6 Figure Creative (2024)

18/06/2024

[ Case Study: The Solo Freelancer Earning $1 Million Per Year ]

I recently came across one of the coolest freelance businesses I've ever seen, and I wanted to bring this to the 6 Figure Creative audience.

I'm not going to spoil anything, but this freelancer is earning over $1 Million per year without a staff, without contractors, and he's able to accomplish this just by taking inspiration from a totally different industry than his own.

If you're feeling stagnant, stuck, uninspired, or you're simply not earning what you think you should be in your own business, this episode is absolutely for you.

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https://6figurecreative.com/313

11/06/2024

[ How To Stop The "Feast Or Famine Cycle" ]

Ever felt trapped in the feast-or-famine cycle as a freelancer? I've been there, and it's brutal. But what if I told you there's a way out?

I just got back from Alex Hormozi’s amazing workshop in Vegas. Spending two days at Acquisition.com HQ with Alex, Leila, and their leadership team was nothing short of eye-opening.

Surrounded by business owners of all types, from an 18-year-old with a $250K landscaping business to people bringing in $10M+, I soaked in anything and everything that's working in business today.

My big takeaway?

Hormozi and his team harped on one core principle – finding and fixing the root cause of business bottlenecks.

And for 95% of freelancers, this boils down to one thing... lead generation.

In our latest podcast episode, I break down Hormozi's method that helped scale businesses to millions.

Don't let the feast-or-famine cycle continue for the rest of your life. Learn how to generate a steady stream of leads so you get to take control of your income.

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https://6figurecreative.com/312

04/06/2024

[ The 4 BIGGEST Things That Will Help You Charge More ]

I'm super excited to share this with you today because this is the stuff that really moves the needle in your business.

This is how you can charge more without losing clients or getting rejected.

This is how you make your clients SO happy that they refer all their friends to you.

This is how you become more attractive to your "dream clients".

And this framework comes from a business owner earning over $100,000,000 per year... so you know this stuff works.

Today's episode breaks down the 4 BEST ways to become more valuable, and if you get this right, you'll completely transform how you show up to clients.

99% of the freelancers I know neglect all 4 of these areas to their own detriment. As a result, they're losing gigs to their competitors, they get constant pushback on pricing, and they're not generating nearly enough referrals to keep their calendars full.

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https://6figurecreative.com/311

28/05/2024

[ How To Budget When Your Income Is Inconsistent ]

Ever had a $20k month followed by a $1,200 month? Freelancing can be a wild ride. Even with solid client acquisition, those feast-or-famine cycles can stress anyone out.

In our latest podcast episode, we're diving into something called dynamic budgeting.

This is the secret to turning chaos into consistency.

This is what creates a financial buffer in your business.

This is what gives you the breathing room to say no to bad projects and yes to those projects you love.

Listen now to learn:
How to create a realistic budget as a freelancer
The best tools for tracking expenses without the headache.
Strategies to build an "oh sh*t" fund

No more financial roller coasters. Let’s make freelancing sustainable and stress-free.

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https://6figurecreative.com/310

21/05/2024

[ 12 Things You Can't Ignore If You Want to Thrive as a Freelancer ]

Ready for some tough love? This week's episode of the Six Figure Creative Podcast is a wake-up call for freelancers stuck in "survival mode".

Here's the big question... are you letting your emotions run your business? If the answer is yes, it’s time to change that.

In this episode, I break down:
The 12 things you can't ignore to build a thriving freelance business.
The brutal truth about why most freelancers fail.
A powerful mindset shift to turn your business struggles into triumphs.

Stop letting feast-or-famine cycles dictate your life. It's time to build a sustainable, fulfilling freelance business that doesn't crumble at the first sign of trouble.

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https://6figurecreative.com/309

14/05/2024

[ How To Give Yourself A Raise This Year (In 4 Steps) ]

For two grueling years in my early 20s, I poured my heart into a day job at Gamestop, never missing a day and always showing up on time.

Despite the love from regulars and kudos from my boss, my financial reward after all that hustle? A laughable jump from $5.15/hr to $5.50/hr. That's right, a whole $0.35/hr raise after two years.

Sound painfully familiar? Unfortunately, many of us have been undervalued at some point, struggling to secure that well-deserved raise.

But here's the flip side... when you're self-employed, you call the shots on your "salary".

No more waiting years for a significant raise - freelancers can see substantial income increases in a matter of weeks or months if you play your cards right.

Ready to find out how? Check out this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast for a super-tactical and engaging session where we explore four actionable steps to give yourself a raise this year.

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https://6figurecreative.com/308

07/05/2024

[ 7 Pricing Strategies For Recurring Subscription Freelance Clients ]

For freelancers, subscription pricing is like finding the holy grail. It changes the feast & famine nature of project-based work into a steady, reliable income stream.

Last week, we kicked off this conversation, exploring how freelancers could shift from one-time gigs to recurring revenue models. The topic struck a chord, leading to an influx of interest and discussions.

This week we’re going deeper into why this approach is also notoriously challenging for freelancers, and what you can do to have the best shot of making it work.

Without knowing what you're doing, you might try to move to recurring packages only to find yourself overworked and underpaid.

On top of that, clients are often hesitant to commit to recurring packages, fearing long-term commitments when they're used to paying for specific, one-off tasks.

While the transition might be difficult, the payoff is absolutely worth it. Check out this week's podcast where I dive into 7 Pricing Strategies For Recurring Subscription Freelance Clients.

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https://6figurecreative.com/307

30/04/2024

[ Offering Recurring Subscriptions As A Freelancer | The Holy Grail Of Freelancing ]

The life of a freelancer sounds amazing on the surface....

The freedom of being your own boss and setting your own hours. The flexibility of working when you want. For some, even traveling the world as a digital nomad is a possibility.

While that can all be true, the dark side is that there can also be a lot of unpredictability.

What if you could change that? Imagine knowing how much you're going to earn each month and having a clear picture of who you're working for in the coming months.

This isn’t just a nice thought... It's a reality for freelancers offering recurring services - think subscriptions, retainers, or monthly packages.

When you do this, you move from always hunting for the next client to having "automatic clients." This idea comes from turning one-time gigs into ongoing relationships where clients pay regularly for continued services.

Typically, freelancing is a one-and-done deal. You get a project, you do the work, you get paid, and that’s the end of the story. You start each month at zero—no guaranteed money, no clients waiting. It's like hitting the reset button every 30 days, which can make budgeting a nightmare and stability a pipe dream.

But does it have to be this way? Not really. This constant chase for new gigs is a trap many fall into by only taking on one-off projects. There’s a better strategy that can help smooth out the highs and lows: setting up a recurring revenue model.

If you’re tired of the freelance rollercoaster, check out this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative podcast where I dive into recurring revenue for freelancers.

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https://6figurecreative.com/306

23/04/2024

[ There Might Be A Good Argument For Selling Your Soul For $$$ ]

Navigating life as a creative freelancer is all about balancing what you love doing with what pays the bills.

It's often framed as "selling your soul", but really, it's about making tough choices: do you follow your passion or chase the cash?

For creatives, this dilemma is pretty intense. You've got the classic 'starving artist' on one side. They're rich in satisfaction but often struggle financially.

Then there's the other side - the freelancers who focus mainly on what brings in money. Sure, they might be doing better financially, but at what cost?

This week's episode explores each side in a search for finding a healthy balance between money and passion or the seasons of life that may be the right time to focus on money instead of passion.

Whether you're the classic "starving artist" or the money-focused freelancer, this episode is worth a listen.

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https://6figurecreative.com/305

16/04/2024

[ The 10 Most Brutal Client Acquisition Mistakes That Are Wrecking Your Earning Potential ]

Client acquisition is obviously an important part of running a freelance business because it’s how you make sure you keep getting paid every month.

Despite how obvious this is, many freelancers don’t take this seriously enough... and it shows when work dries up and you're back into the dreaded feast-or-famine cycle.

If you worked in a day job that decided to stop paying you for weeks or months at a time, you'd probably do something about it. However, many freelancers never do anything about this in their own business.

They just keep showing up to "work" week after week, month after month, accepting their fate.

If you'd like to be a better "boss" to yourself and actually make sure you get paid every month, this week's episode is all about avoiding some of the most common client acquisition mistakes

If you stop making these mistakes and start taking client acquisition seriously, you’ll have more stability, better projects, and fewer dry spells. What’s not to like about that?

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https://6figurecreative.com/304

09/04/2024

[ How To Set Yourself Apart From The Other 500,000,000 Freelancers In The World | Part 4 ]

In the final episode of this 4-part series, we're diving into one of the most powerful but often misunderstood methods of standing out from the crowd.

I saved the best for last.

This has been the "secret sauce" behind my all of my successful businesses, from freelancing, to Airbnb, to multiple software companies, and even podcasting.

Without this last piece of the puzzle, nothing I've tried would have worked, and I'd likely still be working at Gamestop for minimum wage (missing out on millions of $ in the process)

If you're ready to become absolutely indispensable to your clients, listen to this week's episode to the 6 Figure Creative Podcast.

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https://6figurecreative.com/303

02/04/2024

[ How To Set Yourself Apart From The Other 500,000,000 Freelancers In The World | Part 3 ]

Want to know the 3 golden rules for winning more clients than your competition?

First off, forget about competing on price. It’s a dead-end street. Instead, focus on adding value in unique ways that don’t undercut your worth. It’s about quality, not the lowest bid.

Second, make sure your stand-out factors are visible from the get-go. Qualities like a "great client experience" or a "cool vibe" are awesome, but they only shine through after you’re hired.

You need something that grabs attention before that stage, something that makes potential clients think, “Yes, THIS is the right person for us,” before they even talk to you.

Third, K.I.S.S. (keep it stupid simple). Focus on one differentiator at a time.

In a sea of sameness, one well-defined trait can be your ticket to standing out. It’s not about being a jack-of-all-trades but a master of one.

Last week, we talked about the ways you can differentiate by brute force, which can be tough and pricey.

This week, let’s get into something more accessible yet equally powerful: building trust and credibility, especially through social proof. It’s about showing, not just telling, that you’re the real deal.

Social proof, like glowing testimonials or endorsements, can be a game-changer. It’s about having others vouch for you, and showing potential clients that you’ve delivered 🤩amazing🤩 work before.

This kind of proof doesn’t need to break the bank but does require effort and intentionality to gather and showcase.

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https://6figurecreative.com/302

26/03/2024

[ How To Set Yourself Apart From The Other 500,000,000 Freelancers In The World | Part 2 ]

Why should someone hire you vs alllll the other options they have?

If you don't have a good answer to that question yet, it's time to start working on it before the estimated 500 Million freelancers come online by the end of this decade.

This week I broke down 5 "Brute Force Differentiators" you can use to set yourself apart.

If you're trying to find more ways to stand out, this is a great start!

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https://6figurecreative.com/301

19/03/2024

[ How To Set Yourself Apart From The Other 500,000,000 Freelancers In The World | Part 1 ]

"But they do it for less".

If you've heard lines like that over the past year, get ready to hear it even more over the next 5-10 years.

Why?

Well here's a terrifying stat: There are an estimated 500,000,000 freelancers "coming online" by the end of this decade.

WTF can we do to set ourselves apart from all those people WITHOUT resorting to dropping our rates?

It all comes down to one unsexy word: Differentiation.

Why should someone hire YOU vs alllll the other options they have?

If you don't have a damn good answer for that, you're going to have a bad time...

Stick around for this new series where I'll dive into all the nitty-gritty on how to stand out, earn more, and keep doing what we love for the rest of your life.

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https://6figurecreative.com/300

12/03/2024

[ Why You Should Ask Your Clients For Feedback After Every Single Project | The Infinite Clients Series ]

If you're an obsessive learner (or ADHD) like me, there's probably a long list of new things you've learned and implemented as a freelancer over the past year.

Maybe you've set up that rock-solid client contract, nailed down an onboarding process that's smooth as butter, or started following those essential tips for staying top-of-mind with clients without driving them or yourself crazy.

Or perhaps you've been working on your project management skills to keep all your ducks in a row or taken a page out of Michael Janda's playbook to become someone people just can't help but like.

And let's not forget about setting those boundaries to keep things professional and sane.

But here's the kicker: doing all these things isn't the end of the road.

It's not about ticking boxes and moving on. The real magic happens when you stop and ask yourself...
"Is all this stuff actually making a difference to my clients?
"Am I getting better at this?"

That's what keeps the wheel turning and what makes you better month after month, year after year.

Now, when most freelancers wrap up a project, it's usually a quick "thanks and goodbye" deal. Maybe you're a bit more proactive and ask for a referral, but I bet asking for feedback isn't high on your list.

It might be because you don't know you should, or maybe you're just scared of what your clients might say. And hey, that's totally understandable.

But here's the problem: not asking for feedback is a missed opportunity.

Sure, "asking clients for feedback" doesn't sound as flashy as "marketing" or "client acquisition," but by the time we're done here, you'll see it in a new light.

Feedback can be your secret weapon. It's not just about finding out what you're doing right or wrong; it's about showing your clients that you care, and that you're committed to being the best you can be.

So, even though it might seem scary or unexciting, collecting and using feedback can reshape how everything in your business is done.

In this week's episode, I give you specific questions to ask your clients at the end of every single project. THIS will forever change how you spot weak points and make improvements on the most important things.

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https://6figurecreative.com/299

05/03/2024

[ 6 Client Boundaries to Keep You Healthy, Happy, Stress-free, and Profitable | The Infinite Clients Series ]

So you made it to $100,000+ per year... Congrats. Too bad you made so many sacrifices that you're constantly stressed out, you're missing out on time with friends and family, and you resent your business.

The irony is that you became a freelancer because you hated your day job and you wanted to work for yourself. Now, you feel like you have 50 "little bosses", and you hate your life a little bit more with each new client you gain.

If this sounds like you, it may be time to put boundaries into place to get to that sweet spot between hitting your income goals while also enjoying your life and business.

In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I give you 6 different boundaries you should have with your clients so you can actually stay happy, healthy, and profitable.

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https://6figurecreative.com/298

27/02/2024

[ The Best Method For Avoiding "Revision Hell" For The Rest Of Your Life | The Infinite Clients Series ]

You have had one of those projects that went south fast? You're cruising along, and then boom, you hit the revisions stage, and it's like hitting a brick wall.

Emotions run high, lists of changes start flying in, and what was supposed to be a quick fix turns into a never-ending nightmare. If you've been freelancing for a while, then I'm sure you've been there.

This is the make-or-break moment in your quest for repeat clients and referrals.

If the revisions process feels like a battleground, you're in trouble. It's supposed to be about making things better, but instead, it can end up being the thing that drives you and your client apart (sometimes forever).

But here's the good news... It doesn't have to be this way.

The revisions stage can actually be a chance to show your clients that you're 100% on their side and that you have their best interest in mind.

Instead of dreading feedback, see it as a way to make the project even better. It's about getting organized, setting clear expectations, and most importantly, keeping your cool.

So, how do you go from Revisions Hell to Revisions Nirvana? That's the topic of this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast.

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https://6figurecreative.com/297

20/02/2024

[ How Michael Janda Built A $30,000,000 Design Agency From One Super Power | The Infinite Client Series ]

Being likable is a super power for freelancers, and here's why...

This business is all about making a great first impression, keeping your clients coming back for more, and getting them to tell their friends about you.

When you meet a new client, hitting it off right away can make a huge difference. Just like when you meet anyone new and instantly click — you just want to hang out more.

For freelancers, being more likable means clients are more likely to pick you over someone else, and stick around AND refer more work your way.

See why this matters?

Here's what sucks...

Some people are just bad at being likable. If that's the case, what can you do?

To help us all out with this, I brought back one of the most likable people I've ever had on the show: Michael Janda.

Michael joined us back on episode 207 and walked us through how brought in 6 figures his first year freelancing, and went on to bring in over $30,000,000 from his design agency before he ultimately sold it.

Those numbers show proof that he knows his stuff, and this episode, he'll walk us through what we can do to become the person people WANT to be around (and hire).

No matter who you are, there is something you need to hear in my conversion with Michael Janda.

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https://6figurecreative.com/296

13/02/2024

[ How To Create An "External Brain" That Helps You Finish Projects On Time Every Time | The Infinite Client Series ]

Today, let's chat about a struggle that hits home for a lot of us creatives... We kind of have a bad rep for getting projects across the finish line on time without dropping the ball.

You know the drill – underestimating how long things will take, forgetting those tiny yet crucial details, and then, bam, you've dropped the ball... Again.

Then we get those fun 3 AM panic attacks about that thing you forgot to send off to your client. Yep, been there, done that.

Here's why we kinda suck at this:

Trying to store every single tiny little project detail, deadline, and step in your head is a surefire recipe for disaster. There's just no way for our brains to keep track of this.

It's a common trap, thinking you can wing it because you've done similar projects before.

"I've got this," you say... Until you don't.

But what if you didn't have to rely on your beautiful creative scatterbrain to keep everything straight?

Enter the concept of an "external brain."

This isn't sci-fi; it's about using tools and systems outside your head to keep track of all the moving parts of your projects.

Your "external brain" never forgets, always keeps you on track, and is the difference between a smooth project delivery and a midnight meltdown.

Switching to an "external brain" means you can focus on what you do best – being creative – without the added stress of remembering every little detail.

So, if you're nodding along, thinking, "Yep, that's me," it's time to make a change.

Listen to this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast to dive into the world of project management tools and find your perfect match. Your brain (and your clients) will thank you.

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https://6figurecreative.com/295

06/02/2024

[ The 6 BARE MINIMUM Rules For Solid Client Communication | The Infinite Client Series ]

Pretty much all of us got into this "trading creativity for $$$" thing because we absolutely love what we do. It's easy to forget that there's more to the game than just passion + being good at your craft.

The whole "client communication" thing usually isn't the most thrilling part of your day. It's like, we get so caught up in the excitement of creating and learning new things in our field that we kind of let the whole talking-to-clients thing slide.

It's not because we want to be bad at it, and it's not because we're terrible people... But because we're just not wired that way, especially if your background is anything like mine.

Before freelancing, here was my entire job history:
A janitor at a water park
Flipping burgers at Burger King
Selling video games at GameStop

Corporate world? Never heard of her.

Team meetings and office politics? Nope.

So when it comes to wearing the "professional communicator hat", it's something I had to learn the hard way.

I had no clear boundaries, no set times for chats, no structure. It was chaos.

Messages got lost, things got forgotten, and before I knew it, I was that flaky freelancer nobody wanted to deal with.

If that's anything like you, it becomes a stressful, awful mess FAST....not just for you but for your clients too.

Think about it from their side. They've just dropped thousands of dollars on hiring you, pumped to see what you'll create together.

But if they're left in the dark, not knowing when they'll hear from you or what's happening, that excitement turns to anxiety, then frustration, and maybe even anger. No one wants to work in that kind of vibe.

Bottom line... If you want to keep doing what you love (and get paid for it without losing your mind), you've got to get a handle on the whole communication thing.

To help with this, I've got 6 rules for client communication for you to follow. Think of this as the bare minimum any good freelancer should be doing.

It's about setting clear rules for when and how you'll talk to your clients, making sure everyone's on the same page, and keeping things running smoothly.

It's about making your clients feel taken care of and avoiding that whole excitement > anxiety > anger cycle that can lead to horrible projects (and no referrals).

Check out the episode, and IMPLEMENT ASAP.

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https://6figurecreative.com/294

30/01/2024

[ The 5-Step Blueprint for Perfect Client Onboarding | The Infinite Client Series ]

When you're freelancing, those first steps with a brand new client are absolutely crucial to nail.

It's like when you're trying out a new app and everything from the welcome screen to the first few clicks just flows effortlessly. You instantly know you're going to enjoy using it.

That's the smooth, user-friendly vibe you want your client onboarding system to have.

So, why is it such a big deal?

For starters, it's all about building trust. We're in a world where a lot of our interactions happen over emails or messages, making it tough to really feel a connection. A smooth onboarding experience can help make your client feel like they've made the right choice in picking you.

It also helps avoid those awkward "that's not what I thought we agreed on" moments. Getting everyone clear on what's what from the start means less back-and-forth later on. It's choosing the right playlist before a long drive – it sets the tone and keeps the vibes good all the way.

