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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

Today, let's chat about a struggle that hits home for a lot of us creatives... We kind of have a bad rep for getting projects across the finish line on time without dropping the ball. You know the drill – underestimating how long things will take, forgetting those tiny yet crucial details, and then, bam, you've dropped the ball... Again. Then we get those fun 3 AM panic attacks about that thing you forgot to send off to your client. Yep, been there, done that. Here's why we kinda suck at this: Trying to store every single tiny little project detail, deadline, and step in your head is a surefire recipe for disaster. There's just no way for our brains to keep track of this. It's a common trap, thinking you can wing it because you've done similar projects before. "I've got this," you say... Until you don't. But what if you didn't have to rely on your beautiful creative scatterbrain to keep everything straight? Enter the concept of an "external brain." This isn't sci-fi; it's about using tools and systems outside your head to keep track of all the moving parts of your projects. Your "external brain" never forgets, always keeps you on track, and is the difference between a smooth project delivery and a midnight meltdown. Switching to an "external brain" means you can focus on what you do best – being creative – without the added stress of remembering every little detail. So, if you're nodding along, thinking, "Yep, that's me," it's time to make a change. Listen to this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast to dive into the world of project management tools and find your perfect match. Your brain (and your clients) will thank you. In this episode you’ll discover: How to make sure you hit your deadlines without stretching yourself thin Creating your project checklist Checklists vs SOPs Handling client revision requests The different types of project structures Why templates will make your life easier Using project management for data tracking Brainstorming your tasks to create your delivery lists For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/295

Pretty much all of us got into this "trading creativity for $$$" thing because we absolutely love what we do. It's easy to forget that there's more to the game than just passion + being good at your craft. The whole "client communication" thing usually isn't the most thrilling part of your day. It's like, we get so caught up in the excitement of creating and learning new things in our field that we kind of let the whole talking-to-clients thing slide. It's not because we want to be bad at it, and it's not because we're terrible people... But because we're just not wired that way, especially if your background is anything like mine. Before freelancing, here was my entire job history: A janitor at a water park Flipping burgers at Burger King Selling video games at GameStop Corporate world? Never heard of her. Team meetings and office politics? Nope. So when it comes to wearing the "professional communicator hat", it's something I had to learn the hard way. I had no clear boundaries, no set times for chats, no structure. It was chaos. Messages got lost, things got forgotten, and before I knew it, I was that flaky freelancer nobody wanted to deal with. If that's anything like you, it becomes a stressful, awful mess FAST....not just for you but for your clients too. Think about it from their side. They've just dropped thousands of dollars on hiring you, pumped to see what you'll create together. But if they're left in the dark, not knowing when they'll hear from you or what's happening, that excitement turns to anxiety, then frustration, and maybe even anger. No one wants to work in that kind of vibe. Bottom line... If you want to keep doing what you love (and get paid for it without losing your mind), you've got to get a handle on the whole communication thing. To help with this, I've got 6 rules for client communication for you to follow. Think of this as the bare minimum any good freelancer should be doing. It's about setting clear rules for when and how you'll talk to your clients, making sure everyone's on the same page, and keeping things running smoothly. It's about making your clients feel taken care of and avoiding that whole excitement > anxiety > anger cycle that can lead to horrible projects (and no referrals). Check out the episode, and IMPLEMENT ASAP. In this episode you’ll discover: How we can learn the skills we need to have healthy, effective communication with clients Six rules to keep your clients happy (and yourself sane) Internal business communication tools vs. external communication tools Why clients want plain, simple English Keeping your clients up to date Using feedback loops to make sure your clients are happy, without overworking Turning a client's outlook around by going the extra mile Communicating expectations to leads and clients Conflict resolution techniques to use with your clients For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/294

When you're freelancing, those first steps with a brand new client are absolutely crucial to nail. It's like when you're trying out a new app and everything from the welcome screen to the first few clicks just flows effortlessly. You instantly know you're going to enjoy using it. That's the smooth, user-friendly vibe you want your client onboarding system to have. So, why is it such a big deal? For starters, it's all about building trust. We're in a world where a lot of our interactions happen over emails or messages, making it tough to really feel a connection. A smooth onboarding experience can help make your client feel like they've made the right choice in picking you. It also helps avoid those awkward "that's not what I thought we agreed on" moments. Getting everyone clear on what's what from the start means less back-and-forth later on. It's choosing the right playlist before a long drive – it sets the tone and keeps the vibes good all the way. But it's not just about avoiding mix-ups. An awesome onboarding process shows you're a pro who cares about your clients' experiences. This can lead to more work from the same clients and even some word-of-mouth recommendations (i.e. "infinite clients"). And let's be honest, who doesn't want that? Plus, a slick onboarding system can save you a ton of time on the admin stuff, giving you more time to focus on the actual work. It's about being prepared to be creative vs frantically scrambling for things. So, if you're nodding along and thinking, "Yeah, I need to get my onboarding game on point," then you'll want to check this week's podcast episode. We break down a 5-part client onboarding process that's straightforward and effective. It's packed with practical tips and insights that could really make a difference in your freelancing journey. Give it a listen and let me know what you think! In this episode you’ll discover: How to build a great client onboarding questionnaire Why bad onboarding destroys relationships Organizing your data to avoid embarrassing moments Creating a kickass kickoff call Why it's easier to fire a client earlier rather than later JUST USE A CALENDAR LINK Make your kickoff calls as short as possible - while still covering everything needed Setting expectations properly Remember to show excitement! For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/293

