Social Celebrities - Nicholla Henderson Hall

Nicholla is very well known for several of her Facebook groups in Oman, Muscat Where Can I Find above all. I’m glad Nicholla agreed to share her experiences with us, here it follows:

I'm a mompreneur, who loves social media and podcasting.  I'm a Business studies graduate and a chartered marketer. The last 5 years of my life has probably been the catapult to my career which everyone wishes started when they left Uni.  Mine started 8 years in.  I've brought people and communities together to share knowledge through social media and now I'm creating conversations in communities and using social media to take it there. AND I love it!

Current place of work?

Work in Abu Dhabi now through my websites, podcast and social media platforms. 

How did your passion for social media started?

It started because I was trying to find what I was looking for in Muscat. Facebook was a new social tool and I thought it would be a great tool to find what I needed through friends without having to traipse around the shops in the heat.  Little did I know at the time, it would become the community platform that it has become.  We have now Facebook Groups in other cities. We have a website. We have a newsletter and now that I am in Abu Dhabi I am recreating the same along with my new podcast, 'The learning curve podcast'

Have you ever thought it could become your 'real' job?

No I didn't think it would become a job.  Its only when folk started talking about it and sharing its potential that I began to think more strategically about where it was going, how it needed to develop and why I was doing it.   It has now developed and I am working on creating new communities with a plan behind it. Also my new podcast which will also include how to use social media so that people looking to use these tools for both social and business can get to grips with it all.  It’s a fascinating world and a world that I think everyone should be involved in. Not only to communicate but to learn, share, help and thrive in.

What's your favourite platform?

I don't have one I have many but my go to socials are Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn.  They all offer a different audience, message and strategy.  With my communities and my podcasts it’s all about knowing these factors first and then utilising the profiles in the way that works best.  They all do seem similar but they are actually quite different in terms of their own messages.

What's the biggest challenge you had to face?

Think my biggest challenge is remembering to separate them each of my communities and my podcast.  They sometimes all feel like the same and yet they are not and getting that clear in my head sometimes just gets confused.  So to help I get a pen and paper and rebuild my mind map of how each community should look and how the podcast show should work so that I can be clear about my vision and direction for each. Sometimes it does feel repetitive but it helps.

And the biggest satisfaction?

My biggest satisfaction is when it all goes right. There are many a time on my platforms when discussions get heated and go off course.  It’s quite regular but there are times when all the pieces fall into place and a conversation pulls in energy and knowledge and community spirit.  Folk help and engage with one another and all we see is a thriving, colourful community.  THAT is what makes me smile.  I am really proud of the communities that have been created.  I am proud of the energy and care entrusted by members. They share such valuable and credible information that makes my communities great places to be.  So many friendships have been made, its amazing.

How many hours a day do you spend on social media?

My working day is spent on working with social media, my podcast and building my vision.  I do have a bigger plan.  I'm never off of it. I do sometimes get overwhelmed by information overload but I have learnt to pull back and only pick the bits that are relevant to me at that moment.  I do make a choice though that come 6pm - I do 'de-socialise' :)

Who's the person you read/follow the most online?

Jeff Bullas, Chris Farrell, Amy Porterfield, Melanie Duncan, Keith Keller, Jo Barnes, Michael Stelzer - it’s a long list but they are my gurus in terms of helping me achieve what I want to achieve with my communities and podcasts.

If you were not into social media, what would you be doing?

Pre social media I was in property and private Jets and I can't imagine doing those again. I've found my niche and this is where I want to stay.  I've always wanted to work for myself and so if it wasn't social media I'd be doing something where I could be my own boss and have my own vision.

Thanks again for your time Nicholla! 

Previous social media Celebrities in Oman:  Nicole Bassit, Riyadh Al-Balushi, Rasha Al Madani, Fahmi Al Ma'Awali, Al Sayyida Mayya and Neal Bowden.