₦airaland Forum

Well written gist, thanks for sharing

Lol @ '"Find me something" and the response, English No speak..... Times are hard for many in Nigeria

1. Idea Intro:
I saw somewhere recently that copying from one source is plagiarism while copying from various sources is called Research.

For some people who know me, this week’s article speaks directly to me and many out there like me.

One way to generate some revenue for yourself is by writing a book that delivers value and which people (the target audience) can perceive this value and be willing to purchase. The internet is a rich source of materials to help you with your book project.

Somewhere in Delta State, Nigeria, some man walked up to me with a book he had written, a small book, and asked that I supported him by buying. He sells it for 500 naira. I bought one, quickly checked through to see its just 30 pages, I was not so sure if it was value for my money, however the deal has been done, one book sold, the man seemed happy, I had supported someone genuinely trying to make ends meet, win-win it seems.

There are platforms and channels through which you can sell your book today, whether hard copies or eBooks. What are you doing with all that knowledge.

There are a various reasons why most people who set out to write a book end up not finishing it or not even starting in the first place. These are some of the reasons or excuses.
- Not knowing how to start or where to start from
- Feeling inadequate or like you do not know enough
- Questioning your own authority or having doubts you will be taken seriously
- Not ready to deal with the changes in daily routines required to get the book ready (daily writing, time management, getting rid of distractions, focus on one thing for a period of time, etc.)

It is important to note that you can write a book to share what you know on a certain subject area, it could also be fiction, however you should be careful not to make spurious claims or make unverifiable assertions, instead, approach your knowledge sharing with some humility, knowing that nobody knows it all, and you are sharing because the little you know, can be very helpful to another person somewhere.

For those who went to University in Nigeria, where your lecturers really authorities on the subjects they taught? Feel free to share what you know and be ready to admit in areas where you lack sufficient knowledge. The goal is learning, sharing and relearning, not compete, outshine and oppress.

You may feel like you may not be making much sense, well, let the readers decide or those you give draft copies to read and give you feedback. Aiming for the perfect draft as you write along may slow you down and delay your completing the book.

This link provides 10 Ridiculously Simple Steps for Writing a Book by Jeff Goins
https://goinswriter.com/tips-writing-book/ the 10 points are highlighted below.
1. Decide what the book is about
2. Set a daily word count goal
3. Have a set time to work on your book every day
4. Write in the same place every time
Phase 2: Do the work
5. Set a total word count
6. Give yourself weekly deadlines
7. Get early feedback
Phase 3: Finishing
8. Commit to shipping
9. Embrace failure
10. Write another book

2. Business Model Canvas
Value Proposition: Knowledge/Entertainment
Customer Segment: Depending on your target audience.
Distribution Channel: word of mouth, Social media paid ads, emails, online bookstores, bookshops etc.
Customer Relationship: Direct and mass, emails, online etc
Key Activities: Book writing, editing (proofreading), sales and marketing, distribution (logistics), quality control, customer service, etc.
Key Resources: Dedicated phone line (need to be always reachable), accessible email, ISBN registration, Computer (workstation), Internet access, etc.
Key Partners: Offline and online book stores, Banks (payment facilitating companies), Registering agencies, writers union or associations, Libraries (resources bank), etc.
Cost Structure: Work related equipment and stationeries, Internet subscription, sales and advertising campaigns registration fees, sellers cut, publishing cost, etc.
Revenue Stream: Revenue from book sales

3. Competition:
It is important to know that there are a lot of things that are presently competing for the attention of your target audience. You should also know who your target or ideal audience (customer segment) is in order to tailor marketing and advertising efficiently and effectively.

4. Risk:
From the points above, even if your first book project fails, you should learn to embrace failure, and pick yourself up, taking all the lessons learnt and using it for a better next book. You are not a failure, it is your project that failed, not you. – Isaiah Olumati.

5. Summary:
The little or much you know or have experienced can be scripted and published, both to be of benefit to others and a source of revenue for you.


Thanks for following this series.

Till next week, stay inspired.

For more information, comments questions or feedbacks, get in touch.
Twitter: @Mrebis
Email: mrebis1@gmail.com

Idea 27 of 52: Write a Book

SMH

hothead:
Very nice of this poster! Well done sir

Thanks for reading...

1. Idea Intro: One of the most pressing challenge facing a majority of Nigerians is insufficient power supply.

@MarkEssien (founder, Hotels.ng) recently asked a question on twitter, if it was illegal for someone to get a generator and supply power to interested homes using privately owned cables.

Most estates in Nigeria already run their own power generating sets connected using change-over switches that can switch between the public power supply and that of the generating set.

It appears to be very legal as long as it is below 10MW, which if exceeded, the operator would need to be licensed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

So imagine in a densely populated neighbourhood, you could invest in a generator that can conveniently power some homes in the neighbourhood (10 homes) and they could pay depending on usage that would be measured using a smart energy management system (electricity monitors).

Most of those low income settlements may not have enough resources to buy their own generator, and instead of each having theirs and having to fuel and maintain theirs, including noise from loads of generators, One company can have one generator (or a second standby), and agree to provide the alternative power supply for all those interested when the public one is out.

Idea Summary
• Buy a power generator (could be gas powered)
• Agree with the homes on pricing and operating times
• Run your private cables (could be underground)
• Get electricity meters (ensure they are not bypassable)
• Supply the electricity




2. Business Model Canvas
Value Proposition: Alternative power supply for lower and middle income homes.
Customer Segment: Home owners, low income households.
Distribution Channel: word of mouth, Sales team, customer service centre/ dedicated phone line etc.
Customer Relationship: Direct, phone, emails etc
Key Activities: Power generation, power distribution, monitoring, financial accounting, marketing and sales, customer service delivery, etc.
Key Resources: Dedicated phone line (need to be always reachable), accessible email, startup funds for initial equipment (generating set, cables, etc) and registration, etc.
Key Partners: The prospective customers (home & business owners), NERC, PHCN, suppliers of electrical cables and other necessary appliance & tools, banks for payments, etc.
Cost Structure: Salary and wage bill (Technical and commercial), power generating set, cables, meters, office space, stationeries and phone lines, registration, licensing and other relevant documentation, etc.
Revenue Stream: Electricity supply bill paid by users.

3. Competition: If this is possible and one person starts and seems to be profitably operating, there would definitely be followers (copies) who would seek to enter to get a piece of the pie. Good customer service delivery would ensure continued loyalty from satisfied customers.

4. Risk: Highly regulated sectors can have changes in Government policies that can have adverse effect on the Business. A lot of health and other safety measures must be taken as dealing with electricity power supply comes with risk of electric shocks, and as such, proper education needs to be given to all in the supply chain, from workers at the generating phases, distributing and overall maintenance.

5. Summary: Just as most estates have their own electricity generating sets, you can provide such to low income neighbourhoods who likely have lesser electricity usage, generating and distributing to them for a fee.

I would love to know your thoughts on this one, how feasible, what are some challenges people might face and best ways to tackle such. One of such example would be people illegally connecting without paying.

Thanks for following this series.

Till next week, stay inspired.

For more information, comments questions or feedbacks, get in touch.
Twitter: @Mrebis
Email: mrebis1@gmail.com

Facebook commenter:

I agree with your point.
An easy hack I usually employ is
1)buying a domain name eg *company name* .com or .com.ng (relatively cheap)
2) designing your website with easy website builders (most of them nowadays are drag & drop) and free.
finally
3) redirecting that website name .com or .com.ng(which you bought) to you zero-cost designed website. (*Add masking, so when the website loads it's shows as the .com or .com.ngpage. The free website is your host in this case.
The only setback (which is still ok) is that it displays the free website's logo /ad top and bottom but at least the customer gets what he/she is looking for on the web.

Hope this helps

Just an example www.niickii.com
Niickii | Music Producer | Creative
Welcome to Niickii's World! Experience the new wave of Afrobeats
niickii.com

Then OP replies:

Thanks very much for ur addition, wix is very good too, although it might be more expensive for clients in Nigeria as one is mostly forced to host with them, whereas u could find a cheaper option if u host elsewhere....

A commenter on facebook:

Just to add wix (dot) Com does a great job as well. Great post bro

Theme/Template based Websites
These are easier to setup and get running, compared to coding from scratch. Whilst it is more desirable to be able to code websites from scratch, you can actually start to make decent looking websites without writing much codes.

Using theme/template based sites for web designing makes it easier to upload and managing contents. CMS (content management systems) such as Wordpress (wordpress.org), joomla (joomla.org), Magento, Drupal etc are some of the more widely used ones. You can find helpful materials on getting started and going forward with these CMSs on the internet. There are limitations to using CMSs as they may not be very flexible especially to those who do not know much about coding (html, php, Javascript) and might be difficult to find a theme or template that will meet all the needs of most data driven sites. However, for the most of the Websites needs in Nigeria, CMSs can suffice if you can find the right themes/templates.

Here are some example sites I have done using CMS with little coding
www.xtrememediahq.com
www.agapedev.com.ng
www.streamcoco.com.ng


Idea Summary
• Choose your CMS (Wordpress)
• Get more materials on web development
• Build and host a sample site (Some costs – Domain name reg and Webhosting)
• Open for Business (Publicise you)





2. Business Model Canvas
Value Proposition: Web design and development Services.
Customer Segment: SMEs, Individuals, Charities (Churches)
Distribution Channel: Online (via your social media), Facebook/Instagram Ads, email, cold calling, word of mouth, etc.
Customer Relationship: Direct, Online, etc
Key Activities: Web designing, domain registration, web hosting, search engine optimisation, etc.
Key Resources: Dedicated phone line (need to be always reachable), accessible email, PC or laptop, internet subscription, power supply, Work base, etc.
Key Partners: The prospective clients, Webhosting and domain name registering companies, banks or other financial services providers, internet services providers, etc.
Cost Structure: PC or Laptop, Internet Data, Power supply, Office (Workbase) etc.
Revenue Stream: Payment for Web services delivered.

3. Competition: The competition has always been and would always be there even as more people join in on this technology space. Be sure to have good work ethics and quality customer service delivery so as to create a competitive advantage for yourself. Bear in mind, many more Businesses are in need of Web presence.

4. Risk: Most times you would have to rely solely on a third party for hosting your websites for your clients as getting your own dedicated server will be expensive. So whenever there is a down time from your host servers, it would directly affect your clients, therefore endeavour to choose reliable hosting companies.


5. Summary: There is opportunity for more web designers, make good use of your PC or Laptop and internet data to equip yourself with this skill that can make great difference if harnessed and utilised wisely.

6. Links

(https://theascent.biz/the-tale-of-a-hopeful-nigerian-graduate-48193b48b6fd)


Thanks for following this series.

Till next week, stay inspired.

For more information, comments questions or feedbacks, get in touch.
Twitter: @Mrebis
Email: mrebis1@gmail.com

1. Idea Intro: I came across an article on Medium written by a young Nigerian who has been footing his bills for up to two (2) years mainly from web development. The link to his article is appended to this post. In his article he highlighted the fact that Nigeria is highly populated with over 180 million people, with an estimated 60 million Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs); and with below 100,000 domain names, meaning very few businesses are on the internet.

---

This points to the underlying opportunities for Web developers (Designers and web content management). Today, you can become a web designer with little or no coding required. There are also a loads of helpful materials on the internet (Google and Youtube). If you have a computer or Laptop and can afford Internet Data, seize the opportunity to make yourself relevant in the coming years by learning the skills required for web development.

DRAMA!!!!

Image source: newmozartschool.com

Idea Summary
Identify what Skills you can offer to teach.
Decide how you will charge
Register with Tuteria to become a tutor





2. Business Model Canvas
Value Proposition: Tutoring Services.
Customer Segment: Students in need of teachers and those looking to learn a skill
Distribution Channel: Online (Tuteria.com), Your service delivery location, or clients location.
Customer Relationship: Direct, one-on-one, etc
Key Activities: Tutoring, Customer service delivery etc.
Key Resources: Dedicated phone line (need to be always reachable), access to your email used in registering
Key Partners: Tuteria.com
Cost Structure: Necessary materials or stationeries needed for effective service delivery, etc.
Revenue Stream: Payment for tutoring services

3. Competition: This service is open for many to join in so therefore you will likely have other competitors on the platform, so you would need to be very good in delivering your services so that you can have great reviews which can invariably increase patronage of your services on the platform.

4. Risk: With a feature that allows for service users to review the quality of service you deliver, the continued survival of your trade would depend on how well you continue to deliver your services with good quality.


5. Summary: Take advantage of the platform created by Tuteria.com to become a tutor so that you can start earning something for the skills or knowledge you have.

Thanks for following this series.

Till next week, stay inspired.

For more information, comments questions or feedbacks, get in touch.
Twitter: @Mrebis
Email: mrebis1@gmail.com

1. Idea Intro:
Become a tutor today. Why stay idle doing nothing or waiting for some white collar job when you could out your time to productive use. Whether it is tutoring school kids helping them to better understand their school work or tutoring someone to play a musical instrument or teach a skill (baking, makeup, hair designing, etc.)
There are people who could be ready to pay you to teach a skill or tutor their wards, and today there are platforms (Online) that can help u become visible to these people. One of such reputable and growing platforms is Tuteria (www.tuteria.com). You can use Tuteria.com to enrol your skill so that those in need of what you offer around your neighbourhood or City can find you and contact you for your tutoring services.

Some skills you could offer to teach
Computer teacher
Languages (local or foreign language)
Musical instruments
Vocal lessons (Singing)
Exam preparation
Beadmaking
Hair Styling
Bag making
Etc.

Idea 24 of 52: Become a Tutor (Tuteria.com)

Largely negligence of duties

Throw some people in jail

Nice.

@ first pic, Is it a Laughing matter

Abysmal

JOKERS.....all of them

• The market salespeople will register their accounts and details with your company and would have a unique merchant ID number.
• They will also display around their stalls or let the customer know that they can receive the payment with POS.
• When a customer asks to pay using POS, they are told the charge and if they agree, the market sales person can text or call your POS market office with shop location details. The agents will get to the market salesperson’s stall with the POS device as quickly as possible.
• The customer makes the payment, then your POS agent enters details into a register.
• The money comes into your account including your cut, which is the service charge, then you transfer to the market salespersons’ account at the close of day.
• So multiply the number of transactions your company helps these market salespeople to make, by your charge. There you would have your revenue daily.


It is also important to note that most of these market salespeople may want their cash soon so as to use it to go to the Market to restock. This means you would have to arrange an agreed plan to, bring the cash either early in the next morning or before they close of the day.


2. Business Model Canvas
Value Proposition: Cashless Transaction facilitation support for market men and women in busy and crowded Nigerian markets.
Customer Segment: The market men and women who are not ready for the stress or savvy with the techie setup of POS and other fintech devices
Distribution Channel: Word of mouth (field marketers), Flyers and posters, brochures, customer support office, etc
Customer Relationship: Direct, one-on-one, etc
Key Activities: Financial accounting, Agreement of terms with the salespeople at the market, customer care service, sales and marketing, etc.
Key Resources: Dedicated phone line & the market office (Customer support staff), POS agents, General operations manager, etc.
Key Partners: The market salespeople, the Banks, the customers, market revenue collection agency and other related unions and associations, etc.
Cost Structure: Bank deposits or setup costs, Staff salary, stationeries for daily operations, registration and licenses, Dedicated phone line and call cost, printing of flyer and other marketing communications related materials, legal services and Insurance, etc.
Revenue Stream: Cuts/Service Charge from every transaction

3. Competition: Be sure that others would join you in this when you start and seem to be making a profit, so stay prepared. Other forms of competition include having an ATM machine not so far from the market or within the market premises. This can affect largely how people would patronise your service, unless there are loads of people queuing to use the ATM or if they don’t work.

