One problem with me that people don’t believe is that…

I rarely eat.

I prefer just working and watching movies or reading books in between though.

And because I am actually big, people believe I eat more often than others.

Which is understandable especially to Nigerians.

But these days, I have started eating quite well.

I rarely eat breakfast but now, I eat breakfast well.

The 3 square meal isn’t for me because I don’t like it.

But now, I eat the 3 square meals most of the time.

And what changed?

Nothing other than I gave in to pressure. 

This is what I mean:

I have a flatmate that eats quite well.

If he doesn’t eat any meal (maybe breakfast or something)

He won’t be able to function well throughout the day.

So he takes his food very seriously.

And FR, he’s slim.

But since he eats well.

I started considering eating well too.

Anytime he wants to get his breakfast, I will tell him to order mine too.

And with this, I started eating like him (but still minimal)

So while we are talking about changing apartment some days ago.

He said he wished to live with me again.

And when I asked him why.

He said because we have things in common especially food.

And this also reinforces my belief that if you want to sell anything to anybody…

Just find a common ground between you both.

And what this does is what is happening between me and my flatmate.

Your buyer will feel understood up to the point of liking you and buying from you.

And this takes out a lot of restrictions. 

But this common ground comes in two ways.

One can be classified as the common enemy.

And what this means is to find someone that your buyer hate (and that you hate too)

Then start insulting and pitching against that person as the bad guy.

An example of this is simple:

Let’s say I want to sell “A crypto course” to Nigerians.

My common enemy will be the CBN that’s banning crypto.

And I will paint them so bad to the extent you will want to kill them.

Moreso, anybody that lives in Nigeria know that the CBN hates crypto with passion.

And in turn, people hate CBN for that.

So why not channel the hatred they have for CBN into making them buy what you sell?

Kapish?

Good.

The second one which is the common ground itself is finding out what your target audience like…

And tell them you like it too.

This will help them relax.

And it will also help you relax.

Or check yourself…

How many times have you made friends with someone because they like what you like?

Exactly.

The common ground for the crypto course will be money.

Everybody likes money.

So telling them you like money and you have to avoid CBN (common enemy) will make them believe you.

And why?

Because they like money too.

It’s as simple as that.

And As a freelancer,  you don’t want to joke with this second one.

If you pitch to a prospective client without a common ground.

You are OYO.

Honestly, they get more than enough pitches daily.

So why should they check yours?

They won’t. 

Unless you have a common ground with them.

Kapish?

And yeah, I know that’s a vague explanation of common ground.

But I can’t explain further because right now…

I have two tests today and I haven’t read for any.

And this Is 8:30 am.

So I have to move.

Just maybe later… I will explain better.

To your success,

Dolapo Hamzat.