6 Figure Creative

By Brian HoodBusiness Entrepreneurship Arts Design

6 Figure Creative episodes

May 02, 2023 #250: Back To Basics: Avoiding The Common Mistakes of Self-Taught Freelancing
I wanted to share something with you that's been on my mind lately... as a self-taught entrepreneur, I skipped SO many of the basics when it comes to running a healthy business.
This dawned on me when I found myself looking up answers to things most people should know when they first start their businesses.
This made me realize that the vast majority of freelancers probably have similar blind spots in their own businesses, so I've decided to do something to celebrate our 250th episode...
We're taking a step back from our normal "advanced" topics to revisit the fundamental basics of freelancing, and I'm inviting you to join me on this journey. No matter your experience level or income, we all have something to learn and improve.
In this episode (and the upcoming series), I'll be sharing my own experiences as a self-taught freelancer who's made multiple millions but still needs to figure out some of the basic things I've skipped.
My goal is for us, the 6 Figure Creative Community, to come together and create healthier, happier businesses. And I believe that starts by focusing on the fundamentals.
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/250
15 min
April 25, 2023#249: Streamlining Your Freelance Workflow: How Mike Cervantes Manages Thousands of Projects Per Year
This week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative podcast is part 2 of my in-depth discussion with Mike Cervantes.
Mike is a highly successful freelance mastering engineer who has collaborated with renowned artists such as Dolly Parton, Avril Lavigne, and Snoop Dogg. His impressive achievements include over 23 Billboard #1s and at least two gold records.
In this episode, Mike shares his secrets on how he's built out systems to manage and fulfill thousands of projects per year. He also discusses the future of his business (including Dolby Atmos & AI) and what he thinks it takes to become a one-person 7 figure freelancer.
This episode is jam-packed with valuable insights and practical advice from one of the most successful creatives in the industry. Whether you're an audio engineer, a graphic designer, a videographer, or any other type of creative freelancer, you'll find something to take away from this episode.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Dealing with growing pains in your business
Why a second set of gear is only worthwhile if you're running in-the-box
Setting yourself up for a long career while having a home life
The future of mastering and AI
Atmos vs. stereo audio
Competing in a market where tens of thousands of songs are added to Spotify daily
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/249
34 min
April 18, 2023#248: Client Acquisition For Mastering Engineers: How To Win, Maintain, And Organize Thousands Of Clients | With Mike Cervantes Of The Foxboro
Ever felt like you're a tiny fish who's struggling to stand out in a vast ocean? Like you're drowning in the "sea of sameness" in an overcompetitive industry? If that's you, here's the good news: There's hope...
You can still succeed... even when you're starting out as a "copycat" in a highly competitive market. This week's episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a name for themselves in the audio industry (or any competitive industry, for that matter)
Meet Mike, a multi-six-figure freelance mastering engineer who's swum with the big fish, working with A-list clients like Dolly Parton, Avril Lavigne, and Snoop Dogg. With over 23 Billboard #1s and at least two gold records under his belt, Mike's here to help you navigate the choppy waters of freelancing success.
In this must-listen episode, Mike shares his insights on:
How he got traction early in his career despite the competition
The importance of choosing a business name vs. going under his personal name
His evolving approach to client acquisition from his early days until now
The art of juggling thousands of projects per year without losing sight of quality and passion
Whether you're an audio professional, or just someone interested in the behind-the-scenes of the music industry, this conversation with Mike Cervantes is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice.
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/248
54 min
April 11, 2023#247: The 3 Building Blocks of a Fine-Tuned Freelance Business
Do you ever feel like your freelance business could be so much more, but you're missing a few key ingredients? Imagine a world where your perfect clients are eager to work with you, your rates keep climbing, projects run like a well-oiled machine, and clients keep coming back for more. We've got just the right insights for you in our latest podcast episode!
In this episode, we'll explore the essential elements needed to create a thriving, successful freelance business. Just like a photographer needs a camera, lens, and the perfect lighting, your business calls for specific components to flourish and grow.
We'll dive into the three core building blocks that will help you craft a complete, well-rounded freelance business:
An exceptional "product": Sharpen your creative skills, set yourself apart from the sea of sameness, perfect your onboarding process, and streamline the fulfillment, revision, and delivery stages.
A proven business model: Uncover the pros and cons of four appetizing business models - hourly billing, project-based, retainer/subscription, and commission-based - and choose the one that best suits your niche and goals.
