Close Six Figure Deals On Upwork (Client Case Study)
What do you do when your biggest client walks away and they’re the only one keeping the lights on?
This week, I’m speaking with Sergey Pantileev, a client was on the verge of closing his business and getting a job after losing one of his biggest clients.
Fast forward two years, and Sergey is now closing multiple six-figure deals with ideal clients through Upwork and is no longer worrying about when the next opportunity will show up.
In this episode, Sergey shares the exact mindset shifts and sales strategies that helped him:
Win multiple six figure deals using Upwork
Lead sales calls that put you ahead of lower-cost competition.
Spot red flags from prospects before it’s too late.
Keep an abundance mindset - even when cash flow is tight.
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
Sergey Pantileev on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergeypantileev/
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
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49:16
Take Back Control Of Your Accounts Before It's Too Late with Rayhaan Moughal
How well do you know the numbers in your business?
If you’re like many creative business owners, time spent worrying about your accounts is time spent away from being creative. So you avoid it.
But because of this, your business likely isn’t as profitable as it could be. You’re making money but you’re not sure where it’s going, how much you can safely reinvest, or what’s really holding back your growth.
In this episode, I’m joined by Rayhaan Moughal, Founder of Sidekick Accounting - a specialist firm helping creative and marketing agency owners take control of their finances, create more freedom, and build a business that’s both profitable and sustainable.
If you want more freedom, clarity, and confidence when it comes to money, this episode is essential.
Covered in this episode:
The most common financial mistakes creative business owners make.
What profit margin you should be aiming for.
How to manage financial risk as a business owner.
Why your first accountant/bookkeeper shouldn’t necessarily be your last.
What you need to do to start reducing your tax bill this year and stop bleeding cash.
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
Sidekick Accounting - www.sidekickaccounting.co.uk
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Rayhann Moughal on LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rayhaanmoughal
Rayhann on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rayhaanmoughal/
Rayhann on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbkeVd8URp-KT4mkiWO92eA
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
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44:55
The Money Mindset Shift That Will Transform Your Business with Catherine Morgan
Your relationship with money could be preventing you from growing your creative business and having a bigger impact with your work.
Many creatives see money as secondary - a necessary evil that comes with doing creative work. But what if the way you think about money is actually stopping you from charging what you’re worth, growing your business, and creating the life you want?
In this episode, I speak with Catherine Morgan, a money psychology expert who spent over a decade in banking and financial planning.
Catherine is an Amazon best-selling author, host of a podcast with over half a million downloads, and someone who understands first-hand how money mindset can make or break a business.
If you’re struggling to raise your prices and feel confident about what you charge, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we cover:
Why so many creative business owners struggle with money.
Why our relationship with money is so important.
How to unlearn the money beliefs that are keeping you stuck.
The science behind money psychology and how it impacts your business.
What’s really stopping you from charging more.
The "identity gap" - why seeing yourself as the business is limiting your growth
A simple exercise to uncover your relationship with money and start changing it today.
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
Catherin’s Podcast, ‘It’s Not About The Money’ - https://catherinemorgan.com/podcast/
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Catherine Morgan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-morgan/
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
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1:01:14
The Real Reason You’re Not Closing More Deals
There’s a hidden force stopping creatives from making more sales and landing bigger deals - it’s called your shadow.
The shadow is the part of your personality that you suppress - A part of you that you don't like.
It's this part that often inhibits founders ability to sell higher value projects.
In this episode, I’m going to show you how to identify your shadow and work out if it's holding you back.
Covered in this episode:
The real reason you're not closing more deals.
Why so many creatives feel "anti-sales" and how to get past this belief.
The mindset shift that will help you show up to sales calls authentically.
How to stay in control when pitching your services.
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
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16:37
The One Word That Will Transform Your Business
As a creative business owner, your time and energy are two of your most valuable assets. If you want high-value clients and a business that’s fun and profitable, learning to say this one word is essential.
NO
Saying no doesn’t come easy to most creative business owners.
In this episode, I will help you to figure out which opportunities you should say yes to and give you the confidence to say no to what’s not serving you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why saying no to big opportunities can help you grow your business.
The ‘If, When, Then’ paradox and how it keeps you stuck.
How to stick to boundaries without feeling guilty.
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
Are you a creative business owner? Do you ever feel like you’ve got more to give? That there’s a bigger impact you could make? Or is there an innate fear that’s stopping you from achieving your full potential?
In this brand new podcast series, award-winning coach, author and speaker Matt Essam explores the internal battles we all face as creative business owners.
From the fear of launching to the anxiety we face around our life purpose, Creative Courage is the first podcast series that will dive deep into the psychology of courage and its key part in our success as business owners, leaders and creatives.
Each week, we bring you expert insights and proven strategies from inspiring entrepreneurs and thought leaders who have conquered their creative challenges.
If you’re ready to elevate your creative journey and unlock your full potential, so that you can make more impact, win better clients and ultimately be proud of what you’ve built, then subscribe to Creative Courage now on your favourite podcast platform.
Join us as we redefine what it means to thrive as a creative business owner.
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