Welcome Back To Side Hustle Weekly!

I’m excited to share with you another great side hustle you can start today! Today we will be discussing how you can start a marketing agency.

Before We Get Started Here’s Your News Recap:

IMF lifts global outlook, warns trade war risk
The IMF raised its 2025 growth forecast to 3.2%, citing tariff relief and fiscal stimulus, but flagged a renewed U.S.-China trade war as a key downside shock.

Long Treasury yields stay elevated — Reuters poll
A poll shows 10-year yields likely to remain above 4%, driven by sticky inflation, high deficits, and skepticism around the Fed’s ability to ease aggressively.

Powell balances growth and inflation risks
In remarks, Fed Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged the economy straddles conflicting risks: inflation pressures, weak hiring, and data delays from the shutdown. Markets expect a 0.25% cut in October.

Small business sentiment slips; inflation top concern
NFIB’s optimism index fell to 98.8, with 24% of small firms raising prices and 31% planning to, signifying persistent inflation pressure at the ground level.

Shutdown slows economy, warns Treasury Secretary
Treasury Sec. Bessent said the shutdown is “hitting the economy,” citing delayed services, suspended payments, and stressed federal operations.

Wall Street jumps after Trump tones trade rhetoric
Markets surged as tech and AI names led the rebound—Broadcom soared ~10%—following comments from Trump and trade talks optimism.

Oil edges up on U.S.-China de-escalation hints
Crude futures saw modest gains as trade tensions softened slightly; Brent climbed ~0.4% to $63.54/bbl.

Market futures slip amid renewed tariff fears
U.S. futures fell as markets parsed revived U.S.–China hostilities and new port fees on shipping firms.

IMF warns trade flashpoints could upend global outlook
Chief Economist Gourinchas flagged escalating U.S. tariff actions not baked into current forecasts, raising downside risk to growth.

Michelin cuts outlook over weak North America demand
The tire giant pulled its 2025 earnings targets after a ~10% drop in North America sales, and lowered its operating income forecast to €2.6–3.0B.

Marketing Agency

Inbox Profits: How to Start an Email Marketing Agency From Scratch

Build a Client-Focused Business That Can Easily Generate $5K–$10K+ Per Month

Email might feel old compared to TikTok and Instagram, but here’s the truth: email marketing remains one of the most profitable digital marketing channels in the world. On average, email generates $36 for every $1 spent. That’s why businesses of all sizes — from e-commerce stores to local service providers — are desperate for professionals who can manage their email campaigns.

And here’s the best part: you can start an email marketing agency with minimal upfront costs, even if you’re not an expert right now. With the right strategy, this business can grow into a $5,000–$10,000+ monthly income stream within months.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to getting started.

Step 1: Learn the Basics of Email Marketing

You don’t need to be a guru to start, but you should understand the fundamentals:

• List building – How businesses grow email subscribers.

• Segmentation – Organizing subscribers into categories.

• Copywriting – Writing subject lines and body text that get clicks.

• Automation – Setting up sequences like welcome emails or cart reminders.

• Analytics – Measuring open rates, click rates, and conversions.

Free resources from HubSpot, Mailchimp Academy, or YouTube tutorials can give you a solid foundation.

Step 2: Pick a Profitable Niche

Not every business needs email marketing, but many rely on it heavily. Focus on niches where email has a direct impact on sales, such as:

• E-commerce stores (abandoned cart recovery, product launches).

• Coaches & course creators (nurture sequences, promotions).

• Local businesses (seasonal offers, appointment reminders).

• B2B services (lead nurturing and follow-ups).

Specializing makes you look more professional and lets you charge higher fees.

Step 3: Set Up Your Brand

Even if you’re a one-person operation at first, present yourself as an agency.

• Create a simple website with your services and pricing (use Wix, Webflow, or WordPress).

• Design a professional email signature and logo with Canva.

• Set up LinkedIn and Instagram profiles to share insights and attract clients.

This gives you instant credibility.

Step 4: Choose the Right Tools

Email marketing runs on software. As an agency, you’ll want to know multiple platforms:

• Mailchimp – Great for small businesses.

• Klaviyo – Best for e-commerce brands.

• ActiveCampaign – Excellent for automation-heavy clients.

• ConvertKit – Perfect for creators and coaches.

You can start with free or low-cost plans, then bill clients for advanced tools as you grow.

Step 5: Find Your First Clients

Landing those first paying clients is critical. Some proven methods:

• Cold email outreach – Ironically, use email to land email clients. Offer a free audit of their current campaigns.

• Freelance platforms – Upwork, Fiverr, or Contra have thousands of email-related jobs.

• Social media – Share “email tips” posts to position yourself as an expert.

• Referrals – Offer discounts for referrals to build momentum.

Once you deliver results, testimonials will make it easier to close future deals.

Step 6: Create Service Packages

Clear pricing makes it easier to scale. Example packages:

• Starter ($500/month): 2 campaigns per month + basic reporting.

• Growth ($1,500/month): Weekly campaigns + automation setup + analytics.

• Premium ($3,000+/month): Full-service management + advanced segmentation + consulting.

If you close just 3–5 clients at $1,500/month, you’re already at $4,500–$7,500/month. Add more clients or higher-value packages to cross $10K.

Step 7: Automate and Outsource

As demand grows, you don’t need to do everything yourself. Hire freelancers for:

• Copywriting – Email subject lines and content.

• Design – Templates, graphics, and visuals.

• Virtual Assistants – Managing client communication and scheduling.

You can also hire a sales team to reach out to potential clients and pitch your services. This turns your agency into a fully automated operation while you focus on growth.

Step 8: Reinvest and Scale

Use profits to:

• Run ads to attract more clients.

• Upgrade to premium software tools.

• Build a small team for client onboarding, reporting, and campaign management.

• Expand into related services like SMS marketing, landing pages, or funnels.

This positions your agency as a full-service marketing partner, increasing both client retention and revenue.

Estimated Monthly Income Potential

Here’s what’s realistic:

• Beginner (2–3 clients): $1,500–$4,500/month.

• Growing (5–7 clients): $5,000–$10,000/month.

• Advanced (10+ clients + team): $15,000–$25,000+/month.

Because email campaigns can be managed on retainers, income becomes predictable and recurring.

Requirements to Get Started

• A computer with strong internet access.

• Basic knowledge of email marketing.

• Subscription to one or two email platforms.

• A simple website and portfolio.

• Willingness to pitch, sell, and network.

Websites and Tools You’ll Need

• Mailchimp, Klaviyo, ConvertKit – For managing campaigns.

• Canva – For graphics and visuals.

• Grammarly or Jasper – For polished writing.

• Trello or Asana – To manage projects.

• Stripe or PayPal – To process payments.

Products to Buy to Maximize Results

• Blue Yeti mic + webcam – For client calls and demos.

• Ring light – For professional video meetings.

• External hard drive – To store campaign assets.

• Noise-canceling headphones – To stay focused.

Pros

• High demand – Businesses always need email marketing.

• Recurring revenue – Retainer clients pay monthly.

• Low startup costs – You can launch with less than $500.

• Scalable – Easy to outsource and automate.

Cons

• Client churn – Results-driven clients may leave quickly.

• Competition – Many agencies exist; you must stand out.

• Ongoing learning – Email trends and tools evolve constantly.

• Time pressure – Campaign deadlines are strict.

Summary: How to Grow an Email Marketing Agency

1. Learn the basics of email campaigns, automation, and copywriting.

2. Pick a niche where email has clear ROI (e-commerce, coaching, local businesses).

3. Build your brand with a simple website and professional presence.

4. Land your first clients via cold outreach, platforms, and referrals.

5. Package your services for clear, scalable pricing.

6. Automate and outsource to free up your time and scale.

7. Reinvest and diversify into other services for even more revenue.

With low startup costs, recurring revenue, and scalable systems, an email marketing agency is one of the most profitable digital businesses you can launch today.

That’s A Wrap

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and if you have any questions about the post, upcoming posts, how to advertise, or anything else, feel free to reply. See you next time with another money-making post, helping you boost your income!

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