Hey there incredible creative,

Here's something I've been thinking about lately, and honestly it applies to me just as much as it applies to you. (And actually I did do this exact thing last month that landed me a $14,000 project! That’s why I’m sharing it with you!)

The creatives who struggle to get clients are almost never struggling because their work isn't good enough. They're struggling because nobody knows they're available. The client who is ready to hire you right now is busy running their own business, their own life, their own chaos. They are not sitting around waiting to discover you. And unless you make a clear, direct invitation, they will hire whoever showed up and asked first.

Not because that person is better, but because that person made it easy to say yes.

I want you to sit with that for a second, because it changes everything about how you think about outreach.

Reaching out is not pushy. It is not desperate. It is a service.

You have skills that solve real problems for real people, and those people are out there right now trying to figure out who can help them. When you put yourself in front of them, you are offering a fair exchange of your time, your expertise, and your results for fair compensation. That is business. Full stop. (Because you’re in business to make money, right?)

So here are two things you can do this week that cost you nothing except a little time.

Tip 1: The Open Invitation

No campaign, no complicated funnel, no perfectly crafted content strategy required. Just a clear, honest message that sounds something like this:

"I have availability to work with two or three clients next month. If you've been putting off a project or know someone who has, now is a great time to reach out."

Post it as a story. Send it to your email list. DM five people in your network you've been meaning to follow up with. That's it. Simple, direct, and it works because most people just need a nudge and a clear door to walk through.

Tip 2: The 9-Word Email

Go back through your list of past leads, people who inquired but never moved forward, and send them this:

"Hey [Name], are you still interested in [what they inquired about]?"

That is the whole email. No fluff, no pitch, no lengthy re-introduction. Just a direct, honest question to someone who already raised their hand once. You would be surprised how many of those conversations restart just because you asked.

The creative entrepreneurs who stay stuck are the ones waiting to be discovered. The ones who grow are the ones who simply show up and ask.

Side note: My dear friend, shoutout to Janice Carter, (who is also a graphic designer 🎉🎉🥳) started carving out time to do co-working outreach sessions and we literally ended up getting projects. It was crazy to see how easy it was.

Jen's Rec of the Month

I am halfway through Jay Schwedelson's new book "Stupider People Have Done It: Marketing Truths, Career Moves, and Life Advice for Doers" and I laugh out loud every single time I pick it up.

His podcast "Do This, NOT That" is already my favorite commute companion (thank you, LA traffic), and the book reads exactly like he talks, which means there is nonsensical stuff in there that somehow makes complete sense at the same time.

All net author proceeds go to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, and as a breast cancer survivor myself, that made me want to tell every single person I know about this book. If you want a taste of his energy before you commit, start with his podcast. You will not regret either one. It’s hilarious and full of incredible marketing tips that you actually will want to use/do.

Lastly… I’ve been playing with some AI stuff and I literally ended up creating a quiz- complete with the questions, the results, the archetypes and next steps and how to work with me. I cannot believe how fun and easy it was (using Claude.ai), beautifully designed, surprisingly easy and (drumroll….) FREE. Let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in learning more about 🤔

Alrighty - That’s all I got for now. Have an incredible rest of your week and until next time…

With appreciation and gratitude,

Jen
Creative Business Strategist for Creative Entrepreneurs

Author of 4-time award-winning “The Creative Code: A Creative Professional’s Way to Happiness, Wealth and Joy"