167 The Portfolio Mistake That’s Costing You High-Paying Clients
If your portfolio looks like a collection of everything you have ever designed, that might be exactly why high-paying clients are not reaching out.In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer, I am sharing the portfolio mistake that keeps talented designers stuck at low-paying projects. This is not about your design skills. It is about how you present your work, how you curate your portfolio, and how you guide potential clients to trust that you are the right designer for them.You will learn:Why showing less can help you book moreWhat high-paying clients actually want to see in a portfolioThe exact structure of a strong case studyHow to align your portfolio with the services you offerWhat to remove immediately if you want to attract better clientsGrab your coffee and your notes. It is time to turn your portfolio into a tool that sells.And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out Wix Studio. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.Aventive Academy’s Resources:From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/$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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166 The Role of AI in Branding: Insights from Ayelet
If you’ve ever looked at a clean, elevated brand and thought, “How do they make it look so effortless?” - this episode is for you.I’m joined by Ayelet, a designer known for her intentional, minimal style and smart systems behind the visuals. We talked about how she approaches branding, her favorite tools (like Notion and Wix Studio), the role of AI in design, and how she keeps things creatively exciting even after years in the field.This episode is packed with perspective on staying inspired, building a brand system that actually works, and taking more creative control as a designer.You’ll learn:How to develop a signature aestheticAyelet’s go-to process for branding and web designHow to handle micromanaging clients with graceTools that make web design easier (yes, even if you don’t code)What’s next in design and how to stay aheadGrab your coffee and tune in - this one’s for designers who care about both beauty and impact.And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out Wix Studio. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.Aventive Academy’s Resources:From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/$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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164 3 Design Services You Can Add Right Now to Land Bigger Clients
You can be the best designer on the planet—if your offer is limited, your income will be too. I see it all the time. Talented designers stuck at $1K projects because they’re only offering a logo or a brand board. But the clients who pay $10K? They’re not hiring someone to make things look nice. They’re hiring someone who can lead.In this episode, I’ll walk you through three high-value services you can add right now—without hiring a team or reinventing your business. These aren’t fluff. They’re the exact services that helped me go from $65 logos to $10K packages… and they can do the same for you.You will learn:Why high-paying clients look for more than just visualsThe top 3 services that attract premium clients (and how to add them)How to increase your rates without doing more workHow to combine services into irresistible offersWhat to do if you don’t want to do it all yourselfGrab your coffee, your notes, and let’s build a more profitable offer together.And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out Wix Studio. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.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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163 What Clients Actually Look for in a Brand & Web Designer
Most designers focus on making things look good, but that’s not what high-paying clients are actually looking for. They want clarity, confidence, and someone who understands how design impacts their business. In this episode, I’m breaking down what clients really care about when they’re hiring a brand or web designer and how you can stand out by showing up differently. You’ll learn how to position yourself as more than just a designer, build trust instantly on your website, and shift from selling deliverables to selling real outcomes. Whether you’re still undercharging or ready to start landing premium clients, this episode will show you what actually closes the sale.You will learn:What clients really want when they hire a designerWhy brand and web together create higher-value offersHow to sell strategy without calling it strategyWhat to show on your website to build fast trustThe mindset shift that helps you book premium clients with confidenceGrab your notebook or go for a walk. This episode will change how you talk about your work.And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out Wix Studio. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.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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162 Scaling Your Design Business with the Right Tools and Mindset
Most designers only see the output of design platforms, but today we’re talking to someone who actually helps build the tools we use every day.Miri from the Wix Studio product team joins me for a conversation about what freelance designers and agencies really need to grow their businesses. We talk about workflows that make a difference, how platforms are evolving, and what premium clients are actually looking for right now.You will learn:What most designers overlook when choosing platforms and toolsHow to start thinking like a studio, even if you’re working soloHow AI can enhance your creativity rather than replace itWhat makes a designer stand out to high-paying clientsWhy web design is more accessible than most designers thinkThis episode is full of insights. Grab your notes and hit play. Let’s talk about building a design business that’s made to grow.And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out Wix Studio. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.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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