Coaching For Creatives with Aura McKay

Hosted by Aura McKay

Business Entrepreneurship

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Latest episode

Dec 2024

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EN-US

About the show

Coaching for Creatives is a completed podcast with past episodes still totally relevant for todays freelancers. Business tips for photographers, designers, and other freelance creatives to help you earn more, stress less, and grow your business with confidence. These bite sized episodes give you specific tips and insights that you can apply to your freelance business right away. Aura McKay has a unique ability to simplify complex ideas and give you just the pieces that matter in your business. If you don't see an episode on the topic or challenge you are currently facing, reach out and book a free call: https://www.businessofcreativity.ca/advisor

Listen to episodes

33 recent

December 4, 2024Episode 2313 min

Conquering Budget Conversations with Confidence: Tips for Freelance Creatives

In this episode of Coaching for Creatives, Aura McKay, founder of Business of Creativity, provides practical tips and tools to help freelancers and creatives confidently discuss budgets with high-profile clients. By addressing common fears and misconceptions surrounding money conversations, Aura highlights ways to reframe these discussions as partnerships, emphasizing the importance of clarity and transparency. She offers specific phrases and approaches to facilitate smooth and effective budget talks, ultimately aiming to improve client relationships and project outcomes. 00:00 Introduction to Budget Conversations 01:27 Understanding the Importance of Budget Talks 03:32 Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence 07:00 Practical Tips for Budget Conversations 08:57 Practicing and Perfecting Your Approach 12:56 Final Thoughts and Challenges Sign up to our newsletter for more tips like this: https://www.businessofcreativity.ca/newsletter

October 7, 2024Episode 2215 min

How to Increase Your Freelancing Rates: Strategies and Justifications

In this episode of Coaching for Creatives hosted by Aura McKay from Business of Creativity, listeners learn essential strategies for raising their rates as photographers, graphic designers, and other creative freelancers. Aura outlines three key steps to communicate rate increases effectively to clients: giving advanced notice, being transparent, and offering a grace period. She also discusses five compelling reasons to justify rate hikes, including new skills, high demand, expanded scope, increased business costs, and years of experience with proven results. The episode aims to help creative freelancers confidently implement price adjustments while maintaining client relationships. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:17 Why It's Time to Raise Your Rates 01:08 Three Steps to Communicate Rate Increases 01:49 Overcoming the Fear of Losing Clients 02:59 Justifying Your Price Increase 03:35 Advanced Notice Strategies 05:32 Transparency and Value Communication 06:35 Top Reasons to Raise Your Rates 13:16 Effective Communication Methods 14:46 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Book a free call today: https://www.businessofcreativity.ca/advisor

September 16, 2024Episode 217 min

Price as a Bridge: Connecting Profit and Client Value

In this episode of Coaching for Creatives, business coach Aura McKay discusses the concept of pricing as a bridge between a freelancer's desire for profit and a client's desire for value. She highlights the importance of understanding costs, calculating profits, and connecting with clients to meet their budget expectations effectively. Aura also encourages freelancers to reframe their thinking around pricing and provides resources such as a free pricing guide and an upcoming pricing bootcamp to help creatives master their pricing strategies. 00:00 Introduction to Pricing for Creatives 00:37 Understanding the Pricing Challenge 01:06 Reframing Pricing as a Bridge 01:43 Calculating Costs and Desired Profit 02:47 Connecting with Clients' Expectations 04:47 Addressing Common Objections 05:34 Resources and Further Learning 06:24 Join the Pricing Bootcamp 07:14 Conclusion and Next Steps download the free Freelancer Pricing Guide or book a free call with Aura today!

September 8, 2024Episode 2010 min

Improve Communication - Stop Reacting, Start Responding

Reacting vs. Responding: Mastering Emotional Control in Creative Business Aura McKay, founder of Business of Creativity, discusses the critical difference between reacting and responding in a professional setting. Addressing freelance creatives, she explores how strong emotional reactions to feedback or rejection can negatively impact communication and relationships. Aura shares strategies for managing these emotions, including pausing to reflect on feelings before responding. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, she emphasizes the importance of deliberate, empathetic responses to foster positive outcomes and maintain professional relationships. 00:00 Introduction to Coaching for Creatives 00:25 Reacting vs Responding: An Overview 00:36 Common Triggers and Emotional Reactions 03:02 The Importance of Pausing and Reflecting 03:40 Practical Steps to Manage Reactions 05:43 Real-Life Example: Handling Rejection 09:18 Encouragement to Create a Response Gap 10:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts https://www.businessofcreativity.ca/book-a-call

August 4, 2024Episode 198 min

Why Did You Become a Creative Freelancer?

In this episode of Coaching for Creatives, host Aura McKay explores the motivations behind choosing a freelancing career. Aura shares her personal journey of becoming a reluctant entrepreneur, discusses common reasons why many of her clients opt for freelancing—such as autonomy, flexibility, and creative fulfillment—and highlights the importance of embracing business principles. She also addresses challenges freelancers face, especially in managing time and energy, and offers support in achieving success. 00:00 Introduction to Coaching for Creatives 00:20 Aura McKay's Freelancing Journey 02:31 Embracing the Business Side of Freelancing 02:54 Reasons for Choosing Freelancing 04:31 Challenges and Solutions for Freelancers 04:53 Creative Fulfillment and Business Connection 06:03 Financial Motivations for Freelancing For specific support in your freelance business, book a free call with Aura at https://www.businessofcreativity.ca/advisor

July 25, 2024Episode 189 min

Brain, Body, and Business: Prioritize for Success

Brain, Body, and Business: Prioritize for Success In this episode of Coaching for Creatives, Aura McKay discusses the important relationship between your brain, body, and business. She shares personal experiences and insights from her business accelerator mastermind, emphasizing the need to balance work demands with personal well-being. Learn practical tips on how setting healthy habits and prioritizing your mental and physical health can significantly impact your success as a creative freelancer or solopreneur. 00:00 Opening Thoughts and Introduction 01:16 The Importance of Physical Movement 02:38 Balancing Work and Health 04:38 Setting up Healthy Habits 05:10 Morning Routines for Creatives 06:56 Prioritizing Physical Health 08:58 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

July 8, 2024Episode 179 min

The Costs of Working Alone

The True Costs Of Working Alone Most creative freelancers are solopreneurs. Many feel like because they are freelancers they are on their own. For a long time I felt like I would never get as far ahead or be as successful as the photographers that worked with their spouses....because I had to do everything alone. This episode of Coaching for Creatives looks at the costs of running your freelance business all alone. For specific support in your freelance business, book a free call with Aura at https://www.businessofcreativity.ca/advisor Chapters 0:00 Costs Of Working Alone 1:24 I Came From Corporate 2:38 The Cost Of Isolation 5:13 A Solitary Process 6:53 Why I Am Grateful For My Coach 8:01 Isolation Costs You Time, Efficiencies, And More #coachingforcreatives #freelancingbusinesstips #salestips

June 24, 2024Episode 1610 min

Pricing on Your Website: Yes or No?

Pricing on Your Website: Yes or No? Should you put your pricing on your website? Yes or no? It really isn't that black and white. It depends on several different factors. This episode of Coaching for Creatives explores when (and if) freelance creatives should put their pricing on their website. Join the conversation in the comments and let me know what you think. Yes or no? #coachingforcreatives #freelancingbusinesstips #pricingtips 0:00 Pricing On Website Yes or No 2:16 The Pros And Cons 3:05 Buying Psychology Tip 3:49 Do Not Anchor Price As The Most Important Element 5:48 Eliminate Anyone Not Ready To Invest 6:20 When Pricing On Your Website Is A Mistake 6:44 Price Is The Last Information People Need 8:49 Connecting To Value For specific support in your freelance business, book a free call with Aura at https://www.businessofcreativity.ca/advisor

June 10, 2024Episode 1511 min

Focus on Success Stories

Focus on Success Stories It's time to celebrate! This episode of Coaching for Creatives shares some success stories from today's Business Accelerator Mastermind group members. All have different learnings to take away from their wins. Let me know which story inspires you most. #coachingforcreatives #freelancingbusinesstips #evidenceofawesome 0:00 Focus on Success Stories 1:34 Exceeding Sales Goals 5:19 Purposeful Social Messaging 7:35 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 7:58 Imposter Syndrome 10:50 Focusing On Our Successes For specific support in your freelance business, book a free call with Aura at https://www.businessofcreativity.ca/advisor

June 3, 2024Episode 1411 min

Proposals Sent, Crickets Chirping: The Struggle Of Getting Ghosted!

Stop Getting Ghosted Tired of getting ghosted on your quotes or proposals? Getting 'ghosted' is typically a term applied to dating. However, most freelancers are all too familiar with getting nothing but crickets after sending out a quote or proposal. This episode of Coaching for Creatives looks at how you can adjust your sales process to stop getting ghosted and start closing more clients. #coachingforcreatives #freelancingbusinesstips #salestips 0:00 Welcome To Coaching For Creatives 2:12 A Funny Story 4:35 Number One Tip 5:19 Getting In Front Of The Right People 6:13 How To Get To Present Your Proposal 6:33 The Two Part Sales Process 8:38 The Critical Question 10:00 Booking the Presentation Call For specific support in your freelance business, book a free call with Aura at https://www.businessofcreativity.ca/advisor