The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations

We’ve all heard it before—successful launches require complex funnels, endless emails, and hours on Zoom. But what if you could sell out your program with nothing more than your phone, a little green circle, and a handful of creative ideas?In this episode, Instagram strategist Brittany Roberts takes us behind the scenes of her most successful (and simplest) launch to date—run entirely through Instagram Close Friends Stories. You’ll hear how she curated 250+ people into an exclusive list, delivered a 3-day teaching series from her couch, and sold out her group program without ever making it public.Whether you’re burned out on traditional launch models or just craving a more personal way to sell, Brittany’s fresh approach will inspire you to rethink what’s possible when you lead with connection over complexity.🎙️ In This Episode:How Brittany replaced her webinar funnel with Close Friends Stories—and why it workedThe step-by-step of building an exclusive Close Friends list from scratchWays to keep your launch lo-fi without losing impactThe small tweaks that turned casual viewers into warm, ready-to-buy leadsWhy “done is better than perfect” is the secret to faster, easier launches🔗 Links Mentioned:Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/88 Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services Learn more about working with Brittany: https://thesocialbritify.com Follow Brittany on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesocialbritify Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

We’ve all been there—you head into summer with big marketing plans, only to look up in August and realize you ghosted your audience for months. Now Q4—the biggest sales season of the year—is around the corner, and panic starts to set in.This episode is your practical, no-fluff guide to getting back in the game without burning out. Returning guest Tayler from Enji and I talk about how to restart your marketing after a long break, rewarm your audience, and set yourself up for Black Friday success—even if you’ve been MIA since June. From smart content repurposing to strategic pacing, this conversation will help you avoid the “all in, then crash” cycle for good.Whether you’re a product-based business gearing up for holiday sales or a service provider ready to fill your Q4 calendar, you’ll walk away with a plan you can actually stick to.🎙️ In This Episode:Why going “all in” right after a break is a recipe for burnoutHow to reintroduce yourself to your audience without the awkward “sorry I disappeared” postSmart ways to warm up your leads before Black FridayThe easiest low-lift content ideas to restart your marketingHow to use blogs, old content, and Enji’s repurposing tools to save timeWhy restraint (and pacing) is key to sustainable marketing🔗 Links Mentioned:Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/87Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/servicesSign Up For a Free Trial With Enji: https://thekarareport.com/enjiSign Up For the Black Friday Summit (Aug 26-28): http://bit.ly/3HbeagBFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

It’s easy to get caught up in big, lofty goals - more engagement, more sales, more visibility. But sometimes, the key to building momentum isn’t about overhauling your whole life or business. It’s about creating small, intentional rules that keep you consistent, focused, and motivated.In this episode, I’m sharing a handful of personal “rules” I’ve put in place for myself (some for business, some for everyday life!) that make getting things done a lot more fun. From gamifying my social media engagement to curbing my home décor spending, these little tweaks have had a surprisingly big impact on my consistency, focus, and overall enjoyment of the process.Whether you’re looking for ways to stay on top of your marketing, tame your inbox anxiety, or finally put those new ideas into action, you’ll find at least one tip here that you can adapt for your own life and business.🎙️ In This Episode:My “active engagement only” rule for social mediaHow I’m gamifying home décor spending to grow my savingsThe education-to-execution ratio that keeps me from overconsuming contentWhy numbering my emails and podcast episodes is surprisingly motivatingA simple email scheduling hack to reduce anxiety and avoid overwhelm🔗 Links Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/86 Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

It’s so easy to look at the “OGs” of your industry or those seven-figure business owners and think, Wow, if only I’d started earlier or had that viral moment. Bigger audience, more money, more options—right? But here’s the thing: there are some very real advantages you have right now that they don’t.This episode is all about flipping the script and recognizing the four hidden advantages you have over those massive businesses—and how you can leverage them today. From the freedom to experiment without a PR crisis to the ability to pivot without dragging an entire team (and audience) along, you might realize you’re in a better position than you thought.Whether you’re sitting at multi-six figures, just starting out, or somewhere in between, you’ll walk away from this episode seeing your “smaller” business in a whole new light.🎙️ In This Episode:Why experimentation is a luxury bigger businesses can’t always affordThe hidden cost of trying something new when you have a big teamHow audience expectations can box you in (and why you’re freer than you think)The reality of increased criticism when more eyes are on youWhy being nimble is one of your greatest business assets🔗 Links Mentioned:Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/85Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

Pinterest can feel like shouting into the void and as a business owner? It's seriously missing the dopamine hits we know and love from other platforms. But before you write it off completely, let’s talk about what might actually be going on under the surface.This episode is a follow-up to a blog-centric one I did back in Episode 72, but this time, we're zooming in on Pinterest. I’m sharing the two things I’d tell you if your Pinterest wasn’t working—because sometimes it’s a traffic issue, and sometimes it’s a conversion issue… and sometimes it’s a little bit of both.If you’re tired of chasing every new trend and hoping one of them finally sticks, I see you. This episode is more about understanding how Pinterest actually works today, and how to make it work for you. Whether you’re deep into strategy or just getting started, you’ll walk away with a clearer sense of what’s worth your effort (and what to stop obsessing over). 🎙️ In This Episode:Why Pinterest traffic often gets misattributed What “Pinterest consistency” actually meansWhy your pins might not be rankingTools I’m using to track behavior and heatmaps Three content types every Pinterest strategy needsThe Pinterest viral pin phenomenon🔗 Links Mentioned:Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/84Listen to Episode 72 (Blog posts not working?): https://thekarareport.com/72Listen to Episode 68 with Allie from Akari Digital (Data & UTM codes): https://thekarareport.com/68Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/servicesFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

Ever gotten a DM saying, “We’d love to feature you in Forbes... for $250”?Or seen someone on the Today Show and wondered how they actually got there?In this episode, we’re talking all things earned media—what it is, why it matters, and how small businesses (yes, even with tiny budgets) can get press that actually moves the needle.I’m joined by PR expert Holly Mitton of Little Bird Boston, who breaks down what really goes on behind the scenes in modern PR. It’s not all glitz and glamour, and it’s definitely not all pay-to-play. If you’ve ever thought PR was out of reach, or felt totally confused by the mixed messages and shady pitches in your inbox, this is the episode for you.🎙️ In This Episode:What “earned media” actually means Why those paid magazine features might not be the best use of your moneyHow small businesses can DIY their PR without a $20K agency retainerSmart strategies for finding and pitching journalists (even without a media list)Realistic expectations for results, timelines, and ROIWhen to hire a pro, and what red flags to look for in a PR proposal🔗 Links Mentioned:Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/83Learn more about working with Holly: https://www.littlebirdboston.com/Follow Holly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollylittlebirdbostonpr/Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/servicesFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

A few months ago, I saw the headline: “Google announces that traditional SEO is dead.” (or something like that lol). I paused. I re-read it. I rolled my eyes if I'm being honest. There are a lot of things to spiral about in 2025 but search-driven marketing going away is not one of them. That said, all of the conversations around "is SEO still a thing" did get me thinking deeply about how blogging fits into the world we're suddenly living in. A world where AI is writing everything from wedding vows to business strategies, and where the internet is flooded with content that’s technically correct… but kind of lame lol.So in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real questions so many of us are asking but maybe too nervous to say out loud: Is blogging still a smart marketing strategy for small businesses with limited budgets and time? This isn’t a tutorial or a hot-take. It’s a conversation. A look at what I’m seeing in my own business, what’s shifting under the surface, and how we can adapt without becoming robots ourselves. If you’re a service provider wondering how to stand out in a world of one-click content… you’ll want to tune in.🎙️ In This Episode:What I really think about what's going to happen in a post-AI worldThe rise of “digital footprints” and why multi-platform content matters more than everPricing in the age of AI (this might be a hot take) A hard look at the surface-level content epidemic The uncomfortable question: Are you still saying the same things you were five years ago?🔗 Links Mentioned:Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/82Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/servicesFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

Half the year is officially behind us (how?!), and if you’re feeling a little off-track, unmotivated, or just plain unsure what your goals even were in January… you are not alone. This episode is part pep talk, part planning session, and part personal catch-up as I walk you through my own messy Q2, what I’ve learned, and how I’m thinking about Q3 (and beyond).If your first half of the year didn’t go as planned, or if you never really had a plan, you’ll want to tune in. I'm also sharing one of my favorite simple tools for checking in on your life and business when you need a fresh start.This isn’t about hustle. It’s about clarity, kindness toward yourself, and realistic focus for the rest of the year. 🎙️ In This Episode:A behind-the-scenes look at my real (read: chaotic) Q2The “Wheel of Life” exercise I always come back toHow to reset your priorities without burning outWhy now is the best time to think about Q4🔗 Links Mentioned:Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/81Example wheel of life exercise: https://thecoachspace.com/blog/wheel-of-life-template/Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/servicesFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

In this episode, I’m answering a question that’s come up more than once lately: Do I really need to keep marketing if I’m already fully booked? If you’ve ever found yourself in a busy season (from business demands to sick toddlers and surprise moves), it can be tempting to hit pause on visibility—but that might not be your best move. I’m sharing my real-life perspective on why staying visible still matters, even when you’re not actively looking for clients. And I'm speaking from experience here because I also talk about the time I ghosted my own audience in 2021.Plus, I’m keeping it short and sweet, because life’s already full enough. This is your reminder that showing up consistently doesn’t mean doing the most. 🎙️ In This Episode:Why I’m still showing up—even when I’m swampedThe biggest mindset shift that changed how I marketHow I stay consistent without doing all the thingsWhat I focus on (and what I happily let go of)A few thoughts if you’ve been tempted to disappear this season🔗 Links Mentioned:Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/80Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/servicesFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

You don’t have to do it all to stay consistent... and summer is the perfect time to prove it.In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own marketing strategy and showing you how I’m staying visible without maxing out my time, energy, or creativity. Whether you're a one-person show or leading a small team, this approach will help you simplify without losing momentum.We’ll talk about choosing the right platforms to prioritize (and which ones to put on pause), how to repurpose your content more effectively, and why it's totally okay if your numbers dip a bit in the summer. I’m also sharing the exact decisions I’ve made behind the scenes (from where I’m investing effort to what I’ve decided is just not worth stressing over right now).This is about doing less, but doing it with purpose. If you’ve been looking for a more sustainable way to market through the season without disappearing completely, this episode is your permission slip.🎙️ In This Episode:How to pick your “dynamic duo” (and what to let go of)Impressions will dip... that’s okayHow I’m using AI and batching to make more content with less effortMy exact summer marketing plan (and what I’ll drop if life gets too full)🔗 Links Mentioned:Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/79Listen to episode 26: Your Low-Effort, High-Impact Summer Marketing PlanAI-related episodes: Ep 41, Ep 42, Ep. 30Try Enji (marketing task tool): https://thekarareport.com/enjiFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport