Over 600 Nigerian freelancers and creators gathered at the Geegs & Groove Festival

It’s 7:30 pm and over 500 Nigerian creators and freelancers are listening raptly to a masterclass session on the secrets to earn over $200,000 on Upwork at the Geegs and Groove Festival. 

For an event that started at 2 pm, it’s a bit unusual to still see the hall filled up, with some people standing at the back. But then again Nigerians are passionate and resilient people who want to learn.

The crowd is a testament to the event's reach and appeal, with attendees travelling from as far as Alagbado (42 kilometres) and Enugu (a 12-hour journey). Among them are a UNILAG student with three years of Upwork experience and a UI/UX designer struggling to afford data and secure work on the platform. Despite their varied backgrounds and experiences, attendees shared a common purpose: to network, exchange ideas, and fortify the bonds within their professional community.

Hosted by GeegPay (a platform by Nigerian fintech startup Raenest) on September 20 at The Hall in Lagos, the maiden edition of Geegs and Groove was an opportunity for the Nigerian digital community to gather together to network, share ideas, and build community.

The event featured insightful talks, the launch of the Raenest USD physical card, and a variety of fun games and prizes. It began with a panel discussion on "Building a Sustainable Career in the Global Digital Economy," moderated by Cynthia Orji, Content Marketing Manager at Raenest.

The panel featured prominent figures in the digital community, including seasoned filmmaker Steven Ndukwu, branding and communications expert Blessing Abeng, Omoalhaja, founder of Skill Afrika, and frontend engineer and technical writer David Herbert.

When panellists were asked about essential skills for the 21st century, they quickly offered their insights. Herbert emphasised adaptability, while Ndukwu highlighted patience.

"Don't expect immediate success," Ndukwu advised. "It's easy to become discouraged if you don't see large numbers right away."

Blessing Abeng encouraged the audience to learn and share actively. "You can learn anything," she said. "Believe in your potential, and you'll approach challenges with a more positive mindset."

Omoalhaja shared his experience of overcoming underprivileged circumstances through online resources. "I prioritise reading over using my phone," he explained.

Ndukwu described his journey, beginning content creation despite facing obstacles like a demanding job and limited resources. "Don't hesitate to share," he advised. "If you can't shoot video, try audio. Don't limit yourself."

Launching the Raenest Physical USD Card

Following the panel, event host Timi Agbaje engaged the audience in a fun activity. He paired attendees and asked them to create creative presentations, with the audience serving as judges. The resulting performances were surprisingly imaginative, including ads, dramas and dances.

Afterwards, the company unveiled the physical Raenest USD card, a tangible addition to the virtual dollar card launched in April 2024.

The physical USD card offers a convenient and secure way for the over 500,000 freelancers who use GeegPay to make and receive international payments. It can be used for ATM withdrawals and payments worldwide without excessive card fees.

Secrets to earning $200,000+ on Upwork

The event culminated in a masterclass session where experienced Upwork freelancers offered valuable insights on how to achieve six-figure earnings.

Moderated by Precious Ahwuri, the Masterclass session featured Ifeoluwa Amao, Microsoft 365 tech support engineer, Ebunoluwa Olaoluwa, email marketing expert, and Eseoghene Otomiewor, SEO content writer.

They shared accounts of how they got into freelancing with Olaoluwa sharing that she dabbled into freelancing at a time when she wasn’t able to secure a job.

With over 18 million freelancers jostling for 841,000 active clients on Upwork, a pertinent question on the minds of attendees was how they could optimise their profiles for better visibility.

Olaoluwa advised that people should focus on ensuring that their profiles say what they do.

Otomiewor was quick to point out that it’s important to think from the perspective of the client.  “Nobody cares about what you can do but what you can do for them. Clients don’t want content. They want results it can give them,” he said. 

As the Masterclass concluded, audience members began to ask questions. One attendee inquired about how to handle clients requesting lower prices. Otomiewor advised that early in a career, it might be necessary to offer discounted rates to establish a reputation and build a portfolio.

Another participant asked if it was better to be a generalist with multiple income streams or a specialist focused on a single area. Amao shared his personal experience. He began as a generalist, capable of writing on various topics and performing diverse tasks. However, he eventually specialised, emphasising that when people seek solutions, they often turn to experts.

At 8 pm, even after a long day, the crowd was still full of energy and eager for the next part of the event. The DJ, Crowd Kontroller, turned up the volume, and the grooving began.