How To Run A Creative Business: In-depth breakdown w/ Melinda Livsey
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- Join new co-host Melinda Livsey as Chris coaches her on how to run her creative business to achieve focus, raise her rates and delegate work to others. This is an in-depth breakdown especially for freelancers who want to start their own business.
Introducing:
Melinda Livsey (co-host)
Marks & Maker
www.marksandmak...
Annotations
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00:54 Meet Melinda Livsey
02:18 What did you study at California State University Fullerton?
03:42 How do you schedule time to filter qualified clients?
04:35 What's taking up all of your time in your business?
06:59 Why are you accepting lower paying projects?
10:30 If a project pays you a certain amount, the amount of time it takes is your rate per hour.
13:47 Get some help: 40 Hours a week isn't enough hours to start a successful business
15:48 I outsource work, but project management and explaining the process takes time.
18:49 Every night, I write down what I need for my team to get done on trello.
12:58 Work Longer
13:20 How are you getting new business? Is this a priority for you?
14:20 How many hours can you expect to work per week when you are a business owner? 60? 80?
16:00 How can I delegate to others when it feels like it takes longer to explain it than just to do it myself?
20:00 Use Trello for project management with your team.
23:00 How Chris Do spends his day
25:00 How do you stay focused and on task?
28:29 Responsiveness
29:09 Role play Clients can't afford your services.
37:00 If you say No to the smaller jobs, you are making room for the clients that can afford you.
37:52 Money only has the power over you that you give it.
41:30 Lift the Gates: Show that you work with larger companies, to attract bigger projects.
45:00 Recap
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Finding Chris and the Futur was one of best things that has happened to me during this Pandemic.
Welcome to the Futur
Crazy how much value he gives for free isn't it! I feel like I'm in debt to Mr. Do...
Same here even though I am based in Singapore and a lot of low priced enquiries come in I've learnt to say no. Refer to someone able to take the job
oath!!!
I am telling you! Me too
This is really, the most valuable CZcams content regarding any creative arts and their management that I have ever seen in my 8-9 years in CZcams. This is the stuff other people charge a lot of money to teach.
thanks Donald for validating what we believe.
I share thesame thought - it's the Favorite playlist on my PC
"If you say no to the ones that can't afford you, you're making room for the ones that can." 37:00
Boom!!!
Going to be staring at the lake all day, waiting for only the big fish to swim by
Yeah, needed to hear that today.
Time to do a pass on non-committal prospective client.
A comment to help you sleep better at night, Chris:
I know you said you're worried about the audience falling asleep with the number talk, but I actually got more engaged when I realized how in depth you were going. No one talks about number, and I really enjoy learning more about the "spreadsheets" behind the business.
Thank you. I appreciate the positive feedback
@@thefutur lets go! 2 yrs l8r bra
@@thefutur You state that investing 60h-80h a week in your company is a "reality" to get good results, but it seems impossible to manage the family life (having a kid) then. Do you manage to have a quality time with your family and kid with such a skedule? Or sacrificing all is the only way to go forward?
This video is powerful. I put in at least 90 hours of work. 45 hours goes to working for someone else, the rest goes to researching and developing the business of me. Told my wife that my goal is to have $100k in two years. I see how I can do it, and watching these videos really gives a completely different perspective. Thanks for the valuable info. 👍
I've just hit pause because i wanted to write this. *I don't see ANYBODY doing videos like these.* I've shared quite a few, as in "you have got to check this out." I'll shut up now. Keep going.
thanks Carlos!!
Also, very corageous from Melinda Livsey to do this.
Thank you!
Absolutely. This is raw, true advice that would probably cost thousands. Chris and the team are going to see how much they impact soon because this channel is truly groundbreaking
Melinda Livsey Thank you! You are making the same mistakes everybody is making and this is a great opportunity to address them. Here are my 20 cents:
*Time spent on smaller tasks*
If you have a deadline for a task, force yourself to do it closer to the deadline and make Parkinson's Law work for you. You will freak at first (OMG, I only have this time to do this?!), but eventually be amazed at the quality you can achieve (the client doesn't need to know. And when they ask for changes, you'll be less invested)
*Focus*
I'm just starting out using GTD. Very simplistically, when you write things down (everything) your brain will worry less
*Putting the hours*
I struggle with this. Working alone is a big problem. I wonder if some kind of virtual workspace (or even a spreadsheet!) where everyone can see the hours everyone is putting in would work.
Again, keep up the good work!
I've been spending last days watching your videos 16 hours a day, taking notes, studying and trying to get the most out of your work to improve myself and start my activity.
