Listen, I've heard it a hundred times, and I bet you have, too... "If you're good enough, you can just wait for clients to come to you." They say. "Word of mouth is all you need." They say. But here's the deal: sitting on your hands and hoping for that magical email notification of a new client isn't a strategy—it's a death trap. Let me paint a picture... You're a talented freelancer. You've had some good months, even great ones. But then there's that one sobering month. The inquiries dry up, the referrals dwindle, and your inbox is eerily silent. Panic sets in. That, my friend, is the terrifying "word-of-mouth death trap". There's a common myth in the freelance world. Some folks will have you believe that the only way to thrive is through word of mouth. But here’s the truth bomb: Anyone saying "word-of-mouth is best" is unqualified to give you that advice. They are just coasting along nicely with it, having never tasted the desperation of the dry season. Many still end up taking on gigs they aren’t passionate about, just to keep the lights on. And sure, referrals are fabulous. If you're great at what you do, you'll 100% get them. But if you're banking solely on word of mouth to keep your calendar booked with clients, then you're setting yourself up for a rocky ride. So, what's the antidote to this feast or famine nightmare? Two words: Lead Generation. Here's the breakdown: Leads become inquiries. Inquiries become clients. And when you have a consistent influx of leads every month, you've got a buffer against those terrifying dry spells. Suddenly, your business isn't about hoping for clients—it's about choosing them. In the coming series, we'll dive deep into the nuts and bolts of lead generation, tailored specifically for freelancers. Because here's the truth: understanding and mastering lead generation is like handing yourself the keys to consistency. Ready to escape the word-of-mouth death trap? Click here to start the Lead Generation Series. In this episode you’ll discover: Why Brian has had a horrible week thanks to Meta Different methods of lead generation, and how your business type changes your lead acquisition The importance of a solid lead magnet Keys to a valuable lead magnet What to do if you're struggling Understanding what your clients need Using the Three-Tier-Outcome Map Diagnosing problems to add value to leads For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/325

If you've been stuck at 4 or 5 figures per year as a freelancer, there's likely one ingredient that is holding you back from growth. Without this ingredient, it is 100% impossible to get clients, grow your income, and get past the 6 figure mark (if that's your goal). In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, my buddy Mark Eckert and I map out the path you can take to overcoming all of the hurdles between you and this incredibly important missing ingredient. In this episode you’ll discover: How to move from four/five figures to six figures+ Why you aren't full time yet How to revamp your entire public-facing identity as a freelancer The difference between advertising vs. content marketing and why this matters for freelancers Why you should be producing more than consuming How sticking to a schedule or routine can tie all of this together For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/324

Ever feel like you're stuck on a rollercoaster of feast or famine with freelance work? You land a big project, then... crickets. We've spoken to over 800 freelancers 1 on 1 this past year, and nearly EVERY one of those freelancers was in the same boat... lack of consistency, and lack of any real plan. In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I'm hitting you with some tough love to break that cycle and give you the real "secret" to consistent clients and income. (Hint: It's not a magic trick.) The secret to earning consistent income and landing premium clients isn’t what you think. It won’t be found in sporadic social media posts or half-baked marketing efforts. It’s about changing who you are. This episode is for YOU if: You're tired of the inconsistent income struggle. You're ready to take your freelancing seriously and build a real business. You're open to ditching the "dream client" fantasy and attracting clients who are a perfect fit. Ready to finally ditch the feast or famine cycle? For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/315

If you've ever felt like your freelance life has been a neverending feast-or-famine roller coaster, chances are you're missing one (or more) pieces of a full client acquisition machine. You've likely "dabbled" with bits and pieces here and there, but you've never fully built each of the individual parts and refined them to the point where everything is working as a well-oiled machine bringing you high-quality clients every single month. In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I break down each of the major parts of your Client Acquisition Machine, as well as what specific numbers you should be aiming for as a benchmark. If you've ever wanted more stability and predictability in your business, and you want a clear roadmap for how to make 2023 your best year ever, this episode is for you. In this episode you’ll discover: How to solve a consistency issue in your business Why dabbling is slowly destroying your income stream The foundation of your Client Acquisition Machine Creating a transformational outcome for your clients Building your Marketing Mothership Your responsibility to sell to those who need your service The parallels between software and freelancing Nurturing your leads for a long-term relationship Fine-tuning your Client Acquisition Machine For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/225

Did you know that closing too many clients can be a bad thing? I know it sounds completely backwards, but a high sales conversion rate (70%+) is usually a sign of an unhealthy business. In episode 224 of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I break down the two reasons why a high sales conversion rate is a bad thing, and what two actions you can take to build a happier, healthier freelance business. In this episode you’ll discover: Why "winning" too many clients is a bad thing The ideal close rate for your sales process What to do if your close rate is too high Avoiding the scarcity mindset of wanting to win every client Sales leads vs. marketing leads - and why they are important When to raise your rates For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/224

How much is an average client worth to you? Whatever that number is, imagine how much more they'd be worth to you and your freelance business if they were paying you that amount every single year. Now imagine how successful you'd be if every single client you've ever had was paying you the amount every year for the rest of your career. That's the reality for those who run recurring subscription businesses, however, most freelancers only offer one-and-done packages. Whether you call it a retainer, subscription, or simply a "monthly fee", most who follow this podcast would love the idea of acquiring a client one time and having them keep paying you every single month. But... What if your service just "doesn't make sense" as a recurring subscription? If that's you, I'd challenge you to listen to this episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast. No matter what service you offer, there's likely some way to shift your clients to a recurring income model. Our guest this week, Annemie Tonken, has managed to build her family photography business to 6 figures per year from 6 hours of work per week. If you want to learn how she's managed this, and how she's launched a highly-successful recurring-subscription photography service in an industry where very few others are doing the same, listen to episode 223 of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast ASAP. In this episode you’ll discover: Transitioning your freelance business to a recurring revenue model Becoming a more efficient business-manager Solving your clients' ultimate needs so you can earn more on each project The hidden benefits of a recurring revenue model Average client value and the impact this stat has on your business How to keep your subscribers happy, active, and paying The key factors of adding value to your client's lives (for maximum profit) How she earns a 6-figure income from 6 hours of work per week For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/223

