When you're freelancing, those first steps with a brand new client are absolutely crucial to nail.

It's like when you're trying out a new app and everything from the welcome screen to the first few clicks just flows effortlessly. You instantly know you're going to enjoy using it.

That's the smooth, user-friendly vibe you want your client onboarding system to have.

So, why is it such a big deal?

For starters, it's all about building trust. We're in a world where a lot of our interactions happen over emails or messages, making it tough to really feel a connection. A smooth onboarding experience can help make your client feel like they've made the right choice in picking you.

It also helps avoid those awkward "that's not what I thought we agreed on" moments. Getting everyone clear on what's what from the start means less back-and-forth later on. It's choosing the right playlist before a long drive – it sets the tone and keeps the vibes good all the way.

But it's not just about avoiding mix-ups. An awesome onboarding process shows you're a pro who cares about your clients' experiences.

This can lead to more work from the same clients and even some word-of-mouth recommendations (i.e. "infinite clients"). And let's be honest, who doesn't want that?

Plus, a slick onboarding system can save you a ton of time on the admin stuff, giving you more time to focus on the actual work. It's about being prepared to be creative vs frantically scrambling for things.

So, if you're nodding along and thinking, "Yeah, I need to get my onboarding game on point," then you'll want to check this week's podcast episode.

We break down a 5-part client onboarding process that's straightforward and effective. It's packed with practical tips and insights that could really make a difference in your freelancing journey. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

In this episode you’ll discover:

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/293

We're now rolling into the first real episode of this new "Infinite Clients" series, and my goal is to set up each episode in this series with a new rule... or better yet, a commandment.

Maybe we'll have a full "10 Commandments For Infinite Clients" by the end, but let's just start with #1:

1. Thou Shalt Put It All In Writing.

If you want a guaranteed way to lose a client for life (including any referrals they might have sent), start by putting nothing in writing.

Mismatched expectations are a killer of client happiness. The client might expect one thing, and they get something totally different.

That's why a rock-solid client agreement is so important.

This isn't about them simply being slightly annoyed. It can lead to bigger issues like losing clients for life or even running into legal disputes (Yuck 🤮).

The goal IS NOT to lock them into some sort of "legalese" contract they hardly understand... it's to write it all out in plain, easy-to-understand English (or your whatever your native language is) so they understand what IS and IS NOT included.

This is the first step to infinite clients.

In this episode you’ll discover:

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/292

The phrase "Infinite clients" sounds like one of those terrible, cheesy, late-night infomercials, but is something like that really possible?

Absolutely not. Infinite? Come on...

Here's what I love about that phrase, though. If you HAD to come up with a way to create an "infinite" supply of clients, how would that look?

It's essentially what "hope marketing" would look like in a perfect world, and it's something we should always be striving for. Here's what I mean...

Imagine being a freelancer whose work is so awesome that your clients can't stop talking about you. Every single client you work with refers someone else, then THEY refer someone else... and suddenly, you have more clients than you could possibly handle.

Imagine doing such killer work that your clients do the marketing for you. That's the idea behind the "Viral Coefficient" of freelancing. Every happy client you have brings in another one, creating a chain reaction of a growing, "infinite", client base.

Now, let's get real. Freelancers usually have a lot on their plates – marketing, sales, dealing with clients, admin stuff, and oh, actually doing the work.

The reality of making this happen is incredibly hard but it's a goal worth putting a lot of thought and energy into.

THAT'S what this new series is all about: How can you create such an incredible client experience that every single client refers at least one new client to you?

That's the key to building a "viral" freelancing business. While "infinite clients" may be an impossible goal, it's worth every single ounce of time and effort you put into it.

In this episode you’ll discover:

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/291

January can be a slowwwwww season for a lot of freelancers. There are two approaches you can take if this is the case for you...

Approach #1: Chill. Rest. Maybe complain a little. Play a lot of video games. Pout a lot.

Approach #2: Realize that you're the captain of your ship, and you're the only one who can make 2024 your best year ever.

You can view any "slow season" as a reason to complain, OR you can view it as a chance for major progress, rather than a setback. This is a perfect time for taking on big projects that can lead to both significant progress and (potentially) big money.

In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I've got 11 projects for you to consider taking on to make this year your best ever...

Think back to the biggest jumps in your business – whether it was when you were getting this thing off the ground, or you finally did that big thing you were scared sh*tless about...

I'd be willing to be some of your biggest step changes in your business were the result of something big you took on.

So if this is a slow season for you, don't waste it! This is a hidden opportunity to tackle those big projects. And with it comes big money.

In this episode you’ll discover:

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/290

I've just returned from my year-end planning retreat in Chattanooga, TN, and DAMN it was awesome. 

This is only my 3rd year doing this and considering I started my freelance journey back in 2009, I discovered this secret WAY too late...

Planning is the secret sauce to having your best year ever (which 2023 was for my businesses).

But here's the kicker – it doesn't have to be a mind-boggling, complex ordeal. A stupidly simple plan that you actually use is worth its weight in gold compared to some over-the-top, convoluted plan that just gathers dust.

Let me share a little secret with you. I tend to be the king of "overcomplication".

I'd plan so intensely that I'd lose sight of the actual execution. But I learned my lesson, and now I'm all about finding that sweet spot in planning – the perfect balance.

