000: Let the Show Begin

I am very excited and hype to announce the launch of my new weekly video show Freelance Jumpstart TV. Starting on October 23, 2015, every week I’ll share with you tips, advice and how-tos on how to build a successful online business as a creative entrepreneur. When I first started as a freelance web designer I had to learn things the hard way through trial and error. I want to make things easy for you, so you can focus on getting your idea off the ground and taking your business to the next level.

26 Apr 12:52

001: How I Became a Freelancer

I’m sharing my story because I did not formally go to school to be a designer but I was still able to learn on the internet and build business from cultivating my skill. My previous mentality Originally I did not go to school for web design. I went to Baylor University to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. Before I get into that let me take a step back and explain my mentality going into college. I was always looking for the next step, after elementary was middle school, after middle school was high school, after high school was college, after college would be grad school if necessary and finally join the workforce. The problem with this mentality was I was taking the next step and expecting results instead of pursuing what I was passionate about and allowing my passion to drive steps which only relate to my passion. So following the mentality of taking the next step, I graduated began working at a web hosting company and looked for various grad schools. When I look back on my life I recognized I truly enjoyed the process of creating. The process of taking a thought or idea and making it tangible is something I am truly passionate about. If you notice what was happening to me it is simply this, I followed the proposed steps everyone recommended I take all the while my goals were on the back-burner. This happens far to often somewhere between high school and the workforce we tend to settle. When I ask most people “what do you really want to do?” It’s no where near their dream. Tweet !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs'); When did I decide I want to be a freelance designer? I was able to complete my electrical engineering degree but when I moved back home to Houston from college I needed a job quickly. I began working at a web hosting company and a part of that job was to help people build websites. I knew some beginning knowledge about websites and Photoshop but in order to help people I started looking deeper into how to websites work. It was embarrassing to speak with people on the phone and fake like I knew the answer to questions, so I looked into everything I could surrounding building a website. I then found out you can use Photoshop to create the look and feel of a website. This lead me to photoshoptutorials.ws. (This website still exists today.) I spent hours reading tutorials and trying to learn Photoshop. I would read a tutorial and follow it step by step to complete a tutorial. This trend continued until I was a

26 Apr 12:52

002: Freelancer or Entrepreneur?

26 Apr 12:51

003: 8 Ways to Validate Your Business Idea

26 Apr 12:51

004: How to Choose a Business Name

26 Apr 12:51

005: How I Chose a Business Structure

26 Apr 12:51

006: Hustle vs Hope

26 Apr 12:51

007: Marketing & Trust

26 Apr 12:51

008: Targeting Your Audience

26 Apr 12:51

009: Positioning – Perception is Reality

26 Apr 12:51

010: The 4Ps of Marketing

26 Apr 12:51

011: The S.A.V.E Marketing Framework

26 Apr 12:50

012: Hustle and Rest

26 Apr 12:50

013: No One Cares Yet

26 Apr 12:50

014: Pricing Psychology

26 Apr 12:50

015: Pricing Strategies for Freelancers

26 Apr 12:50

016: The Problem with Hourly Pricing

26 Apr 12:50

017: How I Made $375 an Hour

26 Apr 12:50

018: What is it worth?

26 Apr 12:50

019: Value Based Pricing (Part 1)

26 Apr 12:49

020: Value Based Pricing (Part 2)

26 Apr 12:49

021: Value Based Pricing (Part 3)

26 Apr 12:49

022: Raising Your Pricing Rates

26 Apr 12:49

023: Should You Work for Free?

26 Apr 12:49

024: How to Qualify Potential Clients and Get Projects that Interest You

26 Apr 12:49

025: Client Red Flags to Prevent Clients from Hell

26 Apr 12:49

026: The Client Process Workflow

26 Apr 12:48

027: Setting Client Expectations

26 Apr 12:48

028: Where to Meet with Clients and Coworking Spaces

26 Apr 12:48

029: How to Stop Endless Client Feedback

26 Apr 12:48

030: How to Interpret Client Feedback

26 Apr 12:48

031: How to Stop Out of Scope Requests and Scope Creep

26 Apr 12:48

032: Should You Charge Your Client Late Fees

26 Apr 12:48

033: An Invoice is Not a Contract

26 Apr 12:48

034: Invoicing Systems

26 Apr 12:47

[Free Bonus] Road to Launch is Here

Want 5 Proven Ways to Validate Your Product Idea? Learn the five essentials to know if you idea will be profitable and make people stand in line for your product. Send Me the Guide Road to Launch my second podcast launches this week. Road to Launch is all about how to take your product from idea to a successful launch. The end result of what I am building will benefit all the listeners of Freelance Jumpstart TV. Free bonus for all the podcast listeners: http://roadtolaunch.com

