I
thought she would name Linda Ikeji as her best blogger? #rollingmyeyes
Popular blogger Laila Ijeoma in a
recent newspaper interview with Nigerian
Tribune opened up on her childhood experience, how she became a
popular blogger and some advise for upcoming bloggers.
The
FUTO Chemical Engineering graduate said that the Germany based blogger Stella
Dimokokorkus has had the greatest influence on her. The mother of three boys also
spoke on combining the role of a motherhood, blogging and banking profession. I
am inspired!
Read the excerpt as you scroll
down…
Laila
Ijeoma, a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of
Technology, Owerri, Imo State, is a banker and blogger. In this interview with
TOYIN KOMOLAFE, the mother of three boys, speaks on how she has been combining
banking and blogging with motherhood as well as what it takes to be a
successful blogger. Excerpts:
Can
you tell us how you got into blogging?
I actually started blogging as a
joke. I wasn't looking for money because I
was already gainfully employed. All I wanted was an outlet to share my
life with people, inspire them with my stories because sincerely, I've gone
through a lot of crazy stuff. And when I look back, see how far I've come and
the success I've had so far despite the drama, I am thankful.
My big dream has always been to
have a top Nigerian talk show. So I first started out with a show on radio. I
eventually had to put it on hold because it was so demanding. Being married,
mum to 3 boys, working too, there was a lot to do in just 24 hours everyday and
the whole schedule nearly 'killed' me. So I dropped the radio show. Along the
line, I discovered blogging. A close friend ran a blog. He introduced me to his,
I realized I could reach out to people through it with so less stress. I told
him I would love to have mine and he helped me set it up. I didn't even take it
serious then.
•You
are a banker, mother and blogger who regularly updates her blog, it is amazing!
How do you combine all these roles?
www.lailasblog.com delivers all the latest
Nigerian breaking news. How do I do it? Passion, time management and God. Passion; because I enjoy what I do so much that I don’t even
see blogging as work at all. I have a routine that comfortably accommodates all
my responsibilities. It gets crazy at times but God has been so faithful.
Out
of all the bloggers in Nigeria, who will you say has the greatest influence on
you?
I love Stella Dimoko Korkus. We
do have different blogging styles but she is my best blogger friend. I love
her.
Your
blog is one of the top 100 blogs in Nigeria, how were you able to achieve this
feat in less than two years?
To be a top blogger, you must be
a doer. I blog everyday, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You have to do
that to succeed. I also have the most awesome readers ever. These guys actually
go out there and introduce their friends and family, everybody to my blog. They
have my back. Then my content.
The real truth about blogging is
that it is a brutal place. Lions kill for food, in the blog world, you will
meet people whose goal is to kill you mentally for sport, especially if you are
doing so well. You can’t let them win. To be a top blogger, you are not allowed
to give up.
How
rewarding will you say blogging is?
Owning a top blog is the best
thing that can happen to a blogger. The rewards will blow your mind! The
monetary gains are already obvious. You get lots of free stuffs. People just
call you up. They want to advertise with you and they are handing out their products
and services to you for free. But here is the best reward - You are recognised
as a voice that can start a change. You are respected. People want to read what
you have to say about a situation.
Readers are addicted to your blog that they wake up in the morning and
can’t wait to read what is on Laila’s Blog today. You get to work comfortably
from home. As a blogger, what more can you ask for?
What
motivates you as an individual?
Desire to do all I can to inspire
someone. To make them see beyond the difficulties they are currently
facing and dare to dream big. My readers
are part of my extended family. That’s how I see them. Passion to see them and
more people around me conquer their problems and succeed are what drives me.
What
is your best moment on the job?
Recently, I had to help a reader
who was so depressed and was considering suicide. I can never forget that
experience.
Do
you see yourself quitting banking for blogging in the nearest future?
Time will tell. For now, my job
is taking good care of me.
Advice
for the youth
The life of a top blogger is
awesome! There is a formula you can follow to become a top blogger but you must
be brutally honest with yourself. You must know what your true motive is. What
value do you have to give to your readers? Getting rich as a top blogger in
your niche is tough and you will have to be mentally tough too. Take action
everyday and stay focused for the long haul. Remember, “The harder you work,
the luckier you get.”
What
is that thing we don’t know about Laila?
I’m my parents’ first child. Three years before I got married in 2008, I read a
book entitled “How to Get Married in One Year.” It was given to me by my dad
and that book changed me. I also used to weigh 90kg after my third baby, now I
weigh 64kg, my body weight before I even got married. I am also one of those
kids that are good in Sciences - I actually had A1 in Chemistry, Physics,
Biology, Maths and Igbo (five A1s) but I found my passion in the Arts department. My life principle is
“Do unto others as you would want done to you.”
Can
you tell us childhood experiences that shaped who you are today?
I grew up with a dad that gave me
motivational/self help books to read on a weekly/monthly basis. So, even before
my 20th birthday, I already knew my life’s purpose and had made goals for
myself.
There
are a million and one entertainment blogs, what will you say is the unique edge
for your blog?
Apart from the daily breaking
news, my content is centred around people›s personal lives. I have two very interesting
weekly competitions that no one can afford to miss — Laila’s Blog Most
Fashionable Reader of the Week” and “Laila’s Blog Finest Face Faceoff”. My
beautiful, handsome, fashionable readers send me their photos. We put three of
them up, readers get to pick the most fashionable or finest face from the
competitors and the winner gets a prize.These free shows come up every Saturday
8am on the blog and they are so much fun. I also have “Blog Reader Needs Your
Advice” columns.
Buzor, don't worry yours is coming...
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