Extrastiv

My salary couldn’t even buy a powerbank. On this edition of Creators’ Diary is Bukunmi, a 25-year-old polytechnic graduate and social media manager for a beauty brand. She currently earns ₦200,000/month. But just a few months ago, life was nothing close to this. She started out earning ₦10,000 per month as a PA/messenger to the proprietress of a primary school. Her mom had linked her up with the woman through church, hoping it would keep her busy. After a while, they increased her salary to ₦15,000 -but the job was still hell. She said, “Those six months were a living nightmare. I couldn’t even afford to buy anything for myself. Even when I started learning social media management online and needed a powerbank to keep my phone on, I couldn’t afford it.” That was her breaking point. She resigned and locked in fully on learning social media management. Fast forward to August 2025 -her story changed. She landed her first real job as a social media manager through a WhatsApp referral. Her consistency was her marketing. She constantly posted about what she was learning, what she could do, and small wins from managing mock pages. People were watching silently until one day, opportunity showed up. Today, she earns ₦200,000/month and has a few side hustles supporting her business. She’s not where she wants to be yet, but she’s no longer where she used to be. Key Takeaways 1. Show up even when no one is watching. That consistent posting on WhatsApp status was what brought her referral. Most times, the people who will change your story are watching silently. Keep showing up. And also, choose your most comfortable platform for marketing. 2. Don’t despise small beginnings. She started with ₦10k/month - a job that couldn’t even buy her a powerbank. But that season taught her patience, clarity, and hunger. Sometimes, the struggle season is the training ground. 3. Social media is free marketing. Use it. The same WhatsApp story she used for fun became the billboard for her success. Share your story with me, I will post it. If you want to get tagged, you can talk to me in the DM.

@Extrastiv Hmmm thisss

@boy_director Good health is everything

Everyone is quick to blame people for their health issues when beside me back in the icu was a 7 years old girl with almost 3 failed organs fighting for her life. What could possibly be her mistakes?

@Ayomzy01 Thanks.

@Extrastiv This is really amazing 🥂

Everyone is talking about how to land gigs. No one is talking about how to retain them. You can land a $1000 retainer today and lose it tomorrow. Here are my top 50 ways to retain a gig as a freelancer: 1. Always give your client a status update even if you haven't started working on the project. Your client sent that brief four days ago and hasn't heard from you. In their head, they're already drafting the "just checking in" email. Beat them to it. A simple "Got the brief, starting tomorrow" costs you nothing and saves the relationship everything. Only legends will understand this. 2. Deliver something small before the first real deadline. They asked for the full strategy by Friday. It's Tuesday. Send them the research doc you've already pulled together. No explanation needed. Just drop it in their inbox. That one early move will do more for your renewal than the strategy itself. 3. Build a private style guide from their feedback and never make them repeat themselves. The moment a client has to correct you on the same thing twice, something shifts in how they see you. Every edit they send is a manual. Read it like one. By your third project, you should already know what they'll say before they say it. 4. Never submit work at a strange hour without context. You sent the deliverable at 1:47AM with no message. Now the client is wondering if you're okay, if the work is rushed, if something went wrong. Always give them a reasonable reason. 5. Keep receipts of every approval they gave you. One day a client will look at your work and say "this isn't what I asked for." The freelancer with the email thread showing where they approved every direction keeps the client. The one who argues from memory loses the relationship and sometimes the invoice. 6. Drop one unsolicited observation with every deliverable. You're handing in the content calendar and you noticed their competitor just launched a campaign they haven't responded to. Say something even if it is just one line. Clients pay consultants thousands for that kind of awareness. You're giving it away as a footnote. That footnote is why they keep you. This list is long, I will drop 7-50 inside my newsletter tomorrow morning. For those who are not subscribed yet, here is the link (extrastiv.substack.com)

@byRofiat Ensure they are quality

@Extrastiv Noted. I only tweet once, guess it's time to increase my output

X algorithm is wired for talkatives. If you are not the type that can talk for hours without getting tired, you will struggle, this is one of my recent discovery. Back in 2024/early 2025 when I used to tweet back to back. I get a lot of engagement daily. I could go as high as 30 tweets per day. But since I stopped late 2025, I realized my engagement dropped. Now, it's looking like the old stiv is back😂😂😂 No let anyone deceive you. There is a reason X maximum post per day is 2000+ Post more. Forget about the likes you are getting now, the engagement will eventually come.