It's actually a pretty dark period and the value you provide is helping me tremendously.
Thank you so much for what you do, Chris.
I'm speechless... This is literally one of the most VALUABLE videos anyone running their own creative business needs to watch. I am awe struck at how similar Melinda's story is to mine and there is so much incredible advice to take away from this. Bravo! Just awesome!
Dani Mead glad you can relate!
not only is this helpful for someone running or starting their own business, but also helps you understand what someone running a creative business deals with - if you're a designer working for someone running their own business..
good point. you are right!
I'm 25, freelancer. Your videos are absolute gem. I'm binge watching all your videos now. I wish I discovered your channel when I started out my business. Thanks chris for bringing so much value.
Notes:
13:55 40 hour work week.
22:58 Chris Do work schedule
25:02 Focus sheet
28:26 Responsiveness
39:05 Courage
41:37 Lift up the gates
Enjoying your notes.
Thank you! So many times I revisit thefutur videos and keep scrubing through the videos. I ve decided to make notes so I can get to what resonates with me sooner.
This series is so unbelievably helpful and unlike anything I've ever seen. And it's only episode 2!
Get to episode 8 and let us know what you think.
My favourite take-away is don't let money have power over you and work on talking about budgets in the beginning and often. Thank you for this video. Always appreciated 💯
Great take-aways! Two of my favorites as well.
Just discovered your channel and I found myself watching all your videos. I don't usually comment at CZcams but I wanted to thank you for how openly & honestly you are sharing your knowledge 👏 It is very generous of you! These videos are GOLD!
Oykun Yilmaz thank you.
I'm a fairly recently self employed carpenter who came across a clip of you (Chris) giving some seminar about pricing on Facebook.
I subscribed and have tried to follow along as and when I have time (2 kids!). I did design at college about 20 years ago so I can relate on some level to the principles of logo design but at its core, everything you talk about can be copy and pasted into most if not all aspects of being self employed.
I think this channel and what you're doing is incredible and very generous of you both.
Thank you so much and best of luck to Melinda in pushing past those barriers! They are there for me too. Biggest one I related to is holding off on the "money talk". For me, it's a bit like if I've invested time in coming up with an idea, a strategy, a design etc, I feel then as though I've earned the right to ask for the money I'm asking for. Coming up with a set figure from the start without showing the client I'm prepared to be invested in their dream, almost feels cheeky. But it shouldn't. Chris is right.
I'll try to take it on board!
Tom Scourfield hi Tom. Welcome to the channel. You are right. What I'm sharing is broadly applicable. Glad you saw the connection.
Good luck with your business.
Tom Scourfield thanks!
Mind. Blown.
This is some serious ammo!
I'm not massively experienced and my journey into graphic designing has started late (I'm 30, self-taught and started in 2015), but being a freelancer one thing that has personally helped me recently is: networking and collaborating. Whether it is attending workshops, seminars, local meetups or even answering a question and helping someone on a social media group, it increases your chance to be with those few who are working with or know big clients. I say this now because that's how I recently got a significant project from a popular local business.
Again, this stuff is gold! Can't thank you enough for instilling confidence and restoring our faith in humanity
all that in one video? : _)
Kartik... congrats on the big project!!
Not only this video but the entire content from Day1 actually. I discovered 'The Futur' last December and it really changed the way I approached things. Compared to 2015, I feel I am in a much much better position! Really looking forward to getting into the Pro Group next month. Cheers! :)
Thanks @Melinda! Looking forward to more insights from your next video with Master Do :)
Man, you're like a therapist to her/us! Thanks. I think we secretly know these things, but sometimes you have to (be made) say it out loud, so you can hear the advice! This video was awesome.
thanks Lisa.
the part about not letting money have power over you - truly transformative. thank you so much.
The Futur is one of those channels producing content that makes me super excited about. I just hope this thing reach millions of people some time. Chris, you are somehow a virtual mentor to me. After following you for a while, watching, reading and listening to your content, I know I can trust what you talk about.
Thanks a lot for all of this. Cheers,
a design student from Argentina.
Totally agree. He was my virtual mentor before I met him.
Juan Martin Germano thank you. Hope to see you grow in every way.
Dude, you rock. I never used to watch CZcams videos because they are usually full of crap, I won't take names here but people just keep talking about "hustle" and all sorts of things we already know but you have crossed all bars in creating value. A value out of your experience. This is what mentoring looks like when you shower the person with your knowledge of experience so that they don't suffer the wrath of what you might have.
Keep rocking man. Feeling inspired, motivated and blessed to see your content.
Thank you. Thank you.
