Afleveringen
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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 -
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 -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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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 -
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 -
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 -
Ever had a $20k month followed by a $1,200 month? Freelancing can be a wild ride. Even with solid client acquisition, those feast-or-famine cycles can stress anyone out.
In our latest podcast episode, we're diving into something called dynamic budgeting.
This is the secret to turning chaos into consistency.
This is what creates a financial buffer in your business.
This is what gives you the breathing room to say no to bad projects and yes to those projects you love.
Listen now to learn:
How to create a realistic budget as a freelancer
The best tools for tracking expenses without the headache.
Strategies to build an "oh sh*t" fund
No more financial roller coasters. Let’s make freelancing sustainable and stress-free.
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/310 -
Ready for some tough love? This week's episode of the Six Figure Creative Podcast is a wake-up call for freelancers stuck in "survival mode".
Here's the big question... are you letting your emotions run your business? If the answer is yes, it’s time to change that.
In this episode, I break down:
The 12 things you can't ignore to build a thriving freelance business.
The brutal truth about why most freelancers fail.
A powerful mindset shift to turn your business struggles into triumphs.
Stop letting feast-or-famine cycles dictate your life. It's time to build a sustainable, fulfilling freelance business that doesn't crumble at the first sign of trouble.
🎧 Listen to Episode 309 Now
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why emotions are ruining our businesses
How running a business adds tasks to your plate
The 12 roles and responsibilities of any business owner
Why Brian almost passed out during his first gym session
Your choices if you can't go back to a day job
Getting a personal trainer for your business
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/309 -
For two grueling years in my early 20s, I poured my heart into a day job at Gamestop, never missing a day and always showing up on time.
Despite the love from regulars and kudos from my boss, my financial reward after all that hustle? A laughable jump from $5.15/hr to $5.50/hr. That's right, a whole $0.35/hr raise after two years.
Sound painfully familiar? Unfortunately, many of us have been undervalued at some point, struggling to secure that well-deserved raise.
But here's the flip side... when you're self-employed, you call the shots on your "salary".
No more waiting years for a significant raise - freelancers can see substantial income increases in a matter of weeks or months if you play your cards right.
Ready to find out how? Check out this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast for a super-tactical and engaging session where we explore four actionable steps to give yourself a raise this year.
In this episode you’ll discover:
How to "get a raise" as a freelancer
The limits on our businesses as freelancers
Overcoming the constraints on your business
Keeping your clients happy - and tracking repeat clients
Eliminating a constraint to give yourself a pay bump
Why whales are a risk to your business
Improving your skills, beliefs, and character traits
Finding the answers to your roadblocks
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/308 -
For freelancers, subscription pricing is like finding the holy grail. It changes the feast & famine nature of project-based work into a steady, reliable income stream.
Last week, we kicked off this conversation, exploring how freelancers could shift from one-time gigs to recurring revenue models. The topic struck a chord, leading to an influx of interest and discussions.
This week we’re going deeper into why this approach is also notoriously challenging for freelancers, and what you can do to have the best shot of making it work.
Without knowing what you're doing, you might try to move to recurring packages only to find yourself overworked and underpaid.
On top of that, clients are often hesitant to commit to recurring packages, fearing long-term commitments when they're used to paying for specific, one-off tasks.
While the transition might be difficult, the payoff is absolutely worth it. Check out this week's podcast where I dive into 7 Pricing Strategies For Recurring Subscription Freelance Clients.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why subscription packages are the holy grail for freelancers
The advantages of value-based pricing
Understanding that value isn't always financial
Monthly pricing options to protect yourself
Creating bundles for your pricing
When (and how) to charge an onboarding fee
Price increases over time
Should you have a contract or not?
How to offer incentives for clients to sign up for a subscription
Safeguarding yourself from becoming overworked
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/307 -
The life of a freelancer sounds amazing on the surface....
The freedom of being your own boss and setting your own hours. The flexibility of working when you want. For some, even traveling the world as a digital nomad is a possibility.
While that can all be true, the dark side is that there can also be a lot of unpredictability.
What if you could change that? Imagine knowing how much you're going to earn each month and having a clear picture of who you're working for in the coming months.
This isn’t just a nice thought... It's a reality for freelancers offering recurring services - think subscriptions, retainers, or monthly packages.
When you do this, you move from always hunting for the next client to having "automatic clients." This idea comes from turning one-time gigs into ongoing relationships where clients pay regularly for continued services.
Typically, freelancing is a one-and-done deal. You get a project, you do the work, you get paid, and that’s the end of the story. You start each month at zero—no guaranteed money, no clients waiting. It's like hitting the reset button every 30 days, which can make budgeting a nightmare and stability a pipe dream.
But does it have to be this way? Not really. This constant chase for new gigs is a trap many fall into by only taking on one-off projects. There’s a better strategy that can help smooth out the highs and lows: setting up a recurring revenue model.
If you’re tired of the freelance rollercoaster, check out this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative podcast where I dive into recurring revenue for freelancers.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Creating a stable income stream by using recurring offers
Identifying industries that work well with recurring (or reoccurring) models
Helping your clients with a recurring service
Selling unlimited packages on a subscription basis
Making recurring packages valuable to your clients
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/306 -
Navigating life as a creative freelancer is all about balancing what you love doing with what pays the bills.
It's often framed as "selling your soul", but really, it's about making tough choices: do you follow your passion or chase the cash?
For creatives, this dilemma is pretty intense. You've got the classic 'starving artist' on one side. They're rich in satisfaction but often struggle financially.
Then there's the other side - the freelancers who focus mainly on what brings in money. Sure, they might be doing better financially, but at what cost?
This week's episode explores each side in a search for finding a healthy balance between money and passion or the seasons of life that may be the right time to focus on money instead of passion.
Whether you're the classic "starving artist" or the money-focused freelancer, this episode is worth a listen.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Hobbies vs businesses
Are you motivated by passion or profit?
The importance of focusing on what your clients want
Giving yourself more free time by being profit-driven
Reducing your stress by becoming a profit-driven creative
Why passion-driven creatives need to change
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/305 -
Client acquisition is obviously an important part of running a freelance business because it’s how you make sure you keep getting paid every month.
Despite how obvious this is, many freelancers don’t take this seriously enough... and it shows when work dries up and you're back into the dreaded feast-or-famine cycle.
If you worked in a day job that decided to stop paying you for weeks or months at a time, you'd probably do something about it. However, many freelancers never do anything about this in their own business.
They just keep showing up to "work" week after week, month after month, accepting their fate.
If you'd like to be a better "boss" to yourself and actually make sure you get paid every month, this week's episode is all about avoiding some of the most common client acquisition mistakes
If you stop making these mistakes and start taking client acquisition seriously, you’ll have more stability, better projects, and fewer dry spells. What’s not to like about that?
In this episode you’ll discover:
Avoiding the basic mistakes that you make during client acquisition
Adding value as a freelancer
Why a high close rate is dangerous for your business
How to increase your sales with a high-quality follow-up sequence
Fix your pricing model!
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/304 -
In the final episode of this 4-part series, we're diving into one of the most powerful but often misunderstood methods of standing out from the crowd.
I saved the best for last.
This has been the "secret sauce" behind my all of my successful businesses, from freelancing, to Airbnb, to multiple software companies, and even podcasting.
Without this last piece of the puzzle, nothing I've tried would have worked, and I'd likely still be working at Gamestop for minimum wage (missing out on millions of $ in the process)
If you're ready to become absolutely indispensable to your clients, listen to this week's episode to the 6 Figure Creative Podcast.
In this episode you’ll discover:
The importance of specialization
Why niches work better than others
Conversion-focused web design as a differentiation method
Niching down vs. niching out
The advantages of pushing bad leads away
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/303 -
Want to know the 3 golden rules for winning more clients than your competition?
First off, forget about competing on price. It’s a dead-end street. Instead, focus on adding value in unique ways that don’t undercut your worth. It’s about quality, not the lowest bid.
Second, make sure your stand-out factors are visible from the get-go. Qualities like a "great client experience" or a "cool vibe" are awesome, but they only shine through after you’re hired.
You need something that grabs attention before that stage, something that makes potential clients think, “Yes, THIS is the right person for us,” before they even talk to you.
Third, K.I.S.S. (keep it stupid simple). Focus on one differentiator at a time.
In a sea of sameness, one well-defined trait can be your ticket to standing out. It’s not about being a jack-of-all-trades but a master of one.
Last week, we talked about the ways you can differentiate by brute force, which can be tough and pricey.
This week, let’s get into something more accessible yet equally powerful: building trust and credibility, especially through social proof. It’s about showing, not just telling, that you’re the real deal.
Social proof, like glowing testimonials or endorsements, can be a game-changer. It’s about having others vouch for you, and showing potential clients that you’ve delivered 🤩amazing🤩 work before.
This kind of proof doesn’t need to break the bank but does require effort and intentionality to gather and showcase.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Using social proof for differentiation
The impact of reviews on your business.
Asking for feedback and reviews
How to get case studies for social proof
Content creation to generate quote requests
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/302 -
Why should someone hire you vs alllll the other options they have?
If you don't have a good answer to that question yet, it's time to start working on it before the estimated 500 Million freelancers come online by the end of this decade.
This week I broke down 5 "Brute Force Differentiators" you can use to set yourself apart.
If you're trying to find more ways to stand out, this is a great start!
In this episode you’ll discover:
The three rules of differentiation
Why lowering your price will never help you
When you need to stand out to close the deal
Focusing on one point so you aren't spread thin
Types of differentiators
Why being the best doesn't matter
Why gear is not a good differentiator
Growing a better network to stand out
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/301 -
"But they do it for less".
If you've heard lines like that over the past year, get ready to hear it even more over the next 5-10 years.
Why?
Well here's a terrifying stat: There are an estimated 500,000,000 freelancers "coming online" by the end of this decade.
WTF can we do to set ourselves apart from all those people WITHOUT resorting to dropping our rates?
It all comes down to one unsexy word: Differentiation.
Why should someone hire YOU vs alllll the other options they have?
If you don't have a damn good answer for that, you're going to have a bad time...
Stick around for this new series where I'll dive into all the nitty-gritty on how to stand out, earn more, and keep doing what we love for the rest of your life.
In this episode you’ll discover:
How freelancing grew in recent years
Why should someone hire you?
How low pricing hurts you and all other creatives
The dangers of trying to appeal to everyone
Making sure we don't lose our creativity while running a business
The importance of differentiation in your business
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/300 -
If you're an obsessive learner (or ADHD) like me, there's probably a long list of new things you've learned and implemented as a freelancer over the past year.
Maybe you've set up that rock-solid client contract, nailed down an onboarding process that's smooth as butter, or started following those essential tips for staying top-of-mind with clients without driving them or yourself crazy.
Or perhaps you've been working on your project management skills to keep all your ducks in a row or taken a page out of Michael Janda's playbook to become someone people just can't help but like.
And let's not forget about setting those boundaries to keep things professional and sane.
But here's the kicker: doing all these things isn't the end of the road.
It's not about ticking boxes and moving on. The real magic happens when you stop and ask yourself...
"Is all this stuff actually making a difference to my clients?
"Am I getting better at this?"
That's what keeps the wheel turning and what makes you better month after month, year after year.
Now, when most freelancers wrap up a project, it's usually a quick "thanks and goodbye" deal. Maybe you're a bit more proactive and ask for a referral, but I bet asking for feedback isn't high on your list.
It might be because you don't know you should, or maybe you're just scared of what your clients might say. And hey, that's totally understandable.
But here's the problem: not asking for feedback is a missed opportunity.
