In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, Julia Marcum is joined by her other half in life and in business — her husband and the co-founder of Chris Loves Julia, Chris Marcum. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it’s really been like building an influencer career over the past 16 years.

From the chaos of a waterfall in their living room to the heartbreak of losing their cabin, Julia and Chris share the highs, lows, and hilarious in-betweens of life lived online. They chat about regrets (yes, they have a few), what it’s actually like creating content as a couple, and how they’ve learned to laugh, pivot, and keep going when things don’t go as planned.

Along the way, they open up about handling criticism, redefining success, and finding balance when your marriage and career are totally intertwined. It’s an honest, unfiltered look at the messy, magical ride of being influencers — with plenty of wisdom, humor, and heart.

Episode Breakdown:

In this solo episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, Becca McLeod dives into the biggest challenges influencers face when it comes to connecting with their audience and growing their following authentically. She discusses best practices for handling direct messages, comments, and overall engagement without becoming overwhelmed. Becca also critically evaluates common growth strategies like round robin giveaways and daily giveaway prompts, explaining why these may be considered as buying followers and not sustainable for long-term engagement. The discussion further explores the importance of stories in building and maintaining an engaged audience, the industry benchmarks for story views, and strategies to improve story engagement. The episode concludes with insights on how influencers can evaluate and improve their content to increase followers and maintain credible influence in their niche through consistent and authentic content creation.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:40 Engaging with Your Audience: Best Practices

02:50 The Truth About Giveaways and Buying Followers

07:17 Maximizing Story Views and Engagement

15:10 Creating Engaging Content and Market Research

21:39 Balancing Growth and Engagement

26:56 Building Credibility and Consistency

32:11 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, hosted by Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod, the duo dives deep into the history and strategies of content planning that helped them overcome burnout and achieve sustainability. They share insights from their 2022 retreat where they decided to get two weeks ahead in content creation, aiming to alleviate stress and improve the quality of their work. The episode explores how they successfully managed this feat by organizing and repurposing past content, implementing a visual content calendar, and emphasizing the importance of consistency and planning. They discuss the challenges and adaptations required to maintain flexibility, especially in their niche of home renovation. The hosts end with practical advice on setting up a content calendar and leveraging existing content to create a sustainable and efficient workflow.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdote

00:39 Welcome to the Good Influencer Podcast

00:51 The Two Weeks Ahead Strategy

11:43 Challenges and Adjustments

16:16 Repurposing Content for Consistency

22:22 The Importance of a Content Calendar

25:54 Batch Shooting and Planning Ahead

31:10 Conclusion and Homework

31:38 Outro and Call to Action

In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod discuss the evolving landscape of the influencer industry with the rise of AI models and content creation tools. They share their concerns about AI replacing real human connections, the ethical implications, and the legal battles some influencers are facing. They also explore how AI is being used to enhance content creation rather than replace human creativity, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and storytelling. Additionally, Julia and Becca touch on practical tips for using AI as a brainstorming tool and the necessity of having a personal website as an influencer.

00:14 Welcome to the Good Influencer Podcast

00:25 AI in the Modeling Industry

01:33 AI and Influencer Licensing Issues

06:53 AI's Role in Content Creation

07:37 Legal and Ethical Considerations of AI

09:17 Using AI for Social Media Strategy

11:48 The Importance of Human Connection

15:07 AI in Blogging and Website Management

23:07 The Future of Influencer Content

26:49 Embracing AI in Content Creation

41:46 Homework and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Good Influencer Podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod discuss the crucial role consistency plays in the growth of social media followings. Julia shares insights from her experience with her brand Chris Loves Julia, detailing the impact of their reduced posting frequency in Q2 and the resulting halt in growth. The conversation also touches on the balance between creating content for engagement versus growth, the pitfalls of rage-bait content, and strategies for maintaining and attracting followers. Additionally, the hosts offer practical advice for new influencers, emphasizing the importance of owning one's content creation journey, consistent posting, and the benefits of showing up in your content. They also highlight the evolving landscape of social media algorithms and search functionalities that can aid in growth. The episode concludes with homework for listeners: analyzing what elements made them follow their last 10 recent follows, to glean insights for their own content strategies.

The fashion girlie Julia mentioned today — obsessed 😍 →  ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelgwilson⁠

00:30 Introduction to the Good Influencer Podcast

00:41 Quarterly Meeting Insights and Growth Challenges

04:11 Balancing Engagement and Growth

06:42 Avoiding Common Influencer Mistakes

09:17 Case Study: Hub's Life and Niche Content

13:01 Strategies for Overcoming Growth Slumps

16:33 The Evolution of Instagram and Growth Opportunities

21:45 Engaging Content and Consistency

24:05 The Role of Family and Friends in Influencer Success

28:12 Promoting Side Hustles and Overcoming Early Challenges

29:43 The Power of Showing Up in Your Content

37:54 Mastermind Insights and Homework

44:13 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

In this episode, Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod dive deep into the realities of life as a content creator within the fast-paced, ever-evolving influencer industry. Julia opens up about her recent trip to Italy, juggling ongoing home renovations, and the value of staying true to one’s voice through authentic storytelling.

The conversation covers essential topics for modern influencers, including the difference between documenting and “creating” content, coping with burnout, staying on top of content calendars, and navigating brand partnerships without losing creative freedom. Julia also explains why she and Chris have repeatedly turned down TV show offers — choosing independence and creative control over mainstream exposure.

03:53 Audience Engagement and Personal Growth

08:21 Balancing Content Creation and Personal Life

15:58 The TV Show Dilemma

23:17 The Realities of Renovation Content

24:11 Setting Up Editorial and Sponsorship Rules

25:15 Embracing Real-Time Storytelling

26:34 The Power of Authentic Reactions

31:02 The Importance of Documenting Over Creating

40:31 Creating a Flexible Content Calendar

41:08 Detailed Content Planning

44:13 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, host Becca McLeod explores the dynamic world of influencer marketing with Victoria Bradley, brand manager at Chris Loves Julia. They discuss the value of knowing your niche, balancing personal storytelling with audience expectations, and fostering genuine brand relationships. The conversation offers practical tips on tagging, affiliate links, sponsorship negotiation, and leveraging user-generated content (UGC), while also addressing performance pressures and brand contracts. Throughout, the episode highlights the evolving landscape of influencer marketing and the importance of authenticity and integrity in content creation.

00:00 Understanding Your Niche and Audience

00:32 Introduction to The Good Influencer Podcast

00:50 Meet Victoria Bradley: Brand Manager Insights

03:04 The Evolution of Influencer Marketing

06:18 Navigating Brand Collaborations and Sponsorships

09:18 Strategies for New Influencers

20:31 The Importance of Niching Down

24:14 Organic Brand Partnerships

25:13 Exclusivity and Brand Loyalty

26:38 Testing and Authenticity

28:49 Building Trust with a Small Following

30:29 Creating an Effective Media Kit

35:25 User-Generated Content (UGC)

41:14 Handling Underperforming Collaborations

47:12 Homework and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod delve into the intricate world of social media algorithms and the power influencers possess to shape their own success. They stress the importance of not viewing the algorithm as an insurmountable obstacle but as a reflection of user behavior that influencers can learn from and adapt to. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, they emphasize the necessity of critical analysis, staying ahead of trends, and maintaining creativity amidst the ebb and flow of engagement metrics. The discussion covers the value of acting as both a creator and user of social media, understanding the shifting behaviors of audiences, and the role of influencers in setting trends rather than merely responding to them. They encourage influencers to take initiative, embrace change, and find joy in the creative process to truly excel in the dynamic landscape of social media. 

Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.

00:00 Introduction and Preface 

00:41 The Challenges of Being an Influencer 

01:29 Analyzing and Solving Issues 

05:18 Understanding and Shaping the Algorithm 

06:29 Adapting to Trends and User Behavior 

10:58 Creating Engaging Content 

15:22 Staying Ahead of the Algorithm

26:02 The Power of Audience and Creator Influence 

29:30 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 

36:26 Outro and Community Engagement

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod pull back the curtain on the unspoken rules of influencing—what to do, what not to do, and what they’ve learned the hard way. From filming at the gym to setting fair rates with brands, they dive into the everyday etiquette that comes with having a platform. They touch on topics like protecting your privacy, handling DMs with grace, and why originality still matters. It's a thoughtful, honest conversation about being a good digital neighbor in a space that’s constantly evolving.

Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.

00:41 – Welcome to the New Podcast Studio

04:27 – Respecting Privacy in Content Creation

06:36 – Influencer Pet Peeves and Etiquette

17:03 – The Ethics of Using Others’ Content

27:07 – Networking with Brands

35:07 – Concluding Thoughts and Homework

Being Brand Pleasing: Don't Say Dupe

Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.

00:29 Season Two Special: 20 Questions Segment

01:04 Dream Collaborations and Product Design

02:57 Can Anyone Be an Influencer?

03:36 The Reality of Being an Influencer

04:39 Authenticity and Discipline in Influencing

05:20 Challenges and Misconceptions in Influencing

06:59 The Importance of Being Real

08:28 Sponsorships and Brand Relationships

09:13 The Daily Dupe Controversy

17:52 Adapting to Brand Expectations

25:50 Brand Safety and Influencer Guidelines

30:56 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser