How To Actually Make Money With Blender In 2024
Summary
TLDRThis video script outlines a five-step framework for success in freelance 3D work, based on the creator's extensive experience. It emphasizes the importance of specialization, building an online presence, crafting a strong portfolio, skill stacking, and finding clients through value-based methods rather than low-value marketplaces. The script also touches on the value of networking and testimonials in establishing authority and boosting one's freelance career.
Takeaways
- 😀 Making money with 3D is challenging and often lacks clear guidance, but a five-step framework can help streamline the process.
- 🔍 The first step is to specialize and find a niche within the 3D industry to stand out and become an expert.
- 🏹 Use the 'Dig method' to explore and determine what you're good at, interested in, and passionate about to find your niche.
- 🔬 Investigate the market to ensure your chosen niche has demand and potential for success.
- 🛠 Build an online presence and create a portfolio showcasing your best work to attract clients.
- 📈 Establish a brand image by selecting your best pieces and creating flagship projects that demonstrate your skills.
- 🎓 Skill stacking is crucial for advancing in the freelance world; diversify your abilities to offer comprehensive solutions.
- 🤝 Finding clients involves networking and providing value upfront, similar to curing a zombie villager in Minecraft to establish trust.
- 💰 The 'Value method' involves finding potential clients, offering them something of value, and then trading (working) with them once trust is established.
- 📊 After delivering value, ask for work, referrals, or testimonials to grow your business and reputation.
- 🚫 Be aware of the pitfalls of low-value marketplaces like Fiverr that can lead to a race to the bottom in terms of pricing and quality.
Q & A
What is the main challenge discussed in the video script regarding making money with 3D?
-The main challenge is that it's one of the hardest things to do, as it's difficult and not widely discussed. Getting the right steps can lead to becoming an expert and earning a great living.
What is the Smith framework mentioned in the script?
-The Smith framework is a five-step guide that the speaker has developed based on their experience to help people succeed in freelance 3D work, especially for those starting from scratch.
Why is specializing important when starting out in freelance 3D work?
-Specializing is important because it helps to become a meaningful specific expert rather than a wandering generality, which can make the difference between earning a small and a significant income.
What method does the speaker suggest to find a niche in 3D work?
-The speaker suggests using the 'Dig method' which involves determining what you're good at, interested in, and passionate about, followed by investigating the market to find proof that your niche works.
How does the speaker relate the process of finding a niche to playing Minecraft?
-The speaker compares finding a niche to finding the perfect biome to build a base in Minecraft, emphasizing the importance of exploring and choosing the right starting point.
What is the purpose of building an online presence and creating projects?
-Building an online presence and creating projects helps to establish credibility, showcase skills, and attract clients and audiences in the freelance 3D work.
What are the three steps to making a killer portfolio according to the script?
-The three steps are: 1) Select the best pieces for the portfolio, 2) Build at least two flagship projects that showcase your skills, and 3) Showcase your work through a simple and enjoyable viewing experience, like a website.
What is the concept of skill stacking as discussed in the script?
-Skill stacking is the idea of acquiring multiple skills that complement each other, making a freelancer more versatile and valuable, and allowing them to offer comprehensive solutions to clients.
Why is the 'Value method' for finding clients considered more effective than marketplace approaches?
-The 'Value method' is more effective because it involves offering value upfront to potential clients, which can lead to stronger relationships and higher-quality work, unlike marketplace approaches that often lead to a race to the bottom.
What are the three things the speaker suggests asking for after delivering value to a client?
-The three things to ask for are: 1) Work, to identify and pitch new problems the client might have, 2) Networking, to ask for referrals if the client cannot hire you, and 3) Testimonials, to solidify your authority in the industry.
What is the final advice given by the speaker regarding client relationships in the script?
-The final advice is to ensure that you deliver real value to clients, as this will make it easier to ask for work, referrals, or testimonials, and ultimately help to skyrocket your career.
Outlines
🚀 Mastering Freelance 3D: The Five-Step Framework
The speaker introduces a five-step framework for succeeding in freelance 3D work, drawing on over eight years of experience. The framework is designed to guide beginners through the overwhelming start of a freelance career. The first step is to specialize and find a niche in 3D, akin to finding a biome in Minecraft to build a base. The speaker suggests using the 'Dig method' to explore one's skills, interests, and passions to pinpoint a niche. The importance of research to validate the chosen niche is emphasized, followed by the need to establish an online presence with a consistent project output to showcase expertise.
🛠 Building a Portfolio: From Day One to Day 100
The second paragraph focuses on establishing a strong portfolio to attract clients. The process involves selecting the best pieces of work, creating flagship projects that outshine previous efforts, and showcasing them effectively online. The speaker compares this stage to decorating and upgrading a Minecraft base, transforming it from a basic structure to an impressive display of skills and resources. The goal is to make the portfolio so compelling that it convinces potential clients to hire the freelancer for their expertise.
🎓 Skill Stacking: The Key to Versatility and Higher Earnings
In the third paragraph, the concept of skill stacking is introduced as a strategy for freelancers to increase their value and command higher rates. The speaker explains that having multiple skills allows a freelancer to offer a comprehensive package of services, making them more attractive to clients. The video recommends using platforms like Skillshare to learn new skills and build a versatile skill set. Derek Elliott's advanced 3D animation class on Skillshare is highlighted as a valuable resource for enhancing one's portfolio and skill set.
🤝 Finding Clients: The Zombie Villager Analogy
The fourth paragraph delves into the challenging task of finding clients, using a Minecraft analogy of trading with villagers to illustrate the process. The speaker criticizes platforms like Fiverr for their low-value work and suggests a value-based approach instead. This involves identifying potential clients, offering them value upfront, and then trading or collaborating once trust is established. The 'Value method' is presented as a three-step process: find potential clients, give them something of value, and then trade or collaborate once they recognize the freelancer's capabilities.
📈 Scaling Up: Referrals, Testimonials, and Pricing Strategies
The final paragraph addresses the challenges of scaling a freelance business. It suggests leveraging satisfied clients for referrals and testimonials to expand reach and establish authority in the industry. The speaker emphasizes the importance of asking for referrals and reviews, which can significantly boost a freelancer's credibility. Additionally, a teaser is given for another video that will address common mistakes in pricing freelance work, suggesting that proper pricing strategies are crucial for long-term success.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Freelance
💡3D
💡Specialize
💡Niche
💡Portfolio
💡Skill Stacking
💡Value Method
💡Referrals
💡Testimonials
💡Minecraft
💡Skillshare
Highlights
Making money with 3D is challenging, but getting five key things right can lead to freelance success.
A five-step framework, called the Smith framework, is presented as a blueprint for starting freelance work from scratch.
Specialization is crucial for freelancers; finding a niche can significantly impact earning potential.
The 'Dig method' is introduced to help identify a niche by reflecting on skills, interests, and passions.
Research is essential to validate the viability of a chosen niche in the market.
Establishing a presence online with a consistent project output is key for building a reputation.
Creating a portfolio involves selecting the best work and showcasing it effectively to attract clients.
Skill stacking is a powerful concept that can increase a freelancer's value and earning potential.
Freelancers can benefit from taking online courses to expand their skill sets and improve their offerings.
Finding clients involves a strategic approach, comparing the process to trading with villagers in Minecraft.
The 'Value method' for client acquisition involves offering value upfront to secure a working relationship.
Networking and asking for referrals is an effective way to expand a client base.
Testimonials from satisfied clients can significantly boost a freelancer's credibility and attract more work.
A cautionary note on pricing work appropriately to avoid undervaluing services.
The importance of persistence and scaling outreach efforts to increase the chances of client conversion.
Skillshare is recommended as a resource for learning new skills and enhancing the freelancer's toolkit.
A special offer for Skillshare is mentioned, providing a one-month free trial for new users.
Transcripts
making money with 3D is one of the
hardest things to do it's difficult and
no one really talks about it but if you
can get these five things right you'll
become an expert with freelance earn a
great living and be able to do what you
want when you want so in this video I'm
going to take my eight plus years of
experience and condense that down to a
five-step framework something I would
use if I was starting completely from
scratch with freelance today
this is the blueprint to starting off
right if you have no experience with
freelance and having a concise game plan
like this would have saved me loads of
time in the beginning so let's break
this down one at a time
if you're just starting with freelance
it can feel extremely overwhelming
there's a million and one things to
learn with no specific place to learn
from kind of like your first day in
Minecraft
hear me out when I started with
Minecraft it looked like this
there was no Playbook on what to do
where to go or how to do it I'm not
kidding you put this into Google nothing
there it was basically like a
free-for-all Sandbox and you were kind
of just happy to be there
with freelance it's pretty much the same
if I'm starting from scratch I don't
know what to do there's no clear pathway
to success and finding a proper Guide
online is like a needle in a haystack
that's why I've built out the Smith
framework each level represents a
crucial step in the freelance journey
and the very first level is potentially
the most important because getting this
right could be the difference between
earning 10 bucks and 10 000 bucks so
what is it
[Music]
the first level is specialize starting
out we don't want to be a Wandering
generality we want to be a meaningful
specific for example when you watch
videos from your favorite creators on
YouTube you kinda already know what
you're in for there's a specific ethos
for the channel and the content topic is
mostly the same
mostly now we want to do this for
ourselves with 3D or in other words find
a niche and I know you're saying Smith
this is great but how do I do that well
it's actually really easy and bringing
this back to Minecraft for a second the
first thing you usually do in a new
world is find the perfect biome to build
your base unless you're a psychopath
going for the world record any percent
so in order to find the niche we first
need to explore and I like to use the
Dig method Step One is determine and all
you want to do is reflect on three
things what are you good at interested
in and passionate about
I'll go first I'm good at animation I'm
interested in products and I'm
passionate about energy drinks
yeah I
I have a serious step two investigate
this is all about research and finding
proof that your Niche actually works if
your whole thing is I make 3D tacos for
traditional Mexican food trucks serving
locally in Brisbane CBD
might be a bit too specific instead you
could try something like I make hyper
real food printers for established
brands
now we're cooking step three go you've
done the research your Niche has a solid
place in the market now you're ready to
get this thing going and since this
video is what I would do product
rendering or product animation would be
my Niche the pay is amazing it's easy to
learn and there's loads of clients
looking for these services so finding an
aspect of 3D and slowly dominating it
will make you a force to be record with
but this means nothing if you don't have
anything to show for it so how do we fix
that
[Music]
becoming a master of a niche is not
something that's going to happen
overnight let alone your lifetime so
this is the stage to get your reps in
and build an online presence now the
easiest way to do this is to just set a
goal and stick to it for example if this
was me I'd be keeping myself to one
project per week per month that sets a
simple Cadence for me to follow it's
more than enough time to get something
decent done and within three months
that's already 12 great projects to put
online
again back to Minecraft
this is like building out your base the
house may be done but now we need to
expand our surroundings I'm talking
entry-level mob Farms beacons and of
course
jail cells I mean trading holes for your
villages
in all seriousness I know everyone has
insecurities about doing this it's
natural but breaking this insecurity
will not only 10 extra quality of work
it'll also build your audience and
attracts clients don't worry we'll get
to that honestly if you're really
struggling to do this and are afraid of
what other people might think I can
guarantee you No One's Gonna judge your
work more than yourself
and hey if it really helps just like
yourself in the comments below I read
every comment
every
comment
[Music]
level three establish this is where we
need to hone our work down to the best
pieces we have and start building our
brand image you can think of this as
decorating your base in Minecraft we
want to take this from a day one build
to a day 100 build
essentially sprucing up the place adding
our best resources to the builds and
making it look good
really good this is also known as your
portfolio now remember at this stage
we've got a decent catalog of work but
it doesn't scream hire me
so to get there we need to do a few
things and really there's only three
steps to making a killer portfolio Step
One is Select we want to choose three to
five of our best pieces and set them
aside for our portfolio
that's it
step two build now I'd want to create at
least two Flagship projects something
that blows my previous work out of the
water and shows my skill set to the best
degree possible for the timeline on this
I'd give myself two months
these are going to front run my
portfolio and be the first thing a
client sees so there's no room for
shortcuts step three showcase I've got
my amazing work but now I need to show
it honestly there's no right or wrong
way to do this I'd recommend just making
a simple website with Squarespace or
even something like B hands you don't
need to overthink this part the main
goal here is to just create a concise
and enjoyable viewing experience if I
set my potential client something like
this
you already know they're going to close
that tab block me and get a restraining
order whereas if I send them something
like this
now there's still two bar levels to the
spief framework and pulling this next
one off right is the key to getting
bigger and better clients seriously I
wish someone told me about this concept
sooner so what is it
[Music]
alright level four Advance at this stage
we've got the absolute Basics done life
is good but it can be better
now I'd want to start leveling up and
getting better more sophisticated armor
sets in Minecraft
look I I have an addicted my base looks
sick but my character I don't want to
settle for wooden tools and leather
armor I want that netherride set but to
get there you have to grind like really
grind
don't even get me started on beacons
wait
that's what the point I'm trying to make
here is level four is all about
upgrading your character or in this case
you this is the concept of skill
stacking I love talking about this
because it's like a cheat code that
anyone can apply and once you understand
how it works it's a game changer let me
give you an example two Freelancers are
going after the same job it's a tech
startup looking to visualize their
product freelancer one has a singular
skill stack they're amazing at 3D
modeling
that's it
whereas freelancer 2 they can do
modeling texturing animation coding
she wouldn't get at you not only can
this guy do the job but he can also
solve all these other problems in a
comprehensive package which by the way
lets you charge more having this kind of
Versatility in your tool belt is
invaluable it's like having a fully
Enchanted armor set and the other guy
has featherfully and hey if you're stuck
with how to start this whole skill stack
thing Derek Elliott who's an industry
Pro just released a bunch of classes on
skillshare who's also sponsoring this
video you probably know skillshare for
their classes in photography and cooking
but I bet you didn't know they have
hundreds of career Focus classes as well
and at the theme of skill stacking this
is amazing there's classes on
freelancing graphic design but most
importantly blender I highly recommend
any of Derek's classes but if I had to
choose it'd be the advanced 3D animation
this is honestly incredible it takes you
through every everything you need to
know and by the end of it you'll have a
killer piece for your football here I've
used skillshare for years and it's truly
a fantastic way to build your skills
deck if you want to try it out well
skillshare has hooked me up with an
amazing offer for you the first 1000
people choose the link below will get a
one month free trial of skillshare using
that link seriously helps support the
channel and it lets me do this whole
YouTube thing for free for you click
that link and thank you so much to
skillshare for sponsoring this video
level five
finding clients is one of those magical
Mysteries that apparently everyone in
their dog wants to know about seriously
you guys
you got problems so there's a few ways
to do this and I've had success with all
of these approaches but I want to focus
on one method which is broken and it all
starts with villages
I promise this will make sense will you
trade with a villager your goal is to
get emeralds this is their currency and
it lets you buy stuff some trades are
better than others but ultimately
nothing here is amazing
even if you find a trade that seems good
it quickly falls apart and you're back
to square one these types of Trades are
similar to another Marketplace I know
which I think we've all tried at least
once
Fiverr the way these marketplaces are
set up kind of put you in a lose-lose
position it's generally low value work
from low value clients now at the end of
the day there's thousands of people on
here betting against you so it's quite
literally a race to the bottom
are you seeing the similarities yet
so if this is the problem
what's the solution
villages
specifically zombie villages
please hear me when you find these guys
in the wild they're on the attack
they don't know you and you don't know
them but with a bit of love golden
apples and excruciating pain
they become your friend the moment they
switch into a working role the trades
are insane
do you see what I'm getting out here the
zombie villager is your client and
curing them is the solution this is what
I call the Value method it takes three
steps here's how you do it step one find
all we're doing here is finding people
to contact and luckily if you followed
level 1 you should already know where to
look so this part will be easy step two
give once you find your client we want
to give him stuff I'm talking potions
and golden apples for example this
company sells dog bowls it's a pretty
simple design and it's right up my alley
so now I'd want to give and this is just
offering to do something for them kind
of like a zombie villager so go to their
profile find something relevant and use
that to make a custom message do not
skip this step if you burst into their
DMS saying I bake 3D give me money
you're gonna go nowhere quick instead
you could use a framework like this
introduce question offer proof it
doesn't have to be complicated and this
is something you'll get better at over
time now if you're doing this with like
three brands and saying smeeve this
doesn't work
the key here is to just do this at scale
I'm talking like 100 to 1000
per month now listen I know that sounds
insane but realistically you're only
going to convert one percent of these
people which at the bare minimum means
one high quality client this is
literally all you need to get started
and it sets you up perfectly for step
three trade once they've said yes to the
offer the hard work is done
all you need to do now is over deliver
and give them the golden apple as soon
as they take that from you we now have
an st villager to trade with or in this
case a client since you've already given
a ton of value they know that you can
deliver and it makes asking for these
next three things so simple number one
is work
straight up this is the time to ask them
for work whether they know it or not
we've just solved one problem in their
business but now they're gonna see a
bunch of new problems crop up for
example maybe they need some product
animation for vertical ads or maybe
their website has terrible stock images
whatever it is you can identify the
problem and Pitch the solution we've
already got a foot in the door so an ask
like this is pretty easy to say yes to
but smeef what if they say no well this
is where we pivot to networking I'm
talking about referrals maybe they don't
have a budget for your service right now
but odds are they know someone who does
and to ask them you can send them a
simple message like hey thanks for
working with me do you know anyone else
needing my services if so would you mind
passing my info along thanks a bunch and
looking forward to working with you in
future this is the simplest and 5
fastest way to increase your reach to
high quality clients not only is it
frictionless for the client to do but
it's also one of the most common ways to
earn extra income with your business now
I know you're saying smeef what if they
say no to this as well don't worry
there's still one more thing we can ask
and this is potentially the most
important testimonials
when you look at big Brands online they
usually have a section where people can
leave reviews
in our case we want this specifically
for our portfolio to get that all you
need to do is ask for a simple review on
their experience it'll look something
like this the reason why this is so
powerful is because it solidifies you as
an authority in the space you have real
work from a real brand with a real
review each time you do this your proof
of work in the industry increases and
this will ultimately Skyrocket your
career but smeeve what if they say no
look if they're not willing to do any of
these things you probably gave them a
red apple instead of a golden apple and
at this stage I'd just kill them
in Minecraft
[Music]
now let me be clear
I'm not an expert or master that knows
everything but the Smee framework is
something I've found success with and
it's something I know for a fact that
you can too so all of this is great but
there's still one massive problem I see
a lot of beginners make when pricing
their work and to fix that you'll want
to watch this video right here
foreign
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