02/12/2025
This Is Why Some Start Ups Miss Big Opportunities.
I took a long break from social media last year to focus on other important parts of my life. Even though my YouTube channel passed one thousand subscribers, I did not put in as much effort as before.
Recently, the comments I still receive on old videos made me realise I stopped impacting the way I used to. So I decided to show up again and do things differently.
I came up with an idea.
Instead of creating random tutorials, I decided to collaborate with ten brands from different niches.
I create a free flyer design for them, post it across my social platforms, and also create a tutorial on how I made the design using their real details.
This gives them free designs and extra visibility since anywhere I post the work, I tag their handles.
My first collaboration was with Derus Glam and Fragrance. She is a consistent perfume and beauty brand. Working with her was smooth and she appreciated the design fully.
Now to the part that taught me a lesson.
I reached out to another creator, a shoe maker. She was very consistent and hardworking with barely one thousand followers. Her effort touched me so I wanted to include her in the project.
My first message to her was not even about the collaboration directly.
I first complimented her effort.
I encouraged her.
And I made sure the message would still uplift her even if she did not collaborate with me.
I wanted her to feel seen because she truly shows up despite her low engagements.
After that, I briefly mentioned the collaboration idea and told her she could let me know if she wanted to hear more.
She responded with “I want to know more.”
Of course this was what I hoped for, but something felt off.
A normal person, especially someone still growing a brand, would have been excited that someone noticed their consistency.
There was no excitement, no curiosity, nothing that showed she even understood what I said.
Still, I ignored that feeling and continued.
I explained the idea again, clearly and short, and added a simple line asking her to let me know if it resonates.
She replied, “Go ahead.”
At that point it was obvious she was only reading the last line of each message.
But I stayed patient and tried again.
My next message was extremely short.
I asked if she had an upcoming sales offer or any specific details she wanted me to use since it is the festive season.
I wanted the design to actually serve her.
She replied with “Yeah I am with you.”
It was clear she was still not reading anything.
Still, I gave it one last try.
I broke everything down again in the simplest and most direct way.
Her response came again.
“Go on.”
Then a voice note.
The voice note was rude.
She said I should go straight to the point and that she did not have time to read.
Meanwhile, I had been straight to the point from the beginning.
I did not send anything outside the context.
I was only asking questions to avoid creating a design that does not match her needs.
It became clear she was used to transactional messages like “How much is this” or “I want to order.”
Since my message was not that, she treated it like stress.
And the sad part is this.
This collaboration could have brought her visibility, free designs, and possibly new customers if the content performed well.
She missed that because she refused to read.
Consistency alone cannot build a brand.
Good manners matter.
Openness matters.
And not every opportunity comes packaged in the format you expect.
That was my last message to her.
If she eventually reads it she will learn something.
By the way, below is the design I created for Derus Glam and Fragrance as part of this project.
The tutorial on how I made it is in the comment section.
