From working as a cog in the machine of journalism to a reputable editor of national newspapers, Natasha Courtenay-Smith has done it all. Founder of Bolt Digital, Natasha examines her clientele’s social media strategy and gives advice to those seeking guidance in the world of advertising.

You can catch the full video version of this episode here and from her vlog.

 

“Your first job as an advertiser is to stop the scroll.”

-Natasha Courtenay-Smith

 

 
Like the podcast?

Subscribe on iTunes

 

Times Stamps:

4:31 Natasha Courtenay-Smith story, coming up through journalism  

7:15 The birth of Bolt Digital  

10:15  Critiquing of bad branding that can lose you money 

11:39  The nine-step process of direct to consumer of online e-commerce brands  

15:15 Why you need an integrated approach to advertising to be successful today 

21:20 Boosted posts and building a 

31:19 Figuring your algorithm 

36:37 Tip: Know your audience 

41:43 Working with Bolt Digital 

46:56 Q&A

 

Resources:

• Bolt Digital

 

 Connect with Natasha Courtenay-Smith:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Natashacourtenaysmith.com

 

 

Get ready because today's episode is not your average interview. Tracey Woodward, CEO of Aromatherapy Associates' and Natasha, cover it all from health and well-being tips to performing at the next level like Beyonce and Tiger Woods, to goal setting and the current e-commerce landscape.

You’ll discover expert strategies that will help you build your online brand, sharpen your mindset, and how Tracey redesigned the vision of the brand to what it currently is today. This interview covers much more than just business tips to grow your brand, but life, health, and mindset tips to improve every part of you. Enjoy.

More about Aromatherapy Associates from the company website

At Aromatherapy Associates, we focus on Mindful Beauty by giving you time to stop and find balance in your life. Leaders in aromatherapy, we address your specific concerns and take you on a sensory journey to enhance your wellbeing.
Our passion for essential oils stems from the understanding that they have therapeutic benefits which work on the skin, body, and mind. We have harnessed this knowledge for over 30 years to deliver award-winning luxury bath, body and skincare products that work on a deeper level to allow your natural radiance and beauty to shine through.
Geraldine Howard and Sue Beechey, Aromatherapy Associates Founders, truly believed that an enriching aromatherapy experience nurtures the body and boosts the spirits. We will continue to build on their legacy by sharing the true power of essential oils and their therapeutic benefits to the skin, body & mind.

 

“What other people think of you is their business, not yours.”

-Tracey Woodward

 

 

Like the podcast?

Subscribe on iTunes

 

Timestamps:

2:33 - Humble beginnings, how Aromatherapy Associates was started out of a simple love for living well

4:04 - The amazing growth of Aromatherapy Associates and working with the most prestigious hospitality and retail brands in the world

7:05 - Customer retention and never sacrificing the quality of the blends

9:30 - The massive impact a change in manufacturing can have on your customer’s experience with your brand.

14:52 - Growing up and not being able to read and write as a young teen to CEO

16:45 - Rewriting the vision of the brand, building a brand focused on wellbeing

20:34 - Tracey’s wellbeing experts, how her team is bringing a 360 approach for her customers and clients

23:00 - One tip your company can use to develop as a team, progressively learn and grow as an organization

25:50 - Tracey’s #1 skill in business, and she’s an intuitive facilitator and not a CEO

30:30 - The not so sexy secret to living longer and performing like Beyonce, Tiger Woods and Usain Bolt

 

Resources:

• Aromatherapy Associates
• http://wellbeingandlifestyle.co.uk/

 

Connect with Tracey Woodward:

• Facebook (Aromatherapy Associates)
• Instagram (Aromatherapy Associates)
• Blog (Aromatherapy Associates)
• Twitter (Aromatherapy Associates)

 

Connect with Natasha Courtenay-Smith:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Natashacourtenaysmith.com

Meet Maxine Laceby, the founder of Absolute Collagen, a beauty product that’s winning people in the world of beauty and skin care. But how did Maxine do it? How did she manage to create a product that brought her so much success in such a short time? Join our conversation to listen to Maxine’s story, her most significant moments with her new product, and some excellent advice for your own improvement.

 

“It gave me a period of time when I really connected with my end user.”

-Maxine Laceby

 

 

Like the podcast?

Subscribe on iTunes

Timestamps:

0:50 - Starting and growing an e-commerce brand

2:48 - The major moments in recent months for Maxine

5:49 - Maxine’s thriving business and the product – Absolute Collagen

8:14 - Her story and how she does it

 

Resources:

• Absolute Collagen

 

Connect with Maxine Laceby:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Blog
• Twitter

 

Connect with Natasha Courtenay-Smith:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Natashacourtenaysmith.com

Opportunity is everywhere. Born from dissatisfaction with his corporate career and a need as a customer, founder, and CEO Howard Harrison, birthed his company KNOMO! Now a solid brand with 14 years of steady growth Natasha and Howard discuss the evolution of KNOMO, brand strategy, and optimizing advertising dollars.

 

“The world is filled with products. So new products must fulfill a consumer need that isn’t out there already."

-Howard Harrison

 

Like the podcast?

Subscribe on iTunes

 

Times Stamps:

3:01  Starting KNOMO

5:48  The launch of KNOMO

7:57  Insight into how sales continue to increase

10:06  Howard explains how the strategy has changed over the life of the brand

12:21  Breaking down KNOMO’s advertising spend

17:17  Long-term plans for KNOMO  

 

Connect with Howard Harrison:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Knomo.com

 

Connect with Natasha Courtenay-Smith:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Natashacourtenaysmith.com

On today’s episode, Tash is joined by Jeremy Vine at a local coffee shop! Jeremy is the host of the BBC Radio 2 Programme.  Together the two discuss how Jeremy’s Facebook following has grown dramatically. Initially, Jeremy thought Facebook was for grannies, tune in to hear what made him change his mind.

 

“You have to hang it [your content] somewhere where it's a bit permanent and Facebook is the best.” 

Jeremy Vine

    

Like the podcast?

Subscribe on iTunes

 

Times Stamps:

2:45 How Tash and Jeremy got to know each other

5:29 Is Facebook for Grannies?

9:00 All about Jeremy's viral posts

11:50 Is it important for celebrities to be on social media?

21:19 Jeremy's experiences with posts that have gone viral for the wrong reason

24:00 Are newspapers and journalism finished?

 

Connect with Jeremy Vine:

• Twitter
• Facebook

 

Connect with Natasha Courtenay-Smith:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Natashacourtenaysmith.com

 

Some people just talk about what needs to be done. But John Pritchard and his team have set out to take action. With an uncommon focus, grounded in ethics and aesthetics, he spreads the message of helping others with each purchase of the quality eyewear brand. In today’s episode, Natasha and John discuss specifics around digital marketing, defining the target audience and much more.

 

When you’re launching a fashion brand, you’ve got to have passion –it’ll keep you going.

-John Pritchard

Like the podcast?

Subscribe on iTunes

 

Timestamps:

16:08  Challenges in taking a different approach to defining the key audience

18:47  A look into various digital marketing strategies

21:45  Using Facebook as a marketing tool

27:27  Marketing tips and creating the connection with the audience

31:31  Ups and downs of high street

36:09  Future of John’s Pala Eyewear brand

 

Connect with John Pritchard:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Palaeyewear.com

 

Connect with Natasha Courtenay-Smith:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Natashacourtenaysmith.com

 

 

 

Why give all the secrets away? In this Information Age, everyone wants to be in the know. They want to know upfront ‘what’s in it for me?’ And even who the mystery person behind the products and services they’re buying. So, Cy Wakeman, Reality-Based Leadership CEO and author, makes sure she meets that need. Grab your notepad as Cy and Natasha discuss the value in effectively branding yourself and using social media to build your business. 

“People are always distracted at work. We want to be the YouTube channel your boss will let you watch at work.”

-Cy Wakeman

 

Like the podcast?

Subscribe on iTunes

 

Timestamps:

5:20  Starting with Gary V-building Cy’s personal brand

6:00  Why personal branding is critical

8:23  Being accessible to audiences

11:09  Return on investment in digital marketing strategy

16:06  Overcoming traditional approach to marketing

20:48  Huge propellers to her current success 

22:36  How Cy has handled this transition

23:34  Helpful tips for women on social media

 

People:

• Gary Vaynerchuk

Connect with Cy Wakeman:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• www.realitybasedleadership.com

 

Connect with Natasha Courtenay-Smith:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• natashacourtenaysmith.com

 

 

Want to write a book? Want to be seen as the authority in your area of expertise? Listen to Natasha’s interview with Lucy McCarraher, co-founder & managing editor of Rethink Press, as she provides valuable tips that will land your book on the next printing press.

 

“If you have a book it puts you out there...It changes people’s perception of you…

It’s the best ambassador, business development manager you can have.”

-Lucy McCarraher

 

Like the podcast?

Subscribe on iTunes

 

Timestamps:

2:15 - The reasons why people want to write books

5:51 -   What makes a good book  

9:48 - Lucy gives advice on book topics for different experts in various industries

15:32 - The value of giving away your books

19:27 - Cost of resourcing Rethink Press as the hybrid to assist in publishing book

22:15 - What you need to know about writing a book

Connect with Lucy McCarraher:

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• rethinkpress.com

Connect with Natasha Courtenay-Smith:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• natashacourtenaysmith.com

 

Sean Vigue has made something as simple as posting videos online translate to reaching more than 20 million worldwide. After this episode, you will walk away with valuable tips that you can implement today. 

“Make sure the videos you do first, is something you really enjoy doing because people enjoy watching you do something you love doing.”

-Sean Vigue

 

Like the podcast?

Subscribe on iTunes

 

Timestamps:

1:29 - Sean’s professional history

8:10 - Sean’s start to making videos

9:55 - How Sean’s personal brand evolved

13:14 - Income streams that work the best

14:16 - Benefits of building a personal brand online

15:33 - What you can do now, despite not starting years ago

17:29 - How do you deal with personal connections of your followers

19:30 - Determining the image you want for your brand

 

 

Connect with Sean Vigue:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Twitter
• YouTube
• www.seanviguefitness.com

 

Connect with Natasha Courtenay-Smith:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• natashacourtenaysmith.com

 

 

Hello, I’m Natasha Courtenay-Smith and welcome to Brand Me. My brand new podcast that shares the stories, experience and wisdom of some of the leading influencer lead business owners and visible experts in the world.

Over the course of this show, you’ll learn how to create a huge personal brand - from building social media to getting your name in the national press.

Subscribe and make sure you don’t miss the first episode with Cy Wakeman.