In this episode of the Design Break Podcast, Rocky Roark tackles the challenges of relying too heavily on agency partners as a freelancer or white-label contractor. While agency partnerships can provide a steady stream of work, Rocky emphasizes the importance of diversifying your client base to avoid potential pitfalls. The episode offers insights into why over-reliance on agencies can be risky, including issues with lower rates, limited creative control, and lack of personal client relationships. Rocky shares practical strategies for balancing agency work with direct client engagements, including negotiating terms, creating a referral system, and developing a robust client acquisition strategy.
Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newsletter! To stay connected with us and be part of our design community, follow us on Twitter @thedesignbreak. Join the conversation, access valuable content, and stay updated on industry insights. If you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only motivates us but also helps others discover our show and benefit from the discussions we have.Don't forget to leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episode. Your support means the world to us as we continue to deliver valuable content to our incredible community of design professionals and freelancers.And be sure to check out these resources: The Futur Accelerator Program Hoodzpah — Freelance, and Business, and StuffRetroSupply Co. (Code: ROCKY20)
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066: Rethinking Design Subscriptions: From Villain to Hero
In this episode of the Design Break podcast, host Rocky Rock takes a fresh look at design subscriptions, a business model he was initially skeptical about. He shares how he rethought the concept and successfully implemented it as an add-on service to his design studio, Blue Cyclops. Rather than replacing traditional pricing models entirely, Rocky suggests creating multiple "offering streams" to cater to different client needs. He emphasizes the importance of tailoring subscriptions to benefit both freelancers and clients, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. This episode offers practical tips for freelancers considering design subscriptions, including thinking outside the box, creating diverse offerings, and being prepared to adapt based on client feedback. Rocky's journey from skeptic to advocate provides an insightful perspective on leveraging subscriptions to grow a freelance business while maintaining flexibility and client satisfaction.
Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newsletter! To stay connected with us and be part of our design community, follow us on Twitter @thedesignbreak. Join the conversation, access valuable content, and stay updated on industry insights. If you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only motivates us but also helps others discover our show and benefit from the discussions we have.Don't forget to leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episode. Your support means the world to us as we continue to deliver valuable content to our incredible community of design professionals and freelancers.And be sure to check out these resources: The Futur Accelerator Program Hoodzpah — Freelance, and Business, and StuffRetroSupply Co. (Code: ROCKY20)
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065: 5 Questions to Help You Grow Your Freelance Business
For years, I was blindly running my freelance business, not fully understanding what was working/not working, what wasn’t leading to actual results, and more. Then I started asking myself—daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly—how could I improve or grow my freelancing business? Here are the 5 questions that helped me do just that.
Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newsletter! To stay connected with us and be part of our design community, follow us on Twitter @thedesignbreak. Join the conversation, access valuable content, and stay updated on industry insights. If you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only motivates us but also helps others discover our show and benefit from the discussions we have.Don't forget to leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episode. Your support means the world to us as we continue to deliver valuable content to our incredible community of design professionals and freelancers.And be sure to check out these resources: The Futur Accelerator Program Hoodzpah — Freelance, and Business, and StuffRetroSupply Co. (Code: ROCKY20)
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064: The Simple Secret to How I Landed $12K in New Work
In this episode of the Design Break podcast, host Rocky Roark explores a game-changing approach to freelance client acquisition—the Bounty Method. He begins by addressing the common challenges freelancers face with traditional methods like cold emailing and social media marketing, emphasizing the unpredictable nature and trust issues inherent in these approaches. Rocky then introduces the Bounty Method, a strategy he recently tested with remarkable success, securing a $12k project in less than 24 hours. This method involves offering a flat cash reward—such as Rocky's $500 bounty—for successful referrals that lead to closed projects, making it a tangible and compelling incentive for his network.Rocky shares his personal journey of transitioning from percentage-based referral systems to the Bounty Method, detailing how he implemented and communicated this strategy effectively. He offers practical steps for listeners to implement the Bounty Method in their own freelance businesses, including defining an appropriate bounty amount, establishing clear communication with their network, and setting up systems for tracking referrals and prompt payouts. By fostering a supportive community and encouraging mutual benefit, Rocky illustrates how the Bounty Method not only boosts lead generation but also cultivates lasting professional relationships.
Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newsletter! To stay connected with us and be part of our design community, follow us on Twitter @thedesignbreak. Join the conversation, access valuable content, and stay updated on industry insights. If you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only motivates us but also helps others discover our show and benefit from the discussions we have.Don't forget to leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episode. Your support means the world to us as we continue to deliver valuable content to our incredible community of design professionals and freelancers.And be sure to check out these resources: The Futur Accelerator Program Hoodzpah — Freelance, and Business, and StuffRetroSupply Co. (Code: ROCKY20)
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063: Design Disasters: Learning From Our Biggest Blunders
Rocky Roark explores his personal design blunders to help you avoid making the same mistakes. He dives into one big mistake he made with Cards Against Humanity, the effects of going on a freelancing hiatus, and more!Also on this episode:Why you shouldn’t ignore the red flagsLong-term vs. short-term paymentsDiversifying your income streamsLearning from your mistakes and failures
Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newsletter! To stay connected with us and be part of our design community, follow us on Twitter @thedesignbreak. Join the conversation, access valuable content, and stay updated on industry insights. If you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only motivates us but also helps others discover our show and benefit from the discussions we have.Don't forget to leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episode. Your support means the world to us as we continue to deliver valuable content to our incredible community of design professionals and freelancers.And be sure to check out these resources: The Futur Accelerator Program Hoodzpah — Freelance, and Business, and StuffRetroSupply Co. (Code: ROCKY20)
Unlock your path to creative success with the Design Break podcast, hosted by
@RockyRoark—owner & design director of Blue Cyclops Design Co.
Breaking into the creative world is hard enough. Making it as a freelancer is even more challenging. If you're currently considering jumping into a creative field or looking for freelance opportunities, this podcast is for you.
Topics include creative community, design, branding, freelance, job searching, career advice, actionable advice, and more.
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