But it's not just about avoiding mix-ups. An awesome onboarding process shows you're a pro who cares about your clients' experiences.

This can lead to more work from the same clients and even some word-of-mouth recommendations (i.e. "infinite clients"). And let's be honest, who doesn't want that?

Plus, a slick onboarding system can save you a ton of time on the admin stuff, giving you more time to focus on the actual work. It's about being prepared to be creative vs frantically scrambling for things.

So, if you're nodding along and thinking, "Yeah, I need to get my onboarding game on point," then you'll want to check this week's podcast episode.

We break down a 5-part client onboarding process that's straightforward and effective. It's packed with practical tips and insights that could really make a difference in your freelancing journey. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

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https://6figurecreative.com/293

23/01/2024

[ The Rock-Solid 8 Part Client Agreement For Starting Every Project Off Right | The Infinite Client Series ]

We're now rolling into the first real episode of this new "Infinite Clients" series, and my goal is to set up each episode in this series with a new rule... or better yet, a commandment.

Maybe we'll have a full "10 Commandments For Infinite Clients" by the end, but let's just start with #1:

Thou Shalt Put It All In Writing.

If you want a guaranteed way to lose a client for life (including any referrals they might have sent), start by putting nothing in writing.

Mismatched expectations are a killer of client happiness. The client might expect one thing, and they get something totally different.

That's why a rock-solid client agreement is so important.

This isn't about them simply being slightly annoyed. It can lead to bigger issues like losing clients for life or even running into legal disputes (Yuck 🤮).

The goal IS NOT to lock them into some sort of "legalese" contract they hardly understand... it's to write it all out in plain, easy-to-understand English (or your whatever your native language is) so they understand what IS and IS NOT included.

This is the first step to infinite clients.

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https://6figurecreative.com/292

16/01/2024

[ How To Create A Viral Freelancing Business That Gives You "Infinite" Clients | The Fulfillment Series ]

The phrase "Infinite clients" sounds like one of those terrible, cheesy, late-night infomercials, but is something like that really possible?

Absolutely not. Infinite? Come on...

Here's what I love about that phrase, though. If you HAD to come up with a way to create an "infinite" supply of clients, how would that look?

It's essentially what "hope marketing" would look like in a perfect world, and it's something we should always be striving for. Here's what I mean...

Imagine being a freelancer whose work is so awesome that your clients can't stop talking about you. Every single client you work with refers someone else, then THEY refer someone else... and suddenly, you have more clients than you could possibly handle.

Imagine doing such killer work that your clients do the marketing for you. That's the idea behind the "Viral Coefficient" of freelancing. Every happy client you have brings in another one, creating a chain reaction of a growing, "infinite", client base.

Now, let's get real. Freelancers usually have a lot on their plates – marketing, sales, dealing with clients, admin stuff, and oh, actually doing the work.

The reality of making this happen is incredibly hard but it's a goal worth putting a lot of thought and energy into.

THAT'S what this new series is all about: How can you create such an incredible client experience that every single client refers at least one new client to you?

That's the key to building a "viral" freelancing business. While "infinite clients" may be an impossible goal, it's worth every single ounce of time and effort you put into it.

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https://6figurecreative.com/291

09/01/2024

[ Here Are 11 Big (And Small) Projects You Can Take On In 2024 To Bring In Big Money ]

January can be a slowwwwww season for a lot of freelancers. There are two approaches you can take if this is the case for you...

Approach #1: Chill. Rest. Maybe complain a little. Play a lot of video games. Pout a lot.

Approach #2: Realize that you're the captain of your ship, and you're the only one who can make 2024 your best year ever.

You can view any "slow season" as a reason to complain, OR you can view it as a chance for major progress, rather than a setback. This is a perfect time for taking on big projects that can lead to both significant progress and (potentially) big money.

In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I've got 11 projects for you to consider taking on to make this year your best ever...

Think back to the biggest jumps in your business – whether it was when you were getting this thing off the ground, or you finally did that big thing you were scared sh*tless about...

I'd be willing to be some of your biggest step changes in your business were the result of something big you took on.

So if this is a slow season for you, don't waste it! This is a hidden opportunity to tackle those big projects. And with it comes big money.

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https://6figurecreative.com/290