You Can't Make A Living From Your Talent (or Skills)

You Can't Make A Living From Your Talent (or Skills)

Author: Alvalyn Lundgren March 20, 2026 Duration: 12:04

As a freelance creative, do you focus more on your technical skills, on your creative talent, or problem-solving abilities to attract clients? How you position yourself determines the types of projects and clients you'll work with. Moreover, especially in this age of AI, talent and tools aren no longer enough to be able to make a living. A focus on tools and tech skills are making you obsolete. Speedy turn-around and low fees can't compete with free. You'll be easily replaced. What should you do? Shift gears and change your approach. Alvalyn shares the necessity of human-centered creative problem-solving and capitalizing on your humanity to solve business-related and life-related problems for your clients.


Alvalyn Lundgren guides the conversation on the Freelance Road Trip Podcast, a space built for independent creatives navigating the winding path of running their own practice. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical companion for designers, illustrators, and photographers who feel the constant push and pull between their artistic drive and the realities of invoices, clients, and sustainability. Each episode feels like a candid conversation from the passenger seat, tackling how to protect your creative energy while building a business that doesn't burn you out. You'll hear honest discussions about pricing your worth, finding clients who respect your vision, and setting boundaries that allow both your work and your well-being to thrive. The whole point of this podcast is to merge that innate creativity with actionable strategy, moving beyond just getting by to building something genuinely fulfilling. Tune in for a blend of mindset shifts and concrete steps that help you steer your freelance journey with more confidence and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Freelance Road Trip Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Pricing Your Creative Services [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:09
Pricing creative services is one of the most common conundrums freelancers experience. In this episode I share 5 popular approaches to setting your fees: by the hour, by the project, retainer, package, and value. Take th…
Are Creativity and Business Really Compatible? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:58
When creatives put business first, they alleviate myriad problems typically experienced by freelancers. In this episode I share some of my story, what I learned, and how the way you think about your work and purpose dire…
You Can't Enforce Boundaries You Haven't Set [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:47
In this Q&A session, I respond to 4 freelancing conundrums about communicating with clients, enforcing business policies, working on site, and steps to launch a freelance business. I also share how what's "under the hood…
3 Questions To Ask In Your Marketing Reset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:14
How will clients find you? If you want to work with a certain type of client, you'll need to define who they are and why you matter to them. You need a marketing plan, and an effective marketing hub that communicates Wha…
Let's Talk About Money [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:14
So many of us are afraid to talk about money with clients. We're fearful of the reaction we'll get when we state our price for a job. We're fearful the client will get upset, object, and even walk away. Talking money bec…
Why Freelancers Need To Go Bold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:25
The lie says, "If you build it, they'll show up." The truth is, nothing's going to happen if you build it and let it sit there. No one's looking for you. How do get seen if no one's looking for you? Get yourself in gear…
You're Never Really Out Of Ideas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:57
Got creative block? Have you run out of ideas? Where do ideas come from, anyway? How do creativepreneurs and freelancers create on demand? In this episode I share how curiosity, collection and curation inspire creative s…
Are You Your Client's Cheapest Option? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:40
Different people don't value the same things in the same way. One client may understand the value of your work to their increase and prosperity. Another may simply be looking for the cheapest option. Do you want to win t…
Is It Demeaning To Call Yourself A Freelancer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:21
Is freelancing one step away from unemployment? Can you succeed in freelancing with an employee mindset? Do freelancers have as much right to work as employees? Becoming an owner of your freelance business is how to over…

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