Deliberate Freelancer

#190: Unpack and Improve Your Money Beliefs with Austin L. Church’s Book “Free Money”

May 30, 2024

Austin L. Church, a branding strategist for e-commerce founders and fractional CMO, shares insights from his book, "Free Money." He discusses how childhood money beliefs shape freelancer success and the importance of financial literacy. Austin reveals the psychological impacts of pricing strategies, the dangers of hustle culture, and the four freelancing stages: Moonlighter, Hustler, Lifestyler, and Diversifier. He also emphasizes setting healthy boundaries with clients and the value of investing in a business coach to enhance financial acumen.

54:45

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Episode guests

Austin L. Church

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Quick takeaways

Understanding and addressing childhood beliefs about money is crucial for freelancers to improve their pricing strategies and financial success.

Implementing precise pricing tactics and understanding financial metrics are essential for freelancers to ensure sustainable income and client satisfaction.

Deep dives

Understanding Money Beliefs

Identifying and understanding personal beliefs about money is essential for freelancers seeking financial success. The speaker emphasizes that many freelancing professionals harbor subconscious attitudes toward money that can dictate their pricing strategies and overall financial journey. For instance, negative beliefs like 'wealth is inherently bad' can lead to undercharging and self-sabotage, preventing individuals from achieving their financial goals. By exploring these beliefs and addressing them, freelancers can develop a healthier mindset that supports their growth and helps them embrace higher income potential.

Intro

3min

Mastering Freelance Pricing

16min

Navigating Client Relationships in Freelancing

7min

Navigating Burnout and Establishing Sustainable Business Practices

3min

Navigating the Phases of Freelancing

8min

Reframing Money Beliefs

15min

Navigating Career Paths and Pricing Strategies in Freelancing

2min

Today’s guest is Austin L. Church, who returns to the show to talk about his book “Free Money.”

Austin lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. He helps e-commerce founders stand out online with their brand strategy. Lately, he’s been working as a fractional chief marketing officer, consulting for creator economy companies. He also coaches freelance creatives.

Austin returned to the podcast to talk about his new book, “Free Money,” which I have read and highly recommend for all freelancers.

In this episode, we talk about:

Who this book is for and why he wrote it.
How our beliefs about money from childhood affect our businesses now.
The financial numbers you need to know to run your business.
What “pessimistic pricing” and “weirdly precise” numbers are.
Set a price that reduces the chances you will resent the client or the project.
The fine line between setting boundaries and being difficult to work with.
Why the “hustle” isn’t sustainable and can lead to burnout.
The four stages of freelancing: Moonlighter, Hustler, Lifestyler and Diversifier.
The money mindset questions Austin asks his clients. For example, fill in the blank: Wealthy people are __________. Making money is __________.
How to address our money beliefs and improve our financial literacy.
Why investing in a business coach can be important to improve your business.