We're now rolling into the first real episode of this new "Infinite Clients" series, and my goal is to set up each episode in this series with a new rule... or better yet, a commandment. Maybe we'll have a full "10 Commandments For Infinite Clients" by the end, but let's just start with #1: Thou Shalt Put It All In Writing. If you want a guaranteed way to lose a client for life (including any referrals they might have sent), start by putting nothing in writing. Mismatched expectations are a killer of client happiness. The client might expect one thing, and they get something totally different. That's why a rock-solid client agreement is so important. This isn't about them simply being slightly annoyed. It can lead to bigger issues like losing clients for life or even running into legal disputes (Yuck 🤮). The goal IS NOT to lock them into some sort of "legalese" contract they hardly understand... it's to write it all out in plain, easy-to-understand English (or your whatever your native language is) so they understand what IS and IS NOT included. This is the first step to infinite clients. In this episode you’ll discover: Why setting expectations accurately is vital to your business How to use a client agreement to ensure you and your clients are on the same page The key elements of a client agreement How setting timelines keeps your projects on schedule Who owns the created work Credit and cancellation policies For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/292

The phrase "Infinite clients" sounds like one of those terrible, cheesy, late-night infomercials, but is something like that really possible? Absolutely not. Infinite? Come on... Here's what I love about that phrase, though. If you HAD to come up with a way to create an "infinite" supply of clients, how would that look? It's essentially what "hope marketing" would look like in a perfect world, and it's something we should always be striving for. Here's what I mean... Imagine being a freelancer whose work is so awesome that your clients can't stop talking about you. Every single client you work with refers someone else, then THEY refer someone else... and suddenly, you have more clients than you could possibly handle. Imagine doing such killer work that your clients do the marketing for you. That's the idea behind the "Viral Coefficient" of freelancing. Every happy client you have brings in another one, creating a chain reaction of a growing, "infinite", client base. Now, let's get real. Freelancers usually have a lot on their plates – marketing, sales, dealing with clients, admin stuff, and oh, actually doing the work. The reality of making this happen is incredibly hard but it's a goal worth putting a lot of thought and energy into. THAT'S what this new series is all about: How can you create such an incredible client experience that every single client refers at least one new client to you? That's the key to building a "viral" freelancing business. While "infinite clients" may be an impossible goal, it's worth every single ounce of time and effort you put into it. In this episode you’ll discover: Brian's journey to increased fitness Important January deadlines The balance between marketing and fulfillment Keeping your clients happy Knocking it out of the park for your clients The five phases of business Minding your boundaries Where to share your feedback and ideas for the podcast For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/291

January can be a slowwwwww season for a lot of freelancers. There are two approaches you can take if this is the case for you... Approach #1: Chill. Rest. Maybe complain a little. Play a lot of video games. Pout a lot. Approach #2: Realize that you're the captain of your ship, and you're the only one who can make 2024 your best year ever. You can view any "slow season" as a reason to complain, OR you can view it as a chance for major progress, rather than a setback. This is a perfect time for taking on big projects that can lead to both significant progress and (potentially) big money. In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I've got 11 projects for you to consider taking on to make this year your best ever... Think back to the biggest jumps in your business – whether it was when you were getting this thing off the ground, or you finally did that big thing you were scared sh*tless about... I'd be willing to be some of your biggest step changes in your business were the result of something big you took on. So if this is a slow season for you, don't waste it! This is a hidden opportunity to tackle those big projects. And with it comes big money. In this episode you’ll discover: Why big projects are the best sources of income How to develop a new offer Helping your clients reach their dream outcome When to explore a new niche Client calls: why you need them RAISE YOUR RATES Using SOPs to make sure your business runs smoothly Staying top of mind with your network Using micro-gigs and upsells to grow your business Building your personal brand For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/290

I've just returned from my year-end planning retreat in Chattanooga, TN, and DAMN it was awesome.  This is only my 3rd year doing this and considering I started my freelance journey back in 2009, I discovered this secret WAY too late... Planning is the secret sauce to having your best year ever (which 2023 was for my businesses). But here's the kicker – it doesn't have to be a mind-boggling, complex ordeal. A stupidly simple plan that you actually use is worth its weight in gold compared to some over-the-top, convoluted plan that just gathers dust. Let me share a little secret with you. I tend to be the king of "overcomplication". I'd plan so intensely that I'd lose sight of the actual execution. But I learned my lesson, and now I'm all about finding that sweet spot in planning – the perfect balance. As entrepreneurs, if we're just meandering through life without a plan, we're like driftwood caught in someone else's current. We get pulled INTO other people's plans, and that's not where we want to be. In the world of freelancing, hanging out with that person with the plan often means working for an agency at a fraction of the price they're charging their big-shot clients. You become the outsourced work, not the mastermind behind the project. That's probably not the dream you're chasing. So, what's the alternative? We're going to craft our annual plan. This plan is going to be your North Star, your guiding light, pointing you in a direction that's infinitely better than aimlessly drifting along. We're going to be intentional in our pursuits, not aimless wanderers. That's the goal here, and it's a goal worth pursuing with all your freelance might. So, let's create a plan that'll help 2024 be your best year ever, because remember... if you don't have a plan, you'll end up in someone else's plan. In this episode you’ll discover: Why you need a plan Analyzing your income and expenses for a better business Viewing your lifestyle with a realistic approach Brain dumping the current year - and the future Setting goals realistically Looking at what areas of your business have room for growth Understanding when your goals are completed, and creating milestones Why you miss your goals Planning ahead for your whole year For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/289

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 says "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/288

"This ONE trick doubled my income". As dumb and clickbaity as that sounds, it's kinda true. Here's what I mean... the last time I did a deep dive into my freelance business, I realized something interesting... More than 50% of my annual income was directly attributed to following up with leads who never replied. About 20% of my income came from following up 4 or more times in a row (with zero response). That's pretty wild if you ask me, especially considering that most freelancers only follow up one time (if that). Seriously, this is the "secret sauce" that could double your income if you're willing to commit and do it right. Now, I know what you're thinking – "Follow up? That's it?" It's way more powerful than it sounds because it's easy to do, yet so few actually do it. Even if you're currently making just $10k a year. Imagine turning that into $20k just by implementing what I teach you in this week's podcast episode. Today, we're diving deep into the world of short term and long-term follow-ups. But here's the best part – you can automate the heck out of this. Most good CRMs (Customer Relationship Management software, in case you're not in the know) can make this easy. In this episode you’ll discover: How to follow up with you leads in an appropriate way When to follow up Getting people to show up to your sales calls Scheduling follow-up calls before getting off the call you're on Cross-selling your other services to clients Getting unambiguous answers Brian's "Fibonacci Follow-up" process The advantage of "last chance" follow-ups For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/287

Here's one of the biggest traps I see freelancers fall into when it comes to sales calls: They think they're good at them, but they're really not... Why? Two reasons: 1. They've never actually tried to close anything other than friends/family/referrals (the easiest to close, but rarely enough to keep someone 100% booked solid) 2. They've never actually seen how a real sales call is done If you ever want to get to the point where you can stay booked solid, then you need to know how to get strangers to hire you. Understanding how to run a great sales call is a huge piece of that puzzle. The good news? You can just start super simple and then get more fancy as you learn more. This week's episode will walk you through a super simple four-part sales process. But here's the kicker: the big goal isn't just to make a sale... it's more about really getting to the heart of what the client needs. And when you get to the heart of what they need, it's way easier to actually close clients. In this episode you’ll discover: Starting simple: your first sales process The four key parts of a sales process: connect, diagnose, prescribe, collect What clients want vs. what they actually need to get from point A to point B Asking for money on the call to eliminate objections The most common objections Is it a disqualifier or an objection? Educating your clients to close the sale Why I no longer recommend proposals Next steps after listening to this episode For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/286

If you're a freelancer who's ever felt like sales is a foreign language, prepare to have your mind changed. First, it starts with understanding what sales really is. Sales is not just about persuasion... it's a process. In this new podcast series, I'm going to give you a comprehensive guide to the entire sales process for freelancers. Here's what's in store for this new Sales Series: Lead qualification (because let's face it, not every lead is a good fit) The all-important CRM setup How to do the discovery call (i.e. your first real dance with a potential client) The proposal process The art of follow-up (Yes, it's an art that balances persistence with respect) Closing the deal Cross-selling and upselling. And so much more... My goal with this series is to go deep into each topic, making sure you come out the other side not just understanding sales, but loving it. Why? Because mastering sales is not just about closing deals... it's about opening doors – to better projects, higher pay, and greater confidence in pricing your services. If you've ever felt like sales is your Achilles' heel, this might be your time to turn it into a secret weapon. In this episode you’ll discover: Why you're missing out on clients - and you don't know it Sales leads vs marketing leads Why a leaky funnel is detrimental for your business Avoiding burnout by rejecting leads who are a bad fit Setting up your systems for success The important features to look for in a CRM Why business owners need to wear many hats Moving projects through stages in your CRM Opportunities and tracking pipeline value For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/285