6 Figure Creative

Have you ever had one of those awkward situations with a crush where you were TOTALLY into them, but you weren’t sure if they were into you? Yeah... That sucks. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to help you there since we give business advice instead of dating advice. What we CAN help you with is the client equivalent of that situation. Here’s what I mean... You’re talking to a dream client. You’re way into working with them, but you’re just not sure if they’re into you. There are actually 7 key points to cover with every potential client, and if each point is a “positive”, then they’re giving you their permission to pitch/sell them (i.e. take the relationship to the next level). This framework was shared with us by someone earning multiple millions per year, and it works perfectly in the freelance world. In this episode you’ll discover: How to help your clients better by determining their needs When closing a deal comes down to good timing What to do if a client isn't sure they want to hire you Why being open and honest with clients is the only way to run a healthy business How to discuss your workflow and delivery with clients before closing a deal Why it's vital that clients trust you implicitly For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/200

Client acquisition is a nerdy marketing term that basically boils down to one thing: getting clients. While the idea is simple, our freelance community seems to be deathly allergic to client acquisition. I get it... None of us got into this game because we wanted to become marketers. We do this because we love spending all day every day doing what we love by being creative. Unfortunately, that's not how it works. Unless you simply want this to be your hobby, client acquisition is a skill and a process you have to learn, develop, and grow. The alternative is to keep doing what you're likely doing now... sit around and hope a client finds you. If your current "strategy" is "hope marketing", this episode gives you the big picture view of how you can get complete strangers to hire you instead of waiting around for a miracle. In this episode you’ll discover: Why people will never hire you if they don't know you How to build trust with potential customers When it's time to be yourself How dating and business are closely related Why Mark is was more of a ladies' man than Brian How adding value in the long term sets you up for success Why our "comfort zone" is holding us back Why we need to be ourselves and not be afraid of alienating some people How appealing to everyone is a bad thing for our businesses For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/199

If you're doing anything worth a damn, you will eventually hit a point of burnout. There's literally no way to avoid this happening from time to time. The question is "how do you handle it"? Some of us just put our heads down and keep working, trying to pretend we're fine. Others completely withdraw to "recover", but they lose all momentum. This episode explores the wide range of "gray" areas... This is the area beyond simple black and white thinking. It's this non-binary thinking that can help us navigate the most difficult roadblocks in our creative lives. If you're going through burnout, or you feel like you just don't have anything left to give creatively, this episode is for you. In this episode you’ll discover: How to handle burnout Why you might be facing burnout Wearing all the hats as a business owner The damage of over-saturating yourself in one aspect of life Pacing yourself for success How your well being is a sum of your life, not just one part Why the four bottlenecks discussed in episode 188 are important to understand Avoiding water in your gas tank For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/198

“I’m a failure. I should just give up. This industry is oversaturated. I could never compete with the other people in this city. I will never be good enough” If you’ve ever had thoughts like this, then you may have a dangerous condition known as a “Fixed Mindset.” This is where you believe your skills, abilities, and talents are capped. “I can never get better than this at these things”. If you allow a Fixed Mindset to take over, then your career may be over before you even started. It’s extremely important for your business, your career, and your life, that you don’t wave a white flag before you even try! Instead, there’s something called a Growth Mindset. In this episode, Andy J. Pizza explains how to make the switch from a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset. In this episode you’ll discover: What toxic creative mythology is and how it hurts your career Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset What the TV show Oak Island has to do with your career Why you can’t let roadblocks discourage you How a mindset can boost your life exponentially Why making your goals SMART is key to your success Why you need to live a life that your kids want to know about For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/197

Ever meet someone who's able to earn more than they need while still having time to enjoy their lives...without stress weighing them down? A successful, carefree person is a surprisingly rare person to meet. It seems like people are either constantly working while neglecting their personal lives, or their personal life seems solid but their business is stagnant. Even more common seems to be the person whose life is in shambles in all areas (I mean that's the norm post-2020, yeah?). Here's the "secret" behind success for those few who seem to have it all together...those people live by The 80/20 Rule. Most of us already know (or have some vague idea) of what The 80/20 Rule is, but very few people actually use that as their "north star." If you have no idea what The 80/20 Rule is, or you need a reminder of how you can use that magical rule to "refresh" your life, this episode is for you. In this episode you’ll discover: What is the 80/20 principle, anyway? How the 80/20 principle affects your business Maximizing your profits by reducing your workload Enriching your personal life using the 80/20 principle How to review your business through the 80/20 lens What not to do when you have a "f*¢k it" moment Dealing with shiny object syndrome using the 80/20 principle Prioritizing the pillars of your life For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/196

What do you do when your income hits a plateau? Do you... (A). Give up and move on to a new career (B). Keep going but try something new in your business (C). Keep doing the exact same thing for 8 years straight and keep getting the same result If you chose option C, then congrats, you're probably in what we call "zombie land". This is the place where your business is earning just enough to survive, but not enough to thrive. Our guest this week, Steven Helvig, is a music producer who was in "zombie land" for 8 straight years before he found a way out of it. Eventually, he went from a stagnating 5 figure income to a steady 6 figure income, and in this episode, he gives us the details of what he did to finally get out of zombie land. If you've been struggling to break through your income plateau as a freelancer, this episode is the perfect dose of practical inspiration and information to help you break the cycle and grow your business ASAP. In this episode you’ll discover: The transformation from goal-less zombie to 6 figure studio owner Mindset shifts needed to run a healthy business Why charging more is good for your customers Educating yourself so you can work smart, not hard Hobbyist vs. professional mindsets How niching down your messaging can attract your ideal clients Using the 80/20 principle to eliminate pain points in your business The importance of following up For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/195

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/194

How do you go from "nickel and dime" $200-$500 projects to premium $10,000-$20,000 projects as a freelancer? To be honest, the answer is "you don't". You first need to make the shift from "freelancer" to "business owner". Lydia Kerr of Telltale Design Co made this transition in her highly-saturated market, and the results are jaw-dropping. Within 4 years of starting her design business, she grew it to over $20k/mo. In this interview, you'll hear her story of how she launched Telltale Design Co while working a full-time day job, and she replaced that day job income within just a few months of freelancing, and ultimately how she made the shift from low-dollar freelancer to a premium-priced business owner. In this episode you’ll discover: How Lydia went from 0 to full time in a few short months Growing your business to multiple six figures in under five years The difference between living in a small town or big city Why your $500 client will never be your $5,000 client Using social media to promote your business Working within clients' budgets Being honest with your clients Creating mutual respect with clients What tools to use for your business For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/193

In my last day job, I busted my ass for two years slinging video games at a chain called Gamestop. I never missed a day of work, I always hit my upsell targets each month (getting people into our rewards program), our regulars like me, and my manager loved me. After two solid years of "kissing ass and kicking ass" there, I had worked my way up from $5.15/hr to a staggering $5.50/hr. Truly life-changing money, for sure🙄 Two years...$0.35/hr raise. While I hope you can't relate to that, chances are you've had some issue in your past where you (or maybe someone you know) didn't get the raise you worked hard for. It sucks. You know what's awesome, though? One of the biggest advantages of being self-employed is that you can literally give yourself a raise today. There are no gatekeepers holding you back. You are the one in charge of your income now🤘🏼 So in today's super-tactical, fun episode, we break down 5 different ways you can give yourself a raise today. One of the things we covered in this episode is one I used in my recording studio in 2015 to give myself a raise from $100/hr to over $300/hr. It's time to take your income into your own hands by listening to this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast. In this episode you’ll discover: Why you're more than good enough to freelance How to go viral on TikTok with bad math Hiring virtual assistants to increase your hourly wage Why a "F**k you, pay me!" attitude is toxic in business Following up to close more sales CRMs and business success Staying top of mind with potential clients Offering appealing packages instead of piecemeal services For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/192

You probably got into the freelance world based on something you were passionate about, however, you likely know by now that it takes more than passion to create a real income. Making the move from passion-led freelancer to "6 figure creative" takes a brand new set of skills, beliefs, and character traits that no university or trade school will bother teaching you. One person who's successfully navigated the entire journey from "broke to millionaire" is Graham Cochrane. Graham started out as a passionate young musician who failed to achieve his dream of launching a successful band. From there, he sank into an unfulfilling day job while trying to build a freelance career on the side. Along the way, through many ups and downs, he's actually used all of his accumulated skills, experiences, and lessons to launch two separate 7-figure businesses. Graham came onto the podcast to share some of these lessons with us in an incredible interview. In this episode you’ll discover: Why passion isn't everything Elements you need to succeed in business Listening to Gary V? Don't. (sometimes) How you're over-optimizing your business Separating you from your job Where to get the next 6FC favorite book For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/191

Ever had an off day where you just didn't feel creative? What about an off week, or an off month? Where things can get dangerous is when our income depends on us being creative on-demand, but we're just...off. The great thing is that there are certain actions we can take to stay consistently and brilliantly creative for a long, long time. This week we interviewed Toddy Henry, author of the best-selling book "The Accidental Creative: How To Be Brilliant At A Moment's Notice". We discussed how creatives can create consistency in their work so that they're able to consistently put out their best work. In this episode you’ll discover: The three most important things in your life as a creative entrepreneur Taking a step back to think Where to look for inspiration Forming healthy habits Reacting vs. thinking Setting (and respecting) boundaries Being aware of our shortcomings For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/190

Want to know the secret that separates failing freelancers from 6 figure freelancers? It's this one concept: 6 Figure freelancers constantly solved their business bottlenecks. If it sounds stupidly simple, it is, but it's definitely easier said than done. Let me break it down real quick... There are 5 main parts of any real business (freelancers included). Here they are: Part 1: Lead generation - This is the part of your business where new people find out you exist and that you offer a (hopefully) valuable service. Part 2: Lead Nurture - This is the part of your business where you're staying top-of-mind over a long period of time until the lead is ready to hire you. According to studies, only about 3% of any market is ready to buy "now", so nurturing them until they're ready is crucial to getting hired. Part 3: Sales - This is where conversations turn into clients (i.e. dollars in the bank). Part 4: Fulfillment - This is where you're actually doing what you've been paid for. Part 5: Lifetime Value - This is how much one client is worth to your over your lifetime. It can be determined by how much you charge, how often they come back for more, how many people they refer to you, etc. The issue is that ONE of these five areas is your bottleneck right now. Until that bottleneck has been fixed, there's no point in improving anything else in your business. The freelancers who make it to $100k/year are the ones who constantly solved their ONE bottleneck, took a step back, re-assed their business to see what the next bottleneck was, and dove all-in on that bottleneck until it's solved. Rinse and repeat. This week's podcast episode dives into each of these 5 areas and what you can do to solve the bottlenecks in your own business. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/189

