_In a short while, AbdulSalam Idris, popularly known as Smallie on various social media platforms, has become a fast rising social media influencer. Initially, he did not plan to take ‘influencing’ as a job but only started compiling trending stories and gists in a thread on Twitter timeline for fun. However, instead of generic posts about trends and happenings, Smallie tweets like a journalist about trivial subjects. This makes his tweets not only interesting but humorous as well. The social media personality has managed to stand out on Twitter with his ‘Gist with Smallie’ through which he put a twist on popular trends for his more than 500,000 followers. In this interview, the Kogi State-born undergraduate student of Mechanical Engineering at the Ado Bayero University, Kano shares his journey into influencing, challenges and future plans_
You have become popular for doing recaps of Twitter trends, what inspired you to start ‘Gist with Smallie’?
It wasn’t planned. I can’t really point to what inspired me to start doing it as it was just in the heat of the moment. But with time, it became intentional. It was always a very busy day for many on the Twitter timeline with many stories and gist they couldn’t catch up with, So I decided to put those gists in a thread. As days and weeks go by, a lot of people queued in and were grateful because I saved them the stress of searching for gist everywhere on the timeline and they enjoyed it because I infused a touch of humor in those gist. People also encouraged me to continue because it was during a lockdown period and many gist will still come to the timeline. So I basically became the lockdown gist reporter.
Tell us how you then morphed into influencing.
I was just addicted to Twitter, then I started creating content with massive engagements. You can’t have that kind of engagement and not automatically become an influencer. Your choice or not, you are automatically an influencer when you start having many engagements on your social media posts. My page became a go-to place whenever people were looking for events that’s happening on the timeline and this brought a lot of engagement to my page. I championed the “Violence FC” movement on Twitter. Many people became ‘Violence FC’ members on social media because of me and I think that’s proper influencing there.
Can you remember the first major project you handled?
It was a movie titled ‘Introducing the Kujus’.
*You are studying Mechanical Engineering at the University but you’re already building a career in Digital Media space, would that not affect your plan for engineering?*
If na you, you go get plan for engineering? Well, with the situation of things in this country, I have decided to focus more on what puts food on the table for me which is influencing. But in the long run, I have a plan to input engineering into the digital space in Nigeria.
What’s your reaction when you meet fans and they recognize you?
At first, I was very shy and felt weird when people tried to take selfies with me. But with time, I got used to it and it became part of my lifestyle.
So do you consider yourself a celebrity now?
I honestly don’t think about that much. I just know that I do my thing and people are recognising me.
How lucrative is influencing as a profession?
Well, I think it’s a known fact that influencing as a profession is lucrative to a lot of people out there. You only need to create a niche for yourself to remain outstanding.
As an influencer and young Nigerian, have you experienced any form of harassment from the security operatives before?
Yes, just like many other Nigerian youths, I have experienced some brushes with the Police and it’s disheartening.
Do you belong to any Digital Marketing body or Management?
Yes, I am with Dynasty Africa. That’s my management. It is a digital agency that provides the services of digital marketing and talent management.
What’s their role in your career?
As my management, they have helped me achieve goals in my branding, and they’ve helped in my growth in business. They are one of the best out there in digital marketing and working with them has been a great experience so far.
What has been your greatest highlight in this field?
It was when I clocked 500,000 followers on Twitter
How do you react to trolls?
Before, it used to get to me but with time I learnt to control my emotions on social media. That’s like a jackpot for me, once you know it is just social media, then nothing can get to you.
What is that thing that keeps you going?
My contents make a lot of people happy and that’s enough reason for me to keep going. I’ve always wanted the best for myself, I am not there yet but I keep moving forward.
Are you in any relationship?
I’m a single Pringle.
*What are those things you look out for in your ideal woman?*
She must, first of all, be cerebral and as long as she doesn’t stress me too much, then I’m good.
There has been a lot of talk on social media regulations. Do you support a law to checkmate the activities of social media users?
No, I think people should be free to air their opinions. A lot of people want to express themselves and the only platform they have for that is social media. So passing a bill may create a lot of discomfort for a lot of people.
Aside from social media influencing, what else do you do?
I am also into Photography.
What are your future career plans?
I want to have a bigger and better life.