Selling Your Services Course in Thiès: Quotes and Negotiation (2026)

The verdict in three sentences

In Thiès, many freelancers, carpenters, tailors, electricians and consultants lose money in the same place: the quote, sent too fast, too vague, then lowered the moment the client says it is expensive. Between a discounted quote and a well-negotiated one, the observed gap is often 20 to 40% for the same work. Kolonell's level 2 course (50,000 FCFA, about 76 EUR, 10 h) teaches you to package an offer, price on value and negotiate without free discounts, with a working target of one signed quote in three.

Why your quotes do not get signed, or get signed too low

The scenario is familiar. A client calls, asks for a price on the phone, you give a round figure. Two days later they come back: 'my cousin does it cheaper'. You drop 20%. The job ends, you worked just as hard for much less, and the client has learned your first price was not the real one.

The most common causes:

• no questions on budget, decision maker or deadline before pricing;
• a one-line quote with no detail on scope or timing;
• a single option the client can only accept or refuse;
• a discount granted with nothing in return, no deposit, no longer commitment;
• no deposit requested at signature.

Ways to learn selling in 2026

The course Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation is level 2, Beginner, of the Freelance and entrepreneurship track. It is taught in French and has five modules: building an offer that almost sells itself, pricing on value rather than time, running discovery then writing a proposal that gets signed, negotiating without discounting against seven common objections, and closing with a written agreement, one-page terms and the deposit collected.

To benefit, you should have already sold at least one paid job, or completed level 1 of the track, and have a smartphone with WhatsApp Business plus a Wave or Orange Money account. A NINEA tax number helps for compliant quotes but is not required to take the course.

Mini case study

Ousmane, 29, a carpenter in Thiès, builds kitchens and wardrobes. He sends about 12 quotes a month and signs 2, at an average of 450,000 FCFA after his usual 25% discount. After the course, he offers 3 tiers, holds a discovery call before each quote and no longer discounts without a 40% deposit.

• Before: 2 × 450,000 = 900,000 FCFA signed per month
• After, with an average 5% discount instead of 25%: average deal of about 570,000 FCFA
• If he signs 4 of 12 quotes, one in three: 4 × 570,000 = 2,280,000 FCFA
• Even with 3 signed: 1,710,000 FCFA, so 810,000 FCFA more per month
• Course cost: 50,000 FCFA, covered by the first discount avoided

This calculation is illustrative. Results depend on the trade, the clientele and consistency; no income is guaranteed.

FAQ

I am a craftsman, not a digital freelancer: is the course for me?

The method applies to any service sold on a quote. Examples are often digital, but the steps (discovery, 3 tiers, quote within 48 h, 30 to 50% deposit) work for a carpenter or an electrician.

How do I answer 'it is too expensive'?

Module 4 covers seven common objections. The core rule: no discount without something in return, for example 5% against full upfront payment or a 6-month commitment.

How much time does it take?

The course runs 10 hours. Many learners finish in two weeks, applying each module to a live quote.

How do I pay?

50,000 FCFA by Wave or Orange Money at enrolment. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.

Will I really sign one quote in three?

It is a working target, not a guarantee. Moving from 1 in 6 to 1 in 4 is often enough to cover the course cost many times over.

Take the next step. Enroll in Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation: 10 hours, Beginner level, 50,000 FCFA, taught in French, Kolonell Academy certificate included. Pay with Wave or Orange Money. Questions? WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.