I Asked 4 People, “Who Do You Say That I Am?”

Let’s look at it this way; I am following the footsteps of Jesus in the stunning context where he asked his disciples this question, “What are the people saying about me, the Son of Man? Who do they believe I am?” They answered, “Some are convinced you are John the Baptizer, others say you are Elijah reincarnated, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

“But you—who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked.

Narrowing Down My Niche

Sometimes you start to doubt your own unique identity. Sometimes you get confused with the reality of what you’re trying to do and how you’re going about it. Sometimes you just need more depth in understanding what you are already doing. I wanted to see me through the lens of my closest friends… and they showed up for me in a different way than I expected them to. 

I am humbled to think that this is what S, P, M and B think of me. 

Question 1:

When you think of "AMAKAMEDIA," what vibes or feelings do you get?

S: One who is very passionate and pours her emotions into her content.

P: Vibes of authenticity and openness.

M: Amaka as a person.  Personal blog, where she shares her journey, news or some stuffs like that.

B: AMAKAMEDIA 

Question 2:

What words or phrases pop into your head when you hear "AMAKAMEDIA"?

3 Lessons I Learnt From Losing A Contract Job

For the risk of over-sharing (and, perhaps, I would) I decided to make this a CAREER post and not a ‘Dear Diary’ entry. 

When you lose a contract, a job or a business deal, the last thing you typically feel is positive.

Losing A Contract Job

I am not ready to job-hunt but I am ever-ready and willing to put my skills to work and make some cool money. Having spent almost half a decade as a creative freelancer, I pride myself on being good at what I do. I'm thoughtful about managing communication and relationships, clear about my rates and scope of work, and good at under-promising and over-delivering on results. 

Generally speaking, my clients are always happy. While some show their gratitude with words, others do by referrals. 

Wait, I’m losing focus. This article is not about how good I am but how TERRIBLE I am at NEGOTIATION.

I like being liked, and I tend to feel uncomfortable getting into a squabble with someone over money. So it caught me off guard when this contract went south.

As awkward as it was, I learned quite a few lessons that I hope can help you too. They are:

How To Sell Yourself In 2 Minutes

It's Career-Wednesday! Imagine yourself in an elevator standing next to the biggest fish in your industry. Maybe it’s the chairman of your dream company, or a top class client you wish to have. And all you have is two minutes to make a strong impression about your strengths, your business or your company, what do you say?

Create An Elevator Pitch

This is the second time I would be attending an event where the speaker would select somebody and ask them to sell themselves in two minutes. See first time here

I got home, faced the mirror, and attempted to sell myself to myself. After about 30 minutes, I still wouldn't even buy myself.

"Increase Your Value" — Mr. Rotimi Bankole

I hope you find this read worth while. From my experience relating with Clients, I have come to perceive how clients think and how we as a creative/media agency can have more value in return.

5 Ways To Increase Our Value

1. Design Quality: We should be serving high quality design. How do your office look? As a practitioner, how do you look like? Do you smell nice. How about your work, your presentation, your write ups? Having a good design is just part of the puzzle. He cares for more . . .

2. Service Quality: A client doesn't know how or where your design, idea, office is etc To our Client, we are a service provider. In a restaurant, a bad service can ruin the whole meal. So, every interaction you have with client, your emails, phone-dash-calls, meetings, even the coffee is part of what he is paying you for. Make your service unforgettable, then you can charge more.

Achieve More By Interpreting Your Client's Dream

It's Career-Wednesday! I've been dying to finish this article for over a month now. When the inspiration came, I didn't know how best to write it in words. It was so deep that I had to chill for days. Thank God it has finally come through.

Whether you have your own business or you have a boss you work for, you've got customers/clients to please. Meeting the needs of your client is a crucial part of growing a successful business or career.

This' a long post but I pray that you find inspiration. :)

Reading Your Client’s Mind

I am currently wearing the shoes of both an employee and an entrepreneur. There are really no perils wearing both shoes if you are being paid and constantly using not less than 70% of your inspired skills. The only exhausting bit can be being able to read the mind of the client and meeting crazy deadlines.

Blessedly, in both shoes, I do the Media thing.

Can My Colleagues And I Be Friends?

Hiya! I like how today's topic merges Love-Wednesday with Career-Wednesday. Nice!

It might be tempting to hang out at the canteen/kitchen half the time and indulge in the latest gists or have a friendly sport fight. But these easy friendships with coworkers must be handled with care.

Should Colleagues Become Friends?

I make friends easily.

I am so good at connecting with people, but the only problem is I am terrible when it comes to staying in touch. The friends who are closest to me right now are the ones who made the effort. And I don't take credit for that.

What If You Get Sacked Or Lose Your Job Today? Just Asking

We don't pray for bad things to happen, but they still happen. On our journey to building our career, we need to be prepared for the unexpected. Preparations brings confidence and peace to get through the storm.

6 Things To Do When Sacked

"You are fired" is one of the facts of working life, and it can happen to any of us. We can lose our jobs for a number of reasons. Whatever the reason, if it happens to you, there is no cause for alarm.

