6 Figure Creative

This is Episode #400 of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast. And it's my last one for a while. It's been an incredible 400 episodes and it’s helped to build the business to what it is today. But what got us here won't get us there. The podcast has been great for people to find us through ads, get sucked into the show, listen to a bunch of episodes, and eventually become clients. But there's no built-in discoverability. So we're diversifying and going big this year on YouTube and organic social among other things. My whole team is flying into Nashville this week to plan it out. And I don't know exactly when we'll launch or what it'll look like yet… The podcast feed may light up from time to time with new stuff…But this is the final episode for a while. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/400

Are there cases where paid ads DON’T work for freelancers Yes, and I cover them on this week’s podcast episode. If you’re in one of these industries, ads might be a waste of money. If you’re NOT in one of these industries, you then what’s your excuse? There really shouldn’t be any reasons not to make them work, unless you just don’t want more clients. You could realistically go from someone seeing your ad to paying you money the same day (or at least within a week or so). For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/399

If you’re a freelancer and you’re NOT running paid ads, chances are you fall into one of two types: Type 1: Never tried paid ads because they were too intimidated, too overwhelmed, or convinced they won't work. Type 2: Tried ads and for whatever reason, they didn’t work Most freelancers don't even know they're doing it wrong. Common scenario: You spent $100 on ads. Nothing happens. You shrug and say, "paid ads don't work for me." But you have no idea WHICH part didn't work. Was it your hook? Your offer? Your landing page? Your inquiry form? Your sales process? All of the above? But most freelancers won’t take the time to figure out what went wrong. They just know "it didn't work." That's like saying "my car doesn't work" without knowing if it's the battery, the engine, or if you just forgot to put gas in it. If you're Type 1, this episode could save you from wasting thousands. If you're Type 2, this episode will show you exactly what went wrong. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/398

The #1 fear that freelancers have with paid ads? They’re terrified of lighting money on fire and never getting it back. I get it. It feels like a gamble that may not actually get you clients. And if this is you, I’ve got a challenge for you that I hope will change your mind. It’s called the $500 ad budget challenge. I want to prove to you that it’s possible to turn $500 into $5k or more with paid ads, if you do it the right way. If you’re ready to keep an open mind, listen to this week’s podcast episode where I’ll cover: The 3 prerequisites to running paid ads (if you have all 3 of these, you’re in a good position) Our “smart testing process” to squeeze all the juice out of a $500 budget Real stories of clients who have gotten $5k, $15k, $25k clients from less than $500 in ad spend How to get us to pay for your first $500 in ads For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/397

It’s January. You know what that means? Well, it might be “panic about how slow the holidays were” time. But for smart freelancers? It’s the start of our favorite season: cheap AF ads. The holidays are insanely expensive and competitive for paid ads. Black Friday, Christmas, end of year deals - it’s a marketing free-for-all that drives up costs and makes it nearly impossible to be heard. The beginning of the year is the complete opposite. The noise has died down and in its place is a golden opportunity for freelancers. With fewer businesses competing for attention, the cost to reach your ideal clients plummets, making it easier than ever to generate leads and clients for your business. You know this, but in the back of your head you have this fear…. “If I run ads, won’t it cheapen my image or damage my brand?” This is one of the top toxic beliefs that freelancers have, and today I want to call it out and address it. Here’s why… We just brought a new client into our coaching program and he’s making half a million dollars a year as a freelancer. He still has capacity for clients - but this was one of the hardest closes I’ve ever had. Not because he didn’t trust us. Not because he couldn’t afford it. But because he was concerned that paid ads would damage his brand. Reality check: Ads do not hurt strong brands. Bad messaging hurts brands. This episode takes a deep dive into How to Promote Yourself Without Destroying Your Premium Brand. Because if: Rolex can spend $100 million per year advertising their watches… Birkin bags sell for $300,000 and have a six-year wait list but Hermès still runs paid ads… What makes YOUR freelance business so special? The answer: it’s not. And you can absolutely run paid ads in a way that actually grows your brand reputation. There’s a specific reason I’m bringing this up now… Next week, we’re offering something special to a handful of freelancers. And it MIGHT have something to do with us giving you $500 to spend on ads, so you can test completely risk free and find a profitable strategy without spending a dime of your own money on ads. You’ll get more info about that soon, but for now listen to this episode. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/396

Pop quiz: What do freelancers fear MORE than death, public speaking, and spiders? Answer: Potentially, maybe, somewhat looking desperate when it comes to getting clients. It’s not your fault…back in school most of us were taught to stay quiet, not stand out from the crowd. That being “pushy” and asking for what you want is bad. You're taught that if you stay invisible, you'll never face rejection. And while that kinda sorta works in high school… In the business world, it means you never **post about your work on social media. You never go all in with content marketing. And you’re afraid to actively make offers to potential clients (if I’m good, they’ll just come to me, right?) But marketing isn’t desperation…it’s just marketing. The stuff that you're avoiding doing because of the fear of looking desperate? Exactly the same stuff that successful business owners do (without any hesitation whatsoever). One of our clients is a brand designer who had this exact fear. And when she finally overcame it, she had some of her best months EVER. If you secretly fear “looking desperate” (or you actually ARE desperate), this one’s for you. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/395

Two freelancers. Both relying on referrals to bring in clients. One is fully booked solid with a 3-month waiting list. The other is barely scraping by. What makes the difference? These 7 “Referral Killers.” Get them wrong, and you’ll struggle for clients. Fix even just one of them, and you’ll get more leads and higher-quality projects. In this episode, we cover: How to give yourself a “referrability score” The secret force multiplier that makes all the difference How one freelancer spent $927 to land over $32,000 in projects (plus repeat projects and referrals) How to determine your #1 referral killer and fix it FAST For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/394

Pure creatives are selfish. They create art for themselves. And your potential clients don’t care about your personal creativity. They care about what's in it for them. So as a creative, we can't just be selfishly isolated in our little rooms creating art for art's sake because it fulfills us. When it comes to actually being a business owner, we have to create real value for other people, which means we can't be selfish when it comes to our creativity. We have to share it with others. As it says on the wall behind me in my office, “It takes more than passion.” If you’re running a freelance business, don’t forget - you’re running a business. And that takes entrepreneurial skills that may not come naturally for many creatives. This week’s episode is about finding the sweet spot between creativity and entrepreneurship. Both the creative and the entrepreneur are essential elements of your freelance business… And there are good parts and bad parts of both. In this episode you’ll discover: Balancing the creative and entrepreneurial sides of your brain What entrepreneurs understand that creatives don't Using people, processes, and systems, to create value Keeping your creative spark alive Scheduling time for creative and entrepreneurial tasks Expanding your horizons by joining communities and finding mentors For full show notes, visit ⁠https://6figurecreative.com/393⁠

You know what's wild? I had three of my coaches (Richie, Dennis, and Rob) on the podcast this week to settle the organic vs. paid ads debate once and for all. Combined, they've spent tens of millions on paid ads and generated hundreds of millions in revenue for clients. And here's what they said: If you're doing organic without paid ads, you're playing marketing on hard mode. Organic takes 90-100+ videos before you hit an inflection point. Each piece takes 3+ hours. And you're competing against dopamine-engineered content designed to keep people scrolling. Meanwhile, our clients spend $5-10/day on ads and get 5+ booked calls. But the weirdest part? The #1 objection we hear from freelancers about running ads is: "I'll look desperate." Especially music producers. They think if people see them running ads, everyone will assume they're struggling for work. Which is... completely backwards. We break down why in this week’s podcast episode. We also cover: When organic actually makes sense (and when it's a waste of time) Why choose YouTube over Instagram when creating organic content The real reason ads + organic work like rocket fuel together How one client spent $900 and brought in $40K For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/392

I need to tell you something you probably don't want to hear. You don't have a marketing problem. You have a leads problem. Let me prove it to you: You're generating less than 5 new leads per month Some months you get 10 leads, some months you get 1 That's a 1000% variance from your best month to your worst Meanwhile, my business generates 1,974 leads per month on average Our variance from lowest to highest month? Only 30% See the difference? When you only have 1-10 leads coming in, you're basically starving. You take whatever clients you can get. You can't be picky. You can't raise your rates. And you're one bad month away from panic mode. The answer? Uncomfortably simple: You need more at-bats. More opportunities. More people in your pipeline who could potentially become clients. And the best way to fix that? Paid ads. In this week's episode, you'll learn: The real root cause of feast or famine for 95% of freelancers (and how to fix it for good) What a niche photography studio doing $50M/year knows that you don't The exact number of ad variations you should be testing (hint: it's 100X more than you think) Most freelancers aren’t “bad at sales” - they just don’t have enough leads coming in to make their business model work. Let’s fix that. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/391

Just because you're making money doesn't mean you're thriving as a freelancer. And if you're NOT making money? You're definitely not thriving. Here's what a thriving freelance business actually looks like: stable income, financial runway so you can take a hit without panicking, no constant fires to put out, and you actually enjoy what you do. Sound like your business right now? Yeah. Didn't think so. The second you started taking money for your skills, 12 critical roles appeared out of thin air in your business: Fulfillment, sales, marketing, operations, accounting, project management, IT/tech, legal, client relationships, creative direction, management... and CEO. In a big corporation, each of those has a department head, managers, and entire teams. As a freelancer? That's all you, baby. And if your business isn't where you want it to be, you're failing at exercising one (or more) of these muscles. So how do you fix this? That’s what this episode is all about. You’ll discover: The "treat it like the gym" framework for consistently working on the hard stuff you've been avoiding for months (or years) How to identify which muscle is your biggest bottleneck right now and start strengthening it one hour at a time Why emotions make you a great creative but a terrible business owner (and what to do about it)… Can you make this work? Wrong question. The right question is: How can I make this work? "Can I" is for dabblers. "How can I" is for people who actually succeed. So pick your mountain. Set your gym time. And start climbing one hour at a time. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/390