I hope you know this is a great example of content marketing.

@ChisomAgbafor I swear

@Extrastiv The confusion too much

A woman is 35 and unmarried and suddenly it becomes a “problem” people feel qualified to discuss like it’s a public emergency. The same people will gather and type “ehyaaah 💔 she was so young” the moment she dies at 35. What do you people want exactly?

@yabaleftonline Yaba left straight😂😂

The reason why cancer has not shrunk me like Alex is because I have a tough skin — Blessing CEO

@Halosznn_ Happy for him

I posted a role on Monday. A candidate found my personal WhatsApp number and messaged me directly. He told me he had applied for the role and resent his application directly to me. I was impressed with what he sent so I asked him to fix a few things then resend. He did. I forwarded it directly to the company’s HR. Guess who got a response immediately and has now passed two interview stages? 🎉 And I am not even the recruiter on this role. 😂 Here is what this should teach you: After applying for a job, take time to reach out to hiring managers, recruiters, or anyone connected to the role if you can find them. One recommendation can put you ahead of 100 applicants.

@PropAiDoctor Please send me a Dm so I won't forget

@Extrastiv Hahaha can’t argue with that, waiting for your feedback first

@TosinOlugbenga Two days ago. Mile 12 under bridge😭

When last did you see a rainbow

@Dr_Pharouk what about those that do it before and after

Brush your teeth after br£akfast, it’s not before. Know this and know peace 👀👀

@joanna_bepeh Many roads lead to the market.

Sometimes I think about my journey so far and it’s honestly crazy how many skills I’ve had to learn just to run my business properly 😂 Graphics design Web design Sales and marketing Copywriting Advertising (Meta & Google) Organic social media growth Being an online business owner will force you to evolve fast!!! If you like, keep avoiding the skills that would actually move your business forward.

@iamnasboi Hmmmm😂

A man who relies on gambling and fraud is a coward.” emphasis on “relies”

@PropAiDoctor You need some spending😂

@Extrastiv 😂 fair enough, I do need some good marketing advice, let’s connect 💪

@iksly2 Imagine sending a doc to a client on deadline day with nothing inside it😭

Imagine shooting three videos and realizing there is no sound in all of them😭😭😭😭😭😭 I’m so pissed right now

@AbiaAnita check my latest post, you will love that too 😇

@Extrastiv I just saw this now I will surely bookmark it

Dear new writers, Blog posts and articles are not the only way to make money. Reach out to founders, business owners, and professionals on X and LinkedIn. Offer to become their ghostwriter and content strategist. Target professionals in these industries: • Health & lifestyle • Finance • Fitness • Tech & AI • Real estate • E-commerce • Personal branding • Marketing agencies • Career coaching • Education • Cybersecurity • SaaS startups • Fashion & beauty • Travel • Legal & consulting A lot of smart people know their craft but struggle to communicate online consistently. That’s where you come in as a writer. You are not “just a writer.” You are helping people grow attention, authority, and revenue. Today, send 5 DMs. Introduce yourself. Offer a simple content idea. Start the conversation. Your next client is one message away. You can book a 1:1 call with me if you need a guide on how implement this effectively

@PropAiDoctor Ok, I will check it out. If it's good ,you will pay me for marketing o😂😇

@Extrastiv I’m building PropAi, a tool designed to help freelancers close more deals ! Check it out 🫵getpropai.com looking forward to your feedback