26 Apr 12:47

035: Pricing with Profit in Mind

26 Apr 12:47

036: Essentials for Your Client Contracts

26 Apr 12:47

037: Copyright, Who Owns What

26 Apr 12:47

038: Working with Friends and Family

26 Apr 12:47

039: Speak Up for Your Work

26 Apr 12:47

040: You Need A Porfolio

26 Apr 12:46

041: How to Write a Case Study for Your Portfolio

26 Apr 12:46

042: How to Get Amazing Client Testimonials for Your Business

26 Apr 12:46

043: Before and After

26 Apr 12:46

044: Examples of Great Case Studies to Follow

26 Apr 12:46

045: The Road Trip – Part 1

26 Apr 12:46

046: The Road Trip – Part 2

26 Apr 12:46

047: The Price is Wrong (Wordcamp NOLA Keynote)

26 Apr 12:46

048: Public Speaking

26 Apr 12:45

049: Why You Should Go to Conferences

26 Apr 12:45

050: 10 Things I Learned at VenturePOP

26 Apr 12:45

051: Teach What You Know

26 Apr 12:45

052: Lessons Learned from One Year of Podcasting

Podcasting is a great way to use content marketing to grow your audience. Here’s everything I learned in 1 year of podcasting.

26 Apr 12:45

053: One Year on YouTube

Everyone I learned about creating videos for 52 weeks in a row. The good, the bad and the unsubscribed.

26 Apr 12:45

054: seanwes conference. Think Bigger.

I attended the first ever seanwes conference in Austin, TX. this conference was focused on business a business around your passion.

26 Apr 12:45

055: Work on Your Business

When you’re busy working in your business sometimes you don’t have the time to work on improving your business.

26 Apr 12:45

2016 Year in Review

Every year you should set goals and then follow up with a reality check on whether or not you were able to reach those goals.

26 Apr 12:44

056: What Have I Been Up To?

I've been in my product laboratory trying to time travel. Not actual time travel but creating a course I wish I had when I first started freelancing.

26 Apr 12:44

057: Knowing When It’s Time to Redesign

There comes a time when you need to evaluate if your website is accomplishing your business goals.

26 Apr 12:44

Big Changes

New website, new Q&A show, detailed guides, coaching calls and my podcast returns with a vengeance.

26 Apr 12:44

2017 Year in Review

A reflective post about how the 2017 year went in terms of reaching my goals and what lies ahead for 2018.

26 Apr 12:44

058: I’m Back

It feels good to be back. I'm back to creating content on a weekly basis and you're invited to join in on the journey.

26 Apr 12:44

Introducing Traffic Talk

Traffic Talk is a new segment of the Freelance Jumpstart podcast where I answer your specific questions the business of freelance all while driving on my daily commute.

26 Apr 12:44

Can You Freelance with a Full-Time Job? [Traffic Talk]

We dive into the answer on whether or not it's possible to freelance with a full-time job.

26 Apr 12:44

When Does a Fix Become a Change? [Traffic Talk]

There are times when a client may ask for a "small change" but this often turns into something bigger. How do you make sure you are not tricked into getting work you're not paid for?

26 Apr 12:44

How do you cover payment and banking fees? [Traffic Talk]

Adjusting your pricing to cover banking and payment fees in one thing but there is something larger here which involves how much money you want to make at the end of the year.

26 Apr 12:43

059: Freelancer vs Consultant vs Agency

The freelance landscape has become crowded, but there’s still a chance to be successful if you know how to stand out from the rest. How do you freelance in 2018?

26 Apr 12:43

How Many Logo Options Should You Present? [Traffic Talk]

Do you present 1 logo option or several? The answer to the question is more about the client's goal than their preferences.