You know that massive to-do list in your head? All those things you're "supposed" to do as a freelancer? New website. Social media content calendar. Cold outreach. Warm outreach. Lead magnets. Funnels. Pricing revamp. Recurring revenue package. Portfolio update. It's overwhelming as hell. And oh by the way, 99% of that list doesn't matter right now. Because your income isn't capped by all those things. It's capped by ONE thing. One bottleneck. This is something called the Theory of Constraints, and it's the simplest framework I've ever seen for giving yourself a raise as a freelancer. Your business has exactly ONE constraint holding you back right now. Maybe it's time (you're booked solid but can't take on more clients). Maybe it's lead generation (nobody knows you exist). Maybe it's sales (you get inquiries but can't close them). Maybe it's your average client value (everyone's worth $1,000 when they should be worth $5,000). Maybe it's fulfillment (clients leave unhappy and never refer you). Once you identify that ONE constraint and fix it, you get a raise. Sometimes a massive one, like 20%, 30%, even 50%+ in a year. Then a new constraint pops up. You fix that one. Yay, you just got another raise! It's literally whack-a-mole with your income, except every time you whack one you make more money. In this episode, I walk you through: The exact framework for identifying YOUR constraint The five core functions every freelancer needs to master (in order) The most common bottleneck for six-figure earners The "Hormozi Holy Trio" that holds most freelancers back How fixing one simple number can give yourself a 4x raise This is one of those episodes where if you actually apply what's in it, you'll look back in 6-12 months and realize it changed everything. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/389

You can spend years building a wildly successful six-figure (or multi-six-figure) freelance business... Only to watch it crumble to dust. Not because you sucked at your craft. Not because you weren't talented enough. But because you didn't defend yourself properly against a handful of silent killers. One of these silent killers once cost me five weeks of work I had to make up for free. (Could've been prevented. Wasn't. Sucked.) So in this week's episode, I'm breaking down the five hidden dangers that can wipe out a six-figure freelance business (and more importantly, exactly how to defend yourself against each one). Here's what we're tackling: How to prevent burnout (you know, when you basically hate your clients and want to burn down your entire business) and recognize the warning signs before that happens. The “give-a-mouse-a-cookie” problem that sucks away your profit (and one simple phrase that stops it). The simple systems that keep you safe from the tax man (no, you can’t outsmart the system. Don’t try). Legal essentials that protect your business (rare, but when they strike, they can wipe you out completely. Here’s how to stay out of the danger zone). And the #1 completely preventable “silent killer” - payment issues. You've worked too hard to build your business to let it get taken down by something completely avoidable. Let's make sure that doesn't happen. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/388

Most freelancers think: "The more work I show, the more clients I'll attract." But if you have a level 10 skillset working with level 5 clients… Your portfolio is gonna look level 6 at best. And it’s hard to level up your clients if your portfolio doesn’t match. Is your portfolio all over the place? Not showcasing work at the level you want to attract clients? This week’s podcast episode will fix that. You’ll learn: How to beef up your portfolio if it’s still light or you’re just starting out How to curate and uplevel your current portfolio to attract higher level clients The secret ingredient that instantly makes your work look 10x more impressive For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/387

“Raise your gosh darn rates.” I literally have a podcast episode with this title. But that advice is not for everyone because raising your prices isn’t always the answer. Every freelancer has a “Goldilocks sweet spot” for their pricing. The perfect balance of rates that keep you booked, profitable, and sane. Charge too much? You've got the "luxury mirage"… premium prices, but an empty calendar. Charge too little? Welcome to the "bargain bin trap"… a packed calendar full of soul-sucking projects where you resent your clients and can barely keep your head above water. This week’s episode is all about finding that pricing sweet spot that keeps you booked with better clients. I’ll give you… 4 steps. and 3 important metrics. I break it all down on Episode #386: The Goldilocks Pricing Rule for Freelancers (Not Too High, Not Too Low) For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/386

The vast majority of freelancers want one thing: more clients. But what if that’s not your biggest problem? What if you’re booked solid… And now the “good problem to have” is that you can’t ever take a vacation because your income is tied to the hours you work? It’s a dollars-for-hours trap. No work = no money. Vacation? You're not making money. Get sick? Not making money. In the hospital? Not making money. Your income is handcuffed to the hours you work. And there's a ceiling. A theoretical maximum. You can inch it up by raising your rates, but eventually... that's it. That's your max. Some people are cool with that. If you’d like a future where you’re making great money NOT trading dollars for hours… Where you “outgrow” freelancing and transition your expertise into something more scalable… This episode is for you. Should I start an agency? Sell software/products? Or - should I start teaching what I know and build a coaching business? In this episode, I talk about the pros and cons of each, and why I think creating a scalable coaching offer is the way to go (spoiler alert: it’s the one I’ve gone all in on, which is why you’re reading this). For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/385

We all get the same 24 hours in a day. So why can some people get more done in that 24 hours than others? It’s not ALWAYS about doing more. In many cases it’s about doing the RIGHT things consistently (at the right time of day). My day starts at 5:30 AM with 15 minutes of reading and straight to the gym for a workout. It’s a non-negotiable for me, whether I feel like it or not. So my advice for you: Set aside “power hours” to work ON your business every day - as a non-negotiable. Just like going to the gym, it’s a “business booty bootcamp” that directly adds junk to your trunk (aka revenue to your bank account) when you do it consistently. (Oh, and DO NOT check emails first thing in the morning. Ever.) This week’s episode is all about how to know WHAT to work on and how to prioritize it so you can actually have the business and the life that you want. Things like: Micro-routines that help you knock out the important stuff quickly How I structure my day based on my energy levels, and my best “hacks” for creative focus The “hate-charity” trick that helps me accomplish my goals The 3 biggest issues that keep you from prioritizing (even when you want to) Listen now to Episode #384: The “Power Hour” Method (How Smart Freelancers Work) For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/384

“I'd love to be jacked.” “I'd love to be great at pottery.” “I’d love to be a scratch golfer.” ← this one’s me. You can say you wanna be good at something, but if you’re not willing to do what it takes to get there, you don’t really want it enough. And sometimes that’s okay. But when it comes to your freelance business, I hear a lot of people say, “I want to be making 6 figures, charging $10k per project, etc etc.” And yet when it comes time to do the work - they “don’t have time” for it. That time excuse? We know it’s not really true. I've seen people juggling full-time jobs, families, community roles, even taking care of extended family... and they STILL make massive progress in their businesses. Then I see freelancers with literally zero responsibilities (single, no kids, no clients, hell, some even just got laid off and have nothing but time) and they're STILL using "lack of time" as their excuse. We all have the same 24 hours. So what are you willing to do to make time and space for progress? That’s the question I tackle on this week’s episode: What Are You Willing to Give Up to Grow Your Freelance Business? Don't just SAY you want to grow your freelance business. Show it with your choices. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/383

If you've ever thought to yourself, "I need more clients, please God, rain them down out of the sky" - I'm probably gonna piss you off today. Hopefully in a good way. Some numbers I found interesting and concerning: 68% of freelancers rely on passive methods to get clients. 58% said client acquisition was their number one challenge. 🤨 Hmmmm…I wonder why that is? Now, when I say “passive methods” I mean things like word of mouth and referrals, networking, and social media. If you’re waiting and hoping for a potential client to reach out to you… EVEN if you’re on the freelance marketplaces or showing up to networking events… You still have a passive client acquisition system. And it sucks @$$ for several reasons… First: For every freelancer that's out there, there hundreds (or thousands) of clients that need your services who never hire anyone (or hire the wrong person) simply because they didn't know you exist. Second: By ****waiting around for clients to find you magically, not only are you hurting yourself and your bank account, you're hurting those potential clients you could have helped (if they just knew you existed). The solution? Convert passive methods to active ones. This week’s episode is all about how to do that including: How to amp up your referral flow A better way to do direct outreach Why “freelance marketplaces” are kinda a scam The ONE active strategy that works better than anything else For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/382

The average freelancer is often absolutely clueless when it comes to running a business. And I can only say this because I did some of the dumbest possible things for the first five years that I was a freelancer. Until I started looking at best practices from other successful industries - in many cases who had spent millions (or hundreds of millions) of dollars to figure this stuff out. When you take what’s already working in other industries and adapt it to your freelance business… You can charge higher prices, have more predictability, higher close rates, more finished projects without tearing your hair out from the stress. What lessons exactly? That’s what this week’s episode is all about: 8 Business Secrets Freelancers Can Steal From Multi-Billion Dollar Industries If you’re currently: Doing most of your work as one-off projects Providing a whole bunch of different services and packages Relying on referrals and warm leads to get clients This episode could change your entire business for the better. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/381

Traditional proposals are a massive waste of time. You put all this time and effort into a long, fancy 10-page proposal that you THINK is going to impress your clients… When in reality, there’s a better way to close that deal. This week’s episode is for you if you rely on proposals to do the heavy lifting for you. Instead, use my 4-step “anti-proposal sales process” that lands you more clients: HINT: Don’t sell them the flight and logistics, sell them the vacation. This episode will dive into: What to do instead of sending proposals Why proposals = ghosted clients My BAMFAM follow-up tip that always works BONUS - how to turn your “proposal” into a paid product (this one is genius) For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/380

Let me make something clear: Referrals aren’t BAD. Just don’t rely on them as your ONLY source of leads. But a client is a client, and if people are sending them your way, you’re not gonna say no! And the best way to bring in more referrals is to deliver a “6 Star Client Experience.” If you’ve ever been to a 5-star hotel, you know it’s the little details that make it luxury: The chocolate on your pillow, the handwritten note, how your bags somehow appear in your room while you're checking in… There's no such thing as a 6-star hotel. It doesn't officially exist. Which is exactly why, as a freelancer, you should be aiming to create a 6-star experience SO smooth and thoughtful that your clients would feel stupid NOT referring you. This week’s podcast episode is full of ways to create that 6-star client experience. Easy to implement - but 99% of freelancers will NEVER do it. I’m breaking down: What to do RIGHT after you take payment that instantly reverses any buyer’s remorse The surprise and delight offboarding that triggers your client’s “natural referral instinct” The post-project nurture system that turns one client into many For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/379

If you’re not getting the number of leads and clients you want… It can be tempting to think that you need to DO more. No, it’s not time to update your website again. No, you don’t need a higher-converting funnel. No, you don’t need more content. No, the latest AI miracle isn’t going to save you. None of that matters if your positioning is vague and you’re saying something nobody really cares about… OR you have zero evidence to back it up. Quick diagnostic: No clicks = you have a positioning problem Clicks but no opt-ins = you have a proof problem Discovery Calls but no sales = probably a proof + offer problem Which one are you? Listen to this week’s episode to find out (and how to fix it). For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/378

