In today’s digital age, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a tough time creating content that resonates with their target audience. They lack the specialized skills needed to craft compelling content. As a result, they often find themselves struggling in the competitive digital ecosystem, where captivating content is key to capturing attention and driving engagement.
As the challenges of content creation persist for SMEs, it becomes increasingly evident that innovative solutions are needed to level up their playing field.
From February 24th to 26th, 2024, the SHENi workshop unfolded. Led by Salamatu Adamu, CEO of Sals Epiphany Studio, in collaboration with Startup Kano and others, this project aimed to empower women-led small businesses with crucial skills of visual presentation, product photography, and effective content creation. “SHENi” symbolizes the project’s essence, representing the ‘She Commerce Nigeria Initiative.’
Before jumping into the SHENi workshop, let’s grasp some of the significance of visual presentation, product photography, and effective content creation.
Visual Presentation:
- First Impressions: Visual elements are often the first things potential customers notice. A well-crafted visual presentation can create a positive and memorable first impression.
- Brand Identity: Consistent visual presentation reinforces brand identity. It helps customers recognize and remember a brand amidst the vast array of options.
- Communication: Visuals can convey complex messages quickly and effectively, making it easier for the audience to understand the essence of a product or service.
Product Photography:
- Showcasing Products: High-quality product photography allows businesses to showcase their offerings in the best light, providing customers with a clear view of what they can expect.
- Building Trust: Professional product photos instill confidence in potential buyers. When customers can see products clearly, they are more likely to trust the business and make a purchase.
- Elevating Brand Perception: Exceptional product photography contributes to the overall perception of a brand. It reflects a commitment to quality and attention to detail.
Effective Content Creation:
- Engagement: Content that is well-crafted and engaging captures the audience’s attention and encourages them to spend more time interacting with a brand.
- Educating Consumers: Content can serve as a valuable tool for educating consumers about products or services. It helps in highlighting unique selling points and features.
- SEO and Visibility: Search engines favor high-quality, relevant content. Effective content creation can improve a website’s search engine ranking, leading to increased visibility and Traffic
Mastering these skills is vital for businesses, shaping how they present themselves and connect with their audience.
The three-day workshop was full of insightful discussions and practical learning experiences.
Day 1 focused on the general concept of branding, where participants delved into understanding brand identity, values, and storytelling, with hands-on exercises using Canva to create visual elements.
Day 2 explored the art and science of photography, covering various techniques and principles to capture compelling images.
Day 3 Day was all about product photography, providing participants with the skills to showcase products effectively through photography. Below are the shots made by the beneficiaries.
It was truly a wonderful experience, full of interactions and opportunities for creative exploration
SHENi Seminar
The three-day workshop was followed by a seminar on the 27th of February. Invited among the SHENi Seminar guests were Maryam Abbas A, Bichi arpa, an expert Digital Marketer. She gave insights about Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing, and Ecommerce Marketing. Maryam is famous as ‘Hausa Social Media Coach.’ Aside from just the expert business insights, she reflected a deep passion to help businesses excel and see the community prosper and grow.
Not least, Nasir Muhammad, an experienced creative designer and the Founder of design studio M. Naseer, also beamed at SHENi Seminar. He shared lots of creative tips for the digital space.
Salamatu didn’t stop at just organizing a 3-day workshop and seminar. She went further and created something even bigger: The Epiphany Magic Book, the first handbook of its kind in Africa. This book covers everything small businesses need to know about showcasing their products and taking great pictures. It’s a big deal because with the Epiphany Magic Book, small businesses can improve their online presence without relying on outside help. They can make their products look amazing and draw in more customers.
Expressing her feelings about all the support she got, Salamatu exclaimed, “I’m really happy about the partners that I have for this project; shoutout to Northino, Startup Kano, e-Health, Impact Ventures, and Anatomia Limited”.
Looking ahead, it’s exciting to announce that the workshop will also take place in Abuja on the 2nd-5th of May 2024, offering even more SMEs the opportunity to enhance their digital presence and achieve success in their businesses.
