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The Freelancer's TeabreakAuthor: Emma Cossey from The Freelance Lifestyle
The Freelancer's Teabreak is the short and sweet podcast you can enjoy while you make a cuppa, full of tips, tricks and advice for freelancers. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Do You Need a CRM? Client Systems for Freelancers with Jo Shock
Wednesday, 28 October, 2026
After years of very gentle bullying, I finally got Jo Shock onto the podcast! Jo has been the magic behind my business for over a decade, and she's the person everyone in the Freelance Business Lounge gets sent to the moment anyone mentions systems and CRMs. In this episode, we're talking all things CRM: what they actually are, when you need one, what to look for, and how to avoid getting dazzled by shiny software. If you've ever lost track of a lead in your inbox or wondered whether a spreadsheet is still cutting it, this one's for you. Timestamps: 0:00 Meet Jo, the magic behind my business 1:00 Jo's journey from editor to VA to systems specialist 2:15 Why everyone in the Lounge says "talk to Jo" 3:00 What is a CRM? 4:55 Taking the mental load off 5:20 When do you actually need a CRM? 6:50 The basics every CRM needs 8:15 The hidden bonus: useful client data 9:00 Starting with free tools 9:40 All-in-one tools vs specialist tools 11:15 Why your software should feel nice to use 12:05 Automations without losing the human touch 13:15 Don't forget the ICO data protection fee 14:00 Ready-made vs build-your-own CRMs 15:30 Bespoke services, packages and bolt-ons 18:20 Why Jo sent me back to LinkedIn 18:50 Jo's free resources 19:55 Building up from a basic system 21:45 Getting your tools to talk to each other 23:10 Where to find Jo 23:55 Jo's top tip: start with your process 24:25 The lure of shiny things Find Jo at Streamlines Virtual Support: streamlinesvirtual.com, where you can also sign up for her newsletter and grab her free resources. And connect with Jo Shock on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-shock. The Speedy Client Management Software Audit: resources.streamlinesvirtual.com/client-management-software-audit Streamline Your Client Admin & Care checklist: https://resources.streamlinesvirtual.com/your-client-management-checklist Her newsletter: https://resources.streamlinesvirtual.com/sign-up My stuff Check out the website: www.freelancelifestyle.co.uk Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/emmacossey Email: hello@emmacossey.com Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership: https://freelancelifestyle.podia.com/ Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: www.freelancelifestyle.co.uk/Discord Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business: https://link.amazon/B01qhTzb3
