The verdict in three sentences
Your first 10 clients come first from your warm network: shop owners, professionals, entrepreneur friends who already trust you and convert around 20%. The decisive lever is not advertising but a personalized 2-minute mobile demo that shows the prospect their own name, city and phone number on a real website. With a rehearsed 30-second pitch and a target of 10 clients in 90 days, a disciplined referrer speaks to 60-80 prospects, converts about a dozen, and collects several hundred thousand FCFA in commissions.
The acquisition channels, with numbers
Not all channels are equal. Here is the effort, realistic conversion rate and 2026 close time for a beginning referrer.
| Channel | Effort | Conversion rate | Avg time to close | Acquisition cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warm network (close ties) | Low | 20% | 5 – 10 days | ~ 0 |
| Client referral | Low | 25% | 7 – 14 days | ~ 0 |
| Field (shop visits) | High | 12% | 10 – 21 days | Transport |
| WhatsApp (targeted broadcast) | Medium | 8% | 7 – 15 days | ~ 0 |
| LinkedIn (B2B) | Medium | 6% | 21 – 45 days | ~ 0 |
| Local Facebook groups | Medium | 5% | 14 – 30 days | ~ 0 |
To reach 10 clients, stack the free, high-converting channels: warm network and referrals often make up half of the first sales.
The pitch, the demo and the objections
The 30-second pitch has three beats: problem ("your shop doesn't show up on Google"), proof (the mobile demo with their name), price ("from 250,000 FCFA, payable in installments"). The personalized demo is the master weapon: seeing their own business online removes 80% of doubts.
| Common objection | Numeric answer |
|---|---|
| "It's too expensive" | Brochure site from 250,000 FCFA, split 40/30/30 |
| "I have no time" | Kolonell handles everything, delivery in 5-15 days |
| "Facebook is enough" | A site + Google Business = 24/7 visibility beyond the algorithm |
| "I'll look later" | Free demo offer valid for 7 days |
| "Does it really work?" | Portfolio and quantified results per niche |
Budget about 2 to 4 hours of work per closed sale, across the introduction, the demo and follow-up to the deposit.
The referral program that pays every sale
Every client you bring to Kolonell is paid on a clear scale: 15% + 5% recurring on a brochure site, 12% on e-commerce, 10% on a marketplace, 8% on institutional. You neither build, nor process payment, nor handle support: you introduce, Kolonell executes, you collect. Ten Growth brochure sites at 500,000 FCFA over your first 90 days is 750,000 FCFA in commissions, before recurring income.
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Mini case study
Aminata, a beautician in Thiès, starts out as a referrer. In 90 days she speaks to 70 people from her network and neighborhood.
- Warm network: 30 contacts × 20% = 6 sales
- Field: 25 shops × 12% = 3 sales
- WhatsApp: 15 contacts × 8% = 1 sale
- Total: 10 clients in 90 days
Assuming 8 Growth brochure sites (500,000 FCFA) and 2 Starter e-commerce (1,200,000 FCFA): 8 × 75,000 + 2 × 144,000 = 888,000 FCFA in commissions in one quarter, on a 0 FCFA advertising budget.
FAQ
How many prospects for 10 clients? At an average 12-15% conversion across channels, you need to speak to 60 to 80 prospects. The warm network, converting at 20%, sharply reduces that volume.
Which channel converts best at the start? Client referrals (25%) and the warm network (20%). They cost zero to acquire and close in one to two weeks.
How much time per sale? About 2 to 4 hours across the personalized demo, exchanges and follow-up to the deposit. The rest is handled by the agency.
How do you answer "it's too expensive"? By stating the floor price (250,000 FCFA for a brochure site) and the 40/30/30 installment plan, which eases the client's cash effort.
Do I need an ad budget to start? No. The six channels in this method have near-0 FCFA acquisition cost; only field visits carry transport costs.
Let's talk about your project. Get your referrer kit (pitch, demos, rate card) and aim for your first 10 clients. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
