USING INTERNET TO MARKET BUSINESSES

Making your business known is a vital part of attracting new customers, no matter the business you do. In the past, there were two primary methods for accomplishing this, either through direct advertising or through word of mouth.

With the availability of the Internet, however, there are new options available to you. By improving your online presence, you can reach millions of possible customers around the world, easily and affordably, outstretching the reach of most traditional advertising mediums.

In Nigeria, there are over 40 million internet users; hence, many female entrepreneurs have opted for this medium to market their businesses.

Fatima Amma, a fashion designer in Abuja says she uses social media especially Instagram to advertise her products. The graduate of Interior Architecture and Design, says asides the fact that it’s a pretty cheaper means to advertise, it gives her the opportunity to post as many designs as she wants on Instagram.

“I was very apprehensive because I do not like being out there because I am a very private person but then I realised I don’t have to put up my face. So, I post my design online and Instagram does the marketing for me for now,” she said.

Amira Sani, a makeup artist says advertising on social media has brought her so many customers.

“It is very rewarding to advertise on social media, because it reaches interested customers far and wide. When I started posting my work on facebook, twitter and instagram, my customers increased and I began to get calls from different states requesting my service. Since then work has been pretty overwhelming for me, I had to employ two staff to help out”, she said.

Chisom Nwakolam a hair dresser says she supplements using social media with posters and word of mouth.she said although most of her customers are those who live around her area in Kuje Area Council she is still hoping that she gets customers from other parts of the city because the quality of her work is good.

Mr Segun Olaoluwa, an IT consultant says social media have transformed the way people do business. “Face book, twitter, instagram are platforms that enable you share pictures, and like they say, pictures can say more than a thousand words. So, once you can showcase what you do, you will see people sharing it and liking it.  You will see people’s comments and they will be asking how they can get your product or service. Orders come and that is how you boost your sale. With the internet, you can affordably promote any product you are selling or any service you render,” Olaoluwa explains.

Kelechi  Ifesinachi, a media consultant explains further how women can boost their sales through internet.

“As an entrepreneur, you should have a social media account and if the business is big you should have a website. If you have a website, you can link up with another bigger website. For instance, you are a fashion designer, you can link up with a big fashion website/blog, you may pay a token for them to help you promote/showcase your products. Any one that clicks on their website will see your product as well,” Ifesinachi says. 

Ifesinachi, however, added that anyone using any social media network should not forget to include their phone number or contact address. “People send out their products without their phone numbers. Make sure you send your phone number or contact address as you are sending your products out. Any photo you snap of your product, ensure your number or contact address is there,” she advised.