The verdict in three sentences
In Kaolack, many graphic designers, photographers, tailors and independent providers do good work but sell poorly: a price thrown out on WhatsApp, a « that's expensive », and the discount follows. The online course Vendre ses services : offre, devis et négociation (taught in French) costs 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR) for 10 hours and teaches you to build a three-tier offer, write a proposal that gets signed and negotiate without underselling. Moving from a 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA job to a structured offer at 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA is a realistic ballpark, never a guarantee.
Why Kaolack freelancers undercharge
Kaolack is a trading city: the central market, the groundnut port, wholesalers, schools and ceremonies create strong demand for photos, videos, logos, posters, outfits and small websites. Competition is tough, and the reflex is to match the cheapest price. Three mistakes come up again and again: quoting before understanding the need, offering a single option, and granting a discount without asking for anything in return.
The course addresses these three points in order. You first build an offer in a niche where clients already pay, set your prices on value rather than time, then run a discovery conversation that reveals budget, decision maker and deadline before you write the proposal.
| Common practice | Consequence | Practice taught |
|---|---|---|
| Price given on WhatsApp without questions | Client compares with the cheapest | 8-question discovery interview |
| A single offer | Yes or no, often no | Three tiers: essential, standard, premium |
| Hourly pricing | Capped income | Value-based pricing |
| Discount with nothing in return | Shrinking margin | Every discount traded for a commitment |
| No written terms | Unpaid invoices and endless revisions | Terms and conditions plus deposit |
| No follow-up | Forgotten quotes | Pipeline reviewed every Friday |
Comparing ways to learn
| Option (2026 ballpark) | Price | Format | What you leave with |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-off entrepreneurship workshop in Kaolack | 10,000 to 50,000 FCFA | 1 day | General advice, few tools |
| Incubation programme | Often free, selective | Several months | Coaching, limited seats |
| Free videos and podcasts | 0 FCFA (plus data) | Unlimited | Methods built for other markets |
| Kolonell, Selling Your Services (level 2) | 50,000 FCFA | 10 h, 60 exercises, 2 graded projects | Offer, price grid, quote and follow-up templates, certificate |
| Freelance and Digital Entrepreneurship track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Progressive | From first gig to running the business |
You leave with your packaged offer, your price grid, an interview guide, a proposal template, answers to the seven common objections and your terms and conditions. Details are on the Selling Your Services: offer, quotes and negotiation course page (the course is taught in French). It is level 2 of the Freelance and Digital Entrepreneurship track, before level 3 on invoicing, taxes and cash flow.
What a structured offer changes
The amounts below are 2026 ballpark figures observed among independent providers in Senegal. They vary by trade, clientele and quality of work. No income is guaranteed.
| Trade in Kaolack | Service sold per unit | Structured tiered offer |
|---|---|---|
| Event photographer | 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA per shoot | 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA with retouching, digital album and guaranteed turnaround |
| Graphic designer | 10,000 to 25,000 FCFA per logo | 50,000 to 80,000 FCFA with a simple brand guide and variations |
| Custom tailor | 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA per outfit | 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA for a family or ceremony bundle |
| Community manager | 25,000 to 50,000 FCFA per month | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA monthly retainer |
| Videographer | 20,000 to 40,000 FCFA per clip | 60,000 to 120,000 FCFA with social media formats |
Mini case study
Ibrahima, 29, a photographer in Kaolack, covers 8 events a month on average at 20,000 FCFA, so 160,000 FCFA. He takes the course over 4 weeks, 2.5 hours a week, and pays 50,000 FCFA with Wave.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
He creates three tiers: 25,000 FCFA (shoot only), 50,000 FCFA (shoot, retouching and digital album delivered within 72 hours) and 80,000 FCFA (full coverage plus a short video). Of his 8 monthly clients, 3 stay on the essential tier, 4 pick standard and 1 premium: 75,000 + 200,000 + 80,000 = 355,000 FCFA. Even if he loses 2 price-sensitive clients, he stays above his starting income. In this scenario the course pays for itself in the first month; the real outcome depends on his clientele and the quality of his work.
FAQ
Who is this course for?
Freelancers and providers who already have their first clients and want to charge more. If you are just starting, level 1 of the track helps you land your first gigs in 30 days.
How long does it take?
About 10 hours across 5 modules. At 2.5 hours a week, you finish in 4 weeks.
Are the quote templates suited to Senegal?
Yes, they include a deposit, payment by Wave or Orange Money and delivery terms. You adapt them to your trade during the course.
What if the client says « that's expensive »?
Module 4 provides answers to the seven common objections. The rule: never lower the price without removing something from the offer or getting something back, for example a 50 % deposit.
How do I pay?
With Wave or Orange Money, 50,000 FCFA. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Vendre ses services : offre, devis et négociation: 10 hours, 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR), verifiable 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.