If you think that running paid ads for your freelance business is a complete and total waste of time and money, with no chance of ever getting you clients… Don’t bother reading any further. I get why many freelancers believe this - especially if you’ve tried to run ads in the past and been burned with low-quality leads, high costs, and NOTHING to show for it. It can be easy to conclude that “paid ads just don’t work.” So here’s a fun fact: Google and Meta made $424 BILLION from ad revenue in 2024. That’s $48.5 million an hour. $808,000 per MINUTE. These platforms are printing money because they work. So the question isn’t whether paid ads generate results… It’s whether you know how to use them properly. That $808k a minute? It’s coming from businesses who figured out how to make the math work (and that includes my business). Most freelancers are burning money on the wrong platforms with the wrong strategy. We’re here to fix that. We broke it all down in this week’s episode: Meta vs. LinkedIn vs. YouTube vs. Google. Which one’s best? Which ones to avoid? And how to know if ads make sense for your business. Joining me is Dennis Schneider, one of our coaches who’s spent over $15 million on ads (not a typo). He’s also the person running our ads right now. By the end of this one, you’ll know: The exact platform we use to bring in thousands of leads every single month Why some ad platforms are a total waste for freelancers And 4 specific situations where you should NOT run ads For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/377

Every superhero has an arch-nemesis (or two). Batman’s got the Joker. Spidey’s got the Green Goblin. Superman? Lex Luthor. But you? You’ve got five freelancing villains quietly sabotaging your business. There’s no maniacal laughter or evil stare. They’re not wearing capes or threatening to destroy the world with a giant-ass laser. These villains are more subtle: “Just one more YouTube video…” “I’ll do those reachouts tomorrow…” “I need to fix my portfolio first…” And before you know it? They’ve stolen another week of progress. If there’s one thing I’ve learned working 1 on 1 with hundreds of creative freelancers, it’s this: You don’t rise to the level of your strategy…You fall to the level of your patterns. I've seen clients with a flawless strategy that they're trying to execute… And yet they can't get out of their own damn way to execute it. Because when things get hard, or new, or uncomfortable… We default down to whatever survival pattern we’ve always used to cope. In this week’s episode, I’m joined by one of the Clients by Design coaches, Josh Love, to call out all 5 of those freelancing villains (and how to finally defeat them). We’ll dive into: how these patterns form how they masquerade as productivity what to do when you catch yourself spiraling. The first step to defeating your particular villain is knowing which one you’re dealing with. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/376

Back in 2011, I made a list called “My Future Wife.” A bullet-point breakdown of everything I wanted in…you guessed it…my future wife. The whole dream package. But after reading through it, I had a sinking realization: I wasn't the type of guy who would be attractive to that type of woman. So I spent the next few years becoming that man. That list changed my life, and eventually led me to my actual wife who IS the perfect-fit person for me. I came across that document recently and it made me realize: Most freelancers never do the same exercise with their business. They dream about high-paying, low-drama, “perfect-fit” clients… But never ask the hard question: Am I the kind of freelancer my dream client is looking for? In this week’s episode of the podcast, I share the 4 traits that make you magnetic to your dream clients (the things many freelancers completely overlook). It’s not just about being good at what you do. It’s about being the kind of person your dream client is drawn to. Let’s make you irresistible (in business, anyway). For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/375

“I don’t want to bother people.” That one thought has killed more freelancers than bad pricing ever has. “I don’t want to bother people with emails.” “I don’t want to follow up too soon.” “I don’t want to come off pushy.” Translation? You’re broke because you’re assuming you’re bothering people… When in reality? They’re probably happy to be bothered. I would rather be annoying than irrelevant. That’s why for this episode I brought in Danielle Weil (our in-house email marketing strategist) to break down 3 simple emails that stop leads from slipping through your fingers without being pushy or annoying. These aren’t newsletters. They’re not long, complicated sequences. They’re short, strategic, and designed to put money back in your pocket. If you’re not doing email marketing (or doing it badly), this is your wake-up call. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/374

"How much do you charge?" Six simple words. But if you're like most freelancers, that question makes your stomach drop. You freeze. You ramble. You undercharge. You regret it. Why? Because it’s a trap. And if you’re not paying attention, you’ll walk right into it. This week’s episode breaks down exactly how to answer this question without sounding desperate, unsure, or cheap (no matter whether it comes via DM, email, or awkward in-person moment.) The 4 scenarios where you never give a number My actual templates you can use to stay in control How to filter out bad-fit clients without scaring off the good ones If you’ve ever fumbled this question (or avoided it completely), this is the episode that will fix it. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/373

Hard to explain. Not specific enough. Too wide an audience. Freelancers kinda suck at crafting offers. Even the good ones. Especially the good ones. If your best-fit clients cannot easily repeat back who you help, the results you promise, and how you deliver it… You're probably doing this wrong. We’ve worked with hundreds of freelancers at this point, and if WE have no idea what the heck it is you do… How are your clients gonna know? Congratulations, you just killed the sale with confusion. In this week’s episode, I bring on our Clients by Design coach Stephen Hutson to break down the five pieces every great offer needs. We show you: Why your Franken-service is repelling clients How to instantly raise your rates without changing your service The one litmus test to see if your offer actually makes sense Crafting a great offer is both an art and a science, and it’s one of the first steps to building a Client Acquisition Machine. Get this right, and great clients will instantly know what you do, why you’re worth the price, and how to say “hell yes.” Get this wrong, and you’ll keep selling the what… while they walk away confused about the why. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/372

If you’re great at what you do… If people look up to you, hire you, refer you… And you’re still struggling with client acquisition… You know what you SHOULD be doing. So what’s holding you back? Sometimes, after being so good at what you do for so long, the idea of starting something you might not be great at right away can feel uncomfortable. We forget what it’s like to be a newbie, making mistakes. And now? That fear of sucking again is keeping you stuck. I get it… “marketing” can feel like a wild west with zero rhyme or reason. Paid ads? I could end up donating money to Zuck for nothing. Building funnels and automations? Seems complicated. So it’s easier to stick with what you know. Even if it’s not working like it used to. How much is that inaction costing you? How much longer can you afford to NOT fix this? But guess what… The people who grow the fastest are the ones willing to look dumb for a while. Willing to dare to suck. This week’s episode is all about that feeling (and why being okay with sucking again is often the first step toward real growth.) For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/371

You know that meme… Charlie Day, crazed look, wall of string, pointing at chaos? That’s the typical freelancer trying to make a decision. A simple pricing change? You’re mapping out lifetime value, market benchmarks, “CFO-level cost abstractions” (whatever the hell that means). Meanwhile, someone else just ran a quick test, got a client, and moved on. While one person’s “trying to decide on a niche”… Another one has tested 5 different offers and actually figured out what will sell. If you’ve been stuck in “procrasturbation”… Tweaking your logo. Updating your website. Getting ready to get ready… Instead of launching offers, testing, having conversations, and figuring it out by failing fast… Listen to THIS EPISODE now. And then DO SOMETHING. Move fast. Speed is king. And indecision is the tax you’re paying. There’s a specific reason I’m bringing this up now… Because I get so mad when I see freelancers getting stuck on this stuff when there is a simple path that leads directly to the 3% of clients who are ready to hire you right now. Later this week, we’re offering something special to a handful of freelancers And it might have something to do with us handing you our entire client acquisition system. That includes funnels, follow-up, CRM. And we're covering the software cost too. More about that later this week. In the meantime check out the episode. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/370

Just one nightmare client can ruin your business. One soul-sucking, scope-creeping, micromanaging clown who drains your time, sanity, and confidence. And the frustrating thing is, you probably felt the red flags on that first call (and ignored them)… Thinking, “it’ll be fine”… “I’m probably overreacting…” “I can manage them, they really do need my help”… And my favorite: “It’s good money.” So you said yes (even though your gut said no). And now they’re making your life miserable. The solution? Stop relying on “gut feelings” and use my simple scorecard that filters out the clowns and makes it easy to say “thanks, but no thanks.” In this week’s episode, I break down the C.L.O.W.N.S. Framework 🤡: 6 red flags you must spot on your next sales call if you want to avoid the clients from hell. You’ll learn how to sniff out the “red flag” clients that are more trouble than they’re worth. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/369

Ever hop on a discovery call… Only to find out they "might" be ready in 6 months, have no budget, and just want free advice? Not only did you get your hopes up, you ALSO just wasted your time. Yeah, it sucks - and today we’re going to fix it. Way back in the 1960’s, IBM developed a pretty cool framework called BANT to weed out bad leads… And in this episode, I’ve adapted it for freelance businesses. This 4-question system will help you spot bad leads before you ever get on a call: You’ll save hours each week by not chasing dead-end leads. You’ll feel more confident on sales calls because you’re leading the conversation. You’ll close more high-quality projects because you’ll be talking to the right people For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/368

You know those big dumb idiots in high school that pull the fire alarm? Yeah, that was me. Turns out I was just practicing for my freelance career. Because most freelancers treat marketing exactly like that fire alarm - you only pull it when everything's already on fire. When the clients have dried up, the leads have dried up, and you're in full-blown panic mode. Then things get busy again, the money starts flowing again, and something in your brain says, “We’re good, we don’t need to do this terrible ‘marketing’ thing anymore.” So you stop. Throw yourself into the work. Deliver for clients. Ghost your social media and your leads… 3 months later? Things are on fire again. Cue the alarm bells and the frantic panic-posting. This is the feast-and-famine cycle that is SO common - and that you yourself are fueling. You know it’s dumb. Let’s fix it. This week’s podcast episode is the third and final part in the “Big Dumb Stupid Idiot” Series, where I break down the 5 things that most creative freelancers are doing that keeps them stuck in the agonizing feast-or-famine cycle. We’ll talk about: Why most creative freelancers are SO allergic to marketing (and yet so very susceptible to it) The truth about lead magnets (and other ridiculous marketing myths) The "1-2-3" marketing routine that’s doable every day (even when you're swamped with client work) For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/367

”Oh look — Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Because what this $5,000 problem really needed was a damn menu.” When you offer three-tiered pricing because “that’s how pricing psychology works, right?”… All you’re doing is giving your best clients more questions, more confusion, and a way to spend less money. You’re not a SaaS. You’re not a wedding cake. And tiered pricing? That's just ONE of six "big, dumb stupid idiot" pricing mistakes in this week's podcast episode. Step into the “Pricing Confessional” with me to talk about the mistakes we’re all kinda ashamed of: “I’m in a place where I say yes to anything I can get my hands on.” “I’ve generally undercharged throughout my career.” “I’ve allowed clients to negotiate lower rates.” “I would love to raise that rate but this is what I’m comfortable with right now.” “I have not had a very consistent pricing structure — everything has been too custom.” Sound familiar? You know it’s dumb. Let’s fix it. It’s time to STOP pricing like a big dumb stupid idiot and START being smarter about your pricing so you can actually attract and close those high-end clients you want. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/366

You ever say things like… "Let me know if there's anything I can do" Or "Just keep me in mind"? Then you might be selling your services like a big, dumb, stupid idiot. (Yes, those were my exact words.) This episode kicks off a savage new series where I break down 8 ways freelancers ruin sales without realizing it. You'll learn: Why your “nice guy” language is killing deals The simple question that filters time-wasters from real buyers How to stop being ghosted forever (seriously) If you’ve ever felt weird about sales or struggled to land high-paying clients, this episode will sting… in a good way. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/365

Hey quick gut check: Is your portfolio a "highlight reel" or a "dumping ground"? If it’s the latter, you’re making the same mistake most freelancers make. You’re trying to be the Cheesecake Factory, with its 21-page menu with 250+ items on it. Your thought process is "there's something for everyone". And yet… no one knows what you’re actually great at. In this episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I call this out for what it is: The Portfolio Paradox: the more work you show, the fewer clients you actually land. In this episode, I’ll show you: Why your “impressive” portfolio isn’t converting The silent signals a cluttered portfolio sends to clients And how to fix it with a Greatest Hits-style approach that builds trust fast If you want clients saying “hell yes” instead of “next!"... listen to this episode. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/364

Ever been to a spa? You get a menu with 12 fancy options… and no idea which one you actually need. Do you need the Ocean Quartz Detox Wrap for $149 or the Rejuvenating Himalayan Sound Bath Experience for $399? You have no idea. Now imagine you're about to spend $5K to $10K (or more), and you’re handed the same kind of “pick-your-own-adventure” PDF. This is exactly what I've seen freelancers do in their sales process, and it's losing you clients you should’ve closed. In this week’s episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I break down the “spa menu pricing” trap, and show you how to sell like a doctor instead. Doctors don’t give you options. They listen, diagnose, and prescribe. That’s what your clients want too (bc you're the expert of your domain). If you want to... Close more gigs Speed up your sales cycle (i.e. how long it takes to close a client) Charge what you’re truly worth ...then don’t miss this one. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/363

Most freelancers aren’t selling to strangers. They’re stuck relying on referrals and word-of-mouth… So they never realize how fragile their business actually is. Because when that word-of-mouth dries up and you finally try to reach outside your cozy little network? Suddenly the “no’s” and ghosting start piling up. And it’s not because your work isn’t good. It’s not because your prices are too high. It’s because you’re asking people to take a leap… With no parachute. This week’s episode is about fixing that with Risk Reversal and Guarantees. And it’s one of the most powerful ways to get more “hell yes” responses—even from people you just met. This episode breaks down: The types of risk clients are actually worried about How to flip that fear into your biggest sales asset Real examples from other freelancers using these tactics to close faster and stand out How to NOT screw yourself over with a bad guarantee If you want more clients, faster closes, and fewer “let me think about it” replies… This episode will change how you pitch, forever. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/362

One of my clients has the dream setup: A solid YouTube following Tens of thousands of people visiting his site every month A clean, self-checkout flow for his freelance services Sounds awesome, right? But when we looked under the hood… He was making just $0.23 per visitor. Twenty. Three. Cents. Let that sink in. That’s LESS than $5k/month from 20,000 website visitors. I nearly threw my laptop. That same traffic, with a real sales process? Could be worth $20k… even $50k. This is the myth of passive sales. It feels efficient. It looks scalable. But for service businesses? It’s an income-killer. Passive sales feel great… until you realize you’re leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table. Every. Single. Month. Your income per website visitor is way more important than your total traffic. That single metric—earnings per visitor—exposes how effective (or broken) your sales process really is. Most freelancers think more eyeballs = more money. In this episode, I break down why you don’t need more traffic. You need more $$$ per visitor. I’m talking: The full sales strategy spectrum (passive → async → real convos) How to balance your time and make more per visitor And how a small tweak to your sales flow can 10x your earnings per visitor If you’re serious about hitting $100k, $250k, or beyond, this is the lever to pull. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/361

As you scale past $100k as a creative freelancer, something starts to break: YOU become the bottleneck. You’re managing every email. Sending every invoice. Doing every project from scratch. Waking up at 3am remembering something you forgot to send. No wonder things feel chaotic. But here’s the good news: You can fix this without hiring a team.In this episode of the 6FC Podcast, I walk you through the 3 systems that multiply your output (and your income) — without adding a single person to your payroll. ✅ Client onboarding systems ✅ Project delivery systems ✅ Communication systems Set these up once, and you’ll never look back. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/360

At first, every new lead feels like a win. (Finally, people want to work with me!) But if you actually want to break into multi-six figures? You need to say "no" more than ever. Because every bad-fit client you say yes to drains your creativity, clogs your calendar, and burns you out before you even realize it’s happening. In this week’s episode, I'm breaking down The 5-Step Client Filter Every High-Earning Freelancer Needs — so you can stop wasting time on the wrong projects and start building the freelance business you actually want. Because getting clients isn’t the finish line. It’s where we really need to start protecting our time, our creativity, and our sanity. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/359

Every freelancer knows the feeling… One week, you’re slammed with work. The next? Crickets. And in those quiet weeks, you’re either putting out fires or you panic and slash your rates to get anything booked. But here’s the truth: Those “lulls” are the reason you’re stuck under $200k. Not your talent. Not your pricing. Not the economy. If you want to consistently hit multi-six figures, you need what I call a Demand Engine — a 4-part system that keeps your inbox full and your calendar booked before the slow weeks hit. In this episode, I’ll walk you through exactly how to build it — using tools, automations, and strategies we’ve battle-tested across dozens of six-figure+ freelancers. Let’s fix your “calendar problem” once and for all. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/358

If you're trying to break into multi-six figures as a freelancer, this might sound familiar: You're good at what you do. You’ve got clients. You’ve raised your rates. But somehow… you’re still stuck around $100k–$150k. The problem? It’s not your pricing. It’s not your marketing. It’s that your service isn’t built to scale. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to package what you already do into a clear, repeatable service that sells easier, delivers faster, and actually scales. No more reinventing the wheel every project No more delivery chaos No more guessing at what to charge This is the path to breaking through the $200k, $300k, even $500k+ ceiling - without burning out. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/357

Most freelancers plateau at $50K. You start by getting a few clients Those clients turn into a few more referrals You get just enough referrals to hover in the $50k plateau Some break six figures "by accident". Same thing as $50k, but you just stay a bit busier (usually because you have a larger network or are in a better niche). But multi six-figures? No one stumbles in a $300k+ per year freelance business. That takes a whole new approach. In this new podcast series, I’m breaking down what separates the $50K freelancer from the $300K+ business owner. It starts with 7 hard-hitting mindset shifts. Like: → The overlooked reason most freelancers never hit $200K → The silent killer keeping most freelancers stuck at average income → The “business owner lens” that multiplies your revenue without working more hours → Why “doing great work” isn’t the thing that gets you paid more This is Part 1 of The Multi-6-Figure Freelancer Playbook, and if you're stuck at a plateau, this is your next move. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/356

Let’s say you hired a personal trainer with the goal of "getting into shape"… But instead of coaching you, they literally did the workouts for you. They ran the miles. They lifted the weights. They meal-prepped and tracked every calorie. Meanwhile, you’re on the sofa binging White Lotus... and somehow you get in the best shape of your life. That would break the entire fitness industry. But in business, that’s exactly how it works. You hire people. They do the work. You get the results. Yet most 6 figure freelancers stay stuck. Overbooked. Overwhelmed. Dropping the ball on clients because they can’t take on more work… but also can’t say no to more money. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down exactly how to scale beyond that low six-figure plateau - without drowning in work. Whether you want to build a micro-agency to multiple six figures or a full-blown team to seven figures, this is the roadmap to hiring smart, working less, and making more. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/355

Creatives LOVE making things "perfect". We obsess over the tiny details, tweak endlessly, and burn hours and hours and hours... and hours trying to craft the "perfect" final product for our clients. But here’s what sucks: Perfectionism is keeping you broke. Spending 40 hours on something that should take 8? That’s the difference between making $92/hr and $462/hr. The most successful freelancers aren’t the ones who make things perfect. They’re the ones who get things done efficiently - without sacrificing quality. In this episode, I break down: How to go from $92/hour to $462/hour—without working harder or cutting corners. How to spot inefficiencies in your workflow—and fix them without lowering the quality of your work. Simple strategies to work faster, charge smarter, and win more gigs—so you can finally stop feeling overworked and underpaid. If you're tired of working longer hours for less money, this one's for you. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/354

You already know that paid ads bring in clients. Duh. But what if I told you the real magic isn’t just in the ROI? But what if I told you some of the biggest benefits of paid ads have nothing to do with advertising ROI? Instant market feedback (know what actually resonates with clients) A sales process that improves fast (because you’re getting more at-bats) Pricing confidence (no more second-guessing your rates) Higher perceived authority (people will start recognizing your name) Predictability (goodbye, feast-or-famine cycle) These benefits are so powerful that they’re worth running ads even if you’re losing money at first. I break it all down in this episode. If you’ve ever considered running ads but hesitated, this is the episode that might change your mind. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/353

Most freelancers think success comes from being great at their craft. It doesn’t. I’ve seen average freelancers with solid marketing dominate their industry while insanely talented ones struggle to get clients. Being the best doesn’t matter if no one knows you exist. I’ve also watched freelancers waste hours crafting detailed proposals, only to get ghosted. Proposals don’t close deals - real conversations do. If you’re hiding behind a PDF, you’re losing before you even start. That “stable” 9-to-5 job you think is safer than freelancing? That’s one paycheck, one boss, one decision away from being gone. A well-run freelance business with multiple income sources is actually more secure than a day job - if you do it right. Most freelancers are playing the game all wrong. That’s why I put together this episode, breaking down the 13 counterintuitive truths about freelancing will change how you work. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/352

Want to know the equation that’s made me literally millions of dollars? (I did the math) It’s simple. It’s powerful. And if you dismiss it because you think your business is “different,” you’re screwing yourself. It’s called The Value Equation. This ONE framework will show you exactly why some freelancers struggle to close deals while others charge more and have clients lined up to pay them. And yes, it applies to you. If you’re stuck in a feast-or-famine cycle, struggling to raise your rates, or constantly hearing “I can’t afford that” from potential clients—this episode will flip the way you think about your business. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/351