10 BUSINESS IDEAS FOR 2015

For a lot of us 2014 has been a year with a lot of experimenting with different business ideas. The year was successful for some while it was unsuccessful for others. However way it may go I think all parties have lessons to carry on into the New Year.

Based on extensive research, the top ten business ideas that will rock 2015 include

1. Agriculture: I have heard people discuss agriculture a lot over the last few years and the innumerable opportunities we can tap into. The opportunities extends from small scale farming of food crops like cassava with an extensive value chain to the growing of plantain, raising palm seedlings and possibly growing palm. You can also choose to play in other agriculture business value chain like buying produce and selling it to major manufacturers that require these produces.  You may need to do an extensive research about industries in Nigeria that require farm produce as inputs into their processing and see how you can collaborate with them in supplying these items.
2. Affiliate marketing: You may not be the one for marketing but you must realize that times are changing and you may need to embrace sells as a major source of livelihood. Affiliate marketing involves you promoting and selling other people's products in exchange for commission on the products you sell. With the advancements we have made with online marketing, it has become a whole lot easier to participate in this type of business. Various offers exist for serious marketers and you will be amazed at the level of income you can make from this depending on the level of effort you put into your business. The difference between affiliate marketing and other forms of sales is that you don't have to own the product you are selling. This eliminates the need for you to have a startup fund. I intend to review a series of affiliate marketing opportunities that exist in Nigeria in my next blog. Nigerians are getting online more by the day and you may need to take your product online to be successful here. You can also be an affiliate of a real estate company and help to sell lands and other real estate properties
3.  Courier: With the growth in online sales in Nigeria from large scale sellers like Jumia, Konga, Dealsday and smaller online retail sellers, now may just be the time for you to start your small scale courier service. These businesses are still battling with logistics issues and require individuals to step in and assist with the pickup and delivery of goods. Again going online and using different social media platforms, you can get words out on the service you render and you will be surprised at the kind of responses you will get. You need to make sure that you package your service well and people can trust you. You may also over time need to get a means of transport like a motorbike to move yourself around town.
4. Social Media Specialist: Don't be surprised, there is a growing need for social media experts that can help people manage their image online and get words out about their products to the world. You can build a massive followership on Tweeter, Facebook, Pinterest, Scoop it, google plus etc. and then help companies or individuals advertise their products to your followers. You charge appropriately for the service you render based on impressions, time frame for the display, and the number of people reached. You may also want to consider email marketing if you have a very large number of email addresses of potential consumers
5. Mobile Phone Application Development: This is a rising field of interest in Nigeria today. You need to ask yourself what are the challenges or issues people complain about every day and how can you help them solve it through technology. There are so many applications out there today that proffer solutions and in the process making huge amount of money. You don't have to be an app developer, you may contract this out to someone to do on your behalf. Although I will suggest you add this new skill to your skill set in order to have an alternative stream of income yourself
6. Freelancing: I am beginning to see a growing market for freelance workers online even in Nigeria. There are many people searching for people who can undertake research, write articles, edit websites etc. You can offer your services to these companies and charge them appropriately.
7. Search Engine optimization Specialist: With an increasing number of businesses owning websites, it may just be important for you to go and develop SEO skills and offer services to people in this field. The opportunities in this field currently in Nigeria is enormous and you may just be on your way to the bank as a young IT big personality.
8. Crèche: This is a business idea you may just want to consider especially if you have some capital to start off. I am sure you heard about the wicked Ugandan housemaid and many of similar stories like hers. Parents are rethinking getting housemaids and the next option may just be the crèche. You can do extensive research on this online and be smiling to the bank soonest
9. Home Tutorials: I keep wondering why people who are well educated will refuse to offer their extensive knowledge to people and get paid for it. You can start a home tutorial business today by getting people of like minds, printing out small leaflets and distributing it at different public places like churches, event centers, mosques to mention a few. When the calls get coming in, you can start by managing it yourself but as the number of clients grow, you bring in others who will work for you.
10. Blogging: Don't tell me the space is saturated, all you need to do is to find a niche and establish yourself there as an authority. The internet is filled with so much information and all you need do is be creative with searching for information and repackage it for people's consumption.

I may not have been able to deal with specific details but I guess we can interact through the comment section. I also intend to expand on some of these ideas in subsequent posts.