From Drumming to Becoming the 4th Certified Webflow Partner and Upwork Enthusiast
Victor Ajide, popularly known as Victor_Webflow, embodies the steeze of a Naija tech bro. His profile on X (formerly Twitter) showcases a lifestyle many admire: pictures of his workstation, complete with a MacBook and other tech gadgets, hints at a tech-savvy professional with a remarkable story.
From Drummer to Webflow Designer
Before his journey into tech, Victor was a drummer.
“Before Webflow, I used to play drums in my church and for parties. I still do, but not as much as I used to,” he shared during the BTS Twitter Space.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was a turning point for Victor. With parties on hold, his drumming gigs dried up, leaving him financially stranded. Meanwhile, his tech-savvy friends continued earning during the lockdown. Realizing the potential of tech, they encouraged Victor to join the field.
“My friends are the real OGs,” he said. “They bought the course for me to learn and told me not to visit them anymore if I didn’t take it seriously.” Their tough love paid off as Victor dedicated himself to Webflow courses and self-study, setting the stage for his career in tech.
Struggles and Breakthroughs
Victor’s early days in freelancing weren’t smooth sailing. He joined Fiverr, but the platform proved challenging.
“It was really difficult getting clients and jobs. I had to abandon Fiverr and began posting my work process on X,” he recalled. He quickly learned that having the skill is one thing, but landing good clients is another.
On Upwork, his experience was initially similar.
“I’ve had my account for a few years now, and truly, it has not been easy. At first, I left the account because I wasn’t getting any clients and felt I was wasting my connections on the app,” he said.
Determined to succeed, Victor reached out to successful Upwork freelancers, who shared valuable resources such as YouTube videos and articles.
“I studied them, applied the approaches I learned, and started getting clients,” Victor shared. This persistence paid off, establishing him as a recognized specialist on the platform.
Victor’s Learning Process
When asked about his learning process, Victor kept it simple.
“I don’t have a special process; I’m just a good listener and communicator. I do a lot of research on my work and make good use of resources,” he said.
Challenges with Clients
Victor’s candid take on client challenges revealed stark differences between Nigerian and international clients.
“I prefer international clients because they pay in foreign currency and value you as a creative. Nigerian clients, on the other hand, think they are doing you a favor by hiring you. They pay less but expect a lot of value,” he explained.
To date, Victor has worked with only four Nigerian clients; the majority of his projects are with foreign clients. “Foreign clients are ready to listen to you and pay you your worth,” he added, underscoring the economic advantages of working with international clients given Nigeria’s currency challenges.
Wrapping Up
Victor Ajide’s journey from church drummer to one of Webflow’s certified partners and a recognized Upwork specialist is a testament to perseverance and adaptability. His story inspires creatives navigating their paths in tech and freelancing.
To listen to Victor’s full story, including his tips and experiences, catch the replay of the BTS Twitter Space here: Twitter Space Link.
