159 Freelance Designers Struggle Because of This – How to Build a Real Business
The reason most freelancers struggle is not because their design skills are not good enough. It is because they are thinking like freelancers, not business owners. If you are tired of chasing projects, lowering your prices, and constantly starting from scratch, it is time to fix this.Today, I am breaking down exactly why most designers stay stuck and how to shift into building a profitable design business that finally pays you what you are worth.You will learn:Why better design skills are not the answerHow your pricing model is keeping you brokeThe mindset shift you need to stop freelancing and start building a businessWhat systems actually help you work less and make moreFor your next website design project check out wix.com/studioAventive Academy’s Resources:$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/ The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/Mockup Magic: https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/ Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/ 12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
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158 The Portfolio Mistake That’s Costing You High-Paying Clients
Your portfolio might be the reason clients keep ghosting you or pushing back on your prices. Not because your design work is not good enough, but because your portfolio is sending the wrong message.Most designers fill their portfolios with visuals like logos and mockups and forget that high-paying clients are not looking for pretty work. They are looking for proof that you understand business and strategy.I am breaking down the portfolio mistakes that keep you stuck with low-budget clients and showing you exactly how to fix them.You will learn:The mistake that makes your portfolio attract low-paying clientsHow to present your work so clients see your valueWhat high-ticket clients actually look for when hiring a designerHow to shift your portfolio from a gallery to a sales toolGrab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready!Aventive Academy’s Resources:$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/ The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/Mockup Magic: https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/ Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/ 12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
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157 What Separates $3K Designers from $10K+ Designers
Most designers stay stuck at $3K projects because they’re pricing wrong, targeting the wrong clients, and positioning themselves as just another freelancer. The difference between a $3K designer and a $10K designer isn’t design skills. It’s how they run their business. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what separates the two with real examples you can apply today.You will learn:Why pricing by hours or deliverables is killing your incomeHow to position your services so clients happily pay $10K or moreWhat high-paying clients actually care about (it’s not your portfolio)How to stop selling logos and start selling solutionsThe mindset shift that helped me go from $3K to $12K projectsGrab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to redefine how you run your design business!Aventive Academy’s Resources:$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/ The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/Mockup Magic: https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/ Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/ 12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
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156 The Secret to Attracting Clients Who Value Your Work
Tired of clients who don’t see the value in branding, question your prices, or treat design like an afterthought? The problem isn’t your work - it’s how you’re positioning and selling it. Clients don’t automatically understand the value of branding. You have to show them.In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly why you’re attracting clients who don’t respect your expertise and how to shift your positioning so you start working with people who actually see branding as a business investment.You will learn:Why clients don’t automatically value design (and how to change that)How to position yourself as a brand expert, not just a designerThe difference between selling deliverables vs. selling outcomesWhere to find clients who take branding seriously and are willing to investThe one mindset shift that helped me start booking $10K+ clientsListen in and start attracting better clients who respect your work and your pricing.Aventive Academy’s Resources:$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/ The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/Mockup Magic: https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/ Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/ 12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
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155 How I Went From $500 Clients to $10K+ Branding Projects
If you prefer watching instead of listening, this episode actually comes from one of my YouTube videos. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/WdSlsIkvnrETired of being stuck with $500 clients who question your rates, ghost you, or don’t take your work seriously? I’ve been there. In this episode, I’m sharing the exact shifts I made to go from low-budget projects to consistent $10K+ branding clients. I’ll walk you through what I changed in my messaging, how I positioned myself as an expert, and where I actually found premium clients who respected my process and paid on time. If you want to start attracting better clients, this episode is your roadmap.You will learn:Why high-paying clients weren’t finding you beforeHow to position yourself as an expert, not just another designerWhat to say to attract clients who care about results, not just a logoWhere to find clients who are ready to invest in brandingThe mindset shift that completely changed how I run my businessGrab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to redefine how you run your design business!Aventive Academy’s Resources:$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/ The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/Mockup Magic: https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/ Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/ 12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
Welcome to The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast. My name is Kady Sandel, and this podcast was brought to you by Aventive Academy – an online business education platform that helps brand, graphic, and web designers get more clients, increase their pricing, and build a profitable design business. You can find out more about starting and growing your freelance design business at aventiveacademy.com
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