Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dinma Nmaele-Afam. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dinma , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I am probably the only Nigerian ghostwriter I know in the flesh. I happened upon the job or would I say it happen to me.
I have always been a writer, I started reading newspapers at age 6 to my dad and his friends when they came to the house. he was so proud of me and he would show me off so it became a big deal to always make him prouder than he was the last time read, so I would upgrade a new word, hold my head a bit higher and stand straighter with no dancing while I read.
I would go on to write my first book at age 8, apparently my peers found it so interesting they stole it.
I gave up, those shoulders remained bent for more than a decade before I started writing online again after the pandemic. I was sharing a bitter part of my story, my experience with bullying in school, my struggles as a child genius being moved too fast in school, it affected everything about me including my self-esteem.
The floodgates opened from there. I didn’t take writing as a profession, instead I saw it as a channel to advocate and express myself while I was looking for a job.no matter how many times my father encouraged me to pick up the pen , really pick it up as a job, I declined because I didn’t see it happening but I kept writing and posting content online.
I couldn’t pay my bills, I was at rock bottom with 10 published books.
May 11th, 2023 , two days from my 30th birthday, I broke down in tears while praying, I was tired and needed God’s intervention, and the thought of ghostwriting came to mind again and this time I paid attention. (several times I have had the idea but I couldn’t do it because I didn’t see myself writing an entire book and handing it over with no claim to rights)
I added Ghostwriting to the list of services I offered. onw week later, I got my first deal of 6 figures.
The next month I got another client telling me I was the answer to her prayers, now I was sure I was called for this.
To answer your question, my bills and the people I help make their dreams come true, is what keeps me pushing whether or not I stand alone.
We all have different destinations
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
What eventually pushed me out of my shell was when I was being interviewed for the job of class assistant in 2021, that was the role available and the woman asked me “what else can you do?” to which I replied “Writing”
She requested I write a play for the graduating students of her grade school, I accepted and was given a room to work in.
I wrote an amazing play of another pandemic hitting the world but this time, the pandemic would cause people to lose their sense of hearing or talking. the theme was showing people the significance of learning sign language.
After three days I was done, reviews and the corrections have been made. It was time to go to the classroom. as soon as I stepped my feet into that class, I knew I won’t be staying for long.
I knew I had to go back to writing and make money from money from it so I didn’t end up taking jobs I hate. That was the beginning of my journey as a professional Writer besides a first degree in Linguistics.
With ghostwriting I found a way to make money doing something I love.
Though I never wanted to be a Ghostwriter at first, I love the opportunity to write on different topics. to help people achieve their goals of being Authors.
I founded my business, DNA Imprints, our motto: creating digital footprints… where we offer :
Ghostwriting,
Book Editing
book formatting
book cover
book publishing (Print and Amazon)
and an Academy (DNA ACADEMY) where i teach all of these services , we welcome entries every January, April, July and October
I have a non profit organization called the Teachers Conclave on Telegram, where I take teachers on soft skills such as
How to get Access to Canva for education and how to use of Canva
How to generate pictures on Ai
how to create a workbook and publish on AMAZON
Basic smartphone video editing
Teachers create your first digital product challenge etc.
I am also a freelance spokesperson for individuals/international brands with no or little presence in Africa.
My goal is to be the go-to brand for freelance spokesperson jobs all across Africa and ghostwriting and publishing.
I hope to liberate at least 100000 teachers from poverty by showing them how to teach and earn online.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. God’s direction: until I asked for his help, I was running around in circles. what I couldn’t achieve in two years , I did in less than 6 months. Always seek God’s face.
2. No day goes by without me marketing my business, I do 3-5 posts daily, never stop talking about what you do.
3. Make solid connections with people in and out of your industry, volunteer if you have to. focus on building the KLT side of your brand. Know, Like, Trust.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am looking at building connections outside Africa. I seek to collaborate with high value brands and individuals that want to come to Africa and establish their businesses or personal brands especially in Nigeria but lack knowledge of the environment, the people, the language and so require the services of spokesperson to guide them, represent them at events, take speeches on their behalf and protect their interests even in their absence.
Furthermore, I need education enthusiasts and sponsors to train and equip the Teachers through the Teachers Conclave with soft skills to help better their lives and improve the quality of education in Africa.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://selar.co/m/dinmaele
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004470392451&mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinma-nmaele-afam
Image Credits
no other info