5 Pathetic Things People Who Have Jobs Won't Tell You

When I got this job, I told you, my sweethearts that we are going to be on the ride together. Yeah? I made a promise to tell you everything I discover along the way. That's one of the reasons we have Career-Wednesday! 

Got some secrets to share with you today. :)

What's Like To Have A Job In Real Life

No opening paragraph, please. Let's go straight to the real deal. 

Protect Yourself Against Office Gossip

Yipee! It's Career-Wednesday. Let's talk about the fact that most times, it is very unlikely to work in a gossip-free environment. People will always talk about people. Always.

So, how do we deal with that?

Dealing With Office Gossip

I am a Christian, so I talk from a Christian perspective. Gossip is a distraction. It is sin.

Sorry, The Perfect Job Does Not Exist

It's Career-Wednesday! Let's be real with what we face at work. Every rose has its thorn and every job has some associated tasks that you’ll perform with gritted teeth. Even in a dream job, there is some form of frustration. Phew.

There Is No Perfect Job

We are constantly changing.

Things change. Our life circumstances change and as we change in response to them, our needs, priorities and perspective shifts accordingly. A job that appeals to you at 13 may likely not be a good fit for you at 23.

Is It Better To Be An Entrepreneur Or To Be An Employee?

Happy New Month! 2017 is moving faster than I imagine. Aha! I asked this question on Twitter a couple of months ago, and we couldn't come to a conclusion.

Entrepreneur Vs Employee

It’s really hard to say whether being an entrepreneur or an employee is better.

What's Next

Hi. Hi. Long time, no blog. How is everyone doing? I hope you are enjoying the holiday.

What's Next

I'd like to rock my natural African kinky comb-breaking hair for Christmas. I gave it a good treat today! But I'm scared at how it is turning out. It seems my hair does not want me to shine this season.

Is Blogging A Reality Or An Illusion?

Hi! It's December already! I tend to reflect a lot at the beginning of a new month, new week or new season. Newness inspires me.

While I was reflecting, I thought about how far I have come with blogging. And it dawned on me that yours truly hasn't bagged any award yet. Lol. But why? 

The Rewards Of A Blogger

Being a blogger wasn't something I have always wanted to do. In fact, I stumbled on it.

Why Your "Why" Is Most Important

Today's post is quite personal and delicate. It's one I wrote with trepidation because it can make or mar my business. I hope it doesn't only inspire you to question your self, but also give you the light you need to find answers.

My Most Personal Ethics

As a lifestyle blogger, I often write about various aspects that cut across the way we express ourselves - from how we live life, to how we value our relationships, to how we style our clothes, and to how we run our businesses. It's a wide range of many things, I must say.

Are You Employed Or Being Exploited?

You leave work feeling tired, frustrated, and angry. During the long ride home and in traffic, you ask yourself, “Am I being exploited?”

Stop Expoitation

As it is popularly stated: one man's meat is another man's poison. That is the case exactly.

Exploitation is subjective. What one person thinks of as slavery/labour is another person’s chance of gaining valuable experience or putting food on the table.

3 Awesome Blessings For The Unemployed

This is the second part of 'How To Stay Hopeful While Searching For A Job'.

Yes, I'm an entrepreneur. But I am also somewhere between having a job and no job.

Blessed Are The Unemployed

After the interview, days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months, yet I heard nothing from anyone.

It Is Wicked Not To Be Fruitful

I love the Bible for many reasons. One reason is because the Bible can be read metaphorically and understood literally. 

The Bible often uses the metaphor of fruit to describe the produce of our lives. If your life bears no fruit, you are regarded as wicked. 

The Call To Be Fruitful

To be fruitful is to be able to show progress in your career, your relationship/marriage, academic pursuit, business and of course your walk with God.

3 Things You Should Know Before You Quit Your Job To Chase Your Dreams

This past week has been one of the best weeks of my life. It's been like living in a fairytale world. I've literally seen my "little" dreams come true right before my beautiful eyes. It's been dramatic.

However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think I made a mistake quitting my job.

Before Chasing The Dream

I had a nice, well-paying administrative job with a thriving company. It provided a relaxed team atmosphere in which I worked with respected, cooperative colleagues. My office was not too far from home, I pretty much spent not more than N300 (Three Hundred Naira) daily on transport — yet, I was miserable and dreaded going to work after spending close to two years there.

8 Inspiring Quotes For Entrepreneurs By Mark Zuckerberg

I can almost bet you heard that Mark Zuckerberg, the 7th richest man in the world was in Nigeria last week. It was all over social media. Did you watch the Q and A? I think something big is about to hit Nigeria's IT industry pretty soon.

8 Things Mark Zuckerberg Said When He Visited Nigeria

As an entrepreneur, I can say one of the coolest aspects of being an entrepreneur in this digital era is having access to a ton of educational and inspirational resources that can accelerate success.

24 Quotes That Will Inspire You To Do "It" And Go For "It"

Hey sweethearts, can I share something exciting with you today? Okay, thanks . . . I will!

"Go For It" Quotes

If you are thinking about starting a blog, starting a new business venture (as an entrepreneur) or maybe even trying to reach a new fitness goal, you would find this VERY inspiring.