6 Figure Creative Brian Hood

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?
In this episode you’ll discover:

Avoiding the basic mistakes that you make during client acquisition

Adding value as a freelancer

Why a high close rate is dangerous for your business

How to increase your sales with a high-quality follow-up sequence

Fix your pricing model!

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/304

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.
In this episode you’ll discover:

The importance of specialization

Why niches work better than others

Conversion-focused web design as a differentiation method

Niching down vs. niching out

The advantages of pushing bad leads away

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/303

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.
In this episode you’ll discover:

Using social proof for differentiation

The impact of reviews on your business.

Asking for feedback and reviews

How to get case studies for social proof

Content creation to generate quote requests

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/302

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!
In this episode you’ll discover:

The three rules of differentiation

Why lowering your price will never help you


When you need to stand out to close the deal

Focusing on one point so you aren't spread thin

Types of differentiators

Why being the best doesn't matter

Why gear is not a good differentiator

Growing a better network to stand out

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/301

"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.

In this episode you’ll discover:

How freelancing grew in recent years

Why should someone hire you?

How low pricing hurts you and all other creatives

The dangers of trying to appeal to everyone

Making sure we don't lose our creativity while running a business

The importance of differentiation in your business

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/300

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.
In this episode you’ll discover:

Why asking for feedback from clients is so important

How clients' wounds can fester

Using feedback to continuously improve your business

Building your feedback flywheel

The two main types of businesses

How to collect your data

Share your feedback with us!

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/299