How To Find High-Paying Clients and Avoid Burnout

November 11, 2021

It’s possible to work less and make more (money, that is). It’s also possible to set solid boundaries so you can have a sustainable, balanced business.

But how? Let’s talk about boundaries that help you avoid burnout and get PAID.

What it means to work less and make more

There was a time in my business when I had 12 projects going at once. That was also the year I worked on 30+ individual projects in 12 short months. It was... overwhelming.

It didn’t take long for me to burn out.

Now, I know I can confidently take on no more than two clients at a time (at a couple thousand dollars each) and fully commit to them. That’s the beauty of high-paying clients… you don’t need as many to reach your income goals!

Another way to look at it: If you take on five clients at $500 each versus solely one at $2,500, you’re more available to give that one client the time and attention they deserve. Plus, you have more time to take vacations, hang out with your dogs or kids, or do whatever the fuck you want with your free time!

Ready to learn how to find these clients so you can prioritize your self-care and get paid the big bucks for it? Let's get into it.

5 ways to find high-paying clients

While these aren’t the only ways, I hope you can use them as a starting point.

1. Referrals

I took on my first mural for my partner’s company while I was still working full-time. I did it for free – which I don’t recommend unless it’s for a school or nonprofit – but this led to my first paying mural client: an $1,800 project that led to a $5,000 project that led to a $20,000 project.

Focus on working with the clients you want and understand that word-of-mouth is powerful. Knock it out of the park and they’ll connect you with even more clients!

2. Outreach

If you want to go a more direct route, you can reach out to clients you want to work with and share how you can help them.

High-paying clients aren’t always larger companies! Local businesses in your area can also pay you a shit ton of money.

Think about the industry itself… one single restaurant in your area might not be able to afford you, but a chain or franchise could turn into a well-paying, repeat client. Do your research before you reach out to limit the chance that they don’t have the budget you were hoping for.

My past client wrote a blog about how to do this strategically, so I highly recommend checking it out if this is an avenue you want to explore. It’s helpful for both muralists and all creative business owners.

3. Focus on visibility

Another great way to find clients who pay you well? Share more of the work you want to be hired to do. If you dream of painting murals for local shops, create mural mockups and post them on Instagram. The more examples you have of the type of project you want to do, the more you can get paid for it because it's what you’re known for.

I often design murals and mock them up on photos I find from sites like Unsplash or take on my phone!

4. Ask your peers

No need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to finding clients who pay you the big bucks.

Connect with others in your industry or peers in your local community so you can share or pass along projects that aren't a good fit for you. I also encourage you to bring up money and pricing with your fellow business badasses. The conversations may surprise you!

5. Review your revenue

I do this each quarter to reflect on what’s working and what’s not. I see what industries or services made me the most money and double-down on projects I really enjoyed.

If you do this and find that working with high-paying clients is a pain in your ass or they’re not prioritizing you, that’s okay! Here’s why…

Not every project is going to be easy and fun, and sometimes a big chunk of change from a client isn’t the main goal. Instead, think about how fewer, better-paying clients give you more time and space to take on impactful (i.e. lower-paying or free) projects for schools, nonprofits, or neighbors in your community.

The benefits of high-paying clients

It takes time and experience to find high-paying clients, but the benefits are endless when you do.

• They’re more invested in the end result

• They don’t question the investment as much because they know it will lead to a positive return for their business

• They’re more willing to respect boundaries like signing a contract, paying a deposit, or giving timely feedback

Fewer, better-paying clients means you can take more time off work, ditch burnout, and run a sustainable, balanced business.

You deserve to get paid. As entrepreneurs, we have the same bills, expenses, and costs as any other business. Just because you work for yourself doesn’t mean you have to charge less OR that your work is less valuable. The more confident you are with your pricing, the more you’ll hear, “Hell yes, let’s do this!”

Ready to stop taking on 30+ clients a year and transition to a more sustainable business model that doesn’t lead you straight to burnout? Book a HFP VIP Day with me and let’s talk about how you can get fucking PAID while working LESS!

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