You want to start your own creative business. But Googling “How to Freelance” has you wilting like your houseplants.
The internet is amazing, but it’s also a maze. Running a business can feel just as daunting. Which is why we made this course after 11+ years running a creative studio. It’s an actionable roadmap to help you finally feel confident in your pricing and process.
Freelance, and Business, and Stuff Online Course
Exactly what you need to know about freelancing, with actionable next steps
This course is full of practical information from creatives who have been there. Each lesson includes a to-do list so you know how to move forward. Watch the lessons at your own pace (you have lifetime access).
Templates and a workbook help you apply what you’ve learned
Calculate your pricing, position yourself to attract dream clients, and learn how to run a project so it doesn’t run you. Plus, get access to our Hoodzpah proposal, proof, and discovery decks!
Katie
Proposal Deck User
Get personalized help and access to a Slack community of creative entrepreneurs
The Slack channel is one of the most valuable parts of the course. You have a direct line to your instructors (that’s us) and your peers for creative feedback, questions, and support. Plus, we share job opportunities and refer work within the group whenever possible.
Creative Director - Denver, CO
“The knowledge that is shared in the course and community is worth its weight in gold... I recommend it to all my friends.”
Brand Designer - New York City, NY
Eva B. Student Testimonial
This freelance course and community is for you if:
You're a freelancer, but you're constantly asking “Am I doing this right?”
You wish you had more freelancers and entrepreneurs you could compare notes with
You miss having a workplace community
You've been wanting to go freelance for years, but get overwhelmed with where to start
You'll learn from start to finish how to freelance and run your own creative studio.
1
Brand and Position Your Business
Position Your Brand
Define Your Brand Traits
Name Your Business
Write Brand Messaging
Write a Business Plan
2
Set Your Business Up
Get Licenses and Permits
Get Contracts and Agreements (+ Link to Free Resource)
Assemble Your A-Team
Consider Business Insurance
Set Up Business Banking
Set Up Business Accounting
Track Your Finances
3
Create Business Systems
Create a File Organization Method
Create a Client Relationship Management (CRM) Board (+ Free Template)
Create a Project Management Board to Stay on Top of All Jobs (+ Free Template)
4
Run a Successful Project
Map Out Your Project Workflows
Learn About Contracts (+ Link to Free Resource)
Run a Strategy / Discovery Phase with Your Client (+ Free Deck Template)
Present Your Work in a Compelling Way (+ Free Deck Template)
5
Plan Your Income and Make a Budget
Make a Personal Budget
Calculate Your Salary
Make a Business Budget
Make an Income Plan
Manage Your Expenses
Structure a Retainer
Do a Monthly Business Checkup
6
Learn to Price and Negotiate
When to Charge Hourly vs. Flat Rate
Calculate Your Hourly Rate
Calculate Flat Rate Project Quotes
Scaling Your Pricing Based on Value
When and How to Raise Your Rates
Create a Proposal (Respond to RFPs) (+ Free Template)
Pricing Resource: Real Numbers from Real Creatives
Negotiate Pricing
7
Market Yourself, Get Work, and Court Dream Clients
Getting Clients 101
Other Creatives as Clients
Make a Website
Make Great Case Studies
Reaching out to Potential Clients
Making the Work You Want to Get
Connecting with Dream Clients
Decide Which Projects to Take On
“Thanks to everything I learned, I met my yearly goals and beyond... the best investment in myself I could have made.”
A course made by working creatives for working creatives
We’ve been running our own creative studio (Hoodzpah) for over 10 years. It started out of necessity, and we didn’t have much savings or preparation. But we learned the ropes thanks to mentors, peers, and good old fashioned trial and error. Since then, we’ve worked with dream clients like Disney and the Los Angeles Lakers, taught Professional Practices at LCAD, wrote Freelance, and Business, and Stuff: A Guide for Creatives, and spoke about business and creativity at conferences like Adobe Max, Dribbble Hangtime, HOW and Brand New.
Ready to make a plan to work with your dream clients?
What freelancers think of the course
Matthew Potter
Designer
Designer -
Ponchatoula, LA
Save 15% when you pay in full!
“This class is hands down the best decision I’ve made for my design business. The value is above and beyond. I just landed my first five-figure job this past month! Sign up now, you won’t regret it..”
Ready to get started?
Scholarships
2022 scholarship window is closed.
Hoodzpah has sponsored over $14,000 worth of scholarships since the course launched. Huge thanks to these sponsors who generously made further student scholarships possible!
Giving Back
We give back 5% of our course profits to non-profit programs focused on supporting under-served youth and communities through the arts, mentorship, and job placement. Our current charity is Inner-City Arts.
