Jack Roberts on CRM, Automation & Making Businesses Work Smarter

Tell us a little bit about yourself & your work.

Hi, I’m Jack and I run/am Stack Logic. I’m a CRM and automation specialist working primarily in HubSpot, Monday.com and a whole lot of custom code. I have a strong network within the recruitment industry so do a lot of work there, but my projects run the gamut of industries, from recruitment to marketing agencies to education. I spend around a quarter of my time optimising CRM setup and advising on strategy and the rest of my time automating the boring stuff in businesses e.g compliance processes, database syncs, document uploads – even exam marking.

What inspired you to pursue freelancing?

I accidentally got a few freelance clients on the side in the “general marketing” space and decided (correctly) that the grass was greener on the freelance side after a couple of years of wearing two hats.

How did you get your first freelance client?

A director at my last in-house job passed me a friend of his who was looking for some general marketing help, so I took that and ran with it.

What has surprised you most about being self-employed?

The thing that surprised me most was the difference it made on my view of networking. I used to hate networking, but now I…well I don’t love it, but it’s definitely not the devil it once was. Something hits different when you’re putting yourself out there to make money for yourself rather than someone else.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a freelancer?

Payment terms aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. Clients will pay you when they want to!

How do you manage work-life balance as a freelancer?

I have a young family, so the flexibility in the day is more than worth the hour or two of work I might log on an evening. Plus, I really enjoy what I do, and I’d pretty much be doing the same thing even if I wasn’t being paid!

What software or tools do you swear by?

I love ClickUp for managing my business, and Fathom for allowing me to not take notes and just focus on the conversations I have with clients.

What is the soundtrack of your working day?

Drum and bass all day. Although I have been on a huge Billy Strings journey recently, so it definitely varies!

Wfh, office or coffee shop?

So far, I’ve worked from home for the past year, but now that my wife is back in work from maternity leave, I’m considering a co-working office – the house has become very quiet all of a sudden!

What strategies do you use to find new clients?

So far I’ve survived on referrals and vibes. Two marketing WhatsApp groups I’m in have brought me 95% of my business, so if they disappeared I would be in a bit of a pickle.

How do you measure your success as a freelancer?

My first yardstick was earning the same as when I was in-house – after that it’s flexibility.

What are your favourite projects to work on and why?

Anything where I’m custom coding a solution that solves a real problem and saves businesses hundreds of hours a month.

What is your favourite way to unwind after a busy day?

I love nothing more than lacing up my shoes and running down the coast. Road races, park runs, double buggy runs, ultras – you name it, if it involves running, I’m in my happy place.

What’s the best way for someone to learn more about you or get in touch?

Visit stacklogic.co.uk or take a look at my LinkedIn page