As entrepreneurs, if we're just meandering through life without a plan, we're like driftwood caught in someone else's current. We get pulled INTO other people's plans, and that's not where we want to be.

In the world of freelancing, hanging out with that person with the plan often means working for an agency at a fraction of the price they're charging their big-shot clients. You become the outsourced work, not the mastermind behind the project.

That's probably not the dream you're chasing.

So, what's the alternative? We're going to craft our annual plan. This plan is going to be your North Star, your guiding light, pointing you in a direction that's infinitely better than aimlessly drifting along.

We're going to be intentional in our pursuits, not aimless wanderers.

That's the goal here, and it's a goal worth pursuing with all your freelance might.

So, let's create a plan that'll help 2024 be your best year ever, because remember... if you don't have a plan, you'll end up in someone else's plan.

In this episode you’ll discover:

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/289

Ever felt like you wanted to reach out to someone, but didn't want to bother them?

Maybe it was an old acquaintance, a past client, or even a prospective client you've had your eyes on for a while...

Creatives typically have this voice inside our heads that says "don't do that... you'll just be bothering them".

Here's something that may surprise you: That voice is usually a lying, thieving, horrible bastard who's simply holding you back from getting what you want...

What's even worse is that this voice is holding your prospective clients back from the rich experience of connecting with you and all of the value you could potentially bring to their lives.

If you want proof, just look at your own life. How many other people are constantly reaching out to you, bothering you with offers you don't want?

If you're like 99% of the rest of us, those things are rarely (if ever) happening.

There's a better way to handle this stuff.

It's something called The Rule of 7, and it's one of the keys to the incredible success of this week's guest.

This week I got to speak to a "7-figure creative" who turned his 6-figure freelance business into a 7-figure agency (which he eventually sold).

He's used the Rule of 7 ethically to get more clients, stay top of mind, build trust, win more projects, and ultimately, earn millions and millions of dollars through his creative business as a designer.

This is what separates struggling creatives from multi-million dollar powerhouse guests like Mike Janda.

In this episode you’ll discover:

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/288

"This ONE trick doubled my income". As dumb and clickbaity as that sounds, it's kinda true.

Here's what I mean... the last time I did a deep dive into my freelance business, I realized something interesting...

That's pretty wild if you ask me, especially considering that most freelancers only follow up one time (if that).

Seriously, this is the "secret sauce" that could double your income if you're willing to commit and do it right.

Now, I know what you're thinking – "Follow up? That's it?"

It's way more powerful than it sounds because it's easy to do, yet so few actually do it.

Even if you're currently making just $10k a year. Imagine turning that into $20k just by implementing what I teach you in this week's podcast episode.

Today, we're diving deep into the world of short term and long-term follow-ups.

But here's the best part – you can automate the heck out of this. Most good CRMs (Customer Relationship Management software, in case you're not in the know) can make this easy.

In this episode you’ll discover:

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/287

Here's one of the biggest traps I see freelancers fall into when it comes to sales calls:

They think they're good at them, but they're really not...

Why?

Two reasons:

1. They've never actually tried to close anything other than friends/family/referrals (the easiest to close, but rarely enough to keep someone 100% booked solid)

2. They've never actually seen how a real sales call is done

If you ever want to get to the point where you can stay booked solid, then you need to know how to get strangers to hire you.

Understanding how to run a great sales call is a huge piece of that puzzle.

The good news? You can just start super simple and then get more fancy as you learn more.

This week's episode will walk you through a super simple four-part sales process.

But here's the kicker: the big goal isn't just to make a sale... it's more about really getting to the heart of what the client needs.

And when you get to the heart of what they need, it's way easier to actually close clients.

In this episode you’ll discover:

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/286

If you're a freelancer who's ever felt like sales is a foreign language, prepare to have your mind changed.

First, it starts with understanding what sales really is. Sales is not just about persuasion... it's a process.

In this new podcast series, I'm going to give you a comprehensive guide to the entire sales process for freelancers.

Here's what's in store for this new Sales Series:

My goal with this series is to go deep into each topic, making sure you come out the other side not just understanding sales, but loving it.

Why?

Because mastering sales is not just about closing deals... it's about opening doors – to better projects, higher pay, and greater confidence in pricing your services.

If you've ever felt like sales is your Achilles' heel, this might be your time to turn it into a secret weapon.

In this episode you’ll discover:

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/285

The dark side of freelancing (that no one wants to discuss) is the wasteland of low-dollar "Fiverr Freelancers" charging bottom-dollar rates for "butt-in-seat" projects.

Whether you're on Fiverr or not, you may still be trapped in this low-dollar wasteland that is essentially just another soulless day job you've created for yourself.

These projects tend to be unfulfilling and draining, and you end up in a horrible financial place.

This is what so many newbies and struggling creatives do, and many never make it out of this trap.

I know this might sound painfully obvious, but you can't build a sustainable freelance business out of low-dollar, unfulfilling work where you're competing with hundreds (or thousands) of copycat competitors willing to work longer hours for less money than you.

This is why I wanted to bring on Ryan Koral from Tell Studios to talk about how he successfully transitioned from $500 projects to regular $50,000 projects, eventually scaling his freelance business to over $1,000,000 per year.

Ryan shared a ton of incredible info, including one of my new favorite strategies for closing high-dollar projects, so do not skip this week's interview.

In this episode you’ll discover:

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/284