Profitable Web Designer with Shannon Mattern

Profitable Web Designer with Shannon Mattern

By Shannon MatternBusinessEntrepreneurship
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Profitable Web Designer with Shannon Mattern episodes

  • Profitable Web Designer Tip: June 2026 Income Report


    Get our free course to help women web designers stop undercharging and overdelivering and create a consistent, full-time income at https://webdesigneracademy.com/freecourse⁠

    June 2026 Income Report

    Welcome to my June 2026 Income Report where I share how much we made, how much we spent and all of the lessons I learned along the way.

    In This Episode:

    • How I finally let go of the belief that I’m bad at sales.

    • How I sold out my private coaching offers.

    • How to untie your pricing from your time

    • Why 10 people joining a brand new program beat out my goal of 25

    • The biggest myths about the Next Level Mastermind, debunked

    • Resources mentioned:

      • 90-Day Shift Private Coaching

      • Next Level Mastermind

      • ShannonMattern.com for the Package Matrix Method

      • High-Converting Proposal Template

      • Related episodes:

        • Episode 200: May 2026 Income Report

        • Episode 196: April 2026 Income Report

        • Episode 189: How To Price Custom Web Design Projects with Shannon Mattern

        • About Shannon Mattern: Shannon Mattern is a Pricing Strategist, creator of The Package Matrix™ Method and the founder of the Web Designer Academy where she helps experienced women web designers book higher-paying web design projects, charge more with confidence, run projects without overworking and burnout and break through to their next level of income and freedom.

          • For Web Designers: https://webdesigneracademy.com

          • For Service Providers, Consultants & Agencies: https://shannonmattern.com

          • Instagram: @profitablewebdesigner

          • 5 min
          • June 2026 Income Report EP 206

            Grab our High-Converting Proposal Template and start confidently charging a lot more for custom web design projects... without hustling, overworking, or losing all your clients: https://webdesigneracademy.com/proposal

            June 2026 Income Report

            Welcome to my May 2026 Income Report where I share how much we made, how much we spent and all of the lessons I learned along the way.

            In This Episode:

            • How I finally let go of the belief that I’m bad at sales.

            • How I sold out my private coaching offers.

            • How to untie your pricing from your time

            • Why 10 people joining a brand new program beat out my goal of 25

            • The biggest myths about the Next Level Mastermind, debunked

            • Resources mentioned:

              • 90-Day Shift Private Coaching

              • Next Level Mastermind

              • ShannonMattern.com for the Package Matrix Method

              • High-Converting Proposal Template

              • Related episodes:

                • Episode 200: May 2026 Income Report

                • Episode 196: April 2026 Income Report

                • Episode 189: How To Price Custom Web Design Projects with Shannon Mattern

                • About Shannon Mattern: Shannon Mattern is a Pricing Strategist, creator of The Package Matrix™ Method and the founder of the Web Designer Academy where she helps experienced women web designers book higher-paying web design projects, charge more with confidence, run projects without overworking and burnout and break through to their next level of income and freedom.

                  • For Web Designers: https://webdesigneracademy.com

                  • For Service Providers, Consultants & Agencies: https://shannonmattern.com

                  • Instagram: @profitablewebdesigner

                  • 51 min
                  • Profitable Web Design Tip: Why More Web Design Clients Won't Fix Your Money Problems

                    Grab our High-Converting Proposal Template and learn what to include (and what to leave out) to turn more of your proposals into higher-paying clients: https://webdesigneracademy.com/template

                    Have you ever thought, I just need more clients, I just need to book more projects, and then I'll be okay? But here’s the thing - you have real costs associated with running your web design business, and it’s not just your time - and if your pricing doesn't cover ALL of your costs, booking more clients doesn't fix your problems - it just means you lose more money faster. That’s the conversation fractional CFO and host of the Pivot to Profit podcast Pam Jordan and I had on the podcast just a couple days ago. We also talk about money trauma - where it comes from, how it's influencing your pricing decisions, and what it takes to break through your subconscious pricing ceiling.

                    Pam is the founder of Pivot Business Group and host of the Pivot to Profit podcast, and she has spent 10 years helping entrepreneurs actually understand their finances after watching a multi-million dollar company go through bankruptcy early in her career. 

