Privacy policy


Your Data, Your Rules

How I Handle Your Information (Spoiler: Very Carefully)

Last Updated: August 2025

I believe privacy should be simple to understand, so here's my straightforward approach to how I collect, use, and protect your information when you visit my website or work with me.

The Quick Version

  • I only collect information you give me directly or that's necessary to provide my services

  • I never sell your data to anyone (that's gross)

  • I use industry-standard security to protect your information

  • You can ask me to delete your data anytime

  • I'm a real human, not a faceless corporation, so just email me if you have questions

Information I Collect

What You Give Me Directly

  • Contact forms: Name, email, company, and any details you share about your challenges

  • Strategy sessions: Information you provide during our calls about your business

  • Email communications: Our ongoing conversations and project details

  • Project work: Business information necessary to provide consulting services

What I Collect Automatically

  • Website analytics: How you found my site, which pages you visit, how long you stay (via Google Analytics)

  • Contact behavior: Whether you open emails I send (via standard email tracking)

  • Form interactions: Which forms you fill out and when

What I Don't Collect

  • Personal information unrelated to business consulting

  • Sensitive data like financial information (unless directly relevant to a project)

  • Information from third-party sources without your knowledge

  • Anything creepy or unnecessary

How I Use Your Information

The Business Stuff

  • Respond to your inquiries and provide the services you request

  • Communicate about projects and send updates on our work together

  • Improve my services based on feedback and common challenges I see

  • Send helpful content (like case studies or frameworks) if you've opted in

The Legal Stuff

  • Comply with legal requirements if needed (but hopefully never)

  • Protect my business interests in case of disputes (again, hopefully never)

What I Don't Do With Your Information

  • Sell it to anyone (seriously, never)

  • Use it for anything you haven't agreed to

  • Share it with competitors or random third parties

  • Send you spam about things unrelated to marketing consulting

Information Sharing

When I Share Information

  • With your permission: If you ask me to coordinate with your team or partners

  • Service providers: Tools I use to deliver services (like email platforms, project management tools)

  • Legal requirements: If required by law (but I'll fight it if it's unreasonable)

Who I Share With

  • Email service providers (for newsletters and project communications)

  • Analytics tools (Google Analytics, website performance tools)

  • Project management platforms (if we're working together)

  • Payment processors (for invoicing and payments)

Who I Don't Share With

  • Competitors, marketers, or data brokers

  • Anyone who wants to sell you stuff

  • Random third parties who ask nicely

  • Anyone without a legitimate business need

Data Security

How I Protect Your Information

  • Secure hosting with reputable providers and SSL encryption

  • Password protection for all accounts and systems

  • Regular updates to keep security current

  • Limited access - only I have access to your information

  • Secure communication for sensitive project discussions

What You Should Know

  • No system is 100% secure (anyone who says otherwise is lying)

  • I do my best to protect your data, but the internet has inherent risks

  • For highly sensitive information, we can use additional security measures

  • I'm a small consulting practice, not a Fortune 500 company with a huge IT department

Your Rights and Choices

What You Can Do

  • Access your data: Ask me what information I have about you

  • Correct your data: Tell me if something is wrong and I'll fix it

  • Delete your data: Ask me to remove your information (with some legal exceptions)

  • Opt out: Unsubscribe from emails or ask to stop communications

  • Restrict processing: Ask me to limit how I use your information

How to Exercise Your Rights

Just email me at austin@austindiering.com with your request. I'm a real person who reads his email, so you'll get a response within 24-48 hours.

Cookies and Tracking

What I Use

  • Google Analytics: To understand how people use my website

  • Email tracking: To see if newsletters are helpful (you can disable this)

  • Contact form analytics: To improve the user experience

What You Can Do

  • Most browsers let you disable cookies if you want

  • You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking

  • Email tracking can usually be disabled in your email client

  • Just know that some functionality might not work as well

Email Communications

What I Send

  • Project updates if we're working together

  • Helpful content like case studies and frameworks (if you opt in)

  • Business communications related to our professional relationship

Your Email Rights

  • You can unsubscribe from newsletters anytime

  • Project-related emails are necessary for business but will stop when our work ends

  • I won't add you to lists without permission

  • No spam, no constant selling, no annoying frequency

Third-Party Services

Tools I Use

  • Google Workspace: Email and document collaboration

  • HubSpot: Contact management and email marketing

  • Stripe/PayPal: Payment processing

  • Google Analytics: Website analytics

  • Various project tools: As needed for specific engagements

What This Means

  • These services have their own privacy policies

  • I choose reputable providers with good security practices

  • Your data may be processed by these services to provide functionality

  • I don't control their practices, but I try to work with trustworthy companies

International Data Transfers

The Reality

  • I'm based in Austin, Texas, but work with clients globally

  • Some service providers may process data outside your country

  • I try to use services with appropriate data protection safeguards

  • If you have specific data residency requirements, let me know

Changes to This Policy

How Updates Work

  • I'll update this policy if my practices change significantly

  • I'll notify you of major changes via email or website notice

  • The "Last Updated" date at the top will always be current

  • Continued use of my services means you accept any updates

Contact Information

Questions or Concerns?

I'm a real person who believes in transparent communication. If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how I handle your information:

📧 Email: austin@austindiering.com
📍 Address: Austin, Texas (specific address available upon request)
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austindiering

My Commitment

I promise to:

  • Respond to privacy questions within 48 hours

  • Be transparent about any data incidents

  • Take your privacy concerns seriously

  • Treat your information the way I'd want mine treated

The Bottom Line

I built this business on trust and relationships. Your privacy matters to me because you matter to me. I'm not trying to harvest your data or sell you to the highest bidder — I just want to help you solve your marketing challenges.

If something in this policy doesn't make sense or if you have concerns, just reach out. I'm much more interested in doing right by you than hiding behind legal language.

Thanks for trusting me with your information. I don't take that lightly.

This privacy policy is designed to be compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and other major privacy regulations, but I'm a marketing consultant, not a lawyer. If you have specific legal questions, consult with a privacy attorney.