Episodes
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Ever been through a "famine" as a freelancer? It suckkkkks.
The feast or famine life is pretty miserable. One month you're flush with clients, the next you're scrambling, hoping for a random referral to pop into your inbox.
Here's a hard truth for you: If you don’t have a full client acquisition system, you don’t have a real business.
The good news is that once you nail this, it’s like flipping a switch. You quickly see that consistently getting new leads means predictable income, and higher-paying clients.
In this week’s episode, I’m breaking down the five essential building blocks of a client acquisition machine - updated for 2025. I’m giving you the blueprint you need to keep your business running like clockwork.
Your next client shouldn’t be a mystery. Let’s fix that.
In this episode you’ll discover:
The best lead generation methods you can use
How to get the attention of leads at the right time - in a small window when they need your service
Why one-time promotions are working against you
How to build trust with leads
The best ways to nurture leads over time
Understanding and optimizing your sales process
The perks of a good follow up sequence
Why freelancers need to provide a good service (or receive negative word of mouth)
Increasing your business' MRR
How to get a plan created just for you
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/338 -
You know that meme where everything is on fire, and the dog just sits there saying, “This is fine”?
Yeah… that’s how most freelancers handle their business problems.
Empty calendar? Nah it's cool.
Terrible pricing? Meh.
Awful clients? It’s fiiiiine. 🔥
Spoiler: It’s NOT fine.
Here’s where I'll state the obvious: if you don’t actually solve these problems, they don’t magically disappear. They compound.
But there’s good news: every single one of these problems is solvable.
In this episode of the 6 Figure Creative podcast, I’m breaking down the one proven way to actually fix your problems for good. It’s time-tested. It’s genius-level simple.
So you can stop pretending everything is fine and start putting the fire out. 🧯🔥
Your problems don’t solve themselves. But you can.
In this episode you’ll discover:
The best method for solving your biggest problems
Why ignoring or half-solving problems creates a snowball of chaos—and how to reverse it.
The #1 question to ask yourself to uncover your real business bottleneck.
A simple framework to test, track, and tweak solutions until they stick.
How to analyze your results and make data-driven decisions (even if math isn’t your strong suit).
Why solving your biggest problem first creates unstoppable momentum in your business.
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/337 -
Missing episodes?
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Imagine pulling in $130,000 a year as a freelancer… And still struggling to make ends meet. Sounds crazy, right? But it’s happening. And I’ll tell you why.
The truth? Income is just one piece of the puzzle. If you’re not focused on profit, that big income number means nothing.
In the latest episode of 6 Figure Creative, we dive deep into why chasing revenue alone can actually sink your business—and how to flip the focus so that what you keep is actually worth your time.
Don’t let your income be just a “vanity metric.” Get the details on how to make sure you're actually keeping what you make.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why $130k/yr wasn't enough for one freelancer
The "old way" vs the "new way" of being profitable
Why opportunity cost means you may need to kill some services
Making $300+ per hour as a freelancer
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/336 -
How much is one client worth to you? Not just per project—but over the next 12 months? What about the next 12 YEARS?
Most freelancers leave a ton of money on the table because they don’t know how to boost client value.
In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I'm breaking down seven ways to make each client worth more—without overhauling your whole business.
And here’s the best part...
Just ONE of these tactics could be worth $10,000-$25,000+ to you over the next 12 months. Imagine if you implemented all seven.
Whether it’s adding more services, nailing a sales process, or simply raising your rates, there’s a goldmine of potential in your current clients.
In this episode you’ll discover:
How to give yourself a $25,000 per year raise
The essential terms for client value
Re-selling your service to past clients
Revamping your offering to close more sales
Expanding your offering to benefit your clients
Finding the right clients for your service
Offering broader services for a narrower client base
When to charge an onboarding fee
Why you need to use a great sales process
How to make more money when you don't have enough leads
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/335 -
Level with me for a second... Are you actually moving forward in your business, or just dabbling?
My freelancers fall into the trap of trying to do everything. The result? Ten half-built bridges leading absolutely nowhere.
