Brand Strategy Unwankified

In this episode of The C Word podcast I talk about overcoming client objections from new prospects and enquiries.

I'll get in your ears about:

~ The 3 pivotal points in the sales process to effectively tackle objections

~ How to get closer to your prospective client to understand what their objections might be

~ The most important skill when it comes to overcoming client objections

~ My tips for overcoming the 3 most common client objections

RELATED EPISODES

Episode 17 – Ditch Your Price List and Do This Instead

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WORKING WITH ME

If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:

~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives

~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

How do you manage your workload and your workflow? And more importantly how is that reflected in the money you make as a designer?

For may designers we are inundated and juggling work frantically one minute and then staring at a blank schedule wondering where the next project is coming from the next.

In this episode I explore how other designers work and manage their workload. I’ll share my approach, which I call Project Layering, and how that can increase your revenue and also the overall manageability and sustainability of your business.

I’ll be chatting about:

~ What the different approaches to workload management look like for the designers I asked

~ The pros and cons of each

~ The foundations of an ideal scenario and what that scenario could look like for you

~ The direct and specific impact it can have on your income figures

Link to the show notes and visual reference I talk about in the episode: https://bechughes.com/increasing-your-income/

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Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

WORKING WITH ME IN 2023

If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:

~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives

~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

In the previous episode of The C Word podcast I shared the top 10 things I would do first if I was a start-up. I'm following that up in this episode with the 10 things I would NOT do again if I was a start-up.

I reflect on things I did in the evolution of my business that, with the benefit of hindsight, I would avoid or do differently now:

1) Paid Online Ads

2) Services Just for Revenue

3) Persist with Red Flag Clients

4) Free or Reciprocal Work

5) Tailor the Process or Timeline

6) Putting Client Work Before My Well-Being

7) Over-Invest in Meetings

8) Referrals

9) Evidence of Industry

10) Worry About What Others Think

SAY HELLO

Connect on Instagram

My Website

Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

WORKING WITH ME IN 2023

If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:

1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives

The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

If I was a start-up design business what would I do in today's market? It's been some time since I started my business and a lot has changed. Not only that, I've learned a lot and have the benefit of hindsight.

So in this episode of The C Word podcast, I reflect on what I would do now if I was a start-up design business based on what I believe would give me the fastest but also the most sustainable growth:

1) Create a Simple Packaged Offer

2) Focus on a Robust Website & SEO

3) Embrace My Personal Brand

4) Build My Network & Community

5) Grow & Nurture My Email List

6) Intentional, Consistent Content

7) Make Strategy the Hero

8) Commit to Robust Legal & Financial Systems

9) Streamline My Process

10) Define & Uphold My Boundaries

SAY HELLO

Connect on Instagram

My Website

Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

WORKING WITH ME IN 2023

If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:

1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives

The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

Business legals for designers often only come up when you need to lean on them in a tricky client situation. And if you don't have them in place, it's almost too late to start thinking about them at that point.

My guest on this podcast is Tracey Mylecharane founder of TM Solicitor. She is an unconventional business lawyer who delivers confidence for small business owners.

Tracey has created business legals for designers as well as many other small businesses and in this episode she shares her wisdom on:

• Why your legals are a business essential no matter what stage you're at 

• How your legal documents can be an extension of your brand and values

• The importance and impact in creating a professional client experience

• Why templated legal documents are not a good idea

• Which legal documents you need as a minimum

Even the nicest people can turn combative when there’s money involved. So if you’re sitting there thinking 'I don’t need legal protection, all my clients are lovely, it will never happen to me!' Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

CONNECT WITH TRACEY

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WORK WITH ME

If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:

1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives

The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

SAY  HELLO!

Follow me on Instagram

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Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

In this episode of The C Word, I step through the 3 elements of Brand Creation:

1) Brand Strategy

2) Design Strategy

3) Brand Design

Understanding and then leveraging these 3 distinct stages and skill sets is an important opportunity for design businesses. I share:

• The purpose of each stage and how they differ

• What brand strategy actually is

• The building blocks of a comprehensive design strategy

• How the 3 stages interlock to create a powerful brand outcome

• How you can leverage them to create more value in your design business

Enjoy!

Bec x

RELATED EPISODES

Episode 30 - 3 Words to that will Increase Your Value as a Designer

Episode 16 - Are You Missing the Opportunity to Sell Strategy

SAY  HELLO!

Connect on Instagram

My Website

Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

WORKING WITH ME

If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:

1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives

The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

Something that most designers will realise at some stage in business is not all work is good work!

But instead of getting halfway through a project and realising that, wouldn't it be better to say no to those projects in the first place?

Now I appreciate that's easier said than done. Recognising which clients to say no to off the back of an enquiry or discovery call isn't always straightforward.

But there are some red flags you can look out for which I'll share in this episode.

I also share why getting clear on your values, boundaries, niche and ideal client are foundational when it comes to knowing which projects and/or clients are right for you.

And I talk through a handy response model to help you say no promptly and confidently so things don't drag on or get awkward!

Because the impact of not saying no to the wrong work is considerable when it comes to taking your opportunities, your profit and your well being in your business.

Bec x

In this off-the-cuff, reflective episode of The C Word Podcast, I explore my very personal musings on what it is to be a female designer.

This episode is inspired by the sentiment of International Women's Day and my view that this day should be a demand for change as much as a celebration of women.

I share some of my own experiences as a female designer and how I think they were influenced by gender bias in the design industry.

I also reflect on what needs to change in the design industry to address the glaringly uncomfortable statistic of how many females enter the industry as juniors versus how many go on to occupy senior positions. It's not pretty!

And finally I share my view on how this bias in agency life impacts those who go on to be female creative business owners. Something I want to help change in my own contribution to the industry.

Bec

WORKING WITH ME

If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:

1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives

The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

SAY  HELLO!

Let's connect on Instagram

My Website

Download My Free Profit Plumping Strategies Training and Worksheet

‘Meet Me at the Water Cooler’ for monthly creative conversations, coaching and chats

Digital Marketing is probably highest on most business owners priority lists. For some it's an exciting, evolving opportunity, and for many others it's a minefield.

In this podcast I’m joined by one of my favourite people Maryanne Amies, founder of award Winning Digital Marketing Agency, Wise Up Marketing. Mary-Anne has lived through the launch of Instagram, Paid Social ads, TikTok and everything in between – you could call her the veteran of digital marketing.

CONNECT WITH MARYANNE

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WORKING WITH ME

If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:

1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives

The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

SAY  HELLO!

Follow me on Instagram

Website

Download My Free Profit Plumping Strategies Training and Worksheet

‘Meet Me at the Water Cooler’ for monthly creative conversations, coaching and chats

How do you communicate your value as a designer?

It's a question that comes up a lot amongst the designers I connect with.

Being able to confidently communicate your value is the foundation for feeling more valued and becoming more valuable as a designer. 

In this episode of The C Word Podcast I talk about the what, how and where to define and then communicate your value effectively:

• What the 5 key elements are you should focus on to articulate your value

• How to communicate that value in the most engaging and meaningful ways

• Where you should be talking about and showcasing your value with purpose and intention

Bec x

WORKING WITH ME

If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:

1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives

The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

SAY  HELLO!

Follow me on Instagram

Website

Download My Free Profit Plumping Strategies Training and Worksheet

'Meet Me at the Water Cooler' for monthly creative conversations, coaching and chats