Live to Create with Gordon Ly

Live to Create with Gordon Ly

By gordon lyBusinessEntrepreneurship
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Live to Create with Gordon Ly episodes

  • Retainer Clients - The Key to STABILITY and SCALING

    In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest game-changers for freelancers and creative business owners: retainer clients.

    If you’re stuck hustling for low-budget, one-off projects with no stability, this episode is for you. Learn why retainer clients are the foundation of a profitable, scalable creative business—and how to land them.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • The problem with relying on low-budget, one-off projects and why they’re holding you back.
    • What a retainer client is and how to transition from one-off work to long-term partnerships.
    • A real example of a $5K/month retainer package and how it can transform your business.
    • Actionable steps to find and close retainer clients that align with your skills and expertise.


      • Key Topics:

      • Why Retainer Clients Are Essential: Predictable income, deeper relationships, and the ability to scale without burning out.
      • What a Retainer Looks Like: A $5K/month example for an 8-figure e-commerce brand needing UGC, ad content, and creative strategy.
      • How to Pitch and Land Retainers: Start with a one-off project, over-deliver, and transition to a monthly agreement.
      • Financial Stability and Growth: Retainers give you the freedom to pay yourself more, invest in your team, and focus on long-term goals.


        • Special Announcement: Creative Business Lab Is Here!
        🚀 Creative Business Lab launched last week, and the response has been incredible! 🚀

        This digital course is helping creatives like you transform their businesses. From freelancers leaving their 9-5 jobs to agency owners making $100K+ per month, the Creative Business Lab community is packed with people ready to scale their businesses and build a stable, profitable future.

        Join the community that’s changing the game:

        Creative Business Lab

        Weekly Challenge:

        1. Identify 3 potential clients in your network or niche who need consistent content.
        2. Pitch a one-off project to one of them this week.
        3. Propose a retainer agreement based on their needs and how you can consistently help them grow.


          4. CTA:
          Take a screenshot of yourself listening to this episode and share it on Instagram! Tag me (@gordonly) for a chance to win a FREE Bold Proposal Template, perfect for pitching and closing retainer clients with confidence. Let’s see who’s tuning in!

          17 min
        4. Idle Hands: How Laziness Holds You Back from Your Potential

          In this episode, we’re diving deep into the concept of “idle hands” and exploring what happens when we let laziness, distractions, and unproductive habits take over.

          We trace the origins of “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” and how this proverb resonates deeply with men, fathers, and business owners today. Whether it’s endless scrolling, ordering takeout, or losing hours to mindless routines, we’re talking about what it looks like to let idle hands dictate your life—and how to get back on track.


          What You’ll Learn:

          • The true meaning behind “idle hands” and why it’s still relevant today.
          • Common habits that lead to unproductive, unmotivated routines.
          • Three powerful steps to break the cycle of idleness and start taking purposeful action.


            • Key Topics:

            • Recognizing Unproductive Patterns: Endless social media, poor eating habits, and not being present with family—how these habits pull you away from growth.
            • Small, Impactful Changes: Practical steps to break free from the idle mindset and regain control over your time.
            • The Power of Action: How small, consistent actions can help you rebuild momentum, stay present, and start making meaningful progress.


              • 🚀 Creative Business Lab launches today! 🚀

              After 8 months of refining every lesson, I’m proud to introduce Creative Business Lab—a digital course designed specifically for creative entrepreneurs who are ready to break free from the burnout and build a profitable, scalable business. I was where you are three years ago: stuck, overwhelmed, doing it all myself, and struggling with inconsistent leads and no systems to grow.

              If you’re ready to make real progress, Creative Business Lab gives you everything I’ve learned in one powerful program. This is the time to invest in your future as a creative business owner.

              Join Now: Creative Business Lab


              Weekly Challenge: This week, choose one daily goal that pulls you out of idle mode—whether it’s getting some exercise, preparing a meal, or turning off your phone to focus. Make it a priority and notice how even one small change impacts your productivity and mindset.

              21 min
            • Stop Making Excuses and Start Taking Action

              In this episode, we’re getting real about what’s holding you back from success. If you’re tired of losing, fed up with debt, and done feeling like a bad business owner while others seem to be thriving, this episode is for you. No rainbows, no sunshine—just honest talk about what it takes to get unstuck and start making real progress.


              What You’ll Learn:

              • 5 things NOT to do if you want to take your business to the next level.
              • How to identify and avoid habits that waste your time, keep you distracted, and don’t move the needle.
              • 5 actionable steps to take control, stay focused, and actually grow your business.


                • Key Topics:

                • What Holds You Back: Are you doomscrolling, getting bogged down in busywork, or spending time on tasks that don’t drive growth? This episode tackles these pitfalls head-on.
                • The Power of Prioritization: Learn why focusing on lead generation, marketing, and tasks that directly impact revenue is key to moving forward.
                • The Mindset Shift: Stop doing everything yourself—outsource the small stuff and put your energy where it matters.

                  • Don’t miss the Creative Business Lab, launching November 12th! This digital course is packed with everything I’ve learned about scaling my agency to $50k+ MRR. If you’re ready to take your creative business to the next level, be on the lookout on my Instagram (@gordonly) for launch updates!


                  Weekly Challenge:

                  Choose one impactful goal this week and dedicate 30 minutes a day to it. By the end of the week, you’ll see real momentum, not just “busy work.”

                  Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the Live to Create podcast and share it on Instagram, tagging me (@gordonly). One lucky listener will receive a FREE Bold Proposal Template to help you close clients with a professional, moodboard-packed proposal. Let’s see who’s tuning in!

                  27 min
                • The Evolution of Video Marketing: Then and Now w/ John Goldbranson

                  In this episode of Live to Create, I sit down with my good friend and business partner, John Goldbranson, to dive deep into how video marketing has evolved over the past year. We explore the shift from polished, high-production ads to a more authentic, relatable form of storytelling that resonates deeply with today’s audiences. If you're a creative or business owner looking to connect with your audience on a meaningful level, this episode is packed with insights.


                  What You’ll Learn:

                  • What video marketing looked like a year ago: The reliance on polished, high-budget ads that often felt scripted and impersonal.
                  • How brands used influencers and traditional video ads to push products without fostering genuine connections.
                  • The rise of User-Generated Content (UGC) and why it’s become the future of video marketing.
                  • How founders are stepping into the spotlight to share their personal stories and struggles, creating deeper emotional bonds with their audience.


                    • Key Topics:

                    • The Shift to Authentic Storytelling: Why audiences today crave real, relatable stories from the faces behind the brand, not just the products they sell.
                    • Founders Taking the Spotlight: The importance of transparency and vulnerability in building trust and fostering community.
                    • The Future of Video Marketing: Storytelling that makes your audience feel something, turning customers into a community around your brand.
                    • Advice for Creatives and Business Owners: How to adapt to this shift by focusing on authentic storytelling, human connection, and showing the personal side of your journey.


                      • Resources Mentioned:

                      • Digital Business Templates: shopgordonly.com
                      • Free Guide: 10 Steps to $10k/Month: urlgeni.us/PBASa
                        • 19 min
                      • Taking Care of Your Health & Building a Strong Support System

                        Welcome back to Live to Create! In Episode 2, I’m diving into two crucial topics for every entrepreneur and creative: the importance of prioritizing your health and the power of having a strong support system.


                        As business owners, we often get caught up in the grind, but what happens when you get sick or burn out?


                        This week, I had a reality check when I came down with a cold after my son got sick (thanks, co-sleeping!). It threw me off balance and forced me to re-evaluate how critical it is to take care of yourself first—before you can take care of anyone else.


                        In this episode, I’ll share:

                        • Why your health needs to come first as a business owner.
                        • My go-to daily vitamins and immune boosters that keep me in shape.
                        • The impact of not prioritizing wellness and how it can set you back in business.
                        • A personal story about how my wife and family stepped up to support me when I needed it most, and why having a solid support system is key to thriving.

                          • Stay tuned for the Creative Business Lab coming in November—early bird sale for the Founders Group! Imagine everything from my Creative Mastermind packed into 7 modules to help you scale a multi-six-figure agency. More details to come!

                          Take a screenshot of yourself listening to Live to Create and tag me (@gordonly) on Instagram. I’ll be giving away 1 FREE Bold Proposal Template to help you close clients with a professional, moodboard-packed proposal. Share, tag, and let’s connect!

                          15 min
                        • The Highs, Lows, and Real Rewards of Being Your Own Boss

                          In this episode of Live to Create, Gordon returns solo after a 3-year hiatus to dive deep into the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship. The podcast is back, and this time, it's all about sharing consistent long-form value.

                          Gordon opens up about the hidden challenges of being a business owner, the unique worries that come with the territory, and the bigger rewards of being your own boss. This episode sheds light on what it truly takes to scale a multi 7-figure business and why the journey is worth it.


                          What You’ll Learn:

                          • The hidden hardships of entrepreneurship that people don’t often talk about.
                          • Unique worries business owners face that 9-5 workers don’t deal with.
                          • The real benefits and freedoms that come with being your own boss.
                          • Insights on scaling a 7-figure business and planning for future growth.


                            • Key Topics:

                            • Leadership struggles and the weight of decision-making.
                            • Income unpredictability and the constant pressure to grow.
                            • Embracing freedom, flexibility, and building something meaningful.
                            • Strategies for scaling and different exit options for business owners.


                              • Quick Shoutout:

                              Check out Burgeon – skincare for men who want a clean and effective routine without breaking the bank. Visit burgeon.co. (Use GORDON20 to save 20%)


                              Resources Mentioned:

                              • Digital business templates and tools: shopgordonly.com
                              • Follow Gordon on Instagram: @gordonly
                                • 26 min
                              • How To Get More REFERRALS

                                Let's Connect!

                                Instagram (@gordonly): https://www.instagram.com/gordonly

                                Resources:

                                Check out my FREE 10 Steps to $10k Guide

                                Join my Facebook Group for photographers, filmmakers, and other creative entrepreneurs looking to learn how to scale their business, HERE.

                                10 min
                              • Why I Started My Creative Studio

                                Let's Connect!

                                Instagram (@gordonly): https://www.instagram.com/gordonly

                                Resources:

                                Check out my FREE 10 Steps to $10k Guide

                                Join my Facebook Group for photographers, filmmakers, and other creative entrepreneurs looking to learn how to scale their business, HERE.

                                12 min
                              • The Importance of Building A Team

                                Let's Connect!

                                Instagram (@gordonly): https://www.instagram.com/gordonly

                                Connect with Scotty: https://www.instagram.com/scottyscheller


                                Resources:

                                Check out my FREE 10 Steps to $10k Guide

                                Join my Facebook Group for photographers, filmmakers, and other creative entrepreneurs looking to learn how to scale their business, HERE.

                                30 min

                              About Live to Create with Gordon Ly

                              From the publisher's feed

                              The Live to Create podcast is for creatives who want to learn more about business and go full-time doing what they love.