7-Figure Small

Latest Episodes:

Freelancers: Create a 7-Figure Small Business With This Approach May 22, 2019

Show notes

When we talk about powerful yet tiny businesses making 7 figures in revenue without employees, freelancers may feel left out.
After all, you’re just one person serving clients, and unless you’re perhaps an attorney or financial advisor, it’s tough to get to that level alone. And starting an agency or larger firm doesn’t seem like a dream business for a lot of people.
But there is a way to turn a client service business into a high impact 7-figure small business. It’s called productizing, and Brian Cassel is with us today to explain what it is, and how to do it for yourself.
Brian walks us through the three main phases of creating a “productized service:
1. Create: This is when you start working “on” our business, not “in” your business, and creating your value proposition that will lead to a scalable service.
2. Automate: Here we talk about systematizing and scaling your operation. That could mean bringing on other freelancers and delegating to a team, but you’ll also learn about how to streamline your work even if you want to work solo.
3. Market: Finally, we discuss how you can take a proactive approach to getting customers and growing your business, using tried and true marketing strategies.
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To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/productized-services

The Essential Email Marketing Software Providers For Freelancers May 21, 2019

Show notes

Email marketing is (still!) a powerful tool that can help you launch your next product or find your next big client.
Whatever your goals are, having a solid email strategy is a worthwhile investment and can make a positive impact on your business.
Why?
Because email provides you the most direct line of communication with prospective clients. That makes it crucial for converting prospects into clients, which is why savvy freelancers have no intention of giving it up any time soon.
In this episode, Brian Clark discusses the benefits of having an email strategy in place. Then he highlights three email marketing software providers that you should consider as you plan your email marketing strategy — and, importantly, how to choose between them.
This episode of Unemployable, and the entire Essential Tools for Freelancers series, is sponsored by FreshBooks. To learn more and get a 30-day free trial (no credit card required), visit freshbooks.com/unemployable and enter “unemployable” in the “How did you hear about us?” section.
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To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/essential-email-marketing-providers-for-freelancers

The Essential Website Providers For Freelancers May 17, 2019

Show notes

Today we’re discussing the “Great Website Debate.” Do you need one as a freelancer? Is it worth the investment of time and money?
Actually, the reality is: there’s actually no debate at all for savvy freelancers.
A sustainable and lucrative freelance career involves intentionally attracting your perfect clients with your own targeted marketing efforts — and building an asset that keeps bringing you those clients, year after year. That’s why you want — and need — your own website.
In this episode, Brian Clark discusses the benefits of creating a centralized place where potential clients can come to know, like, and trust you thanks to your site content, dive into case studies, review your services, and ultimately contact you to become a client.
Then he offers his recommendations for website providers from nearly two decades of experience building thriving and lucrative audiences online. (Spoiler alert: WordPress gets mentioned … but it’s not the only one.)
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This episode of Unemployable, and the entire Essential Tools for Freelancers series, is sponsored by FreshBooks. To learn more and get a 30-day free trial (no credit card required), visit freshbooks.com/unemployable and enter “unemployable” in the “How did you hear about us?” section.
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To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/essential-website-providers-for-freelancers

How to Succeed When Facing Exponential Technological Change May 15, 2019

Show notes

Technology and the internet are changing at an exponential pace. You can either approach the future with eyes wide open and a plan for how to adapt, or you can stick your head in the stand and be passed by ... or run over.
This week, we discuss an article with a clear-eyed, sobering view of what work will be like in future -- and the ironic truth it lays bare about how to prepare for a career with this future hurtling toward us like a freight train.
We also discuss an article that reminds us not everything is changing. Preventing professional obsolescence may be changing drastically, but preventing health issues isn't -- because a few simple fundamentals of prevention remain constant.
Yes, it's time for another article roundup episode -- and this time, Brian and Jerod welcome in special guest Kat Ambrose
.This week's rundown:
• Who is Kat Ambrose ... and how did she end up freelancing for Brian Clark while living the life in Maui? [00:35]
• Brian, Jerod, and Kat describe the tools that are essential to their daily lives as freelancers and entrepreneurs. [8:25]
• Reflecting on last week's thought-provoking episode of Unemployable with Joanna Penn. [18:52]
• Discussion of article "Can anyone tame the next internet?" by Kara Swisher for Vox. [23:06]
• Discussion of article "Keep Things Simple For A Healthy, Long Life" by Jon Schuman for NPR. [36:46]
• Discussion of article "10 Tips to Transform an Elusive Goal into a Doable Project" by Claire Emerson for Copyblogger. [45:32]
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To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/prepare-for-future

Why the Future of the Writing Business is ... Audio? May 08, 2019

Show notes

From the outside, Joanna Penn is a successful author of both fiction and non-fiction. And she’s an entrepreneur in that she controls her “products” by self-publishing.
But as with her last interview on the show, there’s a lot more going on under the hood. Take an inside look with this episode — because there is lots of great information for you to consider for your own business.
Joanna and Brian discuss how she has built a successful business that fits her lifestyle, the surprising impact that affiliate marketing has had on her bottom line, and how the rise of audiobooks, podcasting, and voice tech is changing the online landscape for writers.
How full of knowledge and insight is this episode? Just know that toward the end of it, Brian is compelled to say the following: “Okay people, if you stopped listening at the halfway point, you screwed up and you don’t even know it.”
So make sure you listen all the way through.
This week’s rundown:
• The rise of audio — both audiobooks and podcasts — and how it is changing the future of both consumption and publishing. (They return to this at the end too.)
• How Joanna stays “sanely ambitious” with a successful 6-figure business that remains completely on her terms … and why she is not striving to hit seven figures.
• Why it’s important to regularly review your business and double down on what you love.
• Why Joanna and Brian struggle with Seth Godin’s definitions of freelancer and entrepreneur.
• Joanna goes into detail about her business model and the many ways she makes money.
• The specific strategies Joanna has used to leverage affiliate sales into half of her total revenue.
• The many different tools and services Joanna uses to manage her independent publishing empire.
• Joanna explains a few remarkable examples of what’s next in audio and voice — including A.I. voice synth and licensing a voice brand.
• Why even a writer like Joanna is thinking and planning for #voicefirst moving forward.
To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/writing-business

The Essential File-Sharing Tools For Freelancers May 01, 2019

Show notes

One of the biggest draws of being a freelancer is the ability to work from wherever you have a strong wifi connection.
And if you’re going to work remotely, you need software that’s going to help you succeed no matter where you are or what file type you work with the most.
Luckily, we live in a world where cloud-based technology seems to be the answer to all our file-sharing prayers.
Listen to this edition of our Essential Tools for Freelancers series to learn about our favorite file-sharing tools.
To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/essential-file-sharing-tools-for-freelancers.
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This episode of Unemployable, and the entire Essential Tools for Freelancers series, is sponsored by FreshBooks. To learn more and get a 30-day free trial (no credit card required), visit freshbooks.com/unemployable and enter “unemployable” in the “How did you hear about us?” section.

The Essential Legal Tools For Freelancers Apr 26, 2019

Show notes

As a freelancer, it’s your job to protect yourself and your work from the perils of client management.
Without a contract or other legally-binding document in place, you run the risk of losing your work and not getting paid. There’s little you can do legally speaking without an existing agreement.
Contracts and other legal documents are an essential part of freelancing that can protect you and your work from worst case scenarios. So don’t do another thing until you have an active contract with each client.
Listen to this edition of our Essential Tools for Freelancers series to learn about our favorite legal tools.
To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/essential-legal-tools-for-freelancers
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This episode of Unemployable is sponsored by FreshBooks. To learn more and get a 30-day free trial (no credit card required), visit freshbooks.com/unemployable and enter "unemployable" in the "How did you hear about us?" section.

Why the Right Software Makes all the Difference for Freelancers Apr 26, 2019

Show notes

Freelancing can lead to a great lifestyle — but you need a unique combination of expertise, determination, and resilience to keep going. Plus, you need tools that will not only help you make more money but will also make your life easier, too.
This is why we’ve hand-picked some of the best software for freelancers — no matter your line of work — so you can build the systems you need to do and be your best. Whether you’re approaching the one-year mark as a freelancer or you’re a 10-year veteran, the right tools make a difference.
Tune in to the entire Unemployable Essential Tools for Freelancers series over the next few weeks, and change how you freelance for the better … and for good. In this brief episode, Brian Clark introduces the series and explains why picking the right tools is so important.
To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/essential-software-for-freelancers
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This episode of Unemployable, and the entire Essential Tools for Freelancers series, is sponsored by FreshBooks. To learn more and get a 30-day free trial (no credit card required), visit freshbooks.com/unemployable and enter “unemployable” in the “How did you hear about us?” section.

Build a Sanely Ambitious Business Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

Last week, we introduced the concept of “7-Figure Small.” This week, we react to your feedback and answer your questions about building this type of “sanely ambitious” business.
This week’s rundown:
• So … who the heck is this new co-host Jerod Morris anyway? [00:35]
• The evolution of Brian’s thinking and strategy from his pre-Copyblogger days through the Copyblogger/Rainmaker era, and how it’s shifting today and into the future. [9:24]
• The three biggest themes from the listener feedback we received to last week’s episode. [16:36]
• Listener question: What are some core concepts and principles for structuring a “small” online business that can stay agile as needs grow and change? [31:00]
• Listener question: What mindset does a “complete newbie” need to have to build a successful one-person business? [39:40]
• Listener question: What is the importance of community in helping solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and other unemployable types connect with others who are doing related? [44:00]
• Brian explains the Essential Tools for Freelancers series that begins this Friday. [47:50]
To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/mailbag-7-figure-small-mindset

7-Figure Small Apr 17, 2019

Show notes

What do you want your life as an unemployable to be?
Do you want to patiently create a lifestyle business as a freelancer without the pressure for massive growth? Do you want to, instead, create the next new SaaS mega-hit that puts you on the fast track for hockey-stick growth?
Which drives you more: money or purpose? How can you set up your business so that the two are inextricably linked together?
Or, details be damned, do you just want to build a business and life that gives you the freedom to pull your kids out of school for a year, sell your cars, rent out your house, and travel the world because you’ve made a nice living and have location independence with your work?
You don’t need to answer right now. But you do need to realize that all of it (and so much more) is possible with a “7-Figure Small” business and lifestyle. The specifics just depend on which path you choose to go down.
Brian Clark and Jerod Morris explore that idea and so much more on this welcome-back-and-get-reacquainted episode of Unemployable.
This week’s rundown:
Brian recaps his yearlong trip around the globe, including the most important lessons he learned on his travels. [00:34]
What do we mean by this new idea of “7-Figure Small” and the big, bold new headline that now adorns unemployable.com? [13:30]
We share our roadmap for the future of the Unemployable podcast [37:32]
Then we end by discussing two articles that caught our eye this week: A growing crop of “supertemps” is changing the nature of work [43:24] and Why You’re the Perfect Age to Start a Successful Company [52:39]
See the show notes at unemployable.com/podcast/7-figure-small

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