Pro tip: Use βK to quickly search anything in Kazi
Ready to stop paying the "marketplace tax"? Here is a step-by-step email script and strategy to own your client relationships directly.
Freelance marketplaces are great for finding your first client. They're terrible for keeping your best client.
| Revenue | Upwork Fee (20%β5%) | Fiverr Fee (20%) | KAZI (2.9% processing only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000/yr | $3,750 | $5,000 | $725 |
| $50,000/yr | $5,000 | $10,000 | $1,450 |
| $100,000/yr | $7,000 | $20,000 | $2,900 |
| $150,000/yr | $9,000 | $30,000 | $4,350 |
On a $100,000/year freelance income, the difference between Fiverr and KAZI is $17,100 per year in your pocket. That's a car payment. That's your child's education fund. That's your retirement savings.
Important: Always read the Terms of Service. Most platforms have a "non-circumvention" period (typically 24 months with the same client). Here's the ethical framework:
Don't make it about you saving money. Frame it as a better experience for them.
Hi [Client Name],
I've loved working together on [Project Name].
To give us more flexibility and save you the processing fees, I'm moving my project management to a dedicated client portal.
What this means for you:
- A private dashboard to view all files, invoices, and project status
- Lower payment processing fees (2.9% vs 20%+)
- Faster turnaround with better project tools
- Same escrow protection you're used to (funds held until you approve)
Can I send our next [proposal/invoice] through the new portal? It's just a magic link β no account needed on your end.
Best, [Your Name]
Once you decide to go independent, you need the tools that marketplace platforms provided:
| What Marketplaces Gave You | What You Need Now | KAZI Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Client discovery | Your own website + referrals | Client Portal |
| Payment processing | Secure invoicing + payments | Invoicing with Paystack |
| Escrow protection | Milestone-based escrow | Escrow Vault |
| Dispute resolution | Contracts + e-signatures | Proposals & Contracts |
| Reviews/ratings | Portfolio + testimonials | CV Portfolio |
| Communication | Project messaging | Messages |
| File sharing | Secure file delivery | Files Hub |
With KAZI, you replace the entire marketplace infrastructure for $29/month (Pro) instead of 20% of your revenue.
| Metric | On Marketplace | With KAZI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross revenue | $8,000/mo | $8,000/mo |
| Platform fee | -$1,600 (20%) | $0 |
| Processing fee | -$230 (2.9%) | -$230 (2.9%) |
| KAZI subscription | $0 | -$29 |
| Net income | $6,170/mo | $7,741/mo |
| Annual difference | β | +$18,852/year |
That's almost $19,000 more per year for the same work, the same clients, the same hours.
Ready to own your client relationships? Start free β migrate one client at a time, no risk.
KAZI replaces your entire stack: invoicing, projects, CRM, AI content, scheduling. One login.
14-day free trial Β· No charge until day 15 Β· Cancel anytime
Sharp guides on AI, invoicing, and scaling your business, plus first dibs on new features. No spam.
Every experienced freelancer has a getting-burned story. Escrow and milestone payments are how you make sure the next big project is not another one β here is exactly how they work.
Read moreGuides Β· 5 min readWhen an app asks to "connect your bank account", what actually happens? A plain-English guide to Plaid, what read-only access really means, whether it is safe, and how to disconnect.
Read moreGuides Β· 5 min readEFT still runs most South African freelance businesses β and quietly costs them days and deals. Here is a plain guide to accepting card payments with Paystack: fees, channels, international clients, and security.
Read more