Home Tutorial
Category:

Tutorial

Tutorial

Profitable Online Businesses in Nigeria – Dropshipping for Nigerians

by Teccchhy
written by Teccchhy

Many people are skeptical about starting online businesses because of the startup costs and the many difficulties involved with running a small business or making an investment in Nigeria. However, dropshipping is a highly lucrative and profitable business to start in Nigeria. It is simple to start, and you could operate your company from just about anywhere. In my own opinion, dropshipping is one of the most profitable online businesses in Nigeria right now!

Dropshipping is an extremely popular business model for new entrepreneurs, especially Millennials, due to their internet skills far outweighing their financial capacity. It is one of the best ways to get your entrepreneurship off to a flying start, with the potential to become a top business in Nigeria.

It provides an all-encompassing platform that lets you sell products to customers, set prices for your products and market your brand. What’s more, you do not have to worry about inventory and product fulfillment. Since you do not need to stock or handle the items you are selling, it is possible to start a dropshipping business with limited funds.

In this article, I will show you a simpler way to reap all the benefits of an online store with minimal work. This will cover what dropshipping is all about, why it is a brilliant business model, the difference between dropshipping and Mini importation, and how to select the best supplier for your dropshipping store. By the end, you will have a good grasp of how to start a top business in Nigeria that can compete with retail giants, and how to position yourself to reap the amazing benefits that the future of eCommerce holds.

What is dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment model that allows you to buy products individually from a wholesaler and have them ship directly to your customer. Instead of purchasing a large amount of inventory, you simply make contact with a dropship wholesaler or distributor that will ship products directly from their warehouse to your customers once you receive an order.

As part of your partnership, you and the dropship supplier will agree on a wholesale price for the products you want to list on your store. Once you have an agreement with the supplier, here is how dropshipping works.

  • The dropship supplier will give you access to their product images so that you can post them on your website, auction, blog or however you plan to sell online.
  • The customer will then place an order for an item on your online store and you receive the payment.
  • You go ahead to forward the order request and customer’s shipping details directly to your dropship supplier and pay the agreed wholesale price for the product.
  • Your dropship supplier packages and ships the order directly to the customer like it was shipped from your online store.
  • The difference between your selling price and the wholesale price is yours to keep as profit.

What this implies is that you have limitless access to a variety of products without ever having to stock any inventory whatsoever. In other words, you are essentially selling products made by, stored by, and shipped by someone else. Your main job is just to sell the products; this makes dropshipping very appealing for home-based online businesses.

Why dropshipping is a great business model

If you are able to secure quality dropship suppliers, dropshipping is an extremely attractive investment in Nigeria, because all you would need to startup is a computer and an internet connection. If you plan to get into a small-scale business in Nigeria with a low budget, dropshipping is the perfect stepping-stone, and then you may transition to other models when you are ready.

In addition to convenience, here are the reasons why dropshipping is a great business model.

Low Capital Requirement

If you had to start a physical store, you would have to invest a lot of money. One of the biggest advantages of dropshipping is that you do not need to sink hundreds or thousands of dollars in inventory.

All of your setup time will be spent building relationships and creating a great web presence, and since neither a large investment nor a heavy inventory is necessary, you are still able to sell an abundance of products to customers.

Easy to Setup

Setting up a dropshipping business eliminates the hassle of managing a storage facility and essentially involves finding the supplier, setting up your website and selling the goods. To anyone who aims to start a small scale business in Nigeria, this model is relatively easy to grasp and implement.

Low Overheads

Because you do not own any inventory, you do not have to make any extra payments for warehousing. The fact that your store is digital also means you do not require physical space. Your only fixed costs are what it takes to run your website, compared to what you would have to pay if you were to rent or buy a warehouse and office space, startup costs of dropshipping is nothing.

Significantly lower risks

In the event that your dropshipping business does not make enough sales, you do not lose anything, so there is very little pressure about having to sell your listed items. In other words, if things do not work out, you aren’t stuck with thousands in inventory you have to sell at a loss.

Mobility

For the reason that you do not have to worry about fulfillment, running a warehouse or paying employees, it is highly possible to run a dropshipping business from anywhere as long as you have a computer and an internet connection.

Huge product selection

You are able to offer a significantly larger variety of products to your customers when you do not have to pre-purchase all the items listed on your store. There are dropship suppliers for almost everything, and as a result, you would rarely ever find a product that cannot be dropshipped. You can rely on one great product or mix it up, it is all up to you. This makes it a highly lucrative business to do in Nigeria.

Scalability

Dropshipping affords you the option of starting as small as you wish and scaling up whenever you want to. By leveraging dropshipping suppliers (they will bear the majority of the work) you will not have to sink thousands of dollars into your store to raise it to the next level.

Who can start dropshipping?

The dropshipping business model’s ease of use and flexibility ensures that it is perfect for anyone interested in eCommerce, including startups. Given that it takes very little cash to start a dropshipping business, it is a great option for new eCommerce businesses and those looking for businesses to do in Nigeria without external support or capital.

Dropshipping is also perfect for those who want to test out a product or idea. In the event that you have trouble deciding if a new product or idea will resonate with your audience, a great way to see what people really want is by testing out a similar one with dropshipping.

People who want to sell a ton of different items without having them all in stock have the opportunity to do this with dropshipping. In addition, if you are looking to make extra income on the side to finance your secondary expenses, dropshipping is a great way to get some extra cash rolling in.

Dropshipping vs. Mini importation

Mini importation involves spotting the hottest products from platforms around the world like Aliexpress, 1688, and Alibaba, buying a few of these products and then selling them in your home country. While this model has become increasingly popular in a few African countries and one of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria, it requires that you buy and ship the physical items you purchased down to yourself, and this process makes the importation business in Nigeria take a significant amount of time.

The Dropshipping model, on the other hand, does not require that you buy the products upfront and store them, therefore you get to save a lot of time on shipping and warehousing expenses. In addition, while mini importation business in Nigeria requires that you pay for items upfront, dropshipping lets you set up your online store and attract traffic, which is all you would be concerned about.

How to select a great supplier for your dropshipping store

The dropshipping business model hinges on the supplier doing their job well and fulfilling orders efficiently and on time. Therefore, selecting a great supplier is the most important step towards setting up a trusted and successful dropshipping brand to become one of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria. You cannot afford to have a supplier who messes up orders as your business will be held responsible, so the key is to find someone who is trustworthy and willing to communicate about any issues they may be facing.

Keep these in mind when selecting your dropship supplier:

Get a dropshipper who is efficient and punctual with the shipping process.

Due to how competitive the market is, long shipping times are unattractive to potential customers, and it will be detrimental to your store’s goodwill to give customer’s delivery timelines that your suppliers cannot meet. Dropshippers who ship orders within a 48-hour period have found a great way to maintain customer happiness.

Get a dropshipper who provides high-quality products.

High-quality products are a no brainer for dropshipping as they yield a high level of customer satisfaction, which means a lower rate of customer returns. Product ratings and reviews also help to boost business success, so having products with top quality is imperative to your business’ future.

Get an experienced dropshipper with helpful sales representatives.

Any dropshipper who knows the pitfalls of dropshipping and how to handle them efficiently will reflect positively on your business. You would also need a sales rep who can answer all your product related questions on the team, in order to put your mind at ease.

Get a dropshipper who is good with technology.

You want to make sure that any dropshipper you choose has the technological abilities to keep up with the times. A time might come when you need to scale your business, and it would be terribly inconvenient if you have to sever ties with a decent dropshipper just because they cannot keep up with your growth.

Dropshipping on Shopify vs WordPress Woocommerce vs Bigcommerce

The decision has been made to set up your own dropshipping store, and you are unable to decide which eCommerce platform best suits your needs. Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce are in simple words, the best eCommerce platforms available on the market. Each comes with its own set of strengths and can potentially be the best solution for your dropshipping business. It is also worth mentioning that you can start your own store on these platforms without any help from designers and experts.

Here is a breakdown to help you decide which one is best for your dropshipping business:

Themes

WooCommerce offers over one hundred thousand themes and designs, with many of them being free. Shopify has 100s of storefronts with only 10 being free, while BigCommerce has a collection of 111 premium themes and 7 free themes.

Pricing and Scalability

WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin and a fully customizable platform that is highly scalable with reusable features and components. Shopify is subscription based and it starts at 29.99, while the pricing for BigCommerce starts at $29.95, and is quota-based.

Help and support

BigCommerce and Shopify offer real-time email, chat and phone support. WooCommerce, on the other hand, offers forum support, ticket support, and many online blog help.

SEO options

WooCommerce is based on WordPress, ergo it is SEO optimized and has additional plugins like Yoast SEO. BigCommerce also has SEO optimization, while Shopify has limited SEO support.

In the end, if you are looking to find the easiest way to start your dropshipping store, Shopify offers you the chance to do that with just a few clicks. WooCommerce and BigCommerce give you a lot more features but are not as easy to set up.

The future of eCommerce, how you can position yourself now

There are many brands looking to compete in the current eCommerce climate. These brands are looking for ways to differentiate themselves from the crowd, and as a result, it has never been more important to have a clear plan around your brand’s current and future positioning.

The effects that Amazon has had on the consumer and the retail industry is changing the way consumers research, plan, and shop. While your dropshipping store may not be on Aliexpress or Amazon’s level just yet, taking advantage of this powerful tool is key to ensuring your eCommerce business succeeds in the future. To position your dropshipping business for the future, you will need to be strategic in identifying a set of products or a niche that is trendy, or not so easy to find in stores or popular eCommerce platforms like Amazon.

Research is also integral to the success of your eCommerce store. You will need to look at who your competitors are and what they are doing. The research will help you identify better products to sell and give you a great understanding of how to start a successful online store. Investing in creating a great brand is also key. Also, eCommerce marketing is really essential to standing out from your competitors and generating sales.