It can be tempting to jump on every new, fun, shiny object you hear about.
Ohhh that CRM looks awesome
That direct offer funnel strategy Brian talked about was 🤌🏻
It's time I start productizing my services so I'm not reinventing the wheel with every project
I should probably start taking social media seriously
Oh... what's this "Boost Post" button do on IG?? (i.e. the "donate your money to Zuck" button)
In our latest podcast episode, I’m breaking down the dangers of dabbling and how this approach is costing you time, energy, and income.
It's time to stop chasing shiny objects and start building a plan you actually stick to.
It’s nearing the end of the year and you’ve got two months left to finish the year strong. Let’s make it count.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why podcasts can be a distraction for freelancers
Creating a plan and following it until it's done
Why you shouldn't work for free out of pity
The theory of constraints
The four main constraints on your business
Options you're facing right now
How we can help you
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/334 -
Are you stuck on the world's worst rollercoaster? You know, the one that goes from feast to famine every few months?
If your freelance business is 100% relying on referrals and word of mouth, you might have unknowingly fallen into what I call the "Word of Mouth Death Trap"—where your income swings wildly, and you’ve got zero control.
In this week's episode of 6 Figure Creative, I break down why this happens and, more importantly, how you can escape it. The solution? It’s all about controlling your inputs to create predictable outputs...
Sounds boring, but the results are not.
Learn the six strategies to take control of your client acquisition and build a business that doesn’t leave your financial future up to chance.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Avoiding the feast or famine income flow that leads to lifestyle creep
Putting your business in your control rather than using "hope marketing"
Using processes to gain more clients
Finding marketing methods that work at scale
What to track to understand your email marketing and sales numbers
Using follow-up routines to stay top of mind with clients
Nurturing leads long-term to warm them up for a sale
How to get help for your business
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/333 -
If you’re not tracking these seven key metrics in your business, you’re leaving money on the table.
Seriously—most freelancers don’t bother, and it’s why they never hit the income goals they SAY they want.
I just dropped a new episode breaking down the 7 metrics you need to track. If you focus on these, you’ll make more money AND do it consistently—plain and simple.
It's not hard to do, but you DO need to know which 7 numbers actually matter.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Understanding lagging vs. leading indicators
What kind of leads to seek
Key benchmarks for your business
Eliminating low-paying aspects of your work
Getting recurring revenue rather than new clients
Why raising your rates is ok, even if you lose clients
How to progress in your business with a personalized roadmap
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/332 -
Ever feel like you're drowning in things you can't control?
I get it. It's frustrating when life throws curveballs like that potentially AMAZING lead ghosting you...
Or that toxic client failing to pay you what they owe. But here's the reality: You have way more power than you think.
This week’s podcast is all about "Controlling the Controllables". It’s simple—stop wasting energy on what you can't change, and laser-focus on what you can.
Funny enough this is something I learned from my 3-year-old niece, and now it's your turn to apply this to your life.
In this episode you’ll discover:
How great parenting relates to you and your business
How to adjust your attitude and actions when....
Why you need more leads
Toxic attitudes to avoid
Setting aside time to work on your business
Taking ownership of everything in your business
How to set up your notifications to focus on productivity
Setting goals for your business and personal life
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/331 -
Tired of chasing clients like it’s a never-ending treadmill?
Here’s the truth: Only ~3% of your potential clients are ready to hire you right now. The other 97%? They’re not even thinking about you.
Think about it like car shopping. You're either part of the ~3% who are in the market for a new car and noticing cars EVERYWHERE, or you're part of the 97% where cars aren't even remotely on your mind.
In today's episode, we dive into a no-BS strategy to target that golden 3%—the clients who want what you offer NOW.
No cold outreach, no content grind, no relying on inconsistent word-of-mouth. Just a simple, repeatable way to land clients ready to pay today.
Let’s turn that 3% into a full calendar of paying clients.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why various types of marketing don't work anymore
How to get the 3% of leads that are ready to buy right now
How to turn on the "lead" faucet that you control
Reducing risk to increase sales
How to determine if your leads are a good fit
Using a sales process to increase your close rate
How to escape a red ocean market
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/330 -
NOTE: Sorry about the audio quality here. The mic cable had a short in it 😭
If you're working non-stop but still struggling to make ends meet, you're probably making one of these five major pricing mistakes. I just dropped an episode that breaks down 5 pricing traps freelancers fall into—and how to fix them before they burn you out.
Here's the hard truth: you could be the great at what you do, great at keeping yourself booked solid, BUT still broke because of any ONE of these mistakes.
Fix your pricing, and you'll be amazed how much more enjoyable your life gets (and your savings account will thank you).
In this episode you’ll discover:
How to match clients to your skillset
Getting stuck with hourly rates and bespoke services
Delivering the same service to clients on a repeatable basis
Separating your pricing from your time
Using "up to" language to protect yourself
How and when to raise your rates
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/329 -
Imagine getting your business ripped apart by a guy who runs a $250M empire.
That’s exactly what happened to me when I spent an entire day locked in a room with Alex Hormozi and 9 other entrepreneurs.
Alex didn’t hold back—he showed us exactly why we were stuck, why we were plateauing, and how to fix it. The biggest takeaways?
I break them all down in this 38 min episode
If you’re constantly juggling 10 different projects and can’t seem to break through your income ceiling, this episode is for you.
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/328 -
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:
Why your lead magnets aren't working
The six types of traffic
The "core four" types of marketing Brian uses
Using earned media to grow relationships
Why only 3% of your audience is ready to purchase from you right now
How hackers make money with stolen ad accounts
Demand creation vs. demand harvesting
Harnessing referrals and word-of-mouth marketing
Using a referral circle to help fellow freelancers
How to get a plan for your lead generation efforts
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/327 -
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:
The power of paid lead magnets
Solving problems for your leads
People who have more time than money, vs more money than time
Using your services to bring in new clients
Why taking a loss in the short term can be a benefit in the long term
Using information as a lead magnet
The questions to ask when offering a free consultation
The four main ways to fully solve the problem your leads are facing
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/326 -
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.
But if you're banking solely on word of mouth to keep your calendar booked with clients, then you're setting yourself up for a rocky ride.
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.
Suddenly, your business isn't about hoping for clients—it's about choosing them.
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.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why Brian has had a horrible week thanks to Meta
Different methods of lead generation, and how your business type changes your lead acquisition
The importance of a solid lead magnet
Keys to a valuable lead magnet
What to do if you're struggling
Understanding what your clients need
Using the Three-Tier-Outcome Map
Diagnosing problems to add value to leads
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/325 -
If you've been stuck at 4 or 5 figures per year as a freelancer, there's likely one ingredient that is holding you back from growth.
Without this ingredient, it is 100% impossible to get clients, grow your income, and get past the 6 figure mark (if that's your goal).
In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, my buddy Mark Eckert and I map out the path you can take to overcoming all of the hurdles between you and this incredibly important missing ingredient.
In this episode you’ll discover:
How to move from four/five figures to six figures+
Why you aren't full time yet
How to revamp your entire public-facing identity as a freelancer
The difference between advertising vs. content marketing and why this matters for freelancers
Why you should be producing more than consuming
How sticking to a schedule or routine can tie all of this together
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/324 -
If you've ever felt like your freelance life has been a neverending feast-or-famine roller coaster, chances are you're missing one (or more) pieces of a full client acquisition machine.
You've likely "dabbled" with bits and pieces here and there, but you've never fully built each of the individual parts and refined them to the point where everything is working as a well-oiled machine bringing you high-quality clients every single month.
In this week's episode of the 6 Figure Creative Podcast, I break down each of the major parts of your Client Acquisition Machine, as well as what specific numbers you should be aiming for as a benchmark.
If you've ever wanted more stability and predictability in your business, and you want a clear roadmap for how to make 2025 your best year ever, this episode is for you.
