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5 Must-Have Platforms for Aspiring Reality Stars

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Sallu Kamuskay
By Sallu Kamuskay  - Journalist and Public Relations Expert 5 Min Read
5 Min Read

After spending some time following the production of Big Brother Naija and reading about the contestants, one thing is clear — most of them didn’t wait for the show to make them popular. They came in with a plan. Many were already growing their online presence, building their personal brands, and connecting with fans even before stepping into the house.

 

If you’re a Sierra Leonean preparing to join a reality TV show, don’t wait until you’re on screen. You should already be active and building your audience on social media.

 

Here are five important platforms you should grow before entering the house — inspired by what works in Big Brother Naija:

 

 

 

1. Instagram – Build Your Personal Brand

 

Instagram is where most Big Brother Naija contestants build their image. Before entering the house, their pages are already filled with:

 

Stylish photos

 

Creative videos

 

Personal stories

 

Hints of their personality and lifestyle

 

 

Why it matters: This is where brands and fans will first check you out. Having a well-curated, engaging Instagram profile gives you a head start.

 

What to do now:

 

Post consistently

 

Use high-quality photos and reels

 

Show your lifestyle, talents, and interests

 

 

2. Twitter (Now X) – Create a Voice and Fan Base

 

Before going into the Big Brother Naija house, many contestants already had followers engaging with their tweets. They used Twitter to express opinions, interact with people, and build early fan bases.

 

Why it matters: Twitter is where trends happen. If you’re already active before the show, it’s easier for fans to rally around you when you’re inside.

 

What to do now:

 

Share your thoughts

 

Join relevant conversations

 

Use hashtags smartly

 

Show your personality through tweets

 

 

 

3. TikTok – Show Your Fun and Creative Side

 

Many contestants grow popular on TikTok before getting into Big Brother Naija. It’s a platform where short, fun videos can quickly go viral — dancing, acting, lip-syncing, or sharing funny skits.

 

Why it matters: Producers and fans love contestants who are already entertaining and relatable online.

 

What to do now:

 

Create short videos that show your vibe

 

Use trending sounds and challenges

 

Be authentic and creative

 

 

 

4. Facebook – Reach More People Across Sierra Leone

 

While platforms like Instagram and TikTok attract mostly young people, Facebook has a wider audience across age groups and regions — especially in Sierra Leone.

 

Why it matters: A strong Facebook page can help you reach fans who may not be active on other platforms.

 

What to do now:

 

Create a public Facebook page

 

Post regularly with photos, updates, and short videos

 

Engage with your followers in Krio or simple English to keep it relatable

 

 

 

5. YouTube – Share Your Story in Full

 

Before entering the Big Brother Naija house, some contestants already had YouTube channels where they shared:

 

Vlogs

 

Interviews

 

Skits

 

Life updates

 

 

Why it matters: YouTube builds a deeper connection with fans and shows your dedication to content creation.

 

What to do now:

 

Start a channel

 

Post videos talking about your journey, passion, or behind-the-scenes moments

 

Let people know who you are before they meet you on TV

 

 

Reality TV can give you a big platform — but only if you’re already preparing before the spotlight hits. Big Brother Naija contestants succeed because they start growing their online presence before they enter the house. They are already building an audience, telling their story, and creating a brand that fans can connect with.

 

If you’re a Sierra Leonean contestant hoping to make it big, start now. Don’t wait for the show to introduce you to the world — let your social media do it first.

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By Sallu Kamuskay Journalist and Public Relations Expert
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Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organiser, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. His work has been regularly referenced and published by national and international media and public policy institutions. Sallu Kamuskay was a child during the brutal war in Sierra Leone. Growing up in the midst of conflict, Sallu witnessed unimaginable abuse of children and gross violations of human rights. The horrors he witnessed during the Civil War had a terrible impact on him at a very tender age. But despite the shock of the war, Sallu never lost hope. He started on a journey of recovery, studying, and working for a better future. At age 15, Sallu entered into the world of activism and advocacy. Sallu Kamuskay was the Vice President of the Young Leaders Organisation, a member of the National Youth Council. The Young Leaders is one of the oldest youth-led organisations in West Africa. The organisation was formed by a group of young leaders, and launched by the then Head of State/President of Sierra Leone. Sallu was part of the group of young leaders who participated in and contributed to the establishment of the National Youth Council. The Commonwealth supported the training for trainers programme with line ministries and youth stakeholders in which key, representatives of youth council, student union and civil society/private sector youth platforms were engaged and empowered in the effective engagement and inclusion of youth. Sallu is co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global multimedia and public relations firm based In Sierra Leone. Sallu has worked on various developmental and policy issues such as Poverty, Climate Change, Human rights, Child Rights, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Civic Engagement, Government policies, Information Communication Technology for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and has also been contributing to various global events and advocacy campaigns. Sallu Kamuskay is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global Multimedia and Public Relations Firm based in Sierra Leone with the latest news and information, on top stories, business, politics, entertainment, and more. Sallu is working with a leading technology company in Africa, Techfrica, that has recently developed and launched a social media, messaging Supfrica with over 150,000 downloads on the Google play store in less than 4 days. He is the Adviser and Media coordinator for the App to give people the platform to connect and communicate to help shape their future with a very fast internet that allows users that live in deprived and hard-to-reach areas with poor internet facility to be able to communicate as it allows and stronger on 2 and 3 G network reception. Sallu has over 9 years of experience in youth engagement, inclusion, and coordination both at local and global levels, giving voice to young people and engaging young people to build a better world. He has served as coordinator for the Wave Alliance which brought together youth-led organisations who attended an international training in South Africa organized by the International Organization – Waves for Change. Sallu is working with the MLT, Waves For Change, and the Government to develop safe spaces for young people, with a view to contributing to the overall development goals of young people including health, as well as to community rebuilding. Sallu is currently the Programme Director for the Wave Alliance, which is a coalition of youth-led and community-based organisations that have successfully introduced evidence-based Surf Therapy programs to young people in communities, with a focus on mental health, peace building and sustainable development. Sallu is currently the focal point and face of Africa’s Faces Social media platform which is a global Social media platform that brings together people from across the world to share their moments, connect, share videos, and interact with friends giving more preference to excluded continents like Africa. Sallu Kamuskay has devoted his time to working for or contributing to a number of national and international organizations and companies, including the Techfrica Technology Company, United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, Commonwealth Africa Initiatives. This work has led him to travel to a number of countries to contribute to global youth platforms. Sallu is the lead Coordinator for Peace Tour programme, an initiative supported by the European Union, Africa Union, ECOWAS focusing on uniting and empowering young people and local communities. Over the years, Sallu Kamuskay has been using his Techno phone to be able to tell stories, the phone he used to tell the story of Gbessay during Ebola who was admitted at one of the Ebola treatment centers after rumors that she had Ebola when the actual sickness was ulcer, she was almost abandoned at the treatment canter with no medication provided to her. She could have died. Sallu told the story via social media and was able to secure funding from the United Sierra Leone to buy her medication and advocated for her. She was later discharged and taken home, He did the same to a patient that died and was abandoned in the street, Sallu Kamuskay used his phone and shared the message across, the corps was later taken and buried. It could have been more disaster without his voice. The story of late America Stress 3-year-old daughter. The hero’s daughter was abandon after his father's death. He shared her sad story and was able to get a sister who has taken the child as her own and is currently providing her with educational support. The article of America Stress can be read on the link below http://ayvnewspaper.com/index.php/k2-categories/item/7350-america-stress-a-hero-to-recognize. Sallu Kamuskay feels the stories of Gbessay, America stress and that of many others need to be told. The media house we have cannot better tell these stories, they are better reporters than telling human interest stories. He created the Salone Messenger platform and brought together passionate storytellers to be able to tell these compelling stories.