Freelance Jumpstart Podcast

Surviving COVID-19 ('Rona)

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 17:12:46 +0000

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*

096: How to Charge 300% - 800% More

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 7 Oct 2020 17:51:24 +0000

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.

095: How to Charge a Million Dollars

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 18:03:05 +0000

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:

094: Creating Customer Profiles

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 11:08:57 +0000

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 Episode

093: Position Yourself As A Brand Strategist

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Tue, 8 Sep 2020 13:00:25 +0000

BOOKS

The Brand Gap: https://amzn.to/35aDPAx
The Business of Expertise: https://amzn.to/2ZiyEuC
More Books on Brand Strategy: https://kit.co/nathanallotey/learn-br... /

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction
00:46 - What is Strategy?
02:45 - Overcome Imposter Syndrome
03:56 - Teach Everything You Know
05:19 - Write Case Studies
07:08 - Change Your Target Market
09:25 - Don't Offer Strategy First
11:32 - Branding Book Recommendations
12:55 - Conclusion

092: Selling Strategy

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Tue, 7 Jul 2020 06:54:02 +0000

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:

Roadmap
Brand Attributes
Brand Voice
Prioritizing Goals
Customer Profiles

Want to sell strategy to your clients? Learn the CORE Discovery process

091: Do Black Lives Matter?

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Tue, 9 Jun 2020 00:13:11 +0000

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/

90: Get Paid to Think with Melinda Livsey

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Melinda Livsey, Nathan Allotey) — Tue, 12 May 2020 13:00:10 +0000

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:

089: How to Stand Out as a Designer

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 13:06:00 +0000

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 Process
02:48 = Choose a Complimentary Service
04:42 = Partner with Other Creatives

088: What is Strategy?

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:00:43 +0000

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

087: The Amazingly Terrible Commercial

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 16:14:37 +0000

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.

When a Client Disappears [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 4 Apr 2020 13:00:10 +0000

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?

086: Panic Into Productivity

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 16:42:20 +0000

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?

085: My 5 Takeaways from the Futur Pro Group Meetup

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 4 Mar 2020 08:31:33 +0000

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 Yourself

One 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 name
Describe a problem businesses have
Describe how you solve that problem
Describe what you use to solve that problem

The 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 Relationships

I 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 Others

For the longest time in my business, I was a “one-man army.” I learned how to do everything from copywriting to website design and even brand strategy; however, this creates a considerable dilemma. I am limited by my time, and if I genuinely want to get clients who have larger budgets, then I will have to collaborate with others to do so.

Going to the meet up allowed me to meet other creative professionals, but there is a hidden bonus here. The Futur has a certain standard of creative professional they are teaching. Most people are not only good at what they do, but they have the business acumen to tie their work to a result. I can’t tell you the benefit of working with someone that already knows brand strategy, and I don’t have to attempt to teach it to them; this alone is a great value.

My dilemma of looking for other creatives to land larger budget projects may be solved.

4) Try Something New

During one of our after-hour sessions, someone asked a question, “Should I pay $2,500 to join an elite business group of female CEOs?” The group is full of their target audience, but they were not sure if paying this amount would ensure they get clients. Chris Do posed a simple question, is what you’re doing working? The simplicity of the question made the room go silent, but it was a question that caused everyone to think. Sure, $2,500 may be quite a bit of money, but if it yields at least one client, then return on investment could be tenfold.

If you are trying something in your business and you’ve been doing the same thing over with mediocre results, it may be time to switch things up and try something new. Going to the Futur Pro Group meetup in LA was something new for me, and it inspired me to take more risks (calculated risks) in my own business going forward.

5) Learn To Listen

During another one of our after-hours Q&A sessions, one of the pro group members had a question. Many people around the room were anxious to answer this question, but Chris Do stressed that the more important thing was to ask the right questions and listen to the person rather than jump to give a solution.

Diagnosis is more important than presenting a solution. Chris even shared that he has won clients over by being the agency that took the time to listen the most. Clients can feel when someone cares about them or whether you are simply after their money.

These are my 5 takeaways, of course, there are many more things I could share from the weekend, but I’m a firm believer in putting what you know into practice before trying to learn something else. These 5 items are not unique to my experience, and if you’re able to put them into practice, I’m sure some good will come out of it.

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 17:39:58 +0000

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:

084: Be Thankful 2019

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 05:46:07 +0000

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!

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 2 Nov 2019 09:30:00 +0000

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?

083: How to Position Yourself as an Expert

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 13:06:00 +0000

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.

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 13:35:00 +0000

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.

Question

Giving 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.

082: The Great Chicken Sandwich War

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:20:00 +0000

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.

Client Organization [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 6 Sep 2019 12:19:00 +0000

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.

081: Marketing vs Branding

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Marty Neuimeier, Chris Do, Seth Godin, Donald Miller) — Tue, 3 Sep 2019 08:52:18 +0000

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

080: The Riches are in the Niches

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 13:00:13 +0000

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.

Advice Over Action? [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 13:00:01 +0000

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."

079: You Don't Have a Business

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 6 Jul 2019 14:26:00 +0000

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?

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 1 Jun 2019 18:11:00 +0000

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

078: 5 Ways to Transform Your Portfolio

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Mon, 27 May 2019 18:05:00 +0000

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.

077: The Pro and the Pen

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 15 May 2019 13:05:01 +0000

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

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 3 Apr 2019 13:17:00 +0000

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

076: My Goals for the 2019 Year

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 14:26:00 +0000

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.

075: 2018 Year in Review

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 12 Jan 2019 14:23:00 +0000

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.

Becoming a Design Leader (Epic Unknown Recap)

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 14:34:00 +0000

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.

074: Setting SMART Goals

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 14:19:00 +0000

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

073: Three Years on YouTube

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 13:20:00 +0000

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

When to Discuss Pricing Rates [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 14:19:00 +0000

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.

072: Personal Name or Business Name?

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 15:26:00 +0000

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.

Do People Still Buy Art? [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 3 Nov 2018 13:25:00 +0000

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.

071: The Value of Art

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 03:32:00 +0000

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.

070: Keep Moving Forward - Worst Week of My Life

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 14:45:00 +0000

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/

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 13:07:00 +0000

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?

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 5 Sep 2018 13:59:38 +0000

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.

Explaining Your Value in a saas niche [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 13:29:23 +0000

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.

069: The Value of Coaching

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 13:25:58 +0000

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.

Freelancing as a Stay at Home Mom [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 16:57:13 +0000

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

068: Your Job Title Matters (Cory McCabe Interview)

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 4 Aug 2018 09:22:58 +0000

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.

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 2 Aug 2018 14:39:57 +0000

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.

067: Never Call Yourself a Freelancer

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 13:00:35 +0000

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.

Finding Work as a Photographer? [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:48:48 +0000

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

066: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 11:14:32 +0000

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.

Should You Offer Clients Web Hosting? [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 13:00:51 +0000

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?"

065: Creating a Sales Funnel

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 13:46:44 +0000

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.

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 13:32:43 +0000

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.

Can I Price Based on Value? [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 5 Jul 2018 13:38:32 +0000

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.

2018 Mid Year Review

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Mon, 2 Jul 2018 12:51:15 +0000

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.

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 19:08:33 +0000

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?"

064: Productized Consulting with Jane Portman

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 18:10:56 +0000

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

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 13:36:40 +0000

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?

063: The Product Spectrum for Freelancers

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 20:48:06 +0000

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.

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 19:39:46 +0000

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

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 7 Jun 2018 14:07:46 +0000

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?

062: The State of Create with Justin Jackson

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 2 Jun 2018 07:19:27 +0000

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

Guilt with Friends and Family Pricing [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 31 May 2018 14:56:52 +0000

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

061: Reciprocate

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 26 May 2018 15:04:09 +0000

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

Blacklisted by a Client? [Traffic Talk]

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 24 May 2018 16:43:04 +0000

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

060: Always Be Authentic

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 19 May 2018 05:39:08 +0000

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

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 17 May 2018 17:13:57 +0000

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

059: Freelancer vs Consultant vs Agency

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 12 May 2018 17:22:19 +0000

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?

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 9 May 2018 15:09:47 +0000

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.

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 2 May 2018 18:39:09 +0000

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?

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 16:50:44 +0000

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

Introducing Traffic Talk

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 12:34:47 +0000

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.

058: I’m Back

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 07:38:06 +0000

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.

2017 Year in Review

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Mon, 5 Mar 2018 07:33:57 +0000

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

Big Changes

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 23:12:32 +0000

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

057: Knowing When It’s Time to Redesign

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:00:14 +0000

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

056: What Have I Been Up To?

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 14:32:26 +0000

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.

2016 Year in Review

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 06:49:53 +0000

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.

055: Work on Your Business

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 06:42:58 +0000

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

054: seanwes conference. Think Bigger.

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 12:20:34 +0000

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

053: One Year on YouTube

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 4 Nov 2016 05:58:39 +0000

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

052: Lessons Learned from One Year of Podcasting

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 12:26:28 +0000

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

051: Teach What You Know

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 1 Oct 2016 03:31:21 +0000

050: 10 Things I Learned at VenturePOP

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 14:42:09 +0000

049: Why You Should Go to Conferences

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 06:05:52 +0000

048: Public Speaking

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 9 Sep 2016 06:56:28 +0000

047: The Price is Wrong (Wordcamp NOLA Keynote)

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 2 Sep 2016 14:36:11 +0000

046: The Road Trip – Part 2

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 22:53:20 +0000

045: The Road Trip – Part 1

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 12:02:41 +0000

044: Examples of Great Case Studies to Follow

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 06:50:52 +0000

043: Before and After

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 5 Aug 2016 19:59:32 +0000

042: How to Get Amazing Client Testimonials for Your Business

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 00:57:54 +0000

041: How to Write a Case Study for Your Portfolio

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 23:06:45 +0000

040: You Need A Porfolio

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 06:46:14 +0000

039: Speak Up for Your Work

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 8 Jul 2016 12:52:06 +0000

038: Working with Friends and Family

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 1 Jul 2016 14:32:48 +0000

037: Copyright, Who Owns What

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 13:00:13 +0000

036: Essentials for Your Client Contracts

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 00:39:30 +0000

035: Pricing with Profit in Mind

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 07:30:48 +0000

[Free Bonus] Road to Launch is Here

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Thu, 9 Jun 2016 12:50:29 +0000

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

034: Invoicing Systems

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 3 Jun 2016 11:41:25 +0000

033: An Invoice is Not a Contract

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 27 May 2016 16:55:42 +0000

032: Should You Charge Your Client Late Fees

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sun, 22 May 2016 01:38:35 +0000

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 13 May 2016 14:36:05 +0000

030: How to Interpret Client Feedback

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 6 May 2016 14:57:48 +0000

029: How to Stop Endless Client Feedback

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 06:15:08 +0000

028: Where to Meet with Clients and Coworking Spaces

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 12:07:07 +0000

027: Setting Client Expectations

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 10:25:19 +0000

026: The Client Process Workflow

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 8 Apr 2016 18:56:01 +0000

025: Client Red Flags to Prevent Clients from Hell

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 1 Apr 2016 16:34:32 +0000

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 22:42:00 +0000

023: Should You Work for Free?

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 15:56:59 +0000

022: Raising Your Pricing Rates

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 23:38:51 +0000

021: Value Based Pricing (Part 3)

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 4 Mar 2016 13:53:17 +0000

020: Value Based Pricing (Part 2)

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 15:15:01 +0000

019: Value Based Pricing (Part 1)

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 08:46:35 +0000

018: What is it worth?

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 13:01:51 +0000

017: How I Made $375 an Hour

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 5 Feb 2016 18:32:09 +0000

016: The Problem with Hourly Pricing

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 18:02:40 +0000

015: Pricing Strategies for Freelancers

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 17:00:57 +0000

014: Pricing Psychology

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 14:17:57 +0000

013: No One Cares Yet

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 8 Jan 2016 15:02:03 +0000

012: Hustle and Rest

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 1 Jan 2016 19:02:07 +0000

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

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 16:00:09 +0000

010: The 4Ps of Marketing

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 09:04:41 +0000

009: Positioning – Perception is Reality

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 08:59:24 +0000

008: Targeting Your Audience

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 4 Dec 2015 06:58:20 +0000

007: Marketing & Trust

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 15:14:58 +0000

006: Hustle vs Hope

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 06:51:15 +0000

005: How I Chose a Business Structure

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 14:25:50 +0000

004: How to Choose a Business Name

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 6 Nov 2015 13:11:50 +0000

003: 8 Ways to Validate Your Business Idea

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 18:56:48 +0000

002: Freelancer or Entrepreneur?

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 20:12:42 +0000

001: How I Became a Freelancer

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 14:25:08 +0000

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.
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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 able to look at images and recreate them on my own.
Others knew I worked with websites so some of my friends asked if I was open for business, I was hesitant at first but realized if I did not take a chance I would never truly learn. I said yes and then they referred someone to me.
The person described what they wanted and I asked, “how much do you charge?” I wanted to hang up the phone do research and run back. But I took a guess and had my first client. It was difficult but the more work I took on the better I became at it.
Referrals started coming in so I knew it was time to formalize my business and really learn all there was to websites. Learning the details surrounding how to official start a business took some time. Luckily I made the decision to launch my business right around the time I decided to pursue my MBA,

000: Let the Show Begin

nathan@nathanallotey.com (Nathan Allotey) — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 20:39:00 +0000

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.