Freelance Cake

Hosted by Austin L. Church

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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May 2026

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This podcast helps ambitious freelancers get better results with less effort. We reveal the specific beliefs, principles, and practices that give you better leverage. Every episode contains no-hype, non-expiring ideas that you can use right away to make the freelance game more profitable and enjoyable.

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23 recent

May 29, 2026Episode 2352 min

What Is Staying Costing You? Choosing Alignment Over Momentum with Hannah Soto

Hannah Soto didn’t set out to build a production company. She saw problems in her industry. People below a certain title were treated poorly. Productions were inefficient. Systems were messy. So she did what many capable, quietly ambitious freelancers do: She fixed what was broken.That decision eventually became Aridia, a production company that worked with major clients like Apple, Coca-Cola, and the Olympics.Not bad for an accidental business.But this episode is not a shiny “look how big the business got” story. That would be too easy. Also, a little boring. This conversation is about what happens when the business you built starts asking for a version of you that you no longer want to be.Hannah and Austin talk about growth, identity, client approval, excellence versus perfection, and the cost of staying in a business model simply because it still works on paper.Hannah shares how one difficult international production exposed how much of her worth was tied to client approval. She had done everything she could to fix the situation. She spent money, energy, time, and health trying to make the client happy again. And then she realized something brutal and freeing: She didn’t even want to work with that client again.That moment became part of a much bigger shift. Hannah began untangling her value from her work, rethinking what success actually meant, and eventually moving more deeply into coaching.This episode is for the freelancer, consultant, or creative entrepreneur who has built something real but feels the tension of an old model getting too tight around the shoulders. Like a business blazer from 2017. Technically still wearable. Spiritually suspicious.Key PointsAccidental entrepreneurship: Hannah started by solving obvious problems in production, especially around how people were treated and how systems were run.Brand name versus personal name: Hannah explains why choosing a company name gave the business room to grow beyond her, while still allowing her personal brand to build trust.Excellence is not perfection: Growing up with a strong family mantra around excellence shaped Hannah’s drive, but also created pressure she later had to untangle.When client approval becomes a trap: Hannah shares the painful story of a project where she gave everything to win back a client’s approval and still couldn’t get it.Not every client deserves access: Austin and Hannah discuss the difference between generous, honest clients and clients who take advantage of vulnerability.The cost of staying: Hannah’s key question — “What is it costing me to stay?” — becomes a powerful filter for any freelancer considering a pivot.Momentum is not alignment: Just because a business is moving does not mean it is moving in the right direction.Work beside life, not above it: Hannah describes the difference between building life around work and letting work sit beside health, marriage, friendships, and purpose.You may never feel ready: For freelancers who want to pivot, Hannah suggests clarifying the bare minimum needed, knowing the vision, and accepting that readiness may never arrive with a little gift basket.Being before doing: In her coaching work, Hannah helps entrepreneurs explore who they need to become, not just what they need to achieve.Notable Quotes“I don’t know yet is a really powerful answer.”“Fear is going to keep us smaller.”“What is it costing me to stay?”“My work sits beside my life. It is not connected to my value or my worth.”“A company is a reflection of the founder.”"At some point, we just need to decide, I want what is on the other side of this discomfort more than I want comfort. And so what am I willing to embrace for sake of that vision?"“There will always be an excuse if you look for it. So just start.”Resources MentionedHannah Soto on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellohannahsoto/Arridia: https://www.arridiagroup.com/Email Hannah at hannah[AT]lovingthegap[DOT]com (Be sure to mention that you heard about it here on the Freelance Cake Podcast so she knows where you came from)Freelance Cake Community: freelancecake.com/communityBook 1:1 coaching with Austin: https://www.freelancecake.com/freelance-business-coaching

April 24, 2026Episode 2254 min

From Accidental Freelancer to Strategic Business Owner with Satta Sarmah Hightower

Satta Sarmah Hightower opens up about the evolution from being a skilled freelancer who took good opportunities as they came… to becoming a more intentional business owner who chooses work based on where she wants to go.At first, she did what many freelancers do: she followed the money. After layoffs and instability, survival mode made that feel sensible. But over time, she realized that good income and a solid client base were not the same thing as strategic growth.One of the most useful parts of this conversation is Satta’s “monkey bar strategy.”Instead of trying to leap blindly into a brand-new niche, she explains how freelancers can use adjacent experience to move from one bar to the next — from healthcare to healthcare tech, from financial services to fintech, and from familiar work into more valuable, better-aligned opportunities.We also get into the identity shift that often separates advanced freelancers from plateaued ones.Satta talks about what changed when she stopped primarily seeing herself as a writer and started thinking like a solopreneur and business owner. That shift made her more intentional about what work to accept, how to position herself, and how each project could support the business she wanted six months down the road — not just the invoice she wanted this month.There’s also a strong thread in this episode around sustainable growth.Growth, for Satta, does not mean going wider and building a giant machine she does not want. It means going narrower, deeper, and getting clearer on what “enough” looks like. We talk about mindset, gratitude, recovery time, and the planning practices that help experienced freelancers grow without burning down fast.And if you’ve been thinking beyond client work, you’ll appreciate the final part of the conversation about IP.Satta shares why she wrote The Forever Freelancer, how she thinks about intellectual property as a durable asset, and how building assets like books, newsletters, and other owned work can expand what a solo business becomes over time.This one is for freelancers who are no longer asking, “How do I get work?” and are now asking better questions:What kind of business am I actually building?What direction am I choosing?And how do I grow on purpose?Key PointsFrom survival mode to strategy: Satta admits she was not especially strategic in the early years. She was following the money, building from available opportunities, and doing what many freelancers do after instability: taking solid work when it appeared.The monkey bar strategy: Rather than reinventing yourself from scratch, use adjacent experience to move into stronger niches and better-paid categories of work. Think bar to bar, not cliff dive to cliff dive.The identity shift matters: Advanced freelancers often hit a ceiling when they keep identifying only with their craft. Satta’s growth accelerated when she began to think of herself as a business owner and solopreneur, not merely a freelance writer.Intentionality changes decisions: Once she embraced that business-owner identity, she became more deliberate about what work to accept and how each engagement served her longer-term trajectory.Gradual change is underrated: Satta makes a strong case for evolving slowly and intelligently rather than blowing up your whole business in the name of “transformation.”Growth is not always bigger: For her, growth means going narrower and deeper, not building an agency or chasing “more, more, more.”Mindset and recovery are business tools: Gratitude, space to reflect, and her “For Me Fridays” practice all support sustainability and clearheaded decisions.Notable Quotes“It’s about evolving from reactive freelancing into strategic business ownership.”“I own my trajectory and my business growth and my professional growth.”“Growth, at least for me at this stage, it doesn’t necessarily mean going wider. It means going narrower and going deeper.”“You have to know what your enough is and you have to know what growth looks like for you.”“You need to treat your business like a business.”Resources MentionedSatta’s book listing for preorder: https://tinyurl.com/sm9z59my Satta's Book landing page to subscribe for updates: https://www.sattasarmah.com/bookSatta's Instagram: @sattasarmahhightowerSatta's TikTok: @sattasarmahhightowerSubstack: https://substack.com/@sattasarmahhightower‍Freelance Cake Community: freelancecake.com/community

March 27, 2026Episode 2155 min

Life Plan First, Business Plan Second: How Matthew Fenton Built a 30-Year Freelance Career

At a certain point in your freelance career, the question stops being “How do I get more clients?” and starts being “How do I build a business I actually want to keep running?”In this episode, Austin sits down with Matthew Fenton, a positioning and strategy consultant with nearly three decades of freelance experience. Matthew has worked with brands you’ve heard of, launched White Mystery Airheads, hired agencies and independents from both sides of the desk, and built a long freelance career around a simple but weighty principle: Life plan first. Business plan second.That idea shapes everything.Austin and Matthew talk about what it means to design your freelance business around the life you want, not the other way around. They get into the challenges that don’t get enough airtime, like isolation, self-management, and the discipline required when nobody else is building structure for you.Matthew also shares one of the most useful concepts in the episode: your "gig floor." That’s the minimum threshold a project has to clear before it earns a yes. Right money. Right people. Right kind of work.They also dig into what actually makes a freelancer rehirable. Spoiler: it’s not just talent. Matthew makes a strong case for reliability, sound judgment, clear communication, and the ability to be a real partner instead of a prima donna with a nice portfolio.And yes, they also open a delightful can of worms on why freelancing is not for everybody and why Matthew opted out of the whole personal branding conversation years ago.This is a grounded, honest conversation about sustainability, selectivity, and building a freelance business with enough structure and sanity to last.Key PointsA freelance career can be built for longevity. Matthew has been freelancing since 1997 and has sustained his business by staying focused on strategy, positioning, and meaningful client work.Life plan first, business plan second. The business should support your life, not consume it. That principle gets more important, not less, as your opportunities increase.Isolation is one of freelancing’s hidden costs. Leaving a full-time role means losing built-in social structure and accountability. You have to rebuild those on purpose.Warm reconnection beats cold networking. Matthew doesn’t think in terms of “keeping his network warm.” He reconnects with people he genuinely enjoys, and sometimes work falls out of that.Your gig floor matters. Experienced freelancers need a minimum threshold for what counts as a worthwhile opportunity, especially when demand is high.Reliability beats raw talent. The freelancers who get rehired are the ones who hit deadlines, communicate well, receive feedback, bring perspective, and don’t make the client regret saying yes.Freelancing isn’t for everyone. Some people are better off with a paycheck job, and there’s no shame in that.Personal branding is optional. Matthew argues that people are not brands and that many of the ideas lumped under personal branding are better explained elsewhere.Notable Quotes“Life plan first, business plan second.”“The primary reason for your business to exist is to meet your needs.”“A deadline is a promise and failure to hit that deadline is a broken promise.”“Some people are truly better off with a paycheck job, and there’s absolutely no shame in that.”“I think pretty much the entire field of personal branding is nonsense.”Resources MentionedFollow Matthew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewfenton/ (Let him know you found him through this episode!)Check out his website: https://matthew-fenton.com/Check out Winning Solo: https://winningsolo.com/

March 13, 2026Episode 2054 min

How Josh Cantrell Creates Demand with LinkedIn, Referral Partners, and Better Thinking

Josh Cantrell didn’t set out with some polished master plan.He got fired.What could have become a long, discouraging detour ended up becoming the first step in building a self-employed career with more ownership, more leverage, and more intention.In this conversation, Josh talks through the evolution of that journey.Early on, he did what many freelancers do. He said yes to whatever paid. Alongside marketing work, he flipped storage units, ran an eBay store, and DJ’d weddings to keep the lights on. Over time, though, he realized he didn’t just need more work. He needed a clearer way to create value.That’s where frameworks entered the picture.Josh shares how discovering StoryBrand gave him a structure he could lean on, not just to do better work, but to explain his reasoning, package stronger offers, and shift client perception. Instead of feeling like he was winging it, he had principles. Instead of selling tasks, he could sell outcomes.We also dig into the mindset shifts that came with experience.Josh talks about moving from scarcity to abundance, from thinking the world was small and stingy to realizing there’s plenty of opportunity out there. He explains how raising his standards changed his behavior, financially and professionally, and why standards often shape results more than motivation does.Another major theme in this episode is relationships.Josh has become increasingly intentional about building what he calls IRPs: ideal referral partners. Rather than relying on random lead gen or posting into the void, he focuses on real conversations with people who already know the kinds of clients he wants to serve.We also talk about LinkedIn, but not in the eye-rolly, “optimize your content funnel” kind of way.Josh uses LinkedIn as a conversation starter. He posts consistently, follows up with people who engage, and looks for chances to turn digital attention into human connection. That approach has led to podcast invites, referral relationships, and new opportunities.And beneath all of it is a simple but important truth: Clarity comes before amplification.If your message is muddy, more marketing just means you’re mumbling into a louder microphone. Josh explains why great content starts with great thinking, and why helping prospects believe the right things may matter just as much as writing the right words.If you want to specialize, strengthen your positioning, create more demand, and build a business with better leverage, this one is worth your time.Key PointsJosh started in survival mode. After losing his job in 2017, he pieced together income through freelance marketing, weddings as a DJ, an eBay store, and whatever else kept the lights on.Confidence followed competence. Early “imposter syndrome” had less to do with being broken and more to do with lacking reps, clarity, and proof.Frameworks changed the game. StoryBrand gave Josh a structure for making decisions, justifying recommendations, and packaging higher-value offers.His business evolved slowly but meaningfully. He moved from general marketing services into messaging, positioning, copy, and later more strategic engagements, including fractional CMO-style support.His mindset shifted from scarcity to abundance. Instead of treating every lost client like a verdict on his worth, he learned to see the market as big, generous, and full of opportunity.He now works from standards, not hope. Revenue standards, relationship standards, and service standards all shape how he shows up and how he grows.Ideal referral partners are a major growth lever. Josh aims to build relationships with peers and adjacent experts who already serve the kinds of clients he wants.He treats LinkedIn like a system, not a stage. Post consistently, follow up with engaged people, start real conversations, and see where the thread leads.He’s prioritizing documenting over performing. Lived experience, experiments, humor, and observations from real life make better content than sterile “5 tips” posts.A dream client already believes messaging matters. Josh does best with B2B companies selling something expensive, complex, or confusing that understand clear messaging must come before louder marketing.The deeper opportunity is belief change. Great content does not merely attract attention. It upgrades thinking. It creates demand by putting a fire in people’s minds about better ways to solve old problems.Notable Quotes“Confidence comes as a result of competence.”“If we’re spending money on marketing, but the message isn’t clear, we’re just mumbling into a microphone. We’re just louder.”“When you’re creating demand, it’s about putting a fire in someone’s mind about opportunities and possibilities and new ways to solve old problems.”Resources MentionedFollow Josh Cantrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcanCheck out his website, Signal Brandworks: https://signalbrandworks.com/Join the Freelance Cake Community: https://www.freelancecake.com/community

February 27, 2026Episode 1946 min

How Much Is Enough? Fear-Proof Freelancing + Non-Icky LinkedIn DMs with Rachel Bicha

Should freelancing feel easier by now… or is the hard part kind of the point?In this episode, Austin talks with Rachel Bicha (content strategist + founding Freelance Cake Community member) about building a freelance business that’s sustainable because it’s intentional. Rachel shares how her offline community gives her the psychological safety to do things that scare most freelancers—like DMing interesting people on LinkedIn without feeling weird about it.They unpack the “safety net” Rachel built before going full-time (six months runway, ~50% income on the side, and real boundaries), plus one of her most underrated tools: defining “enough” with minimum and maximum income targets, seasonal goals, and even the occasional sabbatical.You’ll also hear why Rachel’s marketing works: it’s relationship-based, rooted in hospitality and curiosity, and designed to connect with real humans (not “leads”). And yes—print is back. Rachel closes with the whimsical monthly print newsletter she sends out, featuring everything from zines to bingo cards to advent calendars.If you’ve ever struggled with fear, overworking, marketing that feels misaligned, or wondering whether your work actually connects with real humans… this conversation is for you.Key PointsWhy hard things matter: sometimes friction is the feature — remove it and you remove meaning.Rachel’s path into freelancing: in-house → side freelancing → full-time, plus the mindset shift that made it possible.Managing fear with systems: she waited until she had ~50% of income on the side + six months runway.Defining “enough”: minimum + maximum income targets, seasonal goals, and saying no even when it’s tempting.Avoiding overbooking: tracking time, setting boundaries, and using reflection to notice patterns before they become problems.Relationship-based marketing: hospitality + curiosity beats transactional networking (and feels better, too).LinkedIn outreach that doesn’t feel gross: curious DMs, “owning” the cold pitch, and writing like a real person with real fingerprints.Confidence vs. risk tolerance: Rachel isn’t “confident” — she’s willing to look foolish and survive a flop.Print is back, baby: analog trust, finite media, and why tangibility matters more as the internet gets weirder.Dream client sweet spot: small teams/startups building a repeatable marketing engine through experiments.Notable Quotes“I don’t think I ever really got less scared… I have a lot of systems… that help me feel like things aren’t going to crash and burn.”“I want my marketing to feel like… hospitality… a nice, open, cozy space.”“I would not describe myself as somebody who has a lot of confidence… but I have a high degree of risk tolerance.”Resources MentionedFollow Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-bicha-44080/Check out Rachel’s website: RachOnTheWeb.comSubscribe Rachel’s email newsletter: https://the-creative-side.kit.com/signupSubscribe to Rachel’s print newsletter: https://rachelbicha.notion.site/welcome-to-the-creative-sideJoin the Freelance Cake Community: https://www.freelancecake.com/community

January 16, 2026Episode 1854 min

Trust, Verify, and Match Access: Believing People’s Actions with Marc Hyde

Entrepreneurs love promises. Results come from patterns. Austin and Marc unpack why “actions speak louder than words” is more than homespun wisdom—it’s a working rule for choosing partners, clients, and collaborators without becoming cynical. Expect candid stories (including an investor publicly dressing down his assistant), red flags to watch for, and a dead-simple rubric:Lead with trust. Watch what people do. Match their access with their actions.Key PointsStart people at zero, not negative-100. Assume positive intent, then trust but verify.Look for “tells”: delayed follow-ups, ghosted meetings, partial replies to multi-question emails—micro-signals of reliability (or not).Match access to actions: expand access when people keep promises; restrict it when they don’t. No drama required.Finish with integrity: if you’re in a misfit engagement, complete the contracted work cleanly or use a “cancel without cause” clause—then exit.Reset boundaries mid-project (response windows, meeting cadence, content handoffs) to “right the ship.”Automate your judgment with rules (e.g., no tight turnarounds for brand-new clients; no work without deposit). Stick to them.Reliability beats charisma: premium pricing and long-term trust ride on doing what you said, when you said.Self-audit matters: don’t become the person others can’t count on—communicate early, renegotiate timelines, and keep small promises.Notable Quotes“Start everyone at zero—then trust, but verify.”“If they react badly to your rule, they just showed you who they are.”“People will tolerate a lot—except unreliability.”Resources MentionedLearn more about Marc Hyde: https://marchyde.com/Check out Marc's other website: Christian School WebsitesLearn more about Freelance Cake Community (for advanced freelancers): https://www.freelancecake.com/communityGet 1:1 Strategy Session with Austin: https://www.freelancecake.com/freelance-business-coaching

November 7, 2025Episode 1718 min

Community as Advantage: How Positive Peer Pressure Fuels Freelance Growth

Ever rolled your eyes at “You are the company you keep”? Same. But research (and real life) says proximity changes performance. In this solo episode, Austin digs into the research behind peer influence — from Greek philosophers to modern management studies — and shows how freelancers can use positive spillover to their advantage.Learn how intentional community gives solo freelancers leverage: more focus, better systems, smarter strategy, and less burnout. Hear stories from the Freelance Cake Community and learn why joining the right group might be the best business move you make this year.Key PointsPositive Spillover is Real: Sitting near a high performer can increase your own performance by 15%.Community as Advantage: When you’re surrounded by people taking action, you’ll find it much harder to stay stuck or spiral into overthinking.Advanced freelancers need peers, not pupils: Once you’ve mastered the basics, you need people who challenge you—not just those asking for your advice.Freelancers can’t rely on osmosis: Without coworkers or office proximity, you have to choose your environment deliberately.Beginner vs. Advanced Needs: Free groups often serve beginners. Paid, private communities curate advanced freelancers who value time, accountability, and quality conversations.Beyond Advice — Real Momentum: The right group saves you from “meta work” (research paralysis) by giving you proven tools and templates so you can act faster.Bias Toward Action: When peers share wins, you’re inspired to take imperfect action too — and that’s how real growth happens.Notable Quotes“You’re in the splash zone, so make sure what you’re getting hit with is motivation, not mediocrity.”“Deliberately create an environment where invisible hands push you onward and upward.”“Who you surround yourself with matters. Your environment matters as much or more than your habits.”“Communities aren’t just about leads — they’re about leverage.”Resources MentionedKellogg School of Management Study on Positive SpilloverPhoebe Dodds’ 100 Connections Challenge on SubstackFreelance Cake CommunityCreator Science LabWeb Designer ProIf you’re an advanced freelancer ready to trade burnout for momentum, join a private, paid community that helps you level up faster. Visit freelancecake.com/community to learn more and apply.

October 10, 2025Episode 1627 min

Growth by Subtraction: Less But Better

Hitting ~$330K should've felt like a win. Instead, it revealed the real bottleneck: complexity.In this episode, Austin talks about how pruning services, projects, and obligations—less, but better—created the space for saner, more sustainable growth. You’ll get the tomato-plant metaphor (shoutout to Grandmother Martha), insights from Katelyn Bourgoin (“What should you stop doing?”), and even an Apple-style reset moment.Plus, Austin walks through a practical 7-step Subtraction List to help you focus on the work that actually moves the needle. (Feel free to grab the free worksheet under Resources)What You’ll LearnWhy “more” often makes things worseA simple metaphor to decide what to cutHow world-class companies used subtraction to winThe exact 7-step process to simplify your business nowThe 7 Practical StepsTake inventoryFind keepers (money, freedom, satisfaction, impact)Compare results (what to double down on / stop)Cut fluff (Do / Defer / Delegate / Delete + first actions)Make a Don’t List (keep distractions from creeping back)Create rules (avoid default yes—protect your best work)Record decisions (build confidence and course-correct faster)Resources & LinksGrab the Subtraction List Worksheet: https://bit.ly/SubtractionListWorksheetApply to the Freelance Cake Community: https://freelancecake.com/communityKatelyn Bourgoin’s Twitter thread on subtraction: https://x.com/KateBour/status/1620795412641718318If this helped you, follow for more systems, strategy, and sanity for advanced freelancers and creators.Chapters00:00 Hook — when “more” stops working01:28 The $330K year (and why it didn’t feel like success)04:22 Complexity: the sneaky saboteur06:19 Grandma’s garden: prune for higher yield09:11 What “growth by subtraction” really means10:33 Focus beats variety (how to choose)10:59 Example: Katelyn Bourgoin and “do less, better”13:27 Example: Apple’s 2×2 and 97% cut15:54 The 7 Steps: Take inventory → Record decisions24:39 Summary & next steps26:04 Invitation to the Freelance Cake Community

August 8, 2025Episode 1534 min

From Slinging Words to Selling Expertise: A 1 on 1 Coaching Case Study with Josh Monen

