The Social Circus

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with the wonderful Caryn from Firefly Graphics about something super important but often overlooked: inclusive design. If you’re like me and hadn’t even heard of this concept until recently, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Caryn and I dive into what inclusive design really means, why it matters for small businesses, and how it can create a more welcoming experience for your customers. Caryn shares practical tips and insights on how to incorporate inclusivity into your branding and design without it feeling overwhelming. Trust me, after this chat, you’ll see how these small changes can make a big impact on your business.

Key Takeaways:

In this episode of The Social Circus, I dive into the importance of entering awards, especially for women in business. I reflect on my own experiences, sharing how I’ve gone from being a finalist several times to winning my first major award this year. It wasn’t an overnight success, and I discuss how persistence and believing in yourself are key ingredients. Many of us hesitate to put ourselves forward, thinking we’re not good enough, but I encourage you to challenge that mindset. Whether you're early in your journey or further along, entering awards can boost your confidence, visibility, and credibility in ways you may not expect!

1. Awards can significantly enhance your business’s credibility.

1. "For every success story, there’s usually a couple of stumbles behind the scenes."

In this episode of The Social Circus, I chat with the amazing Roslyn Thompson, founder of Cheerful Days Co. We dive deep into the idea of blending business growth with positivity and mindset strategies. Roslyn shares her journey of building a business that focuses on creating joyful work environments while also driving success. We discuss how social media plays a role in fostering connections, what it’s like to work with clients who share your values, and some practical steps to maintain balance as a business owner. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is full of insights to help you grow your business with more joy and ease!

Key Takeaways:

https://www.cheerfuldaysco.au

https://www.instagram.com/cheerfuldaysco

https://www.linkedin.com/in/roslyn-thompson

https://www.facebook.com/cheerfuldaysco

In this episode of The Social Circus, I chat with Ash Battye from Career Pursuit HR, and we dive deep into the world of human resources for small businesses. We cover everything from the common HR challenges that business owners face to how to build a strong and efficient team. Ash shares her top tips for creating a positive work culture and the importance of compliance. This episode is packed with valuable insights for any business owner who’s looking to streamline their HR processes and ensure their team thrives. Tune in for an episode full of practical, no-nonsense advice, and plenty of encouragement!

1. HR compliance is crucial for business success and avoiding legal headaches.

https://www.instagram.com/careerpursuithr/

In this episode, I sit down with Tania Carcenac, an inspiring entrepreneur, to talk about the rollercoaster that is running a business. We explore that familiar mix of excitement and fear, which Tania brilliantly coins as "terrified yet excited." We dig into her journey, touching on the moments when fear actually pushed her to make bold moves. Throughout our conversation, we explore how business owners can lean into their fears, turning them into a driving force for success. Tania’s honesty about the challenges makes this a relatable episode for any entrepreneur facing uncertainty. You’re sure to walk away with practical tips and plenty of inspiration.

    Fear and excitement often coexist in entrepreneurship.

    "I’m terrified but excited all at the same time."

Website: https://taniacarcenac.com  / 

The Midlife Makeover: A day of Style, Sass & Self Discovery

In this episode, I'm diving deep into the world of ChatGPT, the AI tool everyone seems to be buzzing about. We’ll explore what ChatGPT is, how it works, and why it’s relevant for small business owners. I'll walk you through the basics, break down the jargon, and share some practical tips on how you can start using AI to save time and enhance your business operations. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by the tech talk or just curious about what all the fuss is about, this episode is designed to be your easy-to-understand guide. Let’s turn that intimidation into inspiration and help you see how ChatGPT can be a powerful ally in your business toolkit!

1. ChatGPT Demystified: Understand what ChatGPT is and how it works in simple terms.

1. "AI isn’t just for the tech giants—small business owners can benefit immensely too!"

In this solo episode of The Social Circus, I’m diving into the world of AI and sharing my absolute favourite tools that can transform how you run your business. AI can feel a bit overwhelming and even a tad intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! I’m breaking down my go-to AI tools that are not only powerful but also user-friendly, even if you're not a tech wizard. From streamlining your daily tasks to boosting your marketing efforts, these tools are game-changers. So, whether you’re curious about AI or looking for practical ways to incorporate it into your business, this episode is packed with insights that will help you get ahead of the curve.

