Self-Made Marketer

Let’s talk about money! More specifically, the 3 flawed beliefs that hold many freelancers back from making more of it. Overcoming these beliefs will transform your business and bank account.

Here's the exact Pitch Deck Template I use in my business.I use Dubsado for invoicing, contracts, client onboarding, etc.My go-to contract template is the Freelancer Contract Template from Artful Contracts. The single biggest game changer for my financial freedom as a freelance marketer was moving away from a project-based business model to a retainer-based business model. In this episode, I'm peeling back the curtain on what goes into my monthly retainer services and how you can set up systems for repeatable income in your business.This description includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission when you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services I use and trust.

My go-to contract template is the Freelancer Contract Template from Artful Contracts.Far too often, freelancers set the bar too low when it comes to who they want to work with. Then, they get frustrated when nobody is willing to pay their rates, or when they can’t sign new clients.In this episode, we’re talking about the caliber of client you need if you want to be successful as a freelance marketer (because, spoiler, not all clients fit the bill), and how you can shift your mindset and services to attract the type of clients who gladly pay their invoices on time.This description includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission when you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services I use and trust.

Whether you’re building a freelance business, marketing for clients, or pivoting like I am with this podcast, clear positioning is essential. In this episode, I break down what positioning really means, why it matters, and the key questions to ask to make sure your audience immediately knows who you help, what you help them achieve, and why you're the right fit.If your messaging isn’t making it obvious, this is your sign to revisit your positioning.

Influencer collaborations can make or break a brand. In this episode, I take you through my TRUST framework for vetting influencers to make sure they're the right fit for a brand's growth goals.

Click here to download the case study (no email required)!Did you know that social media SEO goes beyond using keywords in your posts and bio? In this episode, I hack the social media SEO strategy for the brand RobeCurls and explain how you can replicate their wins and own the front page of Google.

Should you partner with influencers, creators, or UGC creators? The answer is "it depends." In this episode, we're breaking down the key players in the creator economy in 2025 and how marketers and brands can leverage them to reach their goals.

After stepping up from social media manager to fractional marketing manager for two e-commerce clients, I quickly realized that big results depend on better systems, not just more content or campaigns.In this episode, I’m breaking down the three foundational systems I implemented in my first month to increase clarity, streamline operations, and drive growth.

After a long (and unplanned) hiatus, Self-Made Marketer is back—and so much has changed. In this episode, I’m sharing where I’ve been, what led me to pause the podcast, and why I’ve shifted from social media manager to fractional marketing manager. If you're a freelancer, marketer, or founder who's rethinking how you work, this one’s for you. Let’s talk about burnout, boundaries, and building a lucrative business that fulfills you.

Rock your client meeting with my free Discovery Call Prep Checklist. I'm Jenessa. I help freelancers scale sustainably by stacking skills, systems, and simple strategies. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Set your business up for success with my Freelance Startup Checklist: https://bit.ly/3HNEXw7 I'm Jenessa Stark. I help freelancers scale sustainably by stacking skills, systems, and simple strategies. Don't forget to follow this podcast for more content like this. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EIEIZn78QuQ

"Which niches are the most profitable?" This is usually what we as freelancers end up asking when we're ready to niche down. But as I learned early in my freelancing journey, just because a niche can be profitable doesn't mean it will be profitable for YOU. In this video, I show you a new way to think about niching — a method that helps you tap into your strengths and guarantee your niche is profitable. FREEBIES & RESOURCES Freelance Startup Checklist⁠ 👉 https://bit.ly/3HNEXw7 Discovery Call Prep Checklist 👉 https://tinyurl.com/296fm3rp My Six Figure Pitch Deck Template 👉 https://tinyurl.com/3c2a3bbh Freelancing Contract Templates 👉 https://bit.ly/3T3SAfJ

Watch this episode on YouTube. Freelancing Contract Templates If you're anything like me, one of the reasons that you wanted to start freelancing is to get away from stressful work environments that trigger your anxiety. But being self-employed presents its own challenges, and as I quickly learned, just because you have more freedom doesn't mean you're never going to feel your stress levels rise. The good news is that there are strategies that you can use to prevent your stress from getting out of hand and negatively impacting your business and your bottom line. FREEBIES & RESOURCES Freelance Startup Checklist⁠ Discovery Call Prep Checklist My Pitch Deck Template

As a business owner, there are a ton of numbers for you to keep track of. You've got your revenue, gross revenue, profit, and loss — and these are all good things to keep track of. However, I've found that for freelancers and even agencies or small teams, there is one metric in particular that truly reflects the  health,  the  sustainability, and the  profit potential  of your business. Let's dive in! FREEBIES & RESOURCES Discovery Call Prep Checklist 👉 https://tinyurl.com/296fm3rp Freelance Startup Checklist⁠ 👉 https://bit.ly/3HNEXw7 My Pitch Deck Template 👉 https://tinyurl.com/3c2a3bbh Dubsado CRM: Use my link for a free trial and to get 20% off your first month or year. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/3jekfa78

Grab my FREE Discovery Call Prep Checklist 👉 https://tinyurl.com/296fm3rp Get my Pitch Deck Template 👉 https://tinyurl.com/3c2a3bbh As a hardcore introvert who gets nervous talking to new people, discovery calls were one of the biggest barriers to my success as a new freelancer. Not only did the simple process that I share in this episode help me feel more confident, but it resulted in landing more clients.

Instagram can be a great way to generate leads, but there are four fatal mistakes that many freelancers make when trying to hook a client on the platform. Let's break down each of them AND what you can do to solve the problem. Grab my FREE Freelance Startup Checklist⁠

Grab my FREE Freelance Startup Checklist⁠ One of my favorite things about freelancing is how accessible it is. These 7 ideas are examples of beginner-friendly freelancing work that you can do to out-earn your day job with recurring revenue.

My Pitch Deck template Proposals are just part of running freelancing — or are they? After I had a chance to see how an agency approaches the proposal process, I applied the same principles to my business and was shocked at the results. Listen to learn my "proposal-free" process as an example of how you can adopt this approach to save time and secure more high-ticket contracts.

Follow along on YouTube Grab my FREE Freelance Startup Checklist⁠ 👉 https://bit.ly/3HNEXw7 My contract templates 👉 https://bit.ly/3T3SAfJ In this video, I'm diving into a topic that's crucial for any freelancer looking to build a stable income stream – retainer agreements. So, what exactly is a retainer agreement? Watch to find out! Let's connect on 👇 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/itsjenessas... PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.ca/selfmademrktr/

Grab my FREE Freelance Startup Checklist⁠ 👉 https://bit.ly/3HNEXw7 MY TOP BIZ TOOLS Asana 👉 https://asana.com Google Workspace 👉 https://workspace.google.com/ Try Dubsado for free and save 20% on your first month or year 👉 http://tinyurl.com/bdfvm82b (affiliate 🔗) Try Sked Social for free and save 20% on your first month 👉 http://tinyurl.com/3jt3r64j (affiliate 🔗) Quickbooks 👉 https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ When you are a team of one or a tiny team, it's really important that you have tools in place that help you save time and work more efficiently. In this video, I share the tools I use in my business that make it easy for me to get things done and keep my business running like a well-oiled machine as a solopreneur. Let's connect on 👇 INSTAGRAM:   / itsjenessastark   PINTEREST:   / selfmademrktr  

Follow along on YouTube. Try Dubsado for free and save 20% on your first month or year. You knew you were going to be wearing a lot of hats as a freelancer, but you might not have realized that you also have to do your own accounting. That means sending invoices. In this episode, I share free ways to send invoices and show you how to use my favorite invoicing tool, Dubsado, to invoice clients.