In this episode you’ll discover:
How to solve a consistency issue in your business
Why dabbling is slowly destroying your income stream
The foundation of your Client Acquisition Machine
Creating a transformational outcome for your clients
Building your Marketing Mothership
Your responsibility to sell to those who need your service
The parallels between software and freelancing
Nurturing your leads for a long-term relationship
Fine-tuning your Client Acquisition Machine
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/323 -
Here are a few of the biggest lies when it comes to marketing your freelance business.
"If I'm good enough, people will find me and hire me"
"The only marketing I need is word-of-mouth"
"If I market myself, I'll come across as desperate"
"This sort of stuff doesn't work for freelancers"
If any of that sounds like you, my guess would be you likely have very little predictability in your income.
You might go from having more gigs than you can handle, followed by extreme famine periods where your calendar dries up (along with your bank account).
If you want steady, predictable income for your business every single month, there are 4 key things you need in place.
If you're even missing one of these four pieces, you're making your path to predictability extremely difficult (or impossible).
In this episode you’ll discover:
Marketing plans for freelancers
When email lists are vital, vs. when they're optional
"Proposing" via text message
The "3% rule" and the "80/19/1 rule"
How your niche affects your marketing needs
Swiping or dating: lead generation and lead nurture
How to create a business you rarely *(if ever) have to market
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/322 -
Ever felt like your industry is just too saturated to stand out? Like you're just a tiny drop in a massive ocean? You're not alone.
Nearly every freelancer has a moment (or ten) where they doubt themselves and their ability to stand out in a crowded "red ocean".
That's why I was so excited to talk to James Martin from Made By James.
James is a designer who's had immense success in the crowded niche of logo design.
He's found a way to not just stand out, but thrive in an incredibly competitive niche. James is averaging around 1,000 inquiries from potential clients every single year, and this has allowed him to cherry-pick the best gigs and reject the "bill paying work" that many freelancers are forced to say yes to.
Whether you're a designer or not, this episode will contain a lot of fantastic advice from someone who's built an incredible, long-lasting career as a freelancer.
In this episode you’ll discover:
How James Martin has thrived for nearly 2 decades as a creative
Why niching down too early is worse than not niching at all
How to stand out in a saturated market
Passion vs. systems and habit
Why it's dangerous to rely on social media
Giving your clients the most value they can afford
Why it's time to raise your prices right now
Relationships in business
The difference between survival and thriving
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/321 -
"I need more clients".
That's the #1 problem our community has in every single poll we run.
The issue with getting clients is that no matter how good you are at what you do, you will never be able to get enough clients if no one knows you exist.
That's why we wanted to dedicate an entire episode to discussing our favorite 3 methods for building awareness and growing your business.
Creatives have to learn this stuff if they ever want to get out of the "feast or famine" lifestyle.
In this episode you’ll discover:
How to make an offer so good people feel stupid saying no
How to harness three of the six different lead sources
The thousand true fans model
How you can advertise for free
Why an email list is crucial to more and more freelancers
The importance of cleaning your mailing list
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/320 -
Here are the two rules for attracting your dream clients.
Rule #1: Be attractive.
Rule #2: Don't be unattractive.
That's literally it.
The hard part comes when you actually look at what is "attractive" to your dream clients.
I'd bet you have a long list of alllll the things you want to see in their dream clients/projects, but very few people take the time to look at themselves and ask the most important question...
"Am I the type of person that would attract this sort of dream client/project?"
In many cases, that answer is, unfortunately, no. You're not anywhere close to being attractive to your dream clients.
In other cases, you might be attractive to them, but you're doing little to nothing when it comes to communicating all the attractive things you have to offer them.
In this continuation of our Client Acquisition Series, we dive into what it takes to attract your dream clients.
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why Guitar Center is the worst place to buy gear (unless they sponsor us)
How Mark closed a half-million-dollar deal
Why different clients need different approaches
Setting expectations in advance
High ticket vs. low ticket sales
How to become attractive to your dream clients
How to stay top of mind without being cringy
Why red ocean businesses struggle
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/319 - Show more
