Express Yourself Creatively

“Express Yourself Creatively” is our watchword this Wednesday. According to Stephen R. Covey, every human has four endowments namely: self-awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These four give us the ultimate human freedom we earnestly crave and gives us the power to choose wisely and respond to change.

 

express yourself creatively

 

You need to discover the power of your imagination because it is your God-given creative faculty. People often say “it’s only in your imagination”, but this is usually not the case. In fact, this statement is discouraging and unhelpful to creative power. If you must reach your greatest potential and fill our lives with an amazing sense of achievement, then we must lose our fear of being wrong.

 

 

live a creative life

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson said “unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow”. Creativity is that force that visits us with great ideas and gives us the courage to do things differently. Whether it’s a new business idea, idea for a movie or a new commitment to be better at what you already do, finding time to to feed your creative force will not only reward you with increased creativity, but also expand your horizon and deepen your creative tendencies.

 

 

3 Surefire Ways To Get Paid For Your Ideas in 2017

So let’s say you woke up on the morning of January 1st, 2017 with the most brilliant idea the world has ever known. You think about it and you decide to write it down. You turn it over and over in your mind and finally come to a conclusion that it needs to be shared with the world. But! There’s a “BUT”. As much as your idea is most likely the next big thing, deep down your mathematical senses and guts won’t let it go scott free without getting a little “reward or compensation” in return. You want to get paid for your ideas, so you begin to imagine who on this planet would be the highest bidder for your amazing idea, but you’re stuck.get paid for your ideas

Not to worry, this article will teach you all the tricks you need to learn in order to get paid for your ideas in 2017. Who knows, you could be well on your way to becoming the next Mark Zuckerberg or million-dollar baby.

So, how can you get paid for your ideas? Well, the concept is simple: Find companies, individuals or organizations who will be willing to pay for your ideas, so long as they can bet that your ideas will bring them maximum profit, you both would be smiling to the bank at the end of the day.

get paid ideas

#RULE 1: Companies searching for new ideas – There are companies out there willing to listen to anyone for input, and that will pay for ideas. However, there are probably hundreds or even thousands of companies online that officially say they will pay you for your ideas, in CASH. A quick search on Google will help you to discover more of these great opportunities. Some companies will tell you directly that they are searching for new ideas, and that if share your ideas with them, then they will pay you if they decide to use your idea. Only be ready to go all out with your presentation, strategy, artwork, case studies and any other inputs necessary to build confidence in the minds of your buyers.

plan strategy effort idea solution

 

#RULE 2: Patent your Idea – First of, you need to determine if your idea is a general idea or a more specific (niche) idea. If it’s a niche idea, it’s easier to customize. A great way to search for patents is to use Google Patent Search at google.com/patents. Here you’ll find more than 7 million patents. As defined by Wikipedia, a patent is a set of exclusive rights granted by a state to an inventor or his assignee for a fixed period of time in exchange for a disclosure of an invention. Once you have ascertained that your idea really is unique and that there is no patent identical to your idea then go ahead. patent your idea disadvantage

Yes, there’s always a BUT.

You need to understand that getting a patent will cost you some money, so you might want to consider selling the idea itself instead of receiving a patent. In some cases this would obviously be a mistake, in other cases this may be the easiest and fastest way to make some quick money. What you could do is “lay open” your idea with a trusted person or company in exchange for a reward. Naturally, make sure you don’t spill the beans before you know for sure that you get your reward.

 

#RULE 3: Start your own Start-Up Company!

startup company

So what if you have a really great idea, but you don’t want to sell it or share it with others. Then there’s only one option: Use your idea to start a business.

If you believe in your own idea, then use it to generate a solid income for yourself. However, you should note that most businesses fail in their first 3-5 years. If you want to keep your business alive, then you need to learn what you need to learn and apply your knowledge.

A great idea will never make you rich. It’s what you decide to do with that idea that could make you a fortune.

It’s not too late to start. Get paid for your ideas today!

WIN!

The Value of A Personal Journal – Monday Motivation

personal journal

 

Our Monday Mantra for this week looks at all the perks of keeping a personal journal and why it’s important for everyone to have one.

 
personal journal quote by marilyn grey

 

 

Keeping a personal journal has many advantages and benefits. Whether you write a few lines or pages, through journaling, you can record and track a lot of information that can easily be retained for future reference. You can actually see what you were thinking because your thoughts and experiences are in a journal. When you commit to writing them down, you have put your thoughts and experiences into a solid form.

Natalie Goldberg said “Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is you’re having a relationship with your mind”.

It’s the start of a new week, so if you don’t already have one, start keeping a journal from today.

 

 

3 PR TRENDS TO LEVERAGE ON IN 2017

 

pr trends

Finally February is here! 💃 in case you’re looking for new ways to make your brand stand out, these PR trends will help you boost your PR activities throughout the rest of the year:

1)Executive Thought Leadership: Thought leadership, when done well and when the executive has something to say that isn’t the same as everyone else, works wonders. If your clients can combine their PR activities with providing relevant information on trending topics, their thought leadership will boom in 2017!

2)Influencer Marketing: According to a Nielsen survey, 92 percent of consumers trust recommendations from individuals they may or may not personally know if such individual is perceived as a “social media star” in the industry. So if you don’t already have a strong influencer marketing program set for 2017, you’ll be way behind. 

3)Contributor Marketing: The more great content you have, the more followers and readers you get and consequently, the more other networks will want to work with you or use your content in order to get more traffic for themselves as well. Contributors always have something new and fresh to say. So if you aren’t a contributor or thought leader in any way, it’s best you find one to latch on to. 

All the above tips will help you secure your spot as a leading PR Agency/Firm in no time!

INTERNATIONAL FILM, ‘TESS’ STARRING NSE IKPE ETIM TO PREMIERE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Nse Ikpe-Etim in Tess

Nollywood star Nse Ikpe-Etim is one of the stars in the celebrated South African film, Tess which will premiere in cinemas from the 24th of February. In Tess, Nse plays a Congolese refugee, Madeleine who ran away to South Africa to escape the war in her homeland. She develops a close friendship with a young commercial sex worker ‘Tess’ (Christia Vissier) who is battling demons from her past.

Nse Ikpe-Etim in Tess

“This movie gave me one of the best roles I have ever had to play,” Nse said. “I am excited that finally everyone will get a chance to see it,” she added.

Tess deals with the themes of prostitution and sexual abuse suffered by women and girl children in South Africa. Directed by Meg Rickards, Tess also stars Christia Visser (Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling, Hollywood in My Huis), Brendon Daniels (iNumber Number, Four Corners) and Dann Jacques Mouton (Noem My Skollie). It is produced by Paul Egan and Kim Williams of Boondogle Films.

Nse Ikpe-Etim in Tess

The world premiere for ‘Tess’ took place at the Durban International Film Festival in July 2016 before heading on to screen at the kykNET Silwerskermfees and at the BRICS International Film in New Delhi. Tess enjoyed praise from critics and audiences alike and has collected a good number of awards including: Best South African Feature Film, Best Editing and Best Actress amongst others.

Watch the trailer here:

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Ade Laoye to co-star in Kunle Afolayan’s upcoming legal thriller, ‘Tribunal’

Ade LaoyeAde Laoye

With her turn playing the iconic ‘Oye Agunbiade’ on the Africa Magic telenovela ‘Hush’ finally winding up, Ade Laoye is set to make her big screen debut in celebrated Film maker Kunle Afolayan’s upcoming movie, ‘Tribunal’.

Tribunal revolves around a once brilliant lawyer who hits rock bottom in his career but gets a chance at redemption when he is approached to take part in a new case by a young ambitious lawyer Tanimowo (Ade Laoye). The upcoming movie also stars Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde, Funsho Adeolu, Nobert Young, and Damilola Ogunsi.

Tribunal is sponsored by Multichoice in partnership with Kunle Afolayan and is set for cinematic release in April 2017.

BEZ DROPS ‘YOU SUPPOSE KNOW’ VIDEO FT. YEMI ALADE

Award-winning Alternative music star BEZ has just released the music video for his hit track ‘You Suppose Know’ featuring superstar Yemi Alade.

The alternative hit which was produced by Cobhams Asuquo currently tops Nigeria’s alternative radio charts and comes off his sophomore album titled ‘Gbagyi Child’.

Directed by Clarence Peters, ‘You Suppose Know’ is a colourful retro throwback on love between two artists in a club scene from the 50’s.

After concluding the incredibly successful ‘BEZ Live’ concert in Lagos last December, he will be taking the ‘Bez Live’ train to Abuja this February.

