299 episodes

6 Figure Creative is a podcast that helps freelance creatives earn more money by doing what they love. If you’re trying to avoid the never-ending grind of a 9–5, or just want to earn more money doing what you do best (creating), 6 Figure Creative is your new favorite show! Join host Brian Hood and his guests as they explore topics such as mental health, finances, sales, marketing, time management, the digital nomad lifestyle, and more.

6 Figure Creative Brian Hood

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 374 Ratings

6 Figure Creative is a podcast that helps freelance creatives earn more money by doing what they love. If you’re trying to avoid the never-ending grind of a 9–5, or just want to earn more money doing what you do best (creating), 6 Figure Creative is your new favorite show! Join host Brian Hood and his guests as they explore topics such as mental health, finances, sales, marketing, time management, the digital nomad lifestyle, and more.

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

    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.
    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

    • 27 min
    6 Client Boundaries to Keep You Healthy, Happy, Stress-free, and Profitable | The Infinite Clients Series

    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.
    In this episode you’ll discover:

    Maintaining mental and physical health while you're running a business

    How to handle revision requests without losing your mind

    Eliminating one of the most painful freelance experiences

    How to keep your clients from taking advantage of your kindness

    Boundaries for corporate/agency clients

    Using boundaries to avoid scope creep

    Avoiding stress with payment issues

    How to learn more about building your client acquisition machine

    For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/298

    • 35 min
    The Best Method For Avoiding "Revision Hell" For The Rest Of Your Life | The Infinite Clients Series

    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.
    In this episode you’ll discover:

    Making a flawless revisions process to keep your clients happy and create a viral business

    The rules of efficient, effective revisions

    How to politely stay firm on your project scope

    Creating client guidelines

    Why freelancers drop the ball

    Refining your processes once you have data

    For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/297

    • 34 min
    How Michael Janda Built A $30,000,000 Design Agency From One Super Power | The Infinite Clients Series

    How Michael Janda Built A $30,000,000 Design Agency From One Super Power | The Infinite Clients 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.
    In this episode you’ll discover:

    Why relationships are so important to building your business

    Building your reputation vs. building relationships

    How he landed a $500,000 client just by being nice

    Getting out of your shell when interacting with people

    What skills to work on to grow your business

    Asking people about themselves to win them over

    Why playing games with your business is bad

    Creating goodwill with your clients

    For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/296

    • 52 min
    How To Create An "External Brain" That Helps You Finish Projects On Time Every Time | The Infinite Clients Series

    How To Create An "External Brain" That Helps You Finish Projects On Time Every Time | The Infinite Clients 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.
    In this episode you’ll discover:

    How to make sure you hit your deadlines without stretching yourself thin

    Creating your project checklist

    Checklists vs SOPs

    Handling client revision requests

    The different types of project structures

    Why templates will make your life easier

    Using project management for data tracking

    Brainstorming your tasks to create your delivery lists

    For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/295

    • 31 min
    The 6 BARE MINIMUM Rules For Solid Client Communication | The Infinite Client Series

    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.
    In this episode you’ll discover:

    How we can learn the skills we need to have healthy, effective communication with clients

    Six rules to keep your clients happy (and yourself sane)

    Internal business communication tools vs. external communication tools

    Why clients want plain, simple English

    Keeping your clients up to date

    Using feedback loops to make sure your clients are happy, without overworking

    Turning a client's outlook around by going the extra mile

    Communicating expectations to leads and clients

    Conflict resolution techniques to use with your clients

    For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/294

    • 34 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
374 Ratings

374 Ratings

Jen Vazquez Media ,

Love this podcast of actionable help for creatives!!

I started listening from a the episode on six stages of the client journey. It was straight and to the point and I was able to update my website accordingly!! I’m not subscribed and love this podcast!

Spaulding67 ,

Jesus, slow down.

Good information, but hard to listen to because the host’s stumbling fast speech causes stress and makes the podcast unlistenable.

MikeyOnTheWay ,

INCREDIBLE

So many gems, so much knowledge each and every episode. Since the very first podcast until the most recent one, you guys have not disappointed. You guys are my Go-To for these types of conversations. Thank you guys for what you do and keep the great work!

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