#OAP101 Hashtag it!

What is your favourite hashtag to use?

Hashtags are an important part of living and dealing on social media. Whether as a way of joining or starting a conversation, they help your posts (and therefore, you) to be seen.

Improper use of hashtags however can do more harm than good. For example, if you break one of the hashtag rules, you may find people skipping over your posts, and a platform like Instagram could even 'shadowban' you, making it hard for your posts to be discovered.

What are some of these Hashtag sins?
- Putting the 'hash' key in the wrong place. Always #OAP101 and not OAP101#
- Using too many hashtags. While on Instagram, you can get away with up to 30 hashtags, on Twitter and Facebook, you want to do fewer tags; maybe 1 or 2, 3 maximum.
- Putting them all over the place. While it is okay to sometimes hashtag a word in the middle of a sentence, it can make your captions look clumsy. Instead of a sentence like, 'This is the #OAP101 #blogpost for #today', write the sentence first, THEN place the hashtags below or after the caption.
See an example here.

Now that we have covered some of the sins, what makes for a great use of a hashtag?

1. Unique hashtags
You need a unique hashtag for your brand, like how we have #OAP101. I also have #ShopTosyn and #TosynBucknorDaily.
This one is simply for your brand and you can ask your followers to use it for posts they want you to see or repost

2. Relevant hashtags
Apart from using one or two unique hashtags (if on Instagram), you also need a hashtag that is relevant to the post you have up. In this instance for example, I definitely need to include '#Hashtag' and perhaps '#SocialMedia' in my post.

3. Popular Hashtags
Be careful with how you use popular hashtags because if you use them just to get your post discovered, it can actually be worse for you. If people feel you're using hashtags indiscriminately, they can ask for your post to be removed from that particular hashtag, and like I mentioned above, some platforms will penalise you for it.
Popular hashtags vary from region to region so a quick Google search can show you top hashtags to use.

Another tip is to place your hashtag correctly.
For Facebook and Twitter, write your caption, then place 1 to 3 hashtags at the end of the caption.
On Instagram, to make it neater, write your caption then leave some space before including your hashtags as shown above. You can also simply put your hashtags as a comment on your post.

I hope these tips help.

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#OAP101 4 Ways to Stay Fresh and Credible as a Media Host

Hello fresh, aspiring or established media personality,
It is a beautiful new week and I am writing this, sipping my tea, and thinking about how to keep being fresh and credible.


The truth is, there are 2 things you want to avoid on this journey- being thought of as stale, and being thought of as fake, as in, a source of fake news.

Some of the ways to stay fresh and credible are:

- Verifying your Sources
This is one of the most established tenets of journalism and I still get surprised when even interns or students on Industrial Attachment feel comfortable presenting me with stories, or worse, going on air with stories based on, 'People say...'

Investigative Journalism even has higher standards but whether you went to media school or not, as with life, so with news- check, recheck, double check.


- Consuming Different Kinds of Content
If you are into Music, you can still get some content from Sports. If you love News, Fashion may surprise you.
By watching and listening to other kinds of content, you stay updated and easily adaptable.



- Checking out Trends
Social Media platforms are making things a lot easier for us these days as they have things like 'Explore' (Instagram), 'Trending' (Twitter) and more.
A simple daily glance at online trends can help ensure you keep up with what everyone is talking about.


- Gisting with People
Sometimes, just a good kickback with people provides a world of fresh news, stories and talking points for you.
By listening to them and enjoying what they say, you get an insight into what people are excited, worried or lackadaisical about.
This can help you immensely.


What do you think of these tips? How do you stay fresh and credible as a media host from your end?
s.h.a.r.e with me.

P

#OAP101 3 Things to Note when Co-hosting a Radio and Television Show or Event

Hi all.
Today I am answering one of the questions sent to us via dm on Instagram.
While on radio, I host my show alone, I have worked with co-hosts for television, youtube shows and also as an M.C at events.
.
What benefits are there when it comes to having a co-host?
The 1st is you have someone to cover for you if you're having an off day or minute, or cannot make it on the show in the case of media.
Another benefit is the instant interaction it gives because you have someone to bounce things off with and everything is conversational.

Sometimes there is a disadvantage to having one though. One big disadvantage is in cases where one person dominates the others or thinks of themselves as 'main' host. Another disadvantage is sharing the spotlight if you absolutely love it!

So how do you handle it and ensure you and your co-host deliver quality content to audiences and guests?
1. Understand that your co-host also has valid points, thoughts and feelings. Both of you need to find a way to work together as opposed to making it seem like a turn by turn thing. Bring ideas to the table, concede to some of theirs and suggest what you think will work.

