From Sidehustle to Marketing Mastery: Nomalanga Dlamini on Marketing Grit, Growth, and Knowing When to Pivot

In this episode of South African Tech Marketers, we sit down with Nomalanga Dlamini, a digital marketing consultant whose career has spanned freelancing, in-house roles, and now agency life. Her story is not a polished LinkedIn case study—it’s the real, gritty progression of someone who’s figured things out on the job, built a client base from scratch, and learned when to pause, pivot, and upskill.

If you’re trying to break into international freelance work or wondering how to build real, hands-on digital marketing experience that global clients will actually value—this episode will give you specific steps, sharp mindset shifts, and hard-won truths that’ll move your career forward.

Topics Discussed:

• Building a marketing career with no formal plan

• Turning a garage-based connection into a global client

• Learning SEO, ads, and analytics on the job

• When to freelance and when to return to stability

• Why understanding buyer psychology beats knowing the tools

• How to start without a portfolio, personal brand, or Upwork account

Takeaways:

• Start with your network. Referrals built Nomalanga’s portfolio before she ever logged into Upwork.

• Tools don’t matter without psychology. Understand your audience first—then choose the platform.

• Freelancing is a business. If you can’t pitch, negotiate, and self-manage—you’re not ready.

• Agency work can be a level-up. She returned to full-time for structure, skills, and mental health.

• Your first client? You. Market yourself before marketing others.

• Every campaign won’t work. Learn. Adjust. Protect your peace.

Connect with Nomalanga:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nomalanga-dlamini-55b23b151/
Wiggle Digital: https://www.wiggledigital.co.za/

Produced by: www.globaltalent.co
Join the community: https://globaltalent.co/community/