Mastering the BUSINESS of Motion Design with Hayley Akins

Joey sits down with Hayley Akins, the founder of Motion Hatch, to uncover smart strategies for building a motion design business.

If you’re a motion designer or animator struggling with the business side of things—like finding clients, pricing your work, or just keeping your head above water—this episode is a must-listen.

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Get the FREE Freelance Funnel Framework from Motion Hatch.

‍Download HERE ➔

Here’s a quick rundown of the topics covered, but we suggest you give the full episode a listen.....lots of juicy tips in this one:

🛑 Stop Relying on Referrals

Think referrals are enough? Hayley says it’s time to pivot. Start actively marketing yourself with productized services—like offering motion brand guidelines—that are easy for clients to understand...and buy. Consistency is key, and productized services make it easier to pitch and deliver.

🔨 Nail Your Niche

Hayley breaks down why niching down isn’t just a buzzword. By zeroing in on a specific industry or client type, you can streamline your process, tailor your messaging, and attract the right kind of business. The more specialized you are, the more valuable you become.

💬 Revamp Your LinkedIn Game

Posting on LinkedIn and getting no traction? Hayley’s got you. Use the “4 A’s” framework—Awareness, Attraction, Action, and Advocacy—to make your posts resonate with potential clients, not just your industry peers. It’s about targeting the right eyeballs with the right message.

💰 Know Your Base Rate

Worried about fluctuating rates? Hayley suggests you figure out your base rate—the minimum you need to make each month—and build from there. This way, you’re not just taking on projects to stay afloat; you’re strategically choosing work that adds real value to your business.

♟️ Get Strategic with Social Media

Batch your social media content creation so you’re not scrambling to post every day. Hayley recommends creating drafts when you’re inspired, then scheduling them out. This way, you’re consistent without feeling overwhelmed, and you can focus on engaging with your audience instead of just pushing content.

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Tune in to the full episode above for more strategies that can seriously up your success as a professional designer.

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Connect with Hayley & Motion Hatch

Hayley on LinkedIn

MotionHatch.com

Motion Hatch on YouTube

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