The question on the mind of some aspiring folks is; Is content creation worth it in Nigeria?
When Mark Angel started, it seemed like a hobby and it did not really amount to much financially, but today, he is one of the richest content creators in Nigeria.
Going in this light, content creation took a whole new level and shape, and it is the rise of Mark Angel that gave impetus to content creation as a venture and a digital world of comedy.
We will explore this topic and see if it is a truly rewarding venture in Nigeria.
A content creator is similar to a modern-day storyteller, they weave narratives through various forms of digital media to captivate an audience.
Take for instance, Mark Angel, Brodda Shaggi, Sydney Talker, and all the other content creators out there who are remarkably creative.
These individuals spend their days crafting blog posts, designing infographics, filming videos, or updating social media feeds. In Nigeria, these digital artisans are more than influencers, they are pivotal forces in shaping online dialogues and providing entertainment, education, and insights.
They also act as traffic to websites and social media platforms. In this sense, if someone like Sabinus referenced your website on his handle or decided to open an account on a certain social media platform, it would drive traffic to that website or platform.
The Nigerian scene has seen a surge in these virtual entrepreneurs, utilizing mediums to convey their messages and connect with audiences within and outside the country’s borders.
Successful Content Creating in Nigeria: Creator Guide
For those looking to delve into the digital realm of Nigeria or make it a source of livelihood, becoming a content creator is a process that requires strategic planning and dedicated effort. Here is a detailed process on how to become a successful Content Creator in Nigeria.
1. Identify Your Niche
Start by focusing on a specific area or topic within content creation. Consider your interests and passions. It can be beauty, technology, gaming, food, travel, or finance, understanding your niche will help you build a deep connection with your chosen topic. It could even be something not professional, as the popular Nigerian phrase goes, it could be “catching cruise”
2. Know Your Audience
Understanding who your audiences are is very crucial. This will help you clarify your niche and help you not derail from your niche.
What are their preferences, pain points, and interests? Tailor your content to meet their needs. Content creation is still an act of service to the people, so their opinions matter because they are your viewers.
3. Create a Content Strategy
Plan your content ahead of time. Define your goals, target audience, and posting schedule. A well-thought-out strategy ensures consistency and keeps your audience engaged.
Creating a content strategy is very important as it helps with efficiency and direction when making your content. Always have a defined strategy for your content
4. Produce Quality Content
After knowing your audience and mapping out a strategy to go about your content, ensure you produce one with quality. Creators who prioritize quality over quantity are those who generally sail ahead.
Nigerian audiences seek content that is not just entertaining or informative but also well-produced. The viewers of this content also pay attention to quality.
Consistency is essential, but so is originality. High-quality content earns trust and helps you stand out in a crowded market.
5. Be Consistent
Regularly publish content. Consistency builds trust with your audience and helps you stay relevant. If you post very rarely, the chances of getting high views and maintaining your audience base will reduce drastically.
Already, social media metrics will suggest you less on their users feeds due to your inconsistency. If you see this as a life-long business venture, you have to be up and doing by posting content back-to-back.
6. Engage with Your Audience
To turn casual viewers into devoted fans, interaction is key. Whether you’re responding to comments, hosting live Q&A sessions, or initiating conversations on social media, engagement fosters a sense of community and loyalty, both of which are invaluable for brand growth.
This is invaluable in becoming a successful content creator. You’d never make it so far if you are stiff-necked and feel too proud to respond to your audience.
7. Network With Other Content Creators
Collaborate with fellow creators. Networking opens up opportunities, allows knowledge sharing, and helps you grow.
You see modern-day content creators linking up and growing their audiences with collabos like these. It is not essential, but it is wise to do collaborations with your fellow creators.
8. Leverage Multiple Platforms
Don’t place all your digital eggs in one basket. A multi-platform presence extends your reach and builds resilience in your content creation business. While platforms like Instagram and YouTube dominate, don’t overlook up-and-coming channels that may offer untapped audiences.
9. Monitor Your Analytics
Finally, keep track of your performance metrics. Understand what works and what doesn’t. Adjust your strategy accordingly.
How Much Does a Content Creator Earn in Nigeria?
The financial landscape for Nigerian content creators varies with the content they produce. Factors like the chosen platform, the defined niche, audience engagement, and size play crucial roles in determining income. For instance, Instagram has a different revenue system for content creators from YouTube.
Top influencers engaging in brand partnerships and commanding large followings can attain earnings that dwarf those of many conventional roles.
Yet, others may face fluctuations typical of an emerging market, contending with inconsistency and the perpetual need for content innovation.
Let us brush up a couple of content creators and see how much they earn in this digital-driven world. This is for your conviction and analysis.
1. Mark Angel
Mark Angel is unarguably the richest content creator in Nigeria. He is regarded as the pioneer of digital comedy and video content creation in Nigeria.
When he started, literally everyone watched him, and his skits were rated for family viewing, meaning, all ages could watch him and laugh at his jokes. He has been the source of inspiration for many skit makers today who have been given the title “content creators.”
Might be a hard pill to swallow, however, as in 2023, it is estimated that Mark Angel’s comedy has an annual revenue of $4.2million. Doing the conversion to naira, your math skills might fail you. Unarguably one of the richest and top-earning content creators in Nigeria.
2. Broda Shaggi
Animashaun Samuel Perry, better known as Broda Shaggi, began doing comedy in 2015.
Shaggi, one of the most popular content providers in the nation, has progressively changed into several entertainment-related fields.
Broda Shaggi received recognition for his versatility and humorous skills, including the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards 2022 Best Actor in a Comedy award.
Thanks to his remarkable 1.94 million YouTube subscribers and 13 million Instagram followers, in addition to profits from lucrative endorsement partnerships like Glo, Predator energy drinks, and Odogwu general bitters, among others, he is reportedly worth over $1 million.
In 2023, he claimed to earn well over $40,000 every month from skit making. This excludes endorsement deals and partnerships. It is through content making that he got those deals.
3. Josh2Funny
Truthfully, the list wouldn’t be complete without this funnybone in it. His name is Josh Alfred, a graduate of computer science from YabaTech.
However, he pursued his passion for comedy and it became a profitable venture. It is estimated that he is worth $250,000. This is a rough estimate that excludes other ads and promotions.
4. Sydney Talker
One of the most underappreciated comedians and content creators in Nigeria is Sydney Egere, better known by his stage name Sydney Talker. He is a graduate from the University of Benin. He studied computer science.
Sydney started his comedy career at the university. He hosted yabbing contests outside the halls of residence and made his name from there.
Oftentimes, his influence on the growing community of content makers is overlooked. Talents such as
- Carter Efe
- Sabinus
- Pankerooy,
- Zfancy, Shank Comics
- Nasboi
and several other comedians have gained notoriety as content makers thanks in large part to Sydney. Together, they have had several successes, including Annabella, With You, Carry Me Go, and others. Sydney is a valuable individual who has made about $700k in personal income.
Aside from being an entrepreneurial content creator, you can work under a company as a content creator to promote their brand and engage with their followers.
They are seen as social media managers. Behind the job title is a creative mind who makes strategies and plans to better the company they work for. Their salary hovers around 100k naira
Challenges Faced by Nigerian Content Creators
Nothing good comes on a platter of gold. These content creators you see face a lot of challenges that are quite heavy for the average man. Let us explore a few
- Erratic Power Supply (NEPA Woes)
Frequent power outages disrupt work schedules and affect content creation. Creators often grapple with unstable electricity, impacting productivity and consistency.
However, in Nigeria, it is barely an issue anymore, people have put all their trust in generators and prepared their minds for this letdown. This should hardly be in the list, but let’s have it either ways.
- Working from Home Challenges
Balancing work and home life can be tricky. Interruptions from family members or neighbors who assume you’re idle can hinder focus and productivity. It can be quite challenging for those who live with their parents or other people.
- Creative Blocks
Content creators encounter periods of creative stagnation. Generating fresh ideas consistently can be challenging, leading to frustration and self-doubt. And this point is the MVP for this sub-topic. The massive stumbling block and the abstract wall for many content creators.
- Procrastination (The Thief of Time)
Do I need to elaborate on this? Content creators who procrastinate never get anything done. They might end up seeing their idea already done by someone else out of sheer coincidence. They can lose fan-base with their inconsistency. Do not procrastinate, it really kills.
- Urgent Requests for Financial Assistance
Friends and acquaintances may frequently ask for financial help, especially when they know you’re a content creator. After all, anyone who easily gets 10k views is already seen as a millionaire. Content creation is that lucrative. Balancing personal relationships and professional boundaries becomes crucial.
- Cost of Creator Tools
High-quality equipment, software licenses, and subscriptions are essential for content creation. However, these tools can be expensive, especially for creators starting.
Monetizing content isn’t so straightforward. Creators must navigate ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing while maintaining authenticity and audience trust
Wrapping it Up
In the context of Nigeria, content creation is not just an artistic endeavor, it’s a flourishing industry, teeming with potential and prodigies.
Now people make relatable content for a natural and nostalgic fan base, like Gilmore on Tiktok. To answer your question, or do I need to proffer an answer? I am sure you can tell by now. It is a profitable and enjoyable venture. When passion meets profit, it is 100% profitable.
