Daily Content Machine

I want to demystify the product-selling process. I talk about some of the systems I use, my sources, and how I scaled from starting with one product. We talk about how discounts and coupons can be harmful when not used strategically and why I do not do pre-sales.

Getting good feedback can be difficult. Ben and I discuss some of the requirements for creating an environment that facilitates constructive criticism. Rather than waste time with "compliment sandwiches," we need a shared mindset where everyone is participating for the sole purpose of improvement. There needs to be a group willingness to focus on solving problems instead of suggesting solutions.

How do you know what your passion is? How long until you know that something is not your passion? It's scary committing to one thing at a time because it means not committing to everything else you want to do. When you're not sure what your passion is, it can be hard to stick with a single pursuit long enough to find out if it's what you really love to do. But that's exactly what you need to do, and we explain why.

Today's show was unexpected. We had a topic planned, and when Ben showed up, it was clear that he had a lot on his mind. There were some real struggles he was having and challenges with being able to work in the professional manner he knew he should.

Rather than force the topic we had prepared, we let the recording run and capture the personal conversation we had about these difficulties. What transpired is akin to the discussions we have together off-air. It's genuine, and it addresses the real life struggles of choosing the path of a design professional.

We take a look at the strengths of various social platforms and how to use their unique advantages to best reach your audience. Using different approaches to connect, depending on the channel, a story can be conveyed in a multifaceted sense that gives people a more engaging experience with your brand.

Slow periods between client work can be tough. However, this is a fantastic time to grow a lot of areas of your business. Your down time can be used to build products, assets, improve your process, learn new skills, generate residual income and more. We look at a number of ways to get the most out the time between client work.

How important is it to separate where you work and where you live? For those of us that work for ourselves, it can be challenging to get work done when we work from home. On the flip side, it can also be hard NOT to work when we should be relaxing. When we work where we sleep and do business where we play, our associations get muddled. We talk about creating some distinctions.

Do you find it difficult to be your own client? Personal projects can be very frustrating when you keep feeling like you want to do more, or add something new in the middle of the project. In order to understand this struggle, we have to point out and identify the two selfs the come into play with personal projects.

How do you find clients? How do you get work? The common advice says to take what you can get, especially when you're just starting out. You've got to pay bills, right? I explain why this is the wrong mindset, and retort with a pointed approach to avoid setting yourself up for failure when looking for clients, and instead, how to focus on long term professional success.

Niche-ify your niche, right? But can you go too far? I kick off the first episode with new co-host, Ben, discussing when and how to hone down your specialization. Getting more specific can limit your reach, but at the same time it improves the connection you make with that smaller audience. This can help lower your competition, increase your effectiveness, and even result in being more profitable.