Dishing Up Digital with Ellen Mackenzie

If you want to go viral in 2026, you need to stop creating carousels like it’s 2021. That basic Canva infographic? Not cutting it.

Instead, you need bold, opinionated, story-led content that cuts through the scroll and converts eyeballs into followers, buyers, and fans.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 viral carousel types dominating my feed, my metrics, and my business right now—with real examples, the psychology behind why they work, and how you can start posting them today.

Whether you're building a personal brand or scaling a service-based biz, this is your go-to strategy guide for carousels that actually move the needle in 2026.

🎯 What you’ll learn:

• Why your carousels aren’t converting—and how to fix it

• The 3 scroll-stopping formats you should post every month

• Hooks, CTAs, and messaging tweaks that build trust + drive clicks

• Behind-the-scenes of my own viral posts (and how you can remix them)

Posts referenced:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNWHaHyyA-M/?img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMbJBUczycg/?img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLqJxyGTTj6/?img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNrCKNq5tRJ/?img_index=1

✨ Steal my templates:

Want my exact carousel layouts, design formulas, and CTA slides?

Grab the SMM Template Bundle—now updated with top-performing posts from 2025:

👉 https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd?coupon_code=DISHINGUP

xx Ellen

💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the Podcast

Use code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:

👉 https://getrella.com/?via=ellen

___________________________________________________________

💻 //LINKS// 💻

Sign up for my FREE private podcast: a 4 part training on how I scaled my business to $1 million in revenue - https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/private-podcast

Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School

Camera: https://geni.us/iPjpAt

Lens: https://geni.us/kNkJOx

Full list of tools & software I use: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/tools

📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee

👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: [email protected]

Are you scared AI is going to replace you as a service provider? I get it—but here's the truth: AI isn't your competition, it's your co-creator.

In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how I use AI in my business (without losing my human touch), how it’s helped me grow faster, create better content, and work fewer hours.

We’re ditching the fear-mongering and talking real strategies for service providers, social media managers, and content creators to thrive in the age of AI.

Plus, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how I’ve integrated AI into my content workflows, trained my own custom GPTs, and how YOU can do the same—starting today.

xx Ellen

💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the Podcast

Use code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:

👉 https://getrella.com/?via=ellen

___________________________________________________________

💻 //LINKS// 💻

Sign up for my FREE private podcast: a 4 part training on how I scaled my business to $1 million in revenue - https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/private-podcast

Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School

Camera: https://geni.us/iPjpAt

Lens: https://geni.us/kNkJOx

Full list of tools & software I use: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/tools

📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee

👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: [email protected]

Want to land your first social media manager client but feel stuck because you have no experience and no portfolio?

In this video, I’m breaking down exactly how to build a high-converting portfolio from scratch - even if you’ve never had a paying client. Whether you’re a beginner SMM, content creator pivoting to services, or just want to book clients faster, this is your step-by-step roadmap.

I’m also sharing my best-kept secret: my SMM Template Bundle (50% off this week only for Black Friday!) includes a done-for-you portfolio template to help you get set up in hours, not days.

🎁 Grab it here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd/checkout?coupon_code=BF50💕

xx Ellen

💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the Podcast

Use code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:

👉 https://getrella.com/?via=ellen

___________________________________________________________

💻 //LINKS// 💻

Sign up for my FREE private podcast: a 4 part training on how I scaled my business to $1 million in revenue - https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/private-podcast

Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School

Camera: https://geni.us/iPjpAt

Lens: https://geni.us/kNkJOx

Full list of tools & software I use: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/tools

📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee

👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: [email protected]

I built an online business that’s now hitting nearly $1 M in revenue, and I didn’t do it with a viral reel or a big team. I did it with a clear strategy, consistent execution and the right systems. In this video I’m breaking down my full income journey, the key things that worked (and what didn’t), and how you can apply the same frameworks to your own business.

xx Ellen

💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the Podcast

Use code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:

👉 https://getrella.com/?via=ellen

___________________________________________________________

💻 //LINKS// 💻

Sign up for my FREE private podcast: a 4 part training on how I scaled my business to $1 million in revenue - https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/private-podcast

Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School

Camera: https://geni.us/iPjpAt

Lens: https://geni.us/kNkJOx

Full list of tools & software I use: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/tools

📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee

👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: [email protected]

AI isn’t replacing you—unless you let it.

In this episode, I’m sharing the full replay of my most popular free webinar to date—a training designed to help you build a thriving, booked-out business as a social media manager or service provider in 2026 without getting left behind by AI.

We’ll cover:

• Why ChatGPT won’t replace high-touch service providers

• How to become the irreplaceable option in your niche

• The exact ways I’m using AI to save time, serve better, and sell smarter

Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale, this training will help you shift from fearing AI to fully leveraging it—and position your business for long-term success.

Spoiler alert: The future isn’t less human. It’s more.

xx

Ellen

💻 The Ultimate SMM Template Bundle
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd

👩‍💻 My Business HQ
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/

📧 Sponsorship Enquiries
[email protected]

📲 Follow Me for More:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee

In this spicy episode of the Dishing up Digital podcast, I’m sharing some of the wildest, most chaotic moments from my 6 years as a social media manager. From nightmare clients to contractor drama, invoice ghosting to holiday content meltdowns—these stories had me questioning everything.

But with each messy moment came a powerful lesson that’s shaped how I run my business today.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

💔 A client ended our contract with zero notice during their divorce

🌍 I redid a month of content while on vacation in South Africa

🙃 A contractor nearly cost me my biggest client

😵‍💫 7+ revisions on one post—and the meltdown that followed

🚨 Late invoices, luxury car purchases, and the audacity

🧾 Refunds, breakdowns, and what finally taught me to walk away

If you’re a social media manager, freelancer, or service provider, this episode is your permission slip to set boundaries, charge your worth, and protect your peace.

🎧 LISTEN NOW — and stay ‘til the end for the most unhinged confession I’ve never shared publicly 👀

xx

Ellen

🚨 Sign up for my FREE webinar on how to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar

——————————————————————————————————————————

💻 //LINKS// 💻

The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd

Buy Ellen's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798

📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee

🤯 //FREE GUIDE//

How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie

👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/

📧 Sponsorship enquiries: [email protected]

You don’t need 100k followers, a trending Reel, or a viral launch to make your first $10k month. I hit five-figure months before I had 2,000 followers—and it wasn’t magic, it was method.

In this episode of Dishing Up Digital, I’m pulling back the curtain on the actual strategy that helped me go from low views to high income.

You’ll learn:

✨ Why follower count is NOT a business plan

✨ The 4-part framework I use to create consistent $10k+ months

✨ What to stop doing if you want to get booked out faster

✨ Why boring, repeatable, unsexy systems scale better than viral trends

xx Ellen

💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the Podcast

Use code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:

👉 https://getrella.com/?via=ellen

___________________________________________________________

💻 //LINKS// 💻

Sign up for my FREE private podcast: a 4 part training on how I scaled my business to $1 million in revenue - https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/private-podcast

Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School

Camera: https://geni.us/iPjpAt

Lens: https://geni.us/kNkJOx

Full list of tools & software I use: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/tools

📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee

👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: [email protected]

If you’ve ever thought “I missed the boat” when it comes to content creation… this episode will flip that belief on its head.

Today, I’m joined by one of my incredible students—Janice, a 60+ UGC creator who’s redefining what’s possible at any age.

We’re talking about what it really looks like to start creating content later in life, how Janice landed her first brand deals, and the mindset shifts that helped her finally show up online with confidence.

Whether you’re a new creator or you’ve been putting it off because you think it’s “too late”—this episode is your permission slip to start where you are, with what you have.

💬 We cover:

• Why age can be your superpower as a creator

• Janice’s first steps into UGC + building her portfolio

• Getting over the fear of being visible online

• Building a brand when you're not a 20-something influencer

• The ripple effect of choosing to go for it

✨ Follow Janice on Instagram: @janice.ugc.creates

xx
Ellen

WORK WITH ME & be the next Janice! 📲 Sign up for the Dishing up Digital School here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School

//SOCIAL MEDIA//
Instagram: @ellenmackenziee
Tiktok: @ellenmackenzieee

The creator economy is exploding—growing from $250B in 2024 to a projected $480B by 2027—but here’s the truth: you do not need a million followers or viral videos to claim your slice of the pie.

In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact strategies micro creators can use to grow a magnetic brand, build a community, and generate consistent income—without burnout and without waiting to blow up.

If you’ve been thinking:
→ “No one’s watching”
→ “I don’t know how to grow”
→ “I’ll start when my content takes off”

...this is your sign to stop waiting and start building like a CEO.

This is the new era of content—and you’re not late. You’re right on time.

xx
Ellen

🚨 Sign up for my FREE 3-day online conference for social media managers:
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/summit2025

💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798

📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee

🤯 //FREE GUIDE//
How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie

👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: [email protected]