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Hey Freelance Friends!
There’s a weird thing that happens when you start freelancing in South Africa:
You land a small client, maybe R800, maybe R1,200, and instead of feeling proud, your brain goes:
“Lol, that’s not worth posting. Influencers are out here signing R50k retainers.”
Meanwhile, most freelancers here are:
working from their beds
sending quotes from WhatsApp
buying Cell C data on special
So the idea that only “big” wins count?
Not helping anyone.
Small wins are what actually move you forward, and more importantly: they’re what your potential clients understand.
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What counts as a win here?
If someone pays you real money for a service you offer, that counts.
Examples your audience will get:
someone hired you for a R1,000 design
a friend referred a paying client
you charged a deposit and they didn’t disappear
a client paid without 3 reminders
you finally increased your rates without apologising
a stranger found you online and bought something
These are normal South African milestones.
They’re not flashy, but they’re relatable, and relatable content performs better than “I made R100k overnight” stories imported from the U.S.
Why posting small wins actually works
Clients don’t need to know you’re making six figures.
They need proof that:
people hire you
you deliver
you’re active
you’re not running a scam page
In a country where ghosting and “my cousin can do it cheaper” are standard, showing paid work builds trust faster than any motivational quote ever will.
Collecting wins without a system
You do NOT need Notion, Airtable, or a colour-coded content calendar.
Do this:
Open WhatsApp.
Create a chat with yourself.
Name it: WINS
Whenever something good happens, drop a message:
“R1,200 logo job — referral from Instagram”
“Client paid 50% upfront”
“Finished website early”
“Raised price from R150/hr to R200/hr”
That’s it.
No pressure, no formatting.
You’re just keeping track.
Turning one win into content
Example win:
“Landed a R1,200 logo client.”
Here’s how that becomes three posts without feeling cringe:
1. The update
“Booked a R1,200 logo client this week.
They found me on Instagram, which still shocks me.”
Short, simple, human.
2. The breakdown
“How it happened:
• updated my bio
• posted twice last week
• replied quickly
• asked for a deposit
Nothing fancy. Just consistency.”
3. The perspective
“Small jobs add up. Most of my work right now is between R500–R3,000, and I’m okay with that. It’s paying my rent.”
Notice:
No bragging
No motivational speech
Just reality
Quick posting filter
Before posting, ask:
Would I say this to a friend?
Does it feel like my voice?
Is it honest, not performative?
Would another South African freelancer recognise themselves in it?
If yes, it’s good.
Final note (not inspirational, just true)
Most freelancers start with small clients.
Pretending otherwise just makes everyone feel worse.
If you have a win, even a tiny one, share it.
Someone scrolling will think:
“Okay, maybe I can do that too.”
And that’s enough.
— The Profreelance Crew
🛠️ Tool of the Week: Meta Business Suite
Because if freelancers are expected to show up online consistently, the platforms we use should at least make that possible.
Meta Business Suite is a free app that lets you manage Instagram and Facebook in one place. No subscriptions, no complicated dashboards, no “content strategy masterclass” required.
You can:
• schedule posts
• reply to messages without bouncing between apps
• save captions and ideas
• see what people are responding to
In simple terms:
It helps you post without needing perfect timing, perfect planning, or perfect circumstances.
If you want a low-effort way to share your small wins without scrambling every time, this is it.
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PROFREELANCE (Pty) Ltd
2023/279056/07
The content in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Pro Freelance and Freelance Forward are not affiliated with or endorsed by the platforms or tools mentioned (unless stated otherwise), and we are not liable for any losses, damages, or issues arising from your use of them. Always do your own research before making decisions related to your freelance business.