself. My biggest self-created opportune is my blog- this right here and most of my jobs are gotten because of it.

I have learned the essence of Personal Branding.
Personal branding isn’t something any one person knows fully about and each brand is unique to itself. So I continue to learn the uniqueness of my brand and how to present it to other paying brands, readers and even passerbys.

Check out Uche Ugo for personal branding tips https://www.instagram.com/ucheugo/

Publishing a service list in 2020 was a move I thought necessary, not only for self-clarity but it helped me realise what my strengths are.

In 2020, I wrote a few academic pieces, and although it was a learning moment where I had to read a lot on the topics, it made me realise that I needed not to do that anymore because I did not enjoy it. If there’s one thing about me and how I succeed as a creative, it is by indulging more and if not only in projects that make me happy.

If I cannot think of a project and feel sparks or butterflies in my stomach, then I wouldn’t put in my best. I put out the best work when I enjoy myself.

Out of these, the biggest lesson for me was accepting that not all jobs are for me.

This realization came at the end of 2020, at a time when some of the people/brands I talked with didn’t proceed to close. So the conversations would always start off nicely with acknowledgement of how good a writer I am and how much I am needed to lead a team…and usually, this excites me- I mean, why wouldn’t it?.

However, it comes to a sting when we get to payment.

“So what’s the offer” I would ask, and I notice how the tone in their voice would change. I have had someone say to me that she thought the pricelist I sent to her via email was an error, in fact, she referred to it as a typo.

Editor’s Pick, 6 Signs You Need To Quit Your Job: https://goldgerry.com/2020/08/27/6-signs-you-need-to-quit-your-job/

Not closing these deals made me feel like I was doing something wrong. Maybe I am overpriced, maybe I’m just doing too much and need to accept their offer. But no, I am not.

As a creative, I have come to accept that just because someone appreciates my art doesn’t mean he/she can afford to pay for it and that is okay.

And I believe this is a struggle for most creatives in Nigeria- Getting offered payments below your pricelist, under the shade of ‘exposure’.
Now, this is where you have to realise that you alone decide what is exposure for you. Do not let a prospective client sell that to you as an advantage of working with/for them. That power only belongs to you, so own it.

Now, owning it is one thing, but actually living it is another. Because the moment you accept this, you begin to see the charade of opportunities in jobs, especially those in the Nigerian market. Which would mean that you would rarely get good-paying jobs.

For me, I have accepted that most of my clients aren’t in Nigeria so I do not even target them. As a matter of fact, I have stopped applying for jobs, well except it hits the financial mark I want and is fully remote.

If you choose to be a creative in Nigeria on a full time basis, then moving to Lagos should be in the cards for you as most of the jobs are in this city.

Being a creative also means deciding for yourself what kind of work environment you need, I have decided on mine and the class of people that are able to afford my work…and I assure you that I am at peace.

There are creatives in Nigeria who do it as a hobby, others do it on the weekends and then there are others like me who depend on it. Because if I no write, I no go chop.

EARNING 6-FIGURES AS A CONTENT CREATOR

The first time I got offered a six figure job as a content creator- by a Nigerian company, had my mouth on the floor. So believe me when I tell you there is a market for your work and you just have to find it.

What You Have To Do

-Learn How to Pitch:
Pitch yourself, pitch a product/service, pitch an article.
Pitching is just like selling and I remember a rhyme I learnt in University- “Sell yourself, sell yourself, cause nobody will sell yourself for you”.
I am still learning how to but I’ve cracked a method that works best for Writers like myself, so search online and read.

Writers and Journalists, do follow Writers Of Color on Twitter for Freelance opportunities: https://twitter.com/WritersofColor

-Have A Portfolio
If you are going to sell yourself as a Creative, then you need to have a trail of work that shows just what you are about. before I started writing full-time, I had no clients, so no portfolio. All I did was research relevant topics, wrote at least 600 words per topic and put them all in a folder. There you have it- a portfolio. My blog also helps with visibility.

You could also build a portfolio using Canva, check this out: https://www.canva.com/learn/portfolio/

-Target Paying Brands

This is something I want to do more this year- target brands I would love to work with and just shoot my shot. Personally, I think about the biggest dream I want to be achieved and I just do it. What is the worst that could happen? No? That’s easy because you already have it even before shooting.

-Learn How To Negotiate

This is a skill I am glad I have. Knowing your pricelist is good but you also need to know how to negotiate beyond and even below it.

-Be Confident

I’ve learned that people are not only buying into what you can give to them but they’re buying into you as well. I am a brand and so I choose to carry myself as a confident one because people can sense it.

Even if you’re the worst at what you do, sell yourself confidently.
Be bold and speak up.

Read More, 5 Ways To Build Your Self-Confidence: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-boost-your-self-confidence-4163098

What Is The Goal?

I watched Dolemite Is My Name two nights ago and he said something that stayed with me “I want the world to know I exist” and really that is all I crave/work for.

Gold Gerry, I as a brand and a person have a lot to give and I want to do that through storytelling, films, and content creation.

So what is your goal for the month, the year and what steps are you taking to achieve them.

This year, I would love to host a few creative events where we could all come together to network, talk about opportunities/work and figure out ways we can move up the ladder.
I hope to see you at one of these hangouts.

People only take chances on people that invest in themselves. Put out your work like you’re getting paid for it. It should always be quality over quantity. Know your mission and work within it.

Happy New Year my loves and I wish you a very prosperous year.