Way Maker by Sinach named Song of the Year at the 2020 Dove Awards.

𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗗𝗜𝗗𝗡'𝗧 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘.

First, many congratulations are in order.

About a week ago, Sinach’s Way Maker song was named 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙊𝙉𝙂 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍 at the 𝗗𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦.

This is a groundbreaking success, as it has not been recorded in the history of the Dove Awards that a song from Nigeria won the “highest” category.

Here’s a little background to help you put things in context.

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Since its inception in 1969, American gospel artistes come together in a large event once a year to celebrate artistes who are dominating their spaces. This event is called THE DOVE AWARDS.

The event is streamed live on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network), which is the world’s largest religious broadcasting network. Usually this massive event holds in Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena; which is a huge event center that can comfortably hold 4000-5000 people.

The Dove Awards is by no means a small event.

Also, the 𝙎𝙊𝙉𝙂 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍 is considered to be the highest category in the Dove Awards, and this spot has never been claimed by a song from Nigeria before.

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Way Maker (the song’s) success and recognition at this global level are considered groundbreaking by all standards.

Here’s also a little background to help you put things in context.

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After the release of its official music video in 2015, Way Maker seemed to stall for a while before picking up. In 2019, the song hit over 100 million views on Youtube. This made it the FIRST single gospel music video from Nigeria to hit that record. At the time of the creation of this content piece, it has over 160 million views on Youtube.

Picture Credits;

Google Images

2020 marked another milestone in the lifespan of this song as this is the year it went viral in the United States. After Michael Smith made a cover of the song, it became an anthem for U.S churches.

Shortly after this, other versions were released by some phenomenal American gospel music artists and crews like Darlene Zschech and William McDowell, Leeland, and Christafari (who did a reggae version of the song).

The sudden attention of the world on this song boosted it in no small way. Within a short while, it had topped the US Christian music billboard, locked down the top spot in the CCLI’s (Christian Copyright Licensing International) list of top 100 songs, and many other recognitions followed. At this time, the song has been translated into over 50 different languages.

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This is a well-deserved win for a deserving song.

However, after the song was officially named "song of the year," I had to take a closer look at some factors. Here a few lessons I have learned from all these events.

P/s; If you are an online business owner/content creator/whatever business you do (as far as you need the attention of people to thrive online, this content piece is for you.

Here are a few valuable business lessons I have picked out from all these events.

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𝟭. 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗟;

When all these events began to unfold, I was compelled to revisit this music video, and when I opened my eyes to see beyond what others were looking at, a few things began to make themselves evident.

A. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.

Sinach was not just looking at the Nigerian market when she shot that video. If she was, then it may not have made so much sense (at the time) to invest so much in the production of one video.

Go back and watch that music video (after reading this, that is 😎). You will see how the global mindset played out.

From the cinematography to the sound quality, to instrumentation and video presentation - everything was up to the standards of the international market. It wasn’t mediocre content.

B. 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀; 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬.

Here’s the truth. Highly successful people will NEVER endorse crap.

And "endorsements" are what happened as soon as these American gospel music sensations began to make covers out of the original song.

Also, a few people can be wrong, but in this case, the numbers signify that something has been done well. Mediocre content will NEVER attract the attention of over 160 million people.

As a business owner/content creator who wishes to go global, does your products/services/content reach the standards of the international market?

Have you taken the pain to make sure that the end consumers of your products/services/content have an amazing experience with your brand?

As a content creator/writer who has visions of being an international figure, do you still struggle with little mistakes in your content?

Do you still say "Am" instead of "I am," "your" instead of "you're," and believe that it doesn't matter? 🤦

Do you strive for EXCELLENCE or are you so obsessed with “showing up” and “selling” that you don’t mind the QUALITY of what you put out?

While I do not neglect the fact that God’s grace has been at work in these events (at all), let us not try to explain away the massive success of this song.

God’s grace, Yes. But this is a clear example of grace that WAS NOT WASTED. (check out 1 Cor 15:10, if you are a person of faith).

If you must go global, then you must put in the work and produce what is relevant on a global scale. God’s grace may not make an exception for you.

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2. 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦.

Way maker (the song) broke into the American market after a veteran in the American gospel music industry (Michael Smith) introduced it to that audience by making a cover of the song.

A time will come in your journey when you will need to break into new markets and get your products/services in the faces of new people that can benefit from it. More often than not, you will need people to make this connection to a new place.

God will bless you, yes! But many times, He will do this through people.

P/s; Never joke with people. They will play a major role in your success.

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𝟯. 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧.

Not all of your content pieces will perform the same way.

We sometimes harbor these fantastical ideas that everything we put out will go ka-boom (🔥) and reach the over 7 billion people on the planet.

This rarely ever happens.

Sinach has written over a thousand songs, released hundreds of these, and not all of the released songs performed the same way. Some have been widely acclaimed, while others have not had the same amount of success.

Knowing this, you will have the secret to making it big in the online space.

Here it is;

𝗕𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁. 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗹, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.

In every place your content appears - blog posts, podcasts, social media content, books, etc - make sure you communicate value. When you have been known over time to be one that shares immense value, more people will begin to come your way.

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𝟰. 𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗖𝗛 𝗜𝗦 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨, 𝗠𝗨𝗖𝗛 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨.

If you have seen Sinach’s latest music video (Peace in the Storm), you may understand what I mean here.

This new video took “quality” to a whole new level. Everything about the video production showed progress and continuous dedication to excellence.

Picture Credits;

Google Images

This is the way it should be with your business and content; continuous dedication to development and progress. You cannot be at the same level today as you were yesterday.

Once much is given to you (the attention of the people that need your business), much more is expected of you (you need to do much more to ensure that you are always at your A-game).

Remember, it takes much to get to the top, and even more to stay there.

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While there are still a lot of lessons I drew from these events, this post has become long.

One thing you must always remember is this; '𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗟' 𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗧. It is a call to commit to excellence, showing up well, consistency, and continuous growth.

Your content must not be perfect, but it should not be crappy either. 🤷

Now it is your turn. Did you get value? 🤔

P/s; If you got value from this post, copy the link and share it with as many people as need to see this. It could be the nudge they will need to make the rest of the year the best of the year for themselves.

In the meantime, do not forget to SUBSCRIBE to this site, so that you do not miss out on the future goodies that will be available in no time.

CIAO