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Earning by Design: Graphic Design, Freelancing, Business Marketing Strategies

Earning by Design: Graphic Design, Freelancing, Business Marketing Strategies

Written by: 4 The Creatives
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About this listen

Welcome to Earning by Design, the podcast that helps you turn your passion for graphic design into a profitable freelance business. I'm Lauren Gonzalez, and 8 years ago, I left my job as an in-house graphic designer to start my own design business. But the journey wasn't always smooth sailing. I faced challenges with finding clients, pricing projects, and achieving consistency in my income. After a lot of trial and error, I discovered the strategies and insights that helped me build a successful six-figure design business from scratch. A business that lets me work on my own schedule, spend more time with my family and only design for clients that excite me and pay me well.In this podcast, I'll be sharing those hard-earned insights and actionable strategies with you. Whether you are new to freelancing or are looking to grow your freelance design business to live life on your own terms, then this podcast is for you. Join me as we dive in and discover how you can turn your passion for design into a profitable and fulfilling freelance business.

My website: https://4thecreatives.com

© 2025 Earning by Design: Graphic Design, Freelancing, Business Marketing Strategies Art Careers Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Success
Episodes
  • Ep. 44: Breaking Through the $50K Freelance Ceiling: Here’s How

    Ep. 44: Breaking Through the $50K Freelance Ceiling: Here’s How
    Mar 12 2025

    Text us your questions, and we'll address them in the show!

    Many freelance designers hit an income ceiling around $50K per year, despite putting in more hours and taking on more projects. It's not about working harder—it’s about working smarter.

    In this episode, you'll discover:

    • The core mindset barriers keeping designers stuck at $50K and how to shift past them.
    • How to stop pricing based on fear and start charging your true value.
    • Why being a generalist keeps your income capped (and how niching down can solve this).
    • The crucial difference between hourly billing and value-based pricing.
    • How strategic positioning, dynamic pricing, and retainers can help you scale beyond your current plateau.

    Ready to finally break through the $50K barrier and reach six figures and beyond? Tune in and let's level up your design business together!


    CONNECT WITH ME!

    Website: https://4thecreatives.com

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/4thecreatives

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4thecreatives/
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Ep. 43: The Most Frustrating Parts of Freelancing—And How to Fix Them

    Ep. 43: The Most Frustrating Parts of Freelancing—And How to Fix Them
    Feb 10 2025

    Text us your questions, and we'll address them in the show!

    Freelancing as a designer can be an amazing career path—but let’s be real, it comes with its fair share of annoyances. Late payments, ghosting clients, unpredictable referrals, and the dreaded feast-or-famine cycle can make running your business feel overwhelming.

    In this episode, I’m sharing:

    • How to confidently handle late payments (without feeling awkward).
    • Why you shouldn’t depend on referrals for a steady income.
    • The right way to follow up with potential clients (without being pushy).
    • How to spot toxic clients before they drain your energy.
    • Ways to stabilize your income and avoid dry months.

    If you’ve ever struggled with client issues or want to streamline your business for less stress, this episode is for you. Tune in and take control of your freelance career!


    CONNECT WITH ME!

    Website: https://4thecreatives.com

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/4thecreatives

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4thecreatives/
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Ep. 42: Top 5 Ways to Get Clients That Worked in 2024 (and What to Avoid)

    Ep. 42: Top 5 Ways to Get Clients That Worked in 2024 (and What to Avoid)
    Jan 14 2025

    Text us your questions, and we'll address them in the show!

    Podcast Description:

    In this first episode of 2025, I’m diving into five different client acquisition strategies—ranked from worst to best—based on my personal experience and the successes of my students. If you’ve been relying on outdated methods to land clients or feel stuck in your outreach approach, this episode is for you.

    Here’s what you’ll learn:

    • Why Facebook and Instagram may no longer be your best bet.
    • The surprising effectiveness of in-person networking and events for building real connections.
    • How email outreach can still work—if done the right way.
    • Why LinkedIn continues to be the top platform for securing high-quality clients—and how to master it.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear roadmap of where to focus your efforts for client acquisition and how to make 2025 your best business year yet.

    LinkedIn Episodes:
    Ep 33: Stand Out on LinkedIn: https://4thecreatives.com/episode-33-stand-out-on-linkedin-social-selling-for-designers-with-michelle-j-raymond/
    Ep 31: Strategies to Get Clients on LinkedIn: https://4thecreatives.com/episode-31-how-to-use-linkedin-to-get-graphic-design-clients-with-louise-brogan/

    Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch:
    https://4thecreatives.com/episode-23-mastering-your-elevator-pitch-the-art-of-persuasion-in-30-seconds/


    CONNECT WITH ME!

    Website: https://4thecreatives.com

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/4thecreatives

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4thecreatives/
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
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