The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations

If you’ve ever gotten a little too excited about “workflows” and “automation” only to realize that something is still not clicking... this one’s for you. We talk about an overlooked, not-so-glam part of your CRM that can quietly change everything: the actual words your clients and leads are reading. Because it doesn’t matter how slick your setup is if your actual communication feels like an afterthought. 

If you’ve been dealing with people who hesitate, disappear after inquiring, or need a whole sales call just to figure out what happens next—this conversation will make you rethink what “good communication” really means. Colie breaks down how your emails can do the heavy lifting: build trust, guide people without hand-holding, and even shorten your sales cycle (especially if you do not want to live on discovery calls). 

And we don’t just stay in the “getting hired” stage. One of my biggest takeaways is what happens after someone books—because so many businesses go quiet once the invoice is paid, then wonder why clients feel unsure, needy, or less excited. We get into how to nurture people through the experience so they feel taken care of the whole way (and so you’re not stuck answering the same questions on repeat). 

Also: I share what changed for me when I started emailing weekly—even with a small list—and how that helped me stay top-of-mind without relying on Instagram. If you’ve been thinking “email marketing feels like a lot,” you’ll like this part. 

If you want to go deeper, Colie’s next “Email Like You Mean It” sprint runs February 2–6: https://coliejames.com/email

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why “automation” doesn’t work if you are undercommunicating
• How to make your CRM emails build trust and shorten the sales cycle
• What to include in inquiry emails so clients don’t hesitate (or ask 10 follow-up questions)
• How to write emails that do the “sales call” work for you—without being pushy
• How post-booking emails lead to raving fans, referrals, and rebookings
• The overlap between client communication and weekly email marketing

Links Mentioned: 

• Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/108
• Join Colie's next Email Like You Mean It Sprint: https://coliejames.com/email
• Learn more about working with Colie: https://coliejames.com/
• Follow Colie on Instagram: https//instagram.com/coliejames
• Subscribe to The Business First Creatives Podcast: https://coliejames.com/podcast/
• Learn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services
• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

Is it possible to hire a writer that doesn't use AI? 

Why do all marketers copy and past from ChatGPT when I could just do it myself?

These conversations and hot takes are driving me crazy over on threads  — like AI automatically equals slop and human-only equals quality. But the real conversation is much more nuanced than that.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what it actually means to hire a writer that doesn’t use AI in 2026 — including the cost, ROI, SEO impact (or lack thereof), and the assumptions business owners are making when they say “no AI.” We’re talking about when human-only writing genuinely makes sense, where AI fails, and why refusing to use AI doesn’t automatically give you better content.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why “hire a writer that doesn’t use AI” is trending and what people really want
• The costs and ROI of human-only writing vs AI-assisted writing
• When human-only writing does matter (and when it doesn’t)
• The strategic downside of being anti-AI long-term

🔗 Links Mentioned:

Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/107

Grab my private podcast, Build it Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast

Sign up for my newsletter: https://thekarareport.com/newsletter

Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

Quitting Instagram is often framed as dramatic, impulsive, or reckless — like you either delete the app overnight or you’re “doing business wrong.” But the real conversation is more nuanced than that.

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of why I quit Instagram after six years — not out of burnout or frustration alone, but after looking closely at my data, time investment, and actual return. We’re talking about what really happens when Instagram stops being a growth channel, how to tell if it’s still serving your business, and what needs to be in place before you step away.

This is the honest, strategic conversation I wish more people were having — especially for business owners who feel stuck on Instagram but aren’t sure they’re allowed to leave. Whether you’re thinking about posting less, going nine-grid, or quitting altogether, this episode will help you make the decision intentionally (not emotionally or reactively).

If Instagram has been draining your energy, eating up your time, or quietly not working the way you hoped — this episode will help you figure out what to do next.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why I quit Instagram after giving it a real, consistent try
• The data that made the decision clear (and what surprised me)
• The difference between using Instagram as a growth channel vs a nurture channel
• What to ask yourself before quitting or slowing down on Instagram
• How I’m marketing and nurturing clients without relying on Instagram
• How to make stepping back look intentional (not like you disappeared)

🔗 Links Mentioned:

Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/106

Listen to Episode 100 (Instagram-free business examples): https://thekarareport.com/100

Grab my private podcast, Build it Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast

Sign up for my newsletter: https://thekarareport.com/newsletter

Grab the Enji state of small business report: https://www.enji.co/state-of-small-business-report-2025?ref=ywmwndy

Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how I approached my 2026 business goals after a big year of growth. From experimenting with AI for planning, to realizing what I don’t want my business to turn into, this conversation is more about intention than ambition (although let's be honest... there's plenty of ambition lol).

I’m not offering a perfect framework or a 10-step plan. Instead, I’m walking through the questions, trade-offs, and decisions shaping the way I’m moving into 2026 and why I’m choosing to build differently this year.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• How I approached setting my 2026 business goals
• What I liked about planning with AI clarified (and what I didn’t)
• The three focus areas guiding my decisions this year
• How I’m thinking about time, profit, and sustainability in 2026

🔗 Links Mentioned:

Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/105

Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services 

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

Two years. Over a hundred conversations. Countless moments where I hit record not knowing what would come out on the other side and somehow, it all added up to this. Instead of doing a neat, polished recap or a predictable year-end episode, I wanted to do something more honest (and more fun). 

You’ll hear pieces from the very beginning, when everything was scrappier (and yet also, more scripted). There are moments I forgot I ever shared, lessons I didn’t realize I was still carrying, and ideas that feel even more relevant now than they did when I first said them out loud. It’s not a highlight reel in the glossy sense — it’s more like flipping through the margins of a notebook I’ve been writing in for years.

Mostly, this episode is a thank-you. If you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re brand new, I hope you love this little recap!

Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode 1: New Podcast: My “All of a Sudden” Moment (+ How You Can Have One Too)
• Episode 3: Marketing for Introverts: I’m Kind of an Awkward Person, That’s Why Content Marketing is So Important to Me
• Episode 10: You Can Fire Me But You Can’t Hurt Me (+ Other Advice When Selling “Yourself”)
• Episode 32: 3 Weird Things I’ve Done to Get More Wedding Clients
• Episode 35: Be Ruthless About What You Listen To (Entrepreneur Mindset Reminder)
• Episode 44: Why Does Everyone Market To Beginners? Why Basic Content Is Everywhere (2 Reasons!)
• Episode 46: I Read 10x Is Easier Than 2x So You Don’t Have to (5 Lessons I’m Keeping!)
• Episode 60: 7 Mistakes You’re Making with Your Virtual Assistant (Why They Keep Quitting Or Failing To Meet Your Expectations)
• Episode 61: My Biggest Business Lessons: What I Got Right (and Wrong) in My First 8 Years in Business
• Episode 70: Imposter Syndrome Has Cost Me THOUSANDS… Let’s Talk About It.
• Episode 74: Positivity Is Powerful (With Data To Back This Up!) + 5 Ways to Shift Your Messaging
• Episode 80: Do you really need to market your business when you’re fully booked?
• Episode 85: 4 Huge Advantages Small Business Owners Have Over 7-Figure Business Owners

🔗 Links Mentioned:

Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/104

Check out our sponsor Enji (the best social media scheduler for small business owners: https://thekarareport.com/enji

Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services 

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

SEO is often positioned as the obvious next step for business growth but the truth is, it’s not always the right investment right now.

In this episode, I’m sharing a very honest breakdown of when SEO doesn’t make sense, when you should wait, and when investing too early can actually slow you down instead of helping you grow. This isn’t anti-SEO (far from it). It’s about timing, resources, and making strategic decisions based on how your business actually works (not what the internet is shouting at you).

We’re also talking about what’s changing in search right now, including a major Google Search Console update and why big companies doubling down on SEO signals that search-driven marketing is still very much alive — just evolving.

This episode is for business owners who want clarity, not hype. If you’ve been feeling pressure to “do SEO” but aren’t sure it’s the right move yet, this conversation will help you decide what makes sense for you and what doesn’t.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why SEO isn’t always the smartest investment in the early stages of business
• When it’s better to wait instead of spending thousands on SEO
• How a leaky conversion funnel can make SEO traffic useless
• What to consider if you’re in a highly competitive niche
• Why some offers don’t benefit much from content-driven SEO
• The four main types of search intent and which ones blogging actually supports
• What recent changes in Google Search Console signal about the future of search

🔗 Links Mentioned:

Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/103

Check out my batch blog packages (available for a limited time): https://thekarareport.com/batch

Adobe acquiring SEMRush: https://news.adobe.com/news/2025/11/adobe-to-acquire-semrush

Google Search Console Update: https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2025/12/social-channels-search-console

Check out our sponsor Enji (a social media scheduler built for small business owners): https://thekarareport.com/enji

Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

Guest episodes mentioned:

Episode 267 of Business First Creatives Podcast talking about Selling Through CRM Emails

Episode 67 Of Podcast Cafe talking about Podcast SEO

Blogging for SEO is often positioned as an all-or-nothing commitment — post every single week or don’t bother at all. But that advice leaves out something important: real life, real business seasons, and real capacity.

In this episode, I’m breaking down when batching blog posts can actually be a smarter, more strategic move than weekly publishing. We’re talking nuance, not absolutes — and how to build long-term visibility on Google without burning yourself out or abandoning blogging altogether.

This is the behind-the-scenes strategy conversation I’m having with clients who want SEO to work for them, even when weekly consistency isn’t realistic. Whether you’re pivoting, launching something new, short on time, or just craving a more sustainable approach, this episode will help you decide what actually makes sense for your business.

If blogging has been sitting on your 2026 to-do list — or you’ve been feeling guilty for not keeping up — this episode is your permission slip and your strategy guide.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why weekly blogging isn’t always the smartest SEO strategy
• When batching blog posts makes more sense than consistent publishing
• How to use blog batching without hurting your rankings
• What to look at before deciding how often you “should” blog
• How batched blogs can support SEO, visibility, and client trust long-term
• The seasons of business where batching is especially powerful

🔗 Links Mentioned:

Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/102

Check out my batch blog packages (available for a limited time): https://thekarareport.com/batch

Check out our sponsor Enji (a social media scheduler built for small business owners): https://thekarareport.com/enji

Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

In this episode, I’m answering your Ask Me ANYTHING questions with as much honesty, nuance, and context as possible — from whether AI-written blogs can truly rank, to how I manage my workload as a mom, to the biggest mistake I made in my first business. It truly is a mix of personal, behind-the-scenes things about how I run both of my businesses, plus a handful of strategy questions you were curious about.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Does a blog written by ChatGPT perform as well as one you write yourself? (03:18)
• Are people using Pinterest as much as they used to? (08:45)
• If you were to start a new business from scratch, what would be your marketing plan? (11:30)
• What's been the hardest lesson you've learned as a business owner? (14:12)
• What was the turning point when you realized your business had real momentum? (22:50)
• Do you have any work/life balance tips as a mom (besides daycare)? (29:16)
• How do you come up with new content ideas for clients? (40:50)
• How do you make sure that the content you create for clients aligns with their ICA and aesthetic (Pinterest pins)? (42:39)
• What projects (in life or business) are lighting you up right now? (50:36)
• If you had to start from scratch today, what would you do differently? (52:24)
• What are your thoughts on Google ads? Are they helpful? (55:39)
• What did it look like to go from your destination wedding business to marketing and what role do you play in that first business now? (57:08)

🔗 Links Mentioned:

Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/101

Check out our sponsor Enji (the best social media scheduler for small business owners): https://thekarareport.com/enji

Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services 

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

Marketing your business without Instagram sounds impossible… until you see the real strategies successful business owners are using every day. While the online space can make it seem like Instagram is the place to grow, convert, and stay relevant, the truth is far more nuanced — and far more freeing.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on three very different businesses that thrive completely off Instagram. We’re talking real funnels, real marketing strategies, and real results… without the constant posting, burnout, or algorithm guessing game. These are the conversations that usually stay inside private client calls, but today you get a peek behind the scenes.

Whether you’re craving a break from Instagram, wondering if you could ever grow without it, or just want confirmation that other paths do exist, this episode will give you ideas, clarity, and maybe even a little relief.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• The surprising truth about businesses thriving without Instagram
• What real marketing looks like when social media isn’t part of the strategy
• How three successful business owners get clients, traffic, and sales
• Why these off-Instagram funnels work — and what you can learn from them
• What to consider if you’re rethinking your relationship with Instagram

🔗 Links Mentioned:

Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/100

Check out our sponsor Enji (the best social media scheduler for small business owners: https://thekarareport.com/enji

Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services 

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

Podcasting looks simple from the outside, but once you’re actually doing it — especially as a business owner — there are so many hidden cons to starting (and having!) a podcast that no one warns you about. From confusing data to low listener engagement to the myth of effortless batching, running a podcast can feel like you’re constantly troubleshooting, adjusting, and deciding whether the effort is paying off.

In this episode, I’m walking you through the honest truth about podcasting that most people in the online space never talk about. After nearly two years and almost 100 episodes, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes realities... the ones that usually never leave a private voxer conversation.

Whether you’re thinking about starting a podcast in 2026, already have a show you’re trying to grow, or simply want a more realistic picture of what consistent podcasting looks like (so you can feel like you're not so alone!), this episode is for you.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• The side of podcasting most people never mention
• How podcasting really impacts your business
• What I’ve learned after nearly two years and 100 episodes
• How to think about growth, engagement, and momentum
• The mindset shifts that make podcasting more sustainable

🔗 Links Mentioned:

Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/99

Check out our sponsor Enji (the best social media scheduler for small business owners: https://thekarareport.com/enji

Learn more about working with our team: https://thekarareport.com/services 

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport