Start Networking With Strangers and Smile Tomorrow
My friend Jared (Not actual Name) have been experiencing ups and downs even before COVID-19 hit the job market. He had other good, hardworking, and reliable friends that were readily available when he needed them. They used to party and enjoy together over the weekends and sometimes on weekdays when they had time.
Life was amazingly good; they cheered and appreciated each other every single day with one quote, “We wish tungejuana kitambo.” The quote was so inspiring that it made me admire that same circle of friends.
The statement was clearly showing that if they would have known each other a couple of years earlier, they could be flying higher. Ideally, we need friends, people who can keep us with the motivational loop, motivate us when we are in our low moments, and cheer us for every achievement we make.
Since Jared’s income was reduced by almost 100%, he had to look for the otherwise alternative. He scanned his surrounding for investment opportunities. The only opportunity that Jared saw to be viable was fashion and design. He chose to go for fashion since most of his friends were interested in the same niche; they posted their new looks on Instagram more often. Jared saw that as a marketing platform for his products. NAAH! They say “if wishes were horses,” for Jared, wishes weren’t horses.
The moment he purchased his first stock, that was the last time he connected with his friends; everyone disappeared into thin air. He had to start from scratch, build a clientele from people he didn’t even know. Friends are just like connections we’ve on social media; some send you a friend request because they want to monitor your progress. And not all followers will be your customers. It is even hard to make a 70% sales conversion from your social media followers.
I see many professionals assume that they have huge followers and so they start a business with the ambition to grow it within the shortest period possible: A total lie!
Start a business and treat it as another entity, separate it from your profile. Some people want to follow you as a person and not the side business you have under your wing. If you feel I’m lying, then create a business Facebook page, invite all your contact lists, and record how many people will accept the invitation. Not more than 30% will respond.
That’s why Diamond is a big brand in Tanzania, and he still runs YouTube Ads for his channel. He wants to reach out to the wide percentage that is not familiar with his brand to subscribe. Don’t lie to yourself that you have enough followers; just kill that ego and start reaching out to strangers. www.otitekmedia.co.ke