Today, we are interviewing Paul Benedict Zachariah, also known as Zachdev. He is a communications graduate from Murdoch University and is also a researcher for digital media algorithms. As a social media specialist, He has had the opportunity to work privately with agents, celebrities, influencers, and developers. He is a huge fan of Gin Tonic and loves collecting exotic betta fishes!
1. How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us more about your journey?
It was such a challenging journey for me. I had to deal with minor eczema all my life and recently started on steroid withdrawals as well. After my secondary education in Montfort, I studied at the local technical college and majored in retail and events management. Thankfully I did well enough to get a chance at Nanyang Polytechnic for a diploma in hospitality and tourism. I spent 2 years in the military and pursued a degree in communications at Murdoch University. I’ve worked and interned at several companies. Gradually, with my exposure and understanding of the industry, I started Zachdev Services. It is a research agency for digital services, and I was blessed with the chance to work with one of the famous developers N1CN1C, to start Likesforme for social media services.
2. Who are your role models?
Role models? That would be both my Dad and Mom. They hustled hard for our future and always loved each other unconditionally. Despite my long education journey, they were supportive and positive about my life goals. I’ve watched them fought through different challenges in life and figured that adulthood is more than just love and money. Adulthood is about managing your emotions, understanding your responsibilities, and staying positive.
3. What inspires you?
People who persevere through hardship. My Uncle, Tikus, he runs a recycling business and makes a huge profit whenever a transaction happens. He repairs the officially rejected products or machines from factories and willingly donates some of his profits to charity. Despite the hardship and challenges that he is facing with life, profiting is just a bonus, while ethics is a priority.
4. Please tell us about your company
I run a social media research agency, Zachdev Services. I work closely with developers and specialists to study how digital media algorithms are changing. I provide coaching and growth services on how to get viral effectively on various platforms without using risky methods. I keep all my clients confidential, and it has been a great blessing to work with so many professional agents, celebrities, and influencers.
5. What’s your most memorable experience?
I started a sunglasses business back then called Blindfoes, we ran it purely on social media and started collecting orders on Instagram and Whatsapp. A company bought over the customer base and designs privately.
6. How are you using different social media channels/online marketing to market your work?
First of all, the niche that I am targeting would be used to reflect on what type of social media channels I am planning to use. For example, today, TikTok and Instagram are trending platforms that are informative and entertaining. In fact, Facebook has become an online auction hub today filled with all types of buying and selling groups. Sadly, the industry uses a lot of paid advertising advantages and boosting today on these platforms, which makes it really hard to grow organically without buying credibility.
7. What’s your greatest fear?
I fear that one day, the world will solely depend on digital media, and all the traditional, genuine, and beautiful moments will disappear. As a human being, I treasure both the physical human interaction and eye to eye bonding. Because right now, despite chatting on WhatsApp daily, I only get the chance to converse with my own brother in person once a month.
7. Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
I wished my business managing skills were better. There were many challenges faced during the expansion to Taiwan and New Zealand. Even though we had understanding staff and kind customers, the company depended a lot on various external vendors and specialists as well. If my business management skills were much better, we could have avoided some of these unnecessary problems.
8. What are the success strategies/secrets that helped you in your journey?
Acknowledge what your competitors are doing. They always say, try to be unique, try to sell something different. I feel that the primary strategy to success would be the focus on customer service and the understanding of your industry/niche.
9. What is your relationship status? Who is the woman in your life?
I am together with Emily, this lady grew up in a challenging lifestyle and culture. Despite being one of the top accounting students in her country, she sacrificed money for the experience and took on the challenge of working in a different environment. She firmly believes that challenges are priceless learning lessons.
10. What keeps you going when things get tough?
As my dear girlfriend always say, “Without challenges in life, there is no meaning for your existence.”
11. How can people connect with you?
People normally reach out to me via telegram @zachdev or look me up via Instagram @zachdev.ig
12. Any message for our readers…
I think the best motivation comes from your own goals and ideas. Articles online can only influence you to think a certain way, but for an entrepreneur, you need to think without these boundaries.