The 4 Stages of Freelancing Explained | Part 1

Dec 29, 2023

Podcast explores the career progressions of freelancers. The episode discusses the motivations, challenges, and questions of moonlighters who freelance part-time. It also delves into the motivations and challenges of hustlers who aspire to make money while they sleep. The main breakthrough for moonlighters is growing confidence, while the main financial goal for hustlers is to achieve financial stability. The episode offers practical insights for freelancers at different stages.

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INSIGHT

Freelance Career Has Four Stages

Freelancers follow a four-stage progression: moonlighter, hustler, lifestyler, diversifier.
Each stage has distinct motivations, challenges, mistakes, and breakthrough goals to guide decisions.

ANECDOTE

Common Moonlighter Beginnings

Many freelancers start part-time while holding another job or set of responsibilities.
Austin gives examples like a designer doing album covers and a pastor preparing tax returns seasonally.

INSIGHT

Moonlighting Often Starts Accidentally

Moonlighters often start to test freelancing, earn extra money, or get creative freedom.
Side projects can begin accidentally and grow organically from small opportunities.

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You’ve surely heard of the corporate ladder, but what are the career progressions for freelancers? Those of us who sell creativity in some form usually freelance part-time at the start, and those who stick with it eventually think, “Hey, why shouldn’t I be one of those people who make money while they sleep?”

In this episode of Freelance Cake, Austin L. Church discusses the moonlighter and hustler phases of freelancing, shining a light on the motivations, challenges, mistakes, and questions at each stage, as well as the main breakthrough and financial goal for each.

Whether you're reflecting on your current stage or aspiring to reach new heights in your freelancing career, this episode offers practical insights and guidance tailored to your unique stage.

This episode is part of a two-part series, and in the next installment, we'll explore the lifestyler and diversifier stages of freelancing. Don't forget to tune in for that one as we continue peeling back the layers of the freelancing journey.

Key points

Stages of freelancing (01:53)
Moonlighters overview (02:49)
The motivations for moonlighters (03:44)
The challenges for moonlighters (04:39)
The questions for moonlighters (05:50)
The main breakthrough for moonlighters (06:13)
Hustlers overview (08:29)
The motivations for hustlers (10:34)
The challenges for hustlers (11:10)
The questions and breakthrough for hustlers (12:39)
The main financial goal for hustlers (13:39)

Notable Quotes

"The main breakthrough for moonlighters is growing confidence in their ability to win projects and deliver outcomes while managing other responsibilities."
"The main breakthrough for hustlers is setting smart strategic prices that reward your skill, efficiency, and expertise."

Resources

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