Lauren Hooker – Freelance Academy

Lauren Hooker – Freelance AcademyA step-by-step system for building a profitable, sustainable freelance businessHow would your life be different if you were able to effortlessly book clients?Would you be able to quit your stressful day job? Spend your days doing the work you want to do on your own terms? Have less financial stress?In May 2012, I graduated with a BFA in Visual Communication Design from Virginia Tech. I had all the skills necessary to start my career, and my goal was to land a design position at a company near my hometown.So I did. And I hated it.I worked under a boss I didn’t like, for a company I didn’t like, designing under brand standards I didn’t like.So I did what any frustrated designer who hates their day job would do: I started freelancing on the side.And that was when I noticed one large area where design school had failed me…I had no idea how to find, book, and work with clients.So I winged it.I took on any and every design project that came my way. I charged too little and worked long hours for pennies. I had an uncanny knack for finding clients who didn’t value my work. And I definitely wasn’t bringing in enough money to take my business full-time.Fast forward 2 years, and I’ve now built a 6-figure business and a waiting list of over 250 prospective clients.What changed?Introducing Freelance AcademyMy name is Lauren Hooker and I’m the founder of Elle & Company.When my new freelance business was failing miserably 2 years ago, I was faced with 2 options:A) I could stop wasting my time, give up freelancing, and stick with my dreadful 9-5 job orB) I could spend time developing creative strategies to attract, book, and work with the right clients and pursue my love of design on my own terms.I chose option B.Since then, I’ve worked with 30+ design clients, increased my prices by 600%, and grew my waiting list to 250+. All in the course of 16 months.And you know what’s crazy?I didn’t do anything drastic or magically obtain any special skill to make that happen.Instead, I researched everything design school didn’t teach me about freelancing. I learned how to:– Pare down my offerings and specialize– Attract and book clients– Build a portfolio that appeals to my ideal clients– Set up my business legally and keep up with business finances– Build and price my design packages– Refine my client processes and improve client communication– Handle critiques and cut down on revisions– Balance multiple projects and meet deadlinesI’ve discovered the creative strategies YOU need to implement to build a successful freelance business, and I’ve broken them into 6 step-by-step modules.You don’t have to wing it any longer; simply follow the plan.Here’s a look at what you’ll learnThis course covers the 6 main components of building a successful freelance business and booking clients:Module 1 | SpecializingDiscover your niche and develop a unique point of view that will attract the right clients.Module 2 | Finding the right clientsCapture clients through your blog, mailing list, social media accounts, and website.Module 3 | Creating your servicesCreate your service packages and determine prices that reflect your value.Module 4 | Project managementStreamline your workflow to keep up with multiple client projects at once.Module 5 | Client communicationSet boundaries, manage expectations, and put safeguards in place so the client process runs smoothly.Module 6 | Legal and financeLegally protect your business and put a system in place for keeping up with business finances.Here’s a look at what you’ll get6 in-depth training modules will take you through the course material. The modules are video-based, but you’ll also have access to the slides, transcript, and audio. You’ll have 2 weeks for implementation between each module and lifetime access, so you can work through the material at your own pace.4 live online coaching sessions. We’ll begin the course with a live orientation webinar, where I’ll share strategies for getting the most out of the course and introduce you to the course material. You’ll also get 3 live Q+A webinars (one for each month of the course) where you’ll receive personalized coaching, feedback, and answers to your questions.Lifetime access to the video lessons (as well as access to the audio and slides for each one). I’ve designed this program so you can complete it in just 3 months, but you also have the option of going at your own pace. Review your favorite modules and pick it back up whenever you’d like.A comprehensive workbook filled with checklists, questionnaires, cheat sheets, scripts, and worksheets for each module.Lifetime access to our Course Community, an exclusive Facebook group for asking questions, sharing your progress, offering feedback, meeting others in the course, posting client referrals, and linking to helpful resources.Lifetime access to our Resource Library, a collection of workflow charts, invoice templates, swipe copy for inquiries and client communication, quote templates, etc.Lifetime access to tech trainings on the programs mentioned in the course, including Trello, Asana, and ConvertKit.Exciting challenges to help you take action on the course (because that’s often the hardest part!). I have some pretty sweet prizes planned for the lucky students who win the 3 challenges offered throughout Freelance Academy.You’ll be able to log in to our course page immediately after purchasing. From there you’ll be able to register for the live coaching sessions and access the course community.New modules will be added to the course page every 2 weeks.