Twitter is one of the top social media platforms to keep up with the latest trends and conversations. It provides and encourages communication between multiple parties in a public forum, allowing you to get instant feedback from customers and potential clients.
You may already be using Twitter on a daily basis to follow your favorite brands and take part in trending conversations. But what about using Twitter for your business?
I really do hate to be the one to break it to you but growing a business in Nigeria was never going to be a comfortable journey. Recent events have sparked the need to make a few changes.
On Friday, June 4, 2021, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, announced the indefinite suspension of Twitter in the country.
The Twitter ban in Nigeria could also affect the country’s economy. Consequently, investor confidence would weaken, and there’d be a negative impact on development.
We examine how this ban could affect Nigeria’s business and What you can do.
Table of Contents
Effect On Nigerians
Influencers
Over the past few years, the influencer marketing space in Nigeria has grown so much that almost anyone with dedicated followers could snag deals with organizations looking to extend their reach.
Though some influencers — mostly lifestyle — use Instagram more, Twitter is the primary platform for most of them.
While the organisations that work with them can easily use other channels for their marketing activities, it could be harder for them to do the same.
Also, while they may be able to afford VPN services, their followers who keep them in business may be unable or reluctant to do so. Either way, this does not end well for these influencers.
Freelancers
The increase in Internet penetration has increased the number of people making a living off the Internet, specifically social media.
From social media managers to content creators and product photographers, thousands of Nigerians have created careers off these platforms. This ban puts their sources of livelihood at risk.
Startups
Nigeria’s startup scene has experienced tremendous growth in a short time, with $3,77.4 million raised in 2019, although that figure fell to $120.6 million in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This has resulted in jobs for a significant number of people and revenue in the form of taxes for the government.
However, this ban puts all of that at risk. For most startups, their businesses depend, in some part, on social media.
Without access to social media to run marketing campaigns or build relationships with their customers, businesses would take a hit.
Political stability is one of the factors that investors consider while making investment decisions. By banning Twitter and directing the NBC to start licensing OTT services in the country, investors are not likely to jump at the opportunity of investing in Nigerian startups depriving the country of much-needed investments.
Merchants
Small and medium enterprises are vital to the growth of any economy, frequently providing as much as 60-70% of the economy with jobs.
Many SMEs have leveraged the Internet, especially social media, for business activities such as marketing and customer service. The number of vendors on Twitter and Instagram is a testament to this.
While these businesses could move to other platforms, their posts might not gain as much engagement as Twitter provides.
What You Can Do
#1. Get a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Many Nigerians are scrambling to download VPNs after the country’s authorities blocked access to Twitter on Saturday.
VPN means virtual private network. It encrypts your internet traffic and identity, making it difficult for you to be traced by third parties.
With VPN, Twitter users can bypass the blockade and then use the app. But VPNs present dangers of their own.
The Best Free VPNs of 2021
- Hotspot Shield – Best Free VPN for Windows and Mac Users.
- Surfshark – Best Free VPN Overall.
- ProtonVPN – Best Free VPN with Unlimited Data Usage.
- TunnelBear – Best Free VPN for Beginners.
- Windscribe – Best Free VPN for the Security.
VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and disguise your online identity. This makes it more difficult for third parties to track your activities online and steal data. The encryption takes place in real-time.
#2. Multi-Channel Retailing
Multi-channel retailing is a business strategy that offers your customers different sales channels to purchase from you. The most common types of sales channels typically include physical stores, Websites (online stores), or eCommerce platforms like Woocommerce, third-party marketplaces such as Amazon, social media platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, and Instagram, and mobile applications for shopping on the go.
Benefits:
- Better revenue.
- More ways to buy from you.
- Collect valuable data on customer purchases
#3: Get a Website
If you’re a business owner on the fence about creating a website, I’ll save you some time—you need one. A good one. A professionally designed, lead-catching, sales-increasing, brand-differentiating website.
Why You Need a Website No Matter Your Industry
- 30 PERCENT OF CONSUMERS WON’T CONSIDER A BUSINESS WITHOUT A WEBSITE
- PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING FOR YOU ONLINE
- THE MAJORITY OF CONSUMERS USE WEBSITES TO FIND AND ENGAGE WITH BUSINESSES
- COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS IN EVERY INDUSTRY ARE INFLUENCED BY DIGITAL WEBSITE CONTENT
- 75 PERCENT OF CONSUMERS ADMIT TO MAKING JUDGMENTS ON A COMPANY’S CREDIBILITY BASED ON THE COMPANY’S WEBSITE DESIGN
By figuring out what kind of website you need, you can effectively attract the audience you want. A well-defined marketing plan, coupled with strong design decisions, can lead to more money in your pocket. The lead-generation and sales website are focused on generating leads and sales through its online presence.
