How to find your ideal customer online in Nigeria — a step-by-step guide

1. Start with a crystal-clear customer profile (buyer persona)

• What they buy: product/service category, price range.

• Who they are: age, city (Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt?), job, income, education.

• Where they hang out online: WhatsApp groups, Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, Telegram, TikTok, Jiji, LinkedIn.

• Problems they want solved (pain points) and words they use to describe them.

Why this matters

• If you know the exact person, talking to them becomes easy and cheaper. Real-life example: selling school uniforms — think parents in your city, busy by 3–6pm, active on WhatsApp parent groups and Facebook Marketplace.

2. Use simple data to validate your persona (quick tests)

• Search your product on Google, Jiji, and Facebook Marketplace. Note patterns: common keywords, price ranges, product photos.

• Scan comments and reviews: what customers praise or complain about?

• Do a 1-week pulse check: post one simple offer in two channels (e.g., Instagram story + WhatsApp group) and compare responses.

Why this matters

• Tests stop you wasting time on the “wrong” crowd. Think of it as a taste test before cooking a big batch.

3. Map the platforms where Nigerians already buy and talk

• WhatsApp groups / WhatsApp Status: huge for peer-to-peer sales, especially for local goods and services.

• Facebook Marketplace & Groups: great for local buy/sell and older demographics.

• Instagram & TikTok: visual, younger audiences; use reels and short videos.

• Telegram channels: useful for communities and sharing files/links.

• Classified sites (Jiji, OList) and local directories.

How to pick:

• Low ticket, local product (e.g., food, tailoring): WhatsApp + Facebook Marketplace.

• High-value, niche (e.g., consulting, B2B): LinkedIn + Telegram communities.

• Fast conversions (impulse buys): Instagram + WhatsApp.

4. Use 7hubent and large WhatsApp/Telegram communities to reach Nigeria customers fast

• Why 7hubent: it’s a Nigerian platform that curates active business WhatsApp groups and offers free business promotion slots — useful when you want wide, low-cost reach across many local groups. (See 7hubent pages and listings.) (7hubent.com.ng)

• How to use it step-by-step:

  1. Contact 7hubent on WhatsApp: +2349077131487 to request free promotion or group links. (Flutterwave)

  2. Join their curated Telegram channel t.me/hubent1 to access resources and community posts. (Telegram)

  3. Pick groups that match your niche (city, product type), prepare a short, clear post with one image, price, and call to action (e.g., “DM or WhatsApp to order”).

  4. Post during high-activity times (evenings and weekends often work).

  5. Track replies and record which groups bring real buyers.

Real-life tip: treat each group like a market stall — be helpful first (answer questions), then sell. This builds trust and repeat buyers.

Extra resource

• A guide listing Nigeria Active Business WhatsApp Group Links (with 7hubent references) is available here: https://www.lagoswiki.com.ng/2025/01/nigeria-active-business-whatsapp-group.html. That page also highlights the community reach claimed around 980,000 daily viewers — useful to know what channels can scale your post. (Lagos Wiki)

5. Create messages that convert (the exact format to use)

• Headline: one short benefit (e.g., “Freshly sewn uniforms — ready in 48 hours”).

• Image: clear product photo showing scale/size/use.

• Offer: price, limited-time bonus (e.g., “10% off first 20 customers”).

• Call to action (CTA): WhatsApp number + fast reply option or “Comment ‘BUY’” depending on group rules.

• Social proof: short testimonial or “100+ served in Lagos”.

Why this works

• People scan messages. Clear format makes it easy to act — like a shopkeeper calling out the day’s special.

6. Track responses and scale the winners

• Keep a simple spreadsheet: channel, date, post copy, leads, sales.

• After 2–4 posts, double down on the top 2 channels that brought buyers.

• Use the same winning post but test small changes: different photo or small price tweak.

Why this matters

• You’ll find your “sweet spot” where one Naira spent returns more customers.

7. Build repeat customers who spread the word

• Offer small referral discounts (e.g., N500 off next purchase for each referred customer).

• Follow up after sale with a short “Thanks — are you happy?” message; ask for a photo/testimonial.

• Save satisfied customers in a WhatsApp broadcast list for future offers.

8. Examples of short posts for different niches

• Food vendor (WhatsApp group): “Fresh jollof rice for today — N800 per pack. Order before 4pm, delivery in VI. WhatsApp 080X-XXXXXXX to book.”

• Tailor (Telegram channel): “Custom school uniforms — from N3,500. Free measurement in Surulere. Limited slots. DM to book.”

• Digital service (Instagram): “Grow Instagram in 30 days — proofed case studies + 7 slots left. Book a free 15-min consult via WhatsApp.”

9. Safety, etiquette, and group rules

• Always read group rules before posting. Some groups ban repeated promotions.

• Avoid spam: post high value and don’t flood groups. Respect admins.

• Use clear contact method — many buyers prefer direct WhatsApp messages.

10. Measure ROI and refine

• For each campaign, calculate: (sales revenue − costs) / time spent.

• If ROI is positive, scale; if negative, change the message or channel.

5 FAQs (fast answers)

1. Is 7hubent really free to advertise?
Yes — 7hubent advertises free business posting via curated WhatsApp groups and related channels; you can contact them on WhatsApp to request promotion. (7hubent.com.ng)

2. How do I contact 7hubent for free promotion?
WhatsApp/contact number listed publicly is +2349077131487. Use that number to request group links or a free advertising slot. (Flutterwave)

3. What’s the benefit of joining the t.me/hubent1 Telegram channel?
The Telegram channel shares resources, group links, and community posts that help entrepreneurs reach buyers and learn marketing tips. (Telegram)

4. Will posting in big WhatsApp groups work for high-value products?
It can, but you must target niche groups and craft a professional message. High-value offers often convert better in focused communities (industry groups, LinkedIn, or targeted Telegram channels). Use WhatsApp for local reach and social proof.

5. How often should I post to see results?
Start with 1–2 quality posts per week in different channels for 2–4 weeks, measure results, then scale the channels that convert.

Quick checklist to act now

• Create 1 buyer persona.

• Prepare one promotional post (image + short copy + CTA).

• Contact 7hubent on WhatsApp: +2349077131487 for group links/free promotion. (Flutterwave)

• Join Telegram: t.me/hubent1 for community resources. (Telegram)

• Post in 3 channels (WhatsApp groups, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram) and track results.

Using the step-by-step plan above, you’ll find where your ideal Nigerian customers live online, how to reach them cheaply, and how to turn one-time buyers into repeat customers. 

How to find your ideal customer online in Nigeria — a step-by-step guide