In this episode, host Jen Van Horn welcomes Hayley Akins, founder of Motion Hatch, to discuss business systems, client relationship management, and social media strategies that help motion designers build sustainable freelance careers.

This episode covers:

• The power of systems: How implementing basic business systems like CRMs and client outreach processes prevents the feast-or-famine cycle that plagues freelancers, with real examples of designers discovering lost opportunities worth thousands
• Client relationship management: Why a CRM is the single most important system for freelancers, tracking past clients, prospects, and networking contacts to ensure consistent follow-up and relationship building
• LinkedIn strategy evolution: Current best practices including posting native video content, using polls for engagement, maintaining authentic voice over AI-polished writing, and understanding the 4 A's framework (awareness, attraction, action, advocacy)
• Niche positioning without perfection: How to start establishing expertise in a specific area by posting about your interests before having everything figured out, using personal projects as proof of concept
• Reaching direct clients: Strategies for targeting dream clients including researching their Facebook page transparency for active ad campaigns, finding the right company size, and connecting with marketing managers on LinkedIn
• End-of-year planning: The importance of starting client outreach now for 2026 projects, as brands are currently planning beyond Q1 and have year-end budgets to allocate

Upcoming Events:

• Gartic Phone Game Night - December 3rd
• Sam Judelson (LUX3D) hosting for December
• Black Friday deals available including Motion Hatch's Client Magnet Bundle at 60% off

Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community!

SHOW NOTES:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Newsletter⁠
• Motion Hatch
• Hayley’s Email
• Black Friday Deal Motion Hatch
• Creative and Coin
• School of Motion Black Friday