Love it or hate it, email marketing is the closest thing there has ever been to a "magic pill" for anyone looking for stability in their month-to-month income. The sucky thing is...most of us "fall victim" to email marketing ALL THE TIME. You get tons of tons of emails from people offering their products and services, but you never make use of this powerful tool yourself. Most freelancers I see are making one (or more) of these mistakes: They think social media is the best long-term play (it's not) They think they can have the same success and stability 1 on 1 (you can't) They think "join my newsletter" is a great way to build their email list (it's not) They're actually building their list, but they're never sending emails (not good) If you want a time-tested, surefire way to stay top-of-mind, build trust, and actually reach the audience you've built, email marketing is where it's at. If you're having success on social media right now, I'm begging you to take this time to build an email list so you're safe/secure in the long run. Social media has historically always become a "pay to play" world for business owners, and Tiktok is already making that shift. Don't make the mistake of thinking that party is going to last much longer. If you're open to the idea of building, growing, and using an email list to grow your reach, and you like the idea of building trust in a one-to-many setting, this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast is for you. In this episode you’ll discover: Why social media is not the savior people think it is The number one platform small businesses need in their toolbelt Staying top of mind with clients and leads Setting up your first lead magnet funnel How to attract email subscribers The key to a juicy lead magnet What Yahoo! did wrong with their website (and how it applies to growing your email list) The math behind running paid advertising Profitable Facebook ads for freelance creatives For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/222

Here are a few of the biggest lies when it comes to marketing your freelance business. "If I'm good enough, people will find me and hire me" "The only marketing I need is word-of-mouth" "If I market myself, I'll come across as desperate" "This sort of stuff doesn't work for freelancers" If any of that sounds like you, my guess would be you likely have very little predictability in your income. You might go from having more gigs than you can handle, followed by extreme famine periods where your calendar dries up (along with your bank account). If you want steady, predictable income for your business every single month, there are 4 key things you need in place. If you're even missing one of these four pieces, you're making your path to predictability extremely difficult (or impossible). In this episode you’ll discover: Marketing plans for freelancers When email lists are vital, vs. when they're optional "Proposing" via text message The "3% rule" and the "80/19/1 rule" How your niche affects your marketing needs Swiping or dating: lead generation and lead nurture How to create a business you rarely *(if ever) have to market  For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/221

Every successful freelancer has hit that wall where you can't say yes to even ONE more project...this is usually the same time you start getting more inquiries than you've ever seen before. In these busy seasons of business, there are a few options you could take... You could turn down all those extra projects (and say goodbye to that extra $$$). You could say "yes" to those projects and just hate your life for the next few weeks or months while you scramble to deliver (this is the route most of us take). You take the responsible, profitable, healthy route of building systems that scale. If you hate money, you'll probably take option 1 and turn down those extra projects. If you're irresponsible and want to live in a state of overwhelm, you'll take option 2. If you're a responsible, mature business owner, you'll go with option 3 and build systems that help you deliver high-quality work faster, more efficiently, and without dropping the ball or overwhelming yourself. In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I interviewed systems expert Rachael Mueller. She's a virtual COO that helps service-based business owners plan, create, and manage systems that scale so you can take on more projects in less time. If you're overwhelmed, working too much, or just feel like you have WAY too many project details floating around in your brain, and you're not sure what to do, this episode is for you. In this episode you’ll discover: Making your business run smoothly Unloading your mind to focus on creativity Flow charts - they're not just for nerds Setting up your systems for success The three key systems any business needs Using templates to cut out wasted time Logging your time to see where it goes Why the major CRMs aren't the best for freelancers Consolidating your tasks for easy reference For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/220

In this episode, Colleen Welsch breaks down the cold outreach process she used to land some of the biggest brands in the beauty industry. This email process can work in any industry to start bringing in consistent clients no matter how much experience you have. If you've ever wanted to see a proven process for cold outreach, this interview is for you. In this episode you’ll discover: Why failure is not the end Starting fresh after your business collapses Working with major brands just by asking What you need to have in place before emailing strangers How to face rejection as a freelancer How to craft a cold email How many times to follow up if no one replies Brian and Colleen's original (and embarrassing) AIM usernames For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/219

The most difficult part of freelancing is attracting high-quality clients to you (especially early in your career). Most people resort to two main "desperation tactics" when their schedules thin out... Desperation Tactic 1: They start sending cold emails/DMs to people who don't have any idea who they are. Desperation Tactic 2: They start publishing desperate-looking "hire me" posts on their socials. Things like "50% off THIS MONTH ONLY. HMU". While they're chasing leads down like a starving troglodyte desperately hunting for food, there's a better way to market your business as a creative. So what's the better way? That's what Chris Smith—our guest this week—wrote the book on... While the book is called "The Conversion Code", the tagline says it all: "Stop chasing leads and start attracting clients". No one wants to be "hunted", but most people want to be attracted to something/someone. In this episode, Chris breaks down how to use social media to start attracting more clients instead of resorting to desperation tactics. In this episode you’ll discover: Overcoming the lead generation bottleneck The number one key to getting booked Content marketing as a freelancer Basing your business model on Disney Getting booked by posting on TikTok The ROI of social media content creation Documenting vs. creating content Looking to others for inspiration For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/218

I recently came across one of the coolest freelance businesses I've ever seen, and I wanted to bring this to the 6 Figure Creative audience. I'm not going to spoil anything, but this freelancer is earning over $1 Million per year without a staff, without contractors, and he's able to accomplish this just by taking inspiration from a totally different industry than his own. If you're feeling stagnant, stuck, uninspired, or you're simply not earning what you think you should be in your own business, this episode is absolutely for you. In this episode you’ll discover: Why you shouldn't rely on a single point of failure Taking influence from other businesses outside of your industry Creating income stability with a better business model How to stay away from becoming an "inbred business" How successful entrepreneurs deal with roadblocks Sharing knowledge with your "competition" For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/217

No matter how much you love doing what you do, there are always going to be things that you hate doing but still need to be done. This is the life of a business owner, and one of the root causes of burnout. What if I told you there was a way to spend less time doing the stuff you hate so you can spend more time doing what you love? There is, and it's something called the "Easy Ates" framework. This episode will break down how to use this framework in your own business so you can avoid burnout, work less, and spend much more time enjoying your creative business. In this episode you’ll discover: Finding time to work on your business instead of in your business How successful business owners use the same 24 hours you have The best app to track your time KPIs Eliminating the stressors in your business Brian's 4-step framework for saving time Systemizing your processes for more efficient business practices Protecting yourself from outside factors Procrastinating with perfectionism Why not all hours are created equal The "Easy Ates" Framework Eliminate Can you remove this from your business entirely? Automate Can you set up a system to do this for you? Delegate Can someone else do this for you? Mitigate How can we make this task less painful if we can't eliminate, automate, or delegate it? For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/216

