VIVAsales

Overcoming Doubt to Build a Thriving Business

Hey, I'm Viva - a freelance graphic designer.
Get my 10-part series following my journey from struggling to sell my work to landing high-paying clients!

✅ Episode 1 - How I stopped fearing sales
✅ Episode 3 - The pricing mistake I made
✅ Episode 6 - How I handled "Can you do it cheaper?" like a pro
✅ Episode 10 - What I wish I knew before I went freelance

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"VIVAsales opened my eyes to how AI can help automate my sales without losing the personal touch. I now spend more time creating and less time chasing leads!"
— Samantha, Freelance Illustrator

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'I always struggled with pricing my work, but thanks to VIVAsales, I finally charge what I’m worth—and customers are paying it!"
— Brian, Jewellery Designer

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'No fluff, no spam — just real, actionable sales advice. Every email has at least one tip I can apply immediately.' - Chris, Music Producer

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From Doubt to a Thriving Business

• Episode 1

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Episode 1 - The Fear

I used to think all I had to do was be good. Put in the work, make fire designs, and the clients would come knocking.Yeah… nah.I was sitting there, waiting, checking my emails like they owed me money. But the only thing piling up was bills. That’s when I had to get real with myself - If I wanted to eat off my art, I had to stop hiding and start selling.
Now, I'm gonna keep it real —I hated the idea of selling. Felt too pushy. Too “pick me.” But then I flipped the script - I wasn’t begging—I was bringing something valuable to the table. And if people didn’t see it? That was on them, not me.See that's how I got over the fear; I stopped seeing selling as begging. I ain't asking for favours. I’m solving problems.I got comfortable talking about my work. The first few convos? A little rough. But I kept at it. I made peace with “no.” A “no” today ain’t a “no” forever. Next!Listen, if you’re scared to put yourself out there, I feel you. But closed mouths don’t get fed.Step up. Speak up. Get paid.Wanna hear about my biggest pricing mistake, so you can avoid it?

• Episode 2

Episode 2 - Working Pennies

Let me tell you about the time I worked 20 hours on a project… and got paid less than minimum wage!I was just starting out, and a client asked, “So how much do you charge?” Panic froze me. I didn’t wanna scare them off. So I blurted out a number that felt safe.Big, big, mistake!By the time I finished, I did the math and almost cried. I had basically worked for free. That’s when I learned a lesson. Prices set the tone for how people treat you.So I changed.1. I stopped pulling numbers out of thin air. I calculated my rates based on the time, skill, and VALUE I bring.2. I learned to say my price with confidence. If I sound unsure, they’ll think it’s negotiable.3. I stopped taking low-budget clients. If someone says, “That’s too expensive,” they’re not my people.Walk on by!Look, undercharging ain’t the move. Respect your work, respect your time, and make sure your prices do too.In the next episode, learn about the time I let a client run all over me and what I did about it.

• Episode 3

Episode 3 - A Client Stole My Life

This one still makes my eye twitch.I had a client who wanted everything. Constant revisions. Late-night emails. Voice notes at 2 AM.
And me? I just kept saying, Sure! No problem!BIG mistake.By the time the project ended, I was drained. I realised I had let them take over because I was scared of pushing back.That’s when I learned, you train people on how to treat you.So I had to make some changes.
I set clear boundaries upfront. How many revisions? What’s my working hours? It’s all in my contract now.I stopped answering after hours. Just because they emailed at midnight doesn’t mean I had to respond.
I charged for extra work. Wanna add something last-minute? Cool. That’s an extra fee.Your time is valuable. If you let clients take advantage, they will and keep taking. Stand tall and be firm.In the next episode, hear about the awkward conversation that changed how I handle late payments.

• Episode 4

Episode 4 - I Don't Chase!

Y’all. Why do some clients act like they 'forgot' you need to be paid?I used to be scared to bring up money. I’d send an invoice and just hope they’d pay on time. Spoiler: They didn’t.I had to chase people down like a bill collector. It was exhausting.
Now? I don’t play about my coin.1. I get deposits upfront. No deposit, no work. Period.2. I set payment deadlines in my contract. If it ain’t in writing, it don’t count.3. I charge late fees. If my landlord won’t let me slide, neither will my clients.Freelancing is a business. And businesses don’t work for free.Check out episode 5 to discover the first time I fired a client.

• Episode 5

Episode 5 - I Fired A Client

You ever work with someone who makes you wanna throw your laptop?I had a client who was never happy. Always changing things, always complaining, but never paying more.One bright, sunny day, I realized, this ain’t worth my sanity. So I did something scary. I told them, “We’re not the right fit.”Guess what? The world didn’t end.What I learned?1. Not every client is for you. Some money just ain’t worth the stress.2. You can end things professionally. A simple “I’m unable to continue this project” is enough.3. The right clients will respect you. The bad ones? Let them go.Sometimes, the best move is to walk away.Discover how I found my DREAM client in the next episode.

• Episode 6

Episode 6 - My Dream Client

After dealing with too many clients who wanted the world for $50, I had to ask myself - where all the GOOD clients at?Spoiler: They don’t just fall into your lap—you have to attract them.I used to say yes to anyone who showed interest. But here’s what I changed to find clients who respected my time, paid me my worth, and didn’t stress me out:1. I got clear on who I wanted to work with. Not “anyone who needs design.” I picked an industry I vibed with and spoke directly to them.2. I levelled up my portfolio. Not just a pile of random projects—examples that matched the work I wanted to do more of.3. I started showing up where my clients hang out. LinkedIn, IG, TikTok, niche Facebook groups. I wasn’t just lurking but engaging.And boom, the first dream client showed up. They paid my rate, trusted my expertise, and even sent referrals.In the next episode, check out how I handle the 'Can you do it cheaper?' question.

• Episode 7

Episode 7 - Can You Be Cheaper?

Whew, this one used to have me fumbling.A potential client hits me with the ol' “That’s a bit expensive. Can you do it for less?” Old me? I’d panic and lower my price. Just to “get the gig.”Nah. Not anymore.Now, when someone asks me to go lower, I say:1. “Sure. What part of the project would you like to remove?” You don’t get a full-course meal for a snack price.2. “My pricing reflects the value I bring.” I don’t sell cheap. I sell quality.3. Silence. Yep. Sometimes I just pause. And you’d be surprised how many people say, “Okay, let’s do it” because I don’t fold.If someone can’t afford me, that’s cool, but I can't and won't shortchange myself.Read up in the next episode about the mindset shift that helped me stop feeling like an impostor.

• Episode 8

Episode 8 - I'm Not An Impostor

Holla up! You ever hear that little voice that whispers, “ Girl, you even good enough to charge this?”For a long time, I felt like I was just winging it. Like any day now, someone would call me out as a fraud.Used to bug me out, till I realised - I wasn’t an impostor, I was just growing. And growth feels uncomfortable.Here’s how I shut doubt down:1. I kept track of my wins. Every client compliment, every successful project—I wrote them down. Proof that I am good at this.2. I stopped comparing myself to others. Someone else’s success doesn’t make me less talented.3. I acted like the expert I wanted to be. Confident pricing. Confident pitches. Even if I had to fake it at first.Now? I walk into rooms knowing I belong there. And if that voice ever creeps back? I remind myself that I didn’t come this far to play small, now give me my damn seat!Catch you in episode 9 as I share when I knew freelancing would be sustainable.

• Episode 9

Episode 9 - The Moment I Knew

Freelancing felt like a hustle—until it didn’t.At first, my income was all over the place. Some months? Great. Others? A struggle. I was tired of living invoice to invoice.Then I made three major shifts that changed everything:1. I stopped waiting for clients to find me. I started actively reaching out—networking, pitching, and marketing consistently.2. I set up retainer clients. Monthly contracts = steady income. #Gamechanger.3. I raised my prices. Turns out, charging more actually made people take me more seriously.One day, I realised I wasn’t stressing about money. I had projects lined up, savings in the bank, and a business that actually supported me.That’s when I knew, this ain’t a hustle anymore. It’s a career.Join me in my final episode of this ten-part journey as I share my biggest lessons.

• Episode 10

Episode 10 - What I Wish I Knew

Looking back, there are some things I wish I could tell past me.Here’s what I’d say:1. Charge what you’re worth from day one. You're worth more! Low prices don’t “get your foot in the door”; they just get you clients who don’t respect your work.2. Get everything in writing. Ain’t no “We’ll pay you later” around here. Contracts protect your time and your pockets.3. Marketing is just as important as the work itself. You can be the best designer in the world, but if no one knows about you? That ain’t gonna pay the bills.Freelancing isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. And now that you’re here, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.And if you wanna keep getting these real, no-fluff lessons, stick around. We’re just getting started. :)Still struggling to close more sales? Book a FREE 30-minute strategy call with me and leave with a clear action plan to boost your income.

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