3 Major communication skills have helped me build my freelance career. Beyond freelancing, these strategies can be taken into job interviews and even friendships to help build lasting friendships and network connections. Those are Brevity (24 hour rule), Asynchronous communication, and Proactivity. Chapters below!

00:00 - Start00:16 - Life Update02:19 - Books that helped me learn to communicate05:52 - 3 Skills to be a Better Creative Communicator16:54 - How to Apply These 3 Principles of Communication20:40 - Book Recap21:49 - My strategies for Making Friends25:32 - Mistakes I've Made When Communicating

My Podcast: https://www.jags.tv/thecreativeadventure

My Unreal Engine Presets: https://www.jags.tv/unreal-engine-render-presets

Book an Intro Call with me: https://tidycal.com/jonjagsnee/15-minute-meeting

Freelance Website & Portfolio: https://www.jags.tv/

https://twitter.com/jonjagsnee

https://www.instagram.com/jonjagsnee/

https://www.tiktok.com/@jonjagsnee

So in my years as a freelancer, I have summed up 5 key behaviors I don't like dealing with as far as clients. While it's important to do good work, some people just aren't good to work with for both parties. Generally speaking, these are the 5 main freelance clients that I have run into that are hard to work with. But in general, your goal should be to find clients where there is mutual respect, trust, and accountability. Anywhooo, chapters below along with all the other linky things.00:00 - Start00:13 - Welcome to the Tavern: The Shady Client02:52 - The Major Client Red Flags06:48 - Price Seekers (Goblin Bargainers)10:32 - The Know-It-All (Arch Mage)17:50 - Time Vampires24:44 - The BEST Type of Clients29:01 - The Dice RollMy Podcast: https://www.jonjagsnee.com/the-creative-adventure1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.jonjagsnee.com/JAGS-1-on-1-CoachingLearn With Me (My Online Courses n' Stuff): https://www.jonjagsnee.com/Freelance Website & Portfolio: https://www.jags.tv/My CoursesDa Vinci Resolve: https://www.jonjagsnee.com/Intro-to-Da-Vinci-Resolve-with-Jagshttps://twitter.com/jonjagsneehttps://www.instagram.com/jonjagsnee/https://www.tiktok.com/@jonjagsnee

What’s actually stopping you from making art? In this episode of The Creative Adventure Podcast, we dive deep into the fears, perfectionism, and invisible pressures that keep artists stuck, and how to break free. Ian, my ZBrush mentor who’s worked across toy, game, and animation industries, shares his personal journey from beginner struggles to professional success. From embracing the suck to building a portfolio rooted in what you love, this conversation is full of real talk and mindset shifts that can help you stop overthinking and start creating again. Whether you're just starting out or feeling burnt out, I'm excited to share this conversation with you.

Timestamps Below

00:00 - Welcome to the Tavern02:30 - Introducing Ian Robinson04:08 - Imposter Syndrome09:19 - Developing Grit as an Artist13:11 - Make the tool work for YOU16:07 - The importance of MENTORS19:01 - 3D Art covers 13 Industries22:35 - Learning how to be BAD before being GOOD27:11 - Reason Why Most People DON'T Make Art30:07 - How to Focus Better as an Artist34:30 - The Best Way to Ask for Feedback36:51 - 3 Ways to Become a Professional Artist44:04 - Best Portfolio Advice44:50 - The Portfolio Road Map48:58 - The Phases of the Artist Journey53:05 - How to Avoid Burn Out

Ep. 17 – You’re Not Luke Skywalker: Ego, Empathy & Freelancing Like a Pro (ft. Daniel Adoff)

In this episode of The Creative Adventure Podcast, I sit down with Daniel Adoff — creative director at Dyno Creative and a mentor who’s helped countless artists and freelancers thrive — to unpack what it actually takes to succeed in the freelance and creative world in 2025.

Whether you're an art school grad or a self-made YouTube University survivor, this episode is a roadmap to mastering your mindset, building real community, and communicating like a pro.

Topics!

• Why you're not the star of the story — and why that’s a good thing

• The 3-tier mentorship model: mentee, peer, mentor

• How to blend advocacy and humility as a creative

• What successful freelancers really do differently

• Speaking in the client’s language (not just the creative one)

• Ego, empathy, and the “new golden rule” of communication

• The difference between selling and translating value

• Freelance loot: why Kombucha > Exposure

Whether you're deep in the trenches or just stepping into your freelance journey, this episode is packed with mindset shifts and practical advice you’ll keep coming back to.

D20 roll included — he rolled an 18. Good things are coming.
Daniel Adoff - Dyno Creative

So in this episode, I share a bit of a personal episode on my experience in Croatia and what I got from the experience. Beyond it being a vacation, I used it as an opportunity to experience creative reset. This creative reset was important for me because it enabled me to experience life from a completely different perspective. That new perspective involved finding a greater sense of presence and emotional depth with my inner dialog. That helped me come back refreshed and inspired as an artist. Hopefully this episode encourages you to take some actionable steps to solo travel and learn more about yourself. Chapters below00:00 - Start03:22 - Buliding Confidence to Solo Travel10:00 - How to be Intentional23:39 - How to Deal with Isolation33:35 - How Travel Helps give you REFERENCE!My Podcast: https://www.jonjagsnee.com/the-creative-adventure1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.jonjagsnee.com/JAGS-1-on-1-CoachingLearn With Me (My Online Courses n' Stuff): https://www.jonjagsnee.com/Freelance Website & Portfolio: https://www.jags.tv/My CoursesDa Vinci Resolve: https://www.jonjagsnee.com/Intro-to-Da-Vinci-Resolve-with-Jagshttps://twitter.com/jonjagsneehttps://www.instagram.com/jonjagsnee/https://www.tiktok.com/@jonjagsnee

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Michael Weissmueller, a seasoned veteran of the gaming industry whose career spans from journalism to Marvel Comics and ultimately to a prestigious role in business development at Epic Games. In this episode, Michael shares candid insights about his unconventional career path, the importance of relationship-building in the gaming industry, and his experience working at one of the world's leading game companies during the COVID-19 pandemic. His story is a masterclass in adaptability, knowing when to pivot, and the value of following opportunities that align with your interests.

Show Notes:

Timestamps:01:04:11 - Discussion about Epic Games culture01:04:17 - Impact of COVID on business development01:05:38 - Career reflections and achievements01:07:00 - Influence on others in the industry01:08:15 - Advice for newcomers

Key Topics:Transition from journalism to gaming industryBusiness development at Epic GamesAdapting to industry changesCareer advice for aspiring gaming professionalsThe importance of networking and relationship building

Resources Mentioned:Epic GamesUnreal EngineMajor gaming studios (League of Legends, Fortnite, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto)

Key Takeaways:Focus on major studios for job security and learningFind trusted partners who complement your skillsSuccess can come from following interesting opportunitiesThe importance of adaptability in the gaming industry

In this episode of the *Creative Adventure Podcast*, we sit down with composer and artist Zach Heyde, who shares his journey of staying true to his artistic passion while navigating the demands of freelance work. Zach discusses the importance of maintaining a personal connection to your craft and how to avoid losing sight of why you started in the first place. He emphasizes the need for play, curiosity, and self-compassion in the creative process, especially for those struggling with burnout or creative block. Through his own experiences, Zach illustrates how to stay grounded, explore your artistry with lightness, and take small steps toward growth—even when things feel stagnant.Zach also delves into the delicate balance between passion projects and paying the bills, offering practical advice for artists looking to reconnect with their creative drive. Whether you're just starting out in the freelance world or have been on the front lines for a while, his insights on overcoming fear and building confidence through small, consistent actions will inspire you to keep going. From rolling the D20 to navigating the unpredictable nature of creative work, this conversation is a reminder that the journey itself is just as important as the destination.

Join creative freelancer Jon Jags Nee in the tavern as he delves into the intricacies of contracts and legal documents for freelance artists. Through a unique fantasy RPG storytelling approach, Jon breaks down complex topics like NDAs, terms and conditions, and creative briefs into digestible, practical advice for creative professionals.

The episode emphasizes the importance of trust over excessive legal documentation, advising listeners to focus on building strong client relationships and delivering quality work rather than getting caught up in complicated contracts. Jon shares valuable insights about finding the right balance between protecting your interests and maintaining positive client relationships, all while keeping the creative spirit alive.

Show Notes:

Key contracts discussed:Creative BriefStatement of WorkRetainer AgreementsNon-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)Terms and Conditions

Main takeaways:

Trust and reputation matter more than legal complexitiesSimple contracts work better for smaller projects ($1K-$10K range)Focus on clear communication and delivering quality workListen to your intuition when dealing with potential clients

Tools mentioned:

Adobe InDesign for contract creationAlternative: Google Slides

Contact for questions about creative briefs in comments section

In this podcast, we explore the essential elements of building a compelling portfolio for creative freelancers. From crafting the perfect reel to designing a professional website, we break down everything you need to showcase your work effectively. Learn why timing matters, how to curate your best pieces, and the crucial components every creative website needs to attract potential clients.

Whether you're a motion designer, visual artist, or any other creative professional, this episode provides actionable steps to build your online presence. We'll discuss practical tips for organizing your work, creating thumbnails, and maintaining your portfolio efficiently. Plus, we share a step-by-step challenge to help you finally get your portfolio up and running, along with recommended tools and platforms to make the process smoother.

In this tavern-themed creative freelancing podcast where we dive into the nitty-gritty of landing your first client as an artist. Through storytelling and RPG-inspired metaphors, Jags shares his personal experiences and practical wisdom about building genuine connections, creating spec work, and navigating the freelance world without falling into the cold-calling trap.

Drawing from years of experience in the creative industry, this episode breaks down how to establish trust, follow through with projects, and overcome the fear of rejection. Whether you're wielding Procreate or Cinema 4D, learn why building relationships through authentic conversations and networking events trumps sending hundreds of cold emails. Plus, discover why asking about someone's experience is way more effective than straight-up asking for work (and roll a natural 20 while you're at it).