6 Figure Creative

I'm sure you already know how easy it is to get bogged down by the day-to-day tasks and admin work that comes with running a freelance business. You probably don't know all of the amazing tools out there that (when used correctly) will help you focus on what you do best... Create.By leveraging the right tools, you can increase profits, reduce frustration, and create a sense of calm in your workflow. From project management and invoicing tools to marketing platforms and collaboration apps, we'll discuss my top 11 favorite tools every creative freelancer should have in their toolkit.Whether you're just starting out as a freelancer or you're looking to take your thriving business to the next level in 2023, this episode is for you.Listen now to learn how these tools can help you streamline your workflow, stay organized, and grow your business.In this episode you’ll discover: Why you should invest in the tools you need The toxicity of the blue-collar mindset Solving internal communication for your team Staying on top of client relationships the easy way How to keep productivity high as a freelancer Bookkeeping made simple Choosing the best payment provider Saving hours per week on audio/video editing Using your external brain to stay organized For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/232

The sad reality for most freelancers is that they're just offering the same "copycat" services as everyone else around them. Because of this, they're stuck in a competitive hell.This is called a "commoditized service".Think about how you buy a commodity like salt and pepper... You look at the shelf and buy the first thing you see that matches your pricing expectation. As far as you're concerned, all the options are pretty much the same.This is what it's like for freelancers. Anyone who's looking to hire a freelancer can literally "shop" Fiverr.com for dozens of different creative services where thousands of freelancers are competing with each other.In the perfect world, you'd find a way to stand out and become a "monopolized service", but that takes a LOT of time, effort, and energy to develop the necessary skills.The good news is that you can still thrive in an extremely competitive industry, and this week's episode will give you 6 ways to get more clients even as a copycat freelancer.In this episode you’ll discover: Why you need to stand out as a freelancer The dangers of rock bottom pricing in commoditized services Reviews vs. testimonials Providing a premium service for your customers Finding clients who know, like, and trust you Digital relationships The value of good copywriting for your business Funnels for freelancers For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/231

Have you ever checked a price for a flight, only to come back later and see that the price increased (or decreased) significantly?This is something called "dynamic pricing", and it's what some of the largest businesses in the world do to maximize their profits.This is a technique I learned in 2015 when using a new "dynamic pricing" tool on my Airbnb, and it added a 20% boost to my rental income.It worked so damn well that I brought the same idea to my freelance business that same year.If you're looking for clever ways to give yourself a pay raise, maximize your income, and fight against inflation by using supply and demand to your advantage, this episode is for you.In this episode you’ll discover: Why you should go fill out our feedback form right now Using dynamic pricing to make the most profit for your business How to determine your pricing based on timing and schedule Why it's ethical to charge annoying clients more Why last-minute projects are often the worst to work on Filling your last-minute schedule gaps with "fire sale" rates Who to blame if you get called out (hint: it's Brian) Why you deserve this! For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/230

The message of this week's episode is simple...Raise your gosh darn rates. There are way too many dangers of perpetually undercharging for your services (which we discuss in this episode).There are also so many benefits to your life/business when you charge more that you can't keep putting off rate increases.You might even need to completely restructure your services so you can charge more, but the effort is worth the result.In this episode you’ll discover: Why low prices are a red flag for clients Low rates = bad clients The threshold of raising your rates Lifetime client value and your business Why being business-savvy makes you a better creative The importance of understanding your market and clients DON'T RUSH your work Why ignoring people outside your network is a fatal mistake For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/229

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/228

Is your income in a constant feast-or-famine cycle? Some months might look great... But then all of your projects seem to dry up, and you're left scrambling for clients.This sort of cycle can be brutal for your business, personal life, and mental health, but this cycle doesn't have repeated for the rest of your life.There are likely 3 things keeping you trapped in this vicious cycle, and this episode breaks down how to finally break the cycle.If you're ready for more consistency, dependability, and stability in your monthly income, add episode #227 of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast to your podcast queue ASAP!In this episode you’ll discover: How Brian scored $12,000 flights for $200 Why you're comfortable in your day job Taking responsibility for your business' success (or lack thereof) What's keeping you on the feast-or-famine rollercoaster The best solution to an inconsistent business How to work smart, not hard The key to consistent client acquisition For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/227

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/226

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