Creative Courage

The 3 Pricing Mistakes Keeping You Overworked & Underpaid

Have you ever been asked for a discount for your services?
Do you ever deal with micromanaging clients who just won’t let you get on and be creative?
And do you ever find the scope of a project gets stretched just a little further at every milestone?
If so, you’re probably making one of the three pricing mistakes that I’m sharing in this episode.
These are the most common mistakes I see creative business owners make. And it’s costing them their time, money and sanity.
I’ve worked with clients who, after fixing these mistakes, have managed to double, triple and even 10x their revenue, without doing 10 times the work.
If you want to start attracting clients who respect you, value your work and pay you what you deserve, this episode will show you how.
Covered in this episode:
The three pricing mistakes that many creatives are making.
Why you keep attracting the wrong clients.
How to raise your prices without losing deals.
A mindset shift that will help you stop undercharging.
Quick tweaks that can lead to huge wins.
And more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.
 
LEARN MORE 
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT 
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 
LISTEN 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

AI Is Coming For Creatives - Do THIS To Stay Ahead

AI is evolving fast.
The creative skills that we once thought were immune to being replaced by AI seem less ‘safe’ every day.
And if you’re not willing to adapt, you’ll quickly get left behind.
That goes for designers, web developers, audio engineers, and most other creative skillsets.
But how can creatives adapt to this inevitability?
In this solo episode, I’m digging into the impact AI is already having on creative work, and more importantly, what you can do to stay ahead of it.
This episode isn’t to scare you - it’s to help you adapt before it’s too late, so that you can continue getting paid for your creativity for years to come.
Covered in this episode:
Why AI is threatening creative jobs more than you think.
Will AI take over the creative industry?
The key mindset shift you need to make now.
How to position yourself so you can’t be replaced by an AI tool.
What you need to start doing today to protect your business.
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.
 
LEARN MORE 
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT 
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 
LISTEN 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Your Intuition with Liza Leiss

Do you ever feel like you’re building a business based on someone else’s blueprint rather than what feels authentic to you?
Following strategies that don’t quite sit right.
Building relationships that just feel… off.
Pushing yourself down a path that looks good on paper, but feels heavy and draining.
If this sounds familiar, you probably need to reconnect with your intuition.
In this episode, I’m joined by leadership coach Liza Leiss, and we’re diving into how to reconnect with your intuition and build a business that actually feels good to run - while still achieving your goals.
Liza has an MBA and has helped hundreds of founders scale without burning out, and she shares practical strategies to help you get back on your own path and move forward with clarity.
Covered in this episode:
Why so many creative business owners ignore their intuition and the hidden costs this has.
How to spot the symptoms of building a business that’s out of alignment.
What really creates fulfillment in your life.
The mindset shift that will help you stop overthinking and start trusting yourself again.
And much more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.
 
LEARN MORE 
Liza Leiss - https://lizaleiss.com/ 
Liza on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/liza.leiss/ 
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT 
Liza Leiss on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-marie-leiss-90b00014b/
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam 
LISTEN 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

Build Real Confidence and Stop People Pleasing with Adil Hussain

You know what you need to do to grow your business, but something’s holding you back from taking action.
Maybe it’s fear of how people will react... Maybe it’s the voice in your head that tells you you're not good enough.
In this episode, you might just learn how to break through these invisible barriers.
I sit down with my friend and Coach Adil Hussain who shares a powerful story that allowed him to stop people pleasing, push through fear and start leading his life and business with confidence.
Covered in this episode:
The real reason most people stay stuck.
The formula for building true confidence.
How to double your prices.
The power of archetypes and understanding yourself better.
And more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.
LEARN MORE 
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT 
Adil Hussain on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilhussain001/ 
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 
LISTEN 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

How To Take Holiday Without Your Business Falling Apart

I know what it’s like to feel trapped in your business.
You’re desperate for a holiday, but you know that things will fall apart if you take more than a couple of days away.
The team can’t match the level of quality your clients expect.
Operations become chaotic.
And you tell yourself it’d be easier to keep handling it on your own.
But this isn’t sustainable. It leads to burnout, and makes scaling much harder.
That’s why, in this episode, I’m sharing 3 key principles that will help you remove yourself from the day-to-day without your business breaking. So you can focus on the work you want to do and take time off without stress.
Covered in this episode:
Why so many creatives feel stuck in their business.
How to ensure your team matches the level of quality you expect.
The 3 principles to free yourself from day-to-day operations.
How to stop micromanaging and still get results.
How to grow your business without creating more stress in your life.
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.
 
LEARN MORE 
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT 
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/
LISTEN 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

Never Worry About Competitors Again Using THIS Strategy

Losing a project to a competitor can be gutting.
You know your work is good. You know you can solve the client’s problem. But for some reason, they picked someone else.
I’ve been there. Back when I ran my creative studio, I’d come across competitors with great work - sometimes even better than ours - often charging less. And I’d wonder why a client would choose us over other studios.
I was assuming clients only cared about the work. But I was wrong.
And in this episode, I’m sharing what really matters when it comes to winning clients. It’s a strategy I call ‘The River of Life’, and it’s going to help you cut through the noise, make the competition irrelevant, and charge what you’re really worth.
Covered in this episode:- What clients actually care about when choosing who to work with.- Why your skills alone won’t win 6-figure projects.- How to position yourself as uniquely fitted to solve your ideal client’s problems.- How one creative business owner quadrupled his revenue with this approach.- And more…
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.
LEARN MORE 
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT 
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam  
LISTEN 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

The 3 Biggest Profit Killers In Your Creative Business with Marcel Petitpas

Are you tired of getting to the end of the month and finding that there’s no money left?
If you aren’t making the level of profit you want to in your business, this episode is for you.
I’m joined by Marcel Petitpas - a profitability expert who’s worked with hundreds of agencies to help them increase their profit margins without sacrificing their creativity or sanity.
If you’re tired of working hard and still feeling like you’re underpaid for your talent, this is a must-listen.
We dig into the practical numbers, the mindset shifts, and the systems you need to get clear on what your business actually earns - and how to earn more.
Covered in this episode:
The biggest pricing mistakes creatives make.
The 3 levers every agency owner needs to understand to boost their profit.
Why most creatives are underpricing (and how to fix it).
The exact profit margins you should be aiming for.
Why a lack of clients isn’t always the cause of low profits - and what the real issue is.
How to balance profitability with freedom and creativity.
And much more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.
 
LEARN MORE 
Free Toolkit - https://parakeeto.com/toolkit/?utm_source=Earned+Media&utm_medium=Podcast+Appearance&utm_campaign=Matt+Essam 
Parakeeto Foundation Course- https://course.parakeeto.com/?utm_source=Earned+Media&utm_medium=Podcast+Appearance&utm_campaign=Matt+Essam 
Model Beta - https://form.asana.com/?k=1OSsviJBE_luDSLhqMwoRA&d=1156118475728463/?utm_source=Earned+Media&utm_medium=Podcast+Appearance&utm_campaign=Matt+Essam 
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkq1Fcy_x3ZcNjMZEaSvSpw 
Blog - https://parakeeto.com/blog/ 
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT 
Marcel Petitpas on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelpetitpas/ 
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/  
LISTEN 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

The Secret To Creating Content That Lands Six-Figure Projects

How do you find new clients when things go quiet?
Ask for referrals? Send cold emails or DM's? Post content on social?
All of these things work. If you know how to work them. And in this episode, I want to show you how to create content that attracts ideal clients.
Most people create content that attracts peers not prospects. They get likes and comments not projects.
It can feel frustrating and demoralising.
It makes you want to give up.
That’s why I’m unpacking what makes the difference between content that flops and content that wins 6-figure deals. Once you understand the 3 simple concepts that I share, you’ll be able to create content that pulls in ideal clients on autopilot.
Covered in this episode:
How to create content lands five and six figure deals.
How to get your ideal clients to practically write your content for you.
Why you might not be getting recognition for your work and how to fix that.
How to position yourself as the go-to expert with your content.
And much more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.
LEARN MORE 
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT 
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/
LISTEN 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

Are You Building The Right Business?

Are you building your dream business or someone else's?
Are you doing the things YOU need in order to be successful or what someone else has told you to do?
It's easy to look at high-performing entrepreneurs and feel like you aren't doing enough.
They seem to always be winning awards, getting invited on podcasts and having their work featured in all of the high profile magazines.
Maybe they get up at 5am and have a crazy morning routine.
Is that you though?
Is that what you really want?
I think we are missing an important concept.
We aren't comparing apples with apples.
It's a powerful idea that doesn't get spoken about enough.
I just spent 20 minutes unpacking it in my latest podcast episode and it might be the difference between you feeling inferior and feeling content.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to entrepreneurship. And if you want to achieve the life and business you set out to, this episode is going to help clarify whether or not you’re on the right path - and how to get back on track.
Covered in this episode:
What your personality type says about the kind of business you should run…
…and how to figure out what your personality type is.
The hidden cost of building a business that you aren’t in alignment with.
Understanding what success looks like for you.
And more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.
LEARN MORE 
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT 
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/  
LISTEN 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

Scale Your Agency Without Growing Your Team with Grant Hushek

How much of your week was spent working within your genius zone? 
And how much of it was lost to admin, chasing emails, or fixing broken systems?
In this episode, I’m joined by Grant Hushek. Grant helps marketing and creative agencies grow and scale without increasing their headcount using AI and automation. 
We uncover actionable strategies that you can start implementing today to eliminate the grunt work in your business for a fraction of the cost of hiring a new team member. 
I guarantee this episode will have something for you, and will allow you to do less of the work you hate doing so you can grow your business faster without burning out
In this episode, we cover:
How to scale your creative business without hiring more people.
Identifying what you can automate in your business today.
Using AI to create a steady stream of content ideas targeted to your ideal client.
How to automate your sales process without losing the personal touch.
Streamlining onboarding to improve client experience.
The exact tools to use and how to set them up.
What the future of the creative agency looks like.
And much more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.
 
LEARN MORE 
Grantbot - https://www.grantbot.co/ 
Try Call To Content - https://www.grantbot.co/call-to-content 
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT 
Grant Hushek on LinkedIn/social - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-hushek/ 
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 
LISTEN 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam