FEATURED FUTURE: DIIMEJII
If I have an earpiece plugged in, I'm either listening to The Simple Creative podcast or The Simple Creative podcast because it's my favorite one. I had to get our guest on the show to tell us about his amazing journey as a ”simple creative”, I'm as excited as you are for this one. The magic confetti is up, it's time to have an amazing show.
WNG: Let's get to know you?
DIIMEJII: I’m Oladimeji Ajegbile. A designer & podcaster that explores what it means to live a creative, yet simple life.
I host a podcast called The Simple Creative and I enjoy sharing my thoughts and insights on design, lifestyle and branding via storytelling on Instagram and YouTube.
WNG: That's a lot of creating if you ask me? How did you discover your niche?
DIIMEJII: When I figured out what my long term trajectory with design was, I soon discovered that I needed to explore design as a way of life not just as a course of study in school. This lead me to the search for a higher purpose in design and it's development.
In 2017, after completing my second degree, I finally had the freedom to explore what it means to live a Creative life and there I found it, that I'm not just a designer, but a Creative who is passionate about building brands as well as people and this lead to my niche, Design, Lifestyle & Branding and all three are founded upon the grounds of Creativity.
WNG: What would you describe your podcasting journey as?
DIIMEJII: I would say that my journey with telling stories with audio has been a rollercoaster, not smooth but filled with daily experiences.
The most interesting part is finding myself interviewing designers, entrepreneurs and creators of all kind and spending as much time looking at their writing skills as I do their technical and design skills. It opens me up to a tremendous amount of value and also for my audience.
WNG: Must be nice getting to have so many amazing creatives on your show. You do a lot of creating, how do you balance that with real life?
DIIMEJII: Honestly, I don't balance it, I just do what feels natural to me. Some days, I create more than I spend time with family and other days, it's the other way around.
What helps me is being able to understand what's important in my life and focusing on those things with certain levels of priority.
WNG: Sounds like you have it all figured out. What inspires your creativity?
DIIMEJII: God, family and friends, books, and experiencing nature.
WNG: That's like all my favorite things in one list. Can you share some podcast do’s and don'ts with us?
DIIMEJII: Do's!
Have a structure, always. Do not attempt to freestyle it because a good story needs to have a beginning (set-up), a middle (contrast or conflict), and an end (resolution and key takeaways).
Be authentic as possible. If the audience can relate to your own stories, you will build trust and make a connection.
Know and understand your audience. Knowing your audience's pain points and values will help you tell a compelling story. Determine what topics interest your target audience or what other people or brands they trust and deliver on that.
Dont's
Do not try to be perfect, just be yourself.
Never underestimate the power of community inputs because your listeners or audience are the once that makes your show a show, so prioritise them.
Podcasting isn't for the faint hearted, if you can't put in the work, don't start one.
Do not start one just because everyone is podcasting, or because you think podcasts make money.
There's always room for improvement so don't write yourself off if things don't go your way.
WNG: What is one creative struggle you've successfully found a solution to?
DIIMEJII: Consistency
WNG: Out of social media, what three things do you always do? That's what 3 things don't we know about you?
DIIMEJII: This is a deep one. Three things my community don't know about me, 1. I'm a die hard cyclist. 2. I spend a larger percentage of my day just staring at nothing (meditation) 3. I can do anything for a full serving of Spicy noodles and fried eggs.
WNG: One piece of advice for creatives?
DIIMEJI: Your creative life is yours, own it.
WNG: Trick question, What month has 28 days?
DIIMEJII: Jabruary, if I'm wrong argue with your phone.
WNG: I don't know about that month but I'm sure all months have 28 days. Any special project to look forward to?
DIIMEJII: A few actually.
Season 5 of The Simple Creative (Podcast) Optimised & Equipped. The Creative Summit.
WNG: We are here for it! Thank you for your time Dimeji.