Content Etc.

If I scrolled through your Instagram feed, looked at your website or glanced at your podcast episode titles would I know what you do? Content pillars are the secret to organised, purposeful and successful content. Everything you create to market your business should fit into your content pillars: blog posts, podcasts, Instagram posts, emails. In this episode, learn how to find yours.

🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔

Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode.

In this episode, I'm talking about:

• What are content pillars?
• Why they're going to help you and your audience
• How to find your pillars

✨ REFRESH YOUR CONTENT ✨

Are you feeling lost and uninspired when you try to post anything? Do you feel like everything you think of has been done SO many times before? I have just the thing to help you re-ignite the spark! The free 5-day Refresh Your Content email series will give you the prompts and process to help you find more ease and enjoyment in your marketing. Sign up here.

Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

You feel uncomfortable asking for the sale, so you don't really do it. And then you don't make sales. So you still feel uncomfortable and you avoid it even more. Sound familiar? If you're nodding along, then you need to listen to this episode. Retail and marketing coach Joanne Griffin joins me to talk all things sales. Joanne has worked with retain businesses for 15 years and shares so much advice in this chat – including some tips on prepping for Christmas and a brilliant pep talk to help us feel better about the current economy.

Make sure you're also following her on Instagram @CreativeFlowCollective

✨ REFRESH YOUR CONTENT ✨

Are you feeling lost and uninspired when you try to post anything? Do you feel like everything you think of has been done SO many times before? I have just the thing to help you re-ignite the spark! The free 5-day Refresh Your Content email series will give you the prompts and process to help you find more ease and enjoyment in your marketing. Sign up here.

In this episode, we're talking about:

• How the market is influencing our buying right now – and why there's never a perfect time to sell
• The most common mindset blocks Joanne sees from both product and service-based businesses
• How to start overcoming and switching your mindset to improve your sales confidence
• 3 practical things you can do today to make a sale
• What product-based businesses can do to prepare for Christmas sales
• Why Christmas and January aren't a dead zone for service-based sales

🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔

Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode.

Links to things mentioned in this episode:

• Increase Sales & Learn How To Drive Traffic To Your Retail Website
• Positive Money Affirmation Meditation | The Creative Flow Podcast
• Free resources from Creative Flow Collective - Join Joanne's newsletter to get access to a 21-day mindset journal, the Black Friday Guide, and Brand & Product USP checklist
• Sell with Confidence | workshop replay
• Plan Your Best Christmas: From Panicked to Prepared Workshop

Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

At some point in your business, it might feel like no one is buying anything you're selling. In all honesty, I've felt like this throughout the year. It's not the time to give up, and it's certainly not the time to stop marketing. But, there are some things you can try and tweak that will help set a good foundation for building sales in the future.

🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔

Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode.

In this episode, I'm talking about:

• Mapping your customer journey
• Evaluating the messages in your content
• Why now is the time to focus on building a long-term content system
• Things to update on your website
• Some tips for refreshing your strategy (including my free email challenge – all the details below)

✨ REFRESH YOUR CONTENT ✨

Are you feeling lost and uninspired when you try to post anything? Do you feel like everything you think of has been done SO many times before? I have just the thing to help you re-ignite the spark! The free 5-day Refresh Your Content email series will give you the prompts and process to help you find more ease and enjoyment in your marketing. Sign up here.

Links to things mentioned in this episode:

• Simple design changes to give your DIY website the wow factor - Content Etc.
• Income producing activities to help your business thrive in uncertain times
• What to do when it feels like nothing is working | Mad & Sad Club

Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

Investing in a custom website build is a HUGE step, one not many of us can take right at the start of our businesses. But Dominique Marshall joins me to explain how to add a little strategic zest to your DIY website template – because, yes, using a template is a great way to get started! Although she specialises in Squarespace, the tips she's sharing in this episode apply to everything from Wordpress to Wix as well.

Make sure you check out Dominique's beautiful (and functional, of course) website here and follow her on Instagram @dmarzdesigns.

In this episode, we're talking about:

• Why your website is always a work in progress
• Using templates to get your website started
• The 5 must-have elements of your website homepage (aka your online business shopfront)
• The other essential pages to build on your website
• Dominique's list of pet peeves to avoid

🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔

Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode.

Links to things mentioned in this episode:

• VIP Design Days for Online Business Owners | Dmarzdesigns
• Invite Your Customers Into a Beautiful Story - Marketing Made Simple | Podcast on Spotify
• 10 Common Web Design Mistakes | Dmarzdesigns
• 5 Website Homepage Must-Haves | Dmarzdesigns

Sick of wasting time trying to think of what to post on Instagram? Feel like everything you try to write has been done to death? I've got you! Get months of ideas in your inbox for free. Sign up here.

Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

In this episode, I'm re-sharing an interview and mini mentoring session I recorded with Emma from Weights & Wine late last year. I wanted to re-visit this chat because I'm sure you'll find it helpful and inspirational. Faced with HUGE changes during early lockdowns, Emma pivoted her business and marketing strategy. It meant she could thrive – growing her business despite gyms being closed for months on end.

🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔

Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode.

This episode was split into two parts. The first was all about Emma's journey so far. We talked about:

• Where Emma's clients find her
• Why Emma's glad she didn't offer free coaching at the start of lockdown
• Setting up her brand for in-person versus online training
• Where Emma gets content ideas and niching into female-focused content
• The impact all this has had on Emma's business

For part two, we did some mini mentoring about:

• How to find time for content
• Repurposing
• Knowing when to outsource

Sick of wasting time trying to think of what to post on Instagram? Feel like everything you try to write has been done to death? I've got you! Get months of ideas in your inbox for free. Sign up here.

Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

This week, I'm joined by email marketing expert Kelly Cookson from Cheer Up Marketing. We originally recorded this interview in late 2021, but life got in the way, and I didn't release it. Thankfully, unlike social media, email marketing basics are pretty evergreen, and I knew this chat would still be SO helpful.

In this episode, we're talking about:

• Why email is such a powerful marketing platform for every business (as long as you're prepared to do the nurturing first!)
• The first steps to starting your email list (working out your audience and the 'so what' factor)
• How to choose an email service provider
• Getting started with lead magnets/opt-in freebies
• How often to email your list and how to work out what to say
• A surprising place to find LOTS of email ideas

🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔

Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode.

Links to things mentioned in this episode:

• Make sure to check out Kelly's free guide for captivating subject lines. And, while you're at it make sure you're also getting my Notes from the Margins and grab my free creative content prompts here.
• Want to try out Flodesk for your emails? I love the design and ease of use and you just might as well. Try Flodesk with a 50% discount using my affiliate link.

Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

In this episode, I'm talking about:

• My journey with podcasting and how I got started 5 years ago, plus some of the lessons I've learned
• Am I too late to start a podcast? (not at all!)
• 3 ways to use podcasting. in your marketing
• Things to consider before you start podcasting for your business

🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔

Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode.

Links to things mentioned in this episode:

• The Co-Working Club podcast - A lovely example of a community-driven podcast for a service and location-based business
• Wild Books podcast - A great example of a podcast by a product-based business (full disclosure: I've worked with Thalia to bring this to life)
• Better Words (my co-hosted interview podcast)
• Podcast Statistics and Data [June 2022]
• 20 Podcast Statistics You Should Know in 2022
• The Infinite Dial 2021 UK - Edison Research

Sick of wasting time trying to think of what to post on Instagram? Feel like everything you try to write has been done to death? I've got you! Get months of ideas in your inbox for free. Sign up here.

Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

In this episode, I'm talking about:

• Is blogging dead? (No, but it's changed)
• 3 key ways blogging helps grow your brand
• Things to consider before you commit to blogging for your business

🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔

Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode.

Links to things mentioned in this episode:

• Brilliant blog example: Tartan Blanket Co - This is a brilliant example of how product-based businesses can use blog posts to showcase how their products can become part of your life. I want to add EVERYTHING to my cart, thank you.
• Brilliant blog example: Jo from Mad and Sad Club - Jo shares her expertise and gives practical advice, while also showcasing the deeper work you can do as a client. Spoiler: One of her blog posts convinced me to sign up for a course. Proof it works!
• Brilliant blog example: Elle Lorean Co - Elle's blog is a great combination of client images that show her photography style, general freelance tips, and personal branding photoshoot tips that can be sent to clients as they prepare or help anyone booking a photoshoot.
• Are Blogs Dead in 2021? We Asked 10 Marketing Experts
• Ultimate List of Blogging Statistics and Facts (Updated for 2022)

Sick of wasting time trying to think of what to post on Instagram? Feel like everything you try to write has been done to death? I've got you! Get months of ideas in your inbox for free. Sign up here.

🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔

Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode.

In this episode, I'm talking about:

• What content marketing is (and isn't)
• Why I believe content marketing is the best investment you can make in your small business
• Why you can start at any time in your business journey (and how you can get started today with small steps)

Links to things mentioned in this episode:

• Grammarly
• Mailerlite is a great option to start an email list for free

Sick of wasting time trying to think of what to post on Instagram? Feel like everything you try to write has been done to death? I've got you! Get months of ideas in your inbox for free. Sign up here.

Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

Things have changed a little around here and Content Etc is getting a refresh in more than just cover art!

In this episode, I'm chatting about:

• Why I changed my business name (and a little bit about Word By Word)
• My new multi-hyphen work life as a journalist and business owner
• Why I've removed previous episodes and what to expect moving forward

Links & resources in this episode:

• Thank you to Sarah at These Are The Days for my brilliant re-brand
• Have a squiz at my new website
• Get my Notes from the Margins emails