Ever feel like finding the perfect niche is like walking a tightrope? One wrong step, and you're either too broad and get lost in the crowd, or too narrow and miss out on opportunities. In our latest episode, we unravel this tricky dilemma. Whether you're worried about losing clients by niching down or spreading yourself too thin, we've devoted an entire episode to helping you find that perfect sweet spot! 🎧 Listen Now to learn: How to avoid being too broad or too niche. Real strategies to keep your services appealing and effective. The secret sauce to being known for what you do best without pigeonholing yourself. Don’t miss this episode if you want to become sought-after while still offering enough to attract and retain clients. In this episode you’ll discover: When you should niche down Why outcomes are more important than services Avoiding common mistakes when niching down Pitching your services effectively Using the agency model vs. the collective model Why services shouldn't be the focus Helping clients achieve their vision For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/314

By FAR the easiest way to monetize your creative skills is by offering freelance services. The only issue with that approach is that it puts a cap on how much you could ever hope to earn per hour. $50 per hour? Sure. $500 per hour? Maybe... $5,000 per hour!? Possibly $500,000 per hour? As a freelancer? There's no way that I know of... The other issue with the freelance business model is that if you're not working, then you're not earning a dime (unless you know some secret hack to get paid time off as a freelancer, in which case hmu). While freelancing can be a great way to get started as a designer, there's a far better business model that our podcast guest this week has used to earn up to $500k per hour–allowing her to travel the world full-time as a digital nomad. The business model is partnering with big brands via licensing, and Cat Coquillette has mastered the process of being a prolific creator while also getting her designs placed in some of the biggest stores in the world, including Target, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Bed Bath & Beyond, and more. Listen now to hear how she built her design business from the ground up while skipping out on the freelance part entirely. In this episode you’ll discover: How to skip the freelance game and jump into scaleable income A tax loophole to write off most of your travel expenses 80/20 for creatives - playing the numbers game Using Print on Demand services to sell your designs Being open to all opportunities Handling criticism well Contract negotiation - give and take The importance of an active mailing list Focusing on the important parts of your business For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/215

Answer this question: If you don't work today, will you still make money? What if you take the whole week off? Or the whole month? This is the biggest drawback of being a freelancer. You have to work more if you want to earn more. There are a number of consequences for this, but the biggest issue for creatives like us is that the more we work, the more we face burnout. The more we face burnout, the higher the chance that we'll lose the initial passion that drove us to this business in the first place. That means that the more we earn as freelancers, the more we'll face burnout. I'm sure you see the issue here... while you may love what you do, I'm sure you want to maintain a healthy balance between maintaining creativity and maintaining your bank account. None of us want to feel like we're on a hampster wheel of working just to pay the bills, but this is the sad reality of some of the most successful freelancers I know. They built amazingly successful careers (at least financially), but they unknowingly built a trap for themselves. As their income increased, so did their lifestyle and bills. As their bills increased, so did their dependency on their freelance income. This created a perpetual cycle of saying "yes" to projects they otherwise would have said "no" to if they didn't need the money. So how do we get out of this deadly cycle? Well... One method is to just keep your living expenses (and business expenses) as low as humanly possible. The other method (and one I much prefer) is to break away from directly trading your dollars for hours. This is the choice that Rachel Brenke took in her own businesses, which have allowed her to scale her income to over $9,000,000. While she does offer 1-to-1 services just like any typical freelancer, she's also built something called an "ascension ladder", which has allowed her to keep earning money regardless of whether she works this month or not. If you're still on the hours-for-dollars treadmill, and you want to break away, this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast is for you. In this episode you’ll discover: The art (and science) of niching down How to offer services and products in multiple niches Automating and outsourcing the stuff you don't want to do How to build an "ascension ladder" as a freelancer Why relying on a single point of failure can destroy a business The 80/20 of content marketing that actually brings in clients For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/214

I'm super excited to share this with you today because this is the stuff that really moves the needle in your business. This is how you can charge more without losing clients or getting rejected. This is how you make your clients SO happy that they refer all their friends to you. This is how you become more attractive to your "dream clients". And this framework comes from a business owner earning over $100,000,000 per year... so you know this stuff works. Today's episode breaks down the 4 BEST ways to become more valuable, and if you get this right, you'll completely transform how you show up to clients. 99% of the freelancers I know neglect all 4 of these areas to their own detriment. As a result, they're losing gigs to their competitors, they get constant pushback on pricing, and they're not generating nearly enough referrals to keep their calendars full. In this episode you’ll discover: Focusing on the end goal, not the short term The value exchange The importance of social proof and perceived likelihood of achievement How to close bigger deals How time delay affects pricing and client acquisition The expert wins: why experts get the job 9 times out of 10 Why adding friction is a recipe for losing clients For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/213

Answer this: What have you done this week to bring in new clients? 99% of freelancers would say "uhhhh....." and proceed to stare at me blankly with a distant look in their eyes. The sad reality is that most creatives sit around and wait for clients to find them. This is perfectly OK if your business is at the point where you're 100% booked up for the next 6 months with nothing but your ideal clients. For the rest of us, we have to put in work to fill our calendars. On this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I interviewed Ian Paget of Logo Geek. Ian has done a lot over the years to bring in clients as a freelancer. He's executed multiple growth hacks in his business, which lead to over 90,000 followers on social media. He then used that following to launch one of the top design podcasts (despite being a total introvert). Ian is the master of taking "imperfect action", and he's proven over and over again that anyone can face their fears and get out of their comfort zones in order to bring in new clients to their freelance business. In this episode you’ll discover: How Ian pivoted from employee to freelancer Growth hacking social media The importance of engaging your audience Overcoming the fears holding you back Stumbling into success The tech needed to start a podcast Launching a podcast with a massive guest For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/212

You're finally out on your own as a freelancer... no more bosses, offices, fluorescent lights, and no more commute. 🥳 That also means you're now responsible for your own survival. No more regular paychecks, retirement accounts, paid time off, or coworkers who can cover for you. Do you have all of the skills that it takes to make survive as a freelancer? If not, this is going to be a rough ride on the entrepreneurial roller coaster... On this episode of 6 Figure Creative, I sat down to talk to Sarah Townsend, the author of "Survival Skills for Freelancers". She broke down the skills she had to develop to survive (and thrive) for the past 2 years as a freelancer. In this episode you’ll discover: The importance of saying no How to politely turn down a lead Why working with the wrong people hurts you more than you think Coping with self-doubt - you're not alone How social media can be positive or negative for freelancers Picking the right social media platforms for you Managing your social media presence effectively Why you shouldn't expect your followers to know who you are How to focus on work as a freelancer Separating personal and work time For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/211

If you struggle with low self-worth, perfectionism, procrastination, or self-doubt, then you might be making the mistake of letting fear into the driver's seat of your business. Fear is a plague in our creative community. So many of us let fear... drive our rates down to pitiful levels (and keep us from ever raising them) drive us working extra hours for free (so we don't "ruffle feathers" by asking to be compensated) drive us to keep tweaking things for hours until they're "perfect" (even though there's no such thing as perfection) trap us in a state of perpetual procrastination for all of those big things we know will push our business forward It probably sounds obvious that fear is a terrible thing for you and your business, yet so many of us keep allowing fear to drive us every single day. That's why I wanted to bring on someone who's literally written the book on this. The author of "Feck Perfuction" is a world-renowned artist named James Victore. You may have seen his work in The Louvre or the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and I think it goes without saying that you don't make it to that level as a creative without annihilating fear. James has managed to break free of fear and build an incredible name for himself, and this episode dives into his process for what he does when the "fear demon" tries to sit on his shoulders and tell him how to live his life. In this episode you’ll discover: The importance of overcoming your fears Perfection and procrastination: your silent enemies How to get over our physical and mental ailments How childhood trauma, no matter how mild, affects your life/business Learning how to love yourself Finding clients who fit what you want to create Why failing more is good Taking risks to make your work stand out For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/210

Are you one of those bland, boring, vanilla freelancers who are trying to appeal to everyone? Are you terrified of the thought of offending someone or pushing away "potential" clients? The problem with being a "Vanilla Freelancer" that is you're invisible to the vast majority of people because you have nothing interesting to say, and you likely stand for nothing. You're not alone. There's a massive chunk of the creative world that's fallen into the trap of trying to appeal to everyone, and instead, you appeal to absolutely no one. Why would I choose to work with you when there's someone who specializes in exactly what I'm looking for? Why would I pick your plain vanilla business over another one that perfectly aligns with my values? The irony is that you're costing yourself clients who would be perfect for you simply because you're too afraid to stand out. The result is you get the bottom-of-the-barrel clients who were rejected by all the specialists who decided to choose a niche and own it. Many industries have figured this out, but somehow we creatives seem to latch onto the bland, boring, and vanilla. That's why I wanted to bring on Micah Woods to talk about his non-traditional niche. Micah is a branding and web designer who's forged his own path with a unique niche I haven't seen from any other freelancer, and it's done wonders for his business. Not only has it attracted his ideal clients to him, but it's also allowed him to reliably repel the worst types of clients for his business. The result is that he's able to enjoy a quiet, peaceful, blue ocean in the branding and design world while others are fighting for scraps in the red ocean of bland vanilla creatives. You do not want to miss this week's episode, so set time aside to listen ASAP. In this episode you’ll discover: The impact of knowing you're about to lose your job Why you shouldn't care if you're "bothering" people It's all a matter of timing: cold outreach Choosing your niche before you start your business Launching a business and getting traction right away How you can get clients with a small social media presence Thriving in a blue ocean The value of paying others to handle tasks for you For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/209

Have you obsessively perfected every single step of what your clients experience before, during, and after working with you? Most of the struggling freelancers I know have failed to do this, and it's costing them client, after client, after client, that they could have otherwise gained. The reason should be obvious: clients might forget the details of what it was like to work with you, but they will never forget how you made them feel. If you create a frustrating experience for them, you'll forever be remembered as "that one person who was incredibly frustrating to work with". If you create a confusing experience, they'll remember how they always felt lost during their experience with you. All of the most successful business owners I know have put tons of time, effort, and energy into perfecting their client experience for every single project. A well-executed client experience means happier clients, more referrals, more repeat projects, and an overall better reputation for your business. This is what my guest Nicholas Di Lorenzo has obsessed over in his business. He's built a fantastic client experience that has kept him booked solid in one of the most notoriously difficult business models in the audio industry. In this episode you’ll discover: The advantages of starting as someone's assistant How to grow your own business after working for someone else Finding the techniques that stick Making your clients' life as easy as possible Keeping your workspace clean to help focus Freeing up time to explore new areas of your business How bad (or no) systems can cost opportunities For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/208

Ever felt like you wanted to reach out to someone, but didn't want to bother them? Maybe it was an old acquaintance, a past client, or even a prospective client you've had your eyes on for a while... Creatives typically have this voice inside our heads that say "don't do that... you'll just be bothering them". Here's something that may surprise you: That voice is usually a lying, thieving, horrible bastard who's simply holding you back from getting what you want... What's even worse is that this voice is holding your prospective clients back from the rich experience of connecting with you and all of the value you could potentially bring to their lives. If you want proof, just look at your own life. How many other people are constantly reaching out to you, bothering you with offers you don't want? How many other freelancers are "bothering" you about hiring them? How many old acquaintances are reaching out to you about meeting up for dinner or drinks to catch up? Hell, how many potential love interests are sliding into your DMs? If you're like 99% of the rest of us, those things are rarely (if ever) happening. There's a better way to handle this stuff. It's something called The Rule of 7, and it's one of the keys to the incredible success of this week's guest. This week I got to speak to a "7-figure creative" who turned his 6-figure freelance business into a 7-figure agency (which he eventually sold). He's used the Rule of 7 ethically to get more clients, stay top of mind, build trust, win more projects, and ultimately, earn millions and millions of dollars through his creative business as a designer. This is what separates struggling creatives from multi-million dollar powerhouse guests like Mike Janda. In this episode you’ll discover: How to prepare yourself for an economic downturn Positioning yourself as a freelancer to replace your day job Solving problems as a method of sales The rule of 7 The importance of meeting people in person Competition at the top levels of freelancing Understanding the market you're in to provide a valuable offer Balancing between big city freelancers and "cheap" options in other countries For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/207

The dark side of freelancing (that no one wants to discuss) is the wasteland of low-dollar "Fiverr Freelancers" charging bottom-dollar rates for "butt-in-seat" projects. Whether you're on Fiverr or not, you may still be trapped in this low-dollar wasteland that is essentially just another soulless day job you've created for yourself. These projects tend to be unfulfilling and draining, and you end up in a horrible financial place. This is what so many newbies and struggling creatives do, and many never make it out of this trap. I know this might sound painfully obvious, but you can't build a sustainable freelance business out of low-dollar, unfulfilling work where you're competing with hundreds (or thousands) of copycat competitors willing to work longer hours for less money than you. This is why I wanted to bring on Ryan Koral from Tell Studios to talk about how he successfully transitioned from $500 projects to regular $50,000 projects, eventually scaling his freelance business to over $1,000,000 per year. Ryan shared a ton of incredible info, including one of my new favorite strategies for closing high-dollar projects, so do not skip this week's interview. In this episode you’ll discover: Why Ryan pivoted from a full-time job earning $23,000/year to a becoming a full time freelancer How "yes mode" affects the start of your business Why you don't hire significant others for your business Dealing with employees who don't have the right expectation The benefits of delegating tasks to others Why your employees aren't the idiots you think they are Your value vs. how your clients value your work How to sell a low $$$ workshop that leads to a $50k project (with a 100% success rate).  For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/206

I recently came across one of the coolest freelance businesses I've ever seen, and I wanted to bring this to the 6 Figure Creative audience. I'm not going to spoil anything, but this freelancer is earning over $1 Million per year without a staff, without contractors, and he's able to accomplish this just by taking inspiration from a totally different industry than his own. If you're feeling stagnant, stuck, uninspired, or you're simply not earning what you think you should be in your own business, this episode is absolutely for you. In this episode you’ll discover: Why you shouldn't rely on a single point of failure Taking influence from other businesses outside of your industry Creating income stability with a better business model How to stay away from becoming an "inbred business" How successful entrepreneurs deal with roadblocks Sharing knowledge with your "competition" For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/313

If you ever want to break 6 figures as a freelancer (or whatever your goal is), let me ask you something important... Are you running your business (and life) like a 6 figure creative? Most people think they can keep acting like a 4 or 5-figure freelancer and that eventually (with enough hard work and perseverance), you'll somehow break that elusive 6-figure goal. The reality is that you have to BE a 6 figure creative before you can earn 6 figures. Confused? Here's what I mean... Every 6 Figure Creative I know has these characteristics: They're intentional in their personal life and business. They have specific goals AND take consistent actions working towards those goals They let opportunity and possibility drive their decisions instead of fear and self-doubt. They're not afraid to show the world exactly who they are and are not. The thing that most people don't understand is that these other 6 Figure Creatives already had these qualities and characteristics before they ever cracked 6 figures. You are the same. Until you have the qualities and characteristics of a 6 figure creative, you will not crack that number (or whatever number you're trying to reach). Our guest in this week's interview is the perfect example of someone who has all of these qualities. Toby Lloyd has been a freelancer for the past 15 years, and he's put a lot of care and intention into being the type of person he needed to be in order to be successful. Toby's results speak for themselves. If you want to learn what "the full package" looks like as a true 6 Figure Creative, this interview is for you. In this episode you’ll discover: How Toby Lloyd transitioned from a full-time job in the film industry to a 6-figure home studio owner Using competitions to create awareness for your business Qualifying leads to make sure you're the best fit for the project Why you need to get leads first and then focus on growth The mindset of a good producer How to nurture long-term relationships with your clients Using flat-rate pricing to keep artists at ease in the studio The difference between a Kiwi accent and an Aussie accent For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/205

Ever felt like your industry is just too saturated to stand out? Like you're just a tiny drop in a massive ocean? You're not alone. Nearly every freelancer has a moment (or ten) where they doubt themselves and their ability to stand out in a crowded "red ocean". That's why I was so excited to talk to James Martin from Made By James. James is a designer who's had immense success in the crowded niche of logo design. He's found a way to not just stand out, but thrive in an incredibly competitive niche. James is averaging around 1,000 inquiries from potential clients every single year, and this has allowed him to cherry-pick the best gigs and reject the "bill paying work" that many freelancers are forced to say yes to. Whether you're a designer or not, this episode will contain a lot of fantastic advice from someone who's built an incredible, long-lasting career as a freelancer. In this episode you’ll discover: How James Martin has thrived for nearly 2 decades as a creative Why niching down too early is worse than not niching at all How to stand out in a saturated market Passion vs. systems and habit Why it's dangerous to rely on social media Giving your clients the most value they can afford Why it's time to raise your prices right now Relationships in business The difference between survival and thriving For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/204

"I need more clients". That's the #1 problem our community has in every single poll we run. The issue with getting clients is that no matter how good you are at what you do, you will never be able to get enough clients if no one knows you exist. That's why we wanted to dedicate an entire episode to discussing our favorite 3 methods for building awareness and growing your business. Creatives have to learn this stuff if they ever want to get out of the "feast or famine" lifestyle. In this episode you’ll discover: How to make an offer so good people feel stupid saying no How to harness three of the six different lead sources The thousand true fans model How you can advertise for free Why an email list is crucial to more and more freelancers The importance of cleaning your mailing list For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/203

Here are the two rules for attracting your dream clients. Rule #1: Be attractive. Rule #2: Don't be unattractive. That's literally it. The hard part comes when you actually look at what is "attractive" to your dream clients. I'd bet you have a long list of alllll the things you want to see in their dream clients/projects, but very few people take the time to look at themselves and ask the most important question... "Am I the type of person that would attract this sort of dream client/project?" In many cases, that answer is, unfortunately, no. You're not anywhere close to being attractive to your dream clients. In other cases, you might be attractive to them, but you're doing little to nothing when it comes to communicating all the attractive things you have to offer them. In this continuation of our Client Acquisition Series, we dive into what it takes to attract your dream clients. In this episode you’ll discover: Why Guitar Center is the worst place to buy gear (unless they sponsor us) How Mark closed a half-million-dollar deal Why different clients need different approaches Setting expectations in advance High ticket vs. low ticket sales How to become attractive to your dream clients How to stay top of mind without being cringy Why red ocean businesses struggle For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/202

As a creative, what have you done recently to promote your work? If you're like most, you might have posted on social media a few times (if even that)... but that's about it. Unfortunately, self-promotion doesn't come naturally for most creatives, and it's to our own detriment. We might be the best in the world at what we do, but if no one knows we exist, we'll never make a living from our creative talents. That's why I invited Peggy Dean onto the podcast to discuss a subject she's become the master of; Self-promotion as a creative. Peggy has managed to amass an Instagram following of 184,000 people and an email list of over 75,000 people, and she's showing no signs of slowing down. If you're good at what you do, but you struggle to let the world know about everything you have to offer, this interview is a must-listen. In this episode you’ll discover: Why failure isn't necessarily a bad thing Prioritizing your time and energy to become more creative How Peggy finished high school a year and a half early Using project management tools to stay focused Tackling your ideal client's biggest struggles Batching work to keep content flowing smoothly How emotion controls a buyer's actions Why email subscribers are worth 10x your social media following The 90/10 mindset to solve your problems For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/201

Have you ever had one of those awkward situations with a crush where you were TOTALLY into them, but you weren’t sure if they were into you? Yeah... That sucks. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to help you there since we give business advice instead of dating advice. What we CAN help you with is the client equivalent of that situation. Here’s what I mean... You’re talking to a dream client. You’re way into working with them, but you’re just not sure if they’re into you. There are actually 7 key points to cover with every potential client, and if each point is a “positive”, then they’re giving you their permission to pitch/sell them (i.e. take the relationship to the next level). This framework was shared with us by someone earning multiple millions per year, and it works perfectly in the freelance world. In this episode you’ll discover: How to help your clients better by determining their needs When closing a deal comes down to good timing What to do if a client isn't sure they want to hire you Why being open and honest with clients is the only way to run a healthy business How to discuss your workflow and delivery with clients before closing a deal Why it's vital that clients trust you implicitly For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/200

Client acquisition is a nerdy marketing term that basically boils down to one thing: getting clients. While the idea is simple, our freelance community seems to be deathly allergic to client acquisition. I get it... None of us got into this game because we wanted to become marketers. We do this because we love spending all day every day doing what we love by being creative. Unfortunately, that's not how it works. Unless you simply want this to be your hobby, client acquisition is a skill and a process you have to learn, develop, and grow. The alternative is to keep doing what you're likely doing now... sit around and hope a client finds you. If your current "strategy" is "hope marketing", this episode gives you the big picture view of how you can get complete strangers to hire you instead of waiting around for a miracle. In this episode you’ll discover: Why people will never hire you if they don't know you How to build trust with potential customers When it's time to be yourself How dating and business are closely related Why Mark is was more of a ladies' man than Brian How adding value in the long term sets you up for success Why our "comfort zone" is holding us back Why we need to be ourselves and not be afraid of alienating some people How appealing to everyone is a bad thing for our businesses For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/199

If you're doing anything worth a damn, you will eventually hit a point of burnout. There's literally no way to avoid this happening from time to time. The question is "how do you handle it"? Some of us just put our heads down and keep working, trying to pretend we're fine. Others completely withdraw to "recover", but they lose all momentum. This episode explores the wide range of "gray" areas... This is the area beyond simple black and white thinking. It's this non-binary thinking that can help us navigate the most difficult roadblocks in our creative lives. If you're going through burnout, or you feel like you just don't have anything left to give creatively, this episode is for you. In this episode you’ll discover: How to handle burnout Why you might be facing burnout Wearing all the hats as a business owner The damage of over-saturating yourself in one aspect of life Pacing yourself for success How your well being is a sum of your life, not just one part Why the four bottlenecks discussed in episode 188 are important to understand Avoiding water in your gas tank For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/198

“I’m a failure. I should just give up. This industry is oversaturated. I could never compete with the other people in this city. I will never be good enough” If you’ve ever had thoughts like this, then you may have a dangerous condition known as a “Fixed Mindset.” This is where you believe your skills, abilities, and talents are capped.  “I can never get better than this at these things”. If you allow a Fixed Mindset to take over, then your career may be over before you even started. It’s extremely important for your business, your career, and your life, that you don’t wave a white flag before you even try! Instead, there’s something called a Growth Mindset.  In this episode, Andy J. Pizza explains how to make the switch from a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset.  In this episode you’ll discover: What toxic creative mythology is and how it hurts your career Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset What the TV show Oak Island has to do with your career Why you can’t let roadblocks discourage you How a mindset can boost your life exponentially Why making your goals SMART is key to your success Why you need to live a life that your kids want to know about For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/197

Ever meet someone who's able to earn more than they need while still having time to enjoy their lives...without stress weighing them down? A successful, carefree person is a surprisingly rare person to meet. It seems like people are either constantly working while neglecting their personal lives, or their personal life seems solid but their business is stagnant. Even more common seems to be the person whose life is in shambles in all areas (I mean that's the norm post-2020, yeah?). Here's the "secret" behind success for those few who seem to have it all together...those people live by The 80/20 Rule. Most of us already know (or have some vague idea) of what The 80/20 Rule is, but very few people actually use that as their "north star." If you have no idea what The 80/20 Rule is, or you need a reminder of how you can use that magical rule to "refresh" your life, this episode is for you. In this episode you’ll discover: What is the 80/20 principle, anyway? How the 80/20 principle affects your business Maximizing your profits by reducing your workload Enriching your personal life using the 80/20 principle How to review your business through the 80/20 lens What not to do when you have a "f*¢k it" moment Dealing with shiny object syndrome using the 80/20 principle Prioritizing the pillars of your life For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/196

Ever felt trapped in the feast-or-famine cycle as a freelancer? I've been there, and it's brutal. But what if I told you there's a way out? I just got back from Alex Hormozi’s amazing workshop in Vegas. Spending two days at Acquisition.com HQ with Alex, Leila, and their leadership team was nothing short of eye-opening. Surrounded by business owners of all types, from an 18-year-old with a $250K landscaping business to people bringing in $10M+, I soaked in anything and everything that's working in business today. My big takeaway? Hormozi and his team harped on one core principle – finding and fixing the root cause of business bottlenecks. And for 95% of freelancers, this boils down to one thing... lead generation. In our latest podcast episode, I break down Hormozi's method that helped scale businesses to millions. Don't let the feast-or-famine cycle continue for the rest of your life. Learn how to generate a steady stream of leads so you get to take control of your income. In this episode you’ll discover: What I learned from the Hormozi's retreat Why it's important to find and eliminate bottlenecks in your business The things holding your business back Using paid ads for your business Testing ads the way the Hormozi's do Why this is all worth the effort For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/312

