Corey Mercer on LinkedIn: A fun one from last year with the HeyDude team (2024)

Yesterday I caught up with an old FRND. He used to be the CEO of a design shop I really admire.He said something that really stood out to me that I had to share, he said that we should all be looking for the next question, not the next answer.Confused by this I asked him to explain.He went on to tell me that asking questions opens the world and invites new outlooks and opinions, while answers limit the world. There's no big "aha" moment from this, just a perspective shift in my mind that I thought I'd share.

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Today's Friday. Be happy.That's all.

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I need some help from my network.As most agencies do, we have a roster of freelance talent we like to use.PhotographersDP'sEditorsCopywriters3D animatorsYou name it, they're in our roster.But the truth is that our "roster" is just an excel sheet.What if there was a place you could search for freelancers that you KNEW were top-notch, and had a much more in depth way to search for your ideal freelancer.You want a photographer who has worked with Nike?You want a copywriter who specializes in paid ads with a proven record?What about a DP in Charlotte who's available for a 2 day shoot in 3 weeks?Imagine a platform where you could do just that.This would bring more freelancers work, and provide another solution for agencies looking to hire more freelancers. Who would be interested in using something like this?

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More and more clients are asking for one thing.LESS "perfect" talent in their shoots.They're looking for it to be more organic.The overproduced, over-done content isn't performing anymore (most of the time).Currently, I see production houses big and small posting casting calls on their Instagram stories.If you're in the production world and you are looking to find talent that is not repped by an agency, how are you currently finding them?

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At the start of the year I set SMART goals.One of them was to go on a networking trip every quarter. We had a crazy Q1 and I let it slip by without going on one.This quarter, I made it happen. Heading to NY later today to see some old frnds, and meet some new ones.Full day of meetings tomorrow to kick the trip off. Half of the people I'm meeting with, I've never met.There is something so rewarding about getting out there to connect with people in person. Where should I head next Quarter?

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I've seen a big shift in client needs over the past year.• They want more nimble teams.• They want quicker turnarounds.• They have lower budgets (mostly).Agencies are laying people off like crazy or hiring with ABSURDLY low salaries. Brands are shifting to their internal teams and adding freelancers to their roster to bring in at a lower cost than a traditional agency.There is going to be a HUGE shift in the future of work in the creative field.As layoffs continue, we'll see more and more people diving into the world of freelancing. • More qualified creatives who want control.• More brands searching for quick & nimble freelancers.• More content being produced at a lower quality with higher quantity.Who else is watching this unfold in front of them in their world?

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DON'T MISS IT.If you're in Denver, you better not miss this one.It's our fifth time hosting Creatives & co*cktails, and it never gets old. We're always seeing new faces, meeting new creatives, and watching our community build.If you want to be a part of it. Come hang tomorrow night.6:30-9:00pm at the FRNDS office. RSVP at the link in the comments.

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Good Morning Linkedin FRNDS. (say it back)I've had a lot of people join my network here in the past year and figured I should do a little intro to the people who don't actually know me. I'm Corey Mercer, the Founder & CD at FRNDS AgencyA few fun facts about me:• I have successfully trained the squirrels in my backyard to come down the tree and eat cashews out of my hand every morning.🐿• I'm from Chicago but Colorado is home for me now and has been for the past decade.🏙🌄• I've built a 7 figure agency as a sole founder over the past few years and have worked with multi-billion dollar global brands throughout the process. 📈• My dog bear is the best dog ever and no one can convince me otherwise.🐶What you should hit me up for:• If you want to make cool sh*t together.• If you're trying to build a brand• If you are in the Denver creative scene and want to help build up the community• If you're cool and want to connectThanks for following along.

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A lot of industries have so much room for disruption...But "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" right?Wrong.I'm having more and more conversations with people who are completely disrupting industries who have just "accepted the status quo"Industries/ opportunities ready for disruption• Talent sourcing and hiring (from a modeling / acting side)• Hiring freelancers in the creative world• Brands working with creators• Creators monetizing their audience• Home improvement • Home upkeep? - not sure what I'd call this, but keeping track of everything with your home. What other industries are ready for a big disruption?

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