Category: Podcast

Ever had a heart-stopping, sweat-inducing moment? Yep, I’m talking about those times when the ground beneath you feels like it’s dropped a few hundred feet and your stomach decides to make a leap for your throat.

 

Now, in this beautiful age of technology, these moments don't just come from forgetting to set your morning alarm. For me, it came on September 29th.

 

Picture this: I’m a guy who doesn’t give two poops about personal social media scrolling. BUT, when it comes to Facebook and Instagram ads, I do invest a lot of money.

 

And on September 29th, someone played dirty and swiped access to my ads account. 19 days, folks. Nineteen. That's how long I was locked out, twiddling my thumbs while some hacker ran ads for elderly women’s bras on MY dime.

 

 

As hilarious as that sounds, they threw a huge wrench into my marketing machine that cranks out thousands of leads monthly.

 

Now, I’m no mathematician, but those 19 days of darkness cost me. We're not just talking about the pocket change of $3,000 they blew on those bra ads.

 

We're talking about tens of thousands of dollars with of lost opportunity because my ads were MIA. With paid ads, you can earn big if you spend big. Now, cut the ‘spend' part out for nearly three weeks. Ouch!

 

But let’s back up… Why am I even bringing up this drama?

 

Because we’re in an era where one simple digital slip can cascade into a financial avalanche. And here's the kicker: I thought I had my bases covered.

 

I had digital walls, moats, and guard dogs, all in the form of complex passwords and two-factor authentication. And yet, someone found that one unguarded window and climbed right in.

 

This isn’t a story for sympathy, but a plea for every freelancer out there. Those shiny digital tools and platforms that feel like extensions of our brains and hands? They're double-edged swords. One day, they're helping you dominate your niche, and the next, they're the nail in your financial coffin.

 

It doesn’t matter if you’re into paid ads, content creation, or just plain ol' social media engagement. Let this be a wake-up call. Our digital tools have multiple doors, and we need to make damn sure each one's bolted tight.

 

This week I'm sharing some insights on cyber security risks, including the one that got me, even though I thought I was secure.

 

The main takeaway is to be careful online. Small mistakes can lead to big problems.

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

Raise your hand if you suck at self-promotion…

 

🙋🏻‍♂️ 🙋🏼 🙋🏿‍♂️ 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏽‍♀️ (←that's probably you.)

 

Sadly, self-promotion is where most freelancers hit a wall.

 

It's one thing to create an amazing service or irresistible lead magnet, but it's entirely another to promote it effectively.

 

If your calendar isn't booked solid with projects from ideal clients, then you likely suck at self-promotion. (just being real with you 🤷🏻‍♂️)

 

For those naysayers who think, “self-promotion!? You shouldn't have to self-promote if you're good at what you do!”, I urge you to kill that thought with the fire of a thousand suns.

 

That's a self-imposed limitation. If promotion is a “normal thing” across every other industry, why should freelancers be the exception?

 

At its core, lead generation isn't about making lead magnets or revamping your freelance services. It's about mastering the art of self-promotion.

 

So, whether you're a seasoned freelancer or a newbie, we're about to dive into the nitty-gritty of self-promotion. We need to make sure your service (or lead magnets) doesn't go to waste.

 

By the end of it, you'll be armed with the tools to make your freelance business self-sustaining.

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

Let’s dive into a crucial piece of the freelancer's marketing toolkit: The Lead Magnet.

 

Imagine your lead magnet as an introductory handshake in the online world. It's your first impression, and we all know how vital that is.

 

Your lead magnet isn’t merely a “hello“… it’s an “I understand your problems and I know how to help.”

 

Every lead is a person looking for a solution, and your lead magnet is the first step in proving that YOU are that solution.

 

What we’re crafting isn’t just a freebie or a basic tool. Your lead magnet is proof that you don’t just talk the talk but you walk the walk. It demonstrates up front that you bring real value to the table.

 

And no, a lead magnet isn’t just another PDF or ebook – it can be, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be a tool, a resource, or a guide. It might even be a paid service or workshop.

 

The shape of a lead magnet is flexible, but its purpose is rigid: to provide immense, undeniable value.

 

This isn’t about merely generating leads or adding names to an email list. It’s about connecting with a person, and proving that you have the solution they’ve been hunting for.

 

Ready to create something amazing? Let’s dive into this…

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

Listen, I've heard it a hundred times, and I bet you have, too…

 

“If you're good enough, you can just wait for clients to come to you.” They say.

 

“Word of mouth is all you need.” They say.

 

But here's the deal: sitting on your hands and hoping for that magical email notification of a new client isn't a strategy—it's a death trap.

 

Let me paint a picture…

 

You're a talented freelancer. You've had some good months, even great ones.

 

But then there's that one sobering month. The inquiries dry up, the referrals dwindle, and your inbox is eerily silent. Panic sets in.