1. Embrace AI to streamline daily tasks.

1. "AI can feel terrifying, but it’s also incredibly exciting if you know where to start."

• ChatGPT

In this episode of Social Circus, host Sarah  chats with Megan Summers, the founder of Megaglow Yoga. They talk about why self-care, mindfulness, and staying active are so important for busy entrepreneurs who spend long hours at their desks. Sarah and Megan stress the need to balance personal well-being with work demands.

Megan explains how sitting for too long can harm your core muscles and posture. She gives practical advice on how to add more movement and mindfulness to your day, especially if you work from home. Megan suggests small, easy changes like setting reminders to move, doing yoga, and including meditation in your routine. They wrap up by inviting listeners to check out Megan’s online yoga library, which offers options for different lifestyles.

Incorporate Movement: Regular movement is essential to counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting. Simple acts like setting reminders to stand or walk can make a significant difference.

Mindful Practices: Activities such as yoga and meditation can offer immense benefits, including better management of thoughts and stress levels.

Commitment to Self-care: Prioritizing personal well-being is crucial for productivity and happiness. Dedicating specific times for self-care practices is beneficial.

Accessible Yoga: Megan's online yoga library offers flexibility by providing classes of varying lengths to suit different schedules, making self-care more manageable.

Nature’s Benefits: Taking time to disconnect and engage with nature can significantly enhance mindfulness and overall well-being

E: [email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/megaglowyoga/

In this episode of "The Social Circus," I dive into the world of Facebook ads and lead generation, sharing some super useful strategies for business owners who want to succeed in today's tough market. I talk openly about how many businesses are going through quiet times and need effective ways to attract new leads and keep things moving.

I start the episode by chatting a bit about the current business climate and encouraging everyone to stay motivated. I also recommend checking out Episode 103, where I cover tips for getting through slow periods. Then, I get into the main content, focusing on three key strategies for using Facebook (or Meta) ads to generate leads: traditional lead generation ads, outbound communication ads, and two-way communication ads through platforms like Messenger and WhatsApp. I break down each strategy with practical tips and examples, making this episode a must-listen for anyone who wants to step up their lead generation game with social media ads.

I go over three key types of lead generation ads on the Meta platform – traditional lead generation ads, outbound communication ads, and two-way communication ads.

Traditional Lead Generation: These ads are all about addressing client problems and encouraging discovery calls, which makes them perfect for service-based businesses.

Outbound Communication: Lead form ads within Meta are super user-friendly and tend to have higher conversion rates, but they do require businesses to be on top of their follow-ups.

Two-Way Communication: Using Messenger and WhatsApp for ads allows for a more conversational approach, which helps build trust and convert leads more effectively.

Testing and Tracking: I also emphasise the importance of testing different ad creatives, targeting different audiences, and keeping a close eye on performance. This way, you can understand your conversion rates better and fine-tune your strategies.

Welcome to episode 116 of The Social Circus! In this episode, host Sarah Thomson dives deep into the world of Reels, a powerful tool for digital marketing and social media strategy. As a business owner, understanding and leveraging Reels can be a game changer, and Sarah is here to guide you through it. Whether you're a novice or looking to improve your existing skills, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to create engaging and effective Reels for your business.

Reels, as Sarah explains, are short-form video content that have revolutionised social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. With TikTok leading the way and having over a billion active users, the impact of Reels on engagement and account growth is undeniable. Sarah emphasises the importance of creating Reels consistently and shares practical tips for doing so, including the ideal length for cross-platform use and the evolving trends in Reels content, from talking heads to faceless marketing.

Leveraging various tools and features can significantly enhance your Reels. Sarah discusses the advantages of using captions for inclusivity and accessibility, the fun of duets and transitions, and how apps like CapCut and Canva can streamline your video creation process. She also highlights the importance of staying authentic to your brand while exploring new trends and features. Sarah’s actionable advice will motivate you to start creating and experimenting with Reels, ensuring your content resonates with your audience and stands out in the crowded digital space.

### Key Takeaways:

*   **Understanding Reels:** Learn what Reels are and why they are vital for engaging your audience on various social media platforms.