Bloggers have inserted themselves into every part of our virtual lives. Their pictures fill our Instagram feeds, their links clog our timelines. We rush to their sites for their opinions on everything from foot scrubs to the future of Nigerian fashion. We have enjoyed their work from afar, communicated with them through comments and likes and subconsciously wished we could meet them. Well now you can.
Nigerian bloggers are going offline, literally.
To better engage their audiences, several Nigerian bloggers are putting away their laptops and cameras and curating offline events where their readers and fans can interact with them and each other. There have been several, like the Naturals in the City for natural hair enthusiasts, the Eat Drink Lagos event for foodies and several fashion events, like the Style Me Africa beauty party in collaboration with drinks brand Cointreau in May 2015.
The Creatives Day out and Lagos Blogger’s Brunch are both events organized by fashion and lifestyle blogger Desola Mako, who runs the DeeMako blog. Passionate about connecting bloggers to each other and providing networking opportunities for bloggers and their readers, The Blogger’s Brunch is Desola Mako’s third event in less than a year, while juggling school, an eight to five job and a hectic blogging schedule. We talk to her about blogs, going offline and meeting her readers
TOS
Congratulations on the blogger’s brunch, this is your second event in less than a year, with the Creatives ‘Fashion Day out’ Meet in January. Tell us about those events?
DESOLA
Thank you so much, yes it is. Wow. I didn’t even realise it. I am very passionate about helping people and bringing people together so it’s only normal that I would take every opportunity possible to achieve that. The Creatives day out was a fun and casual event that brought different creatives together to spend time with one another. It was sponsored by everyone as all the attendees brought something for the table. There was so much ideas, diys, games and laughter and most people from that event made up an essential part of mine and each others 2015.
TOS
Why did you decide this time to organize a platform specifically for bloggers?
DESOLA
The straightforward answer would be that I am a blogger and that is why, but it was really because we are all such a huge part of each other’s lives and meeting at every other event wasn’t enough time to answer more questions or get to know each other more. Also the double dose segment I started on my blog that features other bloggers made me realise how many friends and like minds I could be friends with if I got to meet a lot of my cyber friends.
TOS
Do you think offline events are something every blogger should aspire to?
DESOLA
Definitely, you would be surprised how much you can learn by talking as opposed to writing and by listening as opposed to reading. you would also be surprised how much stronger relationships can be between you and your readers and fellow bloggers just by spending some time with them. whether we like it or not the blogosphere like we call it can in itself be a scam. I have met so many nice bloggers online that are not so nice and so many fancy bloggers that are just looking to make friends. it’s a beautiful thing meeting people offline.
TOS
Tell us about your blog?
DESOLA
I blog at www.Deemako.com, it’s a fashion and Lifestyle blog that covers a lot of my curated personal style, D.I.Y.s, blogging, fashion and Life tips. It’s where I run to to vent, to inspire and to escape. It was created out of the need to keep my fashion career and journey alive while achieving other unrelated goals.
TOS
As a blogger do you think the Nigerian fashion industry acknowledges the work that you do and the opportunities you can offer them?
DESOLA
A few weeks back I would have said No but the success from my blogger’s brunch event as a result of a few brands that sponsored and stood by me has tilted my opinions a bit, there are definitely a few people out there who acknowledge the work I do and to them I am truly grateful. Obviously there is still so much I am yet to achieve and so many more brands that should be open to helping me achieve it but this is Life and in life we have all got to fight real hard for everything we want and I’m prepared to do that. Everyone around me knows I am a go getter and soon the Nigerian Fashion Industry will see it too. It even makes for a nicer story when you bet against the odds and I am going to.
TOS
We’d like to know what niche you think bloggers occupy in the Nigerian fashion ecosystem?
DESOLA
Just like in the world at large, bloggers are the shakers, the movers, the advertisers and the publicists. they are the press and so they are the fourth estate of the fashion ‘realm’ ecosystem. Right after the Investor, Designers, Manufacturers comes the Blogger. The Blogger as the power to style, model, creative direct and sell any Item that as been manufactured.
TOS
Your brother Demola Mako was part of Team MeddleLane that showed won the 2015 Fayrouz L’original competition and showed at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week. What was that like for you?
DESOLA
Whoop. It was so surreal. The whole process was. My brother had brought the whole team together last year but they didn’t make it far into the competition and then this year they decided to go for it again. It was such an emotional process for them all having to support each other to achieve their dreams. The love amongst four of them rubbed off on me as well. My brother and I are very close so just being able to support him and his fashion family was the dream. I had the loudest scream at the finale and I couldn’t have been prouder of my brother for going ahead and chasing his dreams. Also the love from my own fashion family on Instagram and on Deemako blog and the constant support was amazing.
TOS
What other outlets of expression do you indulge in apart from blogging?
DESOLA
I instagram. lol. just kidding. I tend to write a lot, deep emotional thoughts that hopefully would someday become a book, I also do a bit of designing, graphics, website and fashion designing and I do like to dance. Does that count? the only thing you need to know is I don’t sing.
TOS
Which bloggers do you admire the most and why?
DESOLA
I admire a whole lot of bloggers and I have learnt not to mention them because I will probably omit someone’s name but I like bloggers who have created a niche for themselves and are keeping at it and i also admire those who are starting out, pushing and wading through all the challenges that come their way, I like those who connect with everyone on a personal note and finally I admire those who with every single post better themselves.
TOS
Any plans for future offline events?
DESOLA
Definitely. I am going to definitely keep both events alive. The Creatives day out would experience a rebranding next year and the blogger’s brunch will continue to bring bloggers together. I hope to also have a quarterly or bi monthly meet and greet for my followers just to answer a few questions and maybe mentor them with my little experiences.
Thank you so much for having me and supporting DEE Dream.