"Release the power that money has over you" that is the best thing I could heard right now.
Melinda Livsey's portfolio is amazing! She's doing so MUCH stuff for only being freelance for the last few years. Thanks Chris for making a platform for showing young creatives how to get started on their own with a down to earth approach to discussing the real struggles that freelancers face.
she's a future rock star.
Thank you!!!
This movement you are creating is really a great help for the design community. Not just for people who wants to start their own creative business but also to empower creative workers. Money is one thing, but giving value to others and being appreciated is priceless.
I concur. Chris and the team have done so much for us all. And they are teaching us by example to pay it forward.
What would be the breakdown of a branding job you charge 5-7K for? Exactly how much work are you doing for that figure?
Hi Gokmen. My typical brand identity jobs currently consist of a logo, secondary logo, pattern, typefaces, color palette and suggested photography. I go through a questionnaire/research phase, design strategy, 1-3 design options, and production. I also show each design option on different applications to give an overall sense of the how the identity would look. Depending on the complexity, the project can take anywhere from12-40 hours. It's a big range, but the jobs vary and I'm constantly refining my process. Hope that helps!
Damn, you've obviously got some well off clients!
I lost my job during the first lockdown, and then I discovered Futur and Ran Segal.
Thanks to your content, I’m in my way to start my own business soon.
Thank you
Sorry to hear that but glad you found us.
Chris your personal story is really inspiring. This channel is the most informative design Chanel I've ever subscribed to. You're the MAN!
Such a great channel!
I think I am going to listen to this every Monday morning for a refresher on how to run my business. This is gold!
Just starting my creative agency and I can completely totally relate with this. Thank you for doing this.
Happy you can relate!
I can't believe how much I have grown in the past few years. I use to be just like Melinda but today I am much more focused on efficiency and can tell what tasks are worth my time. I'm not even afraid to bring up budget right from the start. My confidence has grown significantly. I'm even able to keep my cool when people lose their shit and I can tell they feel bad afterwards in this situation. XD
congrats.
It didn't even feel like a 46min video, nice content!
I have been in touch with Melinda recently. She is a great personality, Very helpful. She has guided me on how to level up my game. Thanks a lot, Melinda. I hope you and your product rock 2019. And Chris is awesome always. I will watch this whole series to learn more in detail now.
I was also having a problem with this "No" thing from the client and I can totally relate with Melinda about those "confrontational" feelings. This interview has so much depth and clarity towards the running the creative business along with the ugly truth. We often get confused with creating stuff and how to making money from it without getting exploited. Thanks for the share!
Glad I'm not the only one! Being creative and running a business forces me to confront myself and how I deal with things.
Wow! just wow, like everytime I am amazed by your advice Chris, I honestly can not explain how much this means to me, I've changed a lot since started watching your videos, and so did my experience as a designer. I got really sad at the end of this video because I honestly would have listened to it a couple more hours, this motivates me to do more great work. Thanks.
More coming!
so helpful - This is truly content marketing done correctly!!! delivering real value that addresses customer pain points or queries!!! I hate it when people bait you with tips to give the impression that they're pros just so they can sell you on a course which probably doesn't even help that much!! For me, its all about earning my trust first and then only do I feel comfortable with parting with my money to invest in what you are teaching!!
Another great video. When you mentioned that viewers were asking for more female input with your videos it occurred to me to point out that not all that watch your videos are young people relatively new to the business world. I just turned 50 and started a new business not long ago. Your advice and wisdom transcends all demographics. Thank you!
Congrats on starting your new business, AJ!
thanks AJ! Appreciate it and happy to be a part of your journey regardless of age or gender.
I just love your videos Chris. Thanks Melinda for asking the Qs. Some of them are a burning pain for me as well. And I have started learning to love the math. It gives me so much clarity on my business. Thanks a ton to both of you.
I love that we can learn together.
I'm currently in school right now. I've received more insight into this business watching this channel over the last couple of days, than I have in the classroom. I have to admit that when I discovered this channel awhile back, I watched one video and walked away because of Chris's abrasive approach. Now that I've spent more time listening to him speak, my view of him has totally flipped. He gets to the heart of issues and addresses it quickly. His no nonsense approach is for the good of whoever he is speaking to at that moment to direct their attention to a specific line of thought. So much invaluable information in these videos. So thank you!
Thank you Callie for giving me a chance.
You attract the kind of clients that you are. If you are cheap, your clients are cheap. Your business is always a reflection of you. Your home life is desorganized, your business is desorganized.
You don't know how to deal with people at home as a person, as a friend, you don't know how to deal with people in business. If you want better clients you first you gotta make some internal changes and change a little bit of who you are because you attract the kind of client that you are. It's very very simple.
Wise words!
I strongly agree Lucas, what we see in others is always a reflection in the mirror. Tough pill to swallow even for me who acknowledges and understands that. Our perspectives depict our lives. Wish you well friend🙏
Cal State Fullerton Graphic Design Alumni here! Melinda has been really helpful for freelance, especially coming from that school.
Fullterton in the house! #Represent
Thanks, Miguel!!
LOVE this, this is awesome. Honestly appreciate the long format, sans cuts.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the content you guys put out. Sometimes facts and values like this are what inspire people. Dreams are great, but somebody telling you how to achieve them, or how they achieved their own makes it seem a lot more concrete and possible. Thank you for that.
I love this video. Melinda asks the exact questions and comments the exact stuff I would, it feels. Very useful.
I am a freelance teacher, but everything still applies to my business and was really helpful!! Thanks so much!
Great!
loving the free flowing conversation and I am not even in the business side/graphic designing. I was hooked to all the general wisdom you were sharing keep it up. +1
Great content! I can't believe this is from over a year ago. I'm bing watching these and absorbing as much as I can while also putting it into practice thank you Chris!
hi Oscar. welcome to the futur.
I surely relate to this.. As being an solopreneur i was struggling wit all thats being talked abt.
I wish to see more of this "real" conversations.
Thanks Chris
More is coming!
Chris Do is brilliant, intellectual, and practical. I just discovered the Futur recently, and I love its content. Useful, Informative, to-the-Point.
As a beginning graphic designer, this is some of the most relevant up to date content I've found.
Keep going guys!
Thanks Julian. Appreciate it.
This video is so refreshing & so enlightening. I like the new environment and lighting as well. 👨🎨 Thanks!
💎 This is a real goldmine for creatives 'Business of One' just like me.
So many great tips in this one!
3 years later? In my CZcams feed? This is the absolute gold content, and I am so grateful, you guys.
When you're just getting started with your workday and praying for a new long episode!!! Thank you for yet another resourceful episode Chris!
Chris, I love watching and listening to you mentor and talk about these kinds of open topics. Business, numbers and tangible growth over simple dreams and wishes. This the DEEP business of design and I love it!
we mix it up. short bite sized pieces for the attention starved folks and some deeper content for those that want to dive in.
Really nice video. I liked the part (near the end) when you talked about the money, your background and the way you said how are you comfortable with having nothing. Money is a great servant, but a terrible master if you let it. I think this kind of psychology and mindset is really underrated when you are starting something new and I liked the way how you brought it to the table. It's very important to find the way to get out from your comfort zone. We often hear people to talk about that, but i saw maybe a handful of people to actually do that. Also, as someone who often had effective cca 90 working hrs per week (in my biz ofc, can't imagine to put that amount of time for someone else), I think being more productive is far more important than pumping numbers on your clock or being busy with something where you are NOT putting your max effort in. Discipline and organisational skills are crucial there. Time is the most valuable resource and asset you will ever have and, unlike money, that kind of bad investment you can't get back. Just my 2 cents on this video. Good job (u and Melinda both) and keep it up.
Thank you! I totally agree about your time comment too. Just adding hours won't do much. Like you said, productivity and organization is key!
I really like your style straight forward. I live in Chile and as a designer i found your content much universal and easy to apply globally. Now with 20 dislikes over 1.572 it would be weird not to have them. Diversity is a value to appreciate. Excellent work well done!.
This is the best "how to business" video I have ever seen. You really ask in-depth questions, with real numbers, things that really mather and so on. Thank you very much!!! Keep up the good work :)
Thanks for watching, TheAmaretsu!
Thank you! Your videos have taught me more in a week than I've learned in 12 years of self-employment. You have no idea how much it is appreciated.
Thank you.
Chris, it's very evident that you come across loads of people like Melinda, regardless of age or experience, where by people find it hard to say no to any work (money) that comes in simply because "bills need to get paid'. Have you ever spoken about how to get the big clients when you don't have 'big client work' to show?
i think i have. you want a deep dive?
I think it will help immensely
Good question, Emir!
I would say move in the circles where you want to find your big clients. Relationships are everything, and once you get your first couple of big clients the rest will start knocking on your door, specially if you keep providing quality and being reliable at any time. Just my 2 cents, hope that helps
Love the full transparency and mentorship going on here. Really happy I came across this channel.
welcome.
Gold. Yet another episode of The Future where I find myself pausing and taking notes. These frank discussions about money, time and value are crucial in this age of solopreneurs and micro businesses.
-Mike
Gyroscope Media thanks MIKE.
Take notes and take action!
1. Excellent setup. New look. Feels fresh.
2. Content: Will need to watch it more 2-3 times to let it all seep in. Each idea, problem and solution discussed, great.
3. @Chris Do: Thanks. For doing what you are doing. Keeps getting only better.
thanks for your support. 1, 2, 3 boom!
Very relatable to my business scene, thanks Melinda and Chris for your openness and honesty.
You're very welcome, Daniel!
I just want say thank you. I bet you have no idea how valuable your advice is. This coming from a starting (sorta) freelancer living and working in Finland. Again, I thank you, Sir!
we do our best to provide actionable information to fellow creatives in the world. thanks for letting us know where you are from.
LOVE the Trello insights, Chris. Funny, I did the same exact thing as Melinda. Used to get an inquiry. Got on the phone to talk details, told them I'd get back to them with a more specific timeline, costs, etc. And it took up an INCREDIBLE amount of time to do the proposal I would later discuss with them (that few could afford). Now, since I send an initial sheet of information for them to fill out with their Key Business Objectives, my $10k project minimum, etc. So now, of the people who fill them out and return it to me, I've closed the sale on like 3 out of 4 times. Plus, someone who can't afford me, I get to know right away because I don't get a return reply. It's great! ;)
Glad to help! ;)
Jared- that's awesome! It saves so much time to do it that way.
@@thefutur This is my new strategy for 2019! Is there a sample Info Sheet (for clients to fill out their objectives and outline a project minimum) available for purchase or download from you guys?
By simply watching TheFutur videos, my life is changing for the better! Keep making them!
Love these nitty gritty conversations, keep it up mr Do!
melinda is coming back tomorrow to record the next segments.
Looking forward to more!
This is super good and I think an important share (this process of building a company/brand). Thank you for making the time to develop these ideas and producing them. You guys are awesome.
Thanks for watching!
This isn't just business, this is therapy.
in a way, business coaching is exactly that. it should be therapeutic. that's my approach.
On a binge with your content Chris. Thanks so much for sharing man. Much love
BEST VIDEO EVER. This was particularly a great video for me Chris. Even if you had already answered these questions in other episodes, I think this was an awesome way to put myself into her shoes and her direct advice from you. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Yoonji, so happy you found this helpful. Sometimes I need to hear the same thing, said in many different ways, before it sinks in.
I watched the video in its entirety. Futur, we love the content. 1 hour, 2 hours, doesn't matter. Your in-depth detail in every aspect is what I love about the stuff you put out.
I fully understand her stance originally on asking about the money upfront. I have had work in the past that I am 100% convinced I would have lost if I asked about the estimated budget because a lot of times people contact me they have no idea what the project should cost, and second they under estimate the work so they will come to you right away under cutting because they feel it's like buying a car and if they state their real budget you will take it all even if the project does not require it. Do not get me wrong though, I understand a lot of you will say "Those are the clients you don't want" but after putting in the work and providing them a detailed proposal, they felt more trust that I was fully transparent, I was charging my worth and a value for the project. A lot of those clients I still work with today and they are covering my bills quite well.
But every person will have a different experience in the end, I am sure a lot of you might have benefited from asking about budgets right away before using your time. I'm just saying don't exclude the idea right off the bat.
Great perspective, Scott.
I think the concept of asking what the budget is upfront is to make sure your time is as productive as possible.
The time you spent estimating, creating and sending proposals for $500 projects could have been put towards creating new content for $3000 projects.
And there are more reasons for rejecting low budget projects like not hurting your brand making you look desperate, knowing your worth (gives you confidence which influences positively your next creations) and also avoiding loss of time generated by cheap clients that usually respect your time less because they paid less for it. Sorry for the length 😂
That's the thing though. I never write a proposal for any project under $2,000. Anything below that really doesn't need a proposal as it usually consists of small edits to an existing site.
I have 5 years of varied sales-only experience. Meaning my only job was to qualify and close clients every day. I am 100% convinced that I wasn't right about probable sales outcomes I was 100% convinced about during my first 2 years, or roughly first 300 closed prospects and 1,000+ unclosed prospects.
TLDR; I would exclude the idea of delaying price right off the bat for anyone without strong sales experience. I would rarely do it myself, and I'm not sure that overall it's paid off for me when I did it.
I really don't think it's about "what works for you." Price delay strategy is quantifiably bad for most people. Trying to sell every lead, which is basically what we advocate when delaying price, will lead to more negative outcomes than positive outcomes, for anyone, always. It's not just about ending up with "clients you don't want", which is really bad, and will definitely happen. Worse you take time from pursuing your best prospects and risk losing them.
Say you have 200 leads in a year( The numbers don't matter. The math and logic bear out over any data pool.) You decide to give upfront pricing for 100 of them, and delayed pricing on 100. You will spend half of your time on the former leads and half of your time on the latter.
Within a week you lose 90 prospects from that pool of 100 you gave upfront pricing to.
Oh NO! That's awful right? No that's awesome, especially if you don't want to spend all day selling.
Going forward you can devote half of your time on just 10 budget-qualified prospects, who I guarantee, will be much easier to work with.
The other half of your time is spent on 100 question marks. So even if the 100 question marks actually contained 20 budget-qualified leads, you're still only able to give 10% of the sales time and energy to closing any lead from the unqualified pool vs. leads from the certifiably qualified pool.
Guess what has a huge effect on closing a sale? The amount of time and energy you can devote to helping a prospect make a decision. Say you're able to devote 100 hours to each pool. Each prospect in the budget qualified pool gets 10 hours. Each of the 20 prospects in the unqualified pool gets 1 hour.
You'll spend 100 hours working to close budget-qualified leads from the pool of 10, and just 20 hours working on budget qualified leads from the pool of 100, because 80 hours will be completely wasted.
Yes, yes in real life situations it's not exactly that simple, but these numbers are the mean. So sure you may luck out and get better hours devoted to budget-qualified leads from the unqualified pool, but you can just as easily do way worse.
I will take the 10 qualified prospects over the 100 randoms any day. Even if the numbers were exponentially less and I could choose 1 budget-qualified prospect to work with or 10 unqualified I would take the 1- every freaking time.
If you really really know what you're doing in sales situations you can decide a lead is a qualified prospect even if you know they wouldn't agree right away because of your price. If you think that and really know how to handle the process from there then it might be a good idea to delay price for certain prospects and build value first. To me that's a lot of prerequisites for untrained salespeople.
Often you'll be dealing with decision-makers who have been subjected to years of mediocre sales BS, and can smell it a mile away.
Every day I was talking with new prospective clients. I've been on the sales end of 1,000+ closed sales, and of course many more failed transactions. I don't recommend delaying price, and certainly not without strong sales and client qualifying skills, but you're right that each prospect is different.
If I had a feeling someone would be wise to take the time to educate and build value for before getting into cost I did it, but even from that filtered field I can't say that it was smart in the long run as this pool contained our least valuable long term clients. Not only did they cost us time we could have spent pursuing better clients, but among them were our worst customer service nightmares.
For anyone still reading this is probably the best advice I can give :
Anecdotal analysis of sales outcomes is extremely misleading. We remember more of the positive outcomes and overestimate the exclusive effect of our decision-making and actions on the outcomes. Basic psychology. No one is immune to it.
Do everything you can to be scientific and objectively track your efforts, especially if you aren't a natural salesperson, or someone without training and experience.
Thanks a lot Chris and Melinda. I am a starting solopreneur (sounds more chique than freelancer) from Amsterdam. This is very helpful. Keep up the good work. Much respect from Amsterdam!
Congrats on starting out! Glad you found it helpful.
This is a great video with down to earth content, I don't think it can get better than this. I was able to relate at every step of the conversation, took down some notes for action items and also wrote down some future questions. I look forward for more of this. Well done Melinda and Chris.
Thanks, Victor! I'm excited to hear your future questions.
Thank you very much Chris, very good episode indeed. Your engagement with your CZcams audience is remarkable. In fact, I don't know any channel that has this level of engagement. Keep this up, it's already unique.
Thanks! doing my best.
15 minutes in. This is very good and different. Melinda brings in such a "real" vibe, you can tell it's an actual person operating in the real world - very relatable and captivating. Just been recently getting increasingly realistic about the economic side of small business. The economy and the craft are different things. Economy is so serenely objective.
P.S. I use a little plastic dater stamp on focus sheet (A4 notebook) - adds a bit of structure.
Cool editing btw.
She is very real and relatable to our audience. but everyone else on the show is also real. it's just they're further along in their career, so it might seem out of reach.
Interesting perspective.
i work 7 days a week and work till 1-3am on average (what are weekends?) and i'm glad to learn that I don't overwork on my own design business. it's not easy but it's a lot more fulfilling :)
after failing to keep up with trello, basecamp, and jira.. asana has been the consistent tool for me on collaborating with different teams on each of their project management.
I've used Asana too. Great tool!
You pay good money for this kind of advice. Top man Chris for sharing this, and looking forward to putting this process into action!
she got it for free by agreeing to be on the show.
for short: I used to fear to ask for the right price > listen to you > I improved both skill and mind> wish I can work with you someday.
This is so hard for me because if I didn't get the money I can't survive.
And If I ask for more, I will question my work automatically.
Some kind like the question that you guys hear all the time.
Is it good enough ? Am I worth that much ? The cheapest price for the logo where I'm living is like $30 or below. I felt like a loser. I regret all the choices that I have made. I should just doing what people told me.
But I still doing it because It's just felt so good to get better in what I love to do.
Then I found you guys. And I'm lucky enough to understand English.
This really help me to go through fear.
Now, I don't listen to the fear that much anymore.
If my way doesn't get me there, I will try it your way .
I work with one screen and another screen I'm hearing you critique my web and logo. lol
Finally, I can let go of most of the excuses,focus on the goal and keep working.
I wish I can work with you guys someday.
don't quit.
Thank you
Real good stuff, I like you bringing in designers and coaching/helping in the vids. In fact I prefer this over random silly questions from the viewers. By having a verity of guest you will cover the different members of your audience without the "what should I read, is there a list ?" questions you seem to get every week. Great job, keeping helping people get out of level 1!
that's my mission Gilberto! let's move the community forward.
The Futur is the rising tide that lifts all boats.
I watched this video 3 times. and it's so good. big motivation to get back on the road. I need to get super focused. Thanks Chris.
More than 4 Years ago and it's still GOLD.
Awesome content. So many points here hit right at the heart of some of my limiting stories, worries, and excuses that have kept me playing small. This content is pointed, succinct, and is helping me cut through my crap and get in touch with a much healthier / prosperous way to approach my work. Big thanks.
William Hastings yes! I love to hear this.
Thanks for the great advice into running your own creative business! For me, one of the points that jumped out was the fact that you can't be scared to talk about money right off the bat. As I continue to start my career, I find that this is definitely an important facet of my professional life because as a young designer I need to prove my worth in order to establish myself as a "designer" and create more credibility. One of the things that I am finding difficult is how to make a pricing structure that works for me. I am currently working as an in-house designer in my first job outside of college but I found that over the course of this year that I want to also grow as a freelance designer so that I can create work for clients and therefore have more control over the projects. But I am struggling with finding the balance of my day-to-day job and working on my freelance career. I'm at a crossroads now because I have decided to move back home after leaving New England for Colorado and now I am faced with the task of getting a job for when I am home. But I do have some offers for freelance work. I'm struggling with deciding which avenue to go down. And that brings it back to also trying to figure out my self-worth. Does this make much sense? I'd love to hear your thoughts on all of this. Thanks again for having this interview, gave me lots to think about!!!
Isaac Goldman hi there. Are you asking how to price your work?
One thing I would be really interested in would be "fitness" and looking after your health as an entrepreneur Chris. I know some would say that's off topic, but I have the feeling you lead better when you feel physically better.
#fitnesswithchris?
Sadly, many entrepreneurs look after their health only after they get sick from not taking care of themselves or burn out.
#justDOit
If you're a person that has the guts and luxury (time, commodity etc.) to start your own business and burn out, you're doing something wrong. Burn out is a stress induced phenomenon that is mostly triggered when people are either pushed into doing something they don't want by their superiors, or push themselves into doing that. I've been there, hospitalized and everything. The whole shazam. I suffered it dearly because people with no soul (my "superiors") told me that what I told them they where doing wrong, was wrong. Then slowly you begin to doubt your own sanity and feel left alone in a world that isn't even real. So you commit yourself to changing because "hey, maybe I'm the weirdo here?" Well, for a fact I know I am but I know that my intentions are always pure of heart. Anyways, I tried to become like them and my body literally paused at a certain point, telling me, I am a fool to follow in their foolish footsteps. I am not sheeple. Follow your own uniqueness and have faith that things will work out even if they don't. Yes my body told me that. My head was lost. Now, since that day and a long haul of recovering, I've decided, no man (or woman) shall tell me what to do ever again unless it is heartfelt advice. I started doing my own business, creating websites for other people with businesses of their own. We connect on a level that I can only summarize as day dreaming. I work 15 hours a day, every day of the week, I am never tired nor is there ever one iota of unhappiness in me. I do what I love doing, being creative and helping people out with my skills, I don't care for money and I don't have a lot but I can pay my rent and buy my (and my dog & cats) food. I ask for nothing more. Having faith in the prosperous unraveling of my tale is all I ever seem to need. Zero stress. So yeah, to me, "entrepreneurs" that burn out, are clearly in it for the wrong reasons, and need to do some serious re-evaluation of their lives and ways of doing things. Why am I telling you all this? You just have one of those faces I suppose :P Tnx for your time and I agree, look after your health first, then start doing other stuff. Everything you consume (food, tv, words, sounds) is responsible for your well being. In this regard, the Buddha was very right (have yet to find out in which regards he wasn't right but thats not the subject here). PEACE. (p.s. sorry for ingrish not my native tongue.)
I've just decided to go solo with my own film/video agency hence my lapping up these videos. When I was planning one thing that kept nagging me was how do I keep fit to deal with the increased work and stress I will need to deal with? I am planning to cycle 3 days a week and eat more healthily (already cut out red meat in the last 2 months).
I knew this channel from "Nasseh Aziki" - i'm from West Borneo and before i was ever work in other country as graphic designer for printing and advertising. I'm going from zero mile and learn quite more from this channel and have one dream built a start up.
Thanks a lot for this, was extremely helpful and I liked how both of you were calm and honest
Thanks Shayan!
This shook me up, I learned a ton from both of these people, I found Chris to be rude, at times, intimidating and patronising, but very likeable, calming, incredibly informative and friendly all at the same time. Brilliant, invaluable information here
Dizmop honey vinegar.
Click on this video in order to gain some insights into managing a creative business, and came away with a strategy, a life lesson, a good story, and a load of notes. Thank you, Chris, for being such an inquisitive conversationalist, and Melinda for being a brave and very much self aware.
Awesome!! Thanks.
I watched twice to make sure I get as much value! I've started a Focus sheet aside from my normal To-Do list, I'm also redoing my website with the mentality that it's going to be acting as my gate-keeper against trash clients, and I'm going to add more time for work each day. Thanks so much Chris!
I really enjoyed this episode because I see a little bit about myself in her.
So happy we can relate, Milli!
Man, Chris you really know how to hammer in those deep questions. I have an illustration business and the principal still applies. Thank you Melinda as well for your time. This is a goldmine of content.
You're very welcome.
This was a super insightful episode! Got some ideas where and how to improve. Thanks for sharing Chris and Melinda!
Awesome, Marko!
I'm just now seeing all of your videos and I'm amazed and inspired. It really hits close to home. I've been doubting myself as a designer and wondering if I'm really doing what I want to be doing because it hasn't been enough to get ahead (out of school debt, take care of my family etc.) I've been handling it all wrong - pricing extremely low and not managing myself correctly. I feel that I can take my notes away from this and make a better life for my family and I. The part about not letting the money control you was especially important to me. I grew up in an immigrant family that had a business that failed with no backup plan and we literally starved at some points. I never wanted to be in those shoes again so I take whatever jobs I get freelance on top of my 9-5 inhouse design job to make ends meet. I now see the light on how it's possible that I can make adjustments and make room for better things! I've not watched TV in these last few days watching your videos. Thank you!
I'm glad that I came across this video, this is life changing !!!! Thank you so much
Keep us updated on your progress! Would love to hear how you implemented the advice.
So useful, helpful! Im also starting my career as a freelancer (immigrant). Melinda seemes to be a great person. Thank u for sharing the hwole discussion, hearing it on and on while making some work.
this is my university now❤️ . University of the Futur
aw I got a heart from you guys ❤️ imma cry 😭❤️
Chris, you are amazing! Thank so much for all of this material, it's making all the difference. Melinda, thank you so much for putting yourself out there for us to learn from. I will be forever grateful for this playlist of videos!
Yay for keyboard shortcuts video! Cant wait.
Hi Chris and Melinda. I very much enjoyed this video. I was somewhat pushed out of my comfort zone over a number of topics and subjects discussed but the ensemble is very liberating.
Glad you enjoyed it!
The part of immigrants really touched my heart. (as an immigrant too, I felt it) hahaa always inspirational. Good job!
Glad you liked it, Guilherme.
I showed this video in my college class -- the Business of Graphic Design. They discuss many of the essential questions of starting your design business. Well done!
thanks Vince. where do you teach?
The Art Institute of California San Diego. The class is for creatives -- graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, fashion designers -- to help them think about and plan for a freelancing or small business career. Your videos are right from Central Casting. Thanks, again for the good work you and Melinda do.
38:16
Chris, this made me respect you even more.
I honestly thought "Hey, he's the Asian guy who was born in States".
BEST TIPS I HAVE GOT TILL DATE.!! especially small things we can to make our day more productive. LOVED IT.!
ShivaShankar Achar great!!!