Being Freelance

Copywriter Eddie Shleyner

Dec 17, 2023

Copywriter Eddie Shleyner shares his journey from blog to full-time freelance work. Topics include growing his newsletter audience, launching courses, maintaining work/life balance, and importance of testimonials. He emphasizes the role of luck in success and offers advice for new freelancers.

47:50

Creator website

Episode guests

Eddie Shleyner

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Focus on craft over growth for sustainable freelancing success.

Balance personal and professional life to maintain resilience and realistic expectations.

Deep dives

Eddie Schlainer's Freelancing Journey and Foundational Success

Eddie Schlainer shares his evolution from launching a blog and newsletter, Very Good Copy, during college, growing a chicken feather due to a diet rich in eggs, to garnering experience as an intern with a top speechwriter, although not for the Obama administration.

Introduction

2min

Engaging with Freelance Community and Introducing Eddie Schlainer

2min

Evolution of Very Good Copy Newsletter

7min

Balancing Freelancing, Content Creation, and Course Launches

18min

Navigating Freelancing and Social Media Strategy

3min

Navigating Platform Choices and Gratitude in Business

6min

Feathers, Speeches, and Squats

9min

Creating Opportunities through Dedication and Unique Approaches

2min

In 2014 Eddie started the Very Good Copy blog. Using it to educate himself, to explore copywriting techniques whilst working in-house. But he wasn’t the only one reading it. As it grew in popularlity, people started reaching out, offering him work.

He turned them down. Until eventually in 2020, an opportunity came along that was too good to refuse. So he quit his job and went full-time-freelance.

In our conversation Eddie shares the process of building his newsletter audience, his decision to create courses whilst not abandoning client work, the danger to work/life balance when you get a high from creating, and the importance of not just growing for growth’s sake.

FULL SHOW NOTES and TRANSCRIPTION AT BEINGFREELANCE.COM

02:04 The Growth of Very Good Copy

02:58 Transitioning to Freelance

03:52 The Power of LinkedIn for Growth

05:12 Taking the Leap into Full-Time Freelancing

06:02 Maintaining a Steady Stream of Leads

06:57 Choosing Projects and Setting Rates

08:44 The Importance of Testimonials

10:37 The Role of Regular Content Creation

15:14 Launching a Course

17:19 Balancing Work and Life

18:52 The Challenges of Freelancing

20:23 The Role of Social Media in Growth

23:59 The Importance of Craft and Growth

25:10 The Support System Behind Very Good Copy

26:55 Advice for New Freelancers

27:57 The Role of Luck in Success

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

Being Freelance

Copywriter Eddie Shleyner

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Eddie Schlainer's Freelancing Journey and Foundational Success

Building Resilience and Crafting Quality in Freelancing

Strategic Growth and Realizing Opportunities

Creating Luck Through Consistent Effort and Persistence

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts