The verdict in three sentences
Most freelancers in Saint-Louis lose money at the quoting stage, not during the job: a price picked on instinct, a quote sent over WhatsApp with no detail, no deposit. A freelancer who structures the offer in three tiers, asks for a 30 to 50% deposit and holds the price in front of a hotel or an NGO can, as a 2026 order of magnitude, double revenue per job without working more hours. The dedicated Kolonell course costs 50,000 FCFA for 10 hours, roughly the value of one small job negotiated better.
Why Saint-Louis freelancers undercharge
The local market has its own shape. Paying clients are concentrated: hotels and guesthouses on the island and the Langue de Barbarie, NGOs and development projects around Gaston Berger University, SMEs in the river valley, and the organisers of the jazz festival. These buyers compare, request three quotes and often pick the cheapest by default, because the proposals only differ on price.
Three mistakes keep coming back:
- A single verbal price, with no description of the deliverable, which the client immediately pushes down.
- No deposit, so jobs get started and then cancelled, or paid three months late.
- No follow-up: the quote goes out, silence follows, the freelancer does not dare call back and the client signs elsewhere.
| Freelance job in Saint-Louis | Price often charged | Observed price for a structured offer (2026 order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Logo and simple brand guide for an SME | 30,000 to 50,000 FCFA | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA |
| Hotel photo shoot (rooms, restaurant) | 50,000 FCFA | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA |
| Monthly social media management (12 posts) | 40,000 FCFA | 80,000 to 150,000 FCFA per month |
| Photo and video coverage of an NGO workshop | 60,000 FCFA | 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA |
| Simple website for a guesthouse | 100,000 FCFA | 250,000 to 400,000 FCFA |
| Posters and visuals for a cultural event | 25,000 FCFA | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA |
The gap does not come from more talent. It comes from a tiered offer, a precise deliverable and a quote that reassures an NGO buyer bound by procurement rules.
What a good quote contains, and what the course teaches
A quote that gets signed fits on one or two pages. It restates the client's need in the client's own words, offers three options (essential, recommended, complete), states the number of revisions, the deadline, payment terms and how long the offer is valid. For an NGO, it also shows your NINEA tax number if you have one, since finance teams often require it.
The course Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation is level 2 of the freelance track and is open to beginners. It is taught in French, lasts 10 hours and costs 50,000 FCFA. You leave with quote templates and follow-up messages ready to adapt.
| Way to learn | 2026 cost | What you get | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free YouTube videos | 0 FCFA | General advice, often designed for Europe or the US | No template suited to Senegalese NGOs and SMEs |
| Kolonell course, level 2 | 50,000 FCFA, 10 h | Tiered offer, quotes, follow-ups, negotiation, certificate | Requires practice on your real quotes |
| Full freelance track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | From first clients to running a small agency | Several weeks of commitment |
| Private coaching with a consultant | 100,000 FCFA or more | One-to-one support | Expensive for a beginner |
| Learning alone by trial and error | Underpaid jobs | Real experience | Months of lost income |
The full Freelance and entrepreneurship track also covers finding first clients, invoicing and taxes, and growing into a small agency.
Negotiating without discounting: rules that work
When a hotel manager says "that's too expensive", do not cut the price of the same offer. Remove scope instead: fewer photos, one revision instead of three, a longer deadline. Your unit price stays intact and the client chooses.
- Always a deposit: 30% for a known client, 50% for a new one, paid by Wave or Orange Money before work starts.
- A 15-day validity on the quote, which creates a natural reason to follow up.
- Two written follow-ups: at day 3 and day 7, short and polite.
- The balance on delivery, before sending the high-resolution files.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Fatou, 27, a freelance photographer in Saint-Louis, does about four jobs a month at an average of 50,000 FCFA, so 200,000 FCFA. After the course, she offers hotel shoots in three tiers: 120,000, 180,000 and 250,000 FCFA. Out of four quotes a month she signs three, mostly the recommended tier at 180,000 FCFA.
Calculation: 3 jobs × 180,000 FCFA = 540,000 FCFA, versus 200,000 FCFA before, so 340,000 FCFA more per month. The 50,000 FCFA course pays for itself with the first job signed at the new rate. These figures remain an order of magnitude: results depend on the portfolio, consistent prospecting and the tourist season.
FAQ
How long does the course take?
The programme lasts 10 hours, online and self-paced. Most learners finish it in two weeks with 45 minutes a day.
Do I need existing clients to benefit?
No, the level is open to beginners. Having already sent two or three quotes helps you apply the templates to real cases right away.
What deposit should I ask an NGO for?
Many NGOs accept 30% at order on presentation of a quote and a pro forma invoice. Some insist on 100% after delivery: in that case, split the job into two deliveries invoiced separately.
Is the certificate useful with clients?
A Kolonell certificate shows you follow a professional method, which reassures an NGO or SME buyer. It does not replace a portfolio of 6 to 10 projects.
How do I pay for enrolment?
Enrolment is paid by Wave or Orange Money, 50,000 FCFA for this level. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation: 10 hours online, taught in French, 50,000 FCFA, Kolonell certificate included. 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.