Marketing your dropshipping business Facebook ads vs Instagram influencers

You are done with setting up your dropshipping online store, and the time has come to draw traffic to your store and products. Instagram influencers or Facebook ads, which marketing channel should you bet on?

Facebook ads allow you to target potential customers based on specific characteristics like location, demographics, interests, and behaviors. However, because there are so many options, there is the potential for it to become overwhelming. Also, you still have to handle the creativity of the ad, ensuring that your pictures, videos or text catches and holds your audience’s attention enough for them to click and trust.

On the other hand, Instagram influencers have control of the creative part of your marketing. They already have the trust of your audience and know how to speak to them. This gives you the leeway to focus on other metrics like sales and profits. However, influencers do not have the razor-sharp targeting of Facebook ads.

Marketing your dropshipping store on Facebook and Instagram will take concentrated time and effort. Each channel has its pros and cons, and you will have to tailor your campaign to suit your audience and platform needs. In the end, what you want to do is to adopt a marketing strategy that will bring in the highest levels of engagement to your dropshipping store.

Conclusion

Just like with any other successful business, setting up your own dropshipping store requires a certain level of passion, commitment and effort if you want to make it work. It would not just be about creating the business; you would also have to follow through with the plan and actively learn how to run it on a day-to-day basis. It goes without saying that to be extremely successful, you need to be innovative and deliberate in your choices of products, pricing, marketing and modes of delivery.

One of the best things about dropshipping is that you do not need to be an eCommerce professional to set up shop. You can learn by testing your products and ideas. If a product does not sell, stop promoting and wasting money on it.

Dropshipping allows for experimenting without incurring any major losses – This obviously gives business owners the confidence to say that they know how the industry functions. The fact that there is no upfront cost and very little risk makes the dropshipping model a no brainer for both eCommerce startups and existing businesses.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Tutorial

10 Best Android and PC Action Games for Girls

by Teccchhy
written by Teccchhy

Action Games for girls have evolved over the years. From the early gaming consoles that featured the usual dress-up games, dolls, make-up sessions and playhouse fares, games now build on strong female characters and problem-solving / coding challenges. Essentially, 21st-century mobile games for girls give large doses of skill building and adventures of protagonist/antagonist female role models.

Gaming for girls also has rich variety — there is something for girls of all ages, from pre-school toddlers to teenagers, with many of these games incorporating educational elements. To top it all up, these games are attractive enough to grab the attention of boys as well.

In no particular order, these are the top 10 Action games for girls:

Astronaut Doctor

The developers of this game seek the girl that has lofty ambitions for science and space exploration, rolled into one.

The game centers on the main female character, Yuri, who travels into space and time in her space shuttle. However, a crisis erupts when she is hit by a meteor, causing her injuries.

Now it is up to Yuri’s training and determination as well as the contributions of her computer companion, Rasputin, to tend her wounds in time to continue her interstellar mission.

Catch up on all the fun in Astronaut Doctor here.

Hair Expert (Action Games for Girls)

The Hair Expert is a game that touches on the part of body cherished by almost every girl- her hair. But it comes with a twist at every turn. First, there is an exclusive salon, complete with all the props needed to make beautiful hair- dryers, blowers, scissors, hair clips among others.

As a pro-stylist and manager, you are free to come up with as many styles as you can imagine. Your customer’s hair is your one true playground; start with a wash, choose engaging colors and select befitting style.

But remember that time is always the enemy and you only have so much of it to achieve a fabulous result for your client and you. The action starts here.

Slide Blast

This engaging action game for girls sports players competing to build the longest slide. Competitors will then ride those water slides to earn points and determine the best slider in the world. Bonus points are earned when girls go out of their ways to help others extend their slides. At the end of the game, a stunning water park will have been created for all to enjoy.

In addition to the regular tiles available for building, one can get the adrenaline pumping with several action tiles including high-speed tiles, Attraction Icon tiles as well as Tunnel exit tiles.

Overall, Slide Blast is a game that encourages and rewards cooperation and teamwork.

Virtual Mom

If you want your little girl to unearth her motherly instincts early, get her a copy of Virtual Mom. The game is set in a bustling urban neighborhood. Every day poses its own set of challenges and as a mom/ boss of the home, your duty is to rise above them and cater to the needs of the home. Remember, time is always biting at the heel and if you lag behind, so too will your family.

So, in a race against the clock, you must accomplish several tasks. Get the dishes done. Prepare breakfast and lunch for the kids.  Take care of the gardening. In the midst of all these, prepare for the element of surprise to add more twists and turns to your day. You earn more points as you progress through the various stages of the game.

In the end, it boils down to you earning the right to be called a super mom.

Maganic Wars

10 Best Action Games for Girls

Of all the action games for girls we have on this list, this game calls out to the warrior in every girl. With your deck of cards, learn strategy, outwit your opponents and emerge victorious at the end of the game. Choose the cards that give you meta-powers such as invoking metal shields, giving power shots and obliterating the enemy. There are loads of action steps to keep you busy throughout the course of the game.

