Julie Cortés Freelance Rockstar

👀 Got brand envy?

You know … when you see another freelancer or business owner and think, “Wow. They’ve really got their act together!”

Good news: that didn’t happen by accident. And it’s not magic.

It’s branding.

🤩 Just ONE WEEK from today, I’ll be teaching Badass Branding for Freelancers & Solopreneurs—a one-hour workshop designed to help you stop blending in and start standing out.

You’ll walk away with:
✅ A clearer brand
✅ A branding worksheet
✅ A practical checklist
✅ A game plan for showing up consistently

Because being talented is great. But being remembered is better.

⚡ Don’t wait 'til the day before to grab your spot! Registration is open now: https://www.juliecortes.com/events-calendar/p/branding



Ready to build a brand people can’t ignore?

👉 RSVP now before it’s too late.

Every successful freelancer started with the same thing: a decision to bet on themselves.

Believe in your talent. Trust your instincts. Keep showing up.

Your next level is waiting.

TALENT ISN’T ENOUGH.

I know. I know ...

That’s not what most freelancers and solo pros want to hear. 😔

We want to believe that—if we’re good at what we do—the clients, referrals, and opportunities will just magically appear.

But that’s not how it works.

People need to know who you are, what you do, and why you’re different.

And they need to hear it consistently. 👏👏👏

The funny thing is, my own brand wasn’t built overnight. If you've been around here for a while, you know that it’s evolved over many years. And while the visuals, messaging, and business have all leveled up, the core concept of brand recognition is working.

In just the past week or so, THREE different people I’ve met for the first time in person have told me some version of:

👉 “Oh, I know exactly who you are. You've got quite the brand!”

Think about that.

Not because I’m famous ... or have some massive advertising budget. But because my brand has consistently shown up over time.

One of those recent conversations turned into this beautiful statement from Annie Monfort, Brand Consultant and owner of Rarely Pure, Never Simple:

“It took 10 years to meet her in person, but ever since I started freelancing, I’ve known who Julie was.”

That’s what a strong brand does. 😎

➡ It helps people remember you.
➡ It builds trust before you walk into the room.
➡ It turns your reputation into one of your greatest business assets.

That’s exactly what we’ll be working on in my upcoming workshop:

Badass Branding for Freelancers & Solopreneurs 🤘

If you’re tired of blending in, struggling to explain what makes you different, or feeling like your business deserves more recognition than it’s getting, this workshop is for you.

Learn more and grab your spot here:
https://www.juliecortes.com/events-calendar/p/branding

Let’s help you build a brand that’s impossible to ignore. 🤩

🚨 The Freelance Exchange of KC is gearing up for our 2026-2027 board term, and we’re looking for a few badass leaders to help shape what’s next.

With our 25th anniversary on the horizon, we’re not interested in maintaining the status quo. We’re building something bigger, bolder, and more impactful for Kansas City’s premier solopreneur community ... and we need strong people in the room to help make it happen.

We’re currently seeking volunteers for Chair, Director, and Executive Board positions.

Perks include:
🎉 Free membership while you serve
🤓 Leadership experience that actually means something
👩‍🎨 A chance to leave your mark on a near 25-year-old organization
🙃 And yes, you get to work with me

If you’re passionate about advertising and marketing, the self-employed community, and helping great things grow, let’s talk.

DM or reach out to me at [email protected] for details.

Freelancer. Contractor. Consultant. Whatever you call it, this is for you. 💯

The podcast episode is now live!

It was such an honor to be interviewed for the Small Business Miracles Podcast, presented by EAG Advertising & Marketing.

We talked all about solopreneurship, The Freelance Exchange of KC, and even some random—yet super important!—stuff during the lightening round. #🟦

This podcast offers "bite-sized tips, strategies and interviews with small business owners who have been in your shoes."

Take a listen and see whatcha' think: https://eagadv.com/ep-104-living-up-to-the-rockstar-label/

Your talent isn’t the problem. However, your branding very well may be. 👀

Harsh? Maybe. True? Absolutely.

Because here’s what happens to way too many freelancers and solopreneurs:

⚡ You’re great at what you do
⚡ You care deeply about your work
⚡ You’ve got experience, skill, and passion

… yet your brand isn’t communicating any of that.

So people scroll past. They forget you. They hire someone louder. Or worse … cheaper. 😩

Meanwhile, you’re over there wondering why your business still feels harder than it should.

That’s exactly why I’m hosting this next workshop:
Badass Branding for Freelancers & Solopreneurs

This in-depth training is designed to help you:
🔥 Figure out what actually makes your brand stand out
🔥 Create a brand people instantly connect with
🔥 Stop blending into the sea of “meh” businesses
🔥 Build consistency across your website, social media, marketing, presentations, and more

And no, this isn’t fluffy “pick your favorite font” nonsense.

You’ll walk away with:
✅ A practical branding checklist
✅ Clearer messaging
✅ Stronger positioning
✅ A brand that finally feels like YOU

Whether you’re brand new, pivoting, or desperately in need of a refresh, this meetup is for you.

Because in a crowded market, average branding gets ignored. Yet a badass brand gets remembered. 🤘

👉 Register now before spots fill up: https://www.juliecortes.com/events-calendar/p/branding

You don’t have to knock over someone else’s crown to leave the room. 👑

For real ...

I got an unsubscribe notification recently on my email newsletter.

No biggie. People unsubscribe every so often. Not everyone's my audience, and that’s just fine.

What caught me off guard, however, was—when unsubscribing—she marked my newsletter as containing “Inappropriate Content.”

Wait. What?! 🤯

Now, if I’d suddenly started sending spam or offensive material, I’d get it.

But what was the likely offender? A word like 'badass.'

(Oh noooooooooo! 🙄)

Ya' know, the same word that’s part of my brand, in all my presentations, and in the newsletter template she opened month after month.

She could have simply unsubscribed ... or easily selected “No longer interested.”

Instead, she chose an option that tells the email platform I’m sending inappropriate content and hurts my sender reputation I’ve worked so hard to build.

As small business owners, we’re all out here trying to make a living, serve our people, and build something meaningful. If a brand isn’t for you, that’s okay.

But why make things harder for another solopreneur on your way out? 👑

I just don't get it. A little kindness costs nothing.

Have you ever had a client or follower leave in a way that made you shake your head? 👇

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👋 Hi! I'm Julie Cortés. Copywriter by day. Freelance Rockstar by night. I live, breathe, teach, speak and coach on all things freelancing. 25+ year freelance vet helping independent creatives level up their business.

🔔 Follow me for tips on launching or scaling a freelance business.

⚡ Wanna help right the crown AND get insider advice, event invites, hot takes, and resources sent directly to your inbox to help you build a badass solo business? Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://www.juliecortes.com/email-signup

Such a great time yesterday getting interviewed for the Small Business Miracles Podcast, hosted by Jeff Randolph and presented by EAG Advertising & Marketing.

We talked all things solopreneurship, The Freelance Exchange of KC, and even some random stuff during the lightening round!

Such a great series that offers "bite-sized tips, strategies and interviews with small business owners who have been in your shoes."

I'll post the link when it's live. Stay tuned!