The verdict in three sentences
In Mbour and Saly, hotels, residences and restaurants need visuals, photos and social media management, but many freelancers lose 30 to 50% of their price by throwing it out at random on WhatsApp. A structured quote, a three-tier offer and a 50% deposit change both the amount collected and payment delays. The Kolonell Academy course Vendre ses services : offre, devis et négociation (level 2 of the Freelance and digital entrepreneurship track, 10 h, 50,000 FCFA, taught in French) teaches you to do it without losing the client.
A WhatsApp price or a structured quote: the real gap
The Petite-Côte lives from tourism, with a high season from November to April and strong needs before each season: new photos, menus, Facebook and Instagram campaigns. Managers compare, negotiate and often pay at 30 or 60 days. Here is what we see in 2026 for the same services.
| Service (2026 order of magnitude) | Price sent on WhatsApp | With a structured tiered quote | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel photo shoot (30 retouched photos) | 75,000 FCFA | 120,000 to 150,000 FCFA | +60 to +100% |
| Instagram and Facebook management, 1 month | 50,000 FCFA | 80,000 to 120,000 FCFA | +60 to +140% |
| Restaurant menu and flyers | 25,000 FCFA | 40,000 to 60,000 FCFA | +60 to +140% |
| Logo and simple brand guide for a residence | 50,000 FCFA | 90,000 to 150,000 FCFA | +80 to +200% |
| Short video for high season | 40,000 FCFA | 70,000 to 100,000 FCFA | +75 to +150% |
| Average payment delay | 45 to 90 days | 50% deposit upfront, balance on delivery | immediate cash flow |
The gap does not come from an inflated price. It comes from what the quote makes visible: the number of deliverables, included revisions, usage rights, deadlines and what is billed as extra. A client who sees three options often picks the middle one instead of haggling over a single price.
Learning to sell your services: options and prices
| Option | Indicative 2026 price | Duration | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free videos on negotiation | 0 FCFA | variable | general principles, few examples with Senegalese hotels |
| International books and online courses | 10,000 to 40,000 FCFA | 5 to 15 h | North American methods, prices in dollars |
| One-on-one coaching in Dakar | 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA | 3 to 6 sessions | personal support, travel from Mbour |
| Kolonell Academy, Selling your services | 50,000 FCFA | 10 h self-paced | three-tier offer, quote templates, negotiation scripts, certificate |
| Freelance and digital entrepreneurship track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | full progression | from first clients to a profitable offer |
The course Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation, taught in French, is level 2 of the track, open to beginners who already have a few clients. It belongs to the Freelance and digital entrepreneurship track, which runs from first clients to management, invoicing and growth, for 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA when bought separately.
What the course teaches you to do
| Module | What you produce | Effect on your sales |
|---|---|---|
| Needs discovery | a list of questions for the hotel manager | you price the problem before pricing yourself |
| Three-tier offer | Essential, Standard, Complete, with a floor price | the client chooses instead of negotiating |
| Written proposal | a one-page quote template | fewer back-and-forths, faster signature |
| Payment terms | 50% deposit, schedule, late penalties | protected cash flow |
| Negotiating without discounting | every discount against a trade-off | margin preserved |
| Closing and following up | a 10-day follow-up sequence | fewer unanswered quotes |
Mini case study
Aïssatou, 27, a photographer in Saly, works for 4 hotels and residences. She used to charge 75,000 FCFA per shoot, paid on average 60 days later. She completes the course in 2 weeks and now offers three tiers: 90,000, 130,000 and 180,000 FCFA, with a 50% deposit.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
In her first season, 6 shoots are signed, 4 of them at the middle tier: estimated revenue 790,000 FCFA, against 450,000 FCFA with the old single price. Gain: about 340,000 FCFA, as a 2026 order of magnitude. The 50,000 FCFA course pays for itself with the first shoot signed at the middle tier, and the deposits give her 395,000 FCFA upfront for her equipment.
FAQ
Will a hotel agree to pay a 50% deposit?
Most agree when the quote is clear and dated, especially before high season. For large accounts, the course offers a 30% deposit variant with a written payment schedule.
What do I do when a client says it is too expensive?
The method is to remove a deliverable rather than lower the price, for example going from 30 to 20 photos. A discount must always come with a trade-off: cash payment, a 3-month commitment or a testimonial.
Do I need to be registered to issue a quote?
A quote can be issued without a company, but a NINEA makes it easier to work with hotels that require a proper invoice. Level 3 of the track covers invoicing and taxes.
How long does it take to complete the 10 hours?
About 2 to 3 weeks at 45 minutes a day. The quote templates are usable from the first module.
Is the course suitable for community managers?
Yes, the examples cover graphic design, photography, video, copywriting and social media management, with FCFA rates suited to SMEs and hospitality.
Take the next step. Enroll in Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation: 10 h self-paced, 50,000 FCFA, Kolonell Academy certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money. Questions? 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.