We recently connected with Jessica Freeman and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today

As a business owner, I’ve had the opportunity to witness the ebb and flow of the entrepreneurial journey firsthand. Looking back at the last ten years, one of the most significant changes I would make would be to focus on a niche much sooner.

When I first started my business, I was eager to take on any project that came my way. I wanted to prove to myself and others that I was capable of handling any design project, no matter the industry or type of project. While this approach allowed me to gain experience and hone my skills, it wasn’t until I narrowed down my offers and targeted a specific audience that I saw real growth and profitability.

By niching down, I was able to identify my ideal client and tailor my services to meet their specific needs. I no longer felt like I was constantly chasing after new business and trying to appeal to a broad audience. Instead, I was able to establish myself as an expert in my field and attract high-quality clients who valued my expertise.

Of course, this transition didn’t happen overnight. It took time and effort to identify my niche and build a reputation in the industry. But once I did, I found that my business became more enjoyable and fulfilling. I was able to work with clients who shared my passion and values, and I had the freedom to focus on the areas of my business that I truly enjoyed.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I knew at the age of 15 that I wanted to be a designer, because it combined my love of art and technology. So, I went to college and got a degree in graphic design and began doing freelance design projects as often as I could. I was lucky enough to also have a few jobs during college that were also in the design field, and get an internship right out of college.

While I focused mainly on graphic design for the first years of my business, I noticed that more and more clients were wanting websites and needed help in that area. As it turns out, I really love web design more than just general graphic design, so I pivoted my business to really focusing on that.

Jess Creatives helps clients improve their online presence through strategic websites and SEO, so that they can attract more of their ideal clients and grow their business.

I focus heavily on educating my clients, so that they understand their website, can manage it on their own, and are capable of adjusting their website strategy on their own. Many designers don’t take the time to educate their clients on what makes an effective website or how to really use it in their business, so I wanted to make sure my clients were treated differently.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve always approached social media as a place to educate my audience, and also sharing a bit of my personality. Some business owners make the mistake of treating their social media as only a place to promote their services or products, or really only sharing thought leadership content. While all of these types of content can exist on social media, I think it’s most beneficial if you’re educating your audience and really demonstrating your expertise.

Besides creating content that others find beneficial, cross-promoting has also been helpful in growing my audience. I have all my social media profiles linked on my website, but I’ll mention my Instagram in a YouTube video, or my YouTube videos on Facebook, etc.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Content marketing and really perfecting my client experience have both really helped me grow my business, get clients, and get referrals. As I mentioned previously, I really focus on creating educational content on social media, but that also applies to my podcast and YouTube channel. Getting a new website can be a large investment, so building that trust with my audience has been key.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jesscreatives.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jesscreatives
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCis0sjz5ma8PQoztJm4Wmg

Image Credits
Amy-Cole Photography