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

Girls can look up to brave female heroes, as they battle their way through challenges and dangers, to fight for a cause and a belief. In Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, gamers can follow the adventures of the game’s central character Chloe Frazer.  She is tasked with the responsibility of recovering a fabled Indian artifact and keeping the treasure from the hands of a ruthless war profiteer.

However Chloe will need the help of another female character, a renowned mercenary called Nadine Ross. Together, they will venture deep into India’s Western Ghats mountain range to unearth the artifact, fend off the fierce opposition and do what they can to prevent the region falling into anarchy.

Shifty

This game is for girls who like fast-paced action, based on mysterious male characters. In this case, Mr. Shifty is your classic attraction:  a gun-adverse villain, who has powers of teleportation, with a good punch to boot. Follow him as attempts to storm buildings and knock out thieves and criminals with brute strength and his disappearing guile.

Watch out for twists and turns along the way too. Mr. Shifty’s path will be strewn with mines and other booby traps, as he navigates his way to higher levels during the course of the game.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda is another action-packed odyssey that promises to keep the attention of anyone with a knack for adventure. The game’s central character is Link, who awakens from a deep slumber to find himself in a mysterious world. Possessing the ancient artifact called the Shiekah Slate, Link must now call upon all his abilities and powers in ensuring its safety and his, as he battles past fierce opposition.

You can help him in his quest by selecting from an array of weapons that include spears, swords, boomerangs and even magic rods. Rest assured that there will never be a dull moment in the course of the game.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

You won’t move a muscle when playing Hellblade: Senua’ Sacrifice. Senua, the central character, comes across as a warrior who has to grapple with emotional/psychological burdens that include the death of her family. In a far-off land, covered with thick fog and mist, Sensua must do battle to suppress her inner demons and come to grips with her unquantifiable loss. In addition, she will also do battle with the Northmen, an army of berserkers that appear out of nowhere.

Sensua must put her feelings of grief aside and face this formidable enemy. She must draw on both her mental and physical abilities, in order to survive and head on through the land. You can obtain more information about the game here.

Tomb Raider

Of all the action games for girls we have on this list, this game gets the adrenaline pumping FASTER with fast and unadulterated action and scenes. The main character, Lara Croft is intelligent, athletic, elegant, fluent in multiple languages, and determined to fulfill her own goals at any cost. Follow her, as she finds herself shipwrecked and stranded on the land of Yamatai. This place has served as the scene of fighting, with the lives (souls) of soldiers from the US, Japan and the Axis German troops seeing wartime action there.

Lara Croft must confront these souls and as well as the elements in her quest to not only leave the Island but to strip as many tombs as possible of their treasure.

These are my best action games for girls. Which of these have you played and really enjoyed? Join the discussion and share your thoughts.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Tutorial

How to Become a Freelance Writer and Land Online Writing Jobs

by Teccchhy
written by Teccchhy

If you have crossed the proverbial Rubicon and have decided to take up freelance writing as a career, then you are not alone!

In fact Statistics from the Global Business Survey state that 54% of the workforce in 1,500 businesses around the world surveyed in 2012 will be online in 2017; In a related study, the number of freelance workers could increase to an impressive 40 percent of the global workforce by 2020, so do you want to learn how to become a freelance writer? Here is your guide.

As a consequence, competition for freelance writing jobs is keen and cutthroat. The following tips will come in handy if you want to succeed as a freelance writer online:

How to Become a Freelance Writer

Start writing – whatever and however you can

You may not have a column in a syndicated newspaper or some glamorous magazine, but there are other means to start your freelance writing career and start landing freelance content writing gigs.

Do you want to know the most practical place to start? From your blog. Not too long in the past, blogs were just a place where restless teenagers/young adults went to give vent to their emotions, sharing their innermost thoughts and personal views of the world.

Fast forward to the present, and you will find that blogging is among the top millennial business ventures, suitable for bringing in leads,  generating traffic and improving SEO ranking.

So if you have decided to pitch a tent with freelance writing and you want to start landing online writing jobs, go on and start a blog. There are a ton of materials that you can write about.

You could capture the latest industry news, share a short story or two, or give a recap of the latest news and happenings.

The overall aim is to start writing – however, and whenever possible.

In this way, your writing can attract the attention of potential clients, who can assess your skills and consider hiring you.

Write, write, write and then write some more!

If you have set your mind on becoming a freelance writer, and hope to land high paying freelance writing work, then you must carry out this one activity on a regular basis: Write!

Whether the day is fair or not, whether you are happy or gloomy, whether stock prices rise or fall; writing must remain a near constant on your daily to-do list.

Keep at that blog daily (or at some regular interval), and start creating samples of the content you’d like to create for potential clients – those who are actively looking for freelance writers.

If you ever get into a rut – and there will be days like that – you can still keep your writing muscles primed by subscribing to some online writing prompts, to keep the juices flowing.

Content mills and job boards that post freelance writing jobs for beginners are another real means of keeping your feet wet and your mind engaged.

