Here’s how Onyeka Adedayo built Africa’s largest digital skills hub and all about the left-digit effect.
It’s the month of love…
February’s here, and we’re kicking it off with a story about betting on yourself. (Because what better love is there than self-love?)
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If you’re in digital marketing or tech, you’ve probably felt stuck at some point—no connections, no guidance, just trial and error. Onyeka Adedayo was in the same spot. Instead of waiting, she built Creaitz, Africa’s largest digital skills community.
Today, Creaitz connects 7,000+ marketers, developers, and creatives, helping them learn, grow, and land real opportunities. But Onyeka’s story goes way beyond that. She’s a full-stack marketer, a community builder, and a strategist who’s helped companies land major deals and scale revenue.
We sat down with her to break it all down:
- Her journey from hustling in her parents’ business to leading a movement
- How Creaitz is changing the game for African digital talents
- The secret to building high-value communities & partnerships
If you’re a marketer, creative, or founder looking to build something real, Onyeka’s story is the blueprint.
🔗 Read Onyeka’s full story here
Have You Heard of the Left-Digit Effect?
You know how when you’re 29, you could still get into some places as a young fella, but the second you hit 30, people suddenly ask if you need help standing up? Sometimes, it’s just jokes, but slowly, 30 is becoming the new ‘old person.’
Why? It turns out it’s something called the Left-Digit Effect.
It’s a mind trick that makes 29 feel way younger than 30 or 39 younger than 40, even though there’s just one year in between. It doesn’t just mess with age. It influences how we shop, make decisions, and perceive value—often without realizing it.
Lyft tested it on 21 million users, tweaking ride prices by a few cents. The result? A $160 million profit boost.
Brands use it. Savvy marketers use it. And after today, so will you
The Left-Digit Effect: The Pricing Hack That Changes Everything
A study in 2023 revealed something wild: Lyft saw ride bookings jump when it changed fares from $14.00 to $13.99, even though the actual savings were tiny.
This is the Left-Digit Effect, and it tricks our brains into thinking that a small change is a big deal just because the first number drops.
It’s not just pricing. It affects hiring, investments, and even life-or-death decisions:
✅ People prefer a 69-year-old kidney donor over a 70-year-old—despite the age gap being just days.
✅ A car with 99,999 miles feels much “newer” than one with 100,001 miles, even though the difference is laughable.
Smart businesses use this bias to their advantage. Here’s how:
1️⃣ Price Just Below Round Numbers
- $50 → $49.99 makes buyers feel like they’re getting a way better deal.
- Subscription plans? $19.99/month > $20/month in customers’ minds.
2️⃣ Make “Bad” Numbers Look Better
- Delivery in 29 mins sounds shorter than 30 mins.
- 0.99% interest rate feels less risky than 1.0%.
- 1.99% sugar seems healthier than 2%.
3️⃣ Make “Good” Numbers Look Even Better
- “88% recycled plastic” → “Almost 90% recycled”.
- “Reduces carbon footprint by 4.6%” → “Up to 5%”.
The takeaway? Numbers matter, but perception matters more.
Want to see this effect in action? Try tweaking your own pricing or messaging. You might be surprised at the results.
Before you go…
Don’t miss out on joining Creaitz—the future of digital skills in Africa. Whether you’re a marketer, developer, or creator, you have a place in this growing community.
💡 Join Creaitz now and start connecting with thousands of digital professionals
Thanks for reading. Catch you next week!
Cheers,
Dami from SimplVest
Want to connect with Onyeka? Find her here.
