Todayβs co-host is Sarah Masci. Sarah is a designer, entrepreneur, and the founder of Bracken House Branding Co.
Sarah has been in the online business game for 15 years now, and sheβs the epitome of building a business around the life she wants.
In the beginning, she experimented with lots of different channels and products, including Etsy and blogging. Since she was DIYing everythingβfrom her website to her adsβothers began asking her for help with branding and design. She dabbled in client work as a side hustle for a few years before deciding to go all in.
Sarah currently uses a day-rate billing model, and building her reputation with clients early was important when she decided to make that change.
Knowing her work was solid, clients were excited by the billing model. And itβs worked out well. Sarah has been doing day rates for two years now and is still going strong.
Sarah has also expanded into creating courses and products that help other designers figure out how to use day rates themselves.
In todayβs episode, we talk about the benefits of a day rate model and how it can reduce stress, how to make the transition yourself, and how Sarah started creating courses on the subject as well.
[Tweet "'Get clear on just a few things that you are really good atβsomething that youβre consistently asked to do and something that gets you out of bed on a Monday morning ready to conquer your day.' ~ @Sarah_Masci"]
Main Takeaways
- The first thing to do before you start offering day rates is knowing what you're going to offer. Don't offer too many things. Instead, offer the things you're really good atβsomething you can do consistently, and something that excites you.
- Testing day rates can be as easy as messaging your client base and asking if it works for them. If you have the reputation, it won't be hard for them to get on board with what you're doing.
- To make sure the work is doable within a day, have clients fill out some sort of questionnaire. Make sure to set expectations for communication throughout the day.
Links and Important Mentions
- Bracken House Branding
- Mood Board Challenge
- StoryBrand
- Val Geisler
- Live in the Feast S03 E08 - Val Geisler
- Sarahβs Design + Branding Courses
- Sarah on Instagram
- Sarah on Twitter
Stay in Touch
Season 8: Building Your Business
More episodes in this season:

S08 E01 - Socializing for Introverts and Organizing Events with Emily Leach

S08 E02 - Experimenting, Getting Unstuck, and Why You Should Build a Team (Even If You Donβt Want To) with Matt Giovanisci

S08 E03 - Day Rates, Attracting the Right Clients, and Building a Business Around Your Life with Sarah Masci

S08 E04 - Confidence, Solving Problems, and Playing the Long Game with Mark Asquith

S08 E05 - Affiliate Marketing and Humanizing Relationships with Miles Beckler

S08 E06 - Trusting Your Instincts and Launching Products with Ken Westgaard

S08 E07 - Streamlining Your Business and Trusting the Journey with Erin Flynn

S08 E08 - Teaching Online and Embracing Opportunities with Reuven M. Lerner

S08 E09 - Bringing Service-Based Businesses Online and Dealing With Change with Gina Horkey

S08 E10 β Putting in the Work and Communicating Your Value with Kim Doyal

S08 E11 β SEO, Content Marketing, and Skyscraper Strategies with Alex Panagis