⁠Grab my FREE Freelance Startup Checklist It's time to talk about everyone's favorite topic: TAXES! While I'm not a tax expert, I can share what I've learned about being a freelancer and paying taxes with an LLC in the United States. These are tax lessons I learned the hard way so you don't have to!

Grab my FREE Freelance Startup Checklist How much should you charge for your freelance services? While advice like "charge what you're worth" may sound nice, it's not helpful when a client asks about your rates. In this episode, I share my step-by-step formula for setting rates that you can feel confident about.

Is that voice in your head that's telling you to quit worth listening to? In this episode, I share the mental process I walk through whenever I feel like giving up in business or life and how to use it to avoid the regret of giving up on your dreams. Let's connect on Instagram.

Storytelling is a powerful way to attract clients and customers, and practicing telling your story gives you clarity and confidence. In this episode, I share my simple, 3-step formula for telling your story to call in your next stage of growth. Grab My FREE Resource: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Start Freelancing With No Experience⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Say "hi" on Instagram.⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Let's connect on LinkedIn.⁠⁠ (Make sure you send a note when you connect so I don't miss your request!)

Clutter doesn't only exist IRL. In this episode, I share my top tips for decluttering your digital life as an online business owner so you can stay focused and productive. Build and launch a profitable freelance business in less than a week with the ⁠⁠5 Days to Freelance Blueprint⁠⁠. Grab My FREE Resource: ⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Start Freelancing With No Experience⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Say "hi" on Instagram.⁠⁠ ⁠Let's connect on LinkedIn.⁠ (Make sure you send a note when you connect so I don't miss your request!)

Your vision is the North Star that guides all of your business decisions, how do you get started with bringing your big vision to life? In this episode, I share a simple strategy for taking the first step without getting overwhelmed so you can start making progress. Build and launch a profitable freelance business in less than a week with the ⁠5 Days to Freelance Blueprint⁠. Grab My FREE Resource: ⁠⁠⁠How to Start Freelancing With No Experience⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Say "hi" on Instagram.⁠ Let's connect on LinkedIn. (Make sure you send a note when you connect so I don't miss your request!)

Goals and resolutions are great, but what about your bigger vision? If you aren't giving yourself CEO time and space, you won't have the clarity you need to succeed. In this episode, I share my 3-step process for achieving clarity and staying on track so your business has the best possible foundation. This is episode 1/5 of the Fresh Start Series, a series to help you press rest on your strategy, mindset, and vision in the new year or whenever your business needs a fresh start. Build and launch a profitable freelance business in less than a week with the 5 Days to Freelance Blueprint. Grab My FREE Resource: ⁠⁠How to Start Freelancing With No Experience⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Say "hi" on Instagram.

Freelancing and digital products are both incredible ways to create a business that gives you more time, money, and freedom. Depending on where you're starting from, one may be better than the other. In this episode, I talk about what you need to get started with each of these online business models so you can decide which one is right for you. Save $20 on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠5 Days to Freelance Blueprint ⁠⁠⁠⁠with code SELFMADE20 at checkout through December 31, 2023. LISTEN: How to Find Your First Clients as a Freelancer LISTEN: The True Cost of Starting a Freelance Business (+ Ways to Save) Grab My FREE Resource: ⁠How to Start Freelancing With No Experience⁠ ⁠Say "hi" on Instagram.

How long do you *really* need to knock out your to-do list? In this episode, I share a process for setting deadlines strategically so you can get more done in less time. Open your project management tool and calendar and use it to map out your goals and projects. Grab My New FREE Resource: How to Start Freelancing With No Experience Save $20 on the ⁠⁠⁠5 Days to Freelance Blueprint ⁠⁠⁠with code SELFMADE20 at checkout through December 31, 2023. Say "hi" on Instagram.

