In this episode of South African Tech Marketers, Shea Karssing, Award-Winning Freelance SEO Writer, breaks down exactly how she built a high-value, global freelance business—and how you can do it too.
Shea started her career as a marketing manager in South Africa, working full-time while taking on small freelance projects on the side. But everything changed when she landed a 3-hour-a-day freelance gig that paid more than her full-time salary.
That’s when she realized South African talent is in demand—but only if you position yourself correctly and charge accordingly.
Now, Shea works with top global tech companies, charges in USD, and has built a career on her own terms—without bidding on low-paying freelance platforms or settling for local rates.
Topics Discussed:
🔹 How Shea transitioned from full-time employment to freelancing and secured international clients
🔹 Why South African marketers should stop charging in ZAR—and how to set global rates
🔹 How to attract high-paying international clients without cold pitching
🔹 The SEO advantage—why content marketers who master search optimization earn more
🔹 Red flags when working with global clients—and how to avoid underpaid “remote jobs”
🔹 From one-time gigs to retainer contracts—how to build a sustainable freelance business
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Your network is your most valuable client pipeline. The best freelance jobs don’t come from job boards—they come from referrals and strategic positioning.
2️⃣ SEO is a career multiplier. Writers who understand search intent, keyword strategy, and content performance analytics are always in demand.
3️⃣ Freelancers should price based on value, not time. Quoting per word or per hour caps your earnings. Charging for impact positions you as a consultant, not just a writer.
4️⃣ Remote work isn’t always fair pay. Many international companies try to hire South Africans at below-market rates. Know your worth, negotiate, and walk away if necessary.
5️⃣ Global clients want South African talent. Our work ethic, adaptability, and English proficiency make us highly competitive—if we market ourselves right.
📌 About Our Guest: Shea Karssing
Shea Karssing is an award-winning SEO content strategist and freelance writer working with international tech and SaaS brands. With over six years of experience, she helps companies create high-performing, search-optimized content that ranks and converts.
Through her work, she has built a high-value freelance business that allows her to charge global rates, work remotely on her terms, and teach other South African professionals how to do the same.
📌 Follow Shea Karssing:
🔗 Website: www.sheakarssing.com/
🔗 LinkedIn: Shea Karssing
📌 Resources Mentioned:
📌 Shea’s free networking challenge for freelancers: www.sheakarssing.com/
