Dishing Up Digital with Ellen Mackenzie

Want to land your first social media manager client but feel stuck because you have no experience and no portfolio?In this video, I’m breaking down exactly how to build a high-converting portfolio from scratch - even if you’ve never had a paying client. Whether you’re a beginner SMM, content creator pivoting to services, or just want to book clients faster, this is your step-by-step roadmap.I’m also sharing my best-kept secret: my SMM Template Bundle (50% off this week only for Black Friday!) includes a done-for-you portfolio template to help you get set up in hours, not days.🎁 Grab it here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd/checkout?coupon_code=BF50💕 Thank you to Rella for sponsoring the podcast! You can use the code ELLEN to get 10% off your subscription: https://getrella.com/?via=ellenxxEllen🕒 Timestamps:0:00 Why and When You Need a SMM Portfolio?0:44 The Portfolio Myth Holding You Back0:55 Portfolio Step 1 — What to Include1:46 Portfolio Step 2 — Visual Examples Without Experience5:37 Portfolio Step 3 — How to Build With No Clients9:58 Portfolio Step 4 — Ways to Get Experience Fast13:41 Final Tips to Make Your Portfolio Stand Out15:18 Get My Portfolio Template!📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee⁠👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: ⁠https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/⁠📧 Sponsorship enquiries: ⁠team@dishingupdigital.com⁠

I built an online business that’s now hitting nearly $1 M in revenue, and I didn’t do it with a viral reel or a big team. I did it with a clear strategy, consistent execution and the right systems. In this video I’m breaking down my full income journey, the key things that worked (and what didn’t), and how you can apply the same frameworks to your own business.⏱ Timestamps:0:00 — Introduction2:15 — My Business Journey: Year-by-Year Revenue5:40 — The Myth of Viral Growth8:30 — Part 1: Offer Suite Clarity12:05 — Part 2: Audience Strategy15:50 — Part 3: Content That Converts19:20 — Part 4: Sales Systems That Run Without Me23:00 — Lessons I’d Do Differently27:45 — Final Thoughts & Your Next StepsxxEllen________________________________________________________✅ Want to start your social media manager journey?Sign‑up for my FREE webinar on how to become a social media manager:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar💻 //LINKS// 💻The ultimate template bundle for social media managers:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZdBuy Ellen’s book:https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenzieeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com

AI isn’t replacing you—unless you let it.In this episode, I’m sharing the full replay of my most popular free webinar to date—a training designed to help you build a thriving, booked-out business as a social media manager or service provider in 2026 without getting left behind by AI.We’ll cover:Why ChatGPT won’t replace high-touch service providersHow to become the irreplaceable option in your nicheThe exact ways I’m using AI to save time, serve better, and sell smarterWhether you're just getting started or ready to scale, this training will help you shift from fearing AI to fully leveraging it—and position your business for long-term success.Spoiler alert: The future isn’t less human. It’s more.xxEllen💻 The Ultimate SMM Template Bundlehttps://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd👩‍💻 My Business HQhttps://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship Enquiriesteam@dishingupdigital.com📲 Follow Me for More:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee

In this spicy episode of the Dishing up Digital podcast, I’m sharing some of the wildest, most chaotic moments from my 6 years as a social media manager. From nightmare clients to contractor drama, invoice ghosting to holiday content meltdowns—these stories had me questioning everything.But with each messy moment came a powerful lesson that’s shaped how I run my business today.Here’s what we’re diving into:💔 A client ended our contract with zero notice during their divorce🌍 I redid a month of content while on vacation in South Africa🙃 A contractor nearly cost me my biggest client😵‍💫 7+ revisions on one post—and the meltdown that followed🚨 Late invoices, luxury car purchases, and the audacity🧾 Refunds, breakdowns, and what finally taught me to walk awayIf you’re a social media manager, freelancer, or service provider, this episode is your permission slip to set boundaries, charge your worth, and protect your peace.🎧 LISTEN NOW — and stay ‘til the end for the most unhinged confession I’ve never shared publicly 👀xxEllen🚨 Sign up for my FREE webinar on how to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar——————————————————————————————————————————💻 //LINKS// 💻The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZdBuy Ellen's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com

You don’t need 100k followers, a trending Reel, or a viral launch to make your first $10k month. I hit five-figure months before I had 2,000 followers—and it wasn’t magic, it was method.In this episode of Dishing Up Digital, I’m pulling back the curtain on the actual strategy that helped me go from low views to high income.You’ll learn:✨ Why follower count is NOT a business plan✨ The 4-part framework I use to create consistent $10k+ months✨ What to stop doing if you want to get booked out faster✨ Why boring, repeatable, unsexy systems scale better than viral trendsIf you’ve been second-guessing your audience size, wondering if you’re “ready” to scale, or just tired of chasing likes with no ROI—this is your roadmap.💬 “Your follower count isn’t a KPI. Your client results are.”xxEllen--------------------------------------------------------------------------P.S. Ready to get serious about social media management?Sign up for my FREE webinar:👉 https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar💻 //LINKS// 💻The ultimate template bundle for social media managers:👉 https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZdBuy Ellen's book:👉 https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager:👉 https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Business HQ:👉 https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship inquiries:📩 team@dishingupdigital.com

If you’ve ever thought “I missed the boat” when it comes to content creation… this episode will flip that belief on its head.Today, I’m joined by one of my incredible students—Janice, a 60+ UGC creator who’s redefining what’s possible at any age.We’re talking about what it really looks like to start creating content later in life, how Janice landed her first brand deals, and the mindset shifts that helped her finally show up online with confidence.Whether you’re a new creator or you’ve been putting it off because you think it’s “too late”—this episode is your permission slip to start where you are, with what you have.💬 We cover:Why age can be your superpower as a creatorJanice’s first steps into UGC + building her portfolioGetting over the fear of being visible onlineBuilding a brand when you're not a 20-something influencerThe ripple effect of choosing to go for it✨ Follow Janice on Instagram: @janice.ugc.createsxxEllenWORK WITH ME & be the next Janice! 📲 Sign up for the Dishing up Digital School here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: @ellenmackenzieeTiktok: @ellenmackenzieee

The creator economy is exploding—growing from $250B in 2024 to a projected $480B by 2027—but here’s the truth: you do not need a million followers or viral videos to claim your slice of the pie.In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact strategies micro creators can use to grow a magnetic brand, build a community, and generate consistent income—without burnout and without waiting to blow up.If you’ve been thinking:→ “No one’s watching”→ “I don’t know how to grow”→ “I’ll start when my content takes off”...this is your sign to stop waiting and start building like a CEO.This is the new era of content—and you’re not late. You’re right on time.xxEllen🚨 Sign up for my FREE 3-day online conference for social media managers:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/summit2025💻 //LINKS// 💻The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZdBuy Ellen's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com

August 2025 was my highest revenue month ever—and in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how I hit $40K (in New Zealand dollars) in 30 days.No fluff. No fake urgency. Just the real strategy, shifts, and streams that made it possible.In this episode, I break down:✨ The 9 revenue streams that made up my $40K month✨ How I rate each revenue stream and how important they are✨ Which offer made me $25,000 alone✨ Why smaller revenue streams are important tooThis isn’t a “look at me” moment—it’s a here’s what’s possible when you commit to a freedom-first business model moment.💻 Want to grow your own social media management business?Sign up for my FREE training: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar👀 New Instagram Strategy minimind drops Friday!Follow me on Instagram for all the launch details:https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/xxEllen💻 //LINKS// 💻The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZdBuy Ellen's book: amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: @ellenmackenzieeTikTok: @ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com

In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most terrifying (and transformational) decisions in business: raising your prices.I was booked out, overworked, and knew something had to shift. So I doubled my prices—fully prepared to be ghosted or told I was “too expensive.”But here’s the thing: the client still said yes.And that moment changed everything.I’m sharing the full story, plus the truth about what really happens when you raise your rates, how to handle the mindset wobble that comes with it, and the pricing strategy I now swear by.We’re talking:🔹 The turning point that made me realize I was undercharging🔹 What to do when clients say yes and when they say no🔹 How to use pricing as a business growth strategy🔹 The analytics + psychology behind my price increase method🔹 Why your dream clients will thank you for charging moreThis one’s for the service provider, freelancer, or coach who knows it’s time to stop charging “starter” prices—but feels scared to lose the clients they’ve worked so hard to earn.Spoiler: Raising your prices is rarely what breaks your business. Playing small is.xxEllen🚨 Sign up for my FREE live webinar on how to become a booked-out social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar💻 //LINKS// 💻The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZBuy Ellen's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee 🤯//FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com

Struggling to grow on social media despite your efforts? You’re not alone! Discover why your content strategy may be failing and how to reframe it for real results. Learn about the four key layers of a modern content plan and explore a step-by-step method for mapping your content to specific goals. Plus, find out what to stop doing in 2025 to ensure growth, such as posting aimlessly or neglecting conversion-focused content. This roadmap is perfect for freelancers, creators, and coaches aiming for consistent success!