A Mistake I See People Make Online (And a Better Way of Handling Such)

Chatgpt was my go to for everyday image creation for my written contents until I realized I might not have connection with my audience if I continue that way.

I run a faceless brand so I thought using chatgpt images would at least be attractive enough when in fact people need to see more of my products pictures.

I've seen many vendors making the same mistake for not only pictures but also contents as well.

And no matter how I view it,it just doesn't connect with me as a vendor and individual especially if the content isn't edited at all.

To me, Chatgpt contents usually sounds too perfect and doesn't show human tone,even it's joke is usually off unless one can actually use a very smart prompt.

Aside from vendors,I see people like growing coaches use chatgpt contents to teach people some tips without editing at all and it's worrisome.

The rate at which many people rely on the app is alarming and doing that definitely makes the brain relax and overtime ,many people won't be able to think critically to write contents that truly connect.

From the little experience I have as a coach,many people don't want to stress, stretch and rack their brain and I wonder what could have happened if there was no app like that in the first place.

Maybe just maybe, people would have been forced to think with, outside and without the box.

I was able to stop using generated images frequently by going outside to take pictures of my products and ever since then,I use Chatgpt images to pass out informations about sales,promo and offer only.

I believe a perfect picture can be taken without ring light and if people are ready to make use of the available equipment at hand, they will be more real and get connected with their audience easily and faster.

Content ideas are everywhere and if people can think critically on how to create contents from their daily activities either for their products or services,it will easily attract the right audience,make people trust them and of course buy from them.

And the easiest way to write to connect is by writing using your own voice.That way, people will be able to pick you out from the crowd.

If we all rely on Chatgpt for our contents,then we will sound the same way because we use the same app but if we write as we talk,our tone and style of writing will make us stand out and will give us our own unique voice that can't be duplicated.

Your voice is your greatest asset,use it to write contents that connect and not confuse.


#day 18
#brandevocreator’squestchallenge25
#thecreatorsquest

This Is Who I Am (Right Now)

Beyond selling natural spices and kulikuli, I'm a graduate of Microbiology, a content writer and a clarity coach for small brand owners struggling to show up online.

I've always been career driven until life whispered- You have to thread another path and that's why I didn't show up online as a Microbiologist but a vendor.

But if I were asked now whether I would love to be a Medical Microbiologist like I always wished to then I won't blink before I say a resounding YES!

Aside from writing, working with microorganisms gives me joy and fulfillment probably because I studied them for a whole Four years and I developed interest on how they evolve and the impact they have on higher organisms like us.

While threading the path God has ordained for me,I found another potential buried inside me for a long time which is marketing.

I can't say if that's a trait or something I learnt directly or indirectly but I managed my dad's business from primary school till I graduated secondary school so it's safe to say I did a lot of marketing to thousands of people during that time.

After secondary school,I managed two other businesses as well and the owners couldn't wish for a better manager and thus showing up online to market my products is the easiest thing for me.

All I needed was to understand how the online business work and the moment I understood, showing up has been much more easier for me and that was the reason I became an intentional coach not because I wanted to but because people gradually lured me into it by allowing me see more of how I can impact online vendors with my writing, knowledge and experience.

Right now,I'm a graduate hoping to get a job with my certificate and an online vendor threading the path whether rough or smooth to be the best I can be. I'm also a clarity mentor to either individuals or brand owners who are struggling to show up online and truly wish to make impact.

And above all, I'm a content writer borne out of talent/gift and a little knowledge about copywriting. I learnt how to write for a brief moment in a paid class I joined while I was in school.

If there's one thing I can do effortlessly,it's nothing but writing the way I talk. I hardly get bored or tired of doing that and hopefully I might use the gift to venture into writing content for brand owners(I've done this and got paid)or probably become a social media manager but right now,I want to use all my energy on my business then doing all sort that might require my time and brain can come later.

I'm Hamzat Nafisat Olohuntoyin- I help health conscious individuals enjoy flavorful meals and yummy snacks always without breaking the bank. And I also help brand owners go from confusion to clarity and in turn show up for their business with confidence, purpose and clarity.



#day 17
#brandevocreator’squestchallenge25
#thecreatorsquest

Something I Was Afraid of That I Finally Did

That fateful day, I was just scrolling through Facebook street and came across a game. An exciting game at that.

Prior to that, I hardly made comments on people's post because I was always afraid to comment not to even talk of writing contents.

But on this day, I decided to comment.

At first, I scrolled past, but on another thought, I said – why don't I give it a trial?

So, amidst the fear, the fast melodious song that came from my heart, the “what ifs,” I pressed on the comment and started writing.

The game was – Share an exceptional recipe for sweet potato. The best 3 recipes go with ₦10,000 each.

No, the money wasn't the push factor.

The game was. When I first saw it, I smiled and said this is simple nah and it's equally interesting.

Gbigbigbi, that was how my heart was sounding while I was writing.

That's to tell you how scared I was to show up.

I edited countless times.

The thought of deleting the comment came to my mind severally, but I didn't succumb.

It was later announced that around 20 people would be selected for the best recipes because people were just giving different nice recipes.

Later in the day, my recipe was selected among the best, and I won ₦10,000.

I was shocked, surprised and happy at the same time.

I kept asking myself – how?

I actually never believed my recipe would be chosen.

And that day, with the joy that filled my mind, I came across a spices ad, and I thought – let me use this money to buy and try these spices out.

And that was it.

Now, that single order birthed my business.

That single order made me realize who I am.

That single order made me show up effortlessly, consistently, boldly, and confidently for my brand.

I blessed the day I came out of my shell amidst the doubt, the fear, the “what ifs.”

I blessed the moment I clicked on that comment section and said – Nafisat, you can do this. If others can comment with what they know, why should you hide your knowledge too?

I blessed the day I stopped caring about what people would say and damned what they would gossip or talk about me.

I blessed the day I discovered the Me who won't only have impact on myself but on others too.

I blessed the day I stopped hiding and came out of my shell.

You can't succeed by hiding, come out of your shell!


#day 16
#brandevocreator’squestchallenge25
#thecreatorsquest

2–3 Things I Did That Helped Me Show Up More Online

Time that people are always active online.
7am,12pm, 5pm etc.

That was the highlight of a viral content that flew around when I decided to show up boldly for my business.

And because I was oblivious about the online space,I gave in to it.

Just like that,I will struggle to show up using that general time that someone somewhere crafted out based on his/her audience because it definitely doesn't align with mine.

Is it the several days that I will stop a very important task at home to show up with pressure?

Or the hot fire that burns rapidly anytime I failed to show up at those general times?

Or the restlessness?

When I realized it will lead to more confusion, frustration and pressure, I made a firm decision to show up according to my reality, schedule and audience.

The very first thing that helped me and still helping me is - I don't follow the crowd,I follow my audience.

Then ,there came the question of how many times should I show up to avoid burning out easily?

At first,I started creating at most 5 contents daily but immediately my views increased rapidly,I made it a must for myself to create at least 10 valuable contents everyday and thus I began with doubt but it became easier as time goes on especially because I am not following anyone's ideas or anything.

I show up according to my strength, sometimes I create lesser than 10 and other times,I create more than 10 contents depending on my ideas,schedule etc.

Aside from following my audience,I consider my strength as well.

But the most important thing that helped me and still helping me to show up more is I make showing up a habit rather than a task.

Whether sales isn't forthcoming,or sales is slow or it's going steadily,I show up with the same energy, purpose, confidence and clarity.

Whether I'm moody or sad or happy,I show up regardless.

This is easier for me to do because I redefined my WHY and I realized consistency is the only thing that could make me achieve my goals as an individual and a business owner.

I believe showing up would be much more easier if we all stop showing up because it's a trend and start showing up because we truly want to.


#day 15
#brandevocreator’squestchallenge25
#thecreatorsquest

Why Selling Online Isn’t So Easy

Do you have cord lace in blue color?

Yes.

How much is it?

It's #20000.

How much is the last price?

#19000

Let me pay #16000

That's the last price,ma.

Okay, bring it.

Now, that's exactly how most sales happen offline?

The only thing the seller does is to get a suitable location for her business and whoever wants to buy will go there with one thing in mind - I need this product, I need to get this before the end of the week etc.

Easy and straight forward transaction.

But online?

It's a tough nut to crack.

I believe many people came online with this mindset- I just need to post my products and people will order for it.

But the online space calmly said - Online Vendors, you've got a lot to do.

And thus the struggle begins and continues until maybe you've unlocked all the doors that lead to massive sales effortlessly online just like offline.

Just like many people,I started posting my products online with the hope that people will buy until I learned the hard way through few challenges that I joined.

Unlike offline where people go to the market looking for products that solve their problems without the seller telling them. To sell online, you have to tell your target audience the problem your product solves for them.

It's easy to buy from someone you can see even if it's your first time seeing them but it's very hard to buy from an online vendor until some actions are taken some of which are:

-Tell your story
- Educate your audience
- Entertain and engage them
- Speak to their struggles
- Write contents that attracts them
-Show your behind the scene
-Give them proof that you are selling by showing them reviews.
- Share your experience/ knowledge no matter how little
- Show up consistently and persistently
- Position yourself as an authority in your niche

These and many more are things online vendors have to do before people know, connect,trust, remember and buy from them.

The sad truth is, you might be doing all these and still find it difficult to make steady sales.

Why?

Your followers aren't your target audience so you have to keep looking for them either by being more consistent or by running ads or anything at all that will increase your visibility.

Or maybe your audience are still scared of being scammed especially if you sell in bulk.

And it could also be that your niche is over saturated and people prefer to buy from a closer vendor to avoid high delivery fee.

Selling online is ten times harder than selling offline but they have one thing that can both determine steady and massive sales and it's - Consistency.

Just like offline where you have to open your shop regularly to make sales , you have to show up consistently online so people can remember you always.

A shop owner go to shop daily even if there's no sales and an online vendor must also show up daily even if no one buys because in the long run - People will buy from business owners who are always present.

And that makes it harder for online vendors because you have to show up with the same energy, purpose, confidence and clarity every blessed day to make sales.

Once you start showing up with pressure, frustration and confusion, people will notice and thus drift away gradually not intentionally but as a reaction to your actions.

Many rules here and there,many hurdles, struggles,doubts etc are associated with selling online but the amazing thing is once you are able to unlock the doors to your target audience minds by building trust, connection and right positioning to make them see you as their preferred vendor then selling online become as easy as selling offline.

And that's the reason I remain consistent and persistent with the same energy, purpose, confidence and clarity because I know that's how to thrive online.

I didn't know all these when I started,I learnt it while I was on the verge of giving up on online business and it's been amazing since then.From no DM to real enquiries then selling to total strangers.

Selling online is hard, but if you stay consistent, your audience will find you and when they do, sales will flow effortlessly.”



#day 14
#brandevocreator’squestchallenge25
#thecreatorsquest