If you run a freelance business, there is no real separation between you and your business. That means any personal issues you have are guaranteed to affect your business. There are actually 4 specific "personal bottlenecks" that act as single points of failure as an entrepreneur. No time "Dirty Fuel" Lack of skills Blindspots If any of these 4 issues exist, your business is 100% guaranteed to suffer. In this week's episode, we discuss each of these 4 personal bottlenecks in detail... In this episode you’ll discover: Why expensive gear doesn't matter if it isn't earning you money How personal bottlenecks are choking your business Superheroes to save you from your bottlenecks Clean fuel vs. dirty fuel – are you doing things for the right reasons? Creating a step by step plan to tackle your bottlenecks Why time won't let you go When to ask for help with your bottlenecks Handling your blind spots For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/188

If you're stuck in a dead-end job, about to turn 30, and thinking, "I wish I could open my own business... But I'm too old to start..." then listen up. You're not too old – it's never too late to start your freelance career or open a business. World-renowned designer Lisa Congdon didn't even start designing until her late 20s, and she didn't even start gaining traction until she was nearly 40. In the decade and a half since starting her business, Lisa has grown it to multiple six figures. Listen now to hear about Lisa's journey from struggles and setbacks, to ultimate success as a creative. In this episode you’ll discover: Why it's not too late to jump into a freelance career How Lisa began her creative journey Giving yourself permission to be alone and its effects on your mental health Why it's important to have diverse income streams (but still stay on-brand) Selling physical products as a creative Building your team: don't start too soon Growth and mental health in a creative field For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/187

Last week we introduced the first of a two-part series about "The 6 Levels of Freelancing". The 1st level was "yes mode" and the 2nd level was "the generalist". This week we're walking you through what it looks like to move up the ladder into levels 4-6. If you feel stuck and you're ready to move up a level or two, fire up your favorite podcast app and let's dig in... In this episode you’ll discover: How good systems will avoid Chris' Poopocalypse 2.0 Avoiding survivorship bias: don't always listen to the "old dogs" The word-of-mouth death trap Your hourly rates aren't your actual rates Why Disqualifying bad leads to focus on good leads is great for your income The difference between systems and automation What the best automations have in common Why experts focus on one specific area rather than learning everything Growing your business the smart way: using SOPs How to remove yourself from your business For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/186

Most freelancers have no idea what they are doing and end up stuck in a low-paying, dead-end job because their business never gets enough clients to pay the bills. In this episode, we discuss the levels of your freelance career, and how to move from one level to the next so you can earn more money and work with better clients. If you want to learn how to become an expert in your field, get paid well for your work, and want to work from home on your own schedule, this episode is for you! In this episode you’ll discover: Everyone starts on the same level Why you're not special if you take every job that comes your way How to learn what you want to do with your life Listening to the market: your clients will help you pick an offering Why you're shooting yourself in the foot if you offer two drastically different services Automation: is it helping you or harming you? What common business advice is actually bad for your business Imposter syndrome: what to do when it rears its ugly head Why the generalist never wins For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/185

You FINALLY get someone to reach out to you asking for your rates. Wooooo! 🥳🎊🎉 You rack your brain to come up with a price for the project and send it off. Days pass… you don’t hear back. So you send a follow up. Weeks pass… now you’re trying to figure out where you went wrong. The would-be client has just ghosted you. The worst part is that you have NO idea why… Was it pricing? Scheduling? Did they decide not to do the project? Did they hire someone else? Did they even SEE your message? Ghosting SUCKS. So we set aside an hour of our time to create an entire episode dedicated to the topic. In this episode you’ll discover: Why your clients are ghosting you How to not get ghosted Building a connection with your customers so they don’t want to ghost you Why you need to get on the phone How to create natural scarcity and urgency Why you should never give your pricing out quickly How to get help growing your business For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/184

Here's a list of the most common reasons someone might hire someone else instead of you: They don't trust you They forgot you exist They felt like you were manipulating them They felt misunderstood They’re not confident you can give them what they want/need They felt no connection to you What’s funny is that this list is nearly identical to the reasons a new romantic relationship might fail. My point? It’s pretty simple… If you start dating someone brand new, you’re likely going to put SOME sort of effort into building that relationship. Right? You’d text/call them. You’d go on dates to get to know them. You’d try to figure out if you’re compatible by having meaningful conversations. You wouldn’t simply leave them alone and hope they propose to you later, right? You’d intentionally nurture that relationship. It’s the same thing with your potential clients. They reach out to you…but wtf do you do in the days/weeks/months between the first conversation and the point they hand over their hard-earned dollars? Most freelancers do a whole lot of sitting around and smoking Hopium. You’re just waiting for that phone call where the person finally “proposes” to you. On this week’s episode, we dive deep into the process of intentionally nurturing your leads. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/183

It’s the beginning of 2022 and I recently completed my end-of-year retreat where I went off the grid to dig deep into my own businesses and plan for the year. During my retreat, one of the things I did was dig into my analytics to see what’s been working, what’s not working, and what needs to change in the future. This week’s podcast episode is the direct result of one of my most interesting discoveries when diving into my analytics across everything I do. In this episode you’ll discover: What you’re missing out on if you don’t follow the 6 Figure Creative YouTube channel Why word of mouth is not the solution for a new business How to get more clients without word of mouth You’re a creative who is averse to marketing: now what? Six ways to bring traffic to your website How to get your business ranked by Google Using affiliate marketing in a freelance business When it’s appropriate to use ads for your business 182 reasons you should subscribe to our YouTube channel in a Blink For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/182

Implementing helpful tools into your business is one of the best, most cost-effective ways to increase your income or decrease your time spent doing tedious, frustrating tasks. Every single tool we discuss on this week's podcast is created to either straight up make you more money, or save you time, money, and frustration. One quick word of warning...while tools are amazing when fully implemented, a half-implemented tool is a total waste of money. Make sure you're 100% ready to take on the (sometimes boring) implementation phase before using any of the tools we discuss in this episode. In this episode you’ll discover: Having too many unconnected systems can be worse than no systems Why Brian is going to fight Chris in a parking lot Avoiding the Apple Mail app The power of Keyboard Maestro Eliminating pain points so you can maintain flow state Why giving away free merch is worth it The system behind a successful follow-up What Chris Graham wants in his inbox (hint: it’s feet) Is it worth it? Camera and lighting equipment for video For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/181

Being overwhelmed can stop you from achieving your goals and living the life you want. This can be especially damaging when you run your own business, so your livelihood relies on you alone. In this episode, Chris and Brian talk about how they deal with overwhelm in their businesses and in life. They also discuss mental health issues such as PTSD, ADHD, and ways to cope as a self-employed creative. Get ready to start 2022 in the right headspace for success: listen now to learn more! In this episode you’ll discover: Why Chris Graham is not and never was straight edge Why episodes 75-125 were our best episodes… For now How to handle overwhelm Dealing with PTSD as a business owner Addressing the symptoms and the root cause of an issue The news is a giant timesuck Surrounding yourself with people who support you instead of tearing you down For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/180

For decades, recording studios around the world were able to thrive in a healthy music industry full of platinum albums, hefty recording budgets, and, most importantly, ACTUAL profits. Things have steadily declined over the past 15 years with large commercial facilities closing down left and right. For many studios, the final nail in the coffin was the COVID-19 lockdown. While many are failing, some are still thriving despite the struggles of many other studios. In this week's interview, our guest has turned things around in a big way in an iconic LA studio called Total Access Recordings. Listen now to learn more! In this episode you’ll discover: What it takes to get your foot in the door at a “legacy” studio How fresh ideas can save older recording studios from going under Reducing your overhead by using extra resources you have The cheesy romcom of one Socal studio in the late early 2000s Growing out of a brand image you struggle with Making a name for yourself in the local scene Finding a need and basing your business moves on that For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/179

In 2017, John McLucas was homeless and sleeping on a foam pad in his one-room, windowless recording studio. Just a few years later, he's earning a six-figure income as a producer working with pop artists to provide a high-value, white-glove service. How did he make this massive change? While there isn’t one thing John did right, there are a few big things he did that you can start doing today to put your own freelance business on a similar trajectory. Listen to this episode of 6 Figure Creative now to learn more! In this episode you’ll discover: How John went from sleeping on his studio floor to earning six figures… In three years Why offering a premium service is one of the best decisions you can make How to differentiate your business from the competition Thinking ahead 10 years: will people still want to work with you? How to deal with online haters and trolls The power of harnessing TikTok to generate leads for your business Why it’s important to avoid overworking yourself Methods of dealing with plateaus in your business Learning to invest in your education to grow your business and skills For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/178

Humor is a great way to connect with your friends 1 on 1, but it’s one of the most difficult things to do right in marketing (1 on many). Allie LeFevere of Obedient Agency has spent the last six years helping companies find the sweet spot between lame, lifeless jokes and cringy, over-the-top humor to get their marketing just right. Listen now to learn how Allie has built her business from a two-person partnership to a thriving agency with 8 people on the team! In this episode you’ll discover: How you can make your brand memorable Why your brand shouldn’t always fall in line with your personal tastes What goes into good humor in copywriting How Allie systematically creates amazing copy Why being different is vital How to crush objections before they’re mentioned by your clients What happens when a robo vacuum meets a literal pile of sh*t How to handle yourself with confidence Why you don’t want to be the business who does everything For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/177

Most freelancers shy away from the corporate world because “they’re special snowflake creatives who will never sell out and could never possibly be fulfilled working with corporations”. The reality is that any creative work can be fulfilling. The beauty of working with corporate clients is they actually have budgets. With budgets come options... The option to actually make great money as a creative. The option to turn down clients who don’t have budgets. The option to do bigger, better, more creatively-fulfilling projects. This week’s guest, Daniel Clark Cunningham, is a perfect example of this. He’s worked with many household names – from Discovery Network to Dale Earnhardt Jr., to Chevrolet – and he’s learned a lot along the way. He’s also taken a very unconventional path to get to where he is today. Listen now to learn how Daniel used “the war of attrition”, constant failure, and email marketing to build his photography business. In this episode you’ll discover: How to level up from broke clients to well-paying gigs The three things needed to succeed as a freelancer Why internships are sometimes a necessary evil How to outlast your competition When to work on projects for yourself The key to understanding your clients How being ready to say “yes” brings opportunities How to explain why you’re worth what you charge For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/176

The words you write have the power to build trust and win clients, but they also have the power to bore people to death and turn away clients. It’s your choice whether you want to put in the work to write website copy that does all the “selling” for you. Most freelancers, unfortunately, leave copywriting as an afterthought. This creates a massive opportunity to stand out from your competitors by taking the time to nail your website copy. This week’s guest, Rachel Greiman, is a freelance copywriter who works with nearly 100 clients per year. Not only is she earning 6 figures from her freelance work, she’s also writing website copy for other 6 figure freelance photographers (our guest from episode #172 is actually one of her 6 figure clients). That makes Rachel the perfect expert to bring onto the podcast to teach us all about the process behind copywriting for freelancers. In this episode you’ll discover: How great copy can affect your business Why copy should come before your website design How to understand what your ideal clients are looking for How to package your offering so the client buys what they want and gets what they need Why niching is so vital to your business How systems help Rachel have six figure years over and over How to go from $500 projects to $5,000 projects Why some businesses shouldn’t have repeat clients For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/175

You always struggle to make progress in your business. Everyone seems to be against you. You can’t hire anyone because they’ll never do it as well as you can. You simply can’t bring yourself to leave the security of your day job. These are all symptoms of negative mindsets that are holding you back from your full potential as an audio engineer and entrepreneur! By working to defeat negative mindsets, you can be much more comfortable in your own shoes and teach yourself to succeed rather than waiting for someone to hand things to you on a platter. Listen to this episode now to find out how you can identify and eliminate five different toxic mindsets that are ruining your chances of success! In this episode you’ll discover: Why you need to work on eliminating negative mindsets Which negative mindsets might be affecting you How the “blue-collar” mindset can hold your business back Why outsourcing low-paying tasks can increase your hourly earnings Why reacting negatively to someone else’s success is a sign of a bad mindset How playing the victim will stop you in your tracks Why holding grudges steals your time and energy How fear negatively affects your business What mental blocks the fixed mindset causes… And why they’re wrong How Chris and Brian both overcame a fixed mindset to become successful business owners For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/174

We’ve all hit the point in our lives when we’ve faced this question. “Should I just quit?” Whether you’re considering giving up on your entire business, or you’re simply considering quitting a new approach to marketing you’ve been trying out, it can be difficult to keep going when stuff gets hard. So should you give up and go back to the way things were when it was “easier”? Should you push forward and keep trying even when everything sucks? That’s what I discuss in this week’s super short podcast episode. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/173

I love learning about people who are earning 6 figures in a relatively obscure niche… especially when they’ve grown that business to where it is in just a few short years. Sean Oblizalo has built an incredibly successful adventure elopement photography business. If you’ve never heard of that before, you’re not alone. While elopement photography may be relatively obscure, what isn’t obscure are the strategies he used to build his business to 6 figures in such a relatively short amount of time. This interview is a gold mine for any freelancer who’s struggling to get website traffic, leads, or clients. In this episode you’ll discover: How Sean built a six-figure business in just three years What inspired Sean’s unique business idea How you can harness the power of SEO for your business Why Facebook ads aren’t for everyone Why incredible copywriting is crucial for your website How to get incredible copy even if you’re a terrible writer Why systems and processes are crucial for building trust with your clients The hidden benefits of building trust with your clients For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/172

Do you run a successful business, but find yourself stressed out about finances? Does it affect your creativity to the point that you aren’t making your projects the absolute best? If your finances are a shambles, chances are your business isn’t very stable, and neither is your personal life. It’s time to make a change. A big welcome back to Graham Cochrane of The Graham Cochrane Show as he talks about potential solutions and fail-safes to make sure that you can survive difficult times in your business and come out the other end swinging! In this episode you’ll discover: Why service-based businesses should have some scaleable income streams How a retainer model can boost your business’ income What opportunities overwhelmed consumers provide How eliminating your fear can make you bolder, to take good opportunities and leave behind mediocre ones Why poor personal finance is the downfall of many businesses How trading up cars and paying car payments to yourself can buy you a new car in the long run How growing your business too much can hurt your family, creativity, or life How you can start to safely save money for retirement, as well as keep you – and your business – alive during spare months Why you should discuss financial priorities with your family to see if you are overspending or can cut back For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/171

Please tell me you’ve never been this person... “Hey.” “How’s it going?” “U there? lol.” “Hello?!?!?” That’s the person who makes everyone cringe when they’re around. If that’s you, I hate to say it, but there’s a reason everyone ignores you. On the other side of things, if you’re the type of person who never follows up with anyone then you’re leaving half your potential income behind. Following up is an important part of business, but as with almost everything in life there’s a tactful, professional way to do it and then there’s a desperate, needy, cringey way to do it. On this episode of 6 Figure Creative, Brian Hood and substitute co-host Mark Eckert talk about the 5 types of follow-ups that can help double your income over the next 12 months. In this episode you’ll discover: Why you should follow up with people How to follow up properly in 5 different situations What to use as your subject line for email follow ups How to nurture relationships by following up Why being pushy or nudgy is not the way to follow up How to get introductions to the right people Why speaking in a polite and political manner helps in follow ups How to use your network to grow your network When to offer people money in exchange for their time For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/170

If there was a way to shift your freelance business in a way that consistently led to higher income, fewer hours, and more predictability, would you be interested in hearing more? This is exactly what Brian Casel did with his business. He created a productized service that allowed him to hire a team to remove most of the work from his plate to the point where he was spending less than 2 hours per month on that business. The best part is that his clients were paying him a flat fee every single month, which meant he had predictable, recurring revenue. Whether or not you ever want to run your business this way, this interview is a must-watch for anyone looking to grow their income. In this episode you’ll discover: What it’s like to launch, grow, and sell a business How to create a scalable business that runs without you Why having a productized service is a smart move for freelancers How to provide a service you have no experience with Why it’s important to choose an industry you’re passionate about How to build a business that runs on autopilot What to do when you find extra time because your business runs autonomously How to hire the right people For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/169

If you build healthy habits and routines in your life, you will always win over someone who waits around for motivation to get things done. Atomic Habits is one of our all-time favorite books, so we dedicated this episode to discussing some of our favorite takeaways from the book and how it all applies to someone who is freelancing. Listen now to learn about building healthy habits, eliminating unhealthy habits, and how something called a “Systems Snowball” can help along the way. In this episode you’ll discover: How Brian and Chris make the most of their reading experience The pros and cons of Kindle Why habits are such an important part of our day to day lives Why small habits matter the most How to build your systems snowball What to do if you aren’t a goal-oriented person How to view lagging vs. leading indicators of your habits How systems have shaped humanity Why it’s important to forge ahead even when you can’t see progress For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/168

If you’re getting overwhelmed with the day-to-day tasks of your business, it’s probably time to hire someone who can help you out. You’ve probably even considered it in the past, but you have doubts that have held you back… “What if they can’t do it as well as I can?” “What if I hire the wrong person?” “It will take forever to train them”. “I don’t want to be someone else’s boss”. “Can I really afford this”? If you’re ever had these thoughts, you’re perfectly normal. These are the same doubts we all have before making our first hire. Whether you’ve tried (and failed) at hiring someone in the past, you’re just now planning to make your first hire, or you’re interested in hiring help, but not totally convinced it’s the right move, this episode is perfect for you. In this episode you’ll discover: How an assistant can transform your business Which tasks should be delegated first How an assistant can help you take a “workation” How to hire the right person for the job How setting expectations affects your working relationship How to make sure your assistant does everything exactly how you want For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/167

If you rely solely on referrals to fuel your business, you’re making one of the most common mistakes a freelancer can make. This puts the fate of your business entirely into the hands of your clients. They determine when (or if) you get your next client. Instead of living in the constant cycle of feast or famine, Mike Michalowicz shares a way to keep the “marketing machine” running 24/7 to help you attract the best possible clients. This simple 3-step method is all about being different instead of just being “better”. Mike is a New York Times bestselling author with over 2 million readers. His life-changing books like The Pumpkin Plan and Profit First have transformed the lives of countless entrepreneurs. Listen now to learn how to stand out from the crowd, and start bringing in more clients by being different. In this episode you’ll discover: Why word of mouth is not a marketing plan How you can achieve consistent results from marketing What three methods you can use to get attention How to find your ideal customers What makes you stand out from your competition Why you should rip off and duplicate other industries How to apply the DAD method to your business (no puns involved) Why a marketing plan comes from marketing experiments How to come up with creative marketing ideas For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/166

It’s time to kill hourly pricing once and for all. While many freelancers think hourly billing is a fair method, it’s actually the least fair method for pricing your work. Hourly pricing leads to an immediate conflict of interest between you and your clients, and it puts very little consideration for the value of whatever it is that you do. You are much much more than a bundle of hours for sale. You’re a creative offering something valuable in this world. I’m not the only one that thinks this is the case… Our podcast guest this week is Mike McDerment – the founder and CEO of a 10-figure business. His advice to the 6-figure creative community is this: It’s time to break the time barrier and start charging based on the value you create. This week’s interview is an eye-opening look at why we should quit charging per hour or day, and instead charge a flat rate based on the outcome we deliver to our clients. In this episode you’ll discover: How Mike went from freelancing to running a business worth over 1 billion dollars How freelancing has changed in the past two decades Why you should bill per project, not by the hour How you can determine what a client wants Why some clients aren’t worth it What to do if someone offers to pay you a million dollars per hour How different clients see value in different things For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/165