Sure, "asking clients for feedback" doesn't sound as flashy as "marketing" or "client acquisition," but by the time we're done here, you'll see it in a new light.
Feedback can be your secret weapon. It's not just about finding out what you're doing right or wrong; it's about showing your clients that you care, and that you're committed to being the best you can be.
So, even though it might seem scary or unexciting, collecting and using feedback can reshape how everything in your business is done.
In this week's episode, I give you specific questions to ask your clients at the end of every single project. THIS will forever change how you spot weak points and make improvements on the most important things.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why asking for feedback from clients is so important
How clients' wounds can fester
Using feedback to continuously improve your business
Building your feedback flywheel
The two main types of businesses
How to collect your data
Share your feedback with us!
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/299 -
So you made it to $100,000+ per year... Congrats. Too bad you made so many sacrifices that you're constantly stressed out, you're missing out on time with friends and family, and you resent your business.
The irony is that you became a freelancer because you hated your day job and you wanted to work for yourself. Now, you feel like you have 50 "little bosses", and you hate your life a little bit more with each new client you gain.
If this sounds like you, it may be time to put boundaries into place to get to that sweet spot between hitting your income goals while also enjoying your life and business.
In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I give you 6 different boundaries you should have with your clients so you can actually stay happy, healthy, and profitable.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Maintaining mental and physical health while you're running a business
How to handle revision requests without losing your mind
Eliminating one of the most painful freelance experiences
How to keep your clients from taking advantage of your kindness
Boundaries for corporate/agency clients
Using boundaries to avoid scope creep
Avoiding stress with payment issues
How to learn more about building your client acquisition machine
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/298 -
You have had one of those projects that went south fast? You're cruising along, and then boom, you hit the revisions stage, and it's like hitting a brick wall.
Emotions run high, lists of changes start flying in, and what was supposed to be a quick fix turns into a never-ending nightmare. If you've been freelancing for a while, then I'm sure you've been there.
This is the make-or-break moment in your quest for repeat clients and referrals.
If the revisions process feels like a battleground, you're in trouble. It's supposed to be about making things better, but instead, it can end up being the thing that drives you and your client apart (sometimes forever).
But here's the good news... It doesn't have to be this way.
The revisions stage can actually be a chance to show your clients that you're 100% on their side and that you have their best interest in mind.
Instead of dreading feedback, see it as a way to make the project even better. It's about getting organized, setting clear expectations, and most importantly, keeping your cool.
So, how do you go from Revisions Hell to Revisions Nirvana? That's the topic of this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Making a flawless revisions process to keep your clients happy and create a viral business
The rules of efficient, effective revisions
How to politely stay firm on your project scope
Creating client guidelines
Why freelancers drop the ball
Refining your processes once you have data
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/297 -
Being likable is a super power for freelancers, and here's why...
This business is all about making a great first impression, keeping your clients coming back for more, and getting them to tell their friends about you.
When you meet a new client, hitting it off right away can make a huge difference. Just like when you meet anyone new and instantly click — you just want to hang out more.
For freelancers, being more likable means clients are more likely to pick you over someone else, and stick around AND refer more work your way.
See why this matters?
Here's what sucks...
Some people are just bad at being likable. If that's the case, what can you do?
To help us all out with this, I brought back one of the most likable people I've ever had on the show: Michael Janda.
Michael joined us back on episode 207 and walked us through how brought in 6 figures his first year freelancing, and went on to bring in over $30,000,000 from his design agency before he ultimately sold it.
Those numbers show proof that he knows his stuff, and this episode, he'll walk us through what we can do to become the person people WANT to be around (and hire).
No matter who you are, there is something you need to hear in my conversion with Michael Janda.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why relationships are so important to building your business
Building your reputation vs. building relationships
How he landed a $500,000 client just by being nice
Getting out of your shell when interacting with people
What skills to work on to grow your business
Asking people about themselves to win them over
Why playing games with your business is bad
Creating goodwill with your clients
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/296 - Laat meer zien
