Podcast appearances and mentions of eric friedensohn

In this episode, we are discussing how Efdot transitioned from baseball card collecting to abstract art and NFTs, tips on balancing creative expression and business, how NFTs could help businesses improve their processes, and why people will be less trusting of platforms that use algorithms and more about owning their own content. Join us as we delve into the world of NFTs with Efdot and gain some valuable insights on this exciting industry.   Tune into this episode with us to hear about: How to successfully balance a creative career with the business side of the art industry. The value of gaining valuable skills while working for a company like WeWork. The transition from traditional art collecting to the world of NFTs and the market dynamics within it. The potential for businesses to incorporate NFTs into their processes and the importance of having a diverse business model. The future of art ownership and the shift towards transparency and control through blockchain technology. And so much more!   About Our Guest: Eric Friedensohn (aka Efdot) is a visual artist, designer and creative director based in Brooklyn, NY. He has cultivated an art practice and boutique creative studio that spans across a variety of analog and digital art projects.   Efdot's art has been exhibited around North America, South America, Europe and Asia as large scale murals, paintings, screen prints, letterpress prints, animations, sculptures and more.   His past collaborations include global consumer brands such as Nike, Adobe, Apple, Coca-Cola, WeWork, Topps and Madewell. In addition, he's worked with many sports and leisure brands such as Hypebeast, the New York Knicks, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Cubs, and the USA Skateboarding National Team. – Ready for more? Head over to https://www.sightshift.com/ for more learning and growth.

My guest today on The Jesse Nyberg Podcast is Efdot. Eric Friedensohn known as Efdot is a talented Designer and Artist from New York. His work ranges from creative abstract paintings to hand lettering and has created work both in physical galleries and the NFT space. In this episode, we chat about Efdot's collaboration with Topps, being colorblind as an artist, some breaking news on unreleased projects, and more! Efdot's Links https://www.efdotstudio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/efdot/ If you want more content or just want to support the podcast/channel then check out: https://www.patreon.com/Jessenyberg

To view the full episode show notes, visit:https://www.perspective-collective.com/side-hustlers-perspective/243--- Creating Your 1st NFT CollectionNFTs seem to be the rage these days…I'm more experienced as a collector, and I'm obsessively learning and studying how others navigate their launches and collections to plan my NFT attack.This is why I bring talented creators on the show who have found success in this space and are more qualified to speak on this topic.Hence bringing back–for the third time–my brother, Eric “Efdot” Friedensohn, a wickedly talented illustrator, muralist, NFT artist, and educator in our creative community.He's worked with—as well has been featured by—Apple, Hypebeast, Topps, Coca-Cola, and Adobe.He's also found success as an NFT artist with his collections on the marketplaces Foundation, OpenSea, and Nifty Gateway.In today's episode we talk shop on:The new wave of digital collecting and ownership.How to get people to connect with your work.Tips for minting and listing your first NFT collection.Continually experimenting in lanes that make you uncomfortable.Finding community, PFP projects, crypto, and more.The Goal: To spotlight the massive new opportunities for creatives now and on the horizon with actionable steps to get you started!RESOURCES & REFERENCESEp 26 ft. EfdotEp 205 ft. EfdotCrypto 101 MasterclassSide Hustler's Boot Camp WaitlistSide Hustler's Coaching WaitlistCONNECT WITH ERICWebsiteInstagram Twitter ----FREE TOOLKIT TO SIDE HUSTLE FREEDOM6 FREE resources to help you grow an audience and build a profitable creative side hustle outside your day job. Download here.FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONWith as little as your weekly cup of coffee, you can support the growth of this show by backing us on Patreon.JOIN THE PRIVATE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR CREATORSJoin a like-minded FREE global community of kickass creators and take your side hustle to the next level. Your family is waiting.LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCASTING APPApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercastYouTubeCONNECT WITH MEInstagramPodcast InstagramYouTubeTwitterTikTokPinterestCREDITSMusic  -  BlookahPodcast Editor  -  Aine BrennanExecutive Assistant  -  Paige GarlandPhoto & Video Specialist  -  Colton BacharSocial Media Coordinator  -  Hannah SchickAnimation Specialist  -  Greg D'Amico

On this episode of Work Beyond Mac, host Jason Cipriani talks to artist Eric Friedensohn, also known as Efdot. Eric has painted murals all over the world during his time at WeWork, and has more recently started redesigning baseball cards on his own, as well as part of the Topps Project 2020 and Topps Project70. Efdot’s iPad is part of his creative process, spending most of the time in Procreate, occasionally using Adobe apps. Current apps and gear Efdot is using:iPad Pro 12.9iPad Pro 11Apple Pencil 2nd Gen. Magic KeyboardProcreateAdobe FrescoFollow Eric on Twitter @EfdotStudio or Instagram @Muralists, Visit his website Efdot Studio,  or sign up for his Patreon. Special thank you to Kensington for sponsoring this episode. Check out the Kensington Studio Dock for the iPad Pro and iPad Air at Kensington.com. Follow Work Beyond Mac on Twitter, or reach out to Jason Cipriani on Twitter with feedback, questions or if you know of someone who works on their iPad and would make for a fantastic guest. Learn more about Work Beyond Mac and the host Jason Cipriani.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/WorkBeyondMac)Kensington Kensington makes a wide range of iPad accessories that enhance the experience.

To view the full episode show notes, visit: https://www.perspective-collective.com/perspectivepodcast/205---Creating Value With Your WorkToday’s guest, my good friend Eric Friedensohn, AKA Efdot, has blazed his own creative path over the years.He’s a Brooklyn-based muralist, educator, merch slanger, fine artist, skateboarding savant, and freelancing wizard who’s collabed with big baller brands like Topps, Vayner Media, Pat Flynn, Skillshare, ConvertKit, and more!More importantly, he’s a critical thinker and incredibly supportive friend.In today’s episode, Eric talks shop on creating value with your work, getting started selling your work, and more.If you’re feeling overwhelmed and looking for a sign that you’re on the right path, then we got you covered like a blanket with this one.RESOURCES & REFERENCESEfdot Episode 26CONNECT WITH EFDOTInstagram WebsiteShopTwitter----GET A GLOBAL PODCAST SHOUTOUTBecome a future Listener of the Week by Subscribing and leaving a Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes here.FREE TOOLKIT TO SIDE HUSTLE FREEDOM6 FREE resources to help you grow an audience and build a profitable creative side hustle outside your day job. Download here.FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONWith as little as your weekly cup of coffee, you can support the growth of this show by backing us on Patreon.JOIN THE PRIVATE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR CREATORSJoin a like-minded FREE global community of kickass creators and take your side hustle to the next level. Your family is waiting.PURCHASE THE SIDE HUSTLER’S HANDBOOK PDF COURSEThe proven framework that’ll help you gain clarity, confidence, and a mental edge to unlock your biggest side hustling breakthrough. Purchase here.BEST DEALS ON THE BEST DESIGN RESOURCES (Affiliates)G.A.R.M. Co. - Use PIZZA20 for 20% OFF premium courses, brushes, textures, and fonts. Shop here.Engaged Community Guide - A FREE guide for growing an audience around you and your work. Download here.Happy Money Course - Generate passive income by transforming your artistic passion into a digital product. Enroll here.The Lettering Pricing Handbook - A handbook and video series helping letterers get paid their worth. Purchase here.Lauren Hom’s Classes - Use PERSPECTIVE10 for 10% OFF Lauren’s premium classes. Shop here.Design Cuts - Download your FREE Ever-Expanding design resources bundle pack. Download here.LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCASTING APPApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercastYouTubeCONNECT WITH MEInstagramPodcast InstagramYouTubeTwitterTikTokPinterestCREDITSMusic  -  BlookahPodcast Editor  -  Aine BrennanExecutive Assistant  -  Paige GarlandPhoto & Video Specialist  -  Colton BacharSocial Media Coordinator  -  Hannah SchickAnimation Specialist  -  Greg D'Amico

Studying in the States can be very expensive. Consider other options, living abroad (like Emily did!) might be a fun adventure which also works out to be more affordable.Figure out what is important to you, what your personal values are and how your art can help to promote this message. This will help to connect you to like-minded artists and people who might like to support your work.Ask other artists to share their pricing with you. The worst they can say is ‘no’ or ‘I can’t share that information with you’.You will make mistakes, you will undercharge but you will learn as you go. Have the confidence in your business to say no to projects that are not the right fit. Believe that more work will come down the line.Inspiration can come from anywhere. Don’t shy away from taking on projects that you are interested in but are outside your lane or the parameters of the work you’ve done before.Stay SocialFollow Emily on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/emily_eldridge_art/Check out Emily's websiteJoin the @muralists community on InstagramSign up for our newsletter here

This week I spoke with artist Efdot, aka Eric Friedensohn. Eric works on a diverse range of projects ranging from murals to screen printed pieces and has his own movement to help promote muralists as well. This week we talked about Eric's inspirations, the story behind his slogan "Art for Optimists", and his Topps baseball card project. Eric has some incredible work and brings a different perspective to the show being that his work has a more traditional art approach. Be sure to check out Eric's work at the links below: Eric's Instagram: www.instagram.com/efdot Eric's Website: www.efdotstudio.com Eric's Patreon: www.patreon.com/efdot Muralists Project: www.instagram.com/muralists If you enjoyed today's episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a rating and review, and connect with Creatively Brief on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest at @CreativelyBrief and check out my personal design work on Instagram at @MichaelTumlinDesigns! If you're looking for high-quality, royalty-free music, you should check out Audiio. Audiio is a music licensing service that has a lifetime subscription and this week only, for Black Friday, their lifetime subscription is only $199 and gives you access to a diverse catalog of music for any video or podcast you may be working on. Be sure to use the link below and use the code Holiday to get $100 off a lifetime subscription to Audiio today! https://audiio.com/pricing?oid=1&affid=60 Are you looking to pick up a new skill or refine one you already have? Skillshare is the best way to learn from professionals in their field at a low, affordable price! I've used skillshare in the past and it truly helped push me farther into the design field than I ever would have imagined. Click the link below to get a free trial of Skillshare Premium and take your creativity to the next level! skillshare-ambassador.pxf.io/nmBe9 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/creativelybrief/support

How muralist Eric Friedensohn owes his success to losing everything. Visit https://convertkit.com/eric-friedensohn for show notes and more information.

Look at the work that has been done by other muralists in your city or area. What is different and similar in your work? What would make a client want to work with you? Think about what you like to make and what art is missing, the overlap is where you will find your niche.You don’t have to take the traditional path if you’re interested in a specific niche. In this episode Eric speaks about the traditional route for working in skate board merch design and how he has forged his own path to bring together his art and his hobby.Cultivate community in your area, whether it be IRL or online. Lift up others by commenting, liking and sharing their work. Stay SocialJoin the @muralists community on InstagramSign up for our newsletter here

Does your art have a mission? Use your art to shed light on unknown or little known historical figures. Painting the history of a person or place in a prominent spot can begin a conversation about something important that might otherwise be forgotten.Murals are a powerful medium that can inspire people and promote change. Think about what you can do with the skills and talent that you have. Your murals can inspire people long after the project has been completed.Is there enough work to go around for everyone? Don’t allow a scarcity mindset to over take your motivation to paint. Every room has at least four walls.Allow your interests to inspire your murals. Bicycles, sport, water, ocean conservation - the more random the better. Where commercial murals might have a brief to fill, educational and informative murals communicate just one message.Stay SocialFollow Celeste on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/celestialterrestrialFollow Jonny on Instragram https://www.instagram.com/jonnypucci/Join the @muralists community on InstagramSign up for our newsletter here

 As an artist, there are some lessons that are harder and take a longer time to learn. Sharing your artwork without fear or anxiety about how it will be received takes practice and patience. But it will be worth it in the end.There are lots of great ways to sell you art, and it is all about figuring out what is best for you and your practice. For instance, a print-on-demand frees up physical space in your home or studio and also allows people to choose an affordable print of your work that fits best in their home.Start your day with a plan but allow yourself the flexibility to flip the schedule if you feel inspired to create. For some artists the morning is their most creative time, for others inspiration strikes later in the day. Figure out what works best for you.Commit to clear and concise communication with your clients. This can really help to minimize problems and helps them to understand your point of view around pricing if there are changes or more iterations than initially agreed. Know your worth.Cultivate a style with meaning that feels genuine to your beliefs. If you are creating art you feel good about and put in the time, opportunities will come your way.Stay SocialFollow Amber on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amber_vittoria/Join the @muralists community on InstagramSign up for our newsletter here

1. Create a work space you are happy to spend time in. The ethos in our team is that if you’re going to spend 12 hours a day somewhere, it might as well look nice and be a space you enjoy spending time in. This is a sentiment that can apply to any office or work space or even your home.  2. Be willing to share your ideas and collaborate. The success of the team at WeWork comes from people being willing to share their ideas and collaborate. Often they get to see their artwork come to life in another city, created by another artist in their own style because they were open to sharing their ideas in the first place.    3. Celebrate the small wins. Don’t allow progression in your career to overshadow the opportunities to celebrate the small wins along the way. Five years ago you would have been overjoyed to achieve what you achieve today.4. When people look at murals they want to be blown away, thinking ‘Wow! How did the artist do that?  5. If you want to create large scale work - create it on your own first. Don't wait for someone to ask you to do it. If that is the kind of work you are trying to attract, you need to show you can do it.  STAY IN TOUCHFollow Joe on Instagram -   https://www.instagram.com/joe_geis/.  Check out Joe's website -   http://www.joegeis.studio/.  Follow Jeremiah on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/itsjeremiahb/Have a look at Jeremiah's work online -  http://www.jeremiahbritton.com/.  Join the @muralists community on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/muralists/.  Follow @efdot on Instagram - instagram.com/efdot.  Sign up for our newsletter here -   https://muralists.co/.   

Value change. Learn from change as often as you can. Even if something is difficult, it may be beneficial to make the leap and try anyway.Allow your style to find you. You have to draw a lot of things you don’t like to find out what you do like. Your earliest jobs will teach you so much about what you do and don’t like, when you have that figured out it will be much easier to choose and create the kind of work you really love.Muralists have so much power to completely transform a space. There is a unique confidence that comes from painting such a large piece of art. Look out for walls that are mutually beneficial for you and the person inviting you to paint.Ask for feedback. In school and college feedback was constant, when you step out as an independent artist feedback will only come your way if you look for it. Find mentors and people to ask for feedback from. Each piece of art is a collaboration between you and the owner of the wall or the viewer of the art, seek out their thoughts.Freelance can be isolating, having mentors and fellow artists that you can discuss your craft with can help ease the isolation. Stay in touchFollow Jocelyn on Instagram @jocelyntsaihCheck out Jocelyn's website Join the @muralists community on InstagramSign up for our newsletter here 

Efdot is confident but that's because he can be, his work speaks for itself, his work in the Topps Project relates to current events probably more than anyone else, he joins us to discuss his career & approach to the project. We announce the winner of this week's $25 break credit from 1 of 1 Card Shop. Efdot: IG: @efdot Twitter: @efdotstudio Patreon: patreon.com/efdot Check out the definitive Topps Project Analytics at waxpackhero.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sportscardnation/message

This week on Overtime, Meg learns that popping into a Zoom room full of silent people is a thing that actually isn’t awkward, artists get creative with toilet paper to raise money for COVID-19 relief, and Eric Friedensohn joins to talk about making murals and building community. Plus, Meg gets a bunch of calls on the hotline this week that make her cry! [00:10] Introducing the Episode with Meg Lewis[01:53] Why silent zooms are golden for focusing the mind [06:41] Artists are making toilet paper art to raise money[09:19] Meg talks to Eric Friedensohn about his career as a MuralistLinks mentioned in today’s episode:Murlalists website: http://muralists.co/Muralists Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muralists/Focusmate: https://www.focusmate.com/Thanks to the sponsors of this episode:.MELeave some feedback:What do you think about our new format? Please let us know in the comments below!Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. Connect with us: Meg LewisDribbble profileTwitter: @yourbuddymegInstagram: @yourbuddymegWebsiteEric FriedensohnDribbble profileTwitter: @EFDOTInstagram: @EFDOTStudioWebsiteDribbbleDribbble profileTwitter: @dribbbleInstagram: @dribbbleWebsiteInterested in sponsoring this rad podcast? Email overtime@gmail.com

This week on Overtime, Meg learns that popping into a Zoom room full of silent people is a thing that actually isn’t awkward, artists get creative with toilet paper to raise money for COVID-19 relief, and Eric Friedensohn joins to talk about making murals and building community. Plus, Meg gets a bunch of calls on the hotline this week that make her cry! [00:10] Introducing the Episode with Meg Lewis[01:53] Why silent zooms are golden for focusing the mind [06:41] Artists are making toilet paper art to raise money[09:19] Meg talks to Eric Friedensohn about his career as a MuralistLinks mentioned in today’s episode:Murlalists website: http://muralists.co/Muralists Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muralists/Focusmate: https://www.focusmate.com/Thanks to the sponsors of this episode:.MELeave some feedback:What do you think about our new format? Please let us know in the comments below!Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. Connect with us: Meg LewisDribbble profileTwitter: @yourbuddymegInstagram: @yourbuddymegWebsiteEric FriedensohnDribbble profileTwitter: @EFDOTInstagram: @EFDOTStudioWebsiteDribbbleDribbble profileTwitter: @dribbbleInstagram: @dribbbleWebsiteInterested in sponsoring this rad podcast? Email overtime@gmail.com

On episode 3 of Wellfed, I visit the new Shhhowercap office where I speak with the founder and creator, Jacquelyn DeJesu Center. We talk about her unconventional path to becoming and entrepreneur and not being afraid to always be yourself. It was so much fun to meet Jacquelyn and she gives me so much confidence to continue to pursue my goals and dreams. Listen to Episode 2 with Rich Tu, VP of Digital at MTV https://apple.co/2NuXhOu Listen to Episode 1 with Eric Friedensohn aka Efdot https://apple.co/360rLOS Follow Wellfed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellfedpodcast/ Watch Wellfed on Youtube: https://www.wellfedpodcast.com/youtube If you enjoy this episode please rate, review, and share this podcast. It would be a big help and go a long way to continue to produce more episodes. You can find more episodes on the website www.wellfedpodcast.com Thank you for listening!

On episode 2 of Wellfed, I stop by the MTV offices to talk with the VP of Digital Design, Rich Tu. We discuss his passion for hip-hop, sneakers, and creating amazing work. Before MTV, Rich worked with companies like Nike, Coca-Cola, XXL Magazine, NPR and many more. Rich and I both grew up in New Jersey and it was great to share stories about when we were younger and how we ended up in the big city today. Listen to Episode 1 with Eric Friedensohn aka Efdot https://apple.co/360rLOS Listen to Episode 2 of Season 1 with Creative Director Lydia Pang https://apple.co/39jpjWD Follow Wellfed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellfedpodcast/ Watch Wellfed on Youtube: https://www.wellfedpodcast.com/youtube If you enjoy this episode please rate, review, and share this podcast. It would be a big help and go a long way to continue to produce more episodes. You can find more episodes on the website www.wellfedpodcast.com Thank you for listening!

On the first episode of Season 2! I sit down with Eric Friedensohn to discuss his introduction to design, traveling the world, and how he developed his unique style and signature character. Eric Friedensohn is a mural artist, designer, illustrator, and letter currently based in Brooklyn, New York. He has worked for companies like MKG and most recently WeWork on the art and graphics team before deciding to step out on his own. Listen to the Episode 1 of Season 1: https://apple.co/2QhFMSn Listen to WeWork Designer Vincent Conti: https://apple.co/35S167V Follow Wellfed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellfedpodcast/ Watch Wellfed on Youtube: https://www.wellfedpodcast.com/youtube If you enjoy this episode please rate, review, and share this podcast. It would be a big help and go a long way to continue to produce more episodes. You can find more episodes on the website www.wellfedpodcast.com Thank you for listening!

Side Hustler's Series Part 1 of 4: 3 Levels to Find Your Wolf Pack Humble Side Hustle Beginnings “Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.” — Ziad K. Abdelnour I've been side hustling for a hot minute now. One of my bigger side hustles was right out of college when a buddy and I started a clothing brand called Daydreamin' Clothing Incorporated. We quickly changed it to Company because we were far from a corporation, but it just sounded cool. Well, before lettering was a thing on Instagram, I was making hand-lettered logos and graphics for our brand back in 2010. We started off with our logo on a few shitty Gildan logo tees, then ordered some business cards through Vista Print and called ourselves a business. While our original launch was hot garbage, I'm proud of it because we were young dreamers taking big action. Those first few logo tees evolved into more complex designs as we filed an LLC. Two years into it, we were sponsoring rappers, skaters, motocross bikers, and local "influencers." Three years into it, we were hosting events at clubs, doing pop-ups shops, and getting in brick and mortar and online stores like Kazbah. We were making shit happen and figuring it out along the way. My partner was the point-of-contact string-puller, accountant, and fulfillment manager. I was obviously the artist, designer, and the marketing/promo lead. We balanced each other out well and brought in help for extra support. In our fourth year, we were getting serious and ready to elevate our product offerings. We lined up a huge investor and locked down a warehouse for creating custom threads and patterns for whatever we could scheme up. This was the turning point—it became a shit or get off the pot kind of thing. The Banana Split My partner was all-in and ready to quit his job to pursue this. I was in the middle of changing day jobs, had a new mortgage, and was sitting on a pile of private student loan debt. I wasn't as eager to take the risk and wanted to keep doing this as my secondary "full-time" side hustle. Things went sour when we discussed splitting shares of the company if we went with the investor. We didn't see eye-to-eye on percentages and my partner felt like he could make this dream happen on his own. We ended up making like a banana and split. That's when I started Perspective-Collective in 2014. I had made up my mind I was going solo, and I thought I didn't need anyone's help to get to where I wanted to be in life. I spent the first year obsessively learning hand-lettering and posting daily on Instagram. I slowly began developing my style, finding my voice, and growing an audience. I hit a wall the second year. I felt called to do more than just share pretty polished Instagram posts. However, I was trapped in my little Cedar Falls, Iowa, bubble and had no idea what the next step was. I felt so isolated and stuck, but the cure was doing something radical to rattle my comfort cage. Rattling the Comfort Cage I found the Creative South Conference through Instagram and made a decision I was going to find a way to attend. After my successful proposal to my day job, I flew to Columbus, GA, for a life-changing experience in April 2015. This conference allowed me to attach myself to people doing things I didn't know were possible. It revealed the next steps and provided answers to questions I didn't even know I was seeking. Most importantly, it showed me the power of getting around like-minded people who knew more than I did. This is the power of community. I went home on fire and immediately joined the Seanwes community. They welcomed me with open arms at the conference and eliminated the feeling of isolation. It was a pricey investment, but definitely worth it in the grand scheme of things. Find Your Wolf Pack From there, I joined an accountability group for the next level of connection. Along the way, I would pick up mentors like Jason Craig and Brian Manley, who took me under their wing in regards to public speaking. Every year, my side hustle evolved as I added something new to the tool belt. Drawing turned into blogging. Blogging turned into speaking. Speaking turned into a podcast. Somewhere in between, I started teaching workshops and selling products. Doing all of this outside my day job has helped me build my own community. It's put me in a position where I can pursue coaching other creatives to build something of their own outside their day jobs. The point I want to make? None of this would have happened if I thought I had all the answers and had been too prideful to ask for help. I've had help at each step along the way. Yes, sometimes, you have to to be the lone wolf and make mistakes in order to learn and push forward. In my experience, seeking out a wolf pack and asking for help allows you to bypass obstacles and get on the fast track for growth much quicker than being a lone wolf. Wolves survive and thrive by being in packs. If you're tired of feeling stuck and isolated on an island, I have a few levels for finding your wolf pack. Level 1: Find Community Finding community was the spark I needed to get off my island. Going to a conference—where I didn't know a soul—and leaving with people I considered family changed the game. I can't stress enough how important it is to get around like-minded people who are doing or strive to do the same thing you're trying to accomplish. Finding a community doesn't have to revolve around money. If you can't afford a conference or an online "gated" community, don't sweat it. There are free communities on Facebook, Slack, Instagram DM Groups, Online Forums, etc. that you can start with. In fact, it's the main reason I created The Perspective-Collective FREE private group. I want hungry side hustlers like you to be able to access like-minded creatives across the world sharing feedback, resources, and encouragement. This could be a great wolf pack to start with and we'd love to have ya. Level 2: Join/Create an Accountability Group Once you join a community and start building a rapport with people, you'll notice there are certain individuals whom you most vibe with. These are perfect candidates to start an accountability group with. Think of this as your tightest homies in the wolf pack. You guys form your own mini wolf pack. When I was in the Seanwes group back in 2015-2016, I had a lot in common with people like Colin Tierney, Eric Friedensohn, and Terence Tang. We were all lettering artists who focused on kicking out content, producing products, and growing an audience. We formed a little accountability Slack group where we'd do weekly Google Hangouts. This consisted of sharing: weekly progress updates short-term and long-term goals big wins areas for improvement things we could use some extra accountability on We slowly expanded our circle with more unique and like-minded people. Our group is still going and growing, and it's like a family reunion when we link up at conferences. Level 3A: Join a Mastermind If you've outgrown what your community and accountability group can offer, a Mastermind could be what you're looking for. It's typically an exclusive niche group of high-performers in the same focus as you. You'll usually need an invite or have to pay to become a member. For example, someone like Lewis Howes has a gated community called the Inner Circle. If you want more access to him, extra accountability, and greater exposure to people who are doing what you do but at a higher level, you could pay and apply to join his Mastermind. This isn't always the case though. If you and a few from your accountability group are all hyper-growing in the same direction, you could evolve and create a tight-knit Mastermind that's laser-focused on helping each other scale your businesses. However, sometimes you may want something more intimate, hands-on, and more direct to someone. You just may need a coach or a mentor, which is where I am today. Level 3B: Hire a Coach or Mentor There's a bit of a difference between coaching and mentorship. Coaching is more of a short-term structured relationship while a mentor is a long-term relationship that could expand from coaching. Hand Holding & Holding Feet In 2019, getting a coach has single-handedly elevated my side hustle business to the next level. Back in episode 101 last year in October, I talked about how my gut was telling me to take my business and podcast in a different direction. I knew I was ready to niche down and make a bigger impact in a focused direction, but I wasn't sure which steps to take. In February this year, I was fortunate enough to link up with Tom Ross, CEO of Design Cuts. In May, I started meeting with Hand Lettering Educator and Coach, Mye De Leon. Both immediately started helping me shape the bigger picture and held my feet to the fire to take action. I was stumbling in the right direction on my own, but progress was slow. However, getting help from coaches helped me gain clarity and traction quickly on this new path. These two have already accomplished what I strive to do and have helped others achieve similar results. I desperately needed them to hold my hand and teach me the ropes. Tom helped me embrace my identity as the Side Hustle Guy and how to communicate it to others. He also helped me build the Side Hustler's War Chest and explode my email list in the first month. Mye De Leon has been teaching me email marketing, copywriting, and setting up this 3-month Side Hustler's Coaching Program. Both have played pivotal roles in helping me lay the new foundation of Perspective-Collective moving forward. Not going to lie, coaching and mentors are an investment. However, you're able to easily get your ROI plus more if you find the right fit and apply yourself. The Biggest Names You Look Up to Invested in Help The people you see making the biggest waves in the creative industry have all sought out help one way or another. The following friends of the podcast are making huge waves. However, investing in business coaches or creative mentors sparked their breakthroughs. Read through their testimonials to see how a coach helped guide them to success. Pandr Design Co. After the first few months of starting our business, we knew we didn't know how to run it, what to charge, or how to get clients. Investing in a coach was the best choice we made for our business. The first 6 months we had an hour-long call every week, and the last 6 months we had an hour-long call once a month. Working with our coach helped us set bigger goals, get consistent clients coming in, have a pricing structure, etc. It built the foundation for the 6-figure business we run today. Lisa Quine I was just starting to think about life as a full-time freelancer. I knew nothing about running a business, so I knew I would need to do something to educate myself. I hired a coach running a summer special for two 1-hour phone calls for $500. She helped me get my thoughts aligned, pushing out the negative ones, and making sure my thoughts were on things like my goal, salary, marketing, etc. After our coaching sessions, she’s also hired me for 3 mural projects and gives me great exposure across Cleveland. Mye De Leon My progress was slow. I wanted to move forward faster and leverage the knowledge of someone who’s been in the trenches and can teach me how I can reach my goals sooner. I found community first and then was recommended the right coach. We met twice a month and regularly chatted via Slack. Coaching helped me massively increase my email list, where I was able to pre-sell my course for $17k. I recommend getting a coach because it helps you achieve clarity and focus and gets you to where you want to go faster. Tom Ross I had grown a large audience on my old design blog, but it was very disengaged and felt hollow. I was relying on advertising income and felt like I hadn’t built something truly long-term and meaningful. Meeting with my mentor once a week led to the biggest win of gaining clarity. I dropped all the annoying ads. I focused on engagement over vanity metrics. Truth be told, success came further down the line, in the form of my current company Design Cuts and my personal brand. But none of this could have happened without getting that earlier foundational clarity. Accelerate Your Growth & Provide Clarity To summarize, being the lone wolf is hard. It's a lot easier to survive and thrive when a wolf pack of like-minded savage beasts has your back. It's doable, but side-hustling solo is hard. Attaching yourself to a community, accountability group, mastermind, coach and/or mentor will accelerate your growth and provide clarity. Don't be too proud to admit that you don't have it all figured out. The answer is always no if you don't ask for help! Having people help wall you through the forest is way quicker than blindly stumbling through it on your own. Get off your isolated island and find your wolf pack. Need Some Extra Help? Check out The Side Hustler's Coaching Program If you're finding that you want some extra hand-holding and accountability to take the next step, sign up for the Side Hustler's Coaching Program now to join the waitlist for September 16th's launch week. Shownotes Download your FREE Side Hustler’s War Chest Get your FREE audiobook download from Audible Join our Private Global Facebook Community of Creators Listener of the Week: dontreallycare of USA Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Video Editor: Colton Bachar Podcast music: Blookah Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast

This week on Eggs we have special guest Eric Friedensohn AKA Efdot. Efdot is an NYC-based, internationally known muralist and illustrator known for his unique illustrative style. We met Eric at Creative South, the creative conference in Columbus, Georgia which has come up on this show more than once in recent shows. Eric was in Salt Lake City presenting at the LetterWest Conference and was gracious enough to take a quick moment to hang with the Eggs show. The show was quick and dirty, done moments before headed to the airport to catch a flight, but lots of fun and great jiffy chat. Looking forward to going longer form on a future show. Our Guest: Eric "Efdot" Friedensohn - Muralist and Illustrator http://www.efdotstudio.com @efdot on social media The Carton: https://medium.com/@eggsshow Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now! https://medium.com/@eggsshow/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28 The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist: bit.ly/eggstunes The Plugs: The Show eggscast.com @eggshow on twitter and instagram On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pC On Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher Also available on Google Play Music! Mike "DJ Ontic" shows and info djontic.com @djontic on twitter Ryan R2 SLC/BCN r2mg.com ryanroghaar.com @r2mg on twitter @r2mediagroup on instagram

We cover the power of quality relationships and some practical things we can all start doing now to build our business, skills and network. Guest: Matt Vergotis - http://www.verg.com.au/ Eric Friedensohn - http://www.efdotstudio.com/ Join the Community: http://passionbehindtheart.com/ http://daroldpinnock.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dpcreates/ https://www.instagram.com/pbtapodcast/ https://twitter.com/PbtaPodcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/pbtapodcast/

Today we are talking to Eric Friedensohn about his work, career, and adventures.

Oh, it's so easy to wear yourself out in the ongoing creative battle! Today our guest is Femke van Schoonhoven — a designer, writer, and fellow podcaster. You'll learn how to embrace your perfectionism, find the work-life balance, deal with the different parts of the feast-or-famine cycle, and find inspiration (not frustration) following other designers. Podcast feed: subscribe to http://simplecast.fm/podcasts/1441/rss in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music. Show Notes Atomic, Uber — Femke's previous and current places of work Design Life — Femke's podcast with Charli Marie Femke's blog We need more crappy work — Femke's article Sarah Dayan, Eric Friedensohn, Scotty Russell — designers and artists followed by Femke Design Life 083: What to do when you’re overwhelmed Bullet Journal — a website on bullet journaling Episode 72: Creative Habits and Routines with Tomas Laurinavicius Femke's website Join Femke's newsletter Follow Femke on Twitter: @femkesvs Today's Sponsor This episode is brought to you by FreshBooks — cloud accounting software for freelancers and small business owners. If you work for yourself, you know that the world was not built for the self-employed. Many institutions are simply not keeping up with the pace of change — like banks, retirement savings, employment insurance, and accounting services. FreshBooks is among the innovators who have stepped up to provide a new accounting solution in this rapidly changing world. FreshBooks is offering a 30-day unrestricted free trial to our listeners. To claim it, just go to freshbooks.com/uibreakfast and enter UI BREAKFAST in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here. Leave a Review Reviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

As humans we are designed to be afraid of taking risks, but a certain amount of risk is necessary to achieve success. In this very special episode Eric Friedensohn (a talented lettering artist and friend of the show) joins Femke to discuss why it’s important to take risks, and how to be smart about them. Sign up for the community Follow Eric Friedensohn Listen to more on our website

We’ve got our second repeat guest on the podcast this week and we also got to record IN PERSON with him! It’s Efdot, aka Eric Friedensohn! He kicks off Summer of Sketching this week, so you should all join in and sign up at summerofsketching.com! He’s a super talented designer who was definitely able to let a little bit more loose this time around! We get into what he’s up to these days and some exciting things happening in his future, we talked about his cat, burrata, travel, etc. It’s a great episode, give it a listen! Theme song by Real J Wallace, Produced by Day Fade

Stay Inspired & Pursue Why You Got Into Art in the First Place This week is a very special episode as I’m doing my first interview on the show with my good friend Eric Friedensohn also know as Efdot. He knows how to stay inspired to create for his personal side projects. Eric is a talented hand lettering artist and designer based out of Brooklyn, New York. He’s worked with the likes of Pat Flynn and taught lettering workshops for Vayner Media. He’s work at We Work and is the creator of the Optimist Project. He’s big into skateboarding and traveling and it’s an honor to have him as the first guest on this show. Why Do You Feel Uninspired to Create in the First Place? The Resistance Steven Pressfield - War of Art The resistance: is a universal force that has one sole mission: to keep things as they are. is the force that will stop an individual's creative activity through any means necessary, whether it be rationalizing, inspiring fear and anxiety, presenting distractions, raising the voice of an inner critic, and much more. will use any tool to stop creation flowing from an individual, no matter what field the creation is in. Steven Pressfield states, "The best way to fight the resistance is to do you work." He encourages the artist to "Go Pro." This mean going from being an amateur hobbyist to becoming a professional because pros don’t make excuses—they do the work. Many search for motivation when Motivation comes from the act of doing, but one may need inspiration in the first place. Eric’s POV On Resistance and Feeling Uninspired to Create Refusing to give into the resistance and doing the work isn't always so simple and straight forward. Everywhere you look there are endless things to pursue and they are designed to be addicting distractions. I find myself uninspired to create when I: give myself too much “free time” am not well-rested don’t have ANY structure / routines overcommit and say yes to too many things (like social obligations) have drama or chaos in my life focus too much on what others are doing and begin losing sight of why I got into making art in the first place. It's important to always remind yourself why you got into creating art in the first place. How to Stay Inspired 1. Vary Your Intake making things recycled from what you’ve been seeing and admiring not following enough diff types of artists inspired to make your work more unique follow people in more diverse areas researching artists beyond their works, like their books, blogs, podcasts If you're always in taking in the same stuff, you're going to end up outputting the same stuff too. If you’re feeling really uninspired to create art, find something to create totally different like a wild recipe. Being Around Other Creatives Community Getting within a community and establishing relationships online or through conferences. When you’re around people who are creating it’s contagious. Engage with people outside of liking their photo. The more people you can be around who are doing what you’re doing the better. Collaboration gives accountability but you end up learning and think in new ways. 2014 agency with chalkboard wall mural example Accountability Get something on the calendar to meet consistently Find others who share similar goals and values Reach out and take initiative to build creative relationships Recharging Change of Environment Change of environment can get you in new head space get outside your normal routine rearrange furniture work in a different setting (diff room of your house or coffee shop) Being Active Partake in things that recharge you mentally, physically or spiritually that fill you up with ideas Being active in sports or exercising Being outdoors Practicing mindfulness through yoga / meditation Key Takeaways: It's important to always remind yourself why you got into creating art in the first place. If your intake is always in the same stuff, you're going to end up outputting the same stuff too. Follow different types of work and art outside of your normal preferences to influence new inspiration. It's contagious when you’re around people who are creating. Take initiative and engage with people outside of liking their photo. Shownotes: efdotstudio.com Instagram: @efdot Eric's Optimist Project Eric's SummerOfSketching.com Steven Pressfield - War of Art Shigeo Fakuda - Masterworks YouTube: Everything's A Remix Austin Kleon - Steal Like an Artist Creative South Conference Andy J. Miller - Creative Peptalk Podcast

THE DESIGN RECHARGE SHOW: Scott Biersack & Eric Friedensohn // Creative Compadres Episode 170 Eric Friedensohn and Scott Biersack have been roommates for almost a year. They are both designers, lettering artists, and really great men who are making a difference in the world. They both have embarked on new experiences this year and are part of a tight community of creatives who are pushing themselves to do more each week. Sign up to get the link to join us LIVE each week, delivered directly to your inbox at: http://bit.ly/dr-list If you already get the weekly newsletter no need to sign up you will get the link in your inbox today 30 min before the show.

My guest today is Eric Friedensohn. Eric is a freelance designer and hand lettering artist, based out of New York City. We talk about his passion for travel, which lead him to internships in Prague and Lithuania during college, working with friends in an accountability group to keep pushing himself to work on projects and hold him to his goals, how Creative South introduced him to some amazing friendships, and his up coming Summer of Sketching project that you can learn more about at SummerOfSketching.com

If you've thought about starting a podcast but haven't yet, this episode is for you. I want to address some of the reasons and fears you might have that are keeping you from starting a podcast or any kind of creative output that can help you grow an audience and establish you as an authority in your field. My goal is to break you out of the mindset that you might be in (the one that is keeping you from starting), and motivate you to start taking the steps towards launching your podcast. Key Takeaways: Start a podcast about whatever you are most passionate about. If you care about it, talk about it. You won’t run out of topics. The longer you podcast, the more things you’ll find to talk about. What community do you want to become a part of? What community are you already a part of, and do you want to become known as an expert? You don’t have to understand everything about making audio sound good before you start. You don’t have to get editing right the first time. Improve as you go. No one is going to kick you off the internet if you mess something up. After you get over the initial learning curve, you will get faster. Like anything else, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. We all have an equal amount of time in the day. It’s up to us to decide how to use it. In my brainstorming and research for this episode, I went through my email archive, searched Google, and asked folks what was keeping them from starting a podcast. Here’s the list of things I kept seeing pop up. 7 Reasons People Don’t Start a Podcast: I’m not sure what to podcast about, or what topics I should cover. I don’t know anything about recording or editing audio. I don’t have enough money to buy good gear. It seems like so many people are already podcasting. Why would anyone care what I have to say, and how do I stand out? I don’t have the time. I’m not good at speaking. I don’t know anything about making a website or podcast hosting. Roadblock #1. I’m Not Sure What to Podcast About, or What Topics I Should Cover. I get this. I was asking myself this question for about a year before I finally started my podcast. I was worried that after a few months I would run out of things to talk about. I was also worried that the topics I covered wouldn’t be interesting to my audience (more on that later). I have a few questions for you to help to you figure out what you should be podcasting about. First, what are you passionate about? What do you spend most of your time thinking about? What are you constantly excited about learning about? What do you love spending your time on? Start a podcast about whatever you are most passionate about. If you care about it, talk about it. There are so many examples of people make great podcasts that I could bring in, but I just want to mention a couple so you can see examples of people who have found success by podcasting about their passion. Chris Coyier has two podcasts; the Shoptalk Show and CodePen Radio. Both are focused around his passion, which is web design and development. He loves learning about web design, so he started the Shoptalk Show with another guy who loves web design, Dave Rupert. They talk about web design and interview people who love talking about web design. They invite their audience to ask questions about web design so they have more to talk about. This is one of the reasons their show is so successful: the hosts are passionate about web design and they’ve consistently shown up every week for the past three years to talk about what they love. Ryan Young (from the punk band Off With Their Heads) start a podcast called Anxious and Angry back in March of 2014 because he wanted to share his struggles with depression, anger, and the difficulties of being a independent touring musician. He’s obviously passionate about music, but like so many people (especially in punk rock, it seems), he struggles with self-destructive tendencies. So he talks about those things, and asks listeners to write in questions or share their struggles. He also interviews other musicians and highlights music from bands that he likes. Graham Cochrane from TheRecordingRevolution.com and Joe Gilder from HomeStudioCorner.com are both passionate about writing, recording, mixing and mastering music. They have created huge communities of people who share their passion because they share everything they learn and ask their audience what they’re struggling with. You won’t run out of topics. The longer you podcast, the more things you’ll find to talk about. What I’ve realized in my short time of producing a podcast is that the more I do it, the more topics I find to share. I feel like after ten shows, I’m just starting to see the tip of the iceberg of the topics that I could do podcasts about. I believe there are two reasons for this. Since I’ve committed to producing a show every week, I’ve started capturing topics as I come across them. I’m following and listening to people who share my passion for podcasting to see what they’re talking about. I get inspiration from them, I learn from them, and then I share what I’ve learned in my own words; through the lens of my experience. I’m becoming part of the broader conversation about podcasting. As I produce more and more content, people are beginning to see me as an expert in this field and they’ve started asking me questions. This keeps me grounded and connected to what my audience is struggling with and what they’re interested in. I encourage this by asking for questions and feedback. I want to know what other people are thinking and what their opinions are about the things I share on my show. What community do you want to become a part of? What community are you already a part of, and do you want to become known as an expert? If you start a podcast about whatever it is you’re passionate about, you’ll build relationships. You’ll make new friends. You’ll get new work opportunities. The same will be true for the people that become a part of your community through your podcast. Who is Your Audience of One? I heard a question the other day that I really liked. Who is your audience of one? The idea is that you should create your podcast for one other person. Have a clear idea in your mind about who that person is, and what they are interested in. Chances are, if you are passionate about something there are plenty of other people out there who are equally passionate about it. My audience of one is someone interested in learning about podcasting. So I ask myself, if I was hanging out with someone who was interested in podcasting, what kinds of questions would they ask me? What would we talk about? What would they be interested in hearing me talk about? If you have a business, or if you’re some kind of professional or aspiring professional, what can you talk about that would help potential clients? What stories can you share? What could you teach someone who is brand new to the field? What could you teach or share with someone who is at or around your level of expertise? These are the things I keep in mind when preparing for my shows, and I think if you think about those questions, they’ll help you find and shape the message of your podcast. Should I Create Content for Potential Clients or Other Professionals Who Share My Passion? Brent Galloway asked: With the content I produce, should I be concerned with it attracting two different audiences (other designers and potential clients)? Most of my content will be design oriented, but my site’s primary goal is to bring in client work. This is tricky: Should you podcast or create content for the other people who share your passion or for potential clients? I think creating for the other people that share your passion will attract clients that want to work with people who are known for being an expert. If the client skims your list of podcast or video titles and they see the wealth of knowledge you’ve shared, they will trust that you have experience, and they’ll feel confident that you are capable of solving their problems for them. This will help you attract the right kind of client as well: Clients who want to hire you for your expertise and not because you’re the cheapest option. Roadblock #2. I Don’t Know Anything About Recording or Editing Audio. I talk a lot about the importance of audio quality because I believe high-quality audio is one of the most overlooked factors in why some shows are more successful than others. I want you to have a successful show, and sounding great can help your show be successful and grow. What I don’t want is for you to wait to publish anything until you have the perfect setup and the perfect sound. You’re not ever going to get there. I know, because I’m already looking at upgrading microphones and I’m constantly looking for ways to improve my sound. You don’t have to understand everything about making audio sound good before you start. You don’t have to get editing right the first time. I’m going to share a short story here about my drumming career, how I got started, and how it relates to podcasting. When I started playing drums at 12 years old, it was because I was intrigued by them. I wanted to learn how to play this instrument that had so many different pieces and sounds. I wanted to participate in a band; be the guy who held down the rhythm. There were so many things I didn’t know. I didn’t know any of the brands of the companies that made drums and cymbals. I didn’t know anything about how the size of the drums affected the way they sound. I didn’t understand or have much control over the dynamics of my playing. I certainly didn’t have any idea of how to make a living as a musician, but that didn’t keep me from getting started. The very first step was pick up the drumsticks. After that, I learned a few common rhythm patterns (called rudiments), then I sat down behind a drum set and I learned how to play a couple of basic rock beats. Eventually, I learned how to play entire songs. Fast forward 13 years and almost 10,000 hours or practice later, and I was playing in front of hundreds of people, getting paid money to play drums. I’m telling you this because you have to take that first step if you want to get better. Then you have to take the next step, and the next step, and you have to keep taking steps. What is the First Step in Starting a Podcast? The first step to starting a podcast is deciding what you want your show to be about. The more specific, the better, as you'll need to be able to quickly describe what your show is about in order to convince people to listen to it. After you’ve decided on your show topic or focus, try recording a practice episode. Find a quiet room, pick up your iPhone (or whatever smart phone you have), open the voice recorder app, and hold it a foot from your face (microphone pointed at you). Talk for 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, an hour. If you aren’t used to talking out loud to your phone, it might feel a little weird at first, but it’ll get easier over time. Recording practice episode is a great way to get comfortable with recording. Roadblock #3. I Don’t Have Enough Money to Buy Good Gear. At some point, you might want to upgrade microphones, but you don’t need a $500 setup to be a podcaster. You can get started for almost nothing. When I started playing drums, I had a pair of sticks and a little practice pad. After a year, my parents bought me a used $300 drum kit (it was crap). After ten years, I had upgraded to over $2000 worth of professional gear, but that professional gear wouldn’t have made me a better drummer in the beginning. I had to learn how to play drums before the gear even mattered. Professional gear will not make you a professional podcaster. Improve as you go. No one is going to kick you off the internet if you mess something up. You don't have to get everything perfect the first time, or even the first twenty times. It’s a journey, not a pass/fail test. The important thing is to start and then keep going. If you care about getting better, you’ll find ways to improve and get better as you go. Roadblock #4. It Seems Like so Many People are Already Podcasting. Why Would Anyone Care What I Have to Say, and How Do I Stand Out? “No one is going to care” is just an excuse we tell ourselves because we are afraid of rejection or not receiving attention. There are tons of people out there that need the knowledge you can share. Maybe you won’t start off with thousands of listeners, but everyone has to start somewhere. If you clearly define the “why” of your podcast, other people who share your interests will find you. This is the beauty of the internet. When you start, you might be podcasting to no one. That’s ok. Keep going. Go out and find the questions that people in your audience are asking. Don’t have an audience yet? Think about what kind of people you want in your audience, and then find out what they’re asking or looking for. Roadblock #5. I Don’t Have the Time. This is true for all of us especially if you are motivated, if you have a lot of projects and passions, if you have a family or a full time job. It’s hard to find time. It’s hard to make time, but that’s what you have to do. Eric Friedensohn said: The main thing that is keeping me from starting a podcast is that I can see how much work goes into making a good one, and it’s pretty daunting. Lately I have been sticking to mediums and platforms that are working for me, rather than jumping into a whole new world and adding that onto my weekly plate. Podcasting does take time, but there are different levels of commitment and how much time each episode will take you. One of the guys I mentioned earlier, Joe Gilder (who does the Home Studio Corner podcast), gives himself an hour to produce each episode. 45 minutes to prepare and record, and then 15 minutes to edit, write basic show notes and publish. I know he can do each episode in an hour because he has experience and has his workflow down, but it is possible to record and publish an episode in less than a couple hours. After you get over the initial learning curve, you will get faster. Like anything else, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Charli Prangley said: What’s holding me back from starting a design blog (which I really want to do to start trying to get client work) is all my other projects I’m committed to and LOVE doing. I thought this was interesting, so I just wanted to bring up a few questions: What if you could get better clients if you blogged consistently for a year? What if you could work with people you look up to and respect? Do you currently have any projects that you aren’t super stoked about? Do you foresee yourself wanting to transition into something else later down the line? I’m not here to convince you to start a podcast or a blog. If what you are doing is working well for you, that’s fine. Keep doing it. If you have plenty of money but are short on time, you can hire people to help you with editing, show notes, and admin work. A lot of people hire podcast editors and assistants to help with their podcasts. They spend maybe an hour each week preparing for their show, then they record, and after that, they don’t have to do anything else. The show gets fixed up and published. There’s no rule that says you have to record an hour long podcast and write 5,000 words of show notes. When you’re just starting out, it’s ok to limit your show to 15 minutes or less. As you get better and more experienced, you might find yourself wanting to do longer shows. Podcasting is a Good Investment of Your Time I heard a great story recently on the Mac Power Users podcast. The author of a popular blog about Apple called Daring Fireball – John Gruber – described how he got a full time job from someone who was a reader of his site. So if I told you that if you invested an hour or two of your time every week to create a podcast it would eventually lead to better job opportunities or new clients, would you invest that time? Something else to consider: Are there things that you could give up to create time for podcasting? How much time are you spending browsing social media or Reddit? How much TV do you watch every week? We all have an equal amount of time in the day. It’s up to us to decide how to use it. Roadblock #6. I’m Not Good at Speaking. Friend of the show Brent Galloway posted his first Youtube video today. We were talking about it in the chat earlier, and Sean said something to Brent that I thought was really profound, so I want to share it with you here. Sean said (to Brent): It’s crazy, you probably feel like you’re just sort of sticking your neck out there and you see all the things you need to improve and do better, but for every one Brent, there are 99 others who just sit back and passively listen. You are the 1% of people who are actually doing and you’re so far ahead. I know what it feels like to be dissatisfied with your voice. Recording a podcast is hard. You want to do a good job so you’re stressing about it. After you record, you listen back and you think, this is terrible. I can’t believe I messed up that word. I can’t believe I talked in monotone for 15 minutes. Sean is right. If we put ourselves out there, if we try, if we create stuff, there are going to be 100 other people that are going to consume what we make, but they aren’t going to be creating themselves because it is hard. It is a risk and it is scary putting yourself out there. If you feel like you aren’t a good speaker, I encourage you to go listen to episode 9 of this podcast, What If I Don’t Like My Voice? You find tons of useful information there. Also check out the work by Roger Love. He’s created a lot of great content about speaking publicly. Roadblock #7. I Don’t Know Anything About Making a Website or Hosting. The good news is that you don’t have to have a full website to start a podcast. Simplecast is $15/month and will give you everything you need. No coding, graphic design or complicated setup required. Q&A: Garrett asks: I’m afraid (the thing I make) will take off (because it will) and then people will start looking into my history and they’ll find my high school livejournal that I can’t remember the password for. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I think we all have those old embarrassing blogs. The good news is that most people are not going to care enough to go digging around in your past. If they do, it’s probably because they really like you and they want a deeper connection. They probably have old embarrassing blogs of their own. I wouldn’t worry about the tiny number of people that might go snooping around just to dig up dirt; those people are jerks and no one likes them anyways. Ben Toalson asks: I don’t have time to do a podcast AND a weekly blog AND a weekly newsletter AND a weekly vlog. What should I focus on? Ben, you are already doing three of those four things, which is more than what most people do. For those of you who don’t know who Ben Toalson is, he’s the co-host of the seanwes podcast, and he does a show with his wife called In the Boat With Ben (a podcast on balancing family life with a creative pursuit). He does a weekly podcast, but he also writes extensive show notes (what I would call a blog post), and sends those show notes out to an email list. That’s how we do things on the seanwes network. You can do something similar with your show. It is a lot of work, but it’s easier than producing three separate pieces of content every week (podcast, blog post, email newsletter). Start with writing, then repurpose that content for different mediums as much as possible. Sarah asked: My husband and I did about 30 episodes of our podcast but now it’s at a standstill (because of me). Not sure if I want to continue with it. Not really gaining traction (that I know of) and also I’m not sure what I’m trying to get out of it. I think he was more into it than I was. How long should it take to start receiving feedback, comments and a little more traffic from a podcast if done regularly? If you create a show that isn’t gaining traction or resonating with anyone, I would take a hard look at the content. Are you addressing topics that your audience are interested in? Are you asking for feedback and questions? Are you having conversations with people about the topics? Regularly producing a podcast isn’t good enough if you aren’t creating content that resonates with people. If your podcast is extremely niche, there may not be that many people who share your passion and are also interested in listening to your podcast. You should also take a close look at audio quality and SEO. If you have a podcast and you’re doing a good job with your titles (they should be something your audience would want to click on), but you aren’t writing much in terms of show notes, you’re missing out on organic search engine traffic. I’d recommend checking out episode 5, How to Supercharge Your Podcast and Increase Its Value With Writing. There’s a lot of good advice in there about why show notes are important, and how you can create them. Let’s talk audio quality for a minute. Some listeners have a higher tolerance for poor audio quality than others. If you are recording with an iPhone or a built-in laptop microphone, you may lose listeners because your audio quality isn’t great. Most of those listeners probably won’t let you know, either. They are just going to turn off your podcast and forget about you. There are too many other podcasts out there with great content and great sound quality. You don’t have to have a super-expensive mic, a professional recording studio, or an audio engineer to mix your show, but you need to have a decent mic and know how to record at proper gain levels and do the basics of post-production (editing, mixing, noise removal, etc). Satvik asks: My clients are pretty specific: CEOs of growing startups with complex accounting needs. How do I figure out the best way to reach them? Should I focus on podcasts, blog posts, videos or referrals? First, word of mouth referrals are the best way to get new clients. Having your client’s friends recommend you is really powerful. As far as content goes, start by identifying what your clients are interesting in learning about. What problems are they having? What are they struggling with? What do they want to learn about? Can you create content that gives them some new insight or shows them how you solved a problem? Start with writing. Write a blog post about how you solved a problem for one of your clients. Write as many of those blog posts as you can, because that will attract clients that are searching online for those answers. Turn those posts into podcasts and then video. 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