What if you feel stuck not because you lack skill but because you’ve snapped on a pair of golden handcuffs? What if you want to go a new direction but can’t afford to lose the retainers you finally stacked up? This new Freelance Cake episode with Josh Monen is the first one to drop in over 18 months, and I can’t wait for you to check it out.In it, Josh Monen opens up about his transition from senior copywriter who was booked out but working way too much to fractional CMO with productized offers, more time off, and a business closely aligned to the life he wants.Josh didn’t need more clients. He needed different ones. He didn’t need more ideas. He needed a clear roadmap with action steps he could put in his calendar. During our one-on-one coaching engagement, Josh put in the work.Listen to the full conversation.Key PointsBooked out, but stuck: Josh was making good money and fully booked, but felt directionless and burnt out. He didn’t need more clients — he needed clarity. Desire for leverage: He wanted to evolve from copywriting into productized services, consulting, and fractional CMO work to create more time freedom. Indecision as the real bottleneck: His core problem wasn’t lack of opportunity — it was overthinking and analysis paralysis. Coaching helped him move from ideas to decisions. Created two scalable offers: Through coaching, Josh developed Funnel Insights and Funnel Blueprint — strategy-first services that led to $30K+ client engagements.From executor to advisor: By leading with strategy and positioning himself as a fractional CMO, Josh changed how clients viewed and engaged him. Lifestyle improvements: He now protects weekends, takes unplugged vacations, and feels more aligned with the freedom-focused business he originally wanted. Real ROI from discomfort: Investing in coaching created “point-of-no-return” momentum and helped him stretch into higher-leverage work.Notable Quotes“I was booked solid with copywriting and making good, consistent income — but more of my thing was like, ‘Where am I going with this?’ I felt like I kind of plateaued and was in maintenance mode.”“If you’re making good money but don’t have time to enjoy it — what’s the point?”“From that very first call, I was blown away. I even told my wife — ‘This guy really listens.’ And that’s rare. That’s one reason I hired you.”Resources MentionedBook a strategy call with Austin: https://bit.ly/1-on-1-coaching-podAustin Church on How and Why to Sell Strategy Engagements to Your Clients [Ed Gandia podcast]: https://b2blauncher.com/episode267/Josh LinksJosh’s podcast, The Way Of Kings: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-way-of-kings/id1743034411Website: www.JoshuaMonen.comX: @JoshMonenListen, rate, and subscribe!For specific beliefs, principles, and practices you can use right away to make the freelance game more profitable and satisfying, subscribe to Freelance Cake podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts!

January 26, 2024Episode 1448 min

Conversations, Not Confrontations: Learning the Art of Negotiation with Wudan Yan

In this episode, Austin L. Church talks to journalist, freelance writer, and coach Wudan Yan about the art of negotiation. The driving force behind The Writers' Co-op, Wudan tells the story of her transition from journalism to freelance narrative writing and sheds light on the two different cultures with their sets of norms.Wudan goes on to share how her upbringing and academic background provided very little preparation for the freelance world where negotiation is often necessary. When teaching freelancers and consultants how to negotiate, Wudan frames back-and-forth as a dialogue or conversation, not a confrontation. Her personal journey and insights prove that negotiation can be a fulfilling and rewarding aspect of the freelance journey, even if it doesn’t come naturally to you. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable during a negotiation or felt like your skills are lacking, you’ll be glad you found this episode. Key pointsWudan’s Journey from Science to Narrative Writing (01:53)Negotiating a raise for the first time (17:44)Wudan's negotiation journey montage (25:37)Negotiating rush projects and rush fees (25:51)The importance of a conversational approach in negotiations (28:43)One simple yet profound tactic to become a master negotiator (36:58)Notable Quotes“You're never going to get what you don't ask for, and you can never get more than the maximum of what you're asking for.""Negotiating is a conversation. If both you and I are setting really hard boundaries around things, there's no meeting in between.""Ask questions that invite a response.”Resources & LinksBusiness Redesign Group Coaching Program$300K Flywheel for Freelancers & ConsultantsThe Writers' Co-opJim Dethmer: Leading Above the LineConnect with Wudan Yan on Instagram and LinkedInThis episode of Freelance Cake is brought to you by CrowdHealthHealthcare in the US is complicated, confusing, and highly personal. Insurance premiums, deductibles, and copays can get really expensive, especially for freelancers and consultants who don’t have an employer paying for anything. Over the last 7 years, my family has saved $60,000+ in premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket medical expenses that we would have paid with our previous insurance policy. Healthcare crowdfunding has been a game changer for us. If you live in the U.S. and you haven’t already explored what CrowdHealth has to offer, take the time to educate yourself. And if you decide you want to give them a try, go to www.joincrowdhealth.com. You can use promo code FREELANCECAKE during sign-up to save $99 per month for 3 months.Listen, rate, and subscribe!For specific beliefs, principles, and practices you can use right away to make the freelance game more profitable and satisfying, subscribe to Freelance Cake podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts!