Take Your Shot Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Litchfield, founder of Litchfield Media Co. She is a seasoned ads strategist with nearly seven years of experience helping entrepreneurs and online coaches grow their businesses through paid advertising. Melissa breaks down one of the most misunderstood tools in the online business world — Meta ads — and why they're more important than ever in today's unpredictable social media landscape. From the rented land of Instagram to building an audience you actually own, Melissa walks us through what it really takes to run ads that work and how to know when you're truly ready.

Melissa also talks about the full picture of a lead magnet funnel — from attracting cold traffic to nurturing new leads with an email sequence — and unpack the biggest mistakes business owners make along the way. Whether you've never touched Ads Manager or you've tried ads before and walked away frustrated, this conversation meets you where you are. Melissa shares how to lay the right technical foundation, how to avoid the most common setup errors, and why working with an expert (even just for an hour) can save you thousands of dollars and months of wasted effort.

What you'll walk away with:

1. Why ads are a tool that amplifies what's already working — not a magic fix — and how to know when your foundation is ready
2. The three most common lead magnet mistakes and how to calculate whether yours is actually converting
3. What a simple, effective landing page and email nurture sequence should include (and how many emails to start with)
4. How to choose the right ad objective so Meta is actually sending you real leads — not just clicks
5. Practical first steps for getting your Meta Business Portfolio set up correctly before you ever spend a dollar on ads

Take Your Shot:

1. Business Resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
2. Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Melissa Litchfield – Litchfield Media:

1. Website: www.litchfieldmedia.org
2. Instagram: www.instagram.com/litchfieldmedia
3. Free Resource — Roadworthy in 48 Hours (Meta Business Portfolio Setup Guide): https://litchfieldmedia.org/roadworthy
4. Sign Up for the Test Drive Ad Sprint (Live Challenge – $97): https://takeyourshot--litchfieldmedia.thrivecart.com/test-drive-ad-sprint-live/

In this 100th episode (ahh that still doesn't even feel real!) we reflect on the journey behind the Take Your Shot Podcast as it reaches 100 episodes. From leaving a corporate career to building a photography business and eventually launching this platform, she shares the story of how it all started, the lessons learned along the way, and the values that continue to shape the community today. This episode is an honest look behind the scenes of building a creative business and a reminder that success rarely looks as polished as it appears online.

Thank you for being here! Be sure to check these out:

Enter the giveaway!

Get on the waitlist for the booking breakthrough:

Follow on Instagram @takeyourshotcollective

If you’ve ever said, “I’m just not a numbers person,” this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Danielle Hayden, founder of Kickstart Accounting, and we’re talking about the financial mindset shift every creative business owner needs to make. In this episode, you'll learn:

– The biggest money mistakes creatives are making

– Why revenue growth doesn’t always mean profit

– The truth about “spending to save on taxes”

– How AI and automations can quietly mess up your books

– What healthy, sustainable profit actually looks like

Danielle breaks down how to review your numbers monthly, make smarter decisions, and build a business that lasts.

More from Danielle Hayden:

1. Website: https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickstartaccounting/

More from Take Your Shot Collective:

1. Try Dubsado (Use code: TAKEYOURSHOT for an additional 30% off):
2. https://www.dubsado.com/?c=takeyourshot
3. Free SEO Guide:
4. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
5. 1:1 Coaching with Halle:
6. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
7. Free Online Community:
8. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

What happens if you step away from your business for six weeks? In this episode, I share how I worked just 3–5 hours per week, stopped posting on Instagram, and still brought in over $10,000 in payments last month AND I booked a $13,000 wedding. Being able to do this was the result of years of investing in SEO and building strong backend systems that keep our photography business running, even when we’re not constantly visible.

A huge part of that foundation is Dubsado, the CRM we’ve used since 2020. It manages our inquiries, contracts, payment plans, questionnaires, and automated workflows from start to finish. Because our systems were already in place, clients were nurtured, payments were processed, and nothing slipped through the cracks — even while I stepped back to focus on what mattered most in this season. And so when they flew us out to California this past week to connect, learn more, and help shape the future of their platform - it was an easy yes for us!

This episode is your reminder that resilience is built before you need it. If you want a business that supports your life instead of consuming it, you don’t need more hustle — you need infrastructure. I’m sharing exactly what made that possible and how you can start building it too.

Resources Mentioned:

1. Try Dubsado (Limited time birthday sale + code TAKEYOURSHOT):
2. https://www.dubsado.com/?c=takeyourshot
3. Free SEO Guide:
4. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
5. 1:1 Coaching with Halle:
6. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
7. Free Online Community:
8. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

In this episode, I express the reality of things here in Minnesota and how we are getting through one day at a time. I then express just as business owners how we can lead and what people in our community are doing to step up and meet the moment and community and the needs.

If you want to help support here in Minnesota, here is an awesome resource:

Stand with Minnesota

More from Take your shot collective:

Free Resources and favorite tools

There's no perfect way on how to navigate difficult and heavy times. Right now, we live in a city that is once again at the center of national headlines and we are experiencing a lot of heaviness, grief, pain, and so many other things. There are no words, there is no perfect response, and in this episode I just wanted to have an honest reflection. No script, no perfectly planned episode, just speaking from the heart on this one. There's a lot more I could have said, but out of a lack of capacity this was all I felt I could share right now.

In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m walking you through how to start the year intentionally—without falling into the trap of trying to do everything at once. If you tend to come into January with big ideas, high motivation, and a long list of things you want to change, this conversation is for you.

We’re talking about why this season should be viewed as a marathon, not a sprint, and how real, long-term success comes from slowing down enough to reflect, reset, and build a plan that’s actually sustainable.

Inside this episode, we cover:

What to intentionally carry into the new year—and what to let go of

The importance of dreaming big before jumping into tactics

Identifying the routines, systems, and distractions that are holding you back

How tools, outsourcing, and better systems can support your energy—not drain it

Why getting clear on your why is essential for goals that actually stick

The role community plays in building a fulfilling and sustainable business

I also share how I personally think about alignment, money, time freedom, and community—and why success without clarity or support often leads to burnout, even when things look good on paper.

To help you go deeper, I’ve created a free strategy and vision-setting guide that walks you through these questions step by step. You can copy it into a Google Doc, take it to a coffee shop, or use it during your own personal retreat—whatever helps you sit with your business and your life more intentionally.

Get the FREE 2026 Vision and Alignment Workbook!

https://take-your-shot.myflodesk.com/2026-vision-workbook

Free online community:

https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

Free resources & guides (including the strategy/vision guide):

https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

One-on-one coaching with Halle:

https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Follow along on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

If you’re ready to set the tone for the year ahead in a way that feels grounded, thoughtful, and aligned, this episode is a great place to start.

Come say hi on Instagram and tell me what you’re most excited about this year. And if this episode resonated, screenshot it, share it, and tag us—I’d love to reshare and continue building this community together.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Minneapolis DJ and event host Benny Nord for a conversation that every wedding pro needs to hear. Benny has become one of the most trusted DJs in our market — couples literally plan their wedding dates around his availability — and it has far less to do with music and far more to do with how he makes people feel.

We’re diving into the soft skills that truly transform the client experience and what it looks like to put people first, even in the busiest seasons of business.

• Why connection matters more than perfection in creative work

• How “looking up more often” completely shifts your presence on a wedding day

• The difference between guest experience and client experience — and why they’re inseparable

• How to know when a client isn’t the right fit (and how to turn them away with kindness)

• Handling unexpected moments with confidence and care

• The simple audits Benny uses to consistently improve his client experience

Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, planner, or any creative in the wedding space, this episode will help you rethink how you show up — not just technically, but relationally.

Instagram: @bennynord

UP Event Group: @upeventgroup

• Free Community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

• Business Resources + Discounts: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

• Coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

• Follow on Instagram: @takeyourshotcollective

December can feel loud, overwhelming, and full of pressure—holiday chaos, Black Friday sales, and the lingering burnout from wedding season. In this episode, we talk about why this month is not the time to overhaul your business or make big decisions, especially when you're operating from exhaustion instead of clarity.

If you’re feeling tired, behind, or pulled in too many directions, this episode gives you permission to slow down and reset before heading into January with a clearer mind.

Take Your Shot Resources:

Free community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

Free resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

Apply for 1:1 Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

If you’ve ever wondered when to hire a VA, what to hand off first, or how to stop “delegating” only to redo the work later, this episode will help you build an outsourcing plan that truly supports your business. I’m joined by Ellie Leonard, Founder and CEO of Virtual Bliss Assisting, to talk about sustainable systems, clear communication, and trust-based partnerships that protect your energy and improve your client experience.

We walk through how to recognize the signs you’re ready for help, what a strong onboarding process looks like, and how to set expectations so tasks get done right the first time. Ellie shares a simple roadmap for choosing your first delegations, creating SOPs without overcomplicating them, and measuring the ROI of admin support versus an online business manager. We also cover how to course-correct if you’ve had a less-than-ideal outsourcing experience, and ways to structure weekly rhythms so you stay in your lane while your VA keeps the back end moving.

If you’re tired of juggling everything yourself and want structure that fits your season, this conversation will give you the language, steps, and confidence to delegate well.

STAY CONNECTED:

• Virtual Bliss Assisting website: https://www.virtualblissassisting.com

• Ellie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtualblissassisting

MORE FROM TAKE YOUR SHOT COLLECTIVE

• Free online community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

• Business resources and tools: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

• 1:1 coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

If this episode helped you rethink how you delegate, follow the show and leave a review so more creatives can find it.