Igee Okafor’s vision and approach to being a Content Curator should be admired and studied if you’re looking to gain more brand recognition and worldwide partnerships.
My marketing strategy, which really isn’t a strategy, is geared towards a particular man – the men who mirror me and who I want to become. I am friends with these men. I have daily conversations with them, always trying to find out what they’re interested in, why, what they need and how they like to consume things. It has helped me a lot.
– Igee Okafor
Igee Okafor Interview
Last film you watched?
Igee Okafor: I believe it was ‘Death on The Nile’ if I recall correctly.
Tell me about yourself. What inspired you to get into style?
Igee Okafor: I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, fully Nigerian. Growing up, I was always interested in the arts, movies, music, and fine art. Being able to build things and perform was where I seemed to feel the most comfortable. I thought I wanted to be an actor or some kind of musician. I did musical theatre when I was younger and auditioned for various things.
I always assumed I’d become a fashion designer, but fashion/style was always an afterthought next to being a performer. It wasn’t until I was around fourteen or fifteen years old that I felt I needed something to represent my attention to detail as it pertained to setting myself apart from others that I became interested in prioritizing style – not in a superficial way but in a way that made me feel confident on a day-to-day basis.
I started looking for ways to document this and share my perspective with people who felt the same. Not too many people around me could have that kind of conversation at the time, so I looked to the internet to see if I could find communities I could go back and forth with. It was Lookbook.nu, and then Bloglovin’ and Tumblr. I started a personal style blog shortly after around 2013/14 while simultaneously growing a following on Instagram, and everything became a progression of a modern-day conversation on style.
Do you take the photos on your own, or do you have assistance from someone else?
Igee Okafor: It’s a mixture of both. I always prefer collaborating with others, but I originate my concepts and figure out how best to shoot, whether independently or with someone else.
How do you choose which brands to partner with?
Igee Okafor: If I find the product useful or relevant to my personal interests or to my audience, it’s a yes. Very simple.
Where do you get the ideas for your content?
Igee Okafor: I am very attracted to cinema, so typically, movies. I look to fashion magazines, other creative platforms, people, artists, interior designers, influencers, photographers, etc.
Favorite TV show?
Igee Okafor: Right now, like the rest of the world, I am obsessed with Euphoria.
How would you describe your personal brand?
One word. International.
What advice do you have to people trying to gain a following on social media?
- Have a perspective and do something to work towards implementing this perspective every single day.
- Pay attention and be open to growth strategies.
- Go out, meet people, collaborate, and never give up.
How do you feel about the ‘Influencer’ title?
Igee Okafor: It’s so vague. There are different contexts of what being an influencer means, and in a progressive world, we should not be lazy about describing the essentials of what people indeed do. I used to hate it. Now, I am indifferent.
Do you foresee any shifts in influencer marketing in the coming future? Specifically, Do you see any changes to your current marketing strategy (Instagram) as an influencer because the algorithm changes often? Why?
Igee Okafor: Influencer culture started because writers, creative directors, models, and entertainers could showcase what they do on their various platforms. Nowadays, I notice that perhaps it’s not enough to only focus on one strand and vessel of content.
It’s essential to think about content value and how to view it from the consumer’s perspective holistically. Why do they need it, how will they utilize it in various ways, and how would this entertain them through imagery and video?
My marketing strategy, which really isn’t a strategy, is geared towards a particular man – the men who mirror me and who I want to become. I am friends with these men. I have daily conversations with them, always trying to find out what they’re interested in, why, what they need and how they like to consume things. It has helped me a lot.
Sure, the new algorithm isn’t ideal, but it isn’t the worst. If anything, people are distracted by too much content. People want to pick and choose who they want to see all the time, but at the same time, they want to feel excited by new things.
It’s our job as creators to stay consistent, diversify our content and do everything we can outside the platforms to keep valued attention.
Collaborate, share, do the press, do your community events, etc.
Stay Social With Igee Okafor
Personal Instagram @igeeokafor
Magazine Instagram @bondofficialusa
Website www.bondofficial.com
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