What do you do when your income hits a plateau? Do you... (A). Give up and move on to a new career (B). Keep going but try something new in your business (C). Keep doing the exact same thing for 8 years straight and keep getting the same result If you chose option C, then congrats, you're probably in what we call "zombie land". This is the place where your business is earning just enough to survive, but not enough to thrive. Our guest this week, Steven Helvig, is a music producer who was in "zombie land" for 8 straight years before he found a way out of it. Eventually, he went from a stagnating 5 figure income to a steady 6 figure income, and in this episode, he gives us the details of what he did to finally get out of zombie land. If you've been struggling to break through your income plateau as a freelancer, this episode is the perfect dose of practical inspiration and information to help you break the cycle and grow your business ASAP. In this episode you’ll discover: The transformation from goal-less zombie to 6 figure studio owner Mindset shifts needed to run a healthy business Why charging more is good for your customers Educating yourself so you can work smart, not hard Hobbyist vs. professional mindsets How niching down your messaging can attract your ideal clients Using the 80/20 principle to eliminate pain points in your business The importance of following up For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/195

If you've been stuck at 4 or 5 figures per year as a freelancer, there's likely one ingredient that is holding you back from growth. Without this ingredient, it is 100% impossible to get clients, grow your income, and get past the 6 figure mark (if that's your goal). In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, my buddy Mark Eckert and I map out the path you can take to overcoming all of the hurdles between you and this incredibly important missing ingredient. In this episode you’ll discover: How to move from four/five figures to six figures+ Why you aren't full time yet How to revamp your entire public-facing identity as a freelancer The difference between advertising vs. content marketing and why this matters for freelancers Why you should be producing more than consuming How sticking to a schedule or routine can tie all of this together For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/194

How do you go from "nickel and dime" $200-$500 projects to premium $10,000-$20,000 projects as a freelancer? To be honest, the answer is "you don't". You first need to make the shift from "freelancer" to "business owner". Lydia Kerr of Telltale Design Co made this transition in her highly-saturated market, and the results are jaw-dropping. Within 4 years of starting her design business, she grew it to over $20k/mo. In this interview, you'll hear her story of how she launched Telltale Design Co while working a full-time day job, and she replaced that day job income within just a few months of freelancing, and ultimately how she made the shift from low-dollar freelancer to a premium-priced business owner. In this episode you’ll discover: How Lydia went from 0 to full time in a few short months Growing your business to multiple six figures in under five years The difference between living in a small town or big city Why your $500 client will never be your $5,000 client Using social media to promote your business Working within clients' budgets Being honest with your clients Creating mutual respect with clients What tools to use for your business For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/193

In my last day job, I busted my ass for two years slinging video games at a chain called Gamestop. I never missed a day of work, I always hit my upsell targets each month (getting people into our rewards program), our regulars like me, and my manager loved me. After two solid years of "kissing ass and kicking ass" there, I had worked my way up from $5.15/hr to a staggering $5.50/hr. Truly life-changing money, for sure🙄 Two years...$0.35/hr raise. While I hope you can't relate to that, chances are you've had some issue in your past where you (or maybe someone you know) didn't get the raise you worked hard for. It sucks. You know what's awesome, though? One of the biggest advantages of being self-employed is that you can literally give yourself a raise today. There are no gatekeepers holding you back. You are the one in charge of your income now🤘🏼 So in today's super-tactical, fun episode, we break down 5 different ways you can give yourself a raise today. One of the things we covered in this episode is one I used in my recording studio in 2015 to give myself a raise from $100/hr to over $300/hr. It's time to take your income into your own hands by listening to this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast. In this episode you’ll discover: Why you're more than good enough to freelance How to go viral on TikTok with bad math Hiring virtual assistants to increase your hourly wage Why a "F**k you, pay me!" attitude is toxic in business Following up to close more sales CRMs and business success Staying top of mind with potential clients Offering appealing packages instead of piecemeal services For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/192

You probably got into the freelance world based on something you were passionate about, however, you likely know by now that it takes more than passion to create a real income. Making the move from passion-led freelancer to "6 figure creative" takes a brand new set of skills, beliefs, and character traits that no university or trade school will bother teaching you. One person who's successfully navigated the entire journey from "broke to millionaire" is Graham Cochrane. Graham started out as a passionate young musician who failed to achieve his dream of launching a successful band. From there, he sank into an unfulfilling day job while trying to build a freelance career on the side. Along the way, through many ups and downs, he's actually used all of his accumulated skills, experiences, and lessons to launch two separate 7-figure businesses. Graham came onto the podcast to share some of these lessons with us in an incredible interview. In this episode you’ll discover: Why passion isn't everything Elements you need to succeed in business Listening to Gary V? Don't. (sometimes) How you're over-optimizing your business Separating you from your job Where to get the next 6FC favorite book For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/191

Ever had an off day where you just didn't feel creative? What about an off week, or an off month? Where things can get dangerous is when our income depends on us being creative on-demand, but we're just...off. The great thing is that there are certain actions we can take to stay consistently and brilliantly creative for a long, long time. This week we interviewed Toddy Henry, author of the best-selling book "The Accidental Creative: How To Be Brilliant At A Moment's Notice". We discussed how creatives can create consistency in their work so that they're able to consistently put out their best work. In this episode you’ll discover: The three most important things in your life as a creative entrepreneur Taking a step back to think Where to look for inspiration Forming healthy habits Reacting vs. thinking Setting (and respecting) boundaries Being aware of our shortcomings For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/190

Want to know the secret that separates failing freelancers from 6 figure freelancers? It's this one concept: 6 Figure freelancers constantly solved their business bottlenecks. If it sounds stupidly simple, it is, but it's definitely easier said than done. Let me break it down real quick... There are 5 main parts of any real business (freelancers included). Here they are: Part 1: Lead generation - This is the part of your business where new people find out you exist and that you offer a (hopefully) valuable service. Part 2: Lead Nurture - This is the part of your business where you're staying top-of-mind over a long period of time until the lead is ready to hire you. According to studies, only about 3% of any market is ready to buy "now", so nurturing them until they're ready is crucial to getting hired. Part 3: Sales - This is where conversations turn into clients (i.e. dollars in the bank). Part 4: Fulfillment - This is where you're actually doing what you've been paid for. Part 5: Lifetime Value - This is how much one client is worth to your over your lifetime. It can be determined by how much you charge, how often they come back for more, how many people they refer to you, etc. The issue is that ONE of these five areas is your bottleneck right now. Until that bottleneck has been fixed, there's no point in improving anything else in your business. The freelancers who make it to $100k/year are the ones who constantly solved their ONE bottleneck, took a step back, re-assed their business to see what the next bottleneck was, and dove all-in on that bottleneck until it's solved. Rinse and repeat. This week's podcast episode dives into each of these 5 areas and what you can do to solve the bottlenecks in your own business. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/189

If you run a freelance business, there is no real separation between you and your business. That means any personal issues you have are guaranteed to affect your business. There are actually 4 specific "personal bottlenecks" that act as single points of failure as an entrepreneur. No time "Dirty Fuel" Lack of skills Blindspots If any of these 4 issues exist, your business is 100% guaranteed to suffer. In this week's episode, we discuss each of these 4 personal bottlenecks in detail... In this episode you’ll discover: Why expensive gear doesn't matter if it isn't earning you money How personal bottlenecks are choking your business Superheroes to save you from your bottlenecks Clean fuel vs. dirty fuel – are you doing things for the right reasons? Creating a step by step plan to tackle your bottlenecks Why time won't let you go When to ask for help with your bottlenecks Handling your blind spots For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/188

If you're stuck in a dead-end job, about to turn 30, and thinking, "I wish I could open my own business... But I'm too old to start..." then listen up. You're not too old – it's never too late to start your freelance career or open a business. World-renowned designer Lisa Congdon didn't even start designing until her late 20s, and she didn't even start gaining traction until she was nearly 40. In the decade and a half since starting her business, Lisa has grown it to multiple six figures. Listen now to hear about Lisa's journey from struggles and setbacks, to ultimate success as a creative. In this episode you’ll discover: Why it's not too late to jump into a freelance career How Lisa began her creative journey Giving yourself permission to be alone and its effects on your mental health Why it's important to have diverse income streams (but still stay on-brand) Selling physical products as a creative Building your team: don't start too soon Growth and mental health in a creative field For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/187

Last week we introduced the first of a two-part series about "The 6 Levels of Freelancing". The 1st level was "yes mode" and the 2nd level was "the generalist". This week we're walking you through what it looks like to move up the ladder into levels 4-6. If you feel stuck and you're ready to move up a level or two, fire up your favorite podcast app and let's dig in... In this episode you’ll discover: How good systems will avoid Chris' Poopocalypse 2.0 Avoiding survivorship bias: don't always listen to the "old dogs" The word-of-mouth death trap Your hourly rates aren't your actual rates Why Disqualifying bad leads to focus on good leads is great for your income The difference between systems and automation What the best automations have in common Why experts focus on one specific area rather than learning everything Growing your business the smart way: using SOPs How to remove yourself from your business For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/186

I'm super excited to share this with you today because this is the stuff that really moves the needle in your business. This is how you can charge more without losing clients or getting rejected. This is how you make your clients SO happy that they refer all their friends to you. This is how you become more attractive to your "dream clients". And this framework comes from a business owner earning over $100,000,000 per year... so you know this stuff works. Today's episode breaks down the 4 BEST ways to become more valuable, and if you get this right, you'll completely transform how you show up to clients. 99% of the freelancers I know neglect all 4 of these areas to their own detriment. As a result, they're losing gigs to their competitors, they get constant pushback on pricing, and they're not generating nearly enough referrals to keep their calendars full. In this episode you’ll discover: Focusing on the end goal, not the short term The value exchange The importance of social proof and perceived likelihood of achievement How to close bigger deals How time delay affects pricing and client acquisition The expert wins: why experts get the job 9 times out of 10 Why adding friction is a recipe for losing clients For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/311

Most freelancers have no idea what they are doing and end up stuck in a low-paying, dead-end job because their business never gets enough clients to pay the bills. In this episode, we discuss the levels of your freelance career, and how to move from one level to the next so you can earn more money and work with better clients. If you want to learn how to become an expert in your field, get paid well for your work, and want to work from home on your own schedule, this episode is for you! In this episode you’ll discover: Everyone starts on the same level Why you're not special if you take every job that comes your way How to learn what you want to do with your life Listening to the market: your clients will help you pick an offering Why you're shooting yourself in the foot if you offer two drastically different services Automation: is it helping you or harming you? What common business advice is actually bad for your business Imposter syndrome: what to do when it rears its ugly head Why the generalist never wins For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/185

You FINALLY get someone to reach out to you asking for your rates. Wooooo! 🥳🎊🎉 You rack your brain to come up with a price for the project and send it off. Days pass… you don’t hear back. So you send a follow up.  Weeks pass… now you’re trying to figure out where you went wrong.  The would-be client has just ghosted you. The worst part is that you have NO idea why… Was it pricing? Scheduling? Did they decide not to do the project? Did they hire someone else? Did they even SEE your message?  Ghosting SUCKS. So we set aside an hour of our time to create an entire episode dedicated to the topic.  In this episode you’ll discover: Why your clients are ghosting you How to not get ghosted Building a connection with your customers so they don’t want to ghost you Why you need to get on the phone How to create natural scarcity and urgency Why you should never give your pricing out quickly How to get help growing your business For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/184

Here's a list of the most common reasons someone might hire someone else instead of you:  They don't trust you They forgot you exist They felt like you were manipulating them  They felt misunderstood  They’re not confident you can give them what they want/need They felt no connection to you What’s funny is that this list is nearly identical to the reasons a new romantic relationship might fail.  My point? It’s pretty simple… If you start dating someone brand new, you’re likely going to put SOME sort of effort into building that relationship.  Right?  You’d text/call them. You’d go on dates to get to know them. You’d try to figure out if you’re compatible by having meaningful conversations.  You wouldn’t simply leave them alone and hope they propose to you later, right?  You’d intentionally nurture that relationship.  It’s the same thing with your potential clients.  They reach out to you…but wtf do you do in the days/weeks/months between the first conversation and the point they hand over their hard-earned dollars?  Most freelancers do a whole lot of sitting around and smoking Hopium. You’re just waiting for that phone call where the person finally “proposes” to you. On this week’s episode, we dive deep into the process of intentionally nurturing your leads. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/183