Best Proposal & Contract Tool?

Drowning in proposal and contract paperwork? Clay and Preston reveal the surprising truth about client management tools—it's not about finding the perfect software, but something else entirely. Support our show sponsors -> https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question -> https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever sent a proposal, completed extra work, and then panicked about sending the invoice? Laura did exactly that—and she's convinced she's about to lose a valuable client. But here's the thing: the disaster she's imagining might only exist in her head. In this episode, Clay and Preston tackle the all-too-common problem of freelancers building up worst-case scenarios before anything bad actually happens. They break down why you should send that invoice, how to handle pushback if it comes, and why the story you're telling yourself is probably far worse than reality. If you've ever hesitated to bill a client for work you've done, this episode will give you the confidence to stop panicking and start acting. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it just me, or does it seem easier to close a sale when you're a freelancer than as a full agency? Amy Bridges asked this question which lead Preston and Clay to tackle the counterintuitive truth about sales, retention, and positioning—revealing why individuals often win deals faster, but teams keep clients longer. Whether you're debating growing your team or staying solo, this discussion will help you understand which approach actually attracts the clients you want (and why the answer isn't what you might expect). Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An old client from two years ago wants the original design files from a past project—but you're worried about losing future work by handing them over. Should you push back, charge for the files, or just let it go? In this episode, Preston and Clay tackle Kevin's dilemma about whether to fight for those source files or take the high road. Their advice might surprise you: sometimes the smartest business move is the one that feels like you're giving something away for free. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling burned out on the business side of freelancing? You still love the creative work, but networking and client acquisition feel overwhelming? You're not alone. In this episode, Rachel asks how to reconnect with her passion for her business when the hustle feels exhausting. Preston and Clay dive deep into why we lose motivation, the importance of slowing down, and how to give yourself permission to coast without guilt. This is a conversation every entrepreneur needs to hear—because your mental health matters more than your growth metrics. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you charge by the hour or by the project? If you've ever struggled with this question, you're not alone. But here's the truth: you might be asking the wrong question entirely. In this episode, Preston and Clay dive deep into pricing strategy with a question from Lanya, revealing why hourly pricing punishes you for being good at what you do—and introducing the game-changing concept of value-based pricing. Learn how to have conversations with clients that uncover the true worth of your work, why asking about impact matters more than counting hours, and how solving a $300,000 problem for $10,000 isn't sleazy—it's simply understanding your value. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Check out Clay's business → ⁠⁠https://golinus.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s show, how can you possibly hire other freelancers to help grow your business when it’s hard to know if you can trust them? After all, if someone you hire misses a deadline, you’re on the hook with your client. That’s where Tina finds herself on today’s call.  She’s thinking about hiring and is willing to trust other freelancers' creative processes.  But what about their ability to deliver on time? Can she overcome that somehow? We tackle that question and lots more on today’s episode of Freelance to Founder. This episode was originally aired on January 11, 2024. PS: Get featured in an upcoming Q&A! Just visit ⁠http://freelancetofounder.com/ask⁠ and submit a question.  Support our Sponsors Our generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below. ⁠https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors⁠ Get your own on-air coaching call We'd love to feature your business and offer some free on-air advice for growing your business. To see if you're a good fit, ⁠click here⁠. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: If you enjoy the show, can you do us a favor and leave us an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts? We'll love you forever. ⁠Click here to leave a review⁠. More Recommended Listening: This show is a part of the Podglomerate, a company that produces, distributes, and monetizes podcasts. We encourage you to visit the ⁠website⁠ and sign up for our newsletter. We suggest you also try other Podglomerate shows about entrepreneurship, business, and creativity, such as ⁠Rocketship.fm⁠ and ⁠Creative Elements⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Q&A episode, A former guest on the show, Jim, writes in with an important question: I know I shouldn’t charge by the hour, but shouldn’t I pay my subcontractors by the hour? You might be able to guess our answer. Or it might just surprise you.  Let’s find out on today’s episode of Freelance to Founder. Here we go! This Q&A episode was originally aired on November 7th, 2023. To submit your question, visit ⁠FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK⁠, and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode. Listen to our full-length coaching calls: ⁠http://freelancetofounder.com⁠ Support our Sponsors Our generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below. ⁠https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's show, we get called out by our call-in guest, Erik. Here's the thing: Clay and I are always talking about finding referral partners—other freelancers or businesses who can send you new clients as a sort of trade. You'll refer them to clients, and they'll refer you. It sounds magical. But Erik's question is this: how do you actually FIND these kinds of partners? So we get into it on today's episode of Freelance to Founder. Here we go. This episode was originally aired on March 17, 2022. PS: Get featured in an upcoming Q&A! Just visit ⁠http://freelancetofounder.com/ask⁠ and submit a question.  Support our Sponsors Our generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below. ⁠https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors⁠ Get your own on-air coaching call We'd love to feature your business and offer some free on-air advice for growing your business. To see if you're a good fit, ⁠click here⁠. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: If you enjoy the show, can you do us a favor and leave us an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts? We'll love you forever. ⁠Click here to leave a review⁠. More Recommended Listening: This show is a part of the Podglomerate, a company that produces, distributes, and monetizes podcasts. We encourage you to visit the ⁠website⁠ and sign up for our newsletter. We suggest you also try other Podglomerate shows about entrepreneurship, business, and creativity, such as ⁠Rocketship.fm⁠ and ⁠Creative Elements⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am joined by special guest co-host Austin Church on today's show. He is a very talented freelancer and the author of the new book, Free Money. It's all about growing your revenue as a freelancer, and we talked today about calculating your survival rate. That's the rate you need to stay in business as a freelancer. What's the minimum amount you need to make to stay in business? So, if you've wondered how to calculate that rate best, stay tuned for today's Q&A episode with Austin Church and me, Preston Lee. Here we go. This Q&A episode was originally aired on March 25, 2024. To submit your question, visit ⁠FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK⁠, and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode. Listen to our full-length coaching calls: ⁠http://freelancetofounder.com⁠ Support our Sponsors Our generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below. ⁠https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices