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Hello! I’m Lezahn Herselman, a passionate and results-driven digital marketing and social media professional with 8+ years of experience helping businesses, creators, and entrepreneurs grow their online presence, engage audiences, and drive real results. My work is not just about posting content—it’s about telling your brand story, building trust, and creating measurable impact. What I Bring to the Table: Social Media Management & Growth: I manage accounts on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and other platforms. From creating content calendars to scheduling posts and analyzing insights, I ensure your brand is consistent, engaging, and growing organically. Content Creation & Design: I create graphics, copy, videos, and digital assets tailored to your audience. Whether it’s a high-converting ad, a carousel post, or a brand refresh, I make content that stands out and converts. Digital Marketing Strategy: From email campaigns and lead generation to paid ads and analytics, I develop strategies that turn clicks into customers and followers into loyal fans. Branding & Personal Projects: I help businesses and creators craft authentic, memorable brands that resonate with their audience. This includes brand voice development, visual identity, and online storytelling. Why Work With Me: I’m highly self-directed and organized—I can manage projects end-to-end with minimal supervision. I have a keen eye for detail and a results-oriented mindset. I focus on quality work that drives measurable impact. I am adaptable and communicative, always ensuring clients feel informed, supported, and confident in my work. I treat every project like it’s my own—your success is my success. Industries & Niches I’ve Worked With: Telecommunications and technology brands Music and entertainment (artists, live events, promotions) Service-based businesses and entrepreneurs Student and creator-focused campaigns How I Can Help You Succeed: If you’re looking for someone to elevate your social media, boost engagement, create captivating content, or manage digital campaigns that deliver real results, I’m here to make it happen. I’m not just a freelancer; I’m a partner in your growth, focused on strategies and execution that give you a competitive edge. I’m excited to connect with clients who are serious about growing their brand, online presence, and business impact. Let’s collaborate to create content, strategies, and campaigns that make your brand impossible to ignore. Ready to work together? Message me today and let’s discuss how I can help your business thrive online!

Top Rated Upwork freelancer 🏆 Founder 🏆 and $50 Million Raised Every successful business starts with a strong foundation, that foundation includes a strong financial roadmap and the right financial analyst to conduct financial modeling. Whether it’s to apply for funding, a government grant, financials for your business plan or to foresee the financial future and performance of your business idea. There are many reasons why businesses succeed but without a properly constructed financial plan that prepares you for the unforeseen, the chances for success go down significantly. That’s exactly where I come in. I’ve helped Helped many business clients like, Zicaro Ventures start a new FinTech Company called Blue Sage Financial . Deal Leaders Africa with a successful merger that earned them over R20m; Financial Modeling and Financial Analysis for First Avenue Investment Management to identify great stock opportunities. I have vast exposure working with several international clients since I started freelancing on Upwork. Start-up Consulting services include: ✅ Risk and Uncertainty analysis ✅ Building robust Forecasted financial models and valuation ✅ Crafting winning business plans and pitch deck slides ✅ Conducting in-depth market research ✅ Feasibility Study to determine Project Viability/Business Idea ✅ Trend Analysis and Strategy My Financial Modeling and Analyst Consulting services include: ✅ Conducting financial due diligence ✅ Project Finance ✅ Equity investing and research ✅ M&A Financial Modeling – Valuation - Firm Value NPV ✅ Modeling Returns for investment opportunities ✅ Building monthly budgeting and forecasting tools ✅ Creating user-friendly Automated dashboards and metrics. ✅ Financial Statements Analysis (Ratios, Capex, Ebitda, ROI, IRR, etc) Valuation Methods Include: ✅Market Capitalization ✅Times Revenue Method ✅Earnings Multiplier ✅Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Method ✅Book Value ✅Liquidation Value ✅Dividend Discount Model (DDM) Sounds like a great fit? Click the green “Invite to Job button in the upper right-hand corner of the page and let’s work together! 🚀 Your Financial Analyst. Sandile N. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here’s a bit about me – My journey to becoming a Financial Analyst I’ve been working as a Financial Analyst for 4 years now. Achieved TOP Rated Plus in my first year on Upwork due to my hard work and dedication, This means I am considered to be one of the top 5% Financial Analysts and Modelers on Upwork My Experience started at First Avenue Investment Management (Boutique Asset management Company) where I worked as an Equity Financial Research Analyst. Here I learned and researched broader topics about local and International equity stock markets (South Africa and the USA). Exploring various aspects of company valuation, equity investment analysis with focus on competitive advantage, and market share analysis. Exploring different sectors, expanded my knowledge of macro and micro-economic factors, and building comprehensive financial models based on historical patterns, industry/Company drivers. Financial Analyst at Deal Leaders Africa, One of Africa’s Leading Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) firms. I was preparing financial models, with a focus on present value forecasted free cash flows (NPV) to determine the firm value for the merger sale. In addition, this is where I generated skills relating to business plans and pitch deck presentations in the process of pitching to potential buyers. Senior Financial Analyst at Zicaro Ventures. I assisted with the formation of Blue Sage Financial start-up. Everything from their business plan, pitch deck, research, and financial modeling. My Education I hold a Finance and Investment Management Degree - from the University of South Africa, an Investment Management Certificate from one of SA’s leading independent business schools - ASISA Academy, and International Financial Services Certificate from the CISI Institute in London. This is what you can expect when working with me as your Financial Analyst. ✅ Bulletproof attention to detail. ✅ Available in ANY TIME ZONE 🕐 to prevent communication breakdowns. ✅ Daily/weekly/monthly updates and reports about the project, keeping you up to date. ✅ Fluent in written and spoken English. Nothing gets lost in translation. ✅ World Class Financial Analysis and Financial Modeling services are sure to add value to your business. PS Moto: I believe my education, quantitative and qualitative technical skills acquired from my experience, and my determined spirit will enable me to add value to any position I will be placed into.

When client expectations and project deadlines start slipping through the cracks, your reputation pays the price. When your systems are messy and team communication is unclear, larger issues become inevitable. I help business owners reclaim their time by managing projects, streamlining operations, and following up to ensure small issues do not grow into larger ones. Instead of firefighting, you’ll have clear systems that run smoothly—so you can focus on growth. Tell me about the project bottlenecks, system gaps, or daily tasks weighing you down, and I’ll analyse the full picture, build a strategy, and resolve the issues. As a Top-Rated freelancer trusted by clients on and off Upwork, I bring honest, consistent communication, adaptability, and a highly organized, results-oriented approach. With three years of general and project management experience, another three as a virtual assistant and customer success manager, I know exactly how much time disorganized systems steal—and I specialize in giving that time back to you. My primary focuses and skills: • Project & Operations Management – cross-functional coordination (sales, marketing, production, content, procurement, e-commerce), timeline oversight, and SOP creation • Automation, CRM & Tools Integration – Zapier, Slack, Notion, Asana, Trello, Google Workspace, and CRMs (Pastel, IQ Retail); unifying scattered tools into streamlined workflows • AI-Enhanced Support – prompt engineering, custom GPT creation, AI-assisted content and image generation (thumbnails, social assets, copy) • Account & Customer Success – client onboarding, proactive communication, retention-focused relationship management • Remote Team Coordination – structured check-ins, time-zone-aligned tasking, and resource organization • Executive & Administrative Support – scheduling, inbox management, presentations, research, and daily problem solving Additional skills: • SOP & process documentation • Business development & sales support • Data entry, data mining & detailed research • Website management (content, updates, light maintenance) • E-commerce operations • Marketing coordination Why work with me? ✅ Top-Rated on Upwork with a 100% job success score ✅ 3+ years of management experience—I understand how much time bad systems steal ✅ Clear, honest communication and adaptive support P.S. I am generally available for a video call between 07:00 to 20:00 (GMT+2), if the above overview interested you, please send a message via Upwork and we can arrange a call.

