Author: James Cross

In the latest installment of our Back to Basics series, we're diving headfirst into an often overlooked yet vital subject: carving out your unique niche as a freelancer. Today's exploration centers on what I term “The Copycat Freelancer” dilemma.

 

Don't get me wrong… I’m not here to criticize. Instead, I want to guide you past this hurdle that's probably been holding you back for years.

 

Imagine I asked you, ‘Why should a client choose you over your competitor?‘ What would your response be?

 

Most freelancers are stumped by that question, and if you're being honest with yourself, you probably aren’t doing anything unique that sets you apart.

 

The result? You end up competing on price alone, setting your rates based on what competitors are charging. Ultimately, it's a race to the bottom that builds zero client loyalty and makes your freelancing journey tougher than it needs to be.

 

In the episode, I delve deeper into the issue of differentiation and give you some help with carving out a unique place in your industry. Of course, this topic is nuanced, and there's a lot more to unpack.

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

Today we're continuing with our “Back to Basics” journey by focusing on something that's often overlooked by freelancers – promotion.

 

Promotion is super important to keep the clients coming in, but a lot of freelancers think they just need to be good at what they do.

 

They admire those who seem to have endless work, thinking it all comes from word-of-mouth alone. But, in the early days of freelancing, just relying on referrals can be risky, leading to the scary “feast or famine” cycle.

 

This situation can force freelancers to scramble, taking any job they can just to pay the bills. These “bill-paying” clients might not always be a good match, and we might not even want to work with them, but bills gotta be paid, right?

 

I've been there, and I can tell you it's a quick way to burn out and start resenting your clients.

 

In our chat today, we're going to help you avoid getting stuck with just bill-paying clients by sharing six ways to promote your freelance work effectively. If you're having trouble finding enough clients, it's probably because people just don't know you're there.

 

That's where knowing how to effectively promote yourself comes in. By trying out one or two of the methods we're going to talk about today, you can bring stability to your work. More clients mean less stress, which lets you cherry-pick the projects you really love.

 

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This week we're tackling a challenge we all face as creatives: how should we price our work? Getting this right is a huge deal, but damn it can be tricky!

 

Pricing your services isn't just about picking a random number. A lot of us tend to set our rates by looking at what others charge or by trusting our gut.

 

If that sounds like you, no shame, but this is the #1 way you end up undervaluing your work and undercharging. Part of this is about self-confidence, part of it's the fear of losing a gig.

 

If you're thinking, “That's totally me, always underpricing”, it's all good. We've all been there. The key is to recognize this pattern and aim to break it. You've got to develop a solid strategy for setting rates that truly reflect your worth.

 

So, are you ready to take a deep dive into the sometimes-intimidating world of pricing? Let's kick the undercharging habit in the A$$ and figure out a better way to price your services.

 

In this episode, we'll walk through five different ways you can price your services. We'll dive into each method, discuss the pros and cons, and give you the tools you need to decide which one works best for you.

 

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Our ongoing series, Back to Basics, is all about diving deep into the foundation of freelancing. Today's focus is on the services (i.e. products) we offer as freelancers. This is the biggest difference between successful and struggling freelancers.

 

All too often, we choose our services based on what WE want, while putting little to no thought into what our clients want. It's like trying to sell a product with a flaw. Think of any garbage Amazon purchase you've made, where the only review you'd give is a warning to others.

 

That's certainly not the reputation we want for our services, right?

 

In this episode, we break it down into three distinct levels of service that you can offer. While there are many facets to this, sticking to the basics keeps us grounded, and honestly, it's a lot less overwhelming.

 

As an entrepreneur, I know how easy it is to leap into the complexity of advanced strategies. However, for this episode, we're keeping it straightforward and accessible.

 

My hope is that this episode provides a moment of clarity – an “Aha!” if you will. A moment that sparks fresh perspective, prompting you to say, “Hot damn, I hadn't thought about it that way. I've been doing this wrong.”

 

After all, a single shift in perspective can be the game-changer that propels your freelance journey forward.

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

We're navigating a series right now that we've lovingly titled “Back to the Basics.” I'm particularly excited about today's episode where we peel back the layers on a topic that's often shrouded in mystique, over-complication, or sometimes, just plain neglect: Marketing.

 

You might ask, what exactly is marketing? Well, let's simplify it. As I've mentioned in previous episodes, the core of marketing is about presenting the right message, to the right person, at the right time.

 

Yes, it really can be as straightforward as that. When you unpack and understand each element of this mantra, you're well on your way to attracting more clients and growing your income from your creative prowess.

 

Now, I know what you're thinking. Many of you creatives might be wondering, “Marketing? Isn't that for big businesses??” Well, yes, and no.

 

Let's put it this way: To truly thrive in your freelance career, you need to embrace both the creative and the entrepreneurial spirit.

 

Also, you may be apprehensive about the idea of marketing, worried that it's a slippery slope toward becoming one of those overly pushy salespeople. I get it. But here's the good news – marketing doesn't have to be an “icky” process. Quite the opposite, in fact…

 

It can be a natural, authentic way of expressing the value you bring to your clients, without compromising your integrity or your creative soul.

 

So, for all of you freelancers who are passionate about your craft and want to learn how to generate a healthy income without feeling like you're selling out, this episode is designed for you.

 

We're going to break down the basics of marketing, helping you understand its core principles and showing you how it can be a positive, empowering part of your business.

 

Join us on this journey back to the basics, and let's redefine marketing together. No jargon, no fluff, just the essentials.

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

We all know that the freelancing world is thrilling, fulfilling, and at times, let's be real, a bit terrifying. One of the most daunting parts of freelancing (and one that I've grappled with myself) is cash flow management.

 

In today's episode, we're diving deep into this crucial topic. The one thing I want you to take away from this episode is how to skillfully manage your cash flow so you never have to see your bank balance hit zero.

 

I'm sure you've heard this saying before: “Businesses don't fail, they simply run out of money”.

 

This isn't just some platitude, it's backed up by data.

 

A study cited by Business Insider tells us that 82% of small businesses (freelancers included) fail because of cash flow issues. That's right – they ran out of money. That's why today's episode is so crucial.

 

As someone who's seen my income swing wildly from one month to the next (like when I made $20,000 in January 2015, then just $1,200 in February 2015), I've learned first-hand the stress of getting this wrong.

 

You might be thinking, “But Brian, I'm just a freelancer. I don't have a big business with tons of employees and overheads. Do I really need to worry about cash flow?“

 

The answer is a resounding YES.

 

It doesn't matter if you're a solo freelancer or a big business, managing your cash flow is vital to keeping your business afloat and making sure you're not living paycheck to paycheck.

 

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Here's how most freelancers manage their money…

 

Step 1: They check their bank account

 

Step 2: They wonder where all their money went.

 

If that sounds like you, then I want to help you avoid running your business like that.

 

I've taken the time to simplify the budgeting process for you, focusing on creating an easy, actionable system that you can actually use. This episode is short, sweet, and perfect for those who are looking to get a handle on where all your damn money is going.

 

My goal is to help you be more intentional with your money and avoid that dreaded feeling of having your hard-earned cash just disappear. In this episode, I'll teach you how to automate your budgeting process so that you never spend what you don't have.

 

This podcast is specifically tailored for business owners and freelancers, but I believe anyone can benefit from the process I share in this episode. So, whether you're new to the show or a returning listener, I hope you'll join me on this journey back to the basics of budgeting.

 

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We're continuing our “Back to Basics” series, and in this episode, we're diving into the not-so-exciting world of business banking for freelancers. But before you think about skipping this one, let me tell you why it's a must-listen.

 

As someone who's gone through more than 10 different banks over my freelancing journey, I've learned a thing or two about what it takes to find the right bank for your freelance business.

 

Why is this so important?

 

Well, if you're unhappy with your current bank or just starting your freelance journey, this episode will save you from the frustration and headaches of dealing with subpar banks that just don't meet your needs. Plus, it might even save you from making the same mistakes as “dumb Brian” (that's me!).

 

So, if you're ready to learn how to choose the right bank for your freelance business and avoid those dreaded deal-breakers, give this episode a listen.

 

I promise to keep it short, sweet, and to the point – even for those of you who think you couldn't care less about banking. You might just be surprised by how much this knowledge can impact your journey toward a happier, healthier, and more profitable freelance business.

 

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If you've ever wondered whether you should operate as a sole proprietor or form an LLC, this episode is just for you! We'll dive into my own personal journey, why I avoided LLCs for so long, and ultimately, how you can make the best decision for your freelance business.

 

Now, I want to point out that this discussion is specifically for US-based freelancers. I wish I could cover every business entity in every country, but my knowledge is limited to what's available in the US. So, if you're based elsewhere, I apologize, and I hope you still find value in the conversation.

 

In this episode, we'll explore the key differences between a sole proprietor and an LLC, and how they can sometimes look and feel the same. I'll also share some recent insights I've gained to help you make a more informed decision for your business.

 

I truly believe that this episode will provide you with a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of both sole proprietorships and LLCs, ultimately helping you choose the best path for your freelance business. So, grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let's dive into this (not so) exciting topic together!

 

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I wanted to share something with you that's been on my mind lately… as a self-taught entrepreneur, I skipped SO many of the basics when it comes to running a healthy business.

 

This dawned on me when I found myself looking up answers to things most people should know when they first start their businesses.

 

This made me realize that the vast majority of freelancers probably have similar blind spots in their own businesses, so I've decided to do something to celebrate our 250th episode…

 

We're taking a step back from our normal “advanced” topics to revisit the fundamental basics of freelancing, and I'm inviting you to join me on this journey. No matter your experience level or income, we all have something to learn and improve.

 

In this episode (and the upcoming series), I'll be sharing my own experiences as a self-taught freelancer who's made multiple millions but still needs to figure out some of the basic things I've skipped.

 

My goal is for us, the 6 Figure Creative Community, to come together and create healthier, happier businesses. And I believe that starts by focusing on the fundamentals.