                    In this episode, she breaks down why "money in the bank" isn't the same as a profitable business, what your P&L and balance sheet are actually telling you, and why doing more work at your current prices could be making things worse, not better. 

                    Shannon also pulls back the curtain on the Package Matrix™ Method and how it helps web designers charge two to three times more than they ever thought possible... even when their own nervous system is working against them.

                    What You'll Learn:

                    - Why bank balance accounting is one of the most dangerous habits a service provider can have

                    - The 3-part pricing formula (target profit + direct costs + overhead) that shows what you actually need to charge

                    - Why it's a pricing problem, not a volume problem, when your business can't get ahead

                    - The money trauma patterns that create an income ceiling - and how to start breaking through them

                    - How the Package Matrix "benevolent bait and switch" gets web designers to close projects at 2-3x their old prices

                    Key Timestamps:

                    [03:01] The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make with their numbers

                    [07:13] What profitable pricing actually looks like for service providers

                    [10:34] The 3-part pricing formula

                    [21:39] It's not a volume problem. It's a pricing problem.

                    [22:34] Money trauma: where it starts and how to work through it

                    [27:01] The Package Matrix and the benevolent bait and switch

                    Resources Mentioned:

                    Pivot Business Group: https://pivotbusinessgroup.com

                    Pam Jordan's website: https://pamjordan.com

                    Pivot to Profit Podcast: https://pamjordan.com/podcast

                    Related Episodes:

                    Episode 189: How To Price Custom Web Design Projects - https://webdesigneracademy.com/how-to-price-custom-web-design-projects-with-shannon-mattern/

                    Episode 168: Confident Pricing and Overcoming Mind Trash with Jen Davis - https://webdesigneracademy.com/confident-pricing-overcoming-mind-trash-with-jen-davis-of-better-the-brand-designer-podcast/

                    Episode 102: Six-Figure Pricing and Money Mindset with Austin L. Church - https://webdesigneracademy.com/six-figure-pricing-and-money-mindset-with-austin-l-church/

                    About Pam Jordan

                    Pam Jordan is the founder of Pivot Business Group, host of the Pivot to Profit podcast, and a fractional CFO who helps entrepreneurs understand their numbers, increase their profitability, reduce their taxes, and grow their wealth. After watching a multi-million dollar company go through bankruptcy court early in her career, Pam spent the last decade building a team of bookkeepers, CFOs, and tax strategists who support entrepreneurs at every stage - from cleaning up messy books to implementing tax strategy to forward-looking CFO advisory. 

                    • Pivot Business Group: https://pivotbusinessgroup.com

                    • Pam Jordan's website: https://pamjordan.com

                    • Pivot to Profit Podcast: https://www.pamjordan.com/podcast

                    • About Shannon Mattern

                      Shannon Mattern is a pricing strategist, creator of the Package Matrix™ and the founder of the Web Designer Academy, where she helps experienced women web designers package, price, and sell their services so they can build profitable, sustainable businesses without burnout.

                      Website: webdesigneracademy.com

                      For Service Providers: https://shannonmattern.com

                      IG: @profitablewebdesigner

                      YouTube: @profitablewebdesigner

                      LinkedIn: shannonmattern

                      5 min
                    • Why More Web Design Clients Won't Fix Your Money Problems with Pam Jordan of Pivot To Profit EP 205

                      Grab our High-Converting Proposal Template and learn what to include (and what to leave out) to turn more of your proposals into higher-paying clients: https://webdesigneracademy.com/template

                      Have you ever thought, I just need more clients, I just need to book more projects, and then I'll be okay? But here’s the thing - you have real costs associated with running your web design business, and it’s not just your time - and if your pricing doesn't cover ALL of your costs, booking more clients doesn't fix your problems - it just means you lose more money faster. That’s the conversation fractional CFO and host of the Pivot to Profit podcast Pam Jordan and I had on the podcast just a couple days ago. We also talk about money trauma - where it comes from, how it's influencing your pricing decisions, and what it takes to break through your subconscious pricing ceiling.

                      Pam is the founder of Pivot Business Group and host of the Pivot to Profit podcast, and she has spent 10 years helping entrepreneurs actually understand their finances after watching a multi-million dollar company go through bankruptcy early in her career. 