Business Incubation and Growth Strategist | 20+ Years Helping Founders Build, Scale and Optimise Real Businesses with AI Systems I help founders turn ideas into working businesses and help existing businesses become stronger, more profitable, and better structured. I have been building and incubating businesses for over 20 years across sectors including: retail, property development, technology and SaaS, events and media, renewable energy, finance and investment, education and eLearning, social media platforms, travel and automotive. I am currently Strategic Director at an international eLearning and business incubation company and have worked as CEO, Director, and Senior Strategy Lead in multiple ventures across South Africa, the UK, and the USA. What makes me different I am not a motivational business coach. I work inside your business like a senior partner and help you design: strategy, structure, financial logic, market positioning, and execution plans. My background blends: business strategy, psychology and human behaviour, marketing and sales, systems thinking, investment documentation, and product development. In addition, I help businesses practically integrate AI into their daily operations, not as hype but as a tool for productivity, clarity, and better decision making. This includes: evaluating where AI will actually help your business, identifying the right tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and automation platforms, designing AI assisted workflows, helping teams adopt and use AI properly, reducing wasted effort and manual work, and improving marketing, planning, research, and internal processes. I do not sell AI strategy decks. I help you use AI in real business contexts. What I have built and supported This includes: business plans used for funding and growth, go to market strategies, incubation frameworks, sales and marketing systems, pitch decks and investor documents, operational models, digital products and platforms, and AI supported business workflows. Industries I have worked in These include: retail, property, renewable energy, mining mergers and acquisitions, fintech, education, entertainment, travel, digital platforms, and social media applications. How I typically help clients I work in practical modules or full incubation: Strategy and Incubation: business model design, concept and IP structuring, market positioning, negotiation and deal structuring, change management, and mentoring founders. Planning and Structure: business plans, growth strategies, pitch decks, financial models, organisational design, and trust and IP structuring. Production and Product: product design, service design, quality assurance and implementation, systems and workflows. Marketing and Sales: go to market strategy, branding and positioning, launch strategy, sales action plans, and team sourcing. Finance and Capital: sustainable finance models, revenue logic, investment readiness, capital raising pathways, and preparation for VC, private equity, grants and bank funding. AI Business Optimisation: business process AI audits, AI tool selection and setup, AI workflow design, team training and adoption, marketing and research automation, and internal efficiency systems. My working style When I work with you, I: think like an owner, protect your downside, focus on execution not theory, challenge weak ideas, build systems that last, and help you use modern tools including AI in ways that actually make sense. Clients work with me when they want: senior level thinking, honest feedback, clear direction, better systems, smarter use of technology, and a business that actually works.

I turn organic search into a profitable sales channel. With over 8 years of experience driving growth for global powerhouses like Nivea, Labello, City Lodge Hotel Group, and Mr. Price, I don't just "write content" - I design SEO ecosystems that dominate rankings and capture market share. While most SEOs are still stuck in 2022 tactics, I specialize in the 2026 Search Landscape: bridging the gap between traditional Technical SEO, User Experience (UX), and the new frontier of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and GEO. 🚀 Core Competencies & Strategic Services: - Holistic SEO Strategy: Full-funnel planning for SaaS, Finance, and DTC brands. - Technical SEO: Deep-dive audits and hands-on fixes (Indexing, Core Web Vitals, Schema). - AEO & GEO: Future-proofing your brand for AI-driven search (Search Generative Experience). - Content Architecture: High-authority organic strategy that converts readers into customers. - E-commerce SEO: Specialized growth for Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy SEO. - Local SEO: Advanced GBP management, Bing optimization, and local citation scaling. Industries I Serve: I have a proven track record of navigating high-competition niches, including: - SaaS - eCommerce - Finance (Lead Gen) - Insurance - DTC Brands Why Work With Me? SEO is no longer just about writing blogs - it’s shifted towards Search Experience Optimization (SXO). I ensure that every technical tweak and every word of content serves a dual purpose: pleasing the algorithm Gods and giving the user the information they need to make purchase decisions. Ready to dominate the SERPs? Let’s talk strategy.