26 Apr 12:43

060: Always Be Authentic

The Internet is experiencing a shift, and those who have build honest, authentic businesses on the Internet wills survive.

26 Apr 12:43

Blacklisted by a Client? [Traffic Talk]

What happens when you've been blacklisted by a client and how can you repair the relationship?

26 Apr 12:43

061: Reciprocate

If you want to engage people online and build trust with others in your marketing you have to be willing to reciprocate.

26 Apr 12:43

Guilt with Friends and Family Pricing [Traffic Talk]

When working with friends and family how do you get past the guilt of charging them full price?

26 Apr 12:43

062: The State of Create with Justin Jackson

A candid conversation about how to be successful entrepreneur and the state of creating online courses while building a community.

26 Apr 12:43

How Do You Charge for Additional Freelance Work? [Traffic Talk]

How do you go about suggesting a new service for a client and get them to pay when there's already a retainer in place?

26 Apr 12:43

Need Advice on How to Ask for a Raise [Traffic Talk]

When you've work at a company and have grown in experience, how do you go about asking for an increase in pay?

26 Apr 12:42

063: The Product Spectrum for Freelancers

The best way to grow your freelance business is to take the pressure off landing full scale projects with clients. Create a product spectrum that will allow you to diversify and make passive income.

26 Apr 12:42

Should I Charge a Client for Providing Files or Backups? [Traffic Talk]

What do you do when a client continually requests file from you? Do you charge them or do you count it as good customer service?

26 Apr 12:42

064: Productized Consulting with Jane Portman

UI expert and designer Jane Portman joins us to discuss productized consulting and how freelancers can implements this successfully in their business.

26 Apr 12:42

How to Explain You Don’t Work for Free [Traffic Talk]

For this episode of traffic talk we answer the question, "How do you politely explain to a client that you do not work for free?"

26 Apr 12:42

2018 Mid Year Review

We are now half way through 2018. We take a look back at what I have accomplished, how my goals have shifted and what's to come in 2018.

26 Apr 12:42

Can I Price Based on Value? [Traffic Talk]

In this episode we answer a question value based pricing: the key to value based pricing is anchoring the price to what the client save or the profits the client is going to make.

26 Apr 12:42

What’s the Best Approach to Raise My Rate 50% [Traffic Talk]

In this episode we answer a question about a college student who secured a client but after 3 years they want to raise their rate and set new expectations going forward.

26 Apr 12:42

065: Creating a Sales Funnel

A sales funnel is a sequence of steps or actions that take place that guide a potential customer from introducing them to your brand to the final step of them making a purchase and then the follow-up.

26 Apr 12:42

Should You Offer Clients Web Hosting? [Traffic Talk]

For this episode of traffic talk we answer the question, "Should you host a client's website and act as the web hosting service or let a client use a different company?"

26 Apr 12:41

066: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Have you ever wrestled with self doubt, anxiety, perfectionism, fear of failure while working with clients? This may be a common issue creatives wrestle with called Imposter Syndrome.

26 Apr 12:41

Finding Work as a Photographer? [Traffic Talk]

We look at what to consider when leaving your day job for freelancing full time and how to find work as a photographer.

26 Apr 12:41

067: Never Call Yourself a Freelancer

Your title is one of the first elements that informs potential clients of your brand and how you can help. Though you may be running a freelance business if you want people to take you seriously don't call yourself a freelancer.

26 Apr 12:41

How Much Does a 3 Page Website Cost? [Traffic Talk]

For this episode of Traffic Talk we look at the question "How much to charge for a 3 page website?" The freelancer is working with their local chamber of commerce and they are nervous about overpricing the job.

26 Apr 12:41

068: Your Job Title Matters (Cory McCabe Interview)

In this episode I'm joined by filmmaker Cory McCabe as we expand upon why you shouldn't call yourself a freelancer and the importance of your job title to your brand.

26 Apr 12:41

Freelancing as a Stay at Home Mom [Traffic Talk]

A stay at home mother has a question about how to get started as a freelancer and if she should pursue freelance photography.

26 Apr 12:41

069: The Value of Coaching

At some point in your business you will need a coach to guide you toward your goals. However, not every coach will work for you there are 2 types of coaching and you need to know which one fits your learning style.

26 Apr 12:41

Explaining Your Value in a saas niche [Traffic Talk]

For this episode of Traffic Talk we answer a question that came in from email about someone who doesn't know how to clearly define the expensive problem that they're solving in the area of client success.

26 Apr 12:41

Shifting a Design Business in a New Direction [Traffic Talk]

For this episode of Traffic Talk a designer who has specialized in Icon design is looking to move in a new direction. He is wondering if his past content will contribute to the new direction he is taking.

26 Apr 12:41

How Do You Decide What Business to Build? [Traffic Talk]

This episode of traffic talk is a little different. In order to answer this question I thought it fitting for me to visit my alma mater, Baylor University, and answer a question about how I made the switch to web design. For some context let's look at a question asked by Samuel. How exactly do you decide what to go into business for? If I recall correctly, you started in electrical engineering and then switched to web design – what was your line of reasoning for that?

26 Apr 12:41

070: Keep Moving Forward - Worst Week of My Life

This past month I've had nothing but troubles professionally, with my day job, family and other things in my personal life. It sucks and it doesn't feel good. However, I believe I am being met with so many challenges because the goals I've been working on for year are within arms length. No One Cares: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ziu4fNMgvM&t=2s Tobe's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/tobenwigwe/videos Epic Unknown: https://www.epicunknown.com/

26 Apr 12:40

071: The Value of Art

What's the difference between a $30 piece of art and a $30,000 piece of art? This episode of Freelance Jumpstart I cover the main takeaway I learned from visiting agencies and museums while in Los Angeles, CA.

26 Apr 12:40

Do People Still Buy Art? [Traffic Talk]

For this episode of traffic talk we answer the question: Do people still buy art? I share my unique experience of what I learned in Los Angeles and the fact that art and illustration is as popular as its has ever been but you have to pair your art with a story.

26 Apr 12:40

072: Personal Name or Business Name?

In this episode we look at the pros and cons of whether to move forward with your personal name or your business name. Here's a hint the name doesn't matter what you publicly project matters.

26 Apr 12:40

When to Discuss Pricing Rates [Traffic Talk]

For this episode of traffic talk someone asks when is the best time to begin discussing pricing rates. They have been asked to come up with a mockup with an existing client and are not sure whether or not the client is willing to pay for the mockup.

26 Apr 12:40

073: Three Years on YouTube

Without even realizing it my YouTube channel turned 3 years old in October. In this video I discuss what happened this past year on YouTube and what I plan to do in the future. My 2018 Goals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbBp5z2FDsw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQQAinyRkhg

26 Apr 12:40

074: Setting SMART Goals

As the end of the year comes to a close there will be many people who will focus on setting goals in the new year. I want to give you a framework for setting goals first made popular by George T. Doran in 1981. The most critical factor in establishing a goal is HOW you define success. SMART Goal Framework 2:15 = Specific 2:40 = Measurable 3:35 = Actionable (Achievable) 4:36 = Realistic (Relevant) 5:52 = Time Bound 7:07 = Measuring success

26 Apr 12:40

Becoming a Design Leader (Epic Unknown Recap)

As I think back on how 2018 went, I wanted to make mention of a fantastic experience I had in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Epic Unknown is an invitation to explore your roots and the roots of others intimately and uniquely, deep in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. No two trees grow the same. No two stories are identical. It is so easy to be cavalier with the notion of leadership these days. It's a unconference that includes hiking, biking, climbing, and adventures beyond sitting in a room all day.

26 Apr 12:40

075: 2018 Year in Review

As I reflect on the year 2018 I explain what I felt went well, what did not go so well, and assess whether or not my goals were reached.

26 Apr 12:40

076: My Goals for the 2019 Year

Normally I use January as a planning month but as I plan I wanted to share with you what is on my mind as I move forward in 2019 toward the goals I would like to accomplish.

26 Apr 12:40

Do Clients Ruin Your Work with Changes? [Traffic Talk]

For this episode of Traffic Talk we look at the answer the question: My client has taken my beautiful work and ruined it with their suggestions! What can I do? How to Stop Endless Client Feedback: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppc7VUswe5w Speak Up for Your Work: https://youtu.be/IZtFFcx5_3w Thanks for the Feedback (Book): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143127136/ — Looking to level up in your freelance business? You may need Creative Coaching: http://nathanallotey.com/coaching — Like the content? Donate to the Cause: http://nathanallotey.com/donate — Contact Me My website: http://nathanallotey.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/nathanallotey Facebook: http://facebook.com/TheNathanAllotey Instagram: http://instagram.com/nathan.allotey Google+: https://plus.google.com/+NathanAllotey

26 Apr 12:39

077: The Pro and the Pen

Do you feel like you have no creative control when completing projects for clients? Be a professional, not an amateur. Looking to level up in your freelance business? You may need Creative Coaching: http://nathanallotey.com/coaching DISCOUNT CODE: PODCASTFOLLWER Freelance Jumpstart Podcast on iTunes: http://nathanallotey.com/itunesaudio Free Course on How to Double Your Worth: http://respectandvalue.com — Like the content? Donate to the Cause: http://nathanallotey.com/donate

26 Apr 12:39

078: 5 Ways to Transform Your Portfolio

The 5 Ways to transform you portfolio are: Copy Other Agencies Show Your Process Add Visual Storytelling Using Mockups Your About Section References in this episode: https://nathanallotey.com/tv/059-freelancer-vs-consultant-vs-agency/ https://nathanallotey.com/tv/067-never-call-yourself-a-freelancer/ https://nathanallotey.com/tv/068-your-job-title-matters-cory-mccabe-interview/ I used to believe if I focused on having great skill that was enough to attract clients. As long as I could prove I worked harder or produced better work then somebody else I would always be the client's choice. This couldn't have been further from the truth. The truth is it doesn't matter how good you may seem if that is not communicated through how you present your work then you are diminishing your value. You cannot control the fact that people are going to compare you to other designers. However, you do have the ability to influence their perception of your abilities.

26 Apr 12:39

My Friend Stole My Ideas and Hired Someone Else [Traffic Talk]

Episode Notes: https://freelancejumpstart.tv/78 In this episode a designer suggested that his friend meet up with him and they strategize how to increase their online presence and create strategy so they can compete online with their competitors. After a verbal agreement the friend took the advice and strategy but then hired another designer who was cheaper. Who's in the right? Productized Consulting: https://nathanallotey.com/tv/064-productized-consulting-with-jane-portman/ Looking to level up in your freelance business? You may need Creative Coaching: http://nathanallotey.com/coaching Like the content? Donate to the Cause: http://nathanallotey.com/donate

26 Apr 12:39

079: You Don't Have a Business

I was watching a video on YouTube and the person in the video was an animator. They were discussing how they and others with similar channels review animation, movies, comics and sometimes illustrate and animate popular characters. I live in a state of constant anxiety, I could wake up one day and the channel I worked so hard to build has been demonetized. This is our livelihood and how we eat... Here’s the thing: The Platform has the Power You may have built up your channel and provided entertainment but YouTube created the platform, purchased the servers, keep the app updated. Since that is the case. The Platform has the Power So do you have a business? Are you a product on another person’s platform? Ask yourself are you replaceable or a substitutionary product? Are you easily replaceable? Here’s an example. If YouTube were to go away today, would you still have a business? If the answer is no, it’s time to look at your business because right now you are at the mercy of YouTube. It is time to start rethinking how you have set up your business. This is why I created the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvxqzbEX8uQ https://nathanallotey.com/tv/063-the-product-spectrum-for-freelancers/ The core of any business is the exchange of value. What do you have to offer that is of value? I strictly think of YouTube as an audience or a place where people gather to watch videos. Some may become my client or customers and some may just watch a video or move on but relying on this as the sole income source is too risky since YouTube can do WHATEVER THEY WANT and many times in the case of YouTube, they do whatever they want and tell you later. Social media is an acquisition channel YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram these are all places people go to for news and entertainment and businesses purchase ads on these platforms. The primary goal of these platforms is entertainment and they stay open by advertising and the platform in a sense will shift to whatever advertisers want. YouTube used to have ads that were skippable, now they have ads you cannot skip and sometimes show 2 ads in a row back to back. One way YouTube has changed is I’ve noticed views on my channel are down because there’s an emphasis on promoting videos with ads so youtube can make money. You have to find another way to start diversifying how you make income so you are not solely dependent on one outlet. Job security is another thing, we have to ask the same thing of our day jobs. If you were to lose your job today what would you do?

26 Apr 12:39

Advice Over Action? [Traffic Talk]

Some more context: "I have been speaking with a potential client who is having issues with their website. Their current developer costs a lot of money and when they implement updates functionality of different aspects of the site break. I gave them some bullet points of what’s wrong with the site. I was emailed by someone in upper management asking for a list of things wrong with the site for them to give to their developers to fix. Have you had this happen and how should I respond? I’m not in the business to teach another developer everything they need to do to fix their client’s website."

26 Apr 12:39

080: The Riches are in the Niches

How can you find out the unique audience and skill you can offer clients? Some people call this a niche. Once you combine your hobbies with your past education and an industry-specific problem you will have a unique value you can offer clients.

26 Apr 12:39

081: Marketing vs Branding

There is an age-old debate on which is more important marketing or branding. Those which a marketing background tend to have a bias toward marketing versus designers who tend to have a bias toward branding. The truth is everything comes down to how you define marketing and how you define branding. These two are not in competition with one another but are compliments. There is no way you can implement marketing without branding, and a brand can only grow if it utilizes marketing in the right way. So what does this mean? Marketing is the tactics and strategy used to gain people's attention, while branding is about creating consistent experiences to build trust in your customer's/client's mind. Once you are clear on the definition of both marketing and branding than how each impacts your business becomes all the more clear. Donald Miller on branding - https://youtu.be/oxvlGfw85cM Chris Do, Melinda Livsey and Fabian Geyrhalter discuss branding on TheFutur: - https://youtu.be/yK7Rk7Oe588

26 Apr 12:39

Client Organization [Traffic Talk]

A freelancer lost a client due to their lack of organization and trying to juggle too many clients at once. They ask about some ways they can improve their organization so this doesn't happen in the future. Project Management Tools: Basecamp: https://basecamp.com/ Asana: https://asana.com/ Trello: https://trello.com/ *All three tools listed above have a free tier available.

26 Apr 12:39

082: The Great Chicken Sandwich War

Recently the chicken sandwich challenge was a craze that hit social media and the battle between Chick-Fil-A and Popeyes raged on. Looking at this example we see a strong example of marketing versus branding.

26 Apr 12:39

Giving Client Refund. What Wrong Wrong? [Traffic Talk]

A videographer agreed to create a video for a client. After viewing the first draft the client wanted to completely start over even though the client signed off on the storyboard. Rather than start from scratch the freelancer refunded the client and wants to know how to prevent this in the future.QuestionGiving a client a refund, did I do something wrong?Context:I charged a client $1500 for a full day of shooting (4k) and editing, in addition to 3-4 hours of marketing work. He gave me a 50% deposit ($750) before I started any work. When I sent him the rough cut, he wasn't happy and was expecting something else. Something more "grand" as he put it for the amount of money he's spending.He even went on to send me another video (which was a completely diff style) he made for only $200, which I thought was a bad move, but whatever. How can I clear up this kind of misunderstand next time? I gave him a storyboard, he's seen some of my work, I explained to him what it would be like, but then I have to deal with this.

26 Apr 12:38

083: How to Position Yourself as an Expert

If you're looking to positioning yourself as an expert there are two core elements that serve as necessities to positioning: pricing and perception. Both must be used in order for any brand to be positioned for high-value clients.

26 Apr 12:38

Should I Let Someone Know They're My First Client [Traffic Talk]

A rookie freelancer has landed their first client and they are debating on whether or not they should let their client know they are the first client they ever had.For context:Should I Let them know they're my first client?An opportunity to freelance recently fell in my lap and I'm not sure what to discuss with my first client. I've read the sidebar when it comes to pricing and scope (still working on it), but I don't want to ask for too much $$$ and underperform and vice versa. I also have to make a contract and invoice for the client and I don't want to back myself into a corner I can't get out of.When you dealt with your first client, did you let them know upfront that they were your first client and there may be hiccups along the way? Or did you make sure as many issues as possible were wrinkled out before looking for clients?

