The C Word Podcast with Bec Hughes

Are your case studies costing you strategic credibility? If they read like a design diary: client needed a logo, you made it, they loved it, it's time to raise the bar. In this episode, learn how to craft and use case studies that demonstrate your value as a brand strategist. You'll learn how to: Lead with the business problem Show your thinking (not just the doing) Highlight transformation—emotional, strategic and visual Use quotes, stats, and niche-specific insight Repurpose for maximum leverage When you use case studies to show your thinking, you're no longer selling visuals, you're selling value.   Want to connect with me? Check out The Brand Method Find me on Instagram

If brands aren't built in a vacuum, why are so many brand designers trying to create them in one? In this episode, I explore the hidden challenge most solo brand designers face: growing creatively without any support. I'll unpack why: ~ Guides, hacks and courses will only get you so far ~ Creativity is a team sport (even when you work solo) ~ Insightful, objective and strategic feedback at the right time will unlock your next level of growth Opening up to feedback feels hard, but pushing through the discomfort is a game-changer.   Want to connect with me? Explore The Studio Check out The Brand Method Find me on Instagram

If you think brand strategy is about adding more... think again. In this episode, I'm sharing the one skill that instantly makes you more strategic: filtering. I'll walk you through the three tools I use every time I create brand strategy: Themes, Priorities, and Focus. These methods will help you simplify without dumbing things down—so your clients get clarity, not confusion. If you want to be seen as a strategist (as well as a designer), this is where it starts. Press play.   Want to connect with me? Check out The Brand Method Explore The Studio Find me on Instagram Episode 97 - Rethinking Customer Avatars: Apple or Spotify

For this 100th episode, I'm sharing 12 lessons from 25 years of working in branding. This isn't just the process of strategy, but what it really means to be a brand strategist. From why no one wants to buy 'strategy', how good strategy often feels like therapy, to why the best strategists know they don't know everything, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the mindset, method, and messiness of the work we do. If you want to benefit from my insights and learnings as an experienced brand strategist, this is the episode for you.   Want to connect with me? Check out The Brand Method Explore The Studio Find me on Instagram

Not sure how to fit brand strategy into your design process?  This is the episode for you: Why strategy doesn't have to be as complex as you think The 5 steps in my SIMPLE framework How to seamlessly dovetail strategy into your current design workflow What it really means in terms of time and workload Find out how adding strategy to your process could be the smartest shift you make. Want to connect with me? Check out The Brand Method Find me on Instagram Listen to Episode 83: My 5 Pillars Brand Strategy Research Framework

Struggling to position yourself as a brand strategist? Finding clients don't want to or aren't ready to buy brand strategy services? In this episode, I break down the Brand Strategist Focus Funnel (BSFF) - attract the right clients, build authority, and make buying from you easy. You'll learn: ✔ How to become known for the right thing with a compelling Value Pitch ✔ How to attract predisposed clients using a Value Magnet ✔ How to make buying from you easy with a Value Proposal If you want to stop feeling invisible and start being valuable, this one's for you!   Want to connect with me? Check out The Brand Method Find me on Instagram

Over-engineered avatars are the brand strategy equivalent of a chocolate teapot - seems fun, but not fit for purpose. In this episode, I'm rethinking customer avatars, because the overcomplicated, deeply nuanced descriptions everyone tells you to create are actually unhelpful for brand strategy: Why unnecessary details (like Jane's Spotify playlist) miss the point What really drives buying decisions (hint: it's not their coffee order) The SHINE framework - a simple but powerful approach to define the audience effectively   Want to connect with me? Check out The Brand Method Find me on Instagram

Brand strategy is full of buzzwords, but does it need to be?  In this episode, I share a straight-forward approach to developing strategies that are simple, but not basic. We'll bridge the gap between client and business goals, and what their audience actually wants. No fluff, no jargon - just a practical, simple approach for designers who want to create and talk about brand strategy with confidence. The role of brand strategy A simple, five-question framework that makes strategy accessible How to drop the jargon and start selling and presenting brand strategy in a way clients understand Want to connect with me? Check out The Brand Method Find me on Instagram  

The C Word Podcast is evolving!  Welcome to Brand Strategy Unwankified, a no-BS space for brand designers and creators who want to learn brand strategy and sell it as a service. If you're over the jargon and gatekeeping of the ‘exclusive club', and want practical, honest tools and insights, you're in the right place. Why listen… this podcast is dedicated to helping brand designers confidently add strategy to their skillset and create a lucrative revenue stream. What you'll hear… real talk on pricing, selling, frameworks, and processes, with expert insights and case studies. The vibe… cheeky, straight-talking, simplified, and totally unwankified. Subscribe and let's dive in! Want to connect with me? Check out The Brand Method Find me on Instagram

Email marketing... are you doing a bit or none at all? In this episode of The C Word Podcast I share my perspective on the 3 key questions I think designer are asking when it comes to email marketing? 1. Do I really need to send regular emails, my business is about visuals not words? 2. What should I send, because who needs another newsletter? 3. How do I get people on my list?   Links & Resources You Might Love Eps 59 - Lifting the Veil on the Perfect Lead Magnet 10 Lead Magnet Ideas for Graphic Designers Download the Brand Designer to Strategist 90 Day Plan Subscribe to The Brand Brief

In this episode I share the one thing you need to do if you find your clients don't value or want to buy brand strategy. You need to make ‘ownership' of brand strategy a priority and that involves upgrading 1, 2 or all of the following: • Your offer • Your message • Your content   Resources You Might Love Download the Brand Designer to Strategist 90 Day Plan Subscribe to The Brand Brief

Sometimes the design work just isn't right, but that's not always the case. In this episode I share some of the other reasons clients don't sign off first time. I also share 4 things you can do to work towards making sign-off first time the norm not the exception. Bec x   Resources You Might Love Download the Brand Designer to Strategist 90 Day Plan Subscribe to The Brand Brief Episode 72 - How Many Design Concepts Should You Present

This episode is part therapy session, part cautionary tale and part paying it forward so you can learn from my mistakes. First, let's be real, having 100% 'dream clients' isn't realistic.  You won't always repel or be able to pick the pain in the ass clients straightaway. In this episode you'll hear about: ~ My 3 shittiest client experiences ~ The learnings I took from it ~ Why 80:20 'shining star' vs 'shitty' clients is great, not a sign of failure ~ What you can do to give yourself the best chance of achieving and improving on that ratio   Resources You Might Love Download the Brand Designer to Strategist 90 Day Plan Subscribe to The Brand Brief

With so many tools and custom prompts to support AI generated content and solutions, I want to ask if AI can make you more creative. It can make you more efficient, perhaps more informed. But as brand designers one of our key messages is the importance of originality and ingenuity in brand. How can we use AI as the creative engine and simultaneously stand by that claim? Does using AI as a tool to create brand strategy undermine our point of difference, turn us into a curator rather than a creator? In this podcast, I discuss why AI is both a threat and (ironically) a competitive advantage for brand designers.   Resources You Might Love Download the Brand Designer to Strategist 90 Day Plan Subscribe to The Brand Brief

Would you rather lots of engagement with your content from people who will never buy from you or a small amount of engagement from people who will buy from you? I think we'd all say the same thing... if our logical brain was answering. But the emotional reality is quite different. In this episode I discuss: • The reason designers are falling into the trap of a specific type of content • Why that content isn't working for you • The 3 types of content that turn your ideal client off • How you can flip that content to work harder for you   Brand Designers Resources You Might Love Download the Brand Designer to Strategist 90 Day Plan Subscribe to The Brand Brief

Not sure what to include in your brand strategy presentations?  This is the episode for you. I take you through my own presentation format step-by-step, to cover the 4 crucial parts of a brand strategy presentation and the 12 elements I include to build those parts out: • Part 1: Set the Scene • Part 2: Present the Evidence • Part 3: Create the Narrative • Part 4: Intentional Wrap-Up I hope it's helpful. Bec   Resources You Might Love Download the Brand Designer to Strategist 90 Day Plan Subscribe to The Brand Brief   Linked Episodes Eps 83: My 5 Pillar Brand Strategy Research Framework Eps 41: A Game-Changer for Every Design Business  

In this episode I'm calling out the 'charge your worth' messaging that is infecting the coaching space.   I believe this kind of messaging is click bait, created to tell you what you want to hear and tap into your insecurities and worries about your pricing. I discuss: • Why your worth has nothing to do with your pricing • Why your value and perceived value are what actually matter • Why money mindset and your pricing are not the same thing • What you can do to increase your value Bec x   Free Resources Download the Brand Designer to Strategist 90 Day Plan Subscribe to The Brand Brief   Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 3 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.      

In this episode, I pick apart into what inspires and fuels my creativity day-to-day. Inspired by the 'Romanticise Your Life' movement, I explore the idea of 'Creaticise Your Life' and how it makes me a better designer and creator.   Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 3 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Download the Brand Designer to Strategist 90 Day Plan Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website

If you want to stand out, cut-through, have high perceived value and be more profitable, your 'Big Fish Offer' is a very good place to start. In this episode I'll give you a step-by-step process to brainstorm, define and articulate your big fish offer so you can: • Increase your profit • Streamline your workflow • Make marketing less painful • Create a pipeline of pre-qualified clients   Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Download the Brand Designer to Strategist 90 Day Plan Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website

Brand strategy mistakes aren't a problem as long as you learn from them. In this episode I cover the 7 most common mistakes brand designers make when creating brand strategy for clients. Mistakes that are devaluing your offer and undermining your authority: 1. Mistaking a questionnaire for strategy 2. Failing to separate brand and design strategy 3. Not connecting the dots between theory and application 4. Keeping the process surface level 5. Allowing the client to dilute the intention 6. Looking inwards not outwards 7. Too complicated   Work With Me Visit my Mentoring With Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Free Workbook: Brand Designer to Strategist: The 90 Day Plan My Website

Your creative or strategic work is only as good as your research.   In this episode I share my 5 pillar brand strategy research framework: 1) Stakeholder Inputs 2) Brand Audit 3) Competitor Deconstruction 4) Industry Trends Analysis 5) Audience Understanding   I hope it helps! Bec    Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Download my Brand Design to Strategist 90 Day Plan Workbook Connect on Instagram My Website

Traditionally there is a hard line between brand design and brand strategy. But I don't believe this should be the case at all. In fact, you have no business designing brands if there isn't a strategic element to what you do. In this episode I share why I think designers should not only offer brand strategy but why it's an enormous opportunity.   Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website

I'm craving simplicity in my design business, which made me think maybe you are too. So I put my thinking cap on and pulled out what I think are the 4 simple premises for a good, solid business that has growth: ~ Big Fish Offer ~ Visible Value ~ Conscious Connection ~ Repeatable Experience   Find more resources and insights here... My Website... https://bechughes.com/ Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/bechughesbranding/

This episode of The C Word is a reflection on:   1) My word for the year in 2023 and 2022 2) My word for 2024 3) What my choice means for how I want 2024 to shape up 4) My mantra for 2024 and how it aligns with my word choice   Things are going to get spicy!   Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

On this episode of the C Word podcast I cosy up with the energetic marketing firecracker Bec Chappell. We talk about marketing as an energetic resource and our chat covers:   ~ Where people might be squandering too much of their marketing energy ~ The most effective ways to invest your energy for marketing results ~ Switching your focus to the things that give rather than sap your energy resources.   For more information and links mentioned in the episode visit: https://bechughes.com/079-marketing-results-with-bec-chappell/

One of the most common questions I get asked is where do I find clients. In this episode I share where my first 6 clients came from and what that's taught me about where to find clients. Hopefully it will give you some inspiration to help build your client list no matter what stage you're at as a designer.   Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer  

Passive income for designers is equal parts misconception and great opportunity. First, let's not call it passive income.  Passive implies no action and I haven't come across any income that doesn't require action. In this episode I share 8 things to build or consider when creating a 'one-to-many' income stream.   Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

Have you been over-thinking and over-investing in your studio systems? In this podcast I talk about: ~ Why apps and systemisation have become a status symbol ~ When over-engineering your systems might be holding you back ~ What to consider when choosing how you systemise in your business ~ What you actually need at different stages in your design business The biggest take-out I hope you get from this podcast is there is no perfect solution. You're not missing out on something that only those in the know are aware of and it's OK to keep it simple. Bells and whistles are not always best.   Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

Imagery is a crucial part of your brand, even more so as a creative.  In this episode of The C Word I have a super informative chat with Grace Costa, photographer, podcaster and mentor, about using a curated image library to amplify both your brand and personal brand story. Grace shares some really actionable advice about: ~ How to choose the right photographer ~ What image categories you should consider as part of a comprehensive image library ~ How to get started with some good quality DIY images   Connect with Grace Instagram Website   Other Links My guest episode on The Photo Diaries   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