There's a lot of freelancing advice out there that tells you what to do, but what about what you should avoid? In this episode, I break down the three things that seem like good ideas but actually end up holding freelancers back. Save $20 on the ⁠⁠5 Days to Freelance Blueprint ⁠⁠with code SELFMADE20 at checkout through December 31, 2023. Follow me on Instagram Hosted by freelance digital marketer Jenessa Stark, Self-Made Marketer is a podcast for marketers and aspiring marketers who are bootstrapping their way to success. Tune in every Wednesday for bite-sized lessons on the skills, strategies, and mindset support you need to navigate the ever-evolving freelancing and marketing landscapes.

Social media is a great way for freelancers to gain visibility  — if you play your cards right. In this episode, I dig into the do's and don'ts of promoting yourself on social media as a freelancer and share the platform every freelancer MUST be on. (Hint: It ain't Instagram!) Save $20 on the ⁠5 Days to Freelance Blueprint ⁠with code SELFMADE20 at checkout through December 31, 2023. Hosted by freelance digital marketer Jenessa Stark, Self-Made Marketer is a podcast for marketers and aspiring marketers who are bootstrapping their way to success. Tune in every Wednesday for bite-sized lessons on the skills, strategies, and mindset support you need to navigate the ever-evolving freelancing and marketing landscapes.

What if I told you that you could be pitching to your ideal clients by next week? It's possible, and in this episode, I walk you through my 5-day process for building and launching a freelance business. Save $20 on the 5 Days to Freelance Blueprint with code SELFMADE20 at checkout through December 31, 2023. Hosted by freelance digital marketer Jenessa Stark, Self-Made Marketer is a podcast for marketers and aspiring marketers who are bootstrapping their way to success. Tune in every Wednesday for bite-sized lessons on the skills, strategies, and mindset support you need to navigate the ever-evolving freelancing and marketing landscapes.

Freelancing has low startup costs compared to other businesses, like say a brick-and-mortar business or a product-based business where you have to invest in inventory. But there are usually some costs involved. In this episode, I'm breaking down those costs and sharing some of the ways I’ve found to save on these expenses. Find all of the tools and resources mentioned in this article: https://bit.ly/40Rl0Nx

Discovery calls are often your chance to make a good first impression with potential clients. If you're introverted and consider yourself socially awkward, the pressure is real! As someone who falls into the introverted-slash-awkward category, I struggled with my discovery calls in the beginning. In this episode, I share the tips and strategies that made my discovery calls less stressful and even fun! GRAB MY SIX-FIGURE PITCH DECK TEMPLATE FREE GUIDE: 35+ PROFITABLE FREELANCE BUSINESS IDEAS⁠ ⁠FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

"But how do you find clients?" This is one of the top questions freelancers and aspiring freelancers ask. I'm demystifying the client-finding process with six methods I've used personally or seen others use to build their business. Commit to one or try them all to find the right method for your freelance business. Self-Made Marketer is a podcast for marketers and aspiring marketers who are bootstrapping their way to success. Tune in twice weekly for bite-sized lessons on the skills, strategies, and mindset support you need to navigate the ever-evolving freelancing and marketing landscapes. ⁠FREE ANALYTICS TRAINING FOR SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS⁠ ⁠FREE GUIDE: 35+ PROFITABLE FREELANCE BUSINESS IDEAS⁠ ⁠FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM⁠

This is the story of how I went from homeless high school dropout to having a thriving freelance marketing business — with plenty of speed bumps and pit stops along the way. I also share what you can expect on upcoming episodes of the Self-Made Marketer Podcast. Til next time, Jenessa Self-Made Marketer is a podcast for marketers and aspiring marketers who are bootstrapping their way to success. Tune in twice weekly for bite-sized lessons on the skills, strategies, and mindset support you need to navigate the ever-evolving freelancing and marketing landscapes. FREE ANALYTICS TRAINING FOR SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS FREE GUIDE: 35+ PROFITABLE FREELANCE BUSINESS IDEAS FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM