✺ Actionable Insights
In this blog, we’ll explore how subscription models can be a solution for design agencies, fostering long-term client relationships, ensuring consistent revenue streams, and providing a platform for creative collaboration.
Our world moves fast — we all know that. This means that sensory overload has become an unavoidable aspect of daily life. For graphic designers, the constant barrage of stimuli can have a profound impact on creativity and the quality of their work. This blog explores the idea of destimulating our senses as a means to enhance graphic design skills, emphasizing the importance of creating a balanced and mindful environment for optimal creativity.
In this blog, we’ll explore how leveraging boredom can transform your approach to graphic design, turning seemingly dull moments into opportunities for inspiration and innovation.
What if we were to tell you that destimulation can make you become smarter and more creative? In this blog we will explore how to tap into your creative powers through the art of limiting stimulus.
In a world saturated with products, services, and ideas, making your brand stand out is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re a freelancer building a personal brand or a business seeking to capture market share, cultivating a unique identity can transform you from “just another option” to “the only choice.” This blog explores actionable strategies to ensure your brand is not just seen, but remembered.
One of the most annoying things to hear a freelancer say when you ask the question “How did you get so many clients” is the answer “Through friends!” You are left questioning how they have so many connections and friends with available work. However, it is the reality for many freelancers. In this blog, we will break down some ways you can reach that point too!
Once you land your first client, it's time to focus on growing your business through referrals. People refer you when they trust you — so the best you can do is produce high-quality work and be a social player in the game!
WHAT IS BRAVE/U
The Learning Hub for creative-preneurs (like you) looking to ✺ refine their offerings, ✺ build sustainable systems, and ✺ reach exciting new heights together.
Curated by award-winning digital agency, Brave People.
✺ Strategic Conversations
Welcome to the first episode of “Brave Bytes” — where Host, Samantha Taylor, and Brave People Founder Gabe Lopez, drop in for short + funny convos. Today, we are sharing our freelancer hot-takes and we want to know yours. Be sure to follow us on socials and send us your hot takes for the chance to be featured in future episodes. Enjoy!
In this episode, Host Samantha Taylor chats about a topic near and dear to her heart: maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Our guest Noelle Hoffman, Founder of New Friend Studio, shares all of her tangible tips on how she structures her weeks, what boundaries she puts in place, and how she looks at her periods of rest for the year ahead.
In this episode, Creative Strategist, Samantha Taylor, is chatting with Paula de Diego, the Founder, CEO & Creative Lead at LandIt. Listen as we talk about all things portfolio building — what Paula’s secret tips are, where to build your portfolio, and more. Plus, we dive into the strategies behind attracting your clients. You won't want to miss this!
In this episode, Host Samantha Taylor chats about all things social with Alex Hao, Ex-Social Media Community Lead at Notion. Do we need to have a social media presence as a freelancer? How does the art of referrals come into play? Alex shares his experience and thoughts being a newfound freelancer and how he has leveraged many of his social media skills and past work experiences to build his now-freelance career!
In this episode we're talking with PJ Accetturo, talented Filmmaker and Storyteller about the importance of positioning yourself as a creative. Specifically, PJ discusses his journey through working as a freelancer, eventually joining forces with a larger agency, and then ultimately finding himself a freelancer again after clearly defining his market niche.
In this episode, we're talking with Design Director of Brave People, Lana Flores, about how to integrate empathy in design by asking the right questions and strategically considering your audience above your creative preference.
In this episode, we're talking with Marc Battaglia, Creative Executive, Advisory Board Member and former Global Executive Creative Director at Marriott International, about the power of brand insights and the practical ways freelancers and agencies can partner with brands to tell better, more data-informed stories.
✺ Ready-to-use Process
What is the Career Contact Index?
Think of it this way: you don’t want to lose the contacts of people you have worked with in the past (or maybe you do, but that is a different convo). Or even, people that you have met networking or through industry friends! This index is here for you to add all of your contacts in one place. With our filtering system you can organize your people with ease!
What is the Client (Sales) Call Template?
The first time you take a call with a potential client can be frightening! What do you say… WHAT DO YOU DO?! Well, there is a strategy and there are questions you should 100% be asking in these convos. So, that’s what we put together in this template! You can duplicate it for all of your future calls. Enjoy!
What is the the Art of Negotiation Template?
Learn how to navigate negotiations like a pro with this template. From pricing to contracts, you'll gain confidence in advocating for your value.!
What is the How-To Subcontract Worksheet?
You need more time to grow, expand, process, and create — and were here to tell you, that you don’t have to run your business alone. You can expand your capacity and scale your business with ease using this subcontracting guide. Learn how to delegate effectively, choose the right collaborators, and maintain quality.
What is the Building your Personal Brand Worksheet?
Shape a brand that truly represents you with this worksheet. Define your voice, visuals, and messaging to stand out in a crowded market! Plus, you’ll attract the clients that mesh best you — we would call that a “win, win”
What is the Where to Find Freelance Work Worksheet?
Finding yourself in an infinite loop of wondering where to find more work? From online platforms to new markets, you'll learn where to focus your efforts. This worksheet takes the guesswork out of growing your client base!
What is the Referral Growth Strategy Template?
Ask most successful freelancers or agency owners how they earned a client or two — we’re sure the word “referral” will be thrown around somewhere! This template will help you learn how to turn happy clients into a funnel for new work. You’ll learn how to create a system that generates steady referrals and expands your network!
What is the Your First Client Action Plan?
The big moment: landing your very first client. It is what every new freelancer or agency owner aspires to have soon after kickstarting their business! In this worksheet, we will help you learn how to land your first client in a step-by-step action plan. You'll discover strategies for networking, pitching, and delivering value that gets noticed!
What is the Client Outreach Template?
One of the “scariest” parts of running your own business? Pitching to potential clients. With this template, you’ll exercise key points of your script and learn to personalize messages so they stand out.
What is the Pricing Strategy and Ideal Client Worksheet?
Master the art of pricing and client targeting with this dual-purpose worksheet. You’ll learn how to set competitive rates while identifying your ideal clients. We promise, gaining the confidence is what you need to price yourself accordingly and attract the clients you’ve always dreamed of.
What is the Creating Your Services Worksheet?
Define what makes your services stand out! In the worksheet, you'll map out your skills, strengths, and the unique value you bring to clients — because at the end of the day, they are hiring you for a reason. Let’s figure out what that reason is!
What is the How-To Niche Worksheet?
You’ve probably heard a million people on the internet tell you that you should find your niche. Well, there are some pretty important steps involved that our worksheet takes you through, one by one. It is packed with exercises and insights to help you explore what your unique path looks like!
What is a Capabilities Deck?
A strong Capabilities Deck provides prospective clients with an insight into who you are and how you work. Our customizable template will help you organize your services, outline your process, and sell more effectively.
What is a Client Portal?
For the freelancer or agency who has never quite enjoyed the popular project management tools out there, we’ve built a lean, highly customizable solution for both external and internal use. Made up of databases, kanban boards, wikis, calendars and reminders, this Notion-based client portal template leverages your data to generate a simple yet powerful dashboard that you and your clients will love.
What is a Contractor Grading Scale?
One of the most difficult parts of hiring contractors is not having a reliable way to measure talent and fit. Unlike full-time employees, the hiring process for contractors is often more rushed and based on surface-level considerations like portfolio alone. With this 6-pillar grading scale, we’ve developed a measurable criteria to make the right hiring decision with less emotion.
What is a Personal Productivity Board?
Inspired by the popular GTD (Getting Things Done) methodology, this personal productivity board is a task management system designed to help you capture, clarify, organize, and execute your ideas on a daily basis. For the serial entrepreneurs, manage tasks across multiple ventures all in one place
Learn from top ✺industry experts.
Articles, podcasts, templates, courses—curated by the best.
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Gabe Lopez
Agency Founder & CEO
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Bobby Jones
Agency Founder & CEO
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Jordan Raynor
Author, Entrepreneur
Podcast -
Lana Flores
Design Director
Podcast -
Stephen Robles
Content Creator
Podcast -
Rei Lopez
Entrepreneur
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PJ Accetturo
Filmmaker
Podcast -
Anthony Rajski
Digital Director
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Kate Heath
Marketer
Podcast -
Ben Lopez
Illustrator
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Samantha Taylor
Growth + Community Specialist
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Stefan Scheuermann
Marketer & Strategist
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Tyler Pruitt
Filmmaker
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Marc Battaglia
Branding Consultant
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Keith Burnson
Agency Founder & CEO
Articles
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Podcasts
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Templates
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Newsletter
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Directory
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Worksheets
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Articles ✺ Podcasts ✺ Templates ✺ Newsletter ✺ Directory ✺ Worksheets ✺
Find Your Clients
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Find Your Product
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Mastering Pricing
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Positioning 101
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Engagement Models
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Business Development
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Contracts & Invoicing
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Hiring & Firing
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Project Lifecycles
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Client Experience
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Find Your Clients ✺ Find Your Product ✺ Mastering Pricing ✺ Positioning 101 ✺ Engagement Models ✺ Business Development ✺ Contracts & Invoicing ✺ Hiring & Firing ✺ Project Lifecycles ✺ Client Experience ✺
Better Process
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Better Work
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Better Process ✺ Better Work ✺
“Growing an agency is an art and a science. Brave/U has shown me what I need to focus on as an agency founder to be successful in delivering an incredible experience, acquiring ideal customers, and scaling operations.”
Ronny Herrera
Meridian
In this episode, Host Samantha Taylor, chats with Hanna Wager, freelance UX/UI Designer, Brand Designer, Video Editor and Director. In this convo, Hanna tells us about her experience facing failure, how she has changed her outlook on her freelance career to prioritize curiosity, and redefine success.