Perspective

Hello people!

Happy New Year ‘009. I had this interview with Lateef Olajide, an Internet Business Strategist. Lateef is a brain behind www.internetmarketingnigeria.com

Happy reading…..

SN: Please tell us about yourself, your background and interests?

Lateef: My name is Lateef Olajide. I am from Ogun State precisely, Abeokuta. I had my primary and secondary school education in Abeokuta. I found myself in Lagos sometime 1997 and since then Lagos has been my base.

I had a very VERY VERY humble background. I learnt how to feed myself and sibling while I was still in junior secondary school. After my secondary education I wanted to go to the university to study medicine just like my friend but couldn’t make it for some reasons. I stayed at home for couple of months after secondary school examinations. Eventually I found myself in a freight forwarding company in Lagos as an apprentice without my wish.

The company was full of greedy people so I couldn’t make it to the sea-port where the real action is to learn much. So I decided to take part time course in shipping to study import and export management. It is advance diploma course.

I made up my mind very early in my life that I am going to be an entrepreneur and create job for others here in Nigeria and will never leave this country until I become a millionaire. That exactly is what I am doing now. Making more money here in Nigeria than most of my friends that abscond to USA and UK years back.

SN: What is the name of your blog/start-up/company?

Lateef: The name of the company is NetProfits Limited.

SN: Please tell us about your blog/start-up/company?

Lateef: NetProfits Limited is an Internet Marketing company with only one goal. Which is helping individuals and business owners maximize usage of internet technology in growing their business or developing a new one.

SN: What is unique about your blog/startup/company?

Netprofits Ltd provides quality, hard-to-find, under-the-radar internet marketing, strategies, tools, resources and information with which business people and individuals can increase their net profits using new technology and media through one of our online products – http://www.internetmarketingnigeria.com

Also, we offer in a unique way, complete suite of eServices, tailored especially for small businesses and entrepreneurs. If you are looking for one partner for all you need to get your internet business going, or to enhance your existing internet presence, Net profits has what you need.

We also offer 120 minutes free internet marketing seminars every month, 1 day free client consulting session every Thursday, and several other free enlightening program in-house and in partnership with some companies in Nigeria, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.

SN: How many people are currently using your website services (e.g. feed readers, visitors)?

Presently, our main website InternetMarketingNigeria.com has a very loyal readership with over 6,000+ unique visitors per month (and over 14,000 page views) that are very focused in making money online, internet business opportunities, and internet marketing.

SN: What kind of marketing and/or advertising strategy do you use for your website?

Lateef: This is the amazing part of our business. Up-till- now we only use free marketing and advertising strategy. Word of mouth through free public events has been our major marketing tool. If people like us they will promote us. So we believe much in free publicity strategy.

SN: What are the main web technologies/tools you use to monitor the performance of your website?

Lateef: Simply Google analytics. It’s free and it’s great.

SN: What is the monetizing/revenue model for your website?

Email Marketing/advertising – we sell advertising spots on websites and through email to companies that have products/services that targets our audience.

Information Marketing – we also offer our visitors training materials in form of audio, video and print manuals.

Continuity marketing – we have few continuous membership based training program where users pay every month for quality information.

Public Speaking – we also speak at marketing and business event/seminars.

Consulting – we also offer several consulting services to private
clients on search engine marketing, social media marketing, viral
marketing, product creation and promotion etc

SN: Which websites are the main competitors in your market segment/sector?

Lateef: Non that is visible. Many are not really doing exactly what we are doing so we may not call them major competitors. At least for now.

SN: What challenges do you currently face as a web entrepreneur?

Lateef: Image – many companies outside this country don’t see the average Nigerian web user as a credible person. Though this doesn’t affect us much because of long relationship with key internet guys around the world. We always leverage our relationship when there is a problem.

Payment processor – Online and offline this is a big problem.

Internet connection – honestly on scale of 1 to 10 I can’t still give the service that we get in this country 4. It is still in infant stage. A lot of things need to be improved upon.

SN: What do you think of new startups and innovation coming out of Nigeria today?

Lateef: Honestly, it is a good thing. There are a lot of opportunities in this country. Only if government agencies promoting empowerment programs know. Whenever I see individuals or group starting a new project using this technology I am always happy. We are growing.

SN: What new Nigerian startups, in your opinion, should be watched?

Lateef: Naijamotivation.com, the guys are up to something.

SN: Do you have any thoughts on our Universities and their Curriculum in terms of promoting and encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation amongst students?

Lateef: I think it’s time key people in our education system review the school curriculum. In my opinion it should reflect what graduates will actually be able to make use of and not unnecessary outdated information. Also, if possible they should make entrepreneurship part of every course somehow. Because this country can’t depend on government anymore.

SN: What do you think the Government (both Federal and State) should do to improve the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria?

Lateef: It still boils down to the same thing. The environment is not friendly enough. Let government focus on provision of basic infrastructures. We have brilliant minds that won’t even care about government if they can have access to important basic infrastructures.

SN: Do you have any advice for people who want to launch new startups?

Lateef: Yes! They shouldn’t wait for when everything is in place to start. As NIKE says’ just do it. It’s just like a journey; things will unfold as you continue. Nigeria is still a virgin country full of opportunities.

SN: Do you have any business advisor/mentor?

Lateef: Yes. Many. Did you want me to name some of them?

1. Dr Sunny Obazu Ojeagbase (My Rich Dad) – publisher of success digest extra magazine.

2. Jim F. Straw – a US based multimillionaire mail order marketer.

And many more…..