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The Foundations of Human-First Growth

Outcome:

By the end of this free course, you’ll see how curiosity, trust-building, and strategic thinking can replace pushy “sales” tactics—leading to stronger client relationships and more sustainable growth. You’ll be ready to tackle advanced methods (like our upcoming 3×3 Growth Loop) with a human-first lens.

Course Format

  • Short Video Lessons (2–5 minutes) with optional deeper reflections
  • Downloadable Worksheets to help you apply each concept immediately
  • Lifetime Access (Free Forever)—revisit or share with your team anytime
  • No Prerequisite—just bring an open mind to rethinking “growth” in a creative, people-first way

Why We Made This Free

For years, creative professionals have been told to “sell” themselves with methods that feel spammy or manipulative. The truth is, people do business with those they trust—and trust is built by real understanding, not scripted pitches. That’s why we’re making these fundamental lessons accessible to everyone, from small design shops to large production studios.

Who This Is For

  • Creative Studios & Agencies (animation, VFX, production…): Tired of “sales funnels” that clash with your creative culture? A relationship-centered approach fits your team-based projects and diverse client needs.
  • Freelancers & Creators (photographers, filmmakers…): Balance client work and personal branding by genuinely listening to what clients need, instead of “just selling yourself.”
  • Consultants & Coaches: Build trust and credibility without being pushy. Great if you want a steady pipeline of clients who truly value your expertise.
  • Small Business Owners: Whether brick-and-mortar or online, a human-first approach makes customers feel seen—and more likely to return.

Module 1: Understanding Human Behavior

1) The Best Sales People Hide in Plain Sight: Real “sales geniuses” often solve pain points quietly

  • (Optional Exercise) Reflect on a purchase you made because you felt understood, not “sold to.”

2) Creating Behavior Change: Learn simple psychology behind going from “meh” to “yes.”

  • (Optional Exercise) Draft a “before and after” story for your service.

3) WIIFM + Croc Brain: 80/20 (Pareto principle) means 80% of results from 20% of effort. Also, “What’s In It For Me?” meets the primal “croc brain” that jumps at visceral benefits.

  • (Optional Activity) List 3 emotional benefits your creative service provides.

4) We Trick Ourselves: Cognitive biases affect offers—and your own decisions.

  • (Optional Exercise) Journal about a recent project influenced by bias.

5) Mirroring & Tribes: Similarity and group identity drive buying decisions.

  • (Optional Activity) Evaluate your “brand tribe”—who resonates with your style or mission?

6) Needs / Barriers / Triggers: The need (desire), barrier (fears), trigger (final push).

  • (Optional Activity) Use an “NBT” outline to map out biggest motivators vs. obstacles.

Outcome: You’ll spot how psychology shapes every interaction, so you can anticipate what truly drives people to engage or walk away.

Module 2: Core Concepts & Models

1) Learning a New Language: “Human-first” terms and narratives can shift your approach.

  • (Optional Activity) Rewrite a pitch email using empathy-driven language.

2) Story as Strategy: Show clients the journey, not just your service.

  • (Quick Task) Outline a mini hero’s journey for a typical client scenario.

3) Needs Not Niche: Solve problems rather than chase labels.

  • (Optional Activity) Brainstorm 3 universal needs your clients have.

4) Indirect vs Direct: When to be direct vs. show examples.

  • (Optional Exercise) Rewrite a direct pitch into something more subtle.

5) Jobs To Be Done: Clients “hire” you for specific tasks.

  • (Optional Activity) Identify 2–3 “jobs” your clients hire you to do (e.g., brand consistency).

6) Who, What, When?: Clarify roles, deliverables, timelines.

7) Growth Level Expectations: Scale realistically without losing quality.

8) 1 Client = 3 Clients: Decision-maker, influencer, end user.

9) Sticky Content: Create shareable, memorable pieces.

10) Finding Creative Market Fit: Where does your creativity intersect real demand?

11) The Three Pillar Framework: Insights, Strategy, Marketing & BD (the 3×3 Loop).

Outcome: You’ll gather an arsenal of frameworks for diagnosing client needs, refining your pitch, and shaping your value proposition.

Module 3: WTF Is… (A Mini Glossary)

1) WTF Is Business Intelligence?: Collecting data for smarter decisions.

2) WTF Is Strategy?: Deciding what not to do and how to shorten your odds of success.

3) WTF Is Business Development?: Building relationships and exploring new opportunities.

4) WTF Is a Campaign?: A coordinated set of touchpoints for a specific goal.

5) WTF Is a Persona?: A fictional but research-based “ideal client” profile.

6) WTF Is Permission Marketing?: People grant you the right to market to them because they trust you.

Outcome: You’ll demystify common jargon so you can collaborate more effectively without getting lost in buzzwords.

Ready to Start?

Sign up free and dive into short video lessons, optional exercises, and hands-on worksheets. Once you’ve explored these foundations, you’ll be primed for more advanced growth—like our 3×3 Growth Loop, where we’ll show you exactly how to execute your newly formed human-first strategy over three months.

FAQs

  • Is it really free?
    Yes! These fundamental, people-focused concepts are available at no cost—no hidden fees.
  • How long will it take me to finish?
    Most lessons are 2–5 minutes, plus optional worksheets.
  • Any special tools required?
    Just a standard browser for videos and a google account to access the playbooks.
  • What if I want to share this with my team?
    Perfect! Each team member can sign up to align on these human-first principles.