One of the biggest challenges founders face when using Instagram is all the options. It’s super confusing and overwhelming when you’re trying to decide if you should focus on Reels, Carousels, Stories, Threads, and allllll the other options.  After diving into the data and understanding what Mr. Al the Algorithm really wants from us, there is a clear strategy business owners can tap into to know how to post, where to post, and what to post. All without feeling like you’re stuck in option overwhelm. Learn about the Instagram discoverability layers so you can start feeling empowered and see the truth that the Instagram Algorithm isn’t out to hurt you. IG really is one of the best social media platforms, giving you all the features you need to take your business to new heights.  In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  Instagram Bootcamp 2023 Why Instagram is so overwhelming Why Instagram isn’t so bad The downfall of trying to do it all How your favorite content creators really create Instagram Discoverability layers Threads The future of business …And More!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Social Media Starter Kit Free Course The Social Media Starter Kit is your chance to pull back the curtain and get insights on how to build a social media strategy that works for you, learn how to create (and implement) a simple and effective content plan, convert followers into buyers, and much more. Register for this FREE course and gain the confidence you need to use social media as a tool to grow your business: https://onlinedrea.com/kit   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/263 

Is your business Trend Savvy? Wait, I have a better question.  Should your business be Trend Savvy? One of the biggest challenges founders face in building a brand on social media is staying relevant. And trying to keep up with the cool kids on social can easily lead to jumping on every single trend you can. But should you?  Let’s talk about the dos and don’ts of trends for business owners so we can settle the great debate: Are trends great for businesses, or are they nothing more than a big distraction? In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  The fine line between trendy, tacky, and cringe The origin of trends in 2023 Benefits of trends for business owners Where trending content belongs in your funnel How trends can hurt your business My JUMP rules for trends Trend Backlash How to be Trend Savvy …And More!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Social Media Starter Kit Free Course The Social Media Starter Kit is your chance to pull back the curtain and get insights on how to build a social media strategy that works for you, learn how to create (and implement) a simple and effective content plan, convert followers into buyers, and much more. Register for this FREE course and gain the confidence you need to use social media as a tool to grow your business: https://onlinedrea.com/kit   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/262

What’s the hardest piece of negative feedback you’ve ever received on social media? If you’re building an online community, I’m sure you have more than one story to tell. We all do. Getting negative, positive, and critical feedback is the easy part.  What’s hard is knowing when to respond, if you should respond, and how to respond. Let’s talk about it in today’s episode so you can face your fear of the comment section, communicate with your audience in a way that keeps your mental health intact, and grow an online community that loves to engage with you in the comments section. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about: An inspiring yawn Parasocial relationships Auditing your relationships on social Categorizing negative feedback The wrong way to respond to negative comments Cancel culture stickiness Prioritizing your mental health The positive potential of online communities …And More!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Social Media Starter Kit Free Course The Social Media Starter Kit is your chance to pull back the curtain and get insights on how to build a social media strategy that works for you, learn how to create (and implement) a simple and effective content plan, convert followers into buyers, and much more. Register for this FREE course and gain the confidence you need to use social media as a tool to grow your business: https://onlinedrea.com/free   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/261

If you want to have staying power on social media, you have to get social! Forget followers, likes, and other analytics, building a community on social media is how you stay relevant and create a relationship with social media that you’re not embarrassed about and allows you to be unapologetically you.  My guest, host of the podcast, Eff That: Breaking the Rules of Online Business, Deanna Seymour, shares her story of rediscovering her true self and finding fun on Instagram, which has helped her connect with her people and given her a reason to keep using social media as a tool to grow her business. In this episode of the podcast, we talk about:  Showing up like expected vs. showing up like you Letting your freak flag fly  Deanna’s 12-Grid Instagram Human-to-human interaction in stories Strategies for finding collaboration partners The trap of being too strategic And so much more!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Social Media Starter Kit Free Course The Social Media Starter Kit is your chance to pull back the curtain and get insights on how to build a social media strategy that works for you, learn how to create (and implement) a simple and effective content plan, convert followers into buyers, and much more. Register for this FREE course and gain the confidence you need to use social media as a tool to grow your business: https://onlinedrea.com/free   About The Guest: As a Graphic Designer and Content Marketing Strategist and host of the podcast, Eff That: Breaking the Rules of Online Business, Deanna Seymour knows the power of creativity, fun, and lettin' your freak flag fly when it comes to growing your business. Whether she’s hosting an online coworking sesh or helping a client get over their fear of being on camera, Deanna uses humor and empathy to build a community that helps people feel seen, heard, and ultimately more comfortable in their own skin so they can have more fun getting in front of their perfect-fit clients. When she’s not working with clients, she’s probably callin’ out sleazy marketing tactics, hangin’ with her fam, or sneaking in some crappy reality tv! Website: https://deannaseymour.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedeannaseymour/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedeannaseymour/   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/260

The good old days of posting whatever you want to every single platform are over. Now social media has turned into something more complicated. It’s turned into something that we feel almost forced to do if we want to stay relevant.  That’s a big reason why people have such a hard time putting the fun back into social.  But just because social media isn’t easy anymore or as fun as it used to be, doesn’t mean it isn’t awesome! Especially if you are a founder who wants to connect with your audience, build your authority, and increase your revenue.  Let’s talk about the transition from social media being easy to what it is today and the shifts we need to make in our business if we want to keep leveraging social as an awesome tool to grow our businesses.  In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  Back in the day when social was actually easy What held me back from shifting my approach Why easy isn’t everything  The Evolution From Nice To Need The reign of personal brands Our dwindling attention spans Not being scared of change Polished imperfections …And More!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Social Media Starter Kit Free Course The Social Media Starter Kit is your chance to pull back the curtain and get insights on how to build a social media strategy that works for you, learn how to create (and implement) a simple and effective content plan, convert followers into buyers, and much more. Register for this FREE course and gain the confidence you need to use social media as a tool to grow your business: https://onlinedrea.com/free   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/259

As a course creator and community leader, the best thing you can do is listen to your customers.  Listening to user feedback was the reason why, after 8 years of hosting the Savvy Social School content on Teachable, my team and I decided it was time to leave. It was a super tough decision because I’ve invested so much time and money on Teachable, but when you outgrow where you started, it’s time to move on! Listen in to my story of course creation and community building and learn why moving our courses and content to Circle is turning out to be the best possible decision at the best possible time! In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  How I’m improving the Savvy Social School experience Exit Survey feedback My first Teachable course My WordPress horror story Unexpected changes at Teachable Who inspired my decision to move to Circle Circle’s best qualities for community & courses My chef’s kiss moment with Circle …And More!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Social Media Starter Kit Free Course The Social Media Starter Kit is your chance to pull back the curtain and get insights on how to build a social media strategy that works for you, learn how to create (and implement) a simple and effective content plan, convert followers into buyers, and much more. Register for this FREE course and gain the confidence you need to use social media as a tool to grow your business: https://onlinedrea.com/free   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/258

Marketing a business on social media is hard enough. Try adding a personal brand on top of that. How do you make it work?  That’s what my guest Hayley Akins, founder of Motion Hatch, the premier online learning hub for motion designers, is sharing in this episode. Hayley has experienced some serious growth on LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram, all while managing her business and personal brand. Her secret?  She doesn’t do it alone. Listen in to hear how she’s working with her social media manager to find success on social and how you can make the decision to add a social media manager to your team.  In this episode of the podcast, we talk about:  Knowing when it’s time to ask for help Hayley’s Start to Finish YouTube process  Discoverability platforms vs. retention platforms How one reel turned into 100 leads One-person strategy meetings And so much more!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Social Media Starter Kit Free Course The Social Media Starter Kit is your chance to pull back the curtain and get insights on how to build a social media strategy that works for you, learn how to create (and implement) a simple and effective content plan, convert followers into buyers, and much more. Register for this FREE course and gain the confidence you need to use social media as a tool to grow your business: https://onlinedrea.com/free   About the Guest: Hayley Akins spent the last 15 years working in the motion design industry. For the past 5 years she’s been teaching and coaching freelance motion designers and small studios on how to start, run and grow their businesses. Hayley started Motion Hatch in 2017 after being frustrated by the lack of information out there about building a successful motion design business. Since then she’s seen the most common challenges that hold many motion designers back. This has given her insight into what works to build a business that’s in your control and gives you the freedom to choose how you spend your time. From coaching and teaching motion designers and studio owners to build the business that excites them, Hayley has distilled the best strategies she knows down to create programs and courses and help you to build a motion design business that experiences sustainable growth and feels authentic to you. Website: https://motionhatch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionhatch TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@motionhatch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MotionHatch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/motionhatch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motionhatch/   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/257

Mr. Al, the Social Media Algorithm is everything and a mystery all at the same time.  And that can be super confusing for founders who need to get in Mr. Al’s good graces in order to grow on social media. Some days Mr. Al will be your best friend, driving traffic to your feed and seeing increased engagement. On other days he seems like an overzealous bouncer blocking anyone and everyone from seeing the content you work so hard on. So what can you do as a business owner? Listen in to today’s episode, and let’s talk about the struggles of founders and social media strategists in navigating Mr. Al, The Algorithm’s identity crisis so you can know what you’re up against as you continue to grow your biz in the finicky world of social media marketing. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  The hero/villain algorithm dynamic A time before social media algorithms The many jobs of Mr. Al, the Algorithm The toxic friend side of Mr. Al Mr. Al’s role in your organic growth The platform where Mr. Al really shines for your business The areas where Mr. Al thrives as a villain The lack of transparency on what makes Mr. Al work …And More!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Social Media Starter Kit Free Course The Social Media Starter Kit is your chance to pull back the curtain and get insights on how to build a social media strategy that works for you, learn how to create (and implement) a simple and effective content plan, convert followers into buyers, and much more. Register for this FREE course and gain the confidence you need to use social media as a tool to grow your business: https://onlinedrea.com/free   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/256

Y’all know I love trying out new tactics and strategies on social media and reporting back to you, you know, so you don’t have to. Listen in and learn about the plan, execution, and results of my four major social media experiments of 2023 (I’m bringing the data to back it up). Some were pretty surprising, and others disappointing.  Dive in so you can steal what works and save time by ignoring the rest! In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  Why panic is not a strategy  My SEO keyword-stuffing days Social media as a tool for connection Decreasing engagement across all platforms High-Low Content Strategy The spider that won’t leave Hashtags strategies that still work Strategies that failed …And More!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Social Media Starter Kit Free Course The Social Media Starter Kit is your chance to pull back the curtain and get insights on how to build a social media strategy that works for you, learn how to create (and implement) a simple and effective content plan, convert followers into buyers, and much more. Register for this FREE course and gain the confidence you need to use social media as a tool to grow your business: https://onlinedrea.com/free   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/255

From a 90-day content creation strategy to no plan at all. Either can work when you show up fully human on TikTok. My favorite social platform is getting the love it deserves from my guest, Michelle Edgemont, owner and creative director of Michelle Edgemont Design. An early Instagram adopter, in 2020, Michelle made the strategic move to follow her target audience to TikTok, where she rekindled her love for promoting her business online in a way that is less stuffy than Instagram and Facebook.  Listen in as Michelle details her no-plan strategy that consistently nets her hundreds of thousands of views on her videos. Videos that only take her a few minutes to record, edit, and post.  For those who don’t want the pressure-filled social media experience and just want to show up in a way that works best for you and your business, this is the episode for you. In this episode of the podcast, we talk about:  Michelle’s origins on Instagram Building brand awareness before you have clients Following your audience TikTok Scroll strategy for businesses Michelle’s no-plan TikTok strategy And so much more!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Social Media Starter Kit Free Course The Social Media Starter Kit is your chance to pull back the curtain and get insights on how to build a social media strategy that works for you, learn how to create (and implement) a simple and effective content plan, convert followers into buyers, and much more. Register for this FREE course and gain the confidence you need to use social media as a tool to grow your business: https://onlinedrea.com/free   About the Guest: Michelle Edgemont is the owner and creative director of Michelle Edgemont Design, which specializes in Event Design and Floral Design for social and corporate events in the NYC area. After seeing a hole in the industry for event design companies with a quirky, modern edge, she launched her company in 2011. Michelle Edgemont Design has successfully designed and produced over 200 weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and corporate events with their trusted design process. Website: https://michelleedgemont.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medgemontdesign/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleedgemont   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/254