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY I am an adaptable, diligent marketing professional with a general career that spans 20 plus years in operations, project & client relationship management roles in the broader marketing space. I pivoted to work in digital marketing agencies in 2015. The nature of the projects I have worked on span from (but are not limited to) website design and build, the design and build of a national heritage site tourism App, conceptualising and implementing various turnkey digital marketing strategies for well-known organisations (such as Hollard Insure, Wits Business School, and Constitution Hill), managing SEO content strategies, LinkedIn paid campaigns, email marketing, as well as PR and print advertising for B2B clients (such as NNIA, Bosch Rexroth South Africa, KVMTech, ContiTech Africa, and ContiTech South Africa, RheoCube, and NightJarr). In each of these areas I have played a very hands-on role as well as providing full strategy development and direction. My working style is an integrative, strategic and holistic one. I listen actively to the clients needs at the centre of the project, and work with my short-term and long-term vision running parallel. I am not averse to learning new skills on the job. My prior career experience is varied spanning from graduating with a degree in dance, to teaching at a high school, filling the role of branch manager for a student staffing and activations company, to creating a new operations manager role for large exhibitions / trade shows. I was also a projects coordinator in a government investment promotions agency. In retrospect, I am able to see how the skills applied in all these roles, initially stemmed from those I acquired at university in my studies – namely research, technical and analytical, spatial / abstract, inter- and intrapersonal, and project management. I am also adept at successfully transferring all the skills gleaned along my journey easily from one role to the next. I believe in my core values as a person and living authentically in my life as a whole is very important to me, which includes in my career. I enjoy research and using my in-depth thinking skills. I am interested in making meaningful use of all my talents, to create awareness of mindful developments in various industries/environments. SKILLS COMPETENCY Soft Skills: ● Strategic & Creative Thinking ● Ability to Mentor / Train / Teach ● Project Management style: empower team members with long-term sustainable view ● Mindfulness ● Integrity / Empathetic / Philanthropic ● Holistic big picture thinking style ● Active listener ● Spatial / abstract thinking style ● Analytical thinker ● Critical thinker ● Detail oriented Hard Skills: ● ClickUp expert ● Project & Team Management ● Brand strategy ● Digital Communications, Strategy Development (multi-channel content development and distribution, SEO, paid & organic, analytics, etc.) ● Traditional Marketing (PR, Trade Expos, Activations) ● Exhibition Operations Management ● Writing ● Dance & Choreography ● Performance Arts EXAMPLE OF A SUCCESSFUL CONTENT STRATEGY DEVELOPED FOR A CLIENT: Hollard Insure The purpose of the new content strategy presented to Hollard Insure in 2017, was to provide educational opportunities that would prompt the consumer into consulting their broker for the best advice – thus laying a ground swell for the #LongLiveTheBroker campaign which was yet to be launched in early 2018. The content was to also provide brokers with information that was not the norm, but rather the unexpected, which they could use to send directly to their clients. The need for this new strategy was due to the changing landscape of the insurance industry with disruptors entering the market and “threatening” the need for a broker, as well as in response to the national regulations that were coming into effect in better regulating brokers. The request from the Hollard Insure team was to be presented with a list of fresh tactical articles and supporting suitable infographics, which would inform a new content strategy. The idea was to unpack the various Hollard Insure insurance offerings through the following strategy: ● A tactical article that informed the rest of the elements ● Bite-sized infographic posts on social media that teased / piqued the consumer’s thought processes ● Supporting social media posts that further supported the article, and unpacked the topic further for the consumer ● To leverage off other digital platforms to further the message through an unravelling “story-telling” method in order to create longevity The posts and the article content were to be enticing in such a way that the consumer was encouraged to connect with their broker in order to query the nature of the content further. With the spin-off content ensuring the topic remained front of one’s mind. Campaign hashtag: ● #InsuranceTips New Generation award: ● New Gen Awards 2018: Best Online Newsletter: Hollard – #InsuranceTips (Bronze)