4. Risk: Presence of an ATM machine near the market poses a threat to this business; also challenges such as Network problems too can affect smooth operations. Do your research and other technical studies before jumping in.

5. Summary: You can start by going into a bank to find out how you can go about getting the POS devices and what it will all entail (the banks cuts et al), Find a Market and start generating revenue while you create employment for some people and make business much more easier for others.

Thanks for following this series.

Till next week, stay inspired.

For more information, comments questions or feedbacks, get in touch.
Twitter: @Mrebis
Email: mrebis1@gmail.com

1. Idea Intro: Recently I had to accompany someone to the Fish market at Epe, Lagos one Saturday, and we had to look for where to withdraw money before heading there because they do not have POS devices at the fish market. This led me to this Idea…

Imagine having a small office stationed in a busy Nigerian market with about 2-5 POS machines and POS assistants wearing customised Tee-Shirts who are ready to go to any location in the market where a Market Seller have need of the POS device to complete a transaction with a customer. Each transaction can attract a charge of 100-300 naira, and would depend on the price suitable to cover your running cost.

Idea 23 of 52: POS (Point-of-sale) Marketplace agent

Good info, thanks OP

2. Business Model Canvas
Value Proposition: A one-stop contact for all domestic and other home services need. Easy to find services through a known trusted liable agency.
Customer Segment: The local general public in need of one service or the other, the service providers etc.
Distribution Channel: Flyers and posters, brochures, word of mouth, Phone and email.
Customer Relationship: Online and social media, word of mouth
Key Activities: Partnership (agreement) with reliable service providers, consistent customer care service, cold calling, sales and marketing, etc.
Key Resources: Dedicated phone line (Customer support staff), Service providers, Online presence (Social media), etc.
Key Partners: The service providers (Plumbers, Electricians, etc.)
Cost Structure: Dedicated phone line and call cost, printing of flyer and other marketing communications related materials, legal services and Insurance, etc.
Revenue Stream: Cuts/Commission from services provided by partners

3. Competition: There is the normal way people currently source for service providers, so coming up with yours would need you to be more strategic so as to remain competitive. We hardly have these service men move from house to house to seek new customers (except mobile tailors and shoe makers), so if you would want to get the new customers to get to the service providers through you, you would need to go out to hunt. Knock on doors and ask if they have need for plumber, electrician etc.

4. Risk: There is great need to ensure that the service providers align with your values and operational/service delivery standards. If they fail in service quality, this would affect your business, so you would need to organise trainings/seminars where you educate and enlighten those service providers working with you on expected work ethics and service delivery standards.
You will need to be clear on pricing and your own cut (admin charges) to avoid any conflicts.

5. Summary: As with other businesses, there is a great deal of work, time effort required and you would need to be committed to growing this and maintaining the good working relationship with the partners (Service providers)

Thanks for following this series.

Till next week, stay inspired.

For more information, comments questions or feedbacks, get in touch.
Twitter: @Mrebis
Email: mrebis1@gmail.com

1. Idea Intro:

Instead of staying idle while waiting for a great Job, You can set up your own local job centre by going around to all the people you know in your area with one service or the other (Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters, Cleaners, Drycleaners, water supply, gas refill, etc.) then agree with them how much you will get on each referral they get from you, or better still the client pays you, you keep your cut and then pay the service provider. Then you could actively go from house to house to advertise/check with people what services they need. You would need to make sure your phone lines are always on and be sure of the availability of the service providers and their ability to deliver quality service as this can affect your new business negatively

Idea 22 of 52: Local Job Agency

Awwww.....


I can imagine the Joy, then the fear that you may have lost your bringer of Joy...

Hmmmm

Sure the years of experience requirement would limit many

Hmmmm

All these Promo for one song