The Profitable Graphic Designer – Details, episodes & analysis

Why do so many talented freelance designers get stuck in a constant cycle of hustling for clients, overworking themselves, and never quite hitting the income goals they’ve set? In this episode, I’m breaking down the root causes behind why freelancers struggle to grow and, more importantly, how you can break free from this trap. I’ll be sharing the exact steps that helped me move from being a solo freelancer to running a thriving design agency. We’ll talk about the mindset shifts, business model changes, and systems you need to unlock sustainable growth and finally step into your role as the Creative CEO of your business.

You will learn:

• The three main growth blockers that keep freelance designers stuck
• How to shift from a freelancer mindset to thinking like a business owner
• Strategies to package your services and move beyond the one-to-one model
• How I grew my design business and significantly increased what I charge
• The importance of systems and automation in scaling your design business
• How to position yourself to attract high-value clients who see you as a strategic partner

Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to redefine how you run your design business!

Designer to Agency Bootcamp, Sep 10-12th, 2024: https://aventiveacademy.com/designer-to-agency-bootcamp/

You’re doing all the things in your design business—designing, managing clients, handling marketing, and everything else on your plate—but the more you take on, the harder it is to actually scale. You know something has to change, but letting go of control feels risky. In this episode, I’m breaking down what you need to do to shift from being a solo designer to running a thriving agency. From setting up systems to refining your positioning and preparing to hire, we’ll cover the steps that will help you stop doing it all yourself and start building a business that supports your growth.

You will learn:

• The biggest mindset blocks that keep designers stuck at a solo level.
• Why positioning your services is key for attracting premium clients as an agency.
• Practical steps to prepare for hiring and expanding your team.
• Marketing strategies that align with an agency business model.
• Systems you can implement now to streamline your processes.

Grab your coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink how you run your design business!

Designer to Agency Bootcamp: https://aventiveacademy.com/designer-to-agency-bootcamp/

When was the last time a single social media post changed your life? Ever?

Join me on The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast as I sit down with James Barnard, an award-winning logo designer, design educator, and the creative mind behind Barnard.co. James has an incredible story of how one viral TikTok post skyrocketed his career, bringing in countless design inquiries and transforming his business. From his journey as a solo freelancer to becoming a sought-after design expert, James shares his “secrets” to success, balancing content creation with client work, and handling the ups and downs of social media fame. You won't want to miss this inspiring conversation!

You will learn:

• The pivotal moment when James’ TikTok post went viral and how it impacted his design business.
• Insights into James’ content creation process, including his strategies for TikTok and Instagram.
• How James manages negative comments and maintains a positive online presence.
• Tips on balancing content creation with client work.
• How to identify and attract high-quality design clients.
• Advice for brand, graphic, and web designers on growing their businesses and increasing their rates.

Tune in to discover how you can leverage social media to grow your design business and attract high-quality clients.

About James Barnard:

James is an award-winning logo designer, seasoned freelancer, design educator, dad, and owner of Barnard.co. He specializes in designing logos and visual identities with meaning.

James started his career in graphic design more than a decade ago, working in the publishing industry. He has designed creative content for some of the UK’s biggest titles, including The Daily Telegraph, Grazia, Men’s Health, Empire, Cosmopolitan, The Times, and many more.

These days, James runs his freelance logo design business from the Gold Coast, Australia, after emigrating from London in 2021. He has an impressive variety of skills in design software, which he aims to pass on to the next generation of designers through his social platforms.

His work has been published in the Logo Lounge, and he speaks as an authority in the world of logo design at design conferences, on podcasts, and for other design channels.

Connect with James:

https://barnard.co/

https://www.instagram.com/barnardco/

https://www.tiktok.com/@barnardco

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

Free Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/

12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit

The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator

Want to land high-ticket design clients? Then stop calling yourself a graphic designer :)

In today’s controversial episode, we talk about how to describe your graphic design, brand design, or web design business in a catchy way that stands out and makes clients & networking partners remember you.

Kady Sandel breaks down the reality of what non-designers picture when they hear the word “graphic designer,” and why you don’t want to be lumped in with that crowd! Learn a simple & fun way to describe your business differently, plus one mindset shift that will help you make more money and step into your power as an entrepreneur.

Resources:

Want to sign a $12k graphic, brand, or web design client? Join our free 5-day $12k client challenge here!

Connect with us on Instagram @aventiveacademy

Our Aventive Academy programs help designers sign better clients, make more money, and grow their freelance businesses so they can have the freedom and cash they desire. Join us at aventiveacademy.com

Have you ever had an amazing client show up in your inbox… and maybe you even had calls with them, or they put down a deposit… then, they disappeared?!

In this episode, Kady Sandel talks about what to do when a freelance graphic, brand, or web design client ghosts you. Learn the top reasons why clients ghost designers, how you can prevent this from happening, and how to protect yourself when it does.

You will walk away with both mindset tips and clear-cut strategies to handle ghosting – and you’ll know how to attract better, more professional clients in the future.

Resources:

Want to sign a $12k graphic, brand, or web design client? Join our free 5-day $12k client challenge here!

Connect with us on Instagram @aventiveacademy

Our Aventive Academy programs help designers sign better clients, make more money, and grow their freelance businesses so they can have the freedom and cash they desire. Join us at aventiveacademy.com

In this episode, Kady Sandel shows you what to do during client lulls and dry spells in your freelance graphic design, brand design, or web design business.

Freelancers often fear those time periods between clients, but if you’re strategic, they offer the perfect opportunity to improve your design business, fine-tune your messaging, grow your network, and get your next five-figure client!

Learn what to focus on if you don’t have freelance clients at the moment, including the top action steps to get you the best ROI.

Resources:

Want to sign a $12k graphic, brand, or web design client? Join our free 5-day $12k client challenge here!

Connect with us on Instagram @aventiveacademy

Our Aventive Academy programs help designers sign better clients, make more money, and grow their freelance businesses so they can have the freedom and cash they desire. Join us at aventiveacademy.com

Have you ever tried so hard to seem “professional” for your freelance clients that you no longer felt like yourself? Is your content feeling stagnant and boring?

In today’s episode, brand strategist & guest expert Destiny Washington sits down with Kady for an incredible conversation about how to let your authentic voice & personality shine through in your freelance design business!

Learn how to make more money by bringing your whole self to your design projects, and our top tips to build trust with your audience by embracing (and sharing!) your values & personality quirks.

By the end of this episode, you will feel inspired by your freelance business again and have actionable next steps to attract more clients by being yourself.

About Destiny Washington:

Destiny Washington is the founder and brand strategist of Laurice Creative. She specializes in building authentic mission-focused brands for arts non-profits.

Laurice Creative was born out of a necessity of creative freedom and unabashed belief in one’s own ability. Destiny proudly built this business with limited means and a larger vision - library cards and "digital nomad" moodboards.

After 3 years, she has built a thorough branding and social media strategy system that was created and fine-tuned working collaboratively with non-profit and creative-based clients.

Learn more at www.laurice.studio and follow Destiny on Instagram at @lauricecreative

Resources:

Want to sign a $12k graphic, brand, or web design client? Join our free 5-day $12k client challenge here!

Connect with us on Instagram @aventiveacademy

Our Aventive Academy programs help designers sign better clients, make more money, and grow their freelance businesses so they can have the freedom and cash they desire. Join us at aventiveacademy.com

Want to crack the code of charging more while working less in your design business? This is the episode for you!

Kady Sandel shows you how to explain your value to clients (and add the services they really want!) so you can charge more than other freelance graphic, brand, and web designers. 

You will hear the story of her first $9,000 month as a freelance graphic designer – and why that month wasn’t as good as it sounds. Learn the #1 mindset shift that will help you position in the value of your services, plus practical tips on what services to add to your business to get your dream clients to a yes.

Resources:

Want to sign a $12k graphic, brand, or web design client? Join our free 5-day $12k client challenge here!

Connect with us on Instagram @aventiveacademy

Our Aventive Academy programs help designers sign better clients, make more money, and grow their freelance businesses so they can have the freedom and cash they desire. Join us at aventiveacademy.com

If your freelance design clients constantly want tweaks and revisions to your projects… you can learn how to limit revisions effectively & spend less time on them in this episode!

Kady Sandel shares honest business advice around how you can massively reduce revision requests in your graphic, brand, or web design business. Learn how to set up your contracts, create boundaries with your clients, and structure your projects from the very beginning so clients see you as an expert (and stop asking for changes).

Kady also discusses the process her branding agency implemented that brought revision requests down to almost zero!

Resources:

Want to sign a $12k graphic, brand, or web design client? Join our free 5-day $12k client challenge here!

Connect with us on Instagram @aventiveacademy

Our Aventive Academy programs help designers sign better clients, make more money, and grow their freelance businesses so they can have the freedom and cash they desire. Join us at aventiveacademy.com

In this episode, guest expert Dot Lung joins Kady Sandel to share how freelance brand, web, and graphic designers can leverage social media to attract high-paying clients.

Tired of getting a smattering of likes on your posts, but no $10k clients in your inbox? Learn the top mistakes designers make on social media, and how you can fix them to make more money in your design business!

We also show you how to grow your following through collaborations, pick the right platforms, and convert your followers into paying freelance clients.

About Dot Lung:

Dot Lung is a Los Angeles native that has travelled the world working on different social media campaigns. Dot is short for Dorothy, and Lung is Mandarin for dragons. Taking on the moniker of Mother of Dragons, she has helped her clients build social media empires.

Through her interest in human behavior and knowledge of all things social, Lung aims to empower creative people to make digital magic, build a future together, and get their work seen.

Learn more at www.dotlung.com and follow Dot at instagram.com/dotlung.

Resources:

Want to sign a $12k graphic, brand, or web design client? Join our free 5-day $12k client challenge here!

Connect with us on Instagram @aventiveacademy

Our Aventive Academy programs help designers sign better clients, make more money, and grow their freelance businesses so they can have the freedom and cash they desire. Join us at aventiveacademy.com