In this episode, Nik Sumeiko and Marius Bauer explain why a successful freelance business is a system. They break it into three simple parts: client acquisition, sales conversation, and delivery routine. Short, honest lessons from 15+ years of real experience doing freelancing.
What you'll learn:
✓ How to build a simple flow for finding clients.
✓ Why communication is a key (for freelancers).
✓ How to turn clients into long-term partners.
✓ How to nurture routines to deliver great work.
✓ Growing small initial projects into big opportunities.
Timestamps:
(00:00) — Episode intro
(01:10) — Freelance business is a system
(04:00) — Lead generation without ads or funnels
(09:35) — Turning projects into long-term relationships
(18:32) — Saying “no” to the wrong projects
(26:14) — Communication skills = successful freelancing
(29:20) — Risks, and learning from failure
(32:17) — Building your delivery routines
(37:22) — Craft and overdeliver
Resources and people mentioned in the episode:
- (book) Designed by Apple in California: https://amzn.to/4pE23ci
- (work reference) Microsoft Windows 8 official wallpaper design by Marius Bauer, 2013: https://www.konvergenz.studio/work/software. Also featured in The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/2013/1/4/3835160/windows-8-designer-reveals-early-startscreen-and-lockscreen-concepts
- (TV series) The Bear: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bear_(TV_series)
- Paula Monteiro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-monteiro/
- Andreas Fötschl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-foetschl/
- Stratos Giouldasis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gousta/
Find Nik Sumeiko online
- https://linkedin.com/in/niksumeiko
- https://youtube.com/@niksumeiko
Find Marius Bauer online
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariusbauer
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Hosts: Nik Sumeiko, Marius Bauer
Joe Gustilo (https://fiverr.com/producerelite)
Podcast art & background music: Marius Bauer (https://konvergenz.studio)
B-rolls: Arthur Cauty https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/arthur-cauty/520, Raven production https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/raven-production/1153, Yuki Film https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/yuki-film/1177.
