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

We’re back for Season 3 of Dose of Social 🎉 In this episode, we kick things off with digital marketing expert Emily Raiber, Founder of Emily Raiber Media.

Emily shares her unique journey from TV production to launching her own digital marketing business, and dives into why Substack is becoming a must-have tool for brands, influencers, and service-based businesses.

 Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Emily’s pivot from television to entrepreneurship
• Why Substack is perfect for newsletters, creators, and community-building
• Tips for getting started on Substack (without the overwhelm!)
• How to grow your audience and boost engagement
• Using social media to drive traffic and subscribers
• Substack’s new video and podcast features—and how to use them
• Real-world strategies for content creators and business owners

Resources:

• Substack – The platform for independent writers and creators
• Emily’s Substack: ER's Recs – Where Emily shares digital strategy insights and examples
• Klaviyo – Email platform mentioned for eCommerce automations
• Mailchimp – Traditional email service compared in the episode

Whether you're new to Substack or looking to level up your content strategy, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you expand your reach and grow your digital presence.

Tune in for more Dose of Social this season!

Hey everyone! In this episode of Dose of Social, we are diving into one of our most requested topics: how to use AI to supercharge your social media strategy. From content creation to planning and customer engagement, we’re breaking down the tools and tips you need to work smarter, not harder.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• How AI is changing the game for social media marketing
• Our favorite AI tools like ChatGPT, Ideogram, and chatbots
• The difference between free and premium versions of ChatGPT
• How to use AI for image creation, content planning, and brand voice alignment
• Tips for training AI tools to actually sound like you
• Tackling the fear of AI “taking over” and how it can actually make your life easier
• Using AI in ads, email marketing, and customer support with tools like ManyChat

This episode is all about working more efficiently and creatively with the help of AI. Whether you’re just starting to explore these tools or already deep in the AI world, you’ll walk away with practical ideas to take your social media game to the next level.

Let’s geek out on tech together! 🤖✨

For more Dose of Social, visit our website here

Hey everyone! In this episode of Dose of Social, we chat with Emily Winters, owner of Strings for Hope, a one-of-a-kind for-profit company that empowers survivors of substance use disorder, human trafficking, and addiction by creating beautiful jewelry from used guitar strings.

Emily shares how she went from selling pieces from a cart in downtown Nashville to taking over the company at just 19 years old!

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Emily’s inspiring journey as a young entrepreneur
• The evolution of Strings for Hope and the heart behind the brand
• How social media has played a major role in growing the business
• Collaborating with Golden Bird Marketing to create standout content
• The importance of persistence, trust, and vulnerability in business relationships
• Structured planning tips to stay consistent and intentional on social
• Cool ways to support Strings for Hope—like permanent jewelry and corporate gifting

This episode is full of heart, hustle, and helpful insights for anyone building a brand with purpose. You’ll leave inspired—and maybe ready to rock some recycled guitar string jewelry too! 🎸✨

Connect with Emily on LinkedIn here

Check out Strings for Hope here

For more Dose of Social, visit our website here

Hey everyone! In this episode of Dose of Social, we sit down with Krissy Manzano, co-founder of Blueprint Expansion, to talk all things hiring—especially when it comes to finding the perfect social media manager.

Krissy shares her journey from sales leadership to launching a recruiting firm and gives expert advice on what really matters when hiring for marketing roles.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• The key qualities to look for in a social media manager
• Why specific skills matter more than industry experience
• How to build an ideal candidate profile that fits your business needs
• The best interview techniques (including the STAR method!) to find the right hire
• Tips for small businesses to attract top marketing talent
• Why having a clear hiring process is essential for long-term success
• The importance of training and setting new hires up for success

Whether you’re looking to expand your team or thinking about a career shift, this episode is packed with insights to help you make smarter hiring decisions!

Connect with Krissy on LinkedIn

Check out Blueprint Expansion's website here

For more Dose of Social, visit our website here

Hey everyone! In this episode of Dose of Social, Kayla Perlstein chats with co-host Lindsay Mauch, an email marketing expert, to break down everything small businesses need to know about email marketing.

Lindsay shares her best tips on why email marketing is a game-changer, how to start building an email list, and the strategies that actually work to engage and convert subscribers.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Why email marketing is still one of the most powerful tools for small businesses
• How to start collecting emails and build a solid subscriber list
• Crafting emails that get opened, read, and drive action
• Smart campaign strategies to keep your audience engaged
• Common email marketing mistakes (and how to avoid them!)
• How to re-engage a cold email list and bring inactive subscribers back
• When to invest in email marketing tools or hire a specialist

If you want to make email marketing work for your business, this episode is packed with insights and actionable tips to help you step up your game!

Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn

For more Dose of Social, visit our website here

Hey everyone!

In this episode of Dose of Social, we dive into the must-have skills of time management and organization, especially for social media pros.

Co-host Kayla Perlstein, founder of Goldenbird Marketing, shares her journey from being a full-time employee to running her own social media business while managing 23 clients (yes, you read that right!).

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• How Kayla built a thriving social media business from the ground up
• The tools and systems that keep things running smoothly (hello, monday.com & Google Drive!)
• Balancing creative work with all the admin tasks that come with social media management
• Avoiding burnout and making time for yourself in a fast-paced industry
• Handling client feedback and revisions efficiently without losing your sanity
• Staying ahead of trends while keeping up with daily tasks
• Essential tips for aspiring social media managers to boost productivity and work smarter

If you’re looking for real-world advice on staying organized, managing multiple clients, and keeping your sanity in the social media space, this episode is packed with insights to help you level up!

Connect with Kayla on LinkedIn here

Visit Goldenbird Marketing's website

For more Dose of Social, visit our website here

Hey everyone! In this episode of Dose of Social, we sat down with Matt Franklin, a revenue operations leader, to chat about practical strategies for small business success. Matt dives into his journey from sales and operations to sharing game-changing tips for building a solid business plan, understanding customer value, and carving out your competitive edge.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Matt’s journey in sales and data-driven operations
• How to build a practical business plan that truly works
• Strategies for established businesses to ramp up growth
• The role of effective marketing in fueling business success
• Unlocking competitive differentiation and understanding customer value
• The power of robust attribution in making informed financial decisions
• When it’s time to bring in a business consultant
• Final tips to set measurable goals and drive success

Join us for a lively, no-nonsense conversation packed with actionable insights to help you boost your business growth and make smarter decisions every step of the way!

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcfranklin/

For more Dose of Social, visit our website here

Hey everyone! In this episode of Dose of Social, we sat down with our good friend Armando Garza, Chief Growth Officer, for a fun chat about how to nail down your target audience.

Armando kicked things off by sharing his wild journey from nuclear engineering (yes, really!) to rocking roles at Procter & Gamble, Frito Lay, Pizza Hut, and beyond. We dove into why knowing exactly who you’re talking to is a game changer for small businesses—it saves you money and drives revenue.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Armando’s journey from nuclear engineering to marketing maven
• Why identifying your target audience is essential for saving cash and boosting revenue
• The science and art behind target research: demographics vs. psychographics
• How to use competitor insights and even good old-fashioned focus groups
• Crafting buyer personas (and a fun “celebrity test” to keep it real)
• Tools like Google Analytics and the Meta Ads Library to uncover audience insights
• The importance of revisiting and refining your target audience as your business grows
• Tips for choosing the right partner or agency that gets your strategy

Join us for a fun, insightful conversation that’s all about unlocking the secrets to understanding your audience—so you can connect with the right people and supercharge your social media strategy.

Let’s get targeting!

Connect with Armando on LinkedIn

For more Dose of Social, visit our website here

In this episode ofDose of Social, we had the pleasure of chatting with Makena Delaney, the founder of Makena Creative. Makena walked us through her journey from being a hobbyist designer to becoming a branding and web development powerhouse.

We shared a fun mix of practical tips and entertaining stories about creating impactful branding that truly connects with your ideal client, managing client relationships, and rocking the latest SEO and design trends for Gen Z.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Makena’s evolution from a hobbyist to a branding entrepreneur
• How to nail your brand strategy by understanding your ideal client
• Must-know website essentials and SEO hacks for a standout digital presence
• Pro tips for managing client relationships and setting clear communication boundaries
• A behind-the-scenes peek at the Sapphire Suite branding journey
• The art of creating the perfect logo and leveraging productivity tools
• Emerging design trends that are catching Gen Z’s eye

Join us for a fun, insightful ride packed with actionable advice that will help you build a digital presence that truly stands out!

Connect with Makena on her socials below:

Instagram

Website

Pinterest

For more Dose of Social, visit our websitehere

In this episode of Dose of Social, we welcome Tammie Osborne, founder of the Sapphire Suite (and our awesome Season 2 sponsor!).

Tammie takes us through her inspiring journey—from nurse to healthcare IT consultant—and how the challenges of COVID-19 sparked the creation of a vibrant coworking and event space in Franklin. She shares her top tips for crafting a solid business plan, bouncing back from missteps, and surrounding yourself with supportive peers.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

Ready to get inspired and learn how to build a business community that truly supports your growth? Tune in for real talk on resilience and entrepreneurial success!

Connect with Tammie on LinkedIn here

Check out The Sapphire Suite through their socials below

Website

Instagram

Facebook

For more Dose of Social, visit our website here