Cringe Mountain Diaries

Darlene interviews guest Sam Sarsten of Thencan Designs about the benefits of email marketing (yes, even in 2026) and how email can help get you clients.

Sam's Email List: https://localseolowdown.com/

Thencan Designs: https://thencandesigns.com/

Local SEO Academy: https://www.localseoacademy.co/

DASH Email List: (sign up for free video prompts or join DASH notes in our footer) https://dashcontentco.com/

Think social media isn’t working? It might not be broken—your expectations might be.

In this episode, we break down why most businesses don’t see results right away, how brand awareness actually drives sales, and why consistency is the real competitive advantage.

We cover what to track (and what not to), common mistakes that kill momentum, and how social fits into a bigger marketing system that actually converts.

If you’re posting but not seeing results, this episode will help you rethink your strategy and build real traction.

Links:

How to Get ChatGPT to Recommend Your Local Business (Live Masterclass) > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjqYlPEgeZk

DASH Workshops: https://dashcontentco.com/shop/

On this episode, Darlene talks to Miranda Kelton from Miranda Kelton Photography about the importance of authentic branding photos.

Download Miranda's free resource and create your own shot list: https://mirandakelton.com/blog/how-to-create-shot-list-for-personal-branding-photoshoot

Darlene and Shannon talk about the use of AI in social media, marketing and design. The dos and don'ts of how to use it, and how to spot the use of AI from a mile away. (Tip: you DON'T want your audience to be turned off.)

Darlene and Shannon break down what “posting like no one’s watching” actually looks like on every major platform. Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn—we hit them all. You'll learn how to use each app’s features intentionally, build variety into your content, boost reach with simple habits, and stop overthinking engagement. Whether you’re growing a brand, a business, or your personal voice, this is your roadmap to showing up consistently and confidently.

Darlene and Shannon talk through the common hangups around making video, why to ignore them, and how to keep going up Cringe Mountain!

Also... why it's a good thing no one is watching (at first!), how to experiment with video, and giving yourself the push to keep going.

Post like no one's watching!

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get our 30 days of video prompts for social media when you sign up for our email list here: https://auspicious-tiger-885.myflodesk.com/qschcpxqd7

Think you don't need a marketing plan or you don't have time to plan out your content? Or do you think "social media" IS your plan? Think again. In this episode, Shannon and Darlene talk about the importance of planning for social media and marketing and how to maximize content with a plan.