The verdict in three sentences
In Ziguinchor, many talented freelancers undercharge because they answer "how much?" with a price on WhatsApp, without an offer or written proposal. A three-tier offer, a 30 to 50% deposit at order and a negotiation where every discount has a trade-off are often enough to double the average deal. The Kolonell course costs 50,000 FCFA for 10 hours, the equivalent of one or two billed days.
Why Casamance freelancers undercharge
Ziguinchor's local market is smaller than Dakar's: hotels and lodges in Cap Skirring, NGOs, shops, associations, schools. Budgets are tight, and the reflex is to lower your price so you do not lose the client. Yet a growing share of work comes from remote clients, in Dakar or the diaspora, who expect a structured proposal and pay better when they understand what they are buying.
| Way of selling | Freelancer without a method | Freelancer with a structured offer |
|---|---|---|
| Answer to "how much?" | A price on WhatsApp | Discovery questions, then a proposal |
| Offer | Custom every time | 3 tiers: essential, standard, complete |
| Price | By time, 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA a day | By value, standard tier 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA |
| Deposit | None or negotiated at the end | 30 to 50% at order, via Wave or Orange Money |
| Negotiation | Discount with nothing in return | Discount for reduced scope or early payment |
| Follow-up | Forgotten quotes | Pipeline and reminders at D+3 and D+7 |
| Conversion rate | Unknown | Measured, target 30 to 40% |
What learning to sell your services costs
| Option | 2026 cost (FCFA) | Duration | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning by losing clients | 0 | Years | Capped income in the meantime |
| Sales videos and books | 0 to 15,000 | Variable | Often designed for the US or France |
| One-to-one coaching | 100,000 to 300,000 | A few sessions | Expensive for a new freelancer |
| In-person seminar in Dakar | 75,000 to 200,000 + travel and lodging | 1 to 2 days | Long trip from Ziguinchor |
| Kolonell selling your services course | 50,000 | 10 h, online | Requires practice on real prospects |
The course Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation is level 2 (beginner) of the freelance track, at 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR) for 10 hours, taught in French. Five modules: building an offer that almost sells itself, pricing by value, running discovery and writing a proposal that gets signed, negotiating without underpricing, then closing, contracting and tracking your pipeline. It belongs to the Freelance and digital entrepreneurship track, whose 5 levels together cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
2026 price benchmarks for a Ziguinchor freelancer
These ranges are 2026 orders of magnitude seen in Senegal. Clients in Dakar and the diaspora often accept the top of the range.
| Service | Local Ziguinchor client (FCFA) | Dakar or diaspora client (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Logo and simple brand guide | 50,000 to 100,000 | 100,000 to 250,000 |
| 5-page showcase site | 150,000 to 300,000 | 250,000 to 500,000 |
| Facebook page management (month) | 40,000 to 75,000 | 75,000 to 150,000 |
| Article writing (per piece) | 5,000 to 15,000 | 10,000 to 30,000 |
| Day rate | 25,000 to 50,000 | 50,000 to 75,000 |
Mini case study
Mariama, 27, a freelance graphic designer in Ziguinchor, made logos at 35,000 FCFA, often without a deposit and with endless revisions. After the 50,000 FCFA course, she creates three tiers: logo only at 50,000 FCFA, logo and brand guide at 120,000 FCFA, full identity with printed materials at 220,000 FCFA. She asks for a 50% Wave deposit before starting and limits revisions to two rounds.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Of her 6 clients the following month, 4 choose the 120,000 FCFA tier. Her revenue goes from about 210,000 to 530,000 FCFA, as an order of magnitude, and two clients are in Dakar. The course is paid back with the first signed proposal. Nothing is guaranteed: without a solid portfolio, higher tiers sell less.
FAQ
What is the difference between a quote and a proposal?
A quote lists prices. A proposal restates the client's need, presents 3 options and the expected result, which often lifts the signing rate from 15% to 30% or more.
What deposit should I ask for?
Between 30 and 50% at order is standard for freelancers in Senegal, paid via Wave or Orange Money. For a new remote client, 50% offers better protection.
How do I sell to Dakar or diaspora clients without meeting them?
A 20-minute video discovery call, a clear PDF proposal and mobile payments are enough. The discovery module provides the script.
Do I need existing clients?
It helps: the course targets those who have signed their first jobs. If you are starting from zero, begin with level 1 of the track, 4 hours.
How do I pay for the course?
50,000 FCFA, payable by Wave or Orange Money, with a verifiable certificate.
Take the next step. Enroll in Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation: 10 hours, 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR), verifiable 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.
