About CID: My Story
Welcome to my world!
I am CID, a visionary Software Engineer cum Digital Marketer, and I am thrilled to share my extraordinary journey with you.
It all began in a remote village in Africa, where I grew up in a humble background, facing financial constraints and limited educational opportunities.
However, fueled by boundless ambition and a deep fascination for technology, I embarked on a quest to discover the easiest and most free ways to make money online.
With an empty wallet, a Nokia Asha 201 Symbian phone, and a knack for mathematics, I eagerly explored various avenues.
From paid surveys to copywriting and freelance article writing, I left no stone unturned.
It was through iWriter, an online content writing service platform, that I experienced my first taste of success, earning my initial $1.92.
Unfortunately, my account was frozen due to inactivity, a setback that still resonates with me to this day.
Undeterred by challenges and rejection, I continued my relentless pursuit of success in the digital world; what other choices did I have by the way?
I eagerly contributed content to most of those “X Number of Sites That Pay You $100-$3000 To Write Articles.”
And I can vividly remember submitting a listicle to Listverse, hoping to see my work published.
However, after 4 weeks of waiting, I was informed that my “Top Ten Wonderful Inventions With The Most Bizarre Secrets” listicle which took me 2 months to research and write, fell short of their standards.
It was disheartening, to say the least.
Determined to find my path, I even delved into ‘spammy affiliate link promotions‘, gaining valuable insights into the world of online marketing.
And in case you are curious, this murky world of spammy affiliate link promotions thrives on tactics like flooding social media platforms with generic product endorsements, sending relentless email campaigns laden with clickbait, and luring unsuspecting users into deceptive schemes promising quick riches through a maze of affiliate links.
You could say it’s a place where authenticity and credibility often take a backseat to relentless self-promotion and dubious tactics.
Although I never reached the depths of these practices, I did dip my toes in by adding my affiliate link to nearly every Facebook post I came across.
Well, each experience was a stepping stone, teaching me invaluable lessons along the way.
At this point, I loved ‘writing‘ enough to want to become good at content writing and to achieve that I needed to write a ton.
How do I learn content creation without losing the initial enthusiasm, while also documenting my progress in a way that I can go back to in the future with the certainty that I will always find my previous work?
Driven by an unyielding spirit, I turned to blogging as an avenue to learn content writing, document my progress, express myself, and share my knowledge.
Starting with free web hosting sites, I experimented with various platforms before settling on Blogspot (Blogger by Google).
It was here that I honed my skills and found my voice, ready to make a lasting impact in the digital landscape.
You could argue whether that worked or not, but at least I followed my ‘passion‘.
More about my blogging adventure in a moment.
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In early 2017, my journey intersected with the realm of cryptocurrency.
Fueled by curiosity, I purchased $6 worth of Bitcoin when its value was a mere $4,000.
And believe me, that was a big deal.
However, fear and impatience got the better of me, and I sold my investment for $3 just 15 months before Bitcoin’s value skyrocketed to more than $8k+.
My price alert did not just get triggered, but while I never got back in, thinking it was already late, Bitcoin just went ahead to have one of its best years yet.
This experience served as a profound lesson, instilling in me the importance of patience and strategic decision-making.
My relentless pursuit of knowledge and growth led me to establish Afonne Digital in 2018.
Starting on the Blogspot platform, I later migrated to WordPress under the domain name ‘afonne.xyz’ and as ‘Afonne Onlinebiz Hub’ with the description:
‘…your number one source of great posts for all businesses based online. We’re dedicated to providing you with the very best how to: create Highly Optimized Blogs, Unique and SEO-ready content, Blog monetizing tips and strategies, and, news.’
In 2020 ‘Afonne Onlinebiz Hub’ became ‘Afonne Digital’, and found its new home as ‘auditorical.com’ with the same goal I set out in the first place:
‘…to write and review software, create informative content, teach and empower content creators— bloggers, vloggers, influencers, and businesses— by providing resources that help distribute digital content globally and monetize it effectively in the thriving internet economy.’
But in 2021, things took an exciting turn.
Even though I have been practicing typing with Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing since I could lay my hands on a computer keyword and writing Python automation scripts (following YouTube videos mostly) since I discovered Python…
My tech journey started fully in 2021 with the discovery of a 12-month intensive hands-on Software Engineering program by the African Leadership Xcelerator (ALX).
After graduating from the program in June of 2022, I got a job offer for a remote role that lasted for a while, now I had an edge.
Armed with a solid foundation in software engineering, experience building software solutions, and a deep understanding of sales and marketing.
It indeed marked the intersection of my software engineering background with my passion for digital marketing.
It was also then that the seeds of change were planted; Afonne Digital had to do more and become more.
It was a leap into the unknown, a shift from a niche that had become familiar.
But it was a decision born from a vision—a vision of integration.
Afonne Digital isn’t just a name; it’s a reflection of my ambition to unite my expertise as a Software Engineer with my future aspirations.
It’s a step towards a future where Afonne Digital might just be that platform for aspiring creators, startups, agencies, and enterprises.
The rebrandings over the years aren’t merely a change of name; each is a transformation of identity.
It’s a way to differentiate in an industry crowded with similar voices, a means to carve a unique niche.
It’s a step towards a global platform that envisions not just the conventional path of making money through blogging and then launching a blogging course, but (also) venturing into uncharted territories.
In the time ahead, Afonne Digital will evolve beyond being just a platform—it will become a hub; an authority in a world teeming with information.
And as for the name, ‘Afonne Digital‘—it’s not just a brand; it’s a legacy in the making.
It’s a name that transcends personal branding, ensuring that the path ahead remains open, even if one day I decide to pass the torch.
So, what do I think about this monumental goal?
I see it as a bold step toward innovation and a commitment to growth.
It’s about embracing change in a digital world that never stops evolving.
It’s about staying true to the vision of being not just a part of this journey but a guiding light in the creator’s economy.
I’m excited, humbled, and a little nervous—all the emotions that accompany monumental ambitions.
But most importantly, I’m ready.
Ready to usher in this new era, where ‘Afonne Digital‘ becomes synonymous with innovation, inspiration, and impact.
…
Throughout this journey, even now and in the foreseeable future, my commitment remains steadfast—to provide a platform that empowers creators, including bloggers, vloggers, influencers, freelancers, and businesses (agencies, startups, and enterprises), by offering resources, recommendations, and insights to effectively distribute and reach a global audience.
At Afonne Digital, my dedicated team and I are passionate about equipping individuals and businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the attention economy.
We believe in the power of content creation and its ability to shape the thriving internet economy.
Through our platform, we aim to inspire and empower others to reach their full potential, while also sharing my expertise in software development through software reviews and digital marketing.
The process has been a remarkable amalgamation of learning, growth, and building.
Every step of the way, I have embraced challenges, celebrated victories, and cherished the journey.
I am honored to share my story with you and invite you to join me on this exciting adventure as we navigate the dynamic world of digital marketing and technology together.
Learn more about Afonne Digital specifically here.
Cheers!
By the way, if you want to see my “Top Ten Wonderful Inventions With The Most Bizarre Secrets” listicle, I believe it is still floating around on the internet .
Thank you for being a part of this journey, and here’s to the future—where the digital world knows no bounds, and neither do we.