Granted, the pay might not be fantastic, you can take consolation in the fact that you can build a portfolio of your best samples in no time, for future, potentially better-paying clientele.

Read, read, read and then read some more!

Do not be surprised that this tip comes right after the need to write. To become a successful freelancer, the next activity that you should engage in just as much as you write is reading.

Reading allows your imagination to explore and embrace the possibilities that exist in the present and the future.

Your reading strategy will depend on the kind of freelance writing you choose to do. You can read up materials peculiar to your niche. Or you can shore up your general knowledge inventory.

Why does this matter?

An illuminated mind influences the quality of your writings, which in turn results in getting satisfied customers. And a satisfied clientele will mean repeat transactions and multiple referrals to other potential individuals and businesses.

Run a website

If you have decided to become a freelance writer, then having a site is a big chunk of the puzzle. Consider that most of your engagements (writings) will take place remotely (except for rare occasions). It is only logical that existing and potential clients find you via the same means.

Here’s a catch.

A structured website gives your writing career digital mileage and visibility. Platforms like WordPress and other portfolio platforms are credible options for your website needs. They are simple and easy to use.

As you garner more experience and clients, you should also consider going for paid hosting sites as well to burnish your image further.

A typical functional website should contain elements such as your bio, a portfolio of your works as well as your contact details.

You could also obtain insight into the workings of SEO and rankings, to boost your web page statistics and make your site easier to find.

Blow your trumpet with self-marketing

No one can better publicize your skills and competence at freelance writing better than you. To get you started, you should begin advertising with friends and family. Tell them of your availability for their content creation needs and look at offering free services if the situation warrants.

Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms are your partners in progress. Create accounts on these sites using your professional media moniker to promote your work and reach out to potential clients.

Don’t leave out filling directories and other resource platforms (like some of the best freelance writing sites) with your full profile; you can never tell where opportunities may come from.

LinkedIn is another functional platform that can accelerate your freelance writing career. The platform comprises millions of professionals and thousands of businesses in dire need of content writing to boost their operations.

To take advantage of LinkedIn, fill your writer profile and provide a link to your writing samples and other relevant information.

Settle for a niche as soon as possible

At the beginning of a freelance writing career, you will often take on as many varied content writing jobs as possible.

The reasons for this approach are not far-fetched: you want to get your works in the marketplace and wherever writers are needed as quickly as possible, and you’d also want to make and keep new clients.

I can’t emphasize this enough.

You can only earn top dollar when you specialize in a specific industry or niche!

Your unique expertise will open the doors to commanding higher rates than you would if you remained as a general content writer. Your work becomes an authority in that specific field, thereby leading to premium payments.

The question is.

How do you make that transition into becoming a niche writer?

Well.

You could lean on specific cues and choose from something you’re passionate about or already have knowledge in.

Were you a music prodigy in school? Then you could look at churning out articles on music reviews and commentaries.

Do you have a flair for numbers and money matters? Zoom in on finance writing and associated topics.

Look.

In the long run, the more you deepen your knowledge in that specific niche, the more you would begin to enjoy writing content in that field.

As a result, your writing will get better and more clients will be willing to pay handsomely for your services.

Keep pushing yourself and quoting higher rates!

The famous axiom: The only thing constant in life is change- must manifest in your freelance writing.

Why does this matter?

Successful freelance writers always yearn for more: more challenging writing tasks and more significant projects; compelling them to improve their skills, get bigger, better plans, and make more money.

After you have begun writing and have stuck to it for a while, you should start applying for more competitive, higher-paying gigs.

That’s not all.

Reach out to businesses you would never have in the past; the worst that could happen is getting a rejection, which does not mean that the next company you contact will also refuse your proposition.

Always put your best foot forward, go out on a limb and do something that takes you away from any comfort zones.

Set a regular work schedule- and stick to it

This is a tip that you should you write boldly on a piece of paper and hang it on a visible spot on your wall.

Why?

One of the objectives of becoming a freelance writer is having the liberty of earning a living doing what you are passionate about – on your terms.

This means that you can and should set work hours that give you the freedom to pursue other hobbies/interests you would not have the time for if you worked at a 9 to 5 job.

The best part?

Setting a fixed work timetable for your freelance writing will keep you from burning out. Depending on whether you engage in freelance writing part or full time, creating and sticking to a schedule gives you a sense of organization especially when you work for some clients.

Keep tabs on your income

Becoming a successful freelance writer also entails keeping track on the revenue your services generate over a period. There are compelling reasons to take records of your earnings.

First, you can use income earned as one of the yardsticks in determining how far you have gone in your freelance writing career. Also, tracking your earnings prepares you for your tax payments as well as monitor your expenses.

Another key benefit of tracking your income revolves around motivating you to learn, grow, and increase your prices, while in the same breath you can stay accountable to yourself and make necessary adjustments to grow your business.

There are a ton of online resources available to help you in this regard, with some of them being as straightforward as inputting financial information in an Excel spreadsheet.

Form partnerships with other Freelancers

The global freelance trade is on the rise. Businesses outsource tasks like website design, freelance blogging jobs, freelance writing jobs, software programming, graphics design, video editing, and financial accounting et al to freelancers.

Here’s the catch.

As a freelance writer, you can take advantage of this demand by forming partnerships with other freelancers. It often turns out these professionals may also require content and write-ups for their projects. With a connection in place, you can position yourself to receive referrals and contracts to provide content for these other freelancers.

Work from Home Opportunities

One of the perks of working as a freelance writer is that you can choose to work from anywhere. So long as you have the basics such as a laptop and effective internet connectivity.

That’s not all.

An open space, a library or even from the comfort of your home; any location conducive enough is game. To begin the journey of getting freelance content writing gigs from home, you’d do well to check out these top freelance websites:

Problogger

Created in 2004, Problogger aims to help bloggers and writers obtain premium value from running a blog/website. The site works on listing work orders based on price range, job requirements, and type of contract available.

Problogger receives plaudits for providing opportunities for all; you do not have to be a native English speaker to get high paying jobs. Finally, you can sharpen your craft by accessing thousands of valuable writing resources available on the platform.

Blogging Pro

Blogging Pro is another credible option for freelance writers looking to work from home.

Note that the platform serves more established writers although beginners can sift through daily listings to find appropriate job descriptions.

On the BloggingPro site, you can choose from 8 separate job listings with many work-from-home opportunities.

One more thing.

The portal features a ton of materials to assist the development of writers on the platform, including the opportunity of submitting articles on the website.

All Freelance Writing

If you are a freelancer keen on the rates payable per job, then look no further than the All Freelance Writing platform.

The site works by displaying writing gigs along with payment sum and date.

With this feature you can, in a jiffy, scan through the available jobs on the listing and make your proposition based on price.

All Freelance writing also supports adverts and job postings from third-party sites; this means that you can select from a larger pool of jobs.

And if you are keen on getting the latest updates/information on gigs, then you can sync with the site’s RSS feed.

So can you boldly say you’ve found the answer to the topic of this article, how to become a freelance writer? Sharing this article with your friends is one way to say thank you!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Tutorial

The Complete Guide to Using DStv in Nigeria 2018: DStv Mobile, Packages, Subscription, Contact, Channel List and More

by Teccchhy
written by Teccchhy

If you are privileged to take an aerial tour (probably in a helicopter) of many Nigerian cities, at low altitude, you sure can’t miss one feature of many buildings: satellite dishes; and don’t be surprised that a good number of these dishes are operated by arguably the largest terrestrial satellite Services provider on the African continent, Multichoice Africa (operating in-country as Multichoice Nigeria, with the brand name, DStv).

Since the inception of its operations in Nigeria in 1995, DStv Nigeria has transformed into the most competitive satellite cable TV providers in the country. With an increasing customer base in the millions, DStv offers an interactive viewing experience that provides quality content for families, individuals, businesses, movie buffs as well as sports lovers among other audience categories!

And it all begins with the DSTv Nigeria website; it is a fully interactive and simple to use platform that lets you into the world of premium TV satellite services, all at the click of a button.

So if you want to know more about all the things Multichoice DStv Nigeria offers, let’s head over to the user guide below:

DStv Decoder types and Prices

It all begins with the DStv Nigeria decoder, that device that enables you to access all the quality viewing that’s associated with Multichoice.

So we take a look at the hardware you’d need to enjoy DSTv’s exciting range of bouquet services. Referred to as decoders, here are the various options available:

DStv (single view) HD decoder

This decoder might be compact, but it offers great functionality. It not only gives high-quality pictures but also comes with interactive apps and user- friendly menu applications.

Users can also access other exciting features like Xtraview, parental restrictions as well as front panel control buttons.

DStv Explora decoder

With this decoder model, users enjoy greater functionality. For starters, viewers can record the entire session of a movie or series by pressing on the ‘’i” button on the device’s remote control. The Explora’s remote control comes with a PVring button. With this feature you can catch every bit of action by rewinding, pausing or fast-forwarding your favourite program.

With the Explora, users can also enjoy parental control, personalise their viewing experience, conduct instant searches for programs and shows as well access DStv box office which connects to the internet, emailing various viewers to download missed programs.

Although the Explora will cost top naira, most people find that it is worth every kobo.

DStv Bouquets/Packages, Subscription Prices, and available DStv Channels

Now is the time to dive into the various suites of packages offered by DStv. The pay TV giant has robust plans and pricing packages for just about any individual or group! Are you excited already? Then let’s take the tour without further ado:

DStv Access Package

So let us begin with this vital piece of information: this package will set you back starting at only N1, 900 a month! Yes, for that amount, users can access over 80 engaging channels, belting out quality entertainment/information that appeals to a wide variety of audiences.

From categories ranging from audio/radio services to documentaries and movies, all the way to children programming/lifestyle and culture, the DStv Access bouquet indeed offers way more than the monetary value it goes for. Before we leave, check out the following channels available under DStv Access: Africa World Magic, Africa Hausa, Nat Geo Wild (for all lovers of nature), Al-Jazeera, CNBC Africa, Hip TV, and BBC World News among many others.

DStv Family Package

Consider this scenario in a home: Daddy wants some football action, but the kids are pleading for some time to catch up with their favourite cartoon. Mother is on the fringes; she insists she has a food show she needs to watch to upgrade her culinary skills. It seems like a conundrum of some sort, right? Then let the DStv Family package come to the rescue, at a tidy sum starting N3, 800.

The Family Package comprises a larger pool of channels compared to the Access Package. In addition to obtaining more quality entertainment, family members can choose to enjoy programs as a whole or switch over to individual interests, with the help of the Explora decoder. The list of over 100 channels includes heavyweights like Nickelodeon, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, Nat Geo Wild/Documentaries, E! Entertainment Television, Discovery Family, CBS Reality and Sony Entertainment Television among others.

The DStv Compact Package

The DStv compact package comes with a rich blend of quality viewing across many channel options. At 147 channels, the family stays glued to their Television. This entertainment bouquet comprises extensive offerings of local programs coupled with tons of viewing material for kids. Starting at N6,300 per month, users can tune in and watch engaging content on Radi France International, BBC African Languages, BBC World Service, Disney XD,  DMX Light Classical,  Nicktoons,  National Geographic Channel, Universal Channel, ROK, Trace Naija, CCTV4 among other exciting stations on DStv Nigeria.

DStv Compact Plus Package

With a hundred and sixty-six channels, the DStv Compact plus package gives patrons certain bragging rights not found in the other categories of subscriptions. These rights include access to an additional score of quality programming distributed among info-entertainment genres. The channels include DMX-Hard Rock, DMX Alternative, DMX-Groove Lounge, DMX-Classic R&B, Disney Junior, Crime and Investigation, FOX Life, Ebony Life, Sony Max as well as AfricaMagic Epic Movies.

Lest I forget, subscribing to this bouquet will set you back starting at N9, 900 every month. However, you can be sure that it is money well spent for you and your family!

DStv Premium Package

Did I save the best for the last? I sure did! With the Premium package, users enjoy an unrivaled and pleasurable viewing experience, over a broad spectrum of programs and channels. In this supercharged package, get ready for non-stop action from over 173 channels including 11 local and 12 sports channels.

The list of channels covers CCTV Documentary and Crime Investigation Network. For lovers of sports, you can watch the following channels to your heart’s delight:  SuperSport 1, SuperSport 2, SuperSport 6, SuperSport 9, SuperSport 4, SuperSport 11(HD/SD) as well SuperSport 12.

To get and enjoy this fantastic bouquet option, you’ll have to pay around N14, 700 as monthly subscription charges.

DSTV Customer Care Channels and Contact Details

DStv anticipates that there are instances where users have complaints or need to make enquiries about its terrestrial satellite services. You can reach out and get heard through the following channels:

  1. Head over to the company’s Social Media Handles at https://www.facebook.com/dstvng and http://www.twitter.com/DStvNg.
  2. You can make telephone enquiries by calling +234 8039003788 and +234 12703232.
  3. Do you prefer electronic correspondence? DStv has got your back, and you can reach Customer Service by sending an email to [email protected].
  4. If you have got some time and would like a physical meeting with a customer care representative, then you can head to the MultiChoice Nigeria Limited offices, Plot 1381, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Note that the company also works with partners and distributors who can also attend to your needs and enquiries. For a comprehensive list of the nearest dealers, please head over here.

DStv Self Service Options

Do you want to know what’s better than DSTv’s customer service channels? The ability to perform routine tasks or troubleshoot problems on your own first before you seek assistance from the firm. At the heart of this possibility is the DStv Self Service Option.

The self-service platform is a brilliant interface that allows users to make payments for their preferred bouquet, fix error codes and messages from their decoders, set-up a viewing bouquet and find the nearest installation agent among other sundry tasks.

With the self-service option, users have the tools to make changes to their viewing experience while on the DStv Nigeria satellite subscription platform.

Making payments for bouquet Options

Paying for your DStv Nigeria package is as simple as counting 1, 2, 3.  All the user needs to do is send “PAY” and the smart card number of the decoder as an SMS to 30333 for customers resident in Nigeria. For other subscribers across Africa, click here to enter the details of smartcard number for your decoder and country and follow the instructions to pay online.

DStv also makes payment from banks in Nigeria possible. Visit this page to see a comprehensive list of banks and other payment methods.

DStv Mobile App (Viewing experience on the go)

In this present age, many people carry out a host of activities while moving from place to place. Dstv understands this need and makes available DSTV Nigeria mobile app for smartphones and other compatible devices.

With the DStv mobile app, users can stream live TV, catch up on movies or series, and also download other exciting programs to watch them offline, at a later time. The beautiful part is that the DStv mobile app is free on both the Google play store and iStore and enjoys compatibility with a wide range of devices.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Tutorial

Top Freelancing Websites That Accept and Pay Nigerians in 2019

by Teccchhy
written by Teccchhy

I shared an article on freelancing in Nigeria some days back, and interestingly, that came on the heels of me getting published…abi na featured? On techpoint.ng. Well sha, I was really happy to hear your feedback, and honestly, that was all I needed to share more articles with you. You might also want to check out this article on freelancing.

This is one of the most asked questions among Nigerians online, I have been in that position when I just needed a great freelancing website to work with. I have worked with all these freelancing websites and I still work with some, so you might want to take a closer look at them based on their ranking (I ranked them based on ease of use). So, without further ado, let’s get to our list.

Upwork.com

It’s the first, it’s the biggest and it’s the best. If you need a freelancing website that accepts everyone, you don’t have to look any further. Upwork was formerly Odesk. I started working on this freelancing website part-time in 2015, later that year they changed to Upwork, and ever since the 21st of September 2017, I have been working on this freelancing website fulltime.

Upwork has over 1.5 million clients, do you know what that means? Enough jobs for everyone. On average, a new job is posted every second, which means over 1440 jobs a day. Upwork offers you hourly and fixed rate projects, and that means you all have something for your skill level.

Upwork has one of the strongest anti-spam and anti-crime systems I know of. The company goes as far as conducting video interviews to verify the identity of freelancers, so you had better not even try using images of foreigners. They also request for identification, so you also might be better off using your real credentials.

For Nigerians, Upwork even offers you an option of withdrawing your funds to Nigerian banks, and with payment wahala out of it all, I think 60 percent of your problem is solved.

The problem, though is the other 40 percent. Just as the website boasts of a massive client base, it also boasts of a massive freelancer base. That means that people competing for specific jobs are really many, and that makes it really hard for starters to get jobs. In a future article, I wouldn’t mind sharing tips on how you can earn more using Upwork.

Overall, I will choose this over the others on this list. Feel free though to request for free consultation, I wouldn’t mind helping you if your profile has not been approved.

Fiverr.com

Offering you services in form of gigs, Fiverr reduces the stress of clients by making it easier to hire, freelancers. All clients need to do is buy your gig, and that’s all you ever need. You deliver the gig, they approve and you get paid.

Fiveer pays to your Payoneer card, and that’s a plus for Nigerians. One thing I really hated with Fiverr was the fact that payments take close to two weeks to clear. I remembered selling my online store, then waiting so long for the company to allow me to receive my money, and this was after all the deductions that they had to make.

If you are a newbie, Fiverr may not be the best bet if you need quick money as the website doesn’t really favor first-timers, so you might have to be patient in the long run.

Toptal.com

I have been in the writing field, so I have not been able to try this company because they do not offer jobs for my skillset. They basically cater to top-class freelancers in software developing, designing and finance, and these are all world-class talents.

So if you haven’t tried your hands well in your industry, you might find it best to stay off Toptal.com for the time being.

Toptal boasts of clients who are ONLY there to source top talents, so if you manage to scale through the rigorous screening, you might be having a really big cake seating in front of you.

Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com offers you millions of projects, just like Upwork, but for some reason, I wouldn’t encourage Nigerians to join it. In contrast to Upwork, Freelancer.com charges you to take skill tests, Freelancer.com is also not a place for a newbie to start.

I want to understand that most of you reading this article are complete newbies, but if you’re not, and if you’re confident in your skills and you’re competitive, you might want to give this freelancing website a trial.

The website has a really lackluster control of fraud on its platform as far as I know, and that’s one thing that drove me a mile away, but working on this and improving freelancer satisfaction will make this freelancing website stand out. With your Payoneer account, you will be able to receive your earnings, so nothing beats it.

Guru.com

Guru has been around for as long as I can remember. One of the things that drove me away was the really complicated registration process.

Guru makes it really easy for you to showcase your past work experience, and it offers you daily jobs that match your skills, so you never have to worry about missing jobs that match your skills and experience.

With the Guru Work Room, you’ll find managing your work a breeze, and interestingly, you will be able to receive payments with ease.

99designs.com

99designs.com is targeted at designers mainly, and it has been doing really great underground. 99designs has raised the bar by niching down. Clients looking for designing gigs know where to go, and nothing is better than that.

CGTrader 3D Projects

The next platform we’ll look at is the CGTrader 3D Projects. This is a freelance 3D modeling platform being operated by CGTrader. It comes as the world’s largest single source of licensable 3D content. The company simply connects freelance 3D designers and design studios to clients from all around the world and facilitates a process that makes working on your 3D modeling jobs pretty exciting.

You get to work with clients from different industries, from retail to animation, gaming to architecture, and 3D printing. If you deliver outstandingly, clients often find it easy to retain you and use your skills to complete other 3D jobs. The company also allows top 3D designers to join the CGTrader Designer Partners program which seeks to connect these select freelancers to the top Fortune 500 companies, giving them a steady flow of work and pay.

Feel free to share your questions and challenges using these platforms. I will be happy to get you started on your freelancing journey.

Also, share this post on social media, you might get it in front of other freelancers who are better than I am, you sure need all the help you can get at this point.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail