#388: The 5 Hidden Dangers That Can Wipe Out a 6-Figure Freelance Business
You can spend years building a wildly successful six-figure (or multi-six-figure) freelance business...
Only to watch it crumble to dust.
Not because you sucked at your craft.
Not because you weren't talented enough.
But because you didn't defend yourself properly against a handful of silent killers.
One of these silent killers once cost me five weeks of work I had to make up for free.
(Could've been prevented. Wasn't. Sucked.)
So in this week's episode, I'm breaking down the five hidden dangers that can wipe out a six-figure freelance business (and more importantly, exactly how to defend yourself against each one).
Here's what we're tackling:
How to prevent burnout (you know, when you basically hate your clients and want to burn down your entire business) and recognize the warning signs before that happens.
The “give-a-mouse-a-cookie” problem that sucks away your profit (and one simple phrase that stops it).
The simple systems that keep you safe from the tax man (no, you can’t outsmart the system. Don’t try).
Legal essentials that protect your business (rare, but when they strike, they can wipe you out completely. Here’s how to stay out of the danger zone).
And the #1 completely preventable “silent killer” - payment issues.
You've worked too hard to build your business to let it get taken down by something completely avoidable.
Let's make sure that doesn't happen.
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/388
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#387: How to Build a Portfolio That Attracts High-Paying Clients
Most freelancers think: "The more work I show, the more clients I'll attract."
But if you have a level 10 skillset working with level 5 clients…
Your portfolio is gonna look level 6 at best.
And it’s hard to level up your clients if your portfolio doesn’t match.
Is your portfolio all over the place?
Not showcasing work at the level you want to attract clients?
This week’s podcast episode will fix that.
You’ll learn:
How to beef up your portfolio if it’s still light or you’re just starting out
How to curate and uplevel your current portfolio to attract higher level clients
The secret ingredient that instantly makes your work look 10x more impressive
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/387
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#386: The Goldilocks Pricing Rule for Freelancers (Not Too High, Not Too Low)
“Raise your gosh darn rates.”
I literally have a podcast episode with this title.
But that advice is not for everyone because raising your prices isn’t always the answer.
Every freelancer has a “Goldilocks sweet spot” for their pricing.
The perfect balance of rates that keep you booked, profitable, and sane.
Charge too much? You've got the "luxury mirage"… premium prices, but an empty calendar.
Charge too little? Welcome to the "bargain bin trap"… a packed calendar full of soul-sucking projects where you resent your clients and can barely keep your head above water.
This week’s episode is all about finding that pricing sweet spot that keeps you booked with better clients.
I’ll give you…
4 steps.
and 3 important metrics.
I break it all down on Episode #386: The Goldilocks Pricing Rule for Freelancers (Not Too High, Not Too Low)
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/386
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#385: Booked Solid? Here’s What Comes Next for (Some) Serious Creatives
The vast majority of freelancers want one thing: more clients.
But what if that’s not your biggest problem?
What if you’re booked solid…
And now the “good problem to have” is that you can’t ever take a vacation because your income is tied to the hours you work?
It’s a dollars-for-hours trap.
No work = no money.
Vacation? You're not making money.
Get sick? Not making money.
In the hospital? Not making money.
Your income is handcuffed to the hours you work.
And there's a ceiling. A theoretical maximum. You can inch it up by raising your rates, but eventually... that's it.
That's your max.
Some people are cool with that.
If you’d like a future where you’re making great money NOT trading dollars for hours…
Where you “outgrow” freelancing and transition your expertise into something more scalable…
This episode is for you.
Should I start an agency?
Sell software/products?
Or - should I start teaching what I know and build a coaching business?
In this episode, I talk about the pros and cons of each, and why I think creating a scalable coaching offer is the way to go (spoiler alert: it’s the one I’ve gone all in on, which is why you’re reading this).
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/385
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#384: The “Power Hour” Method (How Smart Freelancers Work)
We all get the same 24 hours in a day.
So why can some people get more done in that 24 hours than others?
It’s not ALWAYS about doing more.
In many cases it’s about doing the RIGHT things consistently (at the right time of day).
My day starts at 5:30 AM with 15 minutes of reading and straight to the gym for a workout.
It’s a non-negotiable for me, whether I feel like it or not.
So my advice for you:
Set aside “power hours” to work ON your business every day - as a non-negotiable.
Just like going to the gym, it’s a “business booty bootcamp” that directly adds junk to your trunk (aka revenue to your bank account) when you do it consistently.
(Oh, and DO NOT check emails first thing in the morning. Ever.)
This week’s episode is all about how to know WHAT to work on and how to prioritize it so you can actually have the business and the life that you want.
Things like:
Micro-routines that help you knock out the important stuff quickly
How I structure my day based on my energy levels, and my best “hacks” for creative focus
The “hate-charity” trick that helps me accomplish my goals
The 3 biggest issues that keep you from prioritizing (even when you want to)
Listen now to Episode #384: The “Power Hour” Method (How Smart Freelancers Work)
For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/384
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.
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