Cynthia Kalunda (Kalunda the ⁤Plug)

With 370,000 TikTok followers, Cynthia Kalunda, known as Kalunda the Plug, excels in promoting a ⁤variety of ⁤products, from shoes and smartwatches to jewelry and suitcases, frequently enough ⁢punctuated with her signature phrase: “my loves.”

For‍ Kalunda, a former makeup artist, plugging is a full-time ⁣career. She emphasizes ⁤her role in driving customers to⁤ businesses, stating, “Anyone that follows me is a ready buyer.”

She believes her work has a meaningful ‍impact, saying, “I think I’ve marketed for shops that were on the verge of closing down. When I did my thing, people showed up for that business or those businesses and they were able‍ to make sales and remain in⁣ business; they’re even opening new branches.”

She recounts the ⁤overwhelming response her videos generate: “People line up,some ⁢are ‍even fainting in the shops. It’s crazy. They run out of stock (and start) selling stocks for their neighbours.”

Kalunda’s journey began while sourcing makeup supplies ‍in ⁤Kamukunji, Nairobi. Her initial video showcasing ⁣products and prices sparked significant interest. “People were amazed and wanted ⁢more,” she recalls. “So, I kept on ⁣going to the different stores that I knew were‍ offering great deals.”

Initially, she created content for free until an inquiry about her rates prompted her to consider the business potential. “I didn’t⁢ even have a rate‍ card. I didn’t know how people do it,”⁤ she says.”I think I found a⁢ couple of plugs in the industry. I tried to engage with them, but they weren’t ⁤so open.”

Recognizing a gap in the market, she saw an possibility to help small and medium enterprises connect with their target audience through effective online marketing.

Working with Jane, Kalunda⁤ produced one ⁢video a week. She believes she significantly contributed to Jane’s business⁣ growth, noting, “I‍ believe that I have contributed a lot to her growth⁢ because now she has⁤ even opened another branch.” She also highlights Jane’s success in offering unique products, adding that Jane “chose to sell something different from what is typically sold at the market and succeeded.”

Njoki, who is employed but works remotely,‍ has also benefited from plugging.profits from her online promotions have enabled her to open a cosmetics shop in Nairobi, where she employs an assistant to help with video⁢ creation and editing.

Markson Juma (Jumah ⁢the Plug)

Markson Juma, also ⁤known as Jumah‍ the Plug, entered the plugging world after a friend challenged him ‍to sell shoes using his social media presence. The friend offered wholesale prices if Juma could find buyers.

He began posting⁢ shoes and soon received inquiries about other products he could offer.

Juma inadvertently transitioned into plugging, having previously run Oren Entertainment TV, a content creation firm.

In January 2023,⁤ he launched his plugging channel, which amassed over 300,000 followers ‍before being suspended due to what he believes ⁢was “malicious action by competitors.”

“You know,⁣ there’s war everywhere, even online, there’s war. Someone ⁢can see you say you are ⁢doing more work than them; so⁤ they can use someone to ⁣do that,” he explains.

his new account, Jumah the Plug, has 3,600 followers, and he emphasizes the importance of organic growth over buying followers and likes.

Jumah specializes⁣ in the fashion sector, focusing on “fashion; shoes⁣ and clothes,” but remains open to other opportunities as “it’s a ⁢business.”

He confirms that his earnings from⁢ plugging and online content TV⁢ are sufficient to support him, stating,⁢ “I’m doing great.‍ I cannot complain.”

Jumah’s team consists of about five people. His primary role involves⁤ negotiating terms ⁤and deliverables with clients. “I go there and discuss with the client⁤ about the payment and whatever, then I can just send my photographer ⁢and‍ videographer to take the‍ video,” he says. ⁣”After the videographer does his thing, then he will come back, we edit. There⁤ are those ⁣who review it to see it’s well; it’s okay. Then there’s that one who posts as they ⁣monitor the account.”

jumah highlights the challenge some shops face ⁤in communicating their location to ⁣customers. He recounts an instance ‍where he helped a client regain ⁢business after a mall renaming. “Previously it was called magic, and it was renamed to ⁤Royal ‍palms Mall,” he ‍explains. “Immediately he converted the name to Royal Palms⁢ Mall, that guy ⁢went for almost three days without any sale.⁤ So,he⁢ was wondering what was happening.”

After juma created⁤ a video explaining the change, customers returned. “We did a video without even a payment. There wasn’t any agreement. I just told him,‍ ‘Let’s just⁣ try this.’ we did that and within the following two days, the guy made some sales he never⁤ even expected,” he says.

The trader later paid him ⁤Sh20,000. “I just received an M-Pesa of Sh20,000; for one clip less ⁣than one minute long,” recalls Jumah. “He was⁣ like ‘You cannot ‍understand. You did a great job and you helped a great deal.’”

Jumah believes the plugging market is expanding due to an increasing number of Kenyans who prefer online shopping for convenience. “The person does not even step outside of their gate. Their food is delivered; their clothes are delivered. So, that person is just relaxing, using their phone. You will find out that you are helping that person as a plug,” says Jumah.