Episodes

  • #321: How To Generate 1000 Inquiries Per Year As A Logo Designer | With James Martin
    Jul 30 2024
    Ever felt like your industry is just too saturated to stand out? Like you're just a tiny drop in a massive ocean? You're not alone. Nearly every freelancer has a moment (or ten) where they doubt themselves and their ability to stand out in a crowded "red ocean". That's why I was so excited to talk to James Martin from Made By James. James is a designer who's had immense success in the crowded niche of logo design. He's found a way to not just stand out, but thrive in an incredibly competitive niche. James is averaging around 1,000 inquiries from potential clients every single year, and this has allowed him to cherry-pick the best gigs and reject the "bill paying work" that many freelancers are forced to say yes to. Whether you're a designer or not, this episode will contain a lot of fantastic advice from someone who's built an incredible, long-lasting career as a freelancer. In this episode you’ll discover: How James Martin has thrived for nearly 2 decades as a creative Why niching down too early is worse than not niching at all How to stand out in a saturated market Passion vs. systems and habit Why it's dangerous to rely on social media Giving your clients the most value they can afford Why it's time to raise your prices right now Relationships in business The difference between survival and thriving For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/321
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • #320: Our Favorite 3 Methods For Creating Awareness | The Client Acquisition Series
    Jul 25 2024
    "I need more clients". That's the #1 problem our community has in every single poll we run. The issue with getting clients is that no matter how good you are at what you do, you will never be able to get enough clients if no one knows you exist. That's why we wanted to dedicate an entire episode to discussing our favorite 3 methods for building awareness and growing your business. Creatives have to learn this stuff if they ever want to get out of the "feast or famine" lifestyle. In this episode you’ll discover: How to make an offer so good people feel stupid saying no How to harness three of the six different lead sources The thousand true fans model How you can advertise for free Why an email list is crucial to more and more freelancers The importance of cleaning your mailing list For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/320
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    43 mins
  • #319: How To Attract Your Dream Clients | The Client Acquisition Series
    Jul 23 2024
    Here are the two rules for attracting your dream clients. Rule #1: Be attractive. Rule #2: Don't be unattractive. That's literally it. The hard part comes when you actually look at what is "attractive" to your dream clients. I'd bet you have a long list of alllll the things you want to see in their dream clients/projects, but very few people take the time to look at themselves and ask the most important question... "Am I the type of person that would attract this sort of dream client/project?" In many cases, that answer is, unfortunately, no. You're not anywhere close to being attractive to your dream clients. In other cases, you might be attractive to them, but you're doing little to nothing when it comes to communicating all the attractive things you have to offer them. In this continuation of our Client Acquisition Series, we dive into what it takes to attract your dream clients. In this episode you’ll discover: Why Guitar Center is the worst place to buy gear (unless they sponsor us) How Mark closed a half-million-dollar deal Why different clients need different approaches Setting expectations in advance High ticket vs. low ticket sales How to become attractive to your dream clients How to stay top of mind without being cringy Why red ocean businesses struggle For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/319
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    41 mins
  • #318: The 7 Key Topics To Cover With Every Client BEFORE The Sale | The Client Acquisition Series
    Jul 18 2024
    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/318
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    39 mins
  • #317: How To Get A Complete Stranger To Hire You | The Client Acquisition Series
    Jul 16 2024
    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/317
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    38 mins
  • #316: Contracting Is For Suckers | There’s A Better Way To Freelance
    Jul 9 2024
    Ever been offered a gig where a company or agency is hiring you on as a contractor (or subcontractor)? To anyone desperate for work it an sound like a dream, but here's the catch – it's actually a trap. In our latest podcast episode, I break down why contracting can seem like a godsend for freelancers desperate for gigs, but it often becomes a nightmare that's impossible to escape. So, what’s the alternative? This week I dive into: The 10% rule every freelancer should follow. The illusion of security in contracting gigs A stable freelancing model with diversified income streams, stackable projects, and flat-rate pricing For anyone who's currently contracting under another company, I hope by the end of this episode, you get away from the "dark side" and learn how much better a stable freelancing model can work for you. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/316
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    33 mins
  • #315: The REAL “Secret” to Consistent Clients (and Income) as a Freelancer
    Jul 2 2024
    Ever feel like you're stuck on a rollercoaster of feast or famine with freelance work? You land a big project, then... crickets. We've spoken to over 800 freelancers 1 on 1 this past year, and nearly EVERY one of those freelancers was in the same boat... lack of consistency, and lack of any real plan. In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I'm hitting you with some tough love to break that cycle and give you the real "secret" to consistent clients and income. (Hint: It's not a magic trick.) The secret to earning consistent income and landing premium clients isn’t what you think. It won’t be found in sporadic social media posts or half-baked marketing efforts. It’s about changing who you are. This episode is for YOU if: You're tired of the inconsistent income struggle. You're ready to take your freelancing seriously and build a real business. You're open to ditching the "dream client" fantasy and attracting clients who are a perfect fit. Ready to finally ditch the feast or famine cycle? For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/315
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    22 mins
  • #314: How to Find the Right Balance Between "Niching Down" and "Maximizing Value"
    Jun 25 2024
    Ever feel like finding the perfect niche is like walking a tightrope? One wrong step, and you're either too broad and get lost in the crowd, or too narrow and miss out on opportunities. In our latest episode, we unravel this tricky dilemma. Whether you're worried about losing clients by niching down or spreading yourself too thin, we've devoted an entire episode to helping you find that perfect sweet spot! 🎧 Listen Now to learn: How to avoid being too broad or too niche. Real strategies to keep your services appealing and effective. The secret sauce to being known for what you do best without pigeonholing yourself. Don’t miss this episode if you want to become sought-after while still offering enough to attract and retain clients. In this episode you’ll discover: When you should niche down Why outcomes are more important than services Avoiding common mistakes when niching down Pitching your services effectively Using the agency model vs. the collective model Why services shouldn't be the focus Helping clients achieve their vision For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/314
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    24 mins