As a designer, should you put your prices on your website? It's a very common question.   In this episode of The C Word I chat about:   ~ My own changing perspective on this. ~ The reasons why you might not want to be quite so transparent ~ Your options and the benefits   All just to give you some food for thought. Bec x   Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

SEO for designers is just as important as any other industry. It's time to take it out of the too hard basket.   Whether your SEO's a bit S.H.I.T. or you and Google are besties from way back, you'll want to listen to this episode.   Karlie Plowman and I talk about:   ~ SEO basics and what it's all about ~ The foundations for getting started with SEO for designers either if you're a noob or if things have gotten a bit messy ~ Karlie shares some fab free SEO resources ~ The importance of quality content when it comes to SEO for designers.   I challenge you not to come away from this wanting to do something with your SEO.   Connect with Karlie Connect with Karlie on Instagram Visit the Techno Bird Website SEO Freebies   Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

How many design concepts should you present?    Designers often want to know what's the perfect number? What's best-practice? What's everyone else doing?   The truth is I'm not sure there's a hard and fast 'right answer' to this question.    In this episode of The C Word podcast, I share my view on the pros and cons of 3 approaches: ~ The 'One and Done' Concept ~ Multiple Concepts ~ My own 'Diamond Concept' Approach   And guest what… I'll let you choose what works for you :) Work With Me If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   Say Hello Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

On this episode of The C Word podcast I have a fab chat with Nikki Hamilton from Seedling Digital. We dive onto the opportunity for designers to create a web development revenue stream.   We cover: ~ The pitfalls for designers starting in web dev ~ Why it's such a big opportunity ~ How to get started   Nikki also shares her personal story as a self taught brand and web designer, and the impact of her recent ADHD and autism diagnosis.   CONNECT WITH NIKKI Instagram Website   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   SAY HELLO Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer  

In episode 68 of The C Word, I shared my insights on standing out in a crowded market, focusing on the 4 key opportunities to leverage. But there's almost no point in focusing on building your brand to stand out if you can't be found, seen or heard. So in episode 69 I shared the first part of my 3 'V' framework to 'stand up' and be seen... visibility. In this final episode in the mini-series, I dive into how you can leverage volume and value to support your brand to be found by potential clients   RELATED EPISODES Episode 68 - Standing Out in a Crowded Industry Episode 69 - Getting Found Part 2 - Volume and Value   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   SAY HELLO Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

There's almost no point in focusing on building your brand to stand out if you can't be found, seen or heard. In the previous episode (#68), I shared my insights on standing out in a crowded market, focusing on the 4 key opportunities to leverage. For the next 2 episodes, #69 and #70, I'm sharing the magic little framework I refer to when it comes to being seen and 'standing up'. It's made up of 3 lovely little V words… visibility, volume and value. In this episode I'll share 14 visibility tactics that you can test and try in your business to support your brand and be found by potential clients. Then in episode 70 I'll take a deep-dive into how to leverage volume and value.   RELATED EPISODES Episode 68 - Standing Out in a Crowded Industry Episode 70 - Getting Found Part 2 - Volume and Value   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   SAY HELLO Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

How do you stand out in a crowded industry? That's probably one of the most crucial questions for any business owner.   Surprisingly the answer is not post more on social media.   In this episode of The C Word Podcast I'll explore 4 key learnings designers can take from brands that stand-out across different industries to apply to our own creative business:   1. Innovation... the magic in your unique method. 2. Desirability... use your brand style to ensure people believe you can help them achieve the self image they desire.  3. Relevance & Relatability... becoming the go to expert for your audience. 4. Cut-Through... cultivate your personal brand.   And don't forget to subscribe or join my 'in the know' list to be the first to know when I share the follow up episode about being seen and heard. Because there's no point in creating a stand-out brand if no one can see you doing it!   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that. Just visit my Mentoring with Me overview to get the low-down on what options are best suited to you.   SAY HELLO Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

Self-concept, also called self-image, self-identity or ego, is at the centre of just about everything we do. It's a powerful force and can propel you forward or it can hold you back and stop you from being and doing what you want. In this episode of the C Word Podcast I look at: ~ The 3 aspects of self-concept ~ How self-concept can adversely affect designers in their business ~ How you can use self-concept to change how you behave in your business for the better ~ Examples of how self-concept has informed and supported me in my life and business   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 4 ways you can do that, visit https://bechughes.com/mentoringwithme/   SAY HELLO Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

There are lots of way to create an income from brand strategy related services, it doesn't have to be an all in brand strategy process.   In this episode of The C Word podcast, I share 6 potential revenue streams that will allow you to create income from brand strategy and other brand related services:   1) Branding Audit 2) Brand Audit (not a typo, they are different!) 3) Naming 4) Consultancy Intensives 5) Style Guide & Guidelines Creation 6) Digital Products Let's dive in and see if we can find 1, 2 or more new income streams for your business.   Bec     THE BRAND METHOD PROGRAM Create a Brand Strategy income stream   SAY HELLO Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

Brand strategy as a core part of your offer in a brand design business has so many benefits including: ~ Increased revenue  ~ More impactful creative outcomes ~ More fulfilling client relationships   In this episode, I share 6 essentials that will strengthen and elevate your brand strategy offer as a creative in business so you feel confident delivering and charging for it: 1) Your brand strategy methodology 2) The Consultant Mindset 3) Industry case studies 4) Co-creating the brief 5) Brand-led messaging  6) Putting brand strategy at the centre of your business    SAY HELLO Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

I read a rare, 'stop-me-in-my-tracks', good enough to want to share in my stories piece of content recently.   So I ran a little diagnostic on it and pulled out 5 strategies that will help you create more impactful, growth delivering content of your own:   Strategy 1: Get out of the studio and into your client's office Strategy 2: The so what...? story Strategy 3: The BBQ chat principle Strategy 4: People forget facts, but they remember stories Strategy 5: The best unkept secret   Listen for an in-depth demonstration of each strategy including specific, actionable examples.   SAY HELLO Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/  

Networking needs a rebrand!   It can feel particularly awkward for designers. We're most at home in a creative bubble. So getting out and meeting people with an agenda of business growth feels cringey and unauthentic.   But I think your network is more important than your portfolio, and would love to see more designers feeling inspired and aligned to the idea.   In this episode, my aim is to reframe how you see networking, the ways you can approach it and the things you can do to network in a way that works for you.   SAY HELLO Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

In this episode I take a deep-dive into the Consultant Mindset:   ~ What it is and how it's different to the producer mindset ~ The value of cultivating your consultant mindset in your design business ~ Some of the signs that your consultant mindset might need work ~ 9 attitudes and behaviours of a creative consultant ~ What it looks like in action in your business and how you can implement it   Thanks for listening! Bec   SAY HELLO Subscribe to The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

In this episode of The C Word Podcast I take a deep dive into discovery calls:   • What a discovery call actually is and what it isn't! • How it fits into the discovery process and why it's an important distinction • The biggest secret to success when it comes to discovery calls • My tips for a great discovery call and what works for me • The 5 phase framework for a well-managed call: pleasantries, explore, share, clarity, next steps.   I hope you find it useful and it takes some of the pressure off your next discovery call. Bec   SAY HELLO Get The Brand Brief Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/  

To celebrate 1 year of The C Word podcast, I invite you to join me for a fun Q&A.  In honour of the tradition started in Episode 1 of The C Word Podcast, I'm interviewing myself on how things are going as a podcaster 1 year on.  I share my learnings from the podcast and business in general, and look ahead to what the next 12 months has in store. Listen in for a bit of a giggle, more about me and some tips and snippets of inspo along the way. I also mention 'The Brand Brief', a monthly muse on what's inspired and interested me in the world of brand and design. Click here to join in and get your regular dose: bechughes.com/the-brand-brief/   RELATED EPISODES Episode 16: Are You Missing the Opportunity to Sell Strategy Episode 30: 3 Words that will Increase Your Value Episode 14: From Freelancer to Design Business Freedom   SAY HELLO Connect on Instagram My Website Subscribe to The Brand Brief Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORKING WITH ME IN 2023 If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/  

In this episode of The C Word Podcast I get super practical and dive into what makes for the perfect lead magnet.   I chat about: ~ The purpose of a lead magnet and getting that clear ~ 5 ingredients of a great lead magnet ~ 8 steps to create and share an effective lead magnet   At the end of the episode I mention my blog with 10 Lead Magnet Ideas for Graphic Designs which you can check out via this link: https://bechughes.com/lead-magnet-ideas-for-graphic-designers/   RELATED LINKS On the Blog: 10 Lead Magnet Ideas for Graphic Designers   SAY HELLO Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORK WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/  

Being consistent is something many solo creatives and small business owners wrestle with. In this episode of The C Word podcast I talk about some ideas and strategies to help you be more consistent: ~ 3 golden rules for choosing the right places to invest your efforts ~ Why consistently isn't just about your social media posts ~ The concept of a consistency practice and why it's useful ~ 7 strategies to support you to create the right foundations for consistency Enjoy! Bec    RELATED EPISODES Episode 37 – Mindset Strategies for Effective Selling with Christine Corcoran   SAY HELLO Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORKING WITH ME IN 2023 If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/  

Christine Corcoran is a Business Mindset Master Coach, Speaker, Podcast host and Creator of the Thrive Retreat & ELEVATED Program.   And she really brings the goods when it comes to mindset.   Christine is a qualified Practitioner in Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Matrix Therapies and an MBraining Practitioner with an extensive study of Human Behavioural Profiling, Hypnotherapy and Leadership Coaching.    We cover so much valuable ground in this podcast: ~ What mindset is and why it requires work and dedication to change it ~ Separating the value you create as a designer from your worthiness as an awesome human ~ The impact of mindset on your pricing, and why it can lead to undercharging and challenges when communicating your value ~ The role of mindset in sales ~ Strategies for effective sales calls and conversations ~ The concept of an identity upgrade and how it links to your belief systems   Pencils sharpened and at the ready because this is a pot of gold!   CONNECT WITH CHRISTINE Instagram LinkedIn Website   WORKING WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/   SAY  HELLO! Follow me on Instagram Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

In this episode of The C Word podcast I talk about overcoming client objections from new prospects and enquiries.   I'll get in your ears about: ~ The 3 pivotal points in the sales process to effectively tackle objections ~ How to get closer to your prospective client to understand what their objections might be ~ The most important skill when it comes to overcoming client objections ~ My tips for overcoming the 3 most common client objections   RELATED EPISODES Episode 17 – Ditch Your Price List and Do This Instead   SAY HELLO Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORKING WITH ME If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/  

How do you manage your workload and your workflow? And more importantly how is that reflected in the money you make as a designer? For may designers we are inundated and juggling work frantically one minute and then staring at a blank schedule wondering where the next project is coming from the next. In this episode I explore how other designers work and manage their workload. I'll share my approach, which I call Project Layering, and how that can increase your revenue and also the overall manageability and sustainability of your business.   I'll be chatting about: ~ What the different approaches to workload management look like for the designers I asked ~ The pros and cons of each ~ The foundations of an ideal scenario and what that scenario could look like for you ~ The direct and specific impact it can have on your income figures   Link to the show notes and visual reference I talk about in the episode: https://bechughes.com/increasing-your-income/   SAY HELLO Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORKING WITH ME IN 2023 If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: ~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives ~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

In the previous episode of The C Word podcast I shared the top 10 things I would do first if I was a start-up. I'm following that up in this episode with the 10 things I would NOT do again if I was a start-up.   I reflect on things I did in the evolution of my business that, with the benefit of hindsight, I would avoid or do differently now:   1) Paid Online Ads 2) Services Just for Revenue 3) Persist with Red Flag Clients 4) Free or Reciprocal Work 5) Tailor the Process or Timeline 6) Putting Client Work Before My Well-Being 7) Over-Invest in Meetings 8) Referrals 9) Evidence of Industry 10) Worry About What Others Think   SAY HELLO Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORKING WITH ME IN 2023 If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

If I was a start-up design business what would I do in today's market? It's been some time since I started my business and a lot has changed. Not only that, I've learned a lot and have the benefit of hindsight.   So in this episode of The C Word podcast, I reflect on what I would do now if I was a start-up design business based on what I believe would give me the fastest but also the most sustainable growth:   1) Create a Simple Packaged Offer 2) Focus on a Robust Website & SEO 3) Embrace My Personal Brand 4) Build My Network & Community 5) Grow & Nurture My Email List 6) Intentional, Consistent Content 7) Make Strategy the Hero 8) Commit to Robust Legal & Financial Systems 9) Streamline My Process 10) Define & Uphold My Boundaries   SAY HELLO Connect on Instagram My Website Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer   WORKING WITH ME IN 2023 If you're ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that: 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/