                      In this episode, she breaks down why "money in the bank" isn't the same as a profitable business, what your P&L and balance sheet are actually telling you, and why doing more work at your current prices could be making things worse, not better. 

                      Shannon also pulls back the curtain on the Package Matrix™ Method and how it helps web designers charge two to three times more than they ever thought possible... even when their own nervous system is working against them.

                      What You'll Learn:

                      - Why bank balance accounting is one of the most dangerous habits a service provider can have

                      - The 3-part pricing formula (target profit + direct costs + overhead) that shows what you actually need to charge

                      - Why it's a pricing problem, not a volume problem, when your business can't get ahead

                      - The money trauma patterns that create an income ceiling - and how to start breaking through them

                      - How the Package Matrix "benevolent bait and switch" gets web designers to close projects at 2-3x their old prices

                      Key Timestamps:

                      [03:01] The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make with their numbers

                      [07:13] What profitable pricing actually looks like for service providers

                      [10:34] The 3-part pricing formula

                      [21:39] It's not a volume problem. It's a pricing problem.

                      [22:34] Money trauma: where it starts and how to work through it

                      [27:01] The Package Matrix and the benevolent bait and switch

                      Resources Mentioned:

                      Pivot Business Group: https://pivotbusinessgroup.com

                      Pam Jordan's website: https://pamjordan.com

                      Pivot to Profit Podcast: https://pamjordan.com/podcast

                      Related Episodes:

                      Episode 189: How To Price Custom Web Design Projects - https://webdesigneracademy.com/how-to-price-custom-web-design-projects-with-shannon-mattern/

                      Episode 168: Confident Pricing and Overcoming Mind Trash with Jen Davis - https://webdesigneracademy.com/confident-pricing-overcoming-mind-trash-with-jen-davis-of-better-the-brand-designer-podcast/

                      Episode 102: Six-Figure Pricing and Money Mindset with Austin L. Church - https://webdesigneracademy.com/six-figure-pricing-and-money-mindset-with-austin-l-church/

                      About Pam Jordan

                      Pam Jordan is the founder of Pivot Business Group, host of the Pivot to Profit podcast, and a fractional CFO who helps entrepreneurs understand their numbers, increase their profitability, reduce their taxes, and grow their wealth. After watching a multi-million dollar company go through bankruptcy court early in her career, Pam spent the last decade building a team of bookkeepers, CFOs, and tax strategists who support entrepreneurs at every stage - from cleaning up messy books to implementing tax strategy to forward-looking CFO advisory. 

                      • Pivot Business Group: https://pivotbusinessgroup.com

                      • Pam Jordan's website: https://pamjordan.com

                      • Pivot to Profit Podcast: https://www.pamjordan.com/podcast

                      • About Shannon Mattern

                        Shannon Mattern is a pricing strategist, creator of the Package Matrix™ and the founder of the Web Designer Academy, where she helps experienced women web designers package, price, and sell their services so they can build profitable, sustainable businesses without burnout.

                        Website: webdesigneracademy.com

                        For Service Providers: https://shannonmattern.com

                        IG: @profitablewebdesigner

                        YouTube: @profitablewebdesigner

                        LinkedIn: shannonmattern

                        36 min
                      • Profitable Web Designer Tip: Why Your Discovery Calls Aren't Converting

                        Grab our High-Converting Proposal Template and learn what to include (and what to leave out) to turn more of your proposals into higher-paying clients: ⁠https://webdesigneracademy.com/template⁠

                        What to Do When Web Design Proposals Go Silent

                        In this replay of our June 2026 live Q&A, I answer four real questions from web designers on some of the most common business challenges that come up again and again.

                        We cover why proposals stall after discovery calls (and what to actually say in your follow-up), how to apply the Package Matrix Method to VIP day and sprint-based offers, how to bring in subcontractors without it becoming a client issue, and how to position the value of a website when local business clients want you to do everything.

                        WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

                        • Why proposals go silent after great discovery calls and the follow-up framework that actually moves people to a decision

                        • How to incentivize a decision without pressure-selling or closing on the call

                        • How to apply Package Matrix thinking to sprint and VIP day offers when your deliverables don't change

                        • How to handle subcontracting and outsourcing when clients expect you to do all the work

                        • How to position a conversion-focused website to local business clients who want it all

                        • The leaky bucket analogy that shifts clients from cost-based thinking to value-based thinking

                        • KEY TIMESTAMPS

                          [00:00] - Welcome and overview

                          [05:30] - Q1: Proposals stalling after discovery calls (Sonya)

                          [25:30] - Q2: Package Matrix for VIP days and sprints (Jess)

                          [44:00] - Q3: Outsourcing and subcontracting (Alyssa)

                          [52:00] - Q4: Selling a website to local business clients (Kristin)

                          RESOURCES MENTIONED

                          Web Designer Academy: ⁠https://webdesigneracademy.com⁠

                          Next Level Mastermind: ⁠https://webdesigneracademy.com/next-level-mastermind⁠

                          The Package Matrix™ Method: ⁠https://shannonmattern.com/package-matrix-method/⁠

                          RELATED EPISODES

                          Episode 198: How to Make More with Less Web Design Clients - ⁠https://webdesigneracademy.com/how-to-make-more-with-less-web-design-clients/⁠

                          Episode 194: The Daily Habit for Building a Full Web Design Client Pipeline with Julia Taylor - ⁠https://webdesigneracademy.com/the-daily-habit-for-building-a-full-web-design-client-pipeline-with-julia-taylor/⁠

                          Episode 193: Stop Waiting for Referrals and Get Booked Out with Sarah Noel Block of Tiny Marketing - ⁠https://webdesigneracademy.com/stop-waiting-for-referrals-and-get-booked-out-with-sarah-noel-block-of-tiny-marketing/⁠

                          About Shannon Mattern:

                          Shannon Mattern is a Pricing Strategist, creator of The Package Matrix™ Method,  and the founder of the Web Designer Academy where she helps experienced women web designers book higher-paying web design projects, charge more with confidence, run projects without overworking and burnout and break through to their next level of income and freedom.

                          For Web Designers: ⁠https://webdesigneracademy.com⁠

                          For Service Providers, Consultants & Agencies: ⁠https://shannonmattern.com⁠

                          Instagram: ⁠@profitablewebdesigner⁠ | ⁠@shannonlmattern⁠

                          4 min
                        • Why Your Discovery Calls Aren't Converting (And What to Do Instead): Web Design Business Live Q&A EP 204

                          Grab our High-Converting Proposal Template and learn what to include (and what to leave out) to turn more of your proposals into higher-paying clients: https://webdesigneracademy.com/template

                          What to Do When Web Design Proposals Go Silent

                          In this replay of our June 2026 live Q&A, I answer four real questions from web designers on some of the most common business challenges that come up again and again.

                          We cover why proposals stall after discovery calls (and what to actually say in your follow-up), how to apply the Package Matrix Method to VIP day and sprint-based offers, how to bring in subcontractors without it becoming a client issue, and how to position the value of a website when local business clients want you to do everything.

                          WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

                          • Why proposals go silent after great discovery calls and the follow-up framework that actually moves people to a decision

                          • How to incentivize a decision without pressure-selling or closing on the call

                          • How to apply Package Matrix thinking to sprint and VIP day offers when your deliverables don't change

                          • How to handle subcontracting and outsourcing when clients expect you to do all the work

                          • How to position a conversion-focused website to local business clients who want it all

                          • The leaky bucket analogy that shifts clients from cost-based thinking to value-based thinking

                          • KEY TIMESTAMPS

                            [00:00] - Welcome and overview

                            [05:30] - Q1: Proposals stalling after discovery calls (Sonya)

                            [25:30] - Q2: Package Matrix for VIP days and sprints (Jess)

                            [44:00] - Q3: Outsourcing and subcontracting (Alyssa)

                            [52:00] - Q4: Selling a website to local business clients (Kristin)

                            RESOURCES MENTIONED

                            Web Designer Academy: https://webdesigneracademy.com

                            Next Level Mastermind: https://webdesigneracademy.com/next-level-mastermind

                            The Package Matrix™ Method: https://shannonmattern.com/package-matrix-method/

                            RELATED EPISODES

                            Episode 198: How to Make More with Less Web Design Clients - https://webdesigneracademy.com/how-to-make-more-with-less-web-design-clients/

                            Episode 194: The Daily Habit for Building a Full Web Design Client Pipeline with Julia Taylor - https://webdesigneracademy.com/the-daily-habit-for-building-a-full-web-design-client-pipeline-with-julia-taylor/

                            Episode 193: Stop Waiting for Referrals and Get Booked Out with Sarah Noel Block of Tiny Marketing - https://webdesigneracademy.com/stop-waiting-for-referrals-and-get-booked-out-with-sarah-noel-block-of-tiny-marketing/

                            About Shannon Mattern:

                            Shannon Mattern is a Pricing Strategist, creator of The Package Matrix™ Method,  and the founder of the Web Designer Academy where she helps experienced women web designers book higher-paying web design projects, charge more with confidence, run projects without overworking and burnout and break through to their next level of income and freedom.

                            For Web Designers: https://webdesigneracademy.com

                            For Service Providers, Consultants & Agencies: https://shannonmattern.com

                            Instagram: @profitablewebdesigner | @shannonlmattern

                            59 min
                          • Profitable Web Designer Tip: The Warm Client Method™

                            Grab our High-Converting Proposal Template and learn what to include (and what to leave out) to turn more of your proposals into higher-paying clients: https://webdesigneracademy.com/template

                            How to Get Web Design Clients Through Cold Email (Without Feeling Gross About It) with Laura Lopuch

                            If you've been putting off outreach because it feels pushy, awkward, or just... wrong, this episode is going to shift that for you. I sat down with Laura Lopuch, founder of the Warm Client Method™, to talk about how web designers can use cold email to get clients without a big following, a referral network, or a full content calendar.

                            Laura has been using cold email to build her business for 11+ years, working just 11 to 13 hours a week. She signed her very first client through a cold pitch, and she used her own system to pitch me to come on this podcast. We get into what makes a pitch land, how to reach out to potential clients without criticizing their website, and why outreach actually feels better than waiting for clients to find you.

                            What You'll Learn:

                            • Why the fear of standing out is the #1 thing blocking web designers from outreach

                            • The 7 types of cold emails (and why most people only think of one)

                            • How to pitch a potential web design client without criticizing their current site

                            • Why you don't need a big audience to get clients through outreach

                            • What makes a collaboration pitch land vs. fall flat

                            • How AI-powered research tools are making cold email faster and less overwhelming

                            • Resources Mentioned:

                              Laura Lopuch's website + email list: lauralopuch.com

                              Shannon’s High-Converting Proposal Template: webdesigneracademy.com/proposal

                              Related Episodes:

                              Episode 194: The Daily Habit For Building a Full Web Design Client Pipeline with Julia Taylor

                              Episode 193: Stop Waiting for Referrals and Get Booked Out with Sarah Noel Block

                              Episode 197: Building Visual Trust in an Artificial World with Pippa Tanko

                              About Laura Lopuch:

                              Laura Lopuch is the founder of the Warm Client Method™ and Cambium, systems that help online service providers book consistent clients through outreach without content marketing, ads, or referrals. Website: https://lauralopuch.com

                              About Shannon Mattern:

                              Shannon Mattern is a Pricing Strategist, creator of The Package Matrix™ Method,  and the founder of the Web Designer Academy where she helps experienced women web designers book higher-paying web design projects, charge more with confidence, run projects without overworking and burnout and break through to their next level of income and freedom.

                              For Web Designers: https://webdesigneracademy.com

                              For Service Providers, Consultants & Agencies: https://shannonmattern.com

                              Instagram: @profitablewebdesigner | @shannonlmattern

                              6 min
                            • The Warm Client Method™: Book Consistent Web Design Clients Through Cold Email with Laura Lopuch EP 203

                              Grab our High-Converting Proposal Template and learn what to include (and what to leave out) to turn more of your proposals into higher-paying clients: https://webdesigneracademy.com/template

                              How to Get Web Design Clients Through Cold Email (Without Feeling Gross About It) with Laura Lopuch

                              If you've been putting off outreach because it feels pushy, awkward, or just... wrong, this episode is going to shift that for you. I sat down with Laura Lopuch, founder of the Warm Client Method™, to talk about how web designers can use cold email to get clients without a big following, a referral network, or a full content calendar.

                              Laura has been using cold email to build her business for 11+ years, working just 11 to 13 hours a week. She signed her very first client through a cold pitch, and she used her own system to pitch me to come on this podcast. We get into what makes a pitch land, how to reach out to potential clients without criticizing their website, and why outreach actually feels better than waiting for clients to find you.

                              What You'll Learn:

                              • Why the fear of standing out is the #1 thing blocking web designers from outreach

                              • The 7 types of cold emails (and why most people only think of one)

                              • How to pitch a potential web design client without criticizing their current site

                              • Why you don't need a big audience to get clients through outreach

                              • What makes a collaboration pitch land vs. fall flat

                              • How AI-powered research tools are making cold email faster and less overwhelming

                              • Resources Mentioned:

                                Laura Lopuch's website + email list: lauralopuch.com

                                Shannon’s High-Converting Proposal Template: webdesigneracademy.com/proposal

                                Related Episodes:

                                Episode 194: The Daily Habit For Building a Full Web Design Client Pipeline with Julia Taylor

                                Episode 193: Stop Waiting for Referrals and Get Booked Out with Sarah Noel Block

                                Episode 197: Building Visual Trust in an Artificial World with Pippa Tanko

                                About Laura Lopuch:

                                Laura Lopuch is the founder of the Warm Client Method™ and Cambium, systems that help online service providers book consistent clients through outreach without content marketing, ads, or referrals. Website: https://lauralopuch.com

                                About Shannon Mattern:

                                Shannon Mattern is a Pricing Strategist, creator of The Package Matrix™ Method,  and the founder of the Web Designer Academy where she helps experienced women web designers book higher-paying web design projects, charge more with confidence, run projects without overworking and burnout and break through to their next level of income and freedom.

                                For Web Designers: https://webdesigneracademy.com

                                For Service Providers, Consultants & Agencies: https://shannonmattern.com

                                Instagram: @profitablewebdesigner | @shannonlmattern

                                53 min
                              • Web Designer Tip: How To Solve Your Biggest Web Design Content Problem

                                Grab our High-Converting Proposal Template and learn what to include (and what to leave out) to turn more of your proposals into higher-paying clients: https://webdesigneracademy.com/template

                                Have you ever had to wait on a client’s photos to finish your web design projects? Like, you've done everything else... the strategy, the copy, the layout... and then you're just stuck, waiting for your client’s photo shoot, waiting for the photographer to get the photos processes, for the client to choose them, and then when you finally do get them - you don’t even have the sizes or orientations you need to make your designs work? Or the vibe is just all wrong? 

                                But what if you could just create the photos yourself - AI portraits, brand photo shoots, the whole thing - and turn it into a profitable add-on service that makes your projects move faster AND gives your clients better images than they'd ever get from a traditional photo shoot?

                                In this episode, I talk with Diane Whiddon, founder of AI Designer’s Academy, about how web designers can add AI portrait and brand photo shoot services to their offerings. 

                                We dig into how to price these services, the ethics of AI imagery, why clients ask for more wrinkles (not fewer), and what Diane calls "visual claims" - using AI images strategically so your clients' websites build trust and convert before a word is read.

                                What You'll Learn:

                                • How to add AI headshots ($600/package) and brand photo shoots ($3,300) to your web design services

                                • Why 90% of clients say yes to headshots when you ask at the end of a discovery call

                                • The ethical framework Diane teaches inside AI Designers Academy (what you can and can't do)

                                • Who is actually buying AI imagery - including clients who can't be served any other way

                                • How "visual claims" let designers use imagery to build trust and handle visitor objections strategically

                                • Why AI is not going to kill web design - and what IS changing for designers who stay ahead

                                • Resources Mentioned:

                                  AI Designers Academy: aidesignersacademy.com 

                                  Swayrise Creative (Diane's agency): swayriscreative.com

                                  Web Designer Academy Programs: webdesigneracademy.com/programs

                                  Related Episodes:

                                  Episode 197: Building Visual Trust in an Artificial World with Pippa Tanko

                                  Episode 198: How To Make More With Less Web Design Clients

                                  Episode 191: How To Choose the Right Web Design Business Model

                                  About Diane Whiddon:

