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Drawing from this week’s TIP Tuesday ‘Invest in your art (blog), I’ve been doing a lot of thinking on this topic. Personally, I’ve been in Nigeria for just a week (school break) and so far so ‘good’ I’ve been slightly stuck! – Blog wise that is.
I’ve been looking for the most basic things like where to get a tripod for my camera, been looking for a place to get products to try out, specialist craft stores and so on and it just seems so hard an not as accessible as it could be.
In all honesty though, it seems that these products do exist somewhere but they are either in another state or can only be gotten from one source online which doesn’t give any room for variety and stuff like that.
So it just makes me think… How do you sustain a blog in Nigeria? Do you have to rely on ordering products from other countries or can you rely completely on the Nigerian market to grow your blog?
What has been your experience so far?
Aminat Sanni-Kamal
Hi Demi,
This topic sounds interesting, I am a creative writer, so most of what I blog about comes from my head and things that happen around me. But, I really want to know what other bloggers have to say about this. Honestly speaking everything is always difficult in Nigeria but not impossible.Hi Aminat! Thanks for stopping by.
I can imagine it’s a bit easier for you as a creative writer and maybe it affects some niches more than the rest – probably fashion and beauty bloggers and possibly vloggers as well to be honest.. I personally am suffering a little though… I’m planning my next few posts based on stuff I brought with me actually
It just seems that everything is a bit harder here and I can’t understand why… 🙁
Hi Demi,
It’s good to be back here. Regarding the topic, I do feel that blogging resources may be a tad limited here just because we don’t have as many brands/stores/supplies that offer us what we need. Sometimes i do have to ask friends to bring things from the stages or place orders and have them delivered to a sibling’s house but then because blogging is kinda new here, I can’t say I really blame them.
There are just about a handful of stores that are trusted sources and 90% of them are online. Can this discourage a blogger? Yes! Should this discourage a blogger? No!
There’s the familiar saying ‘when life hands you lemons, make a tall glass of lemonade’. Personally, I look at what is available in my local environment and draw as much inspiration as I can from them. I got my equipments from an online store because they were the only option at the time but I believe that the retail sector is evolving too. A year ago, coffee shops didn’t exist in Nigeria but now, they’re springing up every now and then so i think it’s safe to say you can rely on the local market 70% and (because there are bound to be suitable alternatives to whatever you want in retail stores) and depend on sources abroad for the other 30%Hey hun! @Onyekachi Glad to have you back hun. I see what you’re saying. We always talk about drawing inspiration from what we have around us and that’s totally necessary as a blogger – I mean, you just have to… but in terms of what’s lacking in the market for bloggers, what will you say the biggest challenge is?
‘Cos although the retail sector is definitely still growing what will you say is lacking the most?
Hello Demi and Aminat,
Hope you guys are fine? You won’t believe I almost forgot today was HTT😧
Anyway regarding the topic, I think we’ve talked about something similar here ( I can’t really remember though) but like Aminat said, most of the things I blog about has to do with writing so even if I need to get anything, it won’t be something that I can’t get quickly, but I think I’ll chill and see what other bloggers have to say.Hi Demi!
Hi ladies!
Hmm good topic. I think you’re finding it difficult to find resources you need mainly because you’ve in the country for a short while. Personally, I could get everything I need for blogging in my city, Ibadan without ordering online. All that’s needed is asking people that have the knowledge you need.
The only problem I can think of is getting products with top notch quality or big names without them too expensive.Hi everyone,
I am glad I finally logged on in time to meet HTT (usually I miss it due to time difference).Hi guys! (Mide and Oyin)…
@Oyin… I guess so… JJC Syndrome but I’ve spoken to a few bloggers and similar to what you said, I think it’s mainly about the quality and trust worthiness of the products because, for example, a style blogger, what you really want to do is give your readers style inspiration knowing they are able to get the same quality products you used for your post.
Then getting things like certain applications, certain equipment and all, what if you don’t know anyone who knows anyone?
Hi Osy! Nice to have you here! Glad you could join us today! :*
Well what are a bloggers general needs?
1. Good equipment. While this is available, it’s sadly overpriced, thus one of the many burdens we have to bear.
2. Location: let’s face it. Nigeria doesn’t have those fancy upscale buildings, streets, lakes and backgrounds that add all the umph and more to photos.
3. Clothes/shoes/accessories: now sadly, because of market forces, local retail outlets receive the latest trends about a month after they’re actually released and if it’s your desire to keep your post on trend, you’ll either have to shop online and wait for about a week because of the policy that most online stores have or wait for maybe one out fifty outlets to have it in store and when this does happen, prepare to pay more than double the actual price.I understand. Perhaps you could order from outside the country. Some of these brands have branches in Nigeria though, for example Canon, Samsung and others. Online stores like smemarkethub.com , jumia.com.ng and konga.com.ng and the sort have a large range that covers different products.
And for style blogging, perhaps you could try Nigerian fashion brands? You’d be surprised at the awesome pieces you might find.- This reply was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by Oyindamola Ajibike.
From what you both said @Onyekachi and @Oyin, I think the main issue is the cost of things. It just seems like everything is overpriced in Nigeria, even some of our home brand Made-In-Nigeria clothes and all are sometimes ridiculously priced and unless you are blogging for the high and mighty, you really want to be putting content out there that the average Nigerian can relate to no?
No doubt, we have some amazing stuff in this country but someone needs to tell them that no one can afford the stuff they put out there. Forget bloggers – our readers can’t relate to it and it can sometimes be a turn off for some readers.
The issue of equipment and location… I don’t even know what to say. Sometimes when you think about the cost, it is double what you will pay if you order it from another country, even with the delivery cost or am I just assuming stuff here?
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