The Dream Job System Podcast 3 Reasons Why Doing "Free" Work Actually Pays More | Ep #802
Jan 21, 2026
Discover how doing 'free work' can actually boost your career! Learn how investing time in unpaid projects builds valuable skills and attracts clients. Austin shares personal stories of how offering value upfront won him freelancing opportunities. By giving away resources, he not only built his reputation but also expanded his audience. Find out how genuine contributions can help you attract your ideal collaborators and open doors to new possibilities!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Invest Time To Gain Pricier Skills
- Investing time outside your job builds skills employers won't give you during work hours.
- Those extra skills make you a more valuable candidate who can command higher pay.
Side Projects Fueled Career Growth
- Austin started the Cultivated Culture blog to learn content marketing he couldn't do at Microsoft.
- He also paid for front-end web dev courses while working to gain technical skills that expanded his role.
Learn Preferred Skills To Command More
- Seek preferred qualifications on job descriptions and learn those skills to stand out.
- Use a broader skill set to justify higher compensation versus hiring an extra specialist.