233: How to Land Big Clients Through Personal Projects With Kiel D.M.
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The Power of Personal Projects
There’s a pattern I notice with the majority of my guests here…
Most of them chase an idea that piques their interests and build a personal project around it.
They don’t do it seeking clout, big clients, or fat stacks of cheddar.
They do it strictly for the love of pursuing something they’re interested in.
It just so happens that the nurturing of this project opens the door for massive opportunities.
That’s the story of today’s guest—Kiel (Keel) Mutschelknaus (Mut•chick•nouse)—a sorcerer of code, animation, motion graphics, and type.
He’s the wizard behind the Space Type Generator, a personal project that’s helped land him big-name clients like the New York Times, MIT Tech Review, Wall Street Journal, and Apple.
What fascinates me the most is that he has built this success all outside his teaching day job and being a family man to three little nuggets at home.
In today’s episode, we talk shop on:
Niching down for a season.
Chasing your curiosity through personal projects and play.
Not stressing about clients and money in the beginning.
Showing the work you want.
Pricing editorial work, Space Type Generator, and more.
My goal with this episode is to show how building personal projects around your strange and weird interests are the key to attracting big opportunities.
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Credits
Music - Blookah
Executive Assistant - Paige Garland
Photo & Video Specialist - Colton Bachar
Social Media Coordinator - Hannah Schick
Animation Specialist - Greg D'Amico