The Lionhearted CEO Podcast: Scaling Your Online Business with Facebook & Instagram Ads

This episode is a really honest chat between Ceri and Sophie about making money, feeling successful and how motherhood and our identity is wrapped up in it all. We talk about hustle culture, the impact of taking on other peoples goals (and not even realising it!), the push and pull of motherhood and running a business and how we have both been impacted by our corporate jobs when looking at how much we ‘should’ be earning.

• Redefining what success looks like - and why that’s not always easy to do
• Fighting against or succumbing to seasonality of business and your life
• Guilt around not wanting to push harder in your business vs guilt for wanting to push harder and not having the time/space to do it
• The importance of fact checking what you see on social media and your own business

Ceri left a 12 year career in business development to embark on two big roles. Becoming a mother & launching a business. 

A serial entrepreneur Ceri has started, scaled, raised investment and taken a business to sale.

Her experiences as a female founder led her to launch a non-profit business accelerator that helps more mums to start and grow a business. 

She coaches female founders to find ways to earn consistently in their businesses and regularly consults, creating strategy for corporate clients.

Ceri has been featured in Grazia, Stylist, BBC News, BBC Radio 4 & Channel 5. Last year she was named one of the top 100 social entrepreneurs worldwide by Pioneers Post.

All info about Ceri and her projects can be found here https://cerigillettcoaching.com 

And you can follow Ceri here: @cerigilletcoaching

If you enjoyed the podcast, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

Social:

Love Instagram? Click here to watch a video I made on the Warm audience trap (hint, it's something almost every client struggles with!)

More of a LinkedIn fan? I'm there too! Come and follow me here: Sophie Griffiths

Free Resource:

Ready to grow an audience of people who WANT you to sell to them? Radical idea I know, but it shouldn’t be! Click here to get access to my step by step guide to using simple, effective ads to build & nurture a community of superfans,

Work together:

Ready to build an audience of superfans who are excited and ready to buy from you?

Whether you are just starting with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, you have dabbled but want to build your confidence with your first funnel, or you're already killing it and you're ready for fast growth - I can help! Click here to choose the best option for you

Got questions?

DM me on Insta or LinkedIn

Email me here: [email protected] 

Managing my finances as a small business was a big adjustment for me both practically (saving for my tax!) and mentally (you mean the price I charge isn’t the money I actually make?!). I had SO many questions when I started and couldn’t find anywhere to tell me exactly what to do, step by step. So in this episode that is what Anastasia and I try to do. We’ve gone back to basics and talk about all the really important things you need to know about your finances, especially in those first few years.

• We answer common questions like:
• Do I need a business bank account?
• Is a spreadsheet ok or do I need software like Xero? 
• What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?
• When do I need to invest in a bookkeeper or accountant?
• We also cover:
• Why is it important to know your business numbers, especially with the current climate,
• A simple system for receipts 
• What are tax-deductible expenses (and what aren’t!)
• When should you be a sole trader vs a limited company (and what impact that has on you and your business)
• Using Profit first to structure your finances

NOTE: This podcast was recorded in Summer 2022 and some of the specific tax thresholds or other information may have changed since the recording. We’d always advise you get specific advice about your financial situation from an accountant at the point you need it.

Get the ‘5 step method to get you in control of your business finances’

Profit first book - Click here

Website: www.hummingbird-finance.co.uk

Instagram: @hummingbird_finance

Anastasia is an ICAEW chartered accountant with over 8 year’s experience in the finance industry. After working her way up, the corporate ladder she left to start Hummingbi rd Finance with the aim of helping small female-led businesses with accounting and boo kkeeping so they could focus more on what they do best to grow and achieve success. Anastasia’s core values are approachability, trust, communication, and enthusiasm. Sh e’s super passionate about helping women entrepreneurs feel empowered about their fina nces at whatever stage of business they are in. Outside of finance, you’ll find Anastasia relaxing in the evenings with a glass of win e, watching the sunset or a trashy Netflix series. She also loves to travel the world but nothing will feel more like home to her than walks in the Devon countryside with h er dog Tucker!

If you enjoyed the podcast, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

Social:

Love Instagram? Click here to watch a video I made on the Warm audience trap (hint, it's something almost every client struggles with!)

More of a LinkedIn fan? I'm there too! Come and follow me here: Sophie Griffiths

Free Resource:

Ready to grow an audience of people who WANT you to sell to them? Radical idea I know, but it shouldn’t be! Click here to get access to my step by step guide to using simple, effective ads to build & nurture a community of superfans,

Work together:

Ready to build an audience of superfans who are excited and ready to buy from you?

Whether you are just starting with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, you have dabbled but want to build your confidence with your first funnel, or you're already killing it and you're ready for fast growth - I can help! Click here to choose the best option for you

Got questions?

DM me on Insta or LinkedIn

Email me here: [email protected] 

If a potential customer landed directly on a product page on your website without going through the home page or collection page - would they understand your whole brand as well as see the specific product? In this episode we are focusing on really practical tips for ecommerce businesses looking to improve their conversion rate and make their product pages work a lot harder for them. 

Note: If you don’t have a Shopify website, this episode is still packed full of tips and suggestions about how to create a page customers will want to buy from so it’s still worth a listen. 

What is Shopify 2.0 and do I really need to switch to it? 

Why are product pages so important?  

What should I be including on a Product page?

How can I update my product pages to boost sales at key points in the year?

Judge Me app for reviews on Shopify: https://judge.me/

Website: www.theecommerceassistant.com

Social media links: www.instagram.com/theecommerceassistant

Sign up to hear about online courses launching Spring 2023: Sign up 

Get help from Elle: Book a call

Elle founded The Ecommerce Assistant to help busy brand owners make more sales online, by teaching them how to use Shopify + Klaviyo to their full potential.

Having spent over 11 years working in ecommerce, within small and big brands, her superpower is showing independent businesses how to get the most out of their online shop and to maximise their ecommerce sales. She offers a mixture of consultancy, training and done-for-you services to help more people have a successful online store.

If you enjoyed the podcast, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

Social:

Love Instagram? Click here to watch a video I made on the Warm audience trap (hint, it's something almost every client struggles with!)

More of a LinkedIn fan? I'm there too! Come and follow me here: Sophie Griffiths

Free Resource:

Ready to grow an audience of people who WANT you to sell to them? Radical idea I know, but it shouldn’t be! Click here to get access to my step by step guide to using simple, effective ads to build & nurture a community of superfans,

Work together:

Ready to build an audience of superfans who are excited and ready to buy from you?

Whether you are just starting with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, you have dabbled but want to build your confidence with your first funnel, or you're already killing it and you're ready for fast growth - I can help! Click here to choose the best option for you

Got questions?

DM me on Insta or LinkedIn

Email me here: [email protected] 

If you are fed up with the Instagram algorithm or are looking for new ways to bring new customers into your world, this episode about Pinterest is for you! Sophie chats to Faye Strange, Pinterest expert, about why everyone is talking about Pinterest and how it can help small businesses get in front of their ideal audience (without any dancing!). 

• What is Pinterest and what are the concepts I need to get my head around?
• What content do you need for Pinterest  and how much do you need to be creating? 
• How is Pinterest different to Insta/Facebook/TikTok? 
• Why would I invest time and resources in Pinterest? 
• Key Pinterest strategies to get you started

Faye Strange is a Pinterest expert who helps inspiring service-based businesses who have educational content to share, reach more of their target audience and increase their revenue through Pinterest marketing.

Free 2023 Pinning Plan: www.strangesocial.com/plan

Evergreen Marketing Club: www.strangesocial.com/emc

Pin-perfect in 4 weeks course: Find out more

Social media links:  

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/strangesocial/ 

https://www.instagram.com/fayestrange_social/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fayestrange/

If you enjoyed the podcast, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

Social:

Love Instagram? Click here to watch a video I made on the Warm audience trap (hint, it's something almost every client struggles with!)

More of a LinkedIn fan? I'm there too! Come and follow me here: Sophie Griffiths

Free Resource:

Ready to grow an audience of people who WANT you to sell to them? Radical idea I know, but it shouldn’t be! Click here to get access to my step by step guide to using simple, effective ads to build & nurture a community of superfans,

Work together:

Ready to build an audience of superfans who are excited and ready to buy from you?

Whether you are just starting with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, you have dabbled but want to build your confidence with your first funnel, or you're already killing it and you're ready for fast growth - I can help! Click here to choose the best option for you

Got questions?

DM me on Insta or LinkedIn

Email me here: [email protected] 

It’s been 6 months since the end of season 1 of the podcast and in that time there have been some big changes in my business. I wanted to kick of season 2 with a glimpse behind the scenes at what 2022 was like for me and my business to share some of the big learnings I had which you might relate to!

1) Why I totally changed a business that gave me flexibility and consistent income.

2) What drove me to apply for a corporate job over the summer

3) What I wanted to do after my group programme launched for the first time (and luckily my coach stopped me doing!)

4) How it’s all working now and the brand new way to work with me 1:1

If you enjoyed the podcast, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

Social:

Love Instagram? Click here to watch a video I made on the Warm audience trap (hint, it's something almost every client struggles with!)

More of a LinkedIn fan? I'm there too! Come and follow me here: Sophie Griffiths

Free Resource:

Ready to grow an audience of people who WANT you to sell to them? Radical idea I know, but it shouldn’t be! Click here to get access to my step by step guide to using simple, effective ads to build & nurture a community of superfans,

Work together:

Ready to build an audience of superfans who are excited and ready to buy from you?

Whether you are just starting with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, you have dabbled but want to build your confidence with your first funnel, or you're already killing it and you're ready for fast growth - I can help! Click here to choose the best option for you

Got questions?

DM me on Insta or LinkedIn

Email me here: [email protected] 

In this episode, I talk to Angela about 7 key ways to increase your conversion rate on your website. Website optimisation is often one of the biggest ‘holes’ in clients funnels when I start working with them, so it might not be quick and easy - but it is SO important., and even more so if you are spending money on Facebook Ads sending people to your website! We talk about tips for service based businesses as well as ecom!

• What ‘website optimisation’ is and why you need to care
• The easy change you can make to get people to click your buttons!
• The reason your website is probably loading slowly (and why is matters)
• The simple steps you can take which will make the biggest difference.

Link to Angela's free guide: Click here

Tools:

Speed measuring websites:

Pingdom: https://tools.pingdom.com/

GT Metrix: https://gtmetrix.com/

Image compression tools:

Offline: https://tinypng.com/

WordPress specific plugins:

Smush: https://en-gb.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-smushit/

ShortPixel:https://en-gb.wordpress.org/plugins/shortpixel-image-optimiser/

INTRODUCING ANGELA:

Angela is a web designer and developer who specialises in WordPress websites. Not only does she design websites for new businesses, but she also helps those who already have a website that needs development work. Prior to retraining as a professional web designer 5 years ago, she worked as a commercial buyer for leading High Street retailers, meaning she's passionate about customer service and maximising websites to make as much money as they can.

Website https://abwebdesigns.co.uk

Book a free discovery call: https://abwebdesigns.co.uk/contact/

Social media links:  https://www.instagram.com/abwebdesignsuk/

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-bamford/

If you enjoyed the podcast, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

Social:

Love Instagram? Click here to watch a video I made on the Warm audience trap (hint, it's something almost every client struggles with!)

More of a LinkedIn fan? I'm there too! Come and follow me here: Sophie Griffiths

Free Resource:

Ready to grow an audience of people who WANT you to sell to them? Radical idea I know, but it shouldn’t be! Click here to get access to my step by step guide to using simple, effective ads to build & nurture a community of superfans,

Work together:

Ready to build an audience of superfans who are excited and ready to buy from you?

Whether you are just starting with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, you have dabbled but want to build your confidence with your first funnel, or you're already killing it and you're ready for fast growth - I can help! Click here to choose the best option for you

Got questions?

DM me on Insta or LinkedIn

Email me here: [email protected] 

In this episode, I talk about the 3 ways you can use Facebook Ads over the summer to keep your audience warm and give yourself the best chance of having a strong September.

In this episode I cover:

1) Why boosting a post is something I recommend in some situations - summer being one of them.

2) How to boost a post and get the best results

3) Using a traffic Ad to get good quality leads on to your website (and why you need to optimise for landing page views NOT link clicks)

4) The two options you have to grow you email list using Ads. The pros and cons and who should be using each of the methods.

In this episode I talk about the option to book a power hour with me, however I am no longer offering these so click here instead to find out about the other ways you can work with me.

Links:

How to install the pixel: click here

If you enjoyed the podcast, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

Social:

Love Instagram? Click here to watch a video I made on the Warm audience trap (hint, it's something almost every client struggles with!)

More of a LinkedIn fan? I'm there too! Come and follow me here: Sophie Griffiths

Free Resource:

Ready to grow an audience of people who WANT you to sell to them? Radical idea I know, but it shouldn’t be! Click here to get access to my step by step guide to using simple, effective ads to build & nurture a community of superfans,

Work together:

Ready to build an audience of superfans who are excited and ready to buy from you?

Whether you are just starting with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, you have dabbled but want to build your confidence with your first funnel, or you're already killing it and you're ready for fast growth - I can help! Click here to choose the best option for you

Got questions?

DM me on Insta or LinkedIn

Email me here: [email protected] 

When I read this Instagram post on Lucy's grid, it reminded me so much of how I felt about my business last year, I knew I had to have her on the podcast. It said:

“I had a business that was making me good money but I was often working evenings and weekends and my 'created for flexibility' business was making me stressed and distracted when I was with my family and friends. Also I didn't love what I was doing and questioned it all the time.

It took me a while to realise that this isn't success and what I wanted was possible and something I was allowed to have (hands up if you're telling yourself stories about how you're lucky with what you've got and if you were different it would all be OK)”

Todays episode is for anyone who has wondered if running your only business was really this hard, if you really need to be available 24/7 or of you wonder if it's worth the impact on your mental health.

Lucy and Sophie chat about their own experiences and Lucy shares 3 strategies she uses with her clients to help them make positive changes to their lives and businesses.

Lucy is a business coach who helps women achieve their dream job by creating or adapting their business. Her coaching focuses on reconnecting with yourself, understand how you work and what you want, and then creating clear strategies to grow your aligned business.

WEBSITE: www.lucyharveycoaching.com

INSTAGRAM: @lucyharveycoaching

Free Discovery Call: Click here to book

If you enjoyed the podcast, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

Social:

Love Instagram? Click here to watch a video I made on the Warm audience trap (hint, it's something almost every client struggles with!)

More of a LinkedIn fan? I'm there too! Come and follow me here: Sophie Griffiths

Free Resource:

Ready to grow an audience of people who WANT you to sell to them? Radical idea I know, but it shouldn’t be! Click here to get access to my step by step guide to using simple, effective ads to build & nurture a community of superfans,

Work together:

Ready to build an audience of superfans who are excited and ready to buy from you?

Whether you are just starting with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, you have dabbled but want to build your confidence with your first funnel, or you're already killing it and you're ready for fast growth - I can help! Click here to choose the best option for you

Got questions?

DM me on Insta or LinkedIn

Email me here: [email protected] 

The third and final episode of the Get Set for Summer series! In this episode I share both my own and my clients experience of September, and how it can be a key indicator for the rest of the year.

It might feel too early start thinking about September but, as I explain in the episode, a strong September is really key for both ecom and service based businesses.

In this episode I cover:

1) My number 1 tip that I recommend to have the BEST start to September.

2) How to work out what you need to be focusing on in the first few weeks after the school holidays

3) Why the P.M.T Approach (focusing on the right people, with the right message, at the right time) is even more important in the period from Sept - Jan.

If you enjoyed the podcast, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

Social:

Love Instagram? Click here to watch a video I made on the Warm audience trap (hint, it's something almost every client struggles with!)

More of a LinkedIn fan? I'm there too! Come and follow me here: Sophie Griffiths

Free Resource:

Ready to grow an audience of people who WANT you to sell to them? Radical idea I know, but it shouldn’t be! Click here to get access to my step by step guide to using simple, effective ads to build & nurture a community of superfans,

Work together:

Ready to build an audience of superfans who are excited and ready to buy from you?

Whether you are just starting with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, you have dabbled but want to build your confidence with your first funnel, or you're already killing it and you're ready for fast growth - I can help! Click here to choose the best option for you

Got questions?

DM me on Insta or LinkedIn

Email me here: [email protected] 

Automating elements of your business so you only have to do them once is a GAME CHANGER! And it won't just help you in August either, once they are set up, they just keep on running.

But with less than 5 weeks until the school holidays, you need to focus on the automations that are going to make the biggest difference to you and your business - and that depends on your goal for the summer.

In this episode I talk through the key automations (and focus areas) for 3 of the most common summer business goals:

1) You want to maintain or drive sales

2) You want to build a warm audience for September

3) You want to stop your business for August

This is a really practical episode so grab a pen and paper and map out your key actions and think about how you can do them little by little over the next few weeks.

NB: the workshop mentioned in the episode has now happened. Join the email list to get updates on future workshops.

Other links:

I mention ep16 is BRILLIANT for getting some idea what to write in your welcome sequence, listen here (or scroll back to that episode!)

If you enjoyed the podcast, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

Social:

Love Instagram? Click here to watch a video I made on the Warm audience trap (hint, it's something almost every client struggles with!)

More of a LinkedIn fan? I'm there too! Come and follow me here: Sophie Griffiths

Free Resource:

Ready to grow an audience of people who WANT you to sell to them? Radical idea I know, but it shouldn’t be! Click here to get access to my step by step guide to using simple, effective ads to build & nurture a community of superfans,

Work together:

Ready to build an audience of superfans who are excited and ready to buy from you?

Whether you are just starting with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads, you have dabbled but want to build your confidence with your first funnel, or you're already killing it and you're ready for fast growth - I can help! Click here to choose the best option for you

Got questions?

DM me on Insta or LinkedIn

Email me here: [email protected]