 

That, my friend, is the terrifying “word-of-mouth death trap”.

 

There's a common myth in the freelance world. Some folks will have you believe that the only way to thrive is through word of mouth.

 

But here’s the truth bomb: Anyone saying “word-of-mouth is best” is unqualified to give you that advice. They are just coasting along nicely with it, having never tasted the desperation of the dry season.

 

Many still end up taking on gigs they aren’t passionate about, just to keep the lights on.

 

And sure, referrals are fabulous. If you're great at what you do, you'll 100% get them.

 

 

So, what's the antidote to this feast or famine nightmare? Two words: Lead Generation.

 

Here's the breakdown: Leads become inquiries. Inquiries become clients. And when you have a consistent influx of leads every month, you've got a buffer against those terrifying dry spells.

 

 

In the coming series, we'll dive deep into the nuts and bolts of lead generation, tailored specifically for freelancers. Because here's the truth: understanding and mastering lead generation is like handing yourself the keys to consistency.

 

Ready to escape the word-of-mouth death trap? Click here to start the Lead Generation Series.

How much is an average client worth to you? Whatever that number is, imagine how much more they'd be worth to you and your freelance business if they were paying you that amount every single year.

 

 

 

Whether you call it a retainer, subscription, or simply a “monthly fee”, most who follow this podcast would love the idea of acquiring a client one time and having them keep paying you every single month.

 

But… What if your service just “doesn't make sense” as a recurring subscription?

 

If that's you, I'd challenge you to listen to this episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast. No matter what service you offer, there's likely some way to shift your clients to a recurring income model.

 

Our guest this week, Annemie Tonken, has managed to build her family photography business to 6 figures per year from 6 hours of work per week.

 

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

Have you ever taken a pause and really thought about the significance of being willing to “suck” at something?

 

We creatives often find ourselves cocooned in this small world of what we're already good at.

 

We spend our time in areas that come naturally to us. The zone where our creative juices flow and your hands complete the task with ease.

 

It's our safe space, and damn, doesn't it feel good to be there?

 

But… here's the twist – this very zone, this “comfort bubble” is also our biggest limitation.

 

The moment a challenge pops up or a task gets too tricky, we recoil. We can't bear the thought that we're not good at something.

 

We've all been there, right? The first signs of a struggle or roadblock and our instincts go, “Abort! Abort!”

 

It’s as if the territory outside of our comfort zone is a minefield we should avoid at all costs.

 

And that's the crux of this week's podcast episode…

 

 

Those words have been on my mind for the past 5 years because of a past podcast guest.

 

 

By giving ourselves the freedom to be imperfect, to suck at something, we open up a world of possibilities.

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

We often look up to the biggest names in our field and think, “Wow, I want to be just like them”, but we rarely consider the consequences.

 

While it can be great to take inspiration from others, it can also backfire…

 

Why?

 

Because the top 1% in our field are really, really good at some things (like taking the perfect photo or creating a memorable logo), but that doesn't mean they're experts at EVERYTHING.

 

In this episode, we dig into what I call “inbred businesses.“

 

This is when everyone looks to the top 1% in their industry for how everything “should” be done… leading to a bland, tasteless copy of a copy of a copy of a copy.

 

We're all creatives, so we (of all people) cannot simply accept the excuse, “Well, that's just how it's done in my industry”.

 

You need your own special sauce, which (much like the restaurant industry) is best found outside of your industry's bubble.

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

Last week we did a deep dive into the world of automation and talked about how it can help take care of boring, tedious, and repetitive tasks.

 

Well, this week, we're taking it a step further and discussing how to automate some of the client acquisition and marketing tasks in your freelance business.

 

In this episode, we'll explore the three core areas of marketing: lead generation, lead nurture, and sales, and discuss the numerous opportunities within these areas where you can implement automation.

 

From the moment someone first finds you to the moment they hand over their hard-earned dollars and become a client, automation can play a crucial role in streamlining the process.

 

I know that marketing can sometimes feel overwhelming, but by automating certain aspects of your marketing, you can…

…all without breaking a sweat!

 

I truly believe that this episode will provide you with practical ideas and actionable steps to start automating your marketing and make your freelance business more efficient. So grab a cup of coffee, put on your headphones, and let's dive in!

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

You know those tedious, terrible tasks you keep putting off? Yeah, we all have those. 🙄

 

Imagine if they could get done without you lifting a finger.

 

Sounds magical, right?

 

Well, in our latest episode, I dive deep into the magic world of automation. 🪄

 

No, it's not as scary as it sounds. In fact, many of us are doing it without even realizing it!

Sometimes, simply knowing what's possible is the key, so I can't wait for you to listen and see what ideas you have!

 

In this episode you’ll discover: