The C Word Podcast with Bec Hughes

Christine Corcoran is a Business Mindset Master Coach, Speaker, Podcast host and Creator of the Thrive Retreat & ELEVATED Program.   And she really brings the goods when it comes to mindset.   Christine is a qualified Practitioner in Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Matrix Therapies and an MBraining Practitioner with an extensive study of Human Behavioural Profiling, Hypnotherapy and Leadershi...

In this episode of The C Word podcast I talk about overcoming client objections from new prospects and enquiries.   I'll get in your ears about: ~ The 3 pivotal points in the sales process to effectively tackle objections ~ How to get closer to your prospective client to understand what their objections might be ~ The most important skill when it comes to overcoming client objections ~ My tips for...

How do you manage your workload and your workflow? And more importantly how is that reflected in the money you make as a designer? For may designers we are inundated and juggling work frantically one minute and then staring at a blank schedule wondering where the next project is coming from the next. In this episode I explore how other designers work and manage their workload. I’ll share my approa...

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) Per...

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 sustaina...

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 busine...

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 stra...

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. B...

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...

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...

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...

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 l...

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...

I hear it all the time that you need to ‘show up’ in your business, in your marketing and for your audience. And I wanted to pick the concept apart. Because I don’t disagree with the sentiment of it, I just think the phrase has become overused and misunderstood. Very often it just manifests itself as showing your face and the occasional (re)introduction post on social media. In this podcast, I tal...

In this episode of the C Word Podcast I want to challenge one of the most ingrained concepts in the creative industry, and that is the client centred business model. Because I believe it's fundamentally broken and it doesn't serve clients or creatives.   I'll share: 1/ Why I think the model is problematic 2/ The impact it has on designers creating a business that works for them 3/ An alternative c...

In this episode of The C Word podcast I get super practical with 9 ways to jump start your revenue if things have gone a bit quiet. Most design businesses have ebbs and flows and will experience quiet periods. January is often a slow month, with little client activity. But with talk of an economic down turn, I know those experiencing lean times are feeling the pressure and the worry of things feel...

In today's episode I'm sharing one of the biggest game-changers for any design business - brand, graphic, web or otherwise. And that is presenting your creative work in person.   This is something I think many designers are reluctant to do. However, I believe it can have such a positive influence on how much your clients value you and the impact you can create with your work.   So I share the key...

Is choosing and being guided by a word for the year something you do? Or does it seem like pointless nonsense to you!? In this episode of The C Word podcast I share why I love the practice of choosing a word for the year and how it helps to focus and simplify my behaviours, actions and decision-making in business and life. I'll give you an insight into past years and the words I chose and why. Plu...

Welcome to Episode 39 of The C Word Podcast. As we ponder on whether the Christmas ham is still safe to eat, and wonder what day of the week it is, this Christmas / New Year hiatus is also a good time to reflect on the year that was. In this episode of The C Word podcast I share my personal reflections on 2022, and what I want to do more and less of in the year ahead. So join me for a year in revi...

Closing your business for Christmas or any holiday can get stressful. It often feels like that break away has to be hard-earned. But why should it be like that? In this episode of The C Word podcast, I share my tips for making stepping away from your business a lot less stressful: 1/  Make it a non-negotiable 2/ Don't be sucked into everyone else's deadlines 3/ Set your boundaries and stick to the...

How are you with goal setting? Getting clear around what you want to achieve and how you get there is kind of important in business and in life. But it’s also a bit of a stumbling block for some creatives and visual people. In this episode of The C Word podcast I talk about some of the challenges with goal setting, as well as the approach I apply in my business and share with all my creative clien...

In this episode of The C Word Podcast I have a little chin-wag about what I call woo-doo. This is all about the balance between mindset mastery served up with a generous dollop of doing, aka turning focused and relevant plans into consistent action. I share some examples from my business and personal life of how I've seen both the presence and absence of woo-doo in action, and why one just doesn't...

Things take quite a practical turn in this episode of The C Word Podcast, as I share 6 very practical things that have been foundational in my business. Not only have they prompted me to take my business more seriously and adopt more of a growth mindset. They were also the things that gave me the scope to scale and grow without collapsing under the strain of time, client and financial management....

In this episode of The C Word podcast I talk about our responsibility to our client as the creative service provider, and how we can set the client and project up for success. I'll share what I think the future of messaging is in marketing to have more real, honest client relationships that achieve a win, win outcome. I also talk through the 4 focus areas when it comes to setting your client up fo...

Managing change can be one of the trickiest things to navigate, both in life and in business. In this episode of the C Word Podcast I talk about why change for the better… things like growth, taking advantage of new opportunities or chasing after your dreams and aspirations, can feel so uncomfortable. It seems like a weird paradox but it’s actually a thing! I have an open chat about some of my exp...