An Epistle To Online Vendors -By Edikan Ekanem

Dear Online Vendor,

I bring you greetings and glad tidings, May peace be unto you.

Social media shouldn’t be to you what it is to others, we all have reasons for being on social media and you should define yours, probably as your marketplace, office, etc.

Some of us have physical offices and shops and only make social media an alternative platform for sales or advertisement.

Put it differently, if you do not have a physical shop or office, but sell and advertise exclusively on social media, then this is for you.

We live in an era of the technology revolution and almost all facet of our lives is going digital. As an entrepreneur, if you have embraced technology by marketing online, I commend you, well done.

However, I must tell you this for free. Online Marketing is very effective but delicate and as such, you need to trade with caution. Two areas of example will suffice.

Your Conversations: Do not joke with your conversations, keep them safe. If you sell exclusively online on your account, use discernment to limit unnecessary discussions with people. Better still, open a business page and use ads to market your products.

If you’re selling on WhatsApp, I beg you in the name of God, backup your chats on daily basis. We have had instances that WhatsApp chats become the only evidence to support or deny claims during dispute settlement in Courts and tribunals.

Secondly, your Reputation. Guard your reputation jealousy. A singular post can ruin your business or the brand you build for years. Just protect your reputation.

Do not be quick to join issues with clients and other people. Know the things you comment on and the type of post you make. Always try to settle disputes with customers amicably.

In this era that social media has become an instrument of social Justice, be cautious. Try as much as you can not be dragged online or drag people. Anything that will lead to posting screenshots here and there, please try and avoid it.

More so, as an online vendor, what you post is people’s business, so never you think it’s your page and your post doesn’t concern others, it does. Be prudent, be open to criticisms, and develop a high level of emotional intelligence.

Finally, NEVER YOU PROMOTE AN UNREGISTERED BRAND ONLINE, it’s very dangerous. Know this and save yourself stress and headache.

Things we see, hear as lawyers on daily basis, we cannot tell it all. I hope this helps you and your friends. I wish to continue but let me stop here for today.

Until I come your way next time, I wish you the very best in your endeavors. Good morning and happy weekend.

As-salamu Alaykum!

Edikan Ekanem Esq is an Abuja based legal practitioner and can be reached at 08130015006, eddy4jah@gmail.com.