6 Figure Creative Brian Hood

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:

Why a UVP is important to your business

The paperclip vs. the Prada bag

Having an outcome-focused business

How I got an unfair advantage (and you can, too)

Setting yourself up as a specialized business

Examples of well-differentiated businesses

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/259

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.
In this episode you’ll discover:

How to avoid "bill paying work"

Six promotion methods for freelancers

How client value affects your business' needs

Why referral programs work

The benefits of paid promotion

Why owned assets are so vital to your business

Why Clients By Design is for you

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/258

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.
In this episode you’ll discover:

The minimum income goal for any freelancer

The consequences you face as a low-earning creative

Overworking yourself with low rates

How to price your services

Using value-based pricing for your business

Protecting yourself with flat rate pricing

How to keep clients consistently coming back

The gutsy payment method that big agencies can use

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/257

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:

The three tiers of freelancing

Selling flawed services or products

The basic Fiverr freelancer

Providing an outcome rather than a service

Why this episode is a lesson to our editor

The damage ChatGPT is doing to butt-in-seat jobs

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/256

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:

The definition of marketing

Marketing vs advertising

Advertising vs. marketing

The four Ps

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/255

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.
In this episode you’ll discover:

The detrimental effect of fluctuating income on a small business

Why freelancers need to invoice quickly and accurately

Building up a strong cash position to avoid cash flow issues

How to avoid your business shutting down

Collecting payments for unpaid invoices

Why waiting for payments is killing your business

Being responsible with credit

For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/254