The Social Media Takeaway - Louise McDonnell

In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m delighted to have an old friend on the show, Gill Russel, a business growth strategist. Gill shares her expertise on referral marketing and networking, including how to build effective referral strategies and why networking is a crucial part of growing a business. We also discuss practical tips for creating meaningful connections that drive real results. If you’re looking for actionable advice on how to improve your networking and referral marketing efforts in 2025, you don’t want to miss this episode.Get your FREE GIFT from Gill here!More about Gill:WebsiteLinkedinGill's BookIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to my podcast because more like this is on the way!If you'd like to book a call to see how I can support you head over to my website here. www.sellonsocialmedia.academy/helloMy 2025 Social Media Content Planner & Guide is now available! Packed with 400 content prompts, expert tips, and $377 worth of free resources to help you save time and get results in 2025. Grab your copy now on Amazon! Amazon UK...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m joined by Anita Wong, a YouTube and video strategist, and she helps business owners use YouTube to grow leads and increase visibility. In this episode, we discuss how YouTube can be a powerful tool for business growth and lead generation. Anita explains why YouTube videos have a longer lifespan compared to other platforms, how YouTube and Google work together to boost your content's visibility, and the key steps to optimising your videos for maximum impact. You’ll also learn the importance of consistent uploads, creating thumbnails that encourage clicks, and why starting with short-form videos is a great way to ease into YouTube. If you’ve been creating video content but haven’t considered YouTube or are unsure how to make it work for your business, you won’t want to miss this episode.Get Anita’s Free Guide Here! More about Anita: WebsiteLinkedinYoutubeIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to my podcast because more like this is on the way!If you'd like to book a call to see how I can support you head over to my website here. www.sellonsocialmedia.academy/helloMy 2025 Social Media Content Planner & Guide is now available! Packed with 400 content prompts, expert tips, and $377 worth of free resources to help you save time and get results in 2025. Grab your copy now on Amazon! Amazon UK...

In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I’m delighted to welcome Debbie White, an award-winning marketing expert with three decades of experience working with major brands like Starbucks and Nordstrom. Debbie joins me to dive into the importance of having a clear offer and a focused messaging strategy, which we both believe are the foundations for any successful business. We also discuss how service providers can make their offers "magnetic" to attract the right clients. We explore the steps needed to understand your ideal customer, the key elements that make an offer irresistible, and why confidence in your pricing is essential. If you've been feeling like your marketing is an uphill battle, this episode will help you realign and focus on what matters most.Take Debbie’s Persona Profile quiz here! More about Debbie: WebsiteFacebookLinkedinInstagramIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to my podcast because more like this is on the way!If you'd like to book a call to see how I can support you head over to my website here. www.sellonsocialmedia.academy/helloMy 2025 Social Media Content Planner & Guide is now available! Packed with 400 content prompts, expert tips, and $377 worth of free resources to help you save time and get results in 2025. Grab your copy now on Amazon! Amazon UK...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m joined by Alastair McDermott, a consultant, author, and podcast host with over 17 years in business and tech. We dive into the practical capabilities of AI in everyday work, from handling repetitive tasks to enhancing productivity. Alastair shares tips on getting better results with AI, like his “GOAL” framework for prompts, and we explore how AI is shaping our professional lives. If you’re curious about how to integrate AI into your daily tasks effectively, this episode has some great insights. Get Alastair's AI prompts collection - including his productivity shortcuts, podcast workflows, and writing formulas at aipowered.biz/louiseGet your AI prompt toolkit here! More about Alastair: WebsiteLinkedinAI FrameworksIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to my podcast because more like this is on the way!If you'd like to book a call to see how I can support you head over to my website here. www.sellonsocialmedia.academy/helloMy 2025 Social Media Content Planner & Guide is now available! Packed with 400 content prompts, expert tips, and $377 worth of free resources to help you save time and get results in 2025. Grab your copy now on Amazon! Amazon UK...

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professional and business growth, but where do you start, and how can you use it without getting overwhelmed?In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I’m excited to welcome Louise Brogan, an international speaker, writer, and the host of the "LinkedIn with Louise" podcast. Louise has over ten years of experience supporting small businesses who want to use social media, specifically LinkedIn, for business growth. In our conversation, we discuss practical tips for optimising your LinkedIn profile, the advantages of using LinkedIn Live to engage your audience, and strategies for crafting content that drives business results. We also delve into the latest developments on LinkedIn and what they mean for users like you! Whether you're looking to improve your LinkedIn strategy or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make the most of this powerful platform.Free Gift Here!More about Louise: WebsiteLinkedinPodcastYoutubeIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to my podcast because more like this is on the way!If you'd like to book a call to see how I can support you head over to my website here. www.sellonsocialmedia.academy/helloMy 2025 Social Media Content Planner & Guide is now available! Packed with 400 content prompts, expert tips, and $377 worth of free resources to help you save time and get results in 2025. Grab your copy now on Amazon! Amazon UK...

Sales can often feel daunting, especially when you're unsure how to start conversations or handle objections. But what if you could turn those challenges into opportunities and connect with clients on a deeper level? In this episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I’m excited to welcome Steve Donnellan, a seasoned trainer, sales coach, and the founder of Steve Donnellan Consulting and Soaring Sales Academy. With over 35 years of experience in sales and marketing, Steve brings a wealth of knowledge on how to overcome sales challenges. We dive into key strategies for understanding customer needs, crafting effective sales messages, and using the right techniques to connect on a deeper level. We also talk about how traditional sales techniques can be adapted to social media, where building connections and trust is just as important as in-person interactions. Whether you’re an experienced sales professional or new to the game, this episode is packed with insights and strategies to help you win more sales. More about Steve: WebsiteLinkedinInstagramIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to my podcast because more like this is on the way!If you'd like to book a call to see how I can support you head over to my website here. www.sellonsocialmedia.academy/helloMy 2025 Social Media Content Planner & Guide is now available! Packed with 400 content prompts, expert tips, and $377 worth of free resources to help you save time and get results in 2025. Grab your copy now on Amazon! Amazon UK...

If you died today, what would happen to your digital footprint including your social media accounts.  Our social media presence, personal data, and business profiles can continue to exist after our death, causing challenges for our loved ones. While we won't be here, do we really want to burden those we leave behind?This is a conversation we need to have to ensure peace of mind for ourselves and those we care about.In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m joined by Niki Weiss, a digital thanatologist, founder of ENDevo and creator of My Final Playbook. We discuss simple, practical steps to secure your Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, protect your digital assets, and reduce the burden on loved ones. We also highlight how creating a continuity plan can help prevent risks like hackers targeting inactive accounts.We focus not only on death, but about empowering you to manage your digital legacy. It’s about ensuring your Facebook, LinkedIn, and other data are secure, your business can continue, and your loved ones can navigate everything smoothly when the time comes.My Final PlayBook AppApple StoreGoogle PlayMore about Niki: Niki’s QuizNiki’s PodcastWebsiteLinkedinInstagramIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to my podcast because more like this is on the way!If you'd like to book a call to see how I can support you head over to my website here. www.sellonsocialmedia.academy/helloMy 2025 Social Media Content Planner & Guide is now available! Packed with 400 content prompts, expert tips, and $377 worth of free resources to help you save time and get results in 2025. Grab your copy now on Amazon! Amazon UK...

Leni Cavazos, a marketing and business strategist, shares her expertise as the founder of The Retreat Planner. She reveals how transformational retreats can significantly elevate your income and brand. Leni discusses effective pricing strategies, common pitfalls in promotional practices, and the diverse opportunities for hosting retreats in various sectors. She emphasizes the significance of marketing, personal engagement, and building a loyal client base to drive conversions. Perfect insights for anyone looking to turn retreats into a profitable venture!

A company is like a tree—its roots representing the people and their connections. If the roots are weak or disconnected, the tree cannot stand strong. In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m joined by Roxanne Derhodge, a registered psychotherapist, corporate consultant, and bestselling author. With over 20 years of experience, Roxanne has worked closely with senior leaders to enhance resilience and implement effective mental health strategies within organizations.Throughout our conversation, Roxanne shares her powerful insights into how authentic leadership and strong relationships are crucial to keeping teams connected and thriving. We explore the biggest challenges leaders face in retaining employees, how workplace dynamics are shifting in a remote world, and why employee well-being should be at the core of leadership decisions.Check out Roxanne's book here! More about Roxanne: WebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedinX(Twitter)If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to my podcast because more like this is on the way!If you'd like to book a call to see how I can support you head over to my website here. www.sellonsocialmedia.academy/helloMy 2025 Social Media Content Planner & Guide is now available! Packed with 400 content prompts, expert tips, and $377 worth of free resources to help you save time and get results in 2025. Grab your copy now on Amazon! Amazon UK...

In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I am delighted to welcome Peg Fitzpatrick, an accomplished social media strategist with over a decade of experience. Peg was the first head of social strategy for Canva, and she shares the story of how she helped grow Canva from a small startup to a global brand. In this episode, we explore the critical role of consistent social media engagement and the importance of networking and building partnerships for business growth. We also uncover some of the biggest misconceptions small businesses have about social media and offer practical advice on branding, engagement, and handling negative feedback. Whether you're new to social media or looking to refine your strategy, this episode will help you elevate your online presence and drive real results.Get her new book here! More about Peg: WebsiteLinkedinFacebookInstagramTwitter (X) If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to my podcast because more like this is on the way!If you'd like to book a call to see how I can support you head over to my website here. www.sellonsocialmedia.academy/helloMy 2025 Social Media Content Planner & Guide is now available! Packed with 400 content prompts, expert tips, and $377 worth of free resources to help you save time and get results in 2025. Grab your copy now on Amazon! Amazon UK...