The Mindful Marketing Podcast (Formerly Known As The Savvy Social Podcast)

You want to be recognized. You want to be known. You want to have success. The foundation of all of those things is branding. And when social media and branding collide, magic happens. Today on the Savvy Social Podcast, we have special guest Amber Hurdle on to talk all about branding with what she calls the Velvet Machete. In this episode, Amber and I dive into the importance of branding by talking about: How to have a clear brand The importance of making yourself different We dive into Amber's recent book launch on social media How people data drives her business About Amber Hurdle Amber Hurdle helps professionals connect the combined value of personal brands, employer brands and business brands to achieve bottom line results. She personally understands what it takes to accelerate success as a former teen mom who evolved into a powerhouse business woman, having worked with international celebrities and Fortune 100 companies alike. She was recently recognized among the "Top 40 Under 40" by the Nashville Business Journal, as well as by the The Nashville Area Chamber's Nashville Emerging Leader Awards (NELA)as the winner in the Business Services category. Amber Hurdle Consulting's clients include large brands such as FedEx Ground, Marriott Hotels, and Stella & Dot, as well as small businesses who want to play big. As a professional speaker, talent optimization certified consultant, author, app developer and Podcast host, Amber is also committed to her community and profession. Whether her content-rich experiences energize leadership to boldly live their organization's culture and next-level their employee engagement or empowers entrepreneurs to think strategically, Amber's straight shooting"velvet machete"and warm personality never fail to motivate professionals to up their game in business and in life. Connect with Amber: https://amberhurdle.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AmberHurdleFan https://twitter.com/amberhurdle https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberhurdle/ Links: Black Friday: https://onlinedrea.com/blackfriday

Does social media marketing make you smile or make you stress? If you're stressing, you're definitely not alone and thankfully, there's hope! Annie Franceschi shares how she makes social media work for her, the value of telling your story, why word of mouth referrals are gold, and why it's important to include some fun in your strategy! In this podcast episode, we share: How Disney helped Annie learn how to navigate Corporate America Annie's experience of leaving the film industry to starting her own business What Annie wished she knew at the beginning of her social media journey What Annie's marketing looks like now and what strategy works best for her How Annie integrates social media in her work and uses it to amplify her marketing Annie's book 'Permission to Try' and her creative book launch approach The power of "the easy YES" and saying thank you Annie's "Tactic Tornado" theory and how to focus on your "Reasons to Believe" Memorable Quotes: "We all know what positioning is, we just don't realize it. And simply put, it's always about how you tell the story." "I realized the work I was doing was fun and sexy and cool, but it wasn't changing lives." "That's what 'Permission to Try' is all about...giving yourself permission to take that leap of faith when you don't know if the net's going to be there to catch you." "I felt extremely lost until I realized I didn't have to be all things to all people and I shouldn't be on every platform." "The number 1 way I get business probably won't surprise you and it's the best way, is word of mouth and client referral." Meet Annie Franceschi Annie Franceschi is a small business branding expert, bestselling author, and motivational business speaker based in Durham, North Carolina. She's spent the past 10+ years of her career in storytelling: first as a Disney storyteller in brand management, and now, running her own small business branding agency, Greatest Story Creative®. In branding 90+ businesses, advising hundreds of entrepreneurs, and speaking to thousands, she's come to believe that your life is your greatest story. Connect with Annie: http://instagram.com/annie.franceschi http://facebook.com/greateststorycreative http://linkedin.com/in/anniefranceschi http://anniefranceschi.com/ Links Mentioned: https://collaboration-catalyst.mn.co/ This Episode Is Made Possible By: Social Report: The world's most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

If you're a pro at social media, then you can just hop onto Instagram or Twitter and post without giving it a second thought. But not everyone is a pro. Beginners need to take the time to plan out what their posts are going to look like. I like to compare it to walking into the gym for the first time. You can't just jump up to the 100lb weights. First, you have to start with that 5-10lb range. Today we're going to talk about how to successfully create that 5-10lb social media post. In this podcast episode, we share: Choosing only 1 platform to start out How often you should even be posting on social media Utilizing promotional content in order to grow your brand Showcasing your expertise through educational content Letting everyone know that this whole thing is bigger than you Sharing entertaining content to keep it light-hearted Engaging with your audience with quotes, questions, or controversial topics Creating designs for all or some of your content pillars Outlining a fuller content calendar for yourself Using free tools to help you plan your calendar Planning for all of your future needs and growth Memorable Quotes: "I can't just run-up to those 100lb weights and start lifting them. I've got to start with those 5-10lb weights first." "A lot of people like sharing their opinion. Everyone's got one, and we all love sharing it." Links Mentioned: onlinedrea.com/free https://onlinedrea.com/canva https://onlinedrea.com/airtable Airtable Like a Boss https://onlinedrea--missgsd.thrivecart.com/checkout-alab/ later.com This Episode Is Made Possible By: Social Report: The world's most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

Even though social media use has spread like wildfire across the world, social media marketing is still a fairly new approach to how we do business and can be difficult to navigate for those new to the scene. It's easy to fall into the comparison trap or experience impostor syndrome, so I asked Jen Conger to join me and explain the importance of listening to your audience, the value of understanding your mentality around social media, and how to get past your fear about posting and networking! In this podcast episode, we share: Jen's history with corporate marketing in a Fortune 500 company What kind of content Jen used for her company's first social media posts When and why Jen decided to start her own social media business Where people usually get stuck on their social media strategy Suggestions for improving your mindset around social media Why it's important to get clear on your vision and commitment for social media Advice for conquering fear and leaning into vulnerability on social media Tips for building a community that helps your business grow Jen's suggestion for using voice memos to really tap into the power of DMs Memorable Quotes: "It's such an important step on any social media journey when someone's creating their strategy, is to listen to the people who this is for." "We don't have to be in the rat race." "Sit with really what comes up for you when you ask yourself: What does social media mean for my business?" "Sometimes it's just a matter of I'm gonna stick the scroll, and I'm going to be very intentional every time I go on social media about who I'm connecting with and how I'm doing that." "It's baby steps...and you can always start with your story and why you do what you do or how you got to where you were…" "How do I get in front of other audiences and just get visible?" "What's separating people who are building incredible brands online...is they focus less on content development and pushing out stuff, and they concentrate more on relationship marketing." "If you leave this podcast with one thing you want to start doing, it's welcoming every single follower you have with a voice memo inside their DM." Meet Jen Conger Jen is a former corporate director of marketing turned social media coach, writer, speaker, and all around storytelling junkie. Her passion is for helping service-based female entrepreneurs sell on social media without feeling salesy or spammy. Jen is the host of The Social Jam, a growing Facebook community of women who are using social media to develop authentic, soulful relationships with collaborators and customers anywhere in the world. Connect with Jen: https://www.instagram.com/jenconger/ https://www.facebook.com/JenCongerMarketing/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesocialjam/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenconger/ This Episode Is Made Possible By: Social Report: The world's most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

As an entrepreneur or business owner, you've probably heard that it's super important to narrow down your niche. Having a specific niche can help build your audience and your offering, but you may not know that it can also open the doors to hosting your own online summit! I talk with Krista Miller about how she got started in the world of summits, the value of knowing and understanding your niche, how live videos can encourage engagement, and how she uses Facebook Groups to build a summit community! In this podcast episode, we share: How Krista transitioned from the corporate world to the online business space Why Krista started hosting summits and launched "Summit in a Box" How Krista's attitude toward social media has evolved from fear to fun Tips for how to promote your summit on social media Recommendations for tools to help build your summit Krista's Facebook Group strategy for building a community for summit attendees How Krista used Facebook Ads to upsell her summit registration Advice for how to get the biggest ROI for your summit Memorable Quotes: "That's an important part of social media we sometimes forget: If it doesn't feel fun to logon to the platform anymore, you don't have to be locked in...if you don't like it, you're not going to do it." "Really focus on the behind the scenes, tease out that excitement leading up to the summit, build up to the ask, and don't just straight promote all the time." "For promotion, the more you can make use of your speakers, the better results you're going to get." "People really like summits when you have a specific goal for a specific niche." About Krista Miller: Krista teaches online business owners how to skyrocket their revenue, grow their email lists, become leaders, and make mutually beneficial connections through online summits. These aren't summits that leave speakers and attendees feeling gross and taken advantage of - her method is focused on strong connections, collaboration, and making a difference in the lives of everyone involved. Connect with Krista: https://www.summitinabox.co/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/ https://www.instagram.com/summitinabox/ https://www.pinterest.ca/heykristarae/ This Episode Is Made Possible By: Social Report: The world's most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

When you think about where you are in your business, are you in the short term, medium term, or long term? Whether you're in the short term "seedling stage", or have grown roots and successfully reached the long term stage, this episode focuses on how to incorporate social media during all three phases of your business, when you should consider advertising, how much time you should spend on social media, and more! In this podcast episode, I share: What the seedling stage or "short term stage" of your business involves Why you need money during the short term stage of your business Why it's VITAL to focus on making solid connections in the short term phase Suggestions for how much time to spend on social media How to know you've transitioned to the "medium term stage" Advice for spending money on paid advertising and outsourcing tasks Why collaboration is key during the medium term of your business Why the "long term stage" is the best time to fine tune what really works for you Recommendations for increasing your ROI during the long term stage Warnings for collaborating with celebrities before you're truly ready Memorable Quotes: "In the short term...you don't want to spend a lot of time on social media because you need to be figuring out the rest of your marketing strategy." "Your value will come from talking to people." "You've got to spend time in the short term connecting so when you're in the medium term people can see you've got something going on." "A giveaway will only work if you have PROVEN that you have a solid plan in place to convert those people who are interested." "The long term stage is where you really dig into content. You're broadcasting—people are already finding you. You just need to give them a reason to stay at this point." Links Mentioned: https://www.dcpodfest.com/ https://onlinedrea.com/social-media/how-much-time-to-spend-on-social-media/ This Episode Is Made Possible By: Social Report: The world's most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

In this podcast episode, we share: How Kessley got into the intuitive life coach path How Kessley helps clients tap into their own intuition to create a life and a business they love Kessley's strategy for nurturing your Instagram inbox and reaching out with intention Why you should let go of any fear about Instagram's algorithms and focus on the endless possibilities Instagram provides How to create a message that resonates with your audience based on what excites you Tips for managing social media to help you feel like you're not in constant demand 24/7 Why you should read or watch biographies of people who've become successful Details about Kessley's program "Meet Your Muse" Memorable Quotes: "Whatever your niche is, whatever your calling is...whatever you're called to do, it is part of who you are, it's literally part of your MISSION—your soul's mission here on earth—to go after that thing." "My possibilities are endless; that is such a simple and powerful mantra." "Just because someone hasn't found you right now doesn't mean they won't find you in the future." "For having a message that resonates with your audience, it has to resonate with you first." "When you show up excited for your work, your audience is going to show up excited to work with you." "Make sure Instagram (or Facebook) is working for you and you are not working for it. It ALL gets to work for YOU." Meet Kessley McCormick Kessley is an International Intuitive Life-Purpose Coach and Consultant. Kessley works with celebrities, rockstars, famous athletes and their families to help validate and guide them for all things Life-Purpose and success. Kessley has the special gifts of Claircognizance and Clairsentience, which she is known world-wide for. She specializes in getting her clients super aligned with their divine assignment and soul mission. Her sessions will leave you feeling invigorated, enlightened, and confident. Kessley loves working as a high-vibrational guide for the everyday woman who is shifting into her entrepreneurial journey. She helps guide them through energy diagnosis of steps they need to take now to achieve the ultimate success. Kessley taps into her intuitive gifts to consult her clients on how to accelerate their dreams. Connect with Kessley: https://www.facebook.com/groups/379768189089157/ https://instagram.com/kessleymccormick http://kessleymccormick.com/ https://www.facebook.com/intuitivebombshell/ This Episode Is Made Possible By: Social Report: The world's most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

Online marketing, email marketing, social media marketing—it can all be awkward and uncomfortable, especially if you're a new entrepreneur or business owner! Rachael Kay Albers from Awkward Marketing joins me today to share where the best content comes from, what tools you need for your online business, how to repurpose and share your episodes on social media, and the value of getting your audience involved in your process! In this podcast episode, we share: Rachael's background and where she gets her comedic content What inspired Rachael's first Facebook Live video The most common patterns Rachael sees in marketing Rachael's process for scripting characters for her episodes How Rachael leverages her audience when creating content Tips for resharing different segments of previously used video content on social media How Rachael streamlines the work involved in creating each show The wins Rachael has experienced from creating amazing content What online tools Rachael recommends for those just starting their own show How frustration influences Rachael's content and lead magnet Memorable Quotes: The more you dive into the world of online marketing, the more it's impossible not to make fun of it. The best content always comes from the patterns I see. You need to be spending a significant chunk of your time on a regular basis creating dynamic content—and it's worth it. It's not just that people are consuming the content. It's that they're implementing it in their businesses and it's giving them a-ha moments. If you want to get people talking about your brand, creating epic, unforgettable content is one way to do it. Meet Rachael Kay Albers: Rachael Kay Albers is the creative director of RKA ink, a creative studio based outside Chicago, Rachael has helped hundreds of thought leaders and visionary entrepreneurs all over the world stand out online without selling their soul or playing the manipulation game. When not crafting epic, unforgettable brands for her clients, Rachael hosts Awkward Marketing, a business comedy show blending fun-sized small business advice with storytelling and sketch comedy. Think of her as the one-woman SNL of biz TV. Connect with Rachael: https://awkwardmarketing.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rachaelkayalbers/ https://www.facebook.com/rachaelkayalbers/ http://twitter.com/rkaink/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rkaink/ http://www.youtube.com/rkaink/ Links Mentioned: Don't Hire A Web Designer Let's Do Launch Rev Basecamp This Episode Is Made Possible By: Social Report: The world's most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

Chances are if you feel the need to delete your social media apps, it's because you feel overwhelmed by it or think you're spending too much time on it. The good news is you're not alone! Research shows habitual social media use is common so I'm sharing 4 easy steps to help you reclaim your control over social media! In this podcast episode, I share: Step 1: Figure out your relationship with social media. Step 2: Turn off your notifications instead of deleting your apps. Step 3: Get in the habit of checking social media on your terms. Step 4: Do more of what you like on social media. Memorable Quotes: "If you can't define what you're getting from social media then it's going to be really hard to manage it." "Turning off notifications drastically changed my relationship with social media because now I'm back in control of how I navigate the apps." "Check social media once or twice a day, for business, during business hours—that's it. You're allowed to be closed." "There's an expectation that we're always on and that we're always available, and that's NOT true." "I get to enjoy the things that I like, when I like, and then when I'm working, I'm working." Links Mentioned: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/in-excess/201805/addicted-social-media http://www.onlinedrea.com/free This Episode Is Made Possible By: Social Report: The world's most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media

Before anyone will actually buy your services, donate to your cause, or subscribe to your show or newsletter, they need to know, like, and trust you. Developing this kind of connection requires a strong brand voice and a clear understanding of your audience. Helen Tremethick talks with me about how to find your brand voice, using your brand voice on social media, inspiration for creating content your audience wants, and so much more! In this podcast episode, we share: What attracted Helen to a career in copywriting and communication How Helen helps her clients identify their brand voice Why business owners and entrepreneurs struggle to find a path for their brand Why Helen's methodology is called "Captivate" The importance of understanding who you are and who your people are Suggestions for building a "know, like, trust" appeal with your audience How creating a brand voice evolves during the rebranding process The benefit of a strategic plan for content and using a brand voice road map Why it's valuable to know what your audience wants and what will resonate with them Tips for those who need writing inspiration and the power of free writing Details about Helen's Copy Courage Program Memorable Quotes: "We teach what we need to learn." "In order to create a solid brand voice, you need to know who you're talking to, not just what you stand for." "Get to know your people, know what you want to say to them." "What are they feeling right now? What are the problems that you'll solve and what does that feel like to them?" "You need to have a plan as to what you're going to share and how that supports how you're trying to serve." "When you have a brand that wants to elevate other people, it's helpful to share what elevates you." About Helen Tremethick Helen Tremethick is a brand voice strategist and copy coach whose values-driven approach to communications helps scaling entrepreneurs and small businesses move their businesses into the next sphere with just the right amount of love and badassery. Helen is the CEO of The Communications Distillery, a boutique branding studio located in an old farmhouse in the middle of the Ontario countryside. Connect with Helen: https://instagram.com/helentremethick https://facebook.com/communicationsdistillery Links Mentioned: Copy Courage Program: http://communicationsdistillery.com/courage Free Offer: http://communicationsdistillery.com/free - Free Copywriting Guide and 4-part learning series that will help you on the path to realigning your message with who you are and who you serve. This Episode Is Made Possible By: Social Report: The world's most complete social media management platform and my social media management tool of choice. Savvy Social School: Everything you need to increase visibility, growth, and engagement on social media