Open a bottle of pinot grigio or whip up an oat milk latte and relax with your host, Shannon McKinstrie, as she cuts through the obnoxious social media noise, answers all your burning questions, and shares exactly what’s working right now in real time. No more second-guessing, it’s time to level up your social media game the tried and true way…with good content.
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For any small business owner or entrepreneur who wants to get more visibility and brand recognition without any PR experiences, the Small Business PR podcast is the place for you. With untraditional yet proven strategies to help you hack your own PR and marketing without ads or agencies, this podcast will give you a roadmap to go from unknown to legendary, regardless of how "early" or "small" your business is. Join us every week as our host, Gloria Chou, award-winning small business PR exper ...
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Instagram is one of the biggest social platforms with over 1.3 billion users worldwide… So how do you, as an entrepreneur, grow your following, get more clients, and actually get SEEN in the crowded social media space? You need to learn how to leverage Instagram to grow your business—without spending ONE DIME on paid ads— by creating content that resonates with your ideal clients. And I’m here to show you how. Welcome to Strut It, a podcast about creating bold and unapologetic visibility on ...
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This episode is coming to you straight from the beach and we’re diving into one of my favorite categories from my signature 4H Method. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the advice about content calendars, conversion posts, and complicated strategies, this is the episode for you. I’ll break down why making your audience feel heard is so importa…
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Grow and Sell on IG — Without Posting Daily with Shannon McKinstrie
39:52
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39:52Trying to “keep up” on Instagram can feel exhausting. But what if you didn’t need to post daily to grow? What if there were a way to turn your content into real connections and real sales, without being chained to your phone? I’m joined by Shannon McKinstrie, founder of Boutique Social and co-host of the Good Content podcast. Shannon is a social me…
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Want PR Features? Don't Make These Mistakes
15:04
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15:04In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, I reveal the top 3 reasons your PR isn’t working—and how to fix them so you can finally get featured in national media like Oprah Daily, BuzzFeed, Vogue, and more. If you’ve ever felt like your pitches are getting ignored, you’re stuck in the PR friend zone, or you’re not sure how to create timely a…
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Was That an Ad? Even the Big Brands are Making it Personal
12:09
12:09
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12:09This summer is going to be amazing for your content and we are going to kick it off by exploring how today’s biggest brands (think Oreo, Taco Bell, and DSW) are embracing a more personal, relatable approach in their content marketing. We’ll walk through some big brand reels breaking down how they fit into the REP hook, discussing why the best marke…
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AI for Business: Smarter Marketing and Strategy Workflows in 2025 (Part 5)
35:51
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35:51This is the final episode of our 5-part AI series, and I’m bringing it all home with the REAL framework. My go-to system for using ChatGPT as a true business partner. REAL stands for Recognize, Express, Assign, and Lead, and it’s the workflow that’s helped me finally stop treating AI like a tool and start using it like a teammate. If you’ve ever fe…
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How to Build a Loyal Community Around Your Product
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14:41Think community-building is only for influencers or digital brands? Think again. In this episode of Small Business PR, host Gloria Chou sits down with Madison Page—business growth strategist and host of The Small Business Growth Podcast—to break down exactly how physical product businesses can turn customers into loyal superfans through emotional c…
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Why You Don’t Need Fancy Content to Stand Out
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13:52
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13:52Today’s episode is a bit extra special, because I’m recording from our very own beach house at the Outer Banks! I’m sharing the wild, emotional journey of how I was able to buy the lot next to my grandmother’s original cottage and how content creation made it all possible. We’ll also talk about why the best content these days looks and feels like i…
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ChatGPT Prompts That Actually Grow Your Business (Part 4)
21:59
21:59
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21:59Welcome to Part 4 of the AI for Business Series! If ChatGPT has ever given you bland, robotic content that feels like it missed the mark, this episode is going to change everything. Introducing the CRIT Framework, a brilliant prompting system created by AI expert Geoff Woods, and walks you through how to use it to train ChatGPT like a team member w…
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How To Get Into Oprah's Favorite Things As A First Time Founder
35:52
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35:52In this powerful episode of the Gloria Chou PR Podcast, we sit down with Marcia Hacker, founder of Sauipe Swim—a sustainable, size-inclusive swimwear brand that has been featured in Oprah Daily (print + online!), BuzzFeed, and Brides. Once skeptical and burned by traditional PR agencies, Marcia reveals how she took control of her media strategy usi…
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Use The Relatable Expert Hook to Create Your Next Helpful Reel
13:28
13:28
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13:28When you create content you’re passionate about, your audience feels it, and that authenticity leads to better engagement and faster growth for your brand. Today, we’re talking about my tried and true R.E.P. hook formula: Relatable, Expertise, and Personal. We’ll discuss how to infuse these elements into your reels, using relatable words, recogniza…
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10 Ways I Secretly Use ChatGPT to Run My Life and Business (Part 3)
28:58
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28:58Welcome to Part 3 of the AI for Business Series! This week, I’m sharing 10 behind-the-scenes ways I secretly use ChatGPT to run both of my businesses (and keep my sanity intact). We’re going beyond surface-level prompts and diving into how I use AI as a strategic thought partner, not just a task assistant. I’m covering: How I use ChatGPT to write, …
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Nail Your Short Form Videos with This Simple Formula
16:48
16:48
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16:48Let’s break down exactly how to nail your short form videos without feeling overwhelmed, whether you’re creating Reels, YouTube Shorts, or TikTok videos. In this episode, I’m sharing real examples of reels that have exploded with engagement and how the three S’s apply every single time.. We’ll discuss why certain words work so well to make your vid…
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How to Make ChatGPT Sound Like You (Part 2)
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23:37Welcome to Part 2 of the ChatGPT for Business Series! I’m pulling back the curtain on the biggest mistakes I see business owners make with AI-generated content, and how to finally get content that’s clear, aligned, and sounds like you. In this episode, I’m diving into: Why most people get robotic, generic AI results (and how to stop it) How to “see…
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3 Ways to Overcome The Fear of Being Seen
14:44
14:44
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14:44Want to get featured in the media but feel held back by fear, imposter syndrome, or the anxiety of being seen? In this episode of Small Business PR, I share the 3 powerful PR mindset shifts every small business owner needs to confidently show up, pitch their story, and land media coverage—without second-guessing themselves. Whether you're a founder…
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Shark Tank to Ulta: How This Founder Scaled to $50M in Sales
55:19
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55:19In this powerful episode of Small Business PR with Gloria Chou, we’re joined by the incredible Yve-Car Momperousse, founder and CEO of Kreyol Essence—the Haitian beauty brand seen on Shark Tank and now sold at Sephora, Ulta, Whole Foods, Amazon, and more. From a personal hair loss crisis to building a $50M clean beauty brand, Yve-Car shares the raw…
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Let’s talk about self-awareness in marketing and why truly loving your topic is your secret sauce for both content creation and business growth. I have a question for you today: what’s that one thing you could jump on national TV and feel confident sharing? Because when you tap into that area of expertise, your excitement lights up your audience, a…
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ChatGPT Made Simple: How to Use It for Instagram & Business Growth (Part 1)
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26:16Welcome to Part 1 of the ChatGPT for Business Series! This week, I’m revealing how I use AI to save 10+ hours per week while creating high-converting Instagram content and running two businesses. We’re getting into: What ChatGPT is and how it works (without the tech confusion) The real reason so many business owners are avoiding or misusing AI Comm…
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What’s Actually Working on Instagram in 2025 w/Shannon Mckinstrie
27:05
27:05
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27:05Are you tired of following Instagram formulas, tips, and tricks that no longer work? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode of Small Business PR, host Gloria Chou chats with Instagram strategist and content expert Shannon McKinstrie—an Instagram OG with over 270,000 organic followers. Together, they unpack what’s actu…
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Sometimes it’s the most simple yet powerful tweaks that can take your content from just okay to truly engaging, and in a recent Reels Lab coaching call, we did just that. You may not realize just how much of a difference one or two small changes can make, whether it’s adding a descriptive word or slightly tweaking your messaging, to make your conte…
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How She Grew from 2,500 to 40K Followers in 7 Months: An Etsy Biz Owner Success Story
33:04
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33:04I’m joined by one of my Hot Reels students, Asli Wade, a wildly creative Etsy shop owner who took her Instagram from 2,500 followers to over 40,000 in just seven months—all through organic content. We’re diving into the truth behind what it takes to grow on Instagram in a way that actually feels aligned. From her remix strategy that brought in 19,0…
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New to PR? 3 Ways to Get the Media's Attention
10:36
10:36
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10:36Want to land media coverage without hiring a PR agency, paying for ads, or having industry connections? In this episode, PR expert Gloria Chou shares the exact framework that has helped thousands of small business owners get featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Marie Claire, and more—without spending a cent. You’ll discover the 3 C’s of cold pit…
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How to Track Exactly Where Your Buyers Are Coming From w/ Kelsey Silver
24:48
24:48
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24:48Still guessing that your customers are probably coming from Instagram? You’re not alone—and you might be missing critical insights that could transform your sales. In this value-packed episode, Gloria chats with Kelsey Silver, a licensed therapist turned data strategist, who specializes in making analytics feel empowering (not overwhelming). Kelsey…
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Repurpose Your Content for More Impact with Less Effort
12:52
12:52
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12:52Do you want to save hours of your time when it comes to creating content on social media? I know you do! That’s why we are going all in on how to repurpose your content with ease across various platforms. We’ll discuss the difference between reposting and repurposing, why repurposing is the way to go, and how content performs differently across pla…
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Viral by Design — The Strategy Behind My 1.3M-View Reel (Part 4)
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18:13Welcome to Part 4 of the Viral Videos for Business Series! Today, I’m walking you through an original piece of content that exploded to over 1.3 million views on Instagram. No remix. No trending audio. Just strategic content that worked. I’m breaking down: - How this viral video combined emotion, entertainment, and education - The on-screen text st…
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Avoid These 3 Costly Mistakes When Hiring an Ad Agency w/ Zach Spuckler
40:27
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40:27In this no-fluff, straight-talking episode of Small Business PR, host Gloria Chou sits down with seasoned ads expert and agency owner Zach Spuckler of Heart, Soul & Hustle to answer one of the most common (and costly) questions small business owners face: “Should I hire a marketing or ads agency—or do it myself?” With over 10 years of experience, m…
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The Reel That Had Me Clicking Buy Immediately
11:29
11:29
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11:29Did you know only 3% of your audience is ready to buy right now? That’s an interesting number, isn’t it? Typically, someone needs to see your content 77 times before they are ready to buy, but there are occasions where someone is ready to buy instantly, just like I was this weekend. This reel stopped my scroll and had me hooked immediately. I was r…
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The Secret Behind My 1M+ View Video on LinkedIn — What You Can Learn (Part 3)
18:08
18:08
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18:08Welcome to Part 3 of the Viral Videos for Business Series. This week, I’m revealing the strategy behind a LinkedIn video that skyrocketed to 1 million+ views. Unlike Instagram Reels or TikToks, this post had no trending sounds, just powerful messaging and the right timing. I’m covering: Why LinkedIn is underrated for organic reach and how to levera…
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We Love B-Roll Because Simple, Shareable Content Never Goes Out of Style
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12:41You have probably heard that b-roll is boring and that’s why your content isn’t performing well. That’s simply not true. B-roll has been around forever, it’s not new, social media didn’t invent it, it’s always been there. In fact, “boring b-roll” isn’t the problem, pair it with a good trending audio and quality copy and it works. Remember, it's not…
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The Reel Remix Strategy Behind My 8.8M View Viral Video (Part 2)
21:56
21:56
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21:56Welcome to Part 2 of the Viral Videos for Business Series! This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on my most viral Instagram Reel ever. A remix that skyrocketed to 8.8 million views and brought in 8,500 new followers. I’m breaking down: What is a Reel remix, and how does it work? Why this remix strategy blew up and how you can use it for your bran…
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How To Get Featured In Mother's Day Gift Guides
20:44
20:44
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20:44Want your product featured in Mother’s Day gift guides but don’t know where to start? In this episode, I break down proven PR strategies to pitch journalists, stand out in a crowded inbox, and land free media coverage—all without hiring a PR agency. Learn how to craft the perfect pitch, find the right media contacts, and increase your chances of ge…
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PR on a Budget: Free Tools to Get Your Brand Featured w/ Swapna Patel
38:24
38:24
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38:24Want to land media coverage without hiring a pricey PR agency? This episode breaks down the best free PR tools and media pitching strategies to help you connect with journalists, craft compelling pitches, and get featured in top publications. Whether you’re a small business owner, startup founder, or entrepreneur, these proven tactics will help you…
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Can you remember why we all hopped on social media in the first place? I think we've strayed a bit too far with all the perfectly curated content, replicating the endless cycle of tips and value posts that sometimes, let's be honest, feel a bit impersonal. So, let’s talk about the shift back to basics, where real, human connections spark genuine en…
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How to Go Viral on Instagram Reels: Setting the Foundation for Success (part 1)
20:40
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20:40Welcome to part one of my Viral Videos for Business series! Over the past two weeks, I’ve had three different videos blow up. Each with a unique strategy. One reel alone has nearly 8 million views and has brought in over 7,000 new followers (!!!). If you’re ready to reverse-engineer viral content for your brand, this episode is your starting point.…
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Use Customer Insights to Create Reels That Attract and Convert
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10:44
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10:44What are your customers really telling you? If you did last week’s homework (go back to episode 52 if you missed it!) you should have some great market research right now. In this episode, we are going to put it all into action with two viral reels prompts: "POV: You find/found" and "Not to be dramatic". Our goal is to attract and convert, so we’ll…
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3 Ways to Grow Your Email List Using PR w/Liz Wilcox
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22:10Looking to grow your email list without spending on ads? PR expert Liz Wilcox reveals three powerful strategies to attract subscribers using media coverage and publicity. Learn how to turn press features into email sign-ups, boost brand credibility, and nurture long-term customer relationships. Don’t miss this episode—discover how strategic PR can …
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High-Ticket Sales on Instagram: A Coaching Success Story with Paula Newlands
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34:05What if your next high-ticket client was already watching you on Instagram? I'm chatting with Paula Newlands, a business coach for personal stylists, about how she turned her content into real sales. Before working together, Paula had a vision for her program but needed help turning that vision into actual sales. She shares how she refined her cont…
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You’ll Want to Start Using This Brilliant Marketing Strategy
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12:51Today we're diving into the way you create content and connect with your audience. First up, I'll share a brilliant marketing strategy that shows us how shifting focus from the product to the experience can make all the difference. We'll discuss the value of using customer testimonials and feedback (aka their own words) to craft compelling marketin…
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How to Create a Rinse-and-Repeat Content System to Grow on Instagram
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23:40You’re running a business, serving clients, managing a million things. Who has time to wake up every day scrambling for content ideas? Not you! That’s why I’m sharing my exact rinse-and-repeat content system so you can create high-performing Instagram content with less stress and more confidence. This is the final episode of my four-part mini-serie…
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Lessons I Learned From Scaling To 7 Figures
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27:04
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27:04Discover the painful lessons I’ve learned, the hard truths I’ve faced, and the invaluable insights I’ve gained while growing my online business. From tackling digital marketing challenges and boosting social media engagement to building a sustainable business model, I share real-world experiences to help entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes. Whether…
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Start Talking About Yourself in Your Content
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10:39
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10:39I know over the years you’ve been told time and time again NOT to talk about yourself and it’s because of this that content has become kind of boring, it took out the connection piece. You need to talk about yourself in your content! We want to hear from you, your journey, why YOU choose to do something a certain way. So today, we’re talking about …
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Secret to Product Photos That Sell w/ Lyrik Fryer
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25:44Are your product photos failing to convert casual scrollers into paying customers? In this episode, product photography expert Lyrik Fryer reveals must-know techniques for capturing attention, building brand trust, and showcasing your product’s value. Learn how to create high-converting product images that boost eCommerce sales, increase engagement…
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Selling in the DMs – How to Start, Automate & Convert Conversations into Clients
25:52
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25:52Welcome to part three of our four-part series on making more money with Instagram! Last week, we covered the five types of content that attract your dream clients and get them talking. And today? We’re diving into the most powerful sales tool on Instagram - your DMs. If you’re not actively having conversations in your inbox, you’re leaving money on…
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Email Mistakes Killing Your Open Rates (and How to Fix Them) w/ Michael Barber
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36:12Massive changes are reshaping email marketing in 2024! From evolving privacy regulations to Apple and Google’s new email categorization rules and stricter spam filters, these updates are directly affecting your email open rates, click-through rates, and sender reputation scores. If you rely on email for lead generation, customer engagement, or sale…
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Stories Work! Here’s How to Make Them Work for YOU
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12:01If the “experts” are telling you not to post on stories, I wholeheartedly disagree. Instagram stories changed everything for me, so we’re going all in and discussing how to make stories work for YOU! Stories can be magical for your business, use them, love them, and have fun with them! Whether your goal is to boost engagement or increase sales, we’…
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5 Proven Instagram Content Types That Bring in Hot Leads
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27:16Welcome to part two of our four-part series on making more money on Instagram using organic content! If you’re tired of posting and hearing crickets, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down five content types that are working right now to attract high-value followers AKA, people who actually want what you sell. Plus, I’ll share how to create con…
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We're diving into the world of funny and relatable content and how it can strengthen your social media presence and connect you with your audience like never before. We'll cover different strategies to infuse humor into your content, from evergreen prompts to trending memes, and I’ll share tips to leverage tools like ChatGPT to generate creative id…
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3 Best AI Tools to Get Featured in the Media
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13:28Are you a founder, expert, or small business owner struggling to get media coverage without breaking the bank on PR agencies? This comprehensive guide reveals the top 3 AI-powered PR tools that are revolutionizing media outreach in 2024. Whether you're looking to land press coverage, secure media interviews, or build journalist relationships, these…
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The Organic Instagram Strategy That Made Me Thousands (Without a Single Email!)
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32:22This episode starts a powerful four-part series on making more money on Instagram with your organic content. No paid ads required! If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or overwhelmed by Instagram marketing, this is for you. I’m pulling back the curtain on my Organic Content Funnel, the exact strategy I use to consistently attract clients and keep…
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THIS is the Secret to Success on Instagram
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13:47
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13:47Today, we're diving deep into the secret sauce for success on social media, the three S's of content creation: Simple, Shareable, and Specific. We'll be talking about how you can tap into these elements to create engaging content that resonates across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. We'll also review real examples from content creators who've …
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Crafting Your 2025 Instagram Content Plan with AI & ChatGPT with Juan Galán
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35:20AI isn’t the future - it’s happening right now, and it’s reshaping how we create, engage, and grow on Instagram. In this episode, I’m joined by Juan Galán, founder of AI Creator Academy, to discuss how AI can help you create content faster, automate engagement, and convert followers into customers. Juan has built multiple Instagram accounts into th…
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