2. Plan and Practice before you start
Before the show or event starts, it helps to speak to your co-host and for both of you to speak about things like who handles what, how you start and end the show etc.
Recently I had the pleasure of co-hosting at an event and my co-host and I decided we would start the show together, alternate going on stage and then close together and it worked brilliantly.
I have also been blessed to co-host with Ali Baba who had so many ideas and gave me space to shine.

I thoroughly enjoyed cohosting with Peter Kajovo

3. Emphasise each other's strengths and uniqueness.
Remember that if you both decide to speak and act the same, there is no point having two different people hosting. What you should do is play to each other's strengths and let each other shine.
I hope these help.
If you have questions for me, please leave them below as a comment, or send us a DM via our Instagram page, or my Twitter page.

#OAP101 Define Your Brand! Here is how, and why!

We hear that word, 'brand' and the other phrase, 'branding yourself' a lot. Is it important? Of course. It is like asking if one should bother working or advertising. If you want to be successful and taken seriously in the media space, brand and branding are things you must be concerned about.

How then do you brand yourself? One of the first things you must do, is define your brand.

One of the first things i like to advise people to do is, when people think of you, what are the top 3 words you want them to associate you with?

For me for example, i like to think that when people think of me, they think of fun, they think of unique and they think intellectual. That is the first exercise. Much as when you think of a Brandy or a Sean Tizzle or a Bonang Matheba, ask yourself what must come to people's minds when they think of you.

This step correlates with the next one which is the 'Why'.

What do you want and why?

Say for example, what you want is to be the most popular media personality in the world. That is a start. You may want, like say an Oprah or an Ellen, to change the world one show at a time. The important thing is to define the what you wants and for you, the 'whys'. Why do you want these things?
My friend told me once that she was encouraged to pursue her line of work because when she was growing up, she saw a lady on tv that looked like her so she felt if that lady could do it, then so could she! When i heard that, i decided i was able to better define my own goals. I realised i wanted to be successful so that some girl could look at me and be encouraged. And i was determined to do it my way- natural hair, melanin popping, tomboy chic and all.

Now that i have shared mine, think about, and share yours with me below.

The final tip i have for you is listing what i like to call 'usps', i.e, Unique Selling Points.
Out of ALL the people in the media, why YOU?

Finding what makes you different will help you not just for yourself, but also for brands to work with you.

All these tips and things i have mentioned require honesty. Can you now honestly take some time out to answer this and then define your brand?
You can s.h.a.r.e with me or send questions privately via my email or a dm.

#TBDaily x Bonang Matheba... On Staying focused and getting what you want!

For today's Monday Motivation, i wanted to s.h.a.r.e something Bonang Matheba, radio and television personality, plus amazing business woman, told me back in December when she came to Nigeria to co host 'The Future Awards 2015' with Darey.


We were at BLD in Lekki so it was more of a laid back drinks night out with a couple of other media personalities like Ariyike, Toke and Latasha Ngwube but i still had to ask her a quick interview-type question.

There are several sides to Bonang and i was interested in Bonang the successful mediaprenuer. For me, i wanted to know her tips for staying focused and getting what you want in life, what is in store for her in the future, and of course, you do not sit with Bonang and not get her must-do beauty essentials!

On How To Stay Focused and Get What You Want

Bonang keeps it simple with these three tips

- Don't listen to other people and their negativity. Listen to yourself

- Unlock your mind. It helps you to free yourself 

- Get over what people think about you.

On What Is Next For Her

Bonang is really passionate about conquering the international stage and having a family of her own.

On Her Top Three Beauty Essentials

"Foundation, Lashes long and gorgeous and Black liquid liner"

Her message for her fans in Lagos and indeed, Nigeria

"Thank you. The love has been incredibly overwhelming. Lagos is my favourite city on the continent"

#TBDaily x Harmattan Survival Pack- Tosyn Style!

Harmattan is here like the first day of the year!
lol.
It is though. The fog, the smell, the dry skin and more.

So how do i cope with harmattan?

- A lot of oil.
Dry skin and hair are a girl's worst enemy so i stay oiled up!

What Helps
- Orisade Body Butter with Shea Butter
- Baby Oil

- Staying hydrated
I drink it all. Water, Coffee, Tea. I have to admit i might take one or two things not recommended by the doctor as well but i find that staying well hydrated, especially with water, keeps you healthier and more active.

- Get out of the cold!
Some people claim you need to shower with cold water first thing in the morning Err... no thank you. I recommend warm water though not hot water because it makes it harder for your body to adjust to the cold. Also please wear natural warm clothing and have 'robb' handy!

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