26 Apr 12:38

084: Be Thankful 2019

As we enter the holiday season and many people get into goal setting mode, I want to draw your attention to the fact that it is okay to take a moment, reflect not he year and be thankful for what you have thus far. Don’t get so caught up in what YOU WANT that you forget what YOU HAVE.Gratitude and thankfulness make you value your interactions with others and make you overall more appreciative.This video is a remake or update to similar video that I created 4 years ago: https://youtu.be/DCidoxluWKU(It sounds so crazy to say 4 years ago. Wow the fact that I have been creating content for 4 years is amazing.)Happy Holidays! 

26 Apr 12:38

Quote Given to Client was "Too High" [Traffic Talk]

In this episode of traffic talk we look to answer a question about how to answer clients when they say your quote is too high.For more context here is the original question:Recently send out a quote to a prospective client and they said my quote was on the high side? How do I approach this nicely without giving too much discount?Freelancers out there, how do you price your services? I’m a digital marketer.Resources mentioned in this episode:https://nathanallotey.com/resources/10-must-ask-questions-guide/https://nathanallotey.com/tv/064-productized-consulting-with-jane-portman/https://nathanallotey.com/resources/the-price-is-wrong-lecture/

26 Apr 12:38

085: My 5 Takeaways from the Futur Pro Group Meetup

I woke up in the morning, and with sleep still in my eyes stumbled to my desktop computer to check any messages that would call for my attention. I saw a new post in the Futur Pro Group, which knocked the sleep out of my eyes and immediately spurred me to look for a flight to Los Angeles. Chris Do, the founder of The Futur, posted an update mentioning that he would host an in-person meet up for networking, teaching, and an opportunity to use their studios to create content. For those unaware, The Futur is a content and education platform that leverages video and distance-based learning models and connects a global community of creative thinkers and entrepreneurs. This is how design education will be taught in the future.The weekend was full of value and the opportunity to meet design leaders from all over the globe. Rather than talk about how good it was, I wanted to sum up the top 5 takeaways from the weekend, which you can apply to your business today.1) Learn To Introduce YourselfOne of the first things we did when entering the meetup weekend was to introduce ourselves. It seemed simple enough, but there was a certain way in which we were supposed to go about introducing ourselves. Stand up in front of a room of creatives professionals and say the following:Say your nameDescribe a problem businesses haveDescribe how you solve that problemDescribe what you use to solve that problemThe key is each of these items must be covered in about 10 seconds.I said the following:My name is Nathan Allotey, and you know how businesses describe their product in a way that doesn’t connect with their target audience? I help brands position their product around their unique value using design and digital marketing strategy.If you can get down your “elevator pitch” as a part of introducing yourself, it can lead the conversation toward securing new clients faster.2) Build RelationshipsI have a confession. I thought going to the Futur meant that I would be able to rub shoulders with the leaders of the Futur and make a good impression on them. The real key is not the fact you get to meet up with Chris Do and the team (even though they are cool). The real value is found in conversations with creative professionals you meet from all over the globe. The weekend is about learning but also building relationships, and that is a skill that is needed when working with clients. Not every client interaction will lead to a sale, and as a creative professional, you need to master the art of getting to know someone and play the long game. Some leads will take multiple interactions before officially becoming your client.3) Collaborate With OthersFor the longest time in my business, I was a “one-man

26 Apr 12:38

086: Panic Into Productivity

With all that is going on during this global panic we have been restricted to our homes but what can we do with the time we have and how will it impact our businesses? Two main questions from the video:4:50 = What have you been neglecting in your business?6:10 = What will you do when the panic is over?

26 Apr 12:38

When a Client Disappears [Traffic Talk]

In this episode of traffic talk, someone asked a question of what to do when a client they were speaking with on the regular suddenly "disappeared". Should they move on or wait on the client?

26 Apr 12:38

087: The Amazingly Terrible Commercial

I've seen this Fiverr commercial popup on my YouTube hundreds of times, however, I noticed a fatal flaw with the commercial and if you learn from this flaw it can be the key to standing out and making more money as a creative.

26 Apr 12:38

088: What is Strategy?

Strategy is one of those words you hear thrown out all the time in a meeting but many times it is not clearly defined nor understood by all parties. Learning strategy is the first step in setting yourself apart as a creative professional.I read an article on strategy which had a huge impact on how I think about strategy: http://bit.ly/wtf-strategy

26 Apr 12:38

089: How to Stand Out as a Designer

With so many designers out there and websites where clients can choose the lowest price for design how do you rise above the competition and break free of becoming a design commodity.There are 3 things you can do today to stand out as a designer:01:28 = Understanding the Creative Process02:48 = Choose a Complimentary Service04:42 = Partner with Other Creatives

26 Apr 12:38

90: Get Paid to Think with Melinda Livsey

Brand Strategist Melinda Livsey shares her origin story of how she went from design order taker to brand expert. Now she gets paid upwards of $10,000 per strategy session for her thoughts alone, without doing any design work which requires pushing pixels.Melinda will help you get paid to think. Follow her:Twitter: @melindalivsey_Instagram: @melindalivseyhttps://www.marksandmaker.com/

26 Apr 12:37

091: Do Black Lives Matter?

The recent showings in the news of racism have now awakened the masses to what people of color have been going through for some time. I reflect on the color of my skin and explain what we can do to create lasting change beyond what hashtag is trending. Great websites and resources: https://blackswho.design/https://peopleofcolorintech.com/https://www.diversifytech.co/https://www.blackgirlscode.com/https://blkcreatives.com/https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

26 Apr 12:37

092: Selling Strategy

Before creating or designing anything for a client the first and most important step is to set the strategy. When offering a strategy session to a client what are the deliverables that the client can use after the discovery session that will impact their business for years to come?In this episode we walk through some of the deliverables you can offer the client once the strategy session is complete:RoadmapBrand AttributesBrand VoicePrioritizing GoalsCustomer ProfilesWant to sell strategy to your clients? Learn the CORE Discovery process 

26 Apr 12:37

093: Position Yourself As A Brand Strategist

BOOKSThe Brand Gap: https://amzn.to/35aDPAxThe Business of Expertise: https://amzn.to/2ZiyEuCMore Books on Brand Strategy: https://kit.co/nathanallotey/learn-br... /TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction00:46 - What is Strategy?02:45 - Overcome Imposter Syndrome03:56 - Teach Everything You Know05:19 - Write Case Studies07:08 - Change Your Target Market09:25 - Don't Offer Strategy First11:32 - Branding Book Recommendations12:55 - Conclusion

26 Apr 12:37

094: Creating Customer Profiles

If you do not know who your audience is you won't know how to talk with them. The key to getting to know your audience is creating customer profiles.Resources Mentioned in this Episodehttps://www.google.com/adshttps://www.google.com/analyticshttps://uifaces.co/https://unsplash.com/https://generated.photos/

26 Apr 12:37

095: How to Charge a Million Dollars

Recently I discovered the reason why Netflix went through the trouble of creating their own custom font. Turns out they paid $1,000,000 for it. However, when you examine this closer there's a blueprint for how creatives can charge a million for their services as well.Sites Mentioned:https://www.daltonmaag.com/studiohttps://www.similarweb.com/

26 Apr 12:37

096: How to Charge 300% - 800% More

Are you confused about how to go about pricing for your creative services? Hourly pricing seems to be the go-to method for pricing creative work. I see why it is simple, easy, and understood by all; however, this pricing method significantly undervalues your worth as a creative.How do you determine the true value of a project? Value-based pricing is a method that can help the client understand the impact your work has on their business and allow you to price what is fair to you and the client.In this episode, I walk through an example of how I could charge between 300% - 800% higher than the initial price the client wanted to pay. You can do the same in your business.

26 Apr 12:37

Surviving COVID-19 ('Rona)

One day while working remotely I felt like I was getting hot. After taking my temperature I had a fever approaching 102 and after getting a test it was revealed I had the dreaded COVID-19 Coronavirus. Thankfully I was able to recover and I wanted to share my experiences so you can hope to prevent yourself from getting COVID and how to manage your symptoms.*Please note I am not a medical professional and I am not providing any medical advice. If you are feeling ill please seek healthcare*

26 Apr 12:37