Two weeks ago, I posted on Instagram asking for your questions, as I was planning to film a Q&A/podcast.
Well… here it is:
In this podcast, Jack and I delved into a wide range of topics including client relationships, social media strategies, work-life balance, and maintaining motivation.
We also talked about the challenges and intricacies of growing a design business, and why we place such emphasis on content marketing.
To give you a better overview of the key talking points, I had AI 🤖 watch the video and summarise the main takeaways.
Here's what they came up with:
Client Discovery & Proposal Process:
Abi discusses her client onboarding process, which begins with a discovery call. This call helps her understand the client’s business, goals, budget, and project scope. She emphasises how content marketing pre-builds trust, making the selling process easier.
Niche & Ideal Client:
Abi’s niche isn’t defined by a specific industry but by her bold, colourful design style. Jack notes that “niche” can extend beyond industry to design style, which naturally attracts clients who align with Abi’s vibrant approach.
Routine & Motivation:
Both discuss their routines, with Abi describing her structured day starting early and Jack sharing the idea of optimising everyday tasks (e.g., “crushing a Tuesday”) rather than relying on motivation. They stress planning each day to build momentum.
Social Media Strategy:
They reveal a dual approach to social media: posts aimed at engaging the existing audience and others designed for a broader reach. Abi and Jack stress understanding their audience and balancing content that is both wide-reaching and in-depth for client attraction.
Balancing Personal and Professional Life:
Abi admits her current focus is heavily on business growth, with her personal life taking a back seat. They both acknowledge that their alignment on business goals makes their intense work-life balance sustainable, but they highlight the importance of adapting priorities over time.
Starting Freelance While Employed:
Abi shares her experience of freelancing on the side while working a full-time job, advising others to secure a steady freelance income before making the transition. Jack suggests using frustrations from full-time jobs as motivation for freelance work.
Dealing with Self-Doubt:
Abi acknowledges that self-doubt is a common part of the creative process, especially during design experimentation. She advises stepping away from work to gain fresh perspective and leaning on feedback when feeling unsure.
Client Acquisition Channels:
Instagram and YouTube are their primary client acquisition channels. Instagram provides “width,” reaching new audiences, while YouTube delivers “depth” by showcasing Abi’s design process in detail, helping prospective clients build trust.
Winter Slump:
Abi talks about struggling with motivation in winter, attributing it to the darker, colder season in the UK. Jack suggests considering a “sad lamp” and creating routines that maintain consistency, even when motivation is low.
Working Solo vs. in a Team:
Abi misses the social aspect of a traditional office, though she and Jack work closely. They suggest weekly virtual meetups with other designers as a way to build community, exchange ideas, and reduce isolation.
Hope you find the Q&A helpful!
Chat next week,
Abi 😊
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