In this episode of the Creatively Paid Podcast, we have invited Hayley Akins. She is a motion designer, animator, and Founder and CEO of Motion Hatch, an online learning hub for motion designers and animators, helping them do better business through training materials, resources, a community, and podcasts. She has 11 years of experience in the motion design industry and has worked with high-profile clients such as Google, BBC, The United Nations, and the Gates Foundation. Her aim is to work on projects that have a positive impact on the world.

In this episode with discuss building a creative community, social media growth, and finding your creative purpose. 

Growing a Community [10:51]

Getting Feedbacks[12:50]

Don’t be afraid to help [14:30]

Helping Others [15:01]

Knowing Your Purpose [17:55}

Learning and Sharing [23:46]

Importance of Pre-Selling [27:05]

Top of the Mountain [30:02]

Valuing Creatives [31:08]

Inbound and Outbound Marketing [34:44]

Consistency and Strategy [35:15]

Getting into the Community [39:03]

Learn more about Hayley Akins on:

Social Media guide by Motion Hatch - https://motionhatch.com/social-media-guide-motion-designers

Motion Hatch: https://motionhatch.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionhatch/

As an entrepreneur, should you opt for building a website or social media? Which one of the two is better? A website and social media have their respective strengths and weaknesses, and although they are similar in terms of function, there is a distinct difference between the two when it comes to taking your brand to the next level! In this episode of Creatively Paid Podcast, Kasey Reid takes us to the website vs. social media battle! 

Learning the Basics

[1:52]

In the simplest definition, a website is a collection of pages that sits on the “web.” It’s static that contains and hosts various pages about something. A web application is designed for interaction with end-users, in this case, social media.

[3:45]

A social media is a web application based on its functionality – it’s dynamic, like a living being that lives on the internet. It serves a crucial role when it comes to serving your brand and business.

Why opt to build a website?

[04:56]

Here are the advantages on why you should build a website:

1.     You decide how you want to craft your personal brand. [06:56]

2.     Your website can act as a hub. [10:03]

3.     You are discovered easily because of how SEO works. [11:19]

4.     Easy integration of a sales funnel. [11:51]

5.     You can establish social proof and credibility. [14:24]

6.     You can tailor your website to your brand. [16:03]

7.     You have immense access to data. 

Why should you opt for building a Social media page?[17:33]

1.     You can build anytime; it’s free!

a.     You don’t totally own the content you produce. [18:55]

b.     You can’t fully customize the user experience. [19:37]

2.     You can use social media as a “vehicle.” [22:26]

3.     You can develop and expand your brand and reputation. [23:15]

4.     You can use social media to share your content. [24:01]

a.     You don’t have a direct connection to your audience. [25:25]

5.     You can reach a new audience. [26:21]

6.     You can encourage interaction with your brand. 

The Verdict

[27:53]

With that comparison and contrast between social media and website, which one should you opt to build and focus on? It’s pretty obvious! Go for BOTH of them! Because they can help you build your brand and online presence.

[30:24]

If you are a beginner, there are free and cheap options for you to build your website. But like what has been emphasized earlier, “There is a ‘cost’ to free.” You would want to eventually have your website built by a professional who thoroughly understands web design tailored to your brand messaging, leaving a concise, beautiful, and impactful website that meets your goals, creates leads and generates sales!

Learn more about Kasey Reid on:

Website: https://kaseyreid.com/
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Michelle Warner, a business designer, and strategist joins us on this episode of the Creativity Paid Podcast. She helps solopreneurs and small businesses redesign their businesses.

Difficulties of being a solopreneur and the benefits of networking 

It's hard when you're doing it all alone, many of the times it might end up on scratch, so you need to start all over again and find someone to connect to.

It's best to network with people who might already know your potential clients so that you can build a natural partnership and collaboration. 

Two components of how a person can go about networking as a creative

First is getting some clarity about the foundation, it has a little bit of science. The second one is the actual implementation; it's going straight to being told that you should reach out to people.

You should not be networking with your clients, instead, your networking goal should be meeting people who already have access to your clients, so that you can collaborate, it's called borrow an audience, where they can introduce you to an audience they've already gained. In that way, you can build some collaborations and natural referrals.

Target Audience

[08:10]

So there are two parts to it. The first step is to get some clarity on the foundation, and then comes the actual implementation. It's always awkward because we jump right into implementation, right into being told you should reach out to people. And we don't take the 30 minutes or less it would take to get some clarity on how you should be doing that outreach and to whom you should be doing it. You should not socialize with your clients. Your networking goal should be to meet people who already have access to your clients so that you can collaborate and do what is called  “borrowing an audience”, where they can introduce you to the audience they've already gained, and you can build some collaboration and natural referrals in that way.

Networking on social media

[15:14]

Don't get too caught up in creating your own feed; instead, spend more time on other people's feeds, especially if you're just getting started. Consider how you will be introduced and noticed in an authentic manner, as well as how you will build that relationship. Thanking them in DMs or comments is a great way to accomplish this. Examine their posts or work, and if you find something that has aided you, leave a comment or DM them to express your gratitude for that specific piece of advice. Most people will tell you that they are pleased that they were able to assist you. Now you have a plethora of opportunities to begin building a relationship and connection with them.

Practical tips for networking on the physical side when attending networking events

[21:07]

The first step is to assess your own worth and determine how you can participate in these types of events. The second step is to determine who will be attending the event and select two or three people to meet. The two or three people you want to meet are the ones who can have the most impact on you. 

Michelle's tips for creatives

[28:54]

Consider who your ideal connection avatar is. Allow yourself to be creative and clear on this so you can connect with the right person. Send thank-you notes; thank you notes are the networking equivalent of gratitude journaling. Send a thank-you note if you're feeling lost and unsure how to connect.

Connect with Michelle
Free Networking Training
themichellewarner.com/freetraining

Instagram - @Michelle.Warner