(This post is part of our ongoing research into Making Money on the Internet. Keep reading for more. )
Twitter, oh glorious Twitter. It’s home to the funniest of the funny, the sagiest of the sage. All served in bites of 140 characters.
For some of us, Twitter is the place we come to feed our vanity. For others, seeing the increasing number of followers, retweets and fav-ed tweets is what we live for. While we are busy sharing our humble brags, others have found a way of tweeting all the way to the bank.
One of such people is Kweyu Rojahs, well known by the ‘twitterati’ as @wisewordzdaily (formerly @rojahs). Tweeting since May 2009,he has managed to amass over 50,000 followers by tweeting inspirational quotes and words of wisdom.
We had a quick chat with him, trying to understand how he has managed to translate his online presence into money in his pocket. This is what he had to say:
Why the online platform?
I spend all day online; I’m an internet junkie. From being online that much, I discovered I could actually earn from it, and it’s something I could work with. It’s like being paid to do your hobby
So how exactly do you make money?
Using my Twitter account @wisewordzdaily, I post sponsored tweets usually from platforms like Mylikes, Opiniads, Chacha Affiliates, adly, SponsoredTweets from individuals and companies. I don’t actually spam my followers. I find a relevant ad that relates with my twitter profile, edit it then post it as a tweet. You may not even notice it’s an ad. I retain some of the revenue I generate, and donate some.
Is it your main source of income?
No, its not. I actually have a full time job.
How did it come to be? Take us a bit through your starting days.
I can’t say much about how it all started because I didn’t start with the mind of making money out of doing sponsored tweets. I like to experiment, so one day early last year after reading about sponsored tweets I thought “Why not?”
When I started, I had 1200 only followers but with time, my followers count grew so did the revenue collected and it turn out to be nothing I had ever expected or had in mind
Are your customers (guys sponsoring tweets) from Kenya?
Most of the sponsoring tweets are from USA. But once in a while I do get some from Kenya from individuals and companies.
What advice would you give an Internet entrepreneur trying to make money online?
It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. You will need to put in time, and lots of it, and be dedicated to it. Just like any other job, you should put in hard work.In addition, it should be your passion first rather than money first.
Running an Internet Business gives you choices and freedom to do what you want, whenever you want. What would you say the Internet Lifestyle is for you?
Internet is part and way of my life. I am always with my laptop and smartphone any-time
I love the way the internet has developed in the country, its literately changing the way of life.
Everyday it brings with it infinity possibility, woe unto you if you’re left behind
What would you say is the biggest single reason for your success at what you do now?
Consistence on what I do. It’s what I love, it’s my passion. Friends and a great network that has really helped and mentored me through out, and the Almighty from being with me every step of the way
Future plans?
I haven’t really thought of that far. Maybe one day, I will retire to my smart phone and laptop
What is the highest amount of money you have ever made in a month off tweeting?
At the time when the dollar was at an all time high, I made KES 67, 000 and I once got paid $100 to post just 1 tweet
- A Screenshot of a Payment Received by Rojahs from Opiniads
Is it sustainable?
If you do it right, it sure is. From my twitter account, I make about $200 every week. (Editors note: That’s KES 16,570 at today’s rate)
Anything else you need to add? E.g What is one of the mistakes Kenyans do that keeps them away from making money in a platform that is so untapped?
Thinking that its so hard or you have to be an ‘actual expert’ to get involved in it.