SkillHer meets August recap

On August 30th, 2024, SkillHer Meets 8.0 ignited a wave of inspiration and empowerment through a dynamic session featuring Akindele Ajibola, popularly known as "That Ajibola Girl" or "Sisi Ibadan." The event, held at LMP Space, FavosBuilding, Bodija, Ibadan, started at 3:00 PM and showcased Ajibola’s insights into the world of marketing and influencer strategies.

 

Spotlight on Ajibola

She is a seasoned mass communicator, linguist, actor, and serial entrepreneur with a deep understanding of marketing and customer acquisition who began her career as an On-Air Personality at Naija FM Ibadan and Immaculate TV, where she developed a keen sense of audience engagement and media marketing. Her transition into teaching revealed her passion for working with children and teenagers, leading her to establish the Kids and Teens Initiative. This non-profit organization focuses on providing hygiene kits to boys and girls, a venture that required strategic marketing efforts to reach and impact a broad audience.

 

Returning to the media industry, Ajibola leveraged her expertise in marketing to excel as an event compere and red carpet host, where she effectively captures and holds audience attention. Her skill in customer acquisition is also evident in her acting career, having successfully marketed herself in a number of movies and commercials, expanding her personal brand and influence.

 

Introduction

The event opened with an overview of the SkillHer Initiative, emphasizing the importance of knowledge-sharing among women in business and career development. Attendees were warmly welcomed and encouraged to network, share their business or career journeys, and seize opportunities to form valuable partnerships. There was also a dedicated spotlight session where participants pitched their businesses, expanding the collaborative atmosphere.

 

The Interactive Session with Akindele Ajibola

Akindele Ajibola commenced her session with a brainstorming activity that challenged participants to reflect on their understanding of marketing. She then delved into defining key concepts of marketing and customer acquisition, breaking them down into practical, actionable steps.

 

Marketing Essentials

Ajibola stressed that successful marketing begins with a clear understanding of one’s target audience. She encouraged businesses to:

Identify their consumers: Knowing who your audience is, their pain points, and preferences is critical for effective marketing.

Leverage digital marketing: Social media, particularly platforms like Instagram and X, are vital for reaching broader audiences.

Master content marketing: Ajibola emphasized creating engaging content and utilizing sponsored ads to amplify reach.

Build partnerships: Cultivate relationships and mutual respect with collaborators in your industry.

Optimize your website: Ensure it’s user-friendly, frequently updated, and accessible to all potential customers.

Use data analytics: Tracking and understanding data can help tailor marketing strategies for maximum impact.

Her approach was highly practical, illustrating how businesses can build a sustainable and loyal customer base through consistent and authentic engagement.

 

Mastering Customer Acquisition

Ajibola also highlighted crucial strategies for acquiring and retaining customers:

Be jovial and approachable: Customers gravitate toward businesses that reflect positivity and accessibility.

Convince your customers: Effective sales require a blend of knowledge and persuasion.

Master sales pre-action and targeting: Develop a clear understanding of who your product or service is for and tailor your messaging accordingly.

Develop a strong value proposition: Clearly articulate the unique value that your business offers, making it irresistible to your audience.

Utilize multiple social media platforms: Maximize reach by maintaining a presence across different platforms, ensuring your brand stays visible and relevant.

 

While providing feedback on the event, one of the participants 'Goodness Inuoma' recounts 

how she learnt so much about marketing and how she can build her business into a well known brand.

Conclusion

The session was an interactive exchange of ideas, with Ajibola’s real-world insights providing attendees with valuable tools to elevate their marketing efforts and customer acquisition strategies. Through actionable steps and a solid emphasis on the importance of relationships, both digital and human, SkillHer Meets 8.0 equipped young women with the knowledge needed to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape.

The event was a testament to SkillHer’s mission of empowering women through education, connection, and shared experience, making it a truly impactful session for all who attended.