Listener Mailbag: 20 Web Design & Freelancing Qs Answered (Podcasting, LinkedIn, Leads, Platforms & More)

By Andy Milligan — documenting the road to six figures in web design, 2025.

TL;DR: I pulled Reddit’s most-asked questions about web design, LinkedIn, podcasting, lead gen, process, and scaling as a solo. Below you’ll find crisp answers, timestamps from the episode, playbooks you can copy, and the exact tools I use.‍

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👉 Get a free homepage breakdown (fast conversion fixes): https://www.mmgdesign.net/free-audit
👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn (daily tactics + breakdowns): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/

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Table of Contents

• Podcasting → Clients
  
• Structuring Episodes for ROI
  
• Best Podcast Format for a Web Studio
  
• LinkedIn: Posts that Start Sales Conversations
  
• Grow LinkedIn Without Spam
  
• Following Up With Engagers
  
• Lead Gen: If I Needed 3 Clients This Month
  
• Qualifying Leads (Without Being a Jerk)
  
• Keeping the Pipeline Full During Slow Seasons
  
• Platforms: Why I Choose Webflow
  
• Smooth Client Handoffs
  
• Testing New Designers/Devs Safely
  
• Scaling Solo Without Full-Time Hires
  
• Resources & Tools Mentioned
  
• Timestamps
  
• Free Homepage Breakdown
  

Podcasting → Clients

Q: What’s the fastest way to turn a podcast guest appearance into a paying client?
A: Don’t force it. Aim for great conversation and obvious value. My highest-ROI tactic: pitch coaching-style guest spots. Hosts get a killer asset (live coaching + testimonial), and you naturally showcase your offer while being helped on air. Bonus: host them on your show first (build goodwill and an easy “yes”).
Playbook:

• Start with smaller shows → build reps → pitch bigger shows (coaching angle).
  
• Prepare 2–3 teed-up stories that demonstrate outcomes, not opinions.
  
• After recording, send the host a promo kit (quotes, clips, thumbnails). Make it easy to share.
  

Structuring Episodes for ROI

Q: How do you structure episodes so they lead to business?
A: Do the pre-work:

• Book guests who are either ideal clients, adjacent partners, or social proof magnets (e.g., AMA ties).
  
• Use a clean outline: hook → why you → 3 concrete takeaways → next step (for them and the audience).
  
• Send 1 clear CTA at the end (audit, call, or resource).
  

Cold pitch tip: Subject: (Podcast appearance) + a mutual tie + why their POV fits your audience + how you’ll make them look great.

Best Podcast Format for a Web Studio

Q: If you had time for only one format, which drives ROI?
A: Live breakdowns. Record conversion tear-downs of volunteered (or famous) sites. Show your process, speak to strategy, and propose 1–3 high-leverage fixes. Works as audio + screen video and repurposes into clips/carousels.

LinkedIn: Posts that Start Sales Conversations

Q: One post type that consistently lands DMs from decision-makers?
A: Launch posts + case studies (video + carousel).
What works:

• Tell the problem → process → proof → outcome story.
  
• Tag tools and stakeholders (I’ve had Webflow reshare).
  
• Reply to comments fast; invite DMs for a mini-audit or demo.
  

Grow LinkedIn Without Spam

• Send ~20 thoughtful requests/day (mutuals, recent engagers, ICP).
  
• Harvest your own post’s engagers: visit profiles, comment meaningfully, then DM.
  
• Keep a simple daily loop (30–60 min): comment → DM → post → follow up.
  

First DM template (keep it human): “Appreciate you jumping into my post about [topic]. What are you building this week?”

Following Up With Engagers

Priority #1: anyone new who liked/commented.
Actions: comment on their latest post → send a friendly DM → if it clicks, offer a 20-min idea swap (“no prep, just trade notes on [specific]”).

Lead Gen: If I Needed 3 Clients This Month

1. Daily LinkedIn (post + engage).
   
2. Run Pitch-in-Public: pick a recognizable site in your niche and publish “2 quick wins to lift conversions.”
   
3. Homepage breakdowns: open 3–5 free spots/week; record screen; post clips; offer paid deep dives.
   

Qualifying Leads (Without Being a Jerk)

• Be honest: if your offer/budget/timing isn’t right, say so—and refer up or down your partner ladder.
  
• Quick filters I use:
  
  • Do they need a website now (or is another channel smarter)?
    
  • Do I have relevant wins?
    
  • Are they ready for my minimums (e.g., 3k+ for homepage)?
    

Keeping the Pipeline Full During Slow Seasons

• Minimum non-negotiables (even when slammed): daily LinkedIn block + 1 live event/week (AMA, chamber, niche meetups).
  
• Keep two CTAs active: a breakdown and a “book a 20-min”.
  
• Batch tear-down content on lighter weeks to drip out later.
  

Platforms: Why I Choose Webflow

• Most capable no/low-code builder for scaling content (CMS, perf, interactions).
  
• Easy to augment with custom code when needed.
  
• Plays nicely with analytics, heatmaps, and experimentation.
  
• Framer is great for speed/marketing pages; Webflow wins for robustness and team editing.
  

Smooth Client Handoffs

• Never launch on a Friday.
  
• Prep a Notion launch doc: DNS creds, backups, previous host details, plan/timeline.
  
• Explain DNS propagation up front (some things are out of your hands).
  
• Webflow’s newer launch flow + a tight checklist = fewer surprises.
  

Testing New Designers/Devs Safely

• Start with a paid micro-task that’s not client-facing (e.g., update your podcast CMS page in Webflow using a short SOP Loom).
  
• Look for: following instructions, questions they ask, speed, and detail.
  
• If they pass, graduate to low-risk client tasks.
  

Scaling Solo Without Full-Time Hires

• Know your numbers (rev, costs, desired margin).
  
  • Example: 5k project → hold ~60% margin → you have ~$2k to outsource.
    
• Build a bench (two upsell partners, two downsell partners).
  
• Say yes confidently when scope fits your bench; otherwise refer and bank goodwill.
  

Resources & Tools Mentioned

• Recording/transcripts: TLDV, Fathom, Google Meet (recording + transcripts)
  
• Podcasting: Riverside
  
• Pitching: Jay Clouse’s podcast outreach template (Google it)
  
• Web design: Webflow, Framer, Figma
  
• Wireframes/blocks: Relume
  
• Analytics/UX: Microsoft Clarity, Hotjar
  
• PM/Docs: Notion, Moxy (intake/tasks)
  
• Book: Small by Design — David Feldman
  

Timestamps

• 00:07–00:56 — Intro, goal: six figures in 2025
  
• 01:02–03:37 — Podcasting → clients (coaching episodes)
  
• 03:44–06:58 — Structuring episodes for ROI + booking bigger guests
  
• 05:49–07:14 — Best podcast format for a web studio (live breakdowns)
  
• 07:16–09:33 — LinkedIn post types that spark DMs (launches/cases)
  
• 09:46–12:07 — Grow LinkedIn without spam + follow-up templates
  
• 12:12–16:05 — Lead gen: if I needed 3 clients this month
  
• 16:06–18:20 — Qualifying leads (minimums, fit, referrals)
  
• 18:55–20:55 — Keeping the pipeline full in busy/slow seasons
  
• 21:22–23:33 — Why Webflow over other builders
  
• 23:34–26:02 — Smooth handoffs: checklists, DNS, no Friday launches
  
• 26:08–28:10 — Testing new designers/devs with micro-tasks‍
• 28:17–30:54 — Scaling solo without full-time hires (margins + bench)