Dose of Social: Actionable Social Media Tips for Small Businesses and Brands

In this episode of Dose of Social, we are tackling the $10,000 question: if you were starting a brand and had exactly $10,000 to spend on marketing, where should that money go?

We’re looking at the challenge from two different perspectives— Lindsay's broader marketing strategy lens and Kayla’s social-first approach. From creating content that actually works to building an email list you own, we break down what we’d prioritize first, what we’d hold off on, and how paid advertising fits into the picture.

We also get into why you don’t need a massive production budget to create strong social content, what realistic ad expectations look like, and why your organic presence still matters when you start putting money behind paid campaigns. Plus, we wrap things up with a rapid-fire round comparing everything from Meta ads vs. creators to Instagram vs. TikTok.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• How we’d divide a $10,000 marketing budget between content, email, and advertising
• Why iPhone content can outperform highly produced creative on social
• How email automations can become a valuable long-term owned marketing channel
• What brands should understand about ad budgets, awareness, consideration, and conversion
• Why we’d prioritize better creative now and leave strategies like SEO and PR for a later phase

Items Discussed in this episode:

• Ring Light
• Tripod
• Square Ring Light that goes around iPhone

The profile Lindsay spoke about with the same content and song can be found here.

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💬 Want to be a guest or ask us a question? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Dose of Social, we sit down with Katie Mleziva, founder and food brand strategist at Real Food Brands, to talk about how a strong brand strategy can create clarity across your entire business—not just your logo, visuals, or social media.

Drawing on her background in brand management at Kraft Foods and more than a decade supporting founder-led businesses, Katie shares how entrepreneurs can define what they want to be known for, connect brand strategy to content, and use social media as a two-way conversation with their audience.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Why defining what you want your business to be known for is the foundation of a strong brand
• How brand strategy connects your business goals, marketing, content, and customer experience
• Katie’s closet analogy for understanding the difference between brand pillars and content pillars
• What Katie learned when a Swedish Fish post unexpectedly went viral
• Why responding to comments and finding content formats that feel natural can strengthen your brand

Connect with Katie Mleziva: Website: https://realfoodbrands.com Instagram: @realfoodbrands Podcast: Food Business Marketing Podcast

Connect with us: Follow Dose of Social on Instagram Subscribe on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Check out our website

💬 Want to be a guest or ask us a question? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Dose of Social, we sit down with Nathan Waller, Director of the Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning (NUCASLL) and Associate Clinical Professor at Northwestern University, to talk about how universities and healthcare clinics can use social media to build trust, educate their audiences, and create stronger connections online.

Nathan shares how NUCASLL has moved beyond traditional announcements and website content to create a more personal, engaging social presence. We talk about why showing the people, personality, and day-to-day experience behind an organization matters—especially when prospective patients, families, students, alumni, and collaborators are deciding whether they feel connected to a program.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Why social media helps universities and clinics feel more approachable and personal
• How educational, candid, and people-focused content can build trust with patients, families, and prospective students
• Why video and behind-the-scenes content often perform better than traditional announcements
• How to balance professionalism with personality so content stands out without feeling overly polished
• How NUCASLL tailors content across platforms for patients, students, alumni, researchers, and other key audiences

Connect with Nathan Waller & NUCASLL:

• Website: https://nucasll.northwestern.edu
• Instagram: @nucasll
• LinkedIn: NUCASLL
• Facebook: NUCASLL

Connect with us:

• Follow Dose of Social on Instagram
• Subscribe on Spotify
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Check out our website

💬 Want to be a guest or ask us a question? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Dose of Social, we’re back with Vix Reitano of Agency 6B for Part 2 of our conversation on AI. This time, we’re diving deeper into the hardware, tools, and systems that are changing how business owners and marketers work.

Vix walks us through AI-powered devices like smart pens and portable recorders, explains how local LLMs can give businesses more control over sensitive information, and breaks down why different AI models are better suited for different tasks. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at how she organizes her own AI workflows.

One of the biggest takeaways? Stop relying on one-off prompts. Vix explains why guardrail files can help AI better understand your voice, positioning, offers, and platform strategy—leading to more consistent, useful output over time.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• What AI hardware actually is, from wearables and smart pens to portable recording tools
• How tools like Pocket, xNote, Plaud, and Granola can support note-taking, meetings, and content workflows
• Why different AI models have different strengths—and how to choose the right tool for the job
• How local LLMs can help businesses keep certain client data on their own machines
• Why guardrail files for your brand voice, bio, positioning, and platforms can be more powerful than constantly rewriting prompts

Links to AI Tools Mentioned in This Episode:

Pocket: https://go.shopmy.us/p-78718379xNote: https://go.shopmy.us/p-78718214Plaud: https://go.shopmy.us/p-78719287Granola: https://www.granola.ai/

Connect with Vix Reitano:Business: Agency 6BWebsite: https://agency6b.comLinkedIn: Vix ReitanoInstagram: Vix Reitano / Agency 6B

Connect with us:Follow Dose of Social on InstagramSubscribe on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsCheck out our website

💬 Want to be a guest or ask us a question? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Dose of Social, we sit down with my friend and client, Javaneh Hemmat, founder of Hummus Chick and Wild Lotus Snacks, to talk about the power of founder-led storytelling and why your personal journey is one of the most valuable marketing tools you have.

Javaneh shares how a surfboard revelation, a passion for bringing people together through food, and just $40 led to building a nationally recognized food brand. We also dive into how authentic storytelling creates deeper customer connections, why showing up on camera matters more than perfection, and how founders can create engaging content without a massive budget. Whether you're building a product-based business or growing a personal brand, this conversation is packed with practical advice for creating content that resonates and builds lasting community.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• How the story behind Hummus Chick came to life—and why it resonated with customers
• Why founder-led content consistently outperforms polished brand messaging
• How to decide what to share publicly while maintaining personal boundaries
• Tips for overcoming camera shyness and becoming more confident on video
• Common content mistakes CPG brands make on social media

Connect with Javaneh Hemmat:

Website: https://hummuschick.com
Instagram: @hummuschick
Instagram (Wild Lotus Snacks): @wildlotussnacks
TikTok: @ilovehummuschick
YouTube: @hummuschick

Connect with us:

Follow Dose of Social on Instagram
Subscribe on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Check out our website

💬 Want to be a guest on Dose of Social or have a topic you'd love us to cover? Reach out—we'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Dose of Social, we dive into one of the biggest conversations happening in marketing right now: Is AI genuinely helping us create better content, or is it mostly hype?

From AI-generated music and avatars to note-taking tools, customer service, product photography, search, and advertising, we share our honest thoughts on where AI is making a real impact—and where it may be crossing the line.

We also explore why AI should support your creativity rather than replace it, how to protect your brand voice, and why authenticity will continue to matter as more AI-generated content fills our feeds.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Where AI-generated music, photography, and video can strengthen your content strategy
• The risks of AI avatars, voice cloning, and virtual influencers
• How AI is changing customer service, search, hiring, and content discovery
• Why AI note-taking tools can improve productivity and uncover new content ideas
• How to use AI as a helpful business tool without losing authenticity or your brand voice

Connect with us: Follow Dose of Social on Instagram Subscribe on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts
Check out our website

Have questions about AI or want us to cover a specific tool in a future episode? We’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Dose of Social, Kayla and I take it back to one of the most common topics we’ve discussed since day one: the biggest misconceptions about social media. As social media professionals who have worked in the industry since its early days, we’ve seen countless trends, platform updates, and shifts in how businesses use social media. Yet many of the same misunderstandings still exist today.

We break down six of the most common myths business owners still believe, from follower counts and viral content to AI and lead generation. We also share practical advice on what actually matters when building an effective social media presence and how social media fits into a larger marketing ecosystem.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Why followers don’t automatically equal customers
• The engagement metrics that matter more than follower count
• Why AI is a powerful tool—but not a social media strategy
• The difference between a marketing strategy and a social media strategy
• Why organic social media alone can’t guarantee leads and sales

Connect with Dose of Social:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/dose.of.social

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Z2yudfWtkAcMvYFlqqI8I

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dose-of-social/id1775021753

Website: https://doseofsocial.com

💬 Have a question about social media, content strategy, or AI? Reach out to us, we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Dose of Social, we sit down with Vix Reitano, founder and growth partner of Agency 6B, to break down the rapidly changing world of AI, LLMs, GEO, and what it all means for brands trying to grow online.

Vix shares her background in systems, software, and digital strategy, along with practical insights on how business owners can adapt their content and social strategies for AI-driven search. From understanding how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity work differently to why Reddit and Threads matter more than ever, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for marketers, founders, and creators trying to stay ahead.

We also dive into how AI is changing SEO, why “designing for outcomes” matters, and how brands can position themselves to become trusted sources inside LLMs.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• What an LLM actually is and why business owners should care
• How AI tools decide which brands get surfaced in search
• How Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity each serve different purposes
• Why Reddit and Threads are becoming critical discovery platforms
• How to use AI prompts to uncover customer pain points and content ideas

Connect with Vix Reitano:

Website: https://agency6b.com

Website: https://vixreitano.ai

Instagram: https://instagram.com/vixreitano

Threads: https://threads.net/@vixreitano

Connect with us:

Follow Dose of Social on Instagram: https://instagram.com/dose.of.social

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Z2yudfWtkAcMvYFlqqI8I

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dose-of-social/id1775021753

Website: https://doseofsocial.com

💬 Want to be a guest or collaborate with us? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

In part two of our conversation with Amber Gilormo, founder of The Boutique Lawyer, we dive deeper into the legal side of running and scaling an online business. From trademarks and contracts to influencer partnerships and copyright issues on social media, Amber breaks down the legal realities that creators, agencies, and entrepreneurs need to understand as they grow.

We talk through what legal maturity actually looks like behind the scenes of successful businesses, why proactive legal systems matter, and the biggest misconceptions online business owners have when it comes to protecting their brands. Amber also shares practical advice on handling scope creep, contract breaches, and staying compliant while still creating engaging social content.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your contracts are strong enough, your content is legally protected, or your business is actually covered as it scales, this episode is packed with actionable insight.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Why trademarks should be a priority once your business starts generating consistent revenue
• The biggest misconception business owners have about owning their brand name
• How to create a simple legal audit system for your business
• Best practices for handling contract breaches professionally
• Scope creep strategies and how to build protections into your contracts

Connect with Amber Gilormo:

Website: The Boutique Lawyer

Instagram: @theboutiquelawyer

Connect with us:

Follow Dose of Social on Instagram

Subscribe on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Check out our website

💬 Want to be a guest or ask us a question? Reach out - we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Dose of Social, we sit down with Anthony Domenici, founder of Base Camp Consulting Group, to talk about what it really looks like to step into visibility as a founder—especially when it doesn’t come naturally. Anthony shares how his background in finance and accounting led him to build a consulting firm for CPG brands, and how a recent shift into full ownership of his business pushed him to start showing up online in a bigger way.

We get real about the mental blocks around content creation, the power of consistency, and how social media can become a growth engine when paired with expertise. If you’ve ever felt hesitant to hit “post,” this episode will give you the push you need.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Anthony’s journey from finance professional to founder of a niche consulting firm
• The story behind his “Cash Flow CFO” personal brand
• Why “done is better than perfect” when it comes to social media
• Why sharing value (without gatekeeping) builds trust and authority

Connect with Anthony Domenici:
Website: (Base Camp Consulting Group)
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecashflowcfo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-domenici

Connect with us:
Follow Dose of Social on Instagram
Subscribe on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Check out our website

💬 Want to be a guest or ask us a question? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!