                                  Diane Whiddon is the founder of AI Designer’s Academy, where she teaches designers how to use AI with the eye and judgment of a creative director. She is also the owner of Swayrise Creative, her boutique Squarespace web design agency. aidesignersacademy.com | LinkedIn: Diane Whiddon

                                  About Shannon Mattern:

                                  Shannon Mattern is a Pricing Strategist, creator of The Package Matrix™ Method,  and the founder of the Web Designer Academy where she helps experienced women web designers book higher-paying web design projects, charge more with confidence, run projects without overworking and burnout and break through to their next level of income and freedom.

                                  For Web Designers: https://webdesigneracademy.com

                                  For Service Providers, Consultants & Agencies: https://shannonmattern.com

                                  Instagram: @profitablewebdesigner | @shannonlmattern

                                  5 min
                                • Is AI Ruining Web Design? (Or Making It Better?) with Diane Whiddon EP 202

                                  Grab our High-Converting Proposal Template and learn what to include (and what to leave out) to turn more of your proposals into higher-paying clients: https://webdesigneracademy.com/template

                                  Have you ever had to wait on a client’s photos to finish your web design projects? Like, you've done everything else... the strategy, the copy, the layout... and then you're just stuck, waiting for your client’s photo shoot, waiting for the photographer to get the photos processes, for the client to choose them, and then when you finally do get them - you don’t even have the sizes or orientations you need to make your designs work? Or the vibe is just all wrong? 

                                  But what if you could just create the photos yourself - AI portraits, brand photo shoots, the whole thing - and turn it into a profitable add-on service that makes your projects move faster AND gives your clients better images than they'd ever get from a traditional photo shoot?

                                  In this episode, I talk with Diane Whiddon, founder of AI Designer’s Academy, about how web designers can add AI portrait and brand photo shoot services to their offerings. 

                                  We dig into how to price these services, the ethics of AI imagery, why clients ask for more wrinkles (not fewer), and what Diane calls "visual claims" - using AI images strategically so your clients' websites build trust and convert before a word is read.

                                  What You'll Learn:

                                  • How to add AI headshots ($600/package) and brand photo shoots ($3,300) to your web design services

                                  • Why 90% of clients say yes to headshots when you ask at the end of a discovery call

                                  • The ethical framework Diane teaches inside AI Designers Academy (what you can and can't do)

                                  • Who is actually buying AI imagery - including clients who can't be served any other way

                                  • How "visual claims" let designers use imagery to build trust and handle visitor objections strategically

                                  • Why AI is not going to kill web design - and what IS changing for designers who stay ahead

                                  • Resources Mentioned:

                                    AI Designers Academy: aidesignersacademy.com 

                                    Swayrise Creative (Diane's agency): swayriscreative.com

                                    Web Designer Academy Programs: webdesigneracademy.com/programs

                                    Related Episodes:

                                    Episode 197: Building Visual Trust in an Artificial World with Pippa Tanko

                                    Episode 198: How To Make More With Less Web Design Clients

                                    Episode 191: How To Choose the Right Web Design Business Model

                                    About Diane Whiddon:

                                    Diane Whiddon is the founder of AI Designer’s Academy, where she teaches designers how to use AI with the eye and judgment of a creative director. She is also the owner of Swayrise Creative, her boutique Squarespace web design agency. aidesignersacademy.com | LinkedIn: Diane Whiddon

                                    About Shannon Mattern:

                                    Shannon Mattern is a Pricing Strategist, creator of The Package Matrix™ Method,  and the founder of the Web Designer Academy where she helps experienced women web designers book higher-paying web design projects, charge more with confidence, run projects without overworking and burnout and break through to their next level of income and freedom.

                                    For Web Designers: https://webdesigneracademy.com

                                    For Service Providers, Consultants & Agencies: https://shannonmattern.com

                                    Instagram: @profitablewebdesigner | @shannonlmattern

                                    55 min

                                  About Profitable Web Designer with Shannon Mattern

                                  From the publisher's feed

                                  Profitable Web Designer is the top podcast for women web designers who started their web design business for freedom and fulfillment—but somehow ended up overworked, underpaid, and wondering what went wrong.

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