Influencer Cynthia Kalunda, popularly known as Kalunda the Plug, has highlighted the often-ignored realities of digital marketing.
In an interview with Mkamburi Chigogo on Radio47’s ‘Mchikicho’ show, Kalunda shared a recent experience where a stranger criticized her for taking a matatu.
Kalunda said the individual questioned her decision not to own a car, despite her status as one of Kenya’s fast-rising influencers.
The influencer, who began her career as a makeup artist, said she reprimanded the individual for imposing standards regarding her lifestyle.
“Juzi nilikuwa kwa matatu, mtu akaniuliza “Kalunda haunaga gari?” Nikajiuliza kwani mimi ni mdosi hivyo? lakini nikasema ipo siku. Kuna-presseure flani; watu wanakuwekea standards. Mimi sina standards jameni,” she said.
Kalunda emphasized that influencing is not as easy as it may seem. She compared the experience to running a personal business, which she described as quite hectic.
The influencer shared that her day typically commences at 7am and is filled with activities such as brainstorming, content creation, editing, and posting – often extending into the late hours of the night.
“Nikianza nilikuwa nafikiria ni kitu rahisi sana. Ikafika mahali naweza toka kwa nyumba saa moja asubuhi na nirudi saa tao usiku. Nikifika naanza ku-edit zile videos. Before ni-post lazima nifanye research yangu kuhusu nini itafanya hiyo video ku-trend na kuuzia client vitu vyake. It is very hectic, sitaki kudanganya. Nilikuwa nadhani kuwa employed ni kazi mingi laki kuwa self-employed sio rahisi,” said Kalunda.
Kalunda went on to assert that influencing holds substantial monetary potential, provided that one is well-versed in the effective use of social media.
“Kama hauna simu nzuri ama camera, utakuwa challenged. Content quality lazima iwe poa. Kama haiko poa, algorithms haita-push hiyo video,” warned Kalunda.
She indicated that her ability to sell various items, including land, on her social media platforms has allowed her to achieve financial independence.
“Inaweka food kwa table yangu, inanivisha na kunilipia rent. Siishi na wazazi; nilitoka kwa mzazi in the year 2020. Nime-survive nayo the whole of last year. Hiyo ingine ilikuwa a struggle but digital marketing and influencing imenizaidia sana, iko na pesa… Ukiangalia ma-superstars ambao watu wanajua sana, ni watu wana live off influencing,” said Kalunda.
However, Kalunda urged prospective influencers to be watchful, to avoid the pitfalls of fraud. She indicated that she follows her intuition as protection against scammers.
“Gut instinct ikikuambia huyu mtu ni mbaya, wewe kimbia. Mimi huamka na hizo feelings – hizo gut instincts. Kama kitu kitaniambia huyu achana naye, naachana naye. Ndio video zangu zifanye vizuri au niweze kumwuzia mtu vitu vyake viishe, inakuwaga tu guts. Tume-encounter watapeli sana. Kitu kikikuambia usifanye hivi, na ufanye, kinakuharibikia – kinakuramba,” said Kalunda.
