86. Do you need a newsletter? (with Eman Ismail)

86. Do you need a newsletter? (with Eman Ismail)

Author: Louise Shanahan November 25, 2022 Duration: 15:46

"All freelancers should have an email newsletter for their business, 100%, without a doubt!"

My guest today is Eman Ismail, email strategist, email copywriter extraordinaire and host of the excellent Mistakes That Made Me podcast. If you've been thinking about starting a newsletter, this episode is packed with tips to help you get set up, grow your list, and use email marketing to attract clients.

We discuss:

  • Why freelancers shouldn't overlook email marketing as a key way to build their business
  • Why email is actually better than social media for marketing
  • Eman's insights on what to write and how often
  • Building an email list full of the right people (and what to do if you attract more fellow freelancers than potential clients!)
  • Eman's favourite email marketing platforms

Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.com

Say hi to Eman:

The Email Rules: https://data.inkhouse.org.uk/the-email-rules/ 
Website: https://emancopyco.com/ 

Say hi to Louise:

Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter at The Copy Prescription. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites. Find her on LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan.

Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.


Ever feel like building a business for yourself is a full-time job in itself, before you’ve even landed a client? 15 Minute Freelancer cuts through the overwhelm with manageable, actionable advice designed to fit around a busy schedule. Hosted by freelance health copywriter Louise Shanahan, each episode draws directly from her own journey and the real, sometimes messy, realities of working for yourself. You’ll hear honest behind-the-scenes stories about pricing, difficult clients, and finding focus, alongside straightforward strategies for the nuts and bolts of running a sustainable operation. The aim is to move beyond generic hustle-culture advice and focus on what actually works, helping you shape a freelance career that supports the life you want, not one that consumes it. This isn't about theory; it's about practical steps you can implement almost immediately. Tune in for a candid, snack-sized conversation that feels more like a chat with a knowledgeable friend than a business lecture. Whether you're just considering the leap or are years into your freelance path, this podcast offers a refreshingly realistic perspective on entrepreneurship.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 93

15 Minute Freelancer
Podcast Episodes
32. What's your freelancer love language? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:23
What's your freelancer love language? Do you thrive on positive feedback and glowing testimonials, or is a timely invoice payment enough to make you feel appreciated? Do you prefer lots of face-to-face contact with clien…
31. Ask Me Anything About Freelancing! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:54
This episode is a little different... instead of a single topic or interview, we're firing through as many listener questions as possible in 15 mins. Tidbits include:How do you respond to vague client inquiries? (Clue: i…
30. Qs to ask as your business grows (with André Spiteri) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:18
What questions should you be asking as your freelance business grows? How do you scale your business in a way that feels right for you? On today's episode, freelance copywriter André Spiteri shares his experience of the…
29. Land your wishlist clients with cold pitching (with Bree Weber) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:28
In this episode, Bree Weber, creator of Cold Pitch Masterclass, joins Louise for a jam-packed run down of her framework for ethical, non-sleazy cold pitching. Yes, cold pitching works! And no, it doesn't have to feel awk…
28. Oops! How to handle mistakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:45
Argh! You made a mistake on a client project (or some other part of your freelance business). Now what?First up, you're not alone. We've all been there. In this episode, Louise shares an embarrassing story of one of her…
27. Talking people, planet + profits with Sally Fox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:38
One of the huge advantages of running your own business is being able to support causes that are close to your heart. Maybe you plant a tree for every invoice paid. Maybe you donate a portion of your profits to your favo…
26. How to find more clients on LinkedIn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:01
Hate LinkedIn? Tired of a feed filled with boring updates from connections you don't know and thought leaders posting hot takes about the cheese sandwich they just ate? Same.On today's episode, Louise shares 4 easy ways…
25. Ship before you're ready (and banish perfectionism) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:32
Today's solo episode is about shipping before you're ready, lessons learned from 25 episodes of this podcast, and banishing perfectionism."Step over any negativity that comes from people who haven't stepped into the aren…
24. Journal your way to freelance success w/ Jen McKeown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:45
Dear Diary, we've got our personal development hats on today! When you're running a freelance business, there's nowhere to hide – you have no choice but to push through and figure things out. On this episode, performance…
23. Saying no and beating burnout w/ Sarah Townsend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:43
Today's episode is a chat with freelance copywriter Sarah Townsend, author of Survival Skills for Freelancers. One of the best bits about freelancing is being in control of your own work, but that's also a huge challenge…