Freelance Jumpstart Podcast

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.

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

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.

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."

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?

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

The 5 Ways to transform you portfolio are:

1. Copy Other Agencies
2. Show Your Process
3. Add Visual Storytelling
4. Using Mockups
5. 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.

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

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

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.