Day Rate Mastery by Sarah Masci

Work less & make more with the life-changing Day Rate business model!
You craved freedom…

So you said goodbye to the 9-5, and set out on your own.

You started your business, because in addition to chasing your passion, you wanted to be able to travel, spend time with your family, and pursue long overdue self care interests.

So you bootstrapped and hustled, and when the clients started rolling in, you thought, “Yes! The elusive dream is in sight!”

As the years have passed, you’ve served wonderful clients, and made lasting friendships with some of them, while others send you a steady stream of referrals and are always tagging you on social media.
But somehow, somewhere along the way, you lost the freedom you set out to find.

    You spend tons of hours on non-billable work. You dread posting on social media, answering complex emails, writing proposals, and getting on “connection” calls that don’t always turn into clients…
    Clients expect you to live by their deadlines, but they can’t meet yours. Late files means you can’t start on time. They give feedback when they get around to it. Projects just keep getting delayed…
    You overextend yourself. After talking on more clients to fill the gaps the delayed clients have created – suddenly the delayed client is ready, and you have no choice but to work double-time to keep everyone happy.
    Scope Creep is out of control. Revision after revision, email after email, week after week.  Your projects are never-ending…
    Your bank account suffers. When you finally DO finish a project, it takes weeks or months longer to actually get paid…

Maybe you’ve even found yourself daydreaming about going back to a real J.O.B. because then at least you could clock out at 5:00 every day and get paid consistently.
That was my exact story until three years ago.

Isn’t it ironic that we call ourselves freelancers, yet our business model actually leads us away from freedom?

 
Let me ask you – what would change for you if….

You only had to work 2 or 3 days per week and you knew exactly what days they would be, so you could plan months in advance, spend more time with your family, travel frequently and do more of what you love.

You didn’t have to waste hours on discovery calls, writing proposals and calculating how long an entire project will take only to be let down when the client comes back and says you’re too expensive.

You knew exactly how much money you were going to make each month and you could control whether or not to make more or less, depending on your life’s circumstances for the month.

You no longer had to deal with frustrating or demanding clients who started out fine, but then turned into the never-ending scope-creep client, leaving you both uninspired by the end of your time together.

You had a steady stream of DREAM clients raving about the work that you’ve done for them – so much so, that you no longer need to spend hours inside of Facebook Groups promoting your services.

You no longer worry about whether or not you were going to be able to pay the bills next month because you’re charging premium rates for your services and no longer chasing down late payments and invoices.
My guess is that this would be life-changing for you!

I’m here to tell you it’s TOTALLY possible, and it can happen sooner than you think!
YES, THIS IS WHAT I NEED!!
I began my entrepreneurial journey in 2005…

I spent most of those years chasing shiny objects and creating dead-end businesses, in pursuit of that magic pill that would give me time with my family, financial freedom, and a work-life balance that every new business owner dreams of.

Instead, I found myself working insane hours, constantly struggling to make ends meet.

The numbers just weren’t adding up….

Even though I had established myself as a good designer, had great clients, and had invested in the best coaches and programs, hoping for that magic pill, I still found myself working endless hours, feeling frustrated and overwhelmed from all the hustle, and yet barely able to make ends meet each month.

I was stuck in a vicious feast or famine cycle.

I knew all about “scaling” with products, and how to do it, but there was no way “I” could do that because I spent ALL my working hours on client work.

Scope creep, inconsistent timelines, and delayed payments had taken their toll on me, and I was burnt out.

One cold day back in February 2018,  a former client came to me with a unique request that nearly put me over the edge.

Not wanting to deal with another proposal and back and forth emails, I thought, ‘Why not test out the possibility of offering her a day rate to get it all done?’

She agreed to my day rate offer, and it was the most fun I’d had in a long time – I wanted to do more of these!

After testing with a few more clients, I announced this new service, and my audience went crazy for it!
I booked three day rate clients from that very first Facebook post, and went on to continue booking more each month!

News about my Book Me For a Day™ intensives quickly spread, and clients were coming to me.
I became consistently booked out, 4-6 weeks in advance.
Over time, I went from working 7 days a week, often 10+ hours per day to being able to choose exactly what days I wanted to work – FAR in advance, and far fewer than 7 days per week.
My income rose… From averaging $4-6K months, to steadily over $10K every single month.
I finally stopped stuffing my Mac into a giant suitcase every time my family wanted to go on vacation… I could finally go away and ENJOY our family vacations, and not think about work.
I finally stopped scouring Facebook Groups and Instagram all day, every day, replying to posts about branding and design, in search of my next client or project.

These days, I spend usually a few days per month doing Book Me For A Day™ client work, and the rest of my work hours are spent speaking on this topic, and supporting fellow creatives, via my course, Day Rate Mastery™ and my high-level coaching program, Momentum.

When I’m not working, I’m enjoying time with my husband, our four sons, our 2 dogs, Mabel and Maverick, and our new pandemic hobby – raising backyard chickens! I’m able to take tons of time off and travel as often as I want…

Thanks to the Day Rates business model, I finally have the freedom lifestyle I chased for so long…
So you might be wondering, what exactly is a day rate, and what type of client buys them?

Also known as VIP Days and One-Day Intensives, Day Rates are the practice of working with clients one day at a time, and charging a flat fee for the day – not the deliverables.

There are plenty of clients’ who desire a quick and efficient process that is as stress-free and drama-free as possible.

While this process isn’t for everyone, the fact that I’ve stayed consistently booked out for almost 3 years, with premium rates, tells me that there IS a market out there.

There’s a market for being GREAT + FAST, and it’s called Day Rates.

I think you have “nailed it” when it comes to web design. I felt involved in the process, while also confident to have an expert executing on the changes. It was so quick!  The day flew by, but I had fun watching the site come to life. You were very attentive to feedback and I didn’t feel nervous to make a suggestion or ask to fix something.

My favorite part was when my co-founder came into the office, and I clicked refresh on the site and he was excited about how awesome it looked. My other favorite part was at the very end, we made just a few final changes (which you turned around in seconds!) and it was like BAM it’s done!
Sarah Merkle

I loved knowing the cost upfront and I love knowing that I would have your full attention and when my projects would be done. The site is stunning and I am grateful I will have help over the next month with questions that come up!  Thank you for everything! You made this so easy and fun!
Amy Egizii

I think we got excellent results. I was really glad that we worked closely together to  pull together a new brand that really feels like me. I was a little surprised by how much back and forth there was, and how patient you were.   — I loved being so close to the process though!
Jana Osofsky

You are incredibly talented and I especially loved that at the end of it all I had a LIVE website.  It was the biggest relief ever and hands down THE BEST web design experience I have ever had… and sadly I’ve had several.
Renee Schreibman
Doing done for you design work does not need to be draining, soul-sucking or a recipe for burnout.

You CAN do what you love, and do it on YOUR terms!

Once I developed and mastered the Day Rate formula, I shifted my entire business model so the only way clients can hire me for my design services, is through my Book Me For a Day™ offer.

I’ve stayed consistently booked out for the past 2+ years, which validates that there’s a need for more people doing this sort of work!

I can honestly say that offering one-day intensive services is your one-way ticket to becoming a HAPPIER & more fulfilled (and financially free) creative business owner!

If you’re ready to….

Stop spending hours writing custom proposals, only to be told you’re too expensive…
Stop spending hours scouring social media, worrying about where your next client is going to come from…
Stop bringing your computer on vacation with you, just in case a client emergency comes up…
Stop spending your weekends working on client deadlines…
Put an end to all of those  “final_final_final_clientname.jpg” files…

Then you need to have Day Rates as part (or even better, ALL) of your business model!
I get that it feels overwhelming, and dare I say ‘daunting’ to figure out how plan and prepare for such a huge pivot in your business!

 The questions are neverending!

    How do you know what services to offer?
    How do you estimate how much you can get done in a day?
    How do you find the clients who will believe in you and trust your process?
    How does this fit in with your other services? Do you even still offer the other services?
    What tools do you use to make the process more effective and efficient?

    How do you ensure your client is satisfied and doesn’t waste the entire day with wishy-washy indecisiveness?
    How do you deal with difficult clients who fail to prepare or show up or give feedback when you need it?
    What proactive measures do you take to ensure the client is properly prepared for the day of the intensive?
    How do you handle clients who have questions or want more support once their intensive is over?
    What sort of contract do you need to have in place?

After nearly three years of running intensives, I’ve experienced (or) been asked ALL of these questions (and plenty more) by fellow designers and service providers who want to know my secrets.
So I created the first digital course that’s all about Day Rates!
Day Rate Mastery™ includes everything you need to effortlessly pivot to a Day Rate business model – I’ve left no stone unturned.

FINALLY have the freedom-filled lifestyle that you’ve been chasing for so long!
Work just a handful of days per month, and make more money that you ever thought possible!
Take up a new hobby, spend time with your kids or create that digital product you never had time for!
Re-discover the long lost JOY in business that you’ve been missing for so long!

Join us today!

Save $185 when you PAY IN FULL and get listed in our exclusive directory, Day Rate Creatives!
Payment Plan
6 Monthly Payments
$247/mo

    The Complete Day Rate Mastery Curriculum, which includes six modules with over 50+ “bite-sized and binge-worthy” video lessons, with accompanying text lessons and worksheets
    BONUS: 12 Months in our Private Coaching Community, plus monthly Q&A Calls (until Dec ’21)
    BONUS: All of Sarah’s Swipe Files & Templates
    BONUS: The Client Prep Pack
    BONUS: 2-Hour Tech Training Masterclass
    BONUS: Exclusive Course Podcast so you can listen and learn on the go!

Pay in Full
One Time Payment
$1297

    The Complete Day Rate Mastery Curriculum, which includes six modules with over 50+ “bite-sized and binge-worthy” video lessons, with accompanying text lessons and worksheets
    BONUS: 12 Months in our Private Coaching Community, plus monthly Q&A Calls (until Dec ’21)
    BONUS: All of Sarah’s Swipe Files & Templates
    BONUS: The Client Prep Pack
    BONUS: 2-Hour Tech Training Masterclass
    BONUS: Exclusive Course Podcast so you can listen and learn on the go!
    PAY-IN-FULL BONUS: 12 month listing in the Day Rate Creatives directory

CLICK HERE TO CHOOSE YOUR PAYMENT METHOD!

Let’s take a look at the modules!
Validate Your Day Rate

Here’s what you’ll learn…

Follow my step-by-step process to figuring out exactly what your offer will be! Break it all down using my Day Rate Calculator to find your perfect price, and then crunch those numbers even more to determine how you’re going to scale to reach your income goals.

Learn the exact method I used (and swipe my copy) for booking my first 3 intensive clients. Test the offer with your audience, validate that it’s irresistible, and you’re ready to do this thing!
Establish Your Boundaries

Here’s what you’ll learn…

Not all clients are created equal and therefore you’ll undoubtedly get a few who will book you for a day, then ghost you, not show up or provide timely feedback, or are just plain difficult to please.

In this module, I’ll explain exactly how to prepare for and handle cancellations, no-shows, unprepared clients, unresponsive clients, unhappy clients, and clients who don’t pay on time.
Automate Your Admin

Here’s what you’ll learn…

Efficiency and automation are the name of the game in the One Day Intensive model. I’m all about working smarter, not harder.

In this module, I break down every single tool that I use, how I use it, and how they are all connected to create a seamless workflow for automating the on-boarding process, scheduling clients, accepting payments, getting agreements signed, collecting feedback, and more!
Wow Your Clients

Here’s what you’ll learn…

The number one most important factor that will determine the success of your Day Rate offer is how the client perceives the experience! If the client feels stressed, frazzled or overwhelmed, you need to have a plan in place to alleviate those feelings ASAP.

In this module, I go over every single thing I SAY and DO, beginning with the on-boarding email sequence, reminder emails, the kick-off call, the day-of the intensive, and the follow-up.
Sell Your Day

Here’s what you’ll learn…

As you already know by now, you can be among the best in your industry, but if you don’t know how to sell your service, then you don’t have a business.

In this module, I share every tip and trick that I’ve used (and TONS of swipe copy) to continuously scale my Day Rate offer so that I’m increasing my revenue month over month, and still not feeling stressed or overwhelmed one bit.
Overcome Your Fears

Here’s what you’ll learn…

One of the biggest issues I see with creatives who switch to this model is shifting their mindset. So we cover some very common mindset barriers in this module, and I’ll share what I had to do, and who I had to become in order for this to work so well for my business.

Learning how to say “no” to red-flag and bad-fit clients and overcoming imposter syndrome were two big steps, so in this module I’ll share how that all went down for me so that you can start applying it for yourself!

Check out the bonuses!

Bonus 1
Coaching & Community Support

    Twelve months access inside my private student’s only community where you can get all the feedback and support you need.
    A friendly network of other designers and service providers who are on the same journey you are on and believe in community over competition, often resulting in new business friendships and collaborations
    Access to monthly Q&A calls and replays (these calls run until Dec 2021)

Bonus 2
Emails, Templates & Swipe Files

To make this as simple as possible for you, I’ve included all of my swipe files and templates so you can totally just PLUG & PLAY with for your own Day Rate offer!

    The Perfect 90-Day Client Timeline
    Day Rate Calculator so you can plan ahead for how many spots to open
    The 6 Essential Emails you must send to ensure an EPIC Client Experience
    Social Media Promo Swipe Copy
    Client Contract
    Emails for old clients, lead follow-ups

Bonus 3
The Client Prep Pack

Wondering exactly what information you need to gather from your clients ahead of time, to ensure the day goes off without a hitch? Save yourself the headache, and get access to all of Sarah’s personal client prep-work templates!

    Mood Board Templates & Training
    Brand Foundations (Branding Prep)
    Website Workbook (Website Prep)
    One Day Intensive Workbook
    Client Portal Template (MemberVault)

Bonus 4
Private Course Podcast

    Every lesson, workshop and masterclass available in audio form
    All Q+A Calls uploaded and available in audio form
    Feed updates automatically when there’s new content
    Listen on your podcast app of choice while on the go

Obsessed with our students’ results…
At the end of this program, you will:

    Know exactly what to offer, how to price it and how to sell it with ease and confidence
    Know how to set up your entire tech stack and automation systems to create a seamless workflow and client experience
    Know exactly what to say and do every step of the way, over the 60-90 day client journey
    Know how to handle everything that could possibly go wrong with your intensive
    Have clients RAVING about you and the service that you delivered
    Have more free time to spend with your friends, family or even creating more scaleable digital offers!
    Be able to plan WAY ahead with your schedule and know exactly how much you’re going to make every month!

Ready to get started?

Save $185 when you PAY IN FULL and get listed in our exclusive directory, Day Rate Creatives!
Payment Plan
6 Monthly Payments
$247/mo

    The Complete Day Rate Mastery Curriculum, which includes six modules with over 50+ “bite-sized and binge-worthy” video lessons, with accompanying text lessons and worksheets
    BONUS: 12 Months in our Private Coaching Community, plus monthly Q&A Calls (until Dec ’21)
    BONUS: All of Sarah’s Swipe Files & Templates
    BONUS: The Client Prep Pack
    BONUS: 2-Hour Tech Training Masterclass
    BONUS: Exclusive Course Podcast so you can listen and learn on the go!

Pay in Full
One Time Payment
$1297

    The Complete Day Rate Mastery Curriculum, which includes six modules with over 50+ “bite-sized and binge-worthy” video lessons, with accompanying text lessons and worksheets
    BONUS: 12 Months in our Private Coaching Community, plus monthly Q&A Calls (until Dec ’21)
    BONUS: All of Sarah’s Swipe Files & Templates
    BONUS: The Client Prep Pack
    BONUS: 2-Hour Tech Training Masterclass
    BONUS: Exclusive Course Podcast so you can listen and learn on the go!
    PAY-IN-FULL BONUS: 12 month listing in the Day Rate Creatives directory

CLICK HERE TO CHOOSE YOUR PAYMENT METHOD!
The value of this program is so incredible that many students make their full investment back within the first month of joining!

When you follow our process, you can easily book your first few intensives within just a couple of weeks, and depending on how much you charge, your investment can be completely paid for!
Now is your time!

Time to escape the feast or famine once and for all so that you can start making more money, working fewer hours and experience the life-changing magic of day rates!
I'M IN, WHERE DO I SIGN?
You could start out like I did nearly three years ago, and piece it all together…

Test out pricing, test out offers, test out timing, test out schedules, test out systems and tools…

Keep what works. Throw away what doesn’t.

But how much is it going to cost you in LOST TIME staying stuck in the feast or famine while you “figure this out”???

Now, don’t get me wrong. Day Rates are NOT rocket science – but efficiency & logistics ARE most definitely a science.
Z

Imagine being taught what, when and why to do #allthethings so that nothing falls through the cracks, and you’re not left scrambling to pick up the pieces of a disaster day rate.
Z

Imagine having a coach who’s BEEN in your shoes, and is now where you want to be, cheering you on, helping you make the right decisions and offering guidance when things get confusing.
Z

Imagine the financial freedom you could have this year if you take action with the right tools and the right community of support around you.

Let me help you close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
When I set out to create this program, I had two choices.

I could have created a mediocre training, sold it for cheap, and walked away not caring if you got results.
But I decided on the better choice…

The choice that supports my zone of genius…
The choice that lights me up like nothing else in this world….

The choice to help others escape the feast or famine, just like I did, through a transformational program where I get to do what I love…
Guiding, inspiring and moving people out of overwhelm and into action!

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably still wondering if this program is right for you…
Day Rate Mastery™ is for you if….

    You are an implementor – someone who does done-for-you design or consulting work, and you can compress your work into chunks of time.
    You believe in an efficiency model and working smarter, not harder.
    You are a confident freelancer or business owner!
    You thrive on working quickly & under pressure!
    You love the accomplished feeling of checking off a list and being super productive!
    You are sick of the feast or famine cycle because you KNOW you deserve more!
    You enjoy a semi-collaborative working environment and appreciate immediate feedback!
    You are sick of the “old” model of custom proposals and long projects!
    You are persistent, determined and resourceful!
    You want a mentor who has been exactly where you are, who you can trust!

It might not be right for you if…

 

    You are scattered and struggle to stay focused.
    You aren’t able to block off a 7-8 hour window of time at least 4-6 days per month.
    You want instant results – this is not a get rich quick magic pill – it does take dedication and effort!
    You’re one of those people who joins programs, but then never actually do the work, ask questions when you’re stuck, or show up for the calls.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am brand new to business and don’t have clients yet – is this right for me?

While it is not a sales or business 101 course, there are a ton of excellent business and marketing lessons included! This course focuses mostly on efficiency, systems and creating an epic experience for the Day Rate business model.  So even if you are new to business, if you feel like you want to start out with this model of working right away, or you’re simply interested in learning a better, more efficient style of working, then you will definitely learn a lot from this course!

Is this a design course?

No, this is not a design course.  This is a 12 month course + coaching program about systems, client experience, efficiency and processes. Through this program, I’ll be teaching you HOW I set up my one-day intensive system, using a variety of software programs, workflows and strategy. The lessons taught in this course can be applied to ANY done-for-you consulting business, as long as it’s a service that can be compressed into a one-day project. While the majority of students are in-fact designers, this is not a design course, so the design tools you use do not matter.  Whether you use Adobe, Canva, or something else, you will be able to apply the lessons to your own business.  I do offer several other design-specific courses though, so please reach out if that is something you’re interested in.

What is your refund policy?

I offer a 14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. If you can show that you worked through this course to the best of your ability, implemented the systems, and ask for help when you need it, and you can still say it honestly isn’t worth your time, I will offer you full refund.

Refunds will NOT be granted if you simply decide you can’t afford to pay, or decide that you don’t want to do any of the work. If you do the work and put in your best effort and find Day Rate Mastery™ isn’t delivering what we promised, you’ll get a refund.

Please do not enroll in Day Rate Mastery™ if you just want to “check it out.” We put an extraordinary amount of time and effort into it and expect that you, as a serious student, plan to do the same.

Will I get 1:1 time with Sarah?

There are no 1:1 sessions with Sarah but you will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you need in the Facebook Group and on the Q&A calls!  Sarah is always in the community answering questions, so you will always feel like you are getting personalized support.

Will this really help me book one-day intensive clients?

If you’re prepared to apply everything you learn inside of this course, be brave and stay focused then there is no reason why you can’t be successful with your own one day intensive offer.

How much time do I need to dedicate to this?

The lessons are all very quick and actionable.  Many lessons can be consumed via reading or audio, so you don’t need to be in front of a computer for the entire course. Everyone goes at a different pace, but plan to spend at least 1-2 full days getting your systems in place and implementing everything you’ve learned. You will have access to the content for 12 months, so you can come back to it at a later time if the timing is better.

Do I need any software or tools to get started?

You will not need anything for the course other than your computer and an internet connection. However, to implement what you’re going to learn, you should plan to spend a little money each month (less than $50 per month), in order to have a variety of on-boarding and automation tools, to make your One-Day Intensive offer as effective as possible.
Ready to get started?

Save $185 when you PAY IN FULL – plus get listed in our directory, Day Rate Creatives!
Payment Plan
6 Monthly Payments
$247/mo

    The Complete Day Rate Mastery Curriculum, which includes six modules with over 50+ “bite-sized and binge-worthy” video lessons, with accompanying text lessons and worksheets
    BONUS: 12 Months in our Private Coaching Community, plus monthly Q&A Calls (until Dec ’21)
    BONUS: All of Sarah’s Swipe Files & Templates
    BONUS: The Client Prep Pack
    BONUS: 2-Hour Tech Training Masterclass
    BONUS: Exclusive Course Podcast so you can listen and learn on the go!

Pay in Full
One Time Payment
$1497

    The Complete Day Rate Mastery Curriculum, which includes six modules with over 50+ “bite-sized and binge-worthy” video lessons, with accompanying text lessons and worksheets
    BONUS: 12 Months in our Private Coaching Community, plus monthly Q&A Calls (until Dec ’21)
    BONUS: All of Sarah’s Swipe Files & Templates
    BONUS: The Client Prep Pack
    BONUS: 2-Hour Tech Training Masterclass
    BONUS: Exclusive Course Podcast so you can listen and learn on the go!
    PAY-IN-FULL BONUS: 12 month listing in the Day Rate Creatives directory