A process for attracting clients: Learn the art of lead generation, lead nurturing, sales, and referral processes that will keep your pipeline full and draw the clients you've always wanted.
As a passion-driven freelancer, you might find it challenging to think of your work as a "well-oiled machine." But embracing this mindset will unlock more income, fewer headaches, and consistent growth for your creative business.
Don't miss the chance to tap into your full creative potential and turn your creative skills into a thriving, fulfilling business.
In this episode you’ll discover:
How your business is like a car
The three machines to improve your business
Tailoring the experience of every client for the ultimate luxury
Using systems and processes for consistency
Offering a productized service vs. a bespoke service
Subscription vs. single-sale businesses
Creating your lead generation process
Staying top of mind with lead nurture
How to qualify your leads
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/247
39 min
April 04, 2023#246: A Freelancer's Guide to Working Smarter, Not Harder | Cracking the 80/20 Code
Ever stumbled upon someone who's basically a human ATM, overflowing with cash, and still living the dream without a care in the world? No? Well, neither have I, but let's talk about them for a sec.
These super successful, carefree people seem almost mythical, don't they?
It feels like people are either working 24/7, kissing their social lives goodbye, or they're partying non-stop, leaving their businesses to collect cobwebs.
And then there's the majority whose lives are just a hot mess in general. But what about those exceptional folks who've got everything under control? Well, they follow this little thing called The 80/20 Rule.
You've probably heard of The 80/20 Rule before, but maybe you haven't given it much thought (like those New Year's resolutions or that gym membership card you never used).
If you're wondering what The 80/20 Rule is or you just need a reminder on how to use this magical life hack, 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/246
45 min
March 28, 2023#245: Unleash Your Freelance Superpowers: Revolutionize Your Creative Business with the TOTS Playbook Method
Are you ready to make your freelance life more efficient, enjoyable, and, let's face it, less chaotic? Our latest podcast episode is the perfect companion for your creative journey!
Discover the secrets to organizing your freelance business for more consistency and room to grow. Say goodbye to flying by the seat of your pants and welcome the magic of creating your very own "recipes" using the TOTS Playbook Method.
In this episode, we explore:
Starting small: Pinpoint the tasks that zap your energy and learn to map out your client journey from start to finish.
Crafting your recipe: Master the TOTS Playbook Method (Training Video, Outline, Timing, and Specifics) and capture your creative process with our favorite tools.
Fine-tuning your masterpiece: Gather feedback, make tweaks, and keep polishing your process for outstanding results.
Growing your creative world: Embrace the benefits of systems and processes to take on more projects without losing your sanity.
Don't miss this opportunity to level up your freelance adventure and tap into your full creative potential. Experience the difference that a little organization can make for your creative work and well-being.
🎧 Are you ready to unleash your creative superpowers? Click here to listen now!
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why creatives are prone to inconsistent results
Creating playbooks to give your clients great final products every time
What's top of mind for you to outsource?
Breaking down TOTS
The creative mindset vs the entrepreneurial mindset
Creating replicable results for your clients
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/245
29 min
March 21, 2023#244: Unlock Your Potential: How Defying Conventional Wisdom Leads to Unprecedented Success | With Paco de Leon
What if breaking the rules and embracing your uniqueness could revolutionize an entire industry? 🤯
Meet Paco de Leon, a trailblazer who defied conventional wisdom and turned the world of finance on its head by being unapologetically herself.
As the author of Finance for the People and founder of The Hell Yeah Group, Paco has leveraged her personal brand to create an irresistible appeal that sets her miles apart from the competition.
Her unconventional approach has landed her features on TED, New York Times, Forbes, Business Insider, NPR, Vice, Bloomberg, Good Morning America, and countless others.
How did Paco achieve such success in an industry as notoriously bland as finance? She wholeheartedly embraced her uniqueness and used the 80/20 principle to make everything she touches turn to gold.
Feeling like you're putting in endless hours of work but not gaining any traction? Let Paco de Leon be your guide! Join our conversation to make this year a resounding "Hell Yeah!" year 🚀
In this episode, you'll uncover:
How Paco's unique approach distinguishes her from "regular" bookkeepers 📚
The secret to maintaining a low client number while maximizing revenue 💰
How to repel the wrong clients through strategic branding 🚫
Running a thriving business without constant self-promotion 🌱
The art of practicing energy efficiency in your brain 🧠
Utilizing processes and procedures to scale your company 📈
Learning business skills from playing in a band 🎸
Overcoming fears and obstacles in your entrepreneurial journey 👊
Crafting a career-focused marketing plan for long-term success 🎯
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/244
42 min
March 14, 2023#243: From Hourly to $10K: The Package Pricing Strategy That Will Revolutionize Your Freelance Business | With Brandi Mowles
The Freelancer's Guide to Escaping the Hourly Grind and Scaling to $10k Months with Package Pricing
From Hourly to $10K: The Package Pricing Strategy That Will Revolutionize Your Freelance Business
You’ve probably heard my rants on hourly vs. project-based pricing before…
Yet you're still charging by the hour or day.
I've heard all the excuses at this point"
“Well yeah Brian, project pricing works for some people, but not me.”
“What if I spend too much time and I lose money?”
“What if my client wants all this extra random stuff done after we start the project?”
“I do WAY too many things to bundle them into one project price!”
Well, Brandi Mowles, from the Serve Scale Soar Podcast, is here to show you that you can simplify your packages, without a bunch of added work... and the best part is that you can do it more profitably than hourly projects.
Brandi debunks the common myths, mistakes, and reservations freelancers have on switching from hourly to package pricing, and helps them hit the $10k per month mark without a team.
If you’re ready to get out of the day-to-day hourly grind, and truly soar in your business, listen in on my conversation with Brandi Mowles!
In this episode you’ll discover:
How to make your marriage last (hint: pick the right person)
Why package pricing is advantageous if you set it up properly
Avoiding the pitfalls of package pricing
What "package hacking" does for your business
How to set your pricing for packages
Using "up to" language in your pricing
What's the most important to you?
Why package pricing should not be based on your time
Raising your prices on existing clients
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/243
51 min
March 07, 2023#242: How To Turn Your Website Into A Lead Generation Machine | With Delia Monk
Writing all of the different elements for your website is one of the most painful things... especially if you're trying to create a website that turns strangers into clients.
Unless you are a copywriter, typing out a persuasive sentence feels like:
“Selling out”
“Overstating your achievements”
or
“Being another sleazy salesperson”
When these thoughts pop into our heads, it’s important to realize “persuasive” does not mean “sleazy.”
Converting the strangers on your website into paying clients is a massive step towards getting out of the feast-or-famine lifestyle, and you can do it without compromising any of your values.
Whether your website conversions are floundering, your about page is blank, or you just can’t get that client to respond with a testimonial, Delia Monk has answers for us!
As an expert in conversion-focused copy, she helps us turn all of our boring, vanilla website copy into personality-driven, radiant, and most importantly, high-converting websites.
Listen to my conversation with Delia to take the next step toward building your new 24/7 lead-generating machine!
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why copywriting is incredibly important for your website's conversion rate
Common copywriting mistakes on freelance websites
Making yourself shine to stand out from your competition
Turning testimonials into copy for your website
Discovering why clients come to you
Reasons to avoid stuffy, corporate copywriting
How to resuscitate your about page
Using stories to sell your services
Staying current on copywriting trends
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/242
51 min
February 28, 2023#241: Why Freelancers Need to Stop Believing These Paid Ad Myths ASAP
You are AMAZING at what you do as a creative. You create stunning designs, produce incredible music, or breathe life into visual media like photos or videos. Paid ads aren’t for you, right?
The truth is, paid ads can work for anyone, including freelancers.
This has been proven time and time again, in industry after industry… Paid ads are one of the quickest ways to multiply your income and bring in more clients.
The beauty of paid ads is that you have complete control over them.
It’s not like referrals, where you’re sitting around waiting for someone else to send you clients.
It’s not like cold outreach, where you feel like you’re spamming people.
It’s not like social media, where you’re relying on the algorithm gods to put your content in front of people.
By using paid ads, you can take matters into your own hands and steer your business in the direction you want.
If you’ve tried paid ads before and they “didn’t work,” don’t give up just yet.
In this episode, I debunk 6 paid ads myths that are holding you back from using this powerful lead-generation tool.
In this episode you’ll discover:
The pros of paid ads
Why survivorship bias is bad for business
How paid ads can boost your business with real leads
Why it's your fault if a client hires someone else and has a bad experience
"Paid ads don't work for me" - nah, you just didn't try
The perks of Client Financed Acquisition
Building a long-term snowball using paid ads
Looking to other industries to learn how to use paid ads for your business
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/241
30 min

About 6 Figure Creative

From the publisher's feed

6 Figure Creative is a podcast that helps freelance creatives earn more money by doing what they love. If you’re trying to avoid the never-ending grind of a 9–5, or just want to earn more money doing…