Austin Hull was one of our most popular interviews (way back on episode 59), so we had to bring him back onto the podcast to update us on what he’s been up to. Since 2019 Austin has not only built a six-figure freelance music production business but also sold over $400k of digital products through his new business Make Pop Music. In this episode, learn how Austin took the stair-step approach from freelance to passive income, built his email list to over 40,000 people, and YouTube channel to over 100k subs in such a short time. If you’re thinking about launching a side-hustle that could eventually turn into an extra six-figure income, this episode is perfect for you. Keep in mind, this wasn’t exactly a walk in the park for Austin. At one point, he was on the brink of a mental breakdown. He was working long hours without breaks, trying to juggle multiple projects, and constantly switching from task to task… all in an effort to keep everyone else happy. Austin decided it was time for a change, and applied the 80/20 principle to niche down on what was most important to him… And the results were game-changing. In this episode you’ll discover: How Austin grew multiple six figure businesses in a few short years without any ads Why communities are important to organic growth What happened when Austin finally niched down Why it’s important to recognize when you’re overworking yourself How exercise ties into mental health How to make new connections to grow your business Why the go-giver mindset is a common theme among most successful entrepreneurs What platforms you can use for organic growth For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/164

Freelancers are always looking for ways to make more money and grow their businesses. To make that happen, you have 3 main methods... Method #1: Raise your rates. Method #2: Find more leads. Method #3: Close more clients. In this week’s interview, Jay Clouse shares his methods for attracting and closing high-budget clients. Jay’s background in the tech startup world brings us a fresh perspective for positioning and sales as a freelancer. Listen now to learn how Jay Clouse attracts and closes high-budget clients. In this episode you’ll discover: What the three most common business models for freelancers are How you can harness each different business model to grow your business Why it’s important to choose the right model How to flip the sales process and close more deals Why working as a contractor is great – sometimes How to have consistency in your business How to close deals without being pushy Why you need to get on the phone When money is no object How having too many clients hurts your business For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/163

As a freelance creative, you probably have thought “if only I could close one more deal a month I’d be much better off.” Closing more deals can result from many different variables, but one of the easiest ways to increase your odds is by reframing your sales calls to focus on the client and how your service will change their life. Listen now to hear Ben Hartley of the Six Figure Photography Podcast share his advice so you can close more sales in your creative business! In this episode you’ll discover: How you’re shooting yourself in the foot by focusing on what you provide Why sales is about the outcome How to navigate sales as a creative How to escape the “technician mindset” Why you need to show your clients they’re worth investing in themselves How to close more sales For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/162

The creative industry is full of pitfalls – and there are nine common mistakes that creatives make when starting their own business or freelancing. In this episode, Brian and Chris discuss these problems and provide solutions to help you avoid them! Listen now as we dive into each topic specifically so you can learn what not to do in order to save time and money! In this episode you’ll discover: How to serve your clients well Why niching down is the right choice to grow your business How getting a logo made is usually procrastination Why overconsuming educational content is harmful Why you’re destroying your business if you don’t have a portfolio How to harness case studies in your business How the jack of all trades loses authority Why you need to close sales over the phone For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/161

It's hard to make a living as a creative, and it can seem even harder if you're trying to do it on your own. You can't just throw paint at the canvas, music into Pro Tools, or words onto paper and expect people to buy it. Blake Jamieson started with a plan, knowing that he would have to work every day, build his brand, put in the hours, and never stop learning. He also knew that there are no shortcuts when it comes to success. Listen now to hear Blake discuss his journey from the beginning to where he is now, creating high-value art pieces for athletes and major companies such as Topps! In this episode you’ll discover: How Blake moved from a career in digital marketing to creating art Why a self discovery trip might be valuable to you How going all in can boost your career What separates a great creative from an average creative How to set your prices as a creative Why creative thinking and business go hand in hand How you can get a celebrity’s attention (without being creepy) Why having an agent or manager isn’t always a good thing What NFTs are, and how you can harness their power Why NFTs are so powerful For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/160

Want to know the quickest way to earn more? Increase your rates. Everyone knows this advice, but few have the confidence to pull it off regularly. If you struggle with this, you’re not alone. Here’s the good news; there are multiple ways to increase your income. One of the best ways is by introducing “upsells” into your sales process. This is when a client comes to you for one thing, but you identify other services they may benefit from in order to reach their goals. In this interview, Lizzie Pierce shares her wisdom from multiple years of experience running a six-figure video production company. Her company regularly upsells clients by pitching a vision of a larger project than originally planned, then turning that small-dollar production project into a major one involving teams or freelancers. Whether or not you work with a team, this method can be a fantastic way to increase your income without ever having to raise your rates. In this episode you’ll discover: How Lizzie convinced a client to publish a promo video about sexting How to understand a client’s wants vs. their needs Why Lizzie is able to upsell customers in one aspect of her business to another part of her business How to offer multiple services without diluting your branding Why you need to add a margin to contract work How your “scene” impacts your work How to grow your business creatively Why Fresno is the new 6 Figure Creative example of a dead city For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/159

You want to start or grow a business, but you’re not sure where to begin. There are so many different ways to start your business that it can be hard to choose which one is right for you. In this episode, Rodrigo Tasca shares his story of how he went from working catering jobs in New York City to running a 6 figure videography business in south Florida. Listen now to hear more of this American Dream story! In this episode you’ll discover: How Gary V inspired Rodrigo to start his business Why you need to jump in and go for it Whether or not you should do free work How to get more clients How you can find your niche How sacrifices result in success How to position yourself in the market How networking leads to more work For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/158

We've all heard the stories of creatives who are struggling to grow their business, and it's easy to feel like you're just not doing enough. Others feel like using marketing is “selling out” and not genuine. The fact is, every business needs marketing. There are a lot of marketing strategies out there that can help you get more clients and make more money, but which ones should you be using? In this episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast we discuss three different methods for getting more clients that all creatives should be aware of. In this episode you’ll discover: Why creatives shouldn’t be allergic to marketing What kind of marketing most people think of Why small businesses shouldn’t copy massive company’s marketing methods How to craft a good advertisement How to make informed decisions about your marketing What Go-Giver Marketing is How communication and setting expectations in advance lets you draw a line Why you don’t want to be an “icky” marketer For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/157

99 out of 100 creatives SUCK at marketing (and I'm being a bit generous here). They're either stuck in 2010 doing things that no longer work or they're completely "allergic" to marketing altogether. You may be incredible at what you do, but if no one knows you exist, then what’s the point? You’re actually HURTING people by not improving your marketing because now people are paying someone worse than you for an inferior service (or product). It’s actually your duty to market yourself. The good news is you don’t have to be one of those try-hard spammy internet marketers. You can actually market yourself just by simply helping people. Don’t believe me? Then listen to this week’s interview with Matt Ramsey. He’s built an incredible business using modern marketing techniques that bring his ideal clients directly to him. The techniques he shares in this interview can be used by pretty much any freelance creative who’s willing to put in the effort. In this episode you’ll discover: How Matt adapted to the demise of his budding marketing career Why experience in the advertising world can help freelance business owners Why some businesses should focus on SEO… And others might not need to How to skillfully trade services How you can find the right keywords for your business Why lead magnets are important for creative businesses How you can harness the power of the internet to grow your business For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/156

Freelance creatives are struggling to make a living. The competition is fierce and the job market is saturated with new talent every day. In this interview, Alex shares her story of going from a soul-sucking corporate job to Fiverr millionaire in just a few years. She also shares her advice for freelancers looking to get ahead in their creative careers, including how she got started on Fiverr, what it's like being an entrepreneur, and why you should consider starting your own business. This podcast will help freelance creatives understand that they don't have to settle for low pay or long hours – they can be their own boss! It will give them tips on how they too can create a successful side hustle while working full time as well as valuable insight into the world of entrepreneurship. In this episode you’ll discover: How your drive affects your business’ success Why Fiverr might be an ok way to launch your business Why working 10-12 hours a day isn’t always the right move How to handle internet haters How you can pivot away from using platforms like Fiverr once you’re established How to deal with imposter syndrome Why it takes time to grow a business Why Fiverr may or may not be good for creative entrepreneurs For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/155

You don't need to have all the answers. You don't need to map out every single step on your journey. Just take the next scary step. We're all guilty of this to some degree. We want to know every single detail and create a solution to every single potential problem that COULD come up. We put off creating, launching, growing, selling, marketing, or whatever we know we need to do. This episode of the 6 Figure Creative podcast is the much-needed kick in the ass to overcome one of the greatest obstacles to success... Fear. In this episode you’ll discover: How college affects your career as a creative How to build an audience What types of people to avoid Why you need to embrace (some) fear How failure leads to success Why you should just do it Why degrees don’t matter in creative fields How taking bite sized chunks helps your business For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/154

As creatives, we cringe at the thought of being too “salesy”. We tend to be so “allergic to sales” that we swing too far in the opposite direction and miss out on winning gigs that we would, could, and should have won. What if there was a way to get clients without having to resort to being that desperate, annoying person we all know and avoid? It’s called being a Go-Giver. Of all the books we’ve mentioned on the podcast, there’s one that outranks them all – longtime listeners will know that it’s The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. It’s an amazing book about how to get what you want without pushing away those around you. Today, Bob Burg joins us to talk about the book, and share wisdom about the content and principles brought to light within The Go-Giver. Listen now to hear Bob’s chat with Chris and Brian, with ideas on how creatives can best apply the go-giver principles! In this episode you’ll discover: How Bob Burg came to write The Go-Giver Why creatives have trouble selling How taking focus from yourself and applying it to others helps you Why customers won’t buy from you for you How to be a go-giver in a business that isn’t scalable What the difference between money and value is Why we need to be aware of what people value How the go-giver approach can be adapted to different personalities For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/153

Most freelance creatives face one large problem: they need more clients. This is the same problem Anthony Craparotta faced when he launched Lyricvids.com. Anthony offered an amazing service, but struggled to fill his calendar with paid work. Instead of sitting around, relying on “hope marketing”, he took marketing into his own hands and started emailing his ideal clients. These people had no idea he existed, but he was able to turn them from strangers into clients. Fast forward to 2018 and he was able to break 6 figures. The best part is that he’s been able to double LyricVids income every year since then… all from cold emails. Learn more about growing from a small side hustle to a thriving freelance business with Anthony Craparotta on this week’s episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast! For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/152

If you're a freelance creative who's been trying to earn a living from your passion, but feel stuck, unmotivated, or just don't see a clear path forward, this podcast is for you. In this episode, we talk about what to expect from the 6 Figure Creative Podcast moving forward, how it's different from The Six Figure Home Studio Podcast, and why it will absolutely be worth your time every single week. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/151