The C Word Podcast with Bec Hughes

54. 10 Things I Would NOT Do Again if I was a Start-Up

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

53. 10 Things I Would Do First If I was a Start-Up

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

52. Business Legals for Designers with Tracey Mylecharane

Business legals for designers often only come up when you need to lean on them in a tricky client situation. And if you don't have them in place, it's almost too late to start thinking about them at that point.
My guest on this podcast is Tracey Mylecharane founder of TM Solicitor. She is an unconventional business lawyer who delivers confidence for small business owners.
Tracey has created business legals for designers as well as many other small businesses and in this episode she shares her wisdom on:
• Why your legals are a business essential no matter what stage you're at 
• How your legal documents can be an extension of your brand and values
• The importance and impact in creating a professional client experience
• Why templated legal documents are not a good idea
• Which legal documents you need as a minimum
Even the nicest people can turn combative when there’s money involved. So if you’re sitting there thinking 'I don’t need legal protection, all my clients are lovely, it will never happen to me!' Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
 
CONNECT WITH TRACEY
Instagram
Website
 
WORK WITH ME
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:
1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives
The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/
 
SAY  HELLO!
Follow me on Instagram
Website
Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer

51. Connecting the Dots Between Brand Strategy, Design Strategy and Brand Design

In this episode of The C Word, I step through the 3 elements of Brand Creation:
1) Brand Strategy
2) Design Strategy
3) Brand Design
Understanding and then leveraging these 3 distinct stages and skill sets is an important opportunity for design businesses. I share:
• The purpose of each stage and how they differ
• What brand strategy actually is
• The building blocks of a comprehensive design strategy
• How the 3 stages interlock to create a powerful brand outcome
• How you can leverage them to create more value in your design business
Enjoy!
Bec x
 
RELATED EPISODES
Episode 30 - 3 Words to that will Increase Your Value as a Designer
Episode 16 - Are You Missing the Opportunity to Sell Strategy
 
SAY  HELLO!
Connect on Instagram
My Website
Download 50 Ways to Elevate & Communicate Your Value as a Designer
 
WORKING WITH ME
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:
1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives
The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/

50. Knowing When to Say No to a Prospective Client

Something that most designers will realise at some stage in business is not all work is good work!
But instead of getting halfway through a project and realising that, wouldn't it be better to say no to those projects in the first place?
Now I appreciate that's easier said than done. Recognising which clients to say no to off the back of an enquiry or discovery call isn't always straightforward.
But there are some red flags you can look out for which I'll share in this episode.
I also share why getting clear on your values, boundaries, niche and ideal client are foundational when it comes to knowing which projects and/or clients are right for you.
And I talk through a handy response model to help you say no promptly and confidently so things don't drag on or get awkward!
Because the impact of not saying no to the wrong work is considerable when it comes to taking your opportunities, your profit and your well being in your business.
Bec x

49. Reflections on Being a Female Creative on International Women’s Day

In this off-the-cuff, reflective episode of The C Word Podcast, I explore my very personal musings on what it is to be a female designer.
 
This episode is inspired by the sentiment of International Women's Day and my view that this day should be a demand for change as much as a celebration of women.
 
I share some of my own experiences as a female designer and how I think they were influenced by gender bias in the design industry.
 
I also reflect on what needs to change in the design industry to address the glaringly uncomfortable statistic of how many females enter the industry as juniors versus how many go on to occupy senior positions. It's not pretty!
 
And finally I share my view on how this bias in agency life impacts those who go on to be female creative business owners. Something I want to help change in my own contribution to the industry.
Bec
 
WORKING WITH ME
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:
1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives
The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/
 
SAY  HELLO!
Let's connect on Instagram
My Website
Download My Free Profit Plumping Strategies Training and Worksheet
‘Meet Me at the Water Cooler’ for monthly creative conversations, coaching and chats

48. Beyond Socials: Digital Marketing Inspiration with Maryanne Amies

Digital Marketing is probably highest on most business owners priority lists. For some it's an exciting, evolving opportunity, and for many others it's a minefield.
In this podcast I’m joined by one of my favourite people Maryanne Amies, founder of award Winning Digital Marketing Agency, Wise Up Marketing. Mary-Anne has lived through the launch of Instagram, Paid Social ads, TikTok and everything in between – you could call her the veteran of digital marketing.
In this episode we cover a lot of ground. Maryanne is an all round good human being.
 
Settle in for some light-hearted banter and stick around for the digital marketing gold.
 
We cover:
~ Challenges and opportunities of social media for creatives
~ The future of the curated feed
~ Digital strategy beyond socials including your website, list building, email marketing and digital networking
~ Trends to look out for
 
Oh and you’ll find out what Maryanne really thinks about the British royal family and what she’ll do to you if you give her cheap chocolate!
 
CONNECT WITH MARYANNE
Instagram
Website
 
WORKING WITH ME
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:
1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives
The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/
 
SAY  HELLO!
Follow me on Instagram
Website
Download My Free Profit Plumping Strategies Training and Worksheet
‘Meet Me at the Water Cooler’ for monthly creative conversations, coaching and chats

47. Communicate Your Value: What, How & Where

How do you communicate your value as a designer?
It's a question that comes up a lot amongst the designers I connect with.
Being able to confidently communicate your value is the foundation for feeling more valued and becoming more valuable as a designer. 
In this episode of The C Word Podcast I talk about the what, how and where to define and then communicate your value effectively:
• What the 5 key elements are you should focus on to articulate your value
• How to communicate that value in the most engaging and meaningful ways
• Where you should be talking about and showcasing your value with purpose and intention
Bec x
 
WORKING WITH ME
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:
1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives
The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/
 
SAY  HELLO!
Follow me on Instagram
Website
Download My Free Profit Plumping Strategies Training and Worksheet
'Meet Me at the Water Cooler' for monthly creative conversations, coaching and chats

46. A Client Off-Boarding that Future Expands Your Business

We all know about client onboarding but what about client off-boarding? 
It's sometimes the poorer cousin of the onboarding, but an intentional client off-boarding is often an overlooked but awesome opportunity full of potential goodness for your business.
On this episode of The C Word I share why I think it’s something you should pay more than lip-service to and what I think a good off boarding looks like:
• The 3 important jobs of a client off-boarding
• Why projects don't always wrap-up neatly
• The benefits of a well considered client off-boarding process
• 10 questions to ask yourself when masterminding your approach to off-boarding
• What it means to future-expand your business
 
WORKING WITH ME
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:
~ 1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives
~ The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/
 
SAY  HELLO!
Follow me on Instagram
Website

45. If You’re Not Earning $100k You’re Not Successful

If you're not earning $100k you're not successful! Of course I don't belief that to be true. Because no one can tell you what you should be earning.
But I received an email recently from a coach and mentor and to be honest it really pee’d me off.
In short it implied just this... if you’re earning anything less than $100k as a designer you're underachieving. You’re just another struggling designer statistic.
And I felt it was important to address everything that's not only wrong, but dangerously misleading about that statement.
So in this podcast I discuss:
• What's wrong in the coaching industry and the marketing constructs of 'cult coaches'
• The real reason coaches talk about money and earnings... spoiler, it's not to benefit you
• Why it's important to set your own financial goals
• Why the revenue figure isn't what you should be focusing on
I also talk very openly about my own challenge to myself as a coach and mentor and how I want to do things not only differently but much better.
This is a ranty one, at times it's a raw one, because I am deeply concerned by what I see sometimes. And I want to talk about it openly because I know it's not just me.
Bec x
 
WORKING WITH ME
If you’re ready to connect with me on a deeper level this year and work together, there are 2 ways you can do that:
1:1 Creative Insider Business Coaching… visit bechughes.com/business-coach-for-creatives
The Creative Value Incubator… visit bechughes.com/incubator/
 
SAY  HELLO!
Follow me on Instagram
Website