 

Check on it: https://youtu.be/g9RuLRXrKZY

 

About BEZ:

Emmanuel Bezhiwa Idakula, known as Bez (born 10 November 1983), is a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and composer, working in a genre known as “alternative soul”, a hybrid of soul, rock, jazz and R&B. He was featured in Pulse Magazine as number one on the list of “Top 12 Musicians To Look Out For in 2014”. He was the first African artist to world premiere his music video on BET and the first Nigerian artist to do a solo show at the iTunes store in Soho, New York. He also had a show at the iTunes store in Santa Monica, California for Black Music month in June 2012.

 

Follow Bez

Twitter.com/BEZidakula

Instagram.com/bezidakula/

http://www.bezworld.com/

http://www.bezlive.com/

VIDEO: YCEE ft REEKADO BANKS ‘LINK UP’

Kicking off 2017, Tinny Entertainment rapper YCEE has just released the official video to his latest hit single ‘Link Up’ which features Reekado Banks of Mavin Records.

The upbeat track which is currently rising on radio charts and on the streets, is off Ycee’s yet to be released E.P ‘The First Wave’. The song rides on Ycee’s unmistakable style which is laced effortlessly with Reekado’s smooth vocals.

Set in Lagos, the video was directed by Mex Films. ‘Link Up’ is the first release under Tinny Entertainment’s brand new deal with Sony.

Check on it:  https://youtu.be/6MkYQDsVrnk

 

Follow Ycee

Twitter.com/iam_YCEE

Facebook.com/iamycee

Instagram.com/iam_YCEE

2016 GLO-CAF Awards’ winners [Full List]

The 2016 Glo CAF awards took place at the International convention centre, Abuja on Thursday January 5th, 2017. It was an evening of dance, music and football which saw breathtaking performances from stars all across Africa including Flavour, Diamond Platnumz, Omawumi and Yemi Alade.

Algeria and Leicester City winger, Riyad Mahrez was named the African Footballer of the year. He beat last year’s winner, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Liverpool’s Sadio Mane to the prize. Super Eagles and Manchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho clinched the Most Promising Talent award, while Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi won the Young Player award. Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala also won the Women’s Player Award.

See the full list of winners below and exclusive images from the event:

African Player of the Year
Riyad MAHREZ (Algeria & Leicester City)

African Player of the Year – Based in Africa
Denis ONYANGO (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Women’s Player of the Year
Asisat OSHOALA (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies)

Most Promising Talent
Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria & Manchester City)

Youth Player of the Year
Alex IWOBI (Nigeria and Arsenal)

Coach of the Year
Pitso MOSIMANE (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Club of the Year
Mamelodi Sundowns

National Team of the Year
Uganda

Women’s National Team of the Year
Nigeria

Referee of the Year
Bakary Papa GASSAMA

Football Leader of the Year
Manuel LOPES NASCIMENTO, President of Guinea Bissau Football Federation

Legend Award
Laurent POKOU, Former player of Cote d’Ivoire
Emilienne MBANGO, Former player of Cameroon

Topmost Promoter of Football in Africa

President Muhammadu Buhari

 

 

 

 

RMD, Mimi Fawaz to host GLO CAF Awards

Mimi FawazRMD

Sports journalist, premium show host and presenter of Sports 360 on Vox Africa, Mimi Fawaz and Nollywood legend, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) have been confirmed as the official comperes of the 2016 Glo-Caf Awards.

A graduate of City University of London, Mimi who is half-Nigerian (her mother is from Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria) and half-Lebanese, has worked for CNN, ESPN and ITV Television networks.

Described as the ‘driving force behind UK’s first original African football show, Mimi has successfully carved a niche for herself in a field dominated by men.

Mimi is delighted by the opportunity extended to her to host the show and has promised Africa and the rest of the world a spectacular delivery.

Popularly known as RMD, Richard Mofe-Damijo was born July 6, 1961. He is a Nigerian actor and politician. He was the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Nigeria between 2009 and 2015. Mofe-Damijo who was born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, attended Midwest College, Warri and Anglican Grammar School and was a member of the Drama Club. He enrolled into the University of Benin where he studied Theatre Arts.

A lawyer, politician and journalist, RMD has featured in several top-notch soaps and films such as Ripples, Out of Bounds, Three Wise Men, Oloibiri and Hush. A multiple award winner, RMD in 2005, won the Best Actor in a Leading Role at the maiden edition of the African Movie Academy Awards. He is the face of Globacom’s powerful television commercials which celebrated the company’s ground-breaking launch of Nigeria’s first nationwide mobile 4G LTE network. 

Mimi Fawaz and Richard Mofe-Damijo will complement the glamorous event known as the Oscars of African football and scheduled for the night on 5th January, 2017 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.