324: Why your early work will suck... and why that's actually perfect (with Angela Hollowell)

Season 3, episode 24 is here!

Angela Hollowell joined me to talk about her journey from photographer to filmmaker, why she publishes three times a week on her newsletter Please Hustle Responsibly, and what she learned running a documentary through the festival circuit.

She shared why Substack is perfect for publishing but lacks the data tools serious businesses need, her approach to in-person podcasting that creates superfans, and the mindset adjustment that removes all the pressure from creating.

What we cover:

- The coffee mug gift strategy she uses for in-person podcast interviews that creates instant rapport

- How she accidentally became a filmmaker after people kept asking if her camera recorded video

- Why she wraps up an 18-month film festival run and now plans to write TV shows

- Her featured post strategy that most Substack writers completely underutilise

- The changeover from paid subscriptions to developing print magazines, in-person dinner parties, and digital products

- Why the first things you create will be terrible and that’s completely fine

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe