BY ROTIMI AGBANA

In a world where most people seem not to see the possibilities in making legitimate money from the comfort of their homes, it seems some people know the working codes.

Faturoti-Kayode

Such is the case of Faturoti Kayode, also known as Fattkay, one of the few individuals killing the online market with strange tactics.

In an interview with Vanguard, Faturoti Kayode who is the CEO of ‘Fattkay Media Services, a creative and digital agency that helps brand entrepreneurs make smart digital impressions, most especially through content writing and marketing, an author with 3-books to his credit, an internet marketing expert, the lead content developer at Eduregard, Testsregard, Hustle.ng and Digipaver, explained how he made a lot of money as a freelance marketer and writer.

“In my early days, I was more into blogging, writing contents for blogs and getting paid tiny fees just to keep up as a student. Over time, I decided to go into freelancing, which is more profitable compared to working for local clients.

I have been hearing the word ‘Fiverr’ but never really paid attention to it. I later decided to give it a try based on testimonies I saw on a popular Nigerian forum. I was like, “It’s high time I tried this thing called Fiverr, such digital money ritual cannot just be flying around me without corresponding actions on my part.”

“I created my first account as a writer, made a couple of waves, acquired some offline clients but I wasn’t feeling my best. Even though I knew my onions when it comes to writing, no matter how hard I tried to pull my socks up, I was bent on trying out something else so you may want to blame my versatility on that.

I put on my wretched cap and went on a blue-sky thinking, I discovered that my chances were limited with such too-common-everywhere-anywhere service as writing on Fiverr, I gave my brain some sense. I spent days roaming around Fiverr looking for the best of digital services options, I discovered Email Marketing; I was like “Wow, this is it. But I have no idea of Email Marketing”, I thought to myself.”

Fatkayy went further to explain how he took a 29-hours Email Marketing course, with a registration fee of $200, a course turned out to be a huge eye-opener.

“Email marketing wouldn’t have been taught easier. I created another Fiverr account and started offering email marketing services to mostly lean entrepreneurs and brands, it was a testimony”, he said.

He added that after a year, he wrote an Ebook on Email Marketing. Then he started feeling less than his best yet again which made him migrate to another service.

“I took a deep look at some other digital marketing service options; WordPress and Social Media Marketing were good ideas. And since I was a self-proclaimed WordPress guru and a born-to-be social media Jagaban, it wasn’t that hard to blend in. I started offering social media management services as a freelancer, which gave me an edge.”

Speaking further Fatkayy pointed out that market for digital marketers and freelance writers is still and will always be in high demand; in fact, there’ll be an increased need for more of these professionals over time.

“Content writing cannot be consciously learnt, it is more of practice, even though perfection is almost impossible. I got to know a lot about writing through blogging, and not just writing, I mean writing contents that convert and what people are willing to read.

Freelance writing, however, is more of writing for SEO. As most of the clients who will message you are willing to boost their organic traffic with such content. So, the only thing I can say I got to learn, is writing contents for searching.”

When asked to explain more on writing for SEO, he said; “SEO” refers to search engine optimization. By “written content” we mean any written information that lives on the web and can be consumed on the web. It’s not feasible for me to tell you everything you need to know about optimizing your content for search engines here; that’s a whole guide.

He later explained how money can be made from freelancing.

“First, you need to be good at it, which takes a lot of practice. You will not possibly succeed at whatever you choose to do if you don’t do it well. You have to understand yourself and identify your strengths.

Again, you believing in yourself and seeing yourself as someone who believes you can make money with anything provided you’re creative and inventive enough, trust me, to be able to put words on paper in a way that makes people fall in love with you is a prime ability in this digital day and age.”

“I have previously written an article about making money writing online, and I have a couple of students under my program. It’s not always easy though because you will need a lot of practice. Nevertheless, freelancing is your best bet if you want to make money online.”

“He gave major tips on how to be a successful digital marketer.

“Package yourself. I remember setting up a website and getting a registered business back then just to make me appear like one big company to my clients. That way, I was able to charge them better and avoid unnecessary disrespects. I remember back then when my neighbor wanted to start a new food business, ‘ewa agonyin’ to be precise. The lady got everything all planned out within a couple of days, created awareness and got the whole neighborhood anticipating heavily. But guess what? It took this lady two months to launch because she was busy setting up her place of work.”

“As a lover of food, I couldn’t take it any longer so I was forced to challenge her. “Why are you busy decorating this place for eternity, will you just start cooking and let boys start eating? Is it the eatery we want to eat”, I asked her. Then she replied; “Bro, if I’m in the throes of creating a spectacular menu for my new restaurant or looking for a way to keep my customers coming back, how my eatery looks should be the first thing on your mind”.

She educated me, and didn’t stop there, she continued; “If you’re preparing to open a food business, putting your business in the proper location might be the single most important thing you do. Of course, I need a winning and sweet delicacy too.

But how will anyone know about that sweet ‘agonyin’ beans I have to offer unless I get them through the door? That’s why I’m trying my best to make this place look as great as possible, and remember, I only have to do it once.”

Now, fall back indoors and think about that. Regardless of whatever service you have to offer, regardless of how great you are at whatever skill. The way you appear must be great enough to attract clients, now, subsequent to that, your ability to deliver quality services will keep them coming back”, he concluded.