Be The Top 1%: Two Simple Moves Every Founder Must Make

What if the reason you're not attracting better clients has nothing to do with the quality of your work? I recently put out a brief for a personal brand refresh and received 16 applications within 24 hours. Looking through them from a client's perspective, I spotted three common mistakes that could be costing talented creatives thousands in lost opportunities. In this episode of the Creative Courage Podcast, I break down: Mistake #1: Proposing on the first date — Why asking prospects to book a call too early could be killing your enquiries, and what to do instead. Mistake #2: Being too broad — How to position yourself as the obvious choice without limiting the type of creative work you do. Mistake #3: Relying on your portfolio — Why beautiful work isn't enough to win high-value clients, and how to create case studies that actually sell. I'll also share practical ways to communicate your value, build trust and turn more of the interest you're already getting into genuine opportunities. If you're a freelancer or creative studio owner looking to attract better clients and win higher-value projects, this episode is for you. Get 50% off your first month of ScoreApp Want a personalised growth plan for your creative studio? Visit https://studioroadmap.com to get your free custom roadmap and discover exactly what to focus on next.

Most creative agency owners are sitting on untapped opportunities with their existing clients. In this episode of Creative Courage, I share a simple strategy that can help you turn one-off projects into long-term relationships, increase client spending, and position yourself as a strategic partner rather than just another service provider. You'll discover how to use Strategy Sessions to create more opportunities, build stronger relationships, and make clients genuinely want to work with you. Want to turn more conversations into high-value opportunities? Download my free One Page Sales Framework: https://onepagesales.scoreapp.com

Most creative agency founders don't have a problem delivering exceptional work. They have a problem getting clients to recognise what that work is worth. Prospects question their fees, proposals go unanswered, and conversations that seemed promising suddenly go cold. In this solo episode of Creative Courage, Matt Essam explores a different approach to selling creative services, introducing his One Page Sales Framework™. Rather than relying on persuasion, clever sales tactics or endless follow-ups, the framework helps you structure conversations that uncover what clients really need, communicate the value of your expertise and turn more opportunities into high-value projects. Whether you're struggling to close bigger deals, tired of defending your prices or simply want to feel more confident in sales conversations, this episode will help you rethink the way you sell. Get the free One Page Sales Framework here: https://onepagesales.scoreapp.com Because the best sales conversations don't feel like selling; they feel like helping someone make a great decision.

In this episode, I look at common sales frustrations among agency owners, including slow decision-making, repeated follow-ups, concerns about price, and conversations that focus on deliverables instead of strategy. I explore the idea that how we buy high-value services often shapes how we sell them. For example, how avoiding pushiness means prospects have no reason to make a timely decision. I also discuss how our own fears about appearing motivated by money can lead us to avoid asking prospects to take the next step. By changing how we approach considered purchases ourselves we are able to understand and guide prospects through similar decisions. Ultimately, we can't ask others to do what we are unwilling to do ourselves. 

I believe the future of design is shifting away from phones toward wearables, voice agents, and more physical, tactile experiences. This episode breaks down what that could look like and why it matters for your career. I talk about the macro trends I'm noticing in design and consumer behaviour in general, and what you can do to stay ahead of the curve.  If you found this episode valuable, please hit the subscribe button.   When you are ready to go deeper, here are 2 ways I can help:  1: Join my private '$100K conversations' channel on Instagram  2: Stop getting ghosted and close bigger deals using my One Page Sales Framework ™

Have you ever found yourself in that weird in-between space between familiarity and a new compelling future? You know there is more available to you, but it's difficult to let go of the comfort and familiarity of your current reality.  In this episode I explore “the gap”. The scary space between the life you know and the one you want. I then break down three key principles for closing the gap and moving into that new reality.  Whether it's raising your prices, changing industry or leaving a relationship, we all face the gap at some point. This podcast will give you the tools and strategies to navigate it.    Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/  Apply to work with me 1:1 

If LinkedIn still feels like an enigma, this episode is for you. I sit down with Maria Ledenstova in Hyde Park to unpack how she grew 40k+ followers and now gets steady inbound clients and brand opportunities. We break down exactly how she has done it and how you can aply it to your business.  We cover:  How to show up authentically without being cringe  What to post and when  The importance of finding purpose And so much more.  If you found this episode useful, please share it with a friend.  Connect with Maria on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marialeden/  Work with me 1:1 to grow your creative business here: https://matt-essam.notion.site/A-Private-Invitation-To-Work-With-Me-1-1-3ce1bfbff88681f5b880c4ee39c210cb?source=copy_link 

If you are still pitching with your experience and portfolio, you need to listen to this episode. I had a crazy experience the other day. I posted on LinkedIn asking for help writing some case studies, and I was inundated with DM's. What blew my mind was that not a single person led with any value. They all just shared their experience and portfolio. In 2026, this only gets you drowned out in the noise. It won't win high-value clients, and you are probably leaving thousands on the table. Instead, you must lead with value and insight. The right clients have more money than time; they won’t DIY; they’ll pay for someone who’s showing how it’s done. You must give away your best ideas and thinking before you pitch  I break down the exact approach in this episode and what I would have done differently.  PS: If you are looking for help landing higher-value clients, you can apply to work with me here: https://social.mattessam.co.uk/coaching-linkedIn 

Do you remember the feeling of sending the proposal and then patiently waiting to see if you won the project? What if you never had to feel like that again, and there was a better way... In this episode, I break down why PDF proposals lose projects and what to do instead. I talk about framing, uncovering the real objections and moving people from "let me think about it" to "When do we start?"  You can also grab a copy of my One Page Sales Framework which has been used by hundreds of creative founders to close more deals and raise prices. Send me a message on LinkedIn and I will send you a copy back 

What would it be like if you could eliminate procrastination by improving the relationship with your inner child? Sounds like  a strange concept right? That's exactly what happened to Lucio in this session. This episode pulls back the curtain on a real coaching session. What starts as business stress quickly becomes something deeper: a childhood wound, a lonely 6‑year‑old, and a surprisingly simple way to reconnect that unlocks confidence and better decisions. It’s honest, intimate, and practical. You’ll hear the moment Lucio meets that younger part of himself, the 5‑minute practice he commits to, and how a week later things have already shifted. Stick around; this one feels like a chat with a friend that actually helps. Connect with Lucio on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucio-di-giacinti/  Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/  Apply to work with me 1:1: https://social.mattessam.co.uk/coaching