Digital Discussions Unfiltered

One of the most common questions I get is 'Which platform is best'? And now, I'll be upfront, you might not like my answer.

BUT, in this episode, I share some personal opinions (yes we all have them!) about at least 5 different Email Service Providers (ESPs), the pros and cons of each including pricing and my experience of using them. Plus, if you're just starting out / if you want to jump in feet-first, my personal recommendation for which platform to pick.

If you found value in this episode, any shares or feedback is always welcome, please drop me a DM on Instagram @LornaScullyUK

Plus you'll get an insight into some of the changes coming to the podcast, my thoughts and feelings on why aaaaand just a nosey into my business at the minute!

In today's episode, I talk about how you can start using segmentation within your email campaigns. It's pretty important.

89% of business currently do not use segmentation within their email strategy and that's crazy! I cover what segmentation is, why it's important and some examples of how it could drive some real results for your business.

Ps. Don't be like ASOS. (You'll have to listen to the episode to find out what I'm talking about 😉)

Get your ticket to The Email Challenge - June

Emily Mumford is the brains behind the fabulous brand that is Inkpot & Press. The copywriting pro is a countryside-dwelling, English graduate with over 15 years of copywriting experience.

She clearly has a passion for helping value-led brands level up their words across all digital platforms. Whether it's a sales page, product descriptions or Instagram captions you need help with, Em is your girl!

In this episode we chat about;

→ Emily's background and how she became such a fabulous copywriter

→ A brief (potentially controversial) rant about the new 'lockdown' social media managers

→ If you're struggling with selling and feeling 'icky', how copy writing is the easiest way to inject some commerciality

→ How and why to evoke emotion

→ Em shares a bloody brilliant analogy - 'the drinks party'

→ She does a live critique of my Instagram bio and gives you a simple template to follow to make yours the best it can be.

I'm pretty miffed that the audio isn't the best it could possibly be during this episode, but it was too good to throw away. I hope you find great value in it - if you do make sure you leave a review or screenshot and share to your Instagram Stories and tag myself (@LornaScullyUK) and Emily too!

Find Emily: Inkpot & Press Website | Instagram

Lone Owl Studio is the incredible brand that today's lovely guest, Sarah Woollen has created. It's a clothing and personalised gift brand that creates products that are proudly vegan and free of any animal-derived materials and adhesives (right down to the recyclable packaging). And also donates monthly to animal charities too!

In this episode we chat about:

→ The book that helped Sarah jump from her marketing manager position in to the full-time business owner

→ The challenges she faced whilst creating her brand, including the worries around the community she wants to be apart of

→ Why she loves running a small business

→ How she first got into collaborating with other business owners and some tips if that's something you'd like to do

→ Her opinion on Etsy, from an Etsy seller

And so much more.

If you're a small business owner, I think you'll gain a lot from listening to Sarah chat about her fabulous business. It just goes to show that sometimes when we think we're not doing okay, or we should be doing a certain way - we're not alone.

Make sure you pop and give Sarah a follow on Instagram and check out her personalised products too - I'd personally recommend them, the quality is insanely good!

Find Sarah: Lone Owl Studio Website | Instagram

When you first start out in business, sometimes we just have to get things done, right? None of us knows everything. Or do everything we're 'supposed' to do. SEO is generally one of those things.

In today's episode, I invited my pal Liane Abrams aka. The Content Creator to come and give us the DL on how we can get started with SEO, specifically for Shopify websites.

Now, don't get me wrong, we covered A LOT in this episode, so even if you haven't got a website on Shopify, you'll likely pick up a thing or two from Liane's knowledge bombs.

And as always, if you find this episode useful then please do make sure you share it on socials, spread the word and tag me and Liane and we'll be sure to share your wonderful comments.

If SEO is something that you would like to learn more about and improve for your business, especially if you have a website built on either Shopify, Wix or Squarespace, then make sure you register your interest for the Zero to SEO Hero Course launch on Liane's website.

You can find Liane on: The Content Creator Website | Instagram

We're carrying on with the Q&A from my Instagram Stories where I'm answering all of your questions about email marketing.

Today I'm answering the question 'How do I build my email subscriber list?'

In this episode, I give you an explanation about value exchange, what that actually means, why it's important and what it could look like for you.

Plus, give you some of the best spots with examples of where you can be promoting your email list!

Are you ready to get on top your email game?

The Email Challenge > Sign Up - https://www.lornascully.com/product/the-email-challenge/

Answering your questions, one by one, about email marketing.

In this episode, I share my personal thoughts and feelings about building a business on a 3rd party selling site. BUT more importantly, how you can start to build your own database of fabulous email subscribers if that's where you're at right now.

The Email Challenge, 5 prompts in 5 days: Get your ticket!

Episode 52: How Often Should I Email My Subscribers?

Episode 26 with Ruth from XOXO Designs

Use a link shortener: try bit.ly

31 email content ideas: https://www.lornascully.com/emails/

Share your thoughts or send me your question on Instagram @LornaScullyUK

Answering your questions, one by one, about email marketing.

If you're looking for a quick fix answer to this question, then this episode probably isn't for you. However, I do give some ideas and questions for you to think about to be able to answer this question for yourself in a way that works for you and your business. 

Get the 31 content prompts mentioned in the episode > https://www.lornascully.com/emails/

Share your thoughts or send me your question on Instagram @LornaScullyUK

Fi Grayson, the absolute powerhouse behind the fabulous brand that is She Can. She Did. The brand going through a complete overhaul currently, but with a continuous, empowering mission.

Fi and her lovely team are on a mission to help female business owners in the UK. She's created the first benefits programme to do just that. 

In this episode we chat about:

→ The journey of She Can. She Did. so far

→ How she pivoted and what that looked like for a business like SC.SD.

→ How the launch of the UK's first female-focused benefits programme didn't quite go as well as she'd planned

→ Reflection on pitching for investment and the lessons she learnt

→ An insight into the 5 part open letter to female business owners that Fi so carefully and eloquently put together back in January

→ All things Instagram and business - the good the bad and the ugly.

→ Judging, cancel culture and begin afraid to speak our truth

and so much more...

As I mention in the opening, Fi was one of the very few I felt comfortable reaching out to when I first started my self employed journey in April 2019. Having her as a guest has been a dream of mine, and I'm so thrilled I could share her wisdom and just incredible outlook with you.

If you found this at all useful, all the shares and passing it on to pals that you think may like it would mean the world to me.

Find Fi: Instagram

I asked, you answered. I wanted to know what you wanted to hear from me for episode 5 - maybe not a milestone to many, but it feels like it for me.

So in this episode I share 7 (possibly ramble lessons) I've learnt in creating 49 podcast episodes. And I think each and every one of them could probably be associated to some other area of business or even life in general.

If you make it all the way through, there is a cheeky little giveaway at the end. You've got to be in it to win it! Don't forget to share and tag me @LornaScullyUK to be in for a chance of winning.

Entries close Wednesday 21st April.

Good luck 🍀