Creating Courage with Melanie Dyann Howe

I use this phrase, "Leading with the Negative," to describe all of those times we point out something we're feeling insecure about before even giving anyone a chance to notice it themselves. 

"Oh, I haven't even washed my hair today." 
"You'll have to excuse how gross I look right now, I just got out of the gym."
"I've been crazy running around so haven't even had a chance to put myself together today." 

I see it all the time. As women, we so often point out negative things before we begin giving our message. I see this on Facebook Live videos, Instagram Stories, and even when people go on stage and start a presentation. 

In this episode, I'm sharing how common this is, and why it's so important that we stop. You've got to embrace how awesome you are and stop letting the negative B.S. distract people from your gifts. 

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When it comes to social media, Facebook Live is one of the best formats to engage with your audience. Even here in 2020, when you research social media strategies or trends, you'll see live video as a highly recommended tactic for your 2020 social media strategy.

So in this episode, I'm going to share four (actually 6) tips to help you ensure you're getting started with Facebook Live in the best way you can. Let's do this.

Links mentioned in this episode:
Episode 7: How to Embrace Facebook Live for Increased Engagement
Fifty Facebook Live Ideas

Logitech Webcams Mentioned:
Logitech 922 from supplier
Logitech 920 from Staples

Join us over in the DIY Marketing with Melanie Facebook Group where I share bonus training using Facebook Live. 

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Today let's help you get into action. I'm sharing four mindset shifts that will keep you moving forward and taking action so you can make progress in your life and in your business. These will help you get unstuck, keep moving, and GSD (get Sh$t done).

The concepts I share in this episode I learned from Brooke Castillo, Marie Forleo, and Mel Robbins. They can be used individually, but they are best used together. 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Amy Porterfield Podcast - Episode 217 with Brooke Castillo
Follow Melanie on Instagram

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Project Management is kind of my jam. I spent 12 years managing projects and programs that were valued in the multi-millions before I became self-employed. So naturally, when I started my business I carried over a lot of that experience for both my own business but in how I train my clients.

Today I'm sharing the custom process that works for me to plan and manage my tasks. It's unique and built by me for me, but it might work for you too. Even if you don't use the apps or methods mentioned, I hope you'll at least use the approach. Here it is in a nutshell.

The Approach is to first plan, then use a system to GSD (Get Stuff Done)

1. Brainstorming (planning)
2. Planning & Plotting (detailed planning)
3. Weekly Tasks (GSD'n)
4. Daily Tasks (GSD'n)

Here are the methods I use for each of those phases. 

1. I use the app, Trello,  to capture ideas during brainstorming. 
2. I then use Asana to plot the detailed tasks. What needs done, when it needs to get done, and who is going to do it. 
3. Each week, no later than first thing Monday morning, I pull tasks from Asana and write down in my trusty notebook what I'm getting done that week (in no particular order). 
4. Every morning before I do anything, I look at the notebook and write down what I will get done that day on a small index card and carry it with me everywhere. 

This system works for my equally left and right-brained personality as well as my Attention Deficit Disorder. Each method allows me to function best with the right mindset while mitigating distractions. It's not for everyone, but either way, I wanted to share. 

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Your social media is a way to begin building relationships with potential customers, and you do this by putting people in your content.

In this episode, I'll share why we're so hungry for human connection and how you can stand out in the busy marketplace by showcasing people in your content.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode 7: How to Embrace Facebook Live for Increased Engagement
Fifty Facebook Live Ideas - Free Download

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We spend a lot of time talking about small business marketing strategies and what you should be doing. However, there are also some things you should NOT be doing on your social media. 

In this episode, I'll cover five things you should stop doing, or vow to never do on your social media pages. Here is a quick snapshot: 

• Don't badmouth people
• Don't get too personal
• Don't post about sensitive topics
• Don't copy and paste other people's content
• Don't make it all about you

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It sounds simple, but social media is intended to be social. So what does that even mean? It means that to fully leverage social media for business you need to ensure you're having conversations. 

This comes into play by ensuring you're responding to comments, direct messages, and creating posts that foster conversation. And by conversation, I mean two-way conversation. It also means not taking more than you give. This is really important inside Facebook Groups. 

I'll cover all of this in this episode. 

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Dear Melanie, is it ok to cross-post my Instagram posts to Facebook? Mel, it's hard to find the time to create custom content for LinkedIn and Facebook and Instagram. Can I use the same posts on each one? 

This question comes up a lot in Q&A around social media whether it's at one of my own workshops, or at a social media conference. I wanted to use this episode to tell you, YES you can, but there is a better way than just using the Instagram auto-cross post feature. 

I'll share how you can recycle content from one platform to the other and get even more leverage out of it. 

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Your profile picture is a first impression, but it's also a way to maintain a lasting impression. When you're showing up online, it's important that you not only are authentic in how you post and comment but also how you look. 

This episode is not how to look pretty online, it's how to have an authentic profile picture that will actually help you connect with your audience. I've got eleven tips that will help you have a better profile picture. 

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Networking events, you either love them or you get sweaty palms just thinking about them. Attending meetups, conferences, network events, luncheons, fundraisers, and all of the other types in between come naturally for some. For others, they create stress and anxiety which can prevent you from getting all of the benefits out of the event. 

This episode is dedicated to all of you who want to put yourselves out there and meet new people even if it's sometimes the hardest thing for you to do. Maybe you're an introvert, maybe you're shy, or maybe you just lack self-confidence. Use these ten tips and strategies to help you push through the hard stuff and get more out of these amazing opportunities. 

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