Every social media manager I know often laments about declining social media performance.


Even if your business is getting decent performance - reach and engagement, chances are it’s down year over year over year.

Are you also tired of unpredictable social media algorithms sapping your engagement?

In this episode, I’m chatting with Digital Strategist Cat Valverde about why shifting your focus to email marketing could be the game-changer your business needs. In this episode, we delve into the realities of social media marketing's decline and reveal actionable strategies to regain control over your audience reach.

We dive into how to grow email lists with valuable freebies and build meaningful client relationships that drive revenue. This episode is packed with practical tips, and is your go-to guide for sustainable marketing tactics that work.

Don’t miss out on expert advice from our guest, Cat Valverde, who shares her innovative approaches to equitable outsourcing and diversified marketing. Whether you're struggling with ad spends or looking for new ways to engage your audience, this episode is full of insights and strategies.

Episode Highlights:

• The pitfalls of relying solely on social media marketing and the benefits of email marketing.
• Strategies for growing email lists through valuable content and strong client relationships.
• Insights on diversifying marketing channels and equitable outsourcing practices.
• Case study: leveraging viral social media moments to enhance engagement and growth.
• Encouraging innovation through quick testing and adaptation of new marketing ideas.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get the expert tips you need to stop the scroll and start engaging your audience! Love what you hear? Leave a review for the podcast so other business owners can find us!

Resources Mentioned

• Cat Valverde’s free pilot program:
  emailrevamp.com

______________________________________________________________________

About Cat

With joy in her heart, an MBA, a Harvard Organizational Psych Masters in progress, and over $5 million in direct revenue created for clients to date; Cat Valverde is excited to laugh, take a deep breath and crack open the spreadsheets with us. Her focus is digital revenue strategy in the post-ads economy.

She's most curious about the part we tend to talk about least in the digital business space: How's it (really) going financially?

Connect with Cat

Connect with Cat on X

Connect with Cat on Linkedin

Connect with Cat on Instagram

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com

Let’s get a little personal. What did your online journey first look like? When did you join social media?

In this episode, I’m sharing a little bit about my chapter in We Lead: Community, Connections, and Collaboration.


It’s a little nostalgic and shares some of my earliest experiences with writing and struggling through self-doubt during college. I talk about how my lifelong love for storytelling and writing has now culminated in her contribution to the collaborative book series "We Lead."

It’s a little bit professional, and also a love story - and sharing how my love of social media and content marketing led to various career opportunities.


From my early days with LiveJournal and Facebook to working for marketing agencies, I’m sharing some invaluable lessons learned along the way. But the biggest lesson of all, is my chapter: that business success doesn't correlate with having 10,000 followers, but rather with building an engaged and authentic community with an emphasis on consistency, authenticity, and the value of focusing on meaningful connections rather than vanity metrics.

For all marketing professionals, small business owners, and aspiring content creators, this episode is a treasure trove of encouragement and practical tips on how to grow and succeed in the digital world.

Episode Highlights:

• We’re introducing We Lead - a collaborative book about connection, community, collaboration, and business.

• Heidi’s personal and professional journey in social media and content marketing.

• Insights on the importance of community building and authentic engagement over vanity metrics.

• Practical advice on managing social media presence effectively.

• How to tackle imposter syndrome and the overwhelm of online marketing

Resources Mentioned:

• We Lead Volume 1
• We Lead Volume 2
• Leading Ladies

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com

Have you ever wondered about the magic behind those top search results when you type "XYZ near me"? Spoiler alert: It's all about those Google Reviews!

I was recently in a committee meeting for my local business association and we were talking about to how to highlight members. “Could we ask them to share reviews with us and then we share them on social media?”

This stopped me in my tracks because what good is that?


We should be encouraging people to leave Google reviews of our member businesses.


I had to remind the committee members (all lovely, incredible business people) that the value of a Google Business Review is much higher than us sharing it around our social media profiles.

This week, we’re diving into the WHY of Google Reviews, and how to incorporate them in a non-icky way in your social media strategy.

Episode Highlights:

• Importance of Google reviews for local SEO and online reputation.

• Strategies to capture Google reviews without feeling pushy.

• Significance of responding to both positive and negative reviews.

• How to leverage customer reviews for social media content.

• The correlation between the number of reviews and local search visibility.

Love our podcast? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps us grow and reach more listeners!

Resources:

Schedule a Strategy Session - https://heidischmidtcreative.hbportal.co/public/664fa7b4b1ee43002b756f3e

Get Your Online profiles audited - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/social-audit

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com

Are you tired of aimless scrolling and muddled marketing strategies?

Do you want to create more purposeful content that attracts more engagement and drives real results for your business?

This week, we’re joined by social media strategist and author Peg Fitzpatrick to talk about content creation for small businesses.

We dove deep into the power of purposeful content creation, balancing educational and entertaining posts, and the crucial role of email lists for small businesses. We also covered platform evolution, using social media for client acquisition, and staying realistic with your social media goals.

Tune in to learn how to transform your social media presence from random to remarkable, attracting more engagement and driving real results for your small business.

Episode Highlights

• The importance of creating content with a clear purpose. Ensure your content addresses specific goals, such as entertaining, providing help, or answering common questions.

• How to address your audience’s pain points and needs rather than just seeking to fill your timeline.

• Why it’s important to mix educational, entertaining, and lighter content with sales-driven posts for a well-rounded social media presence.

• Understanding how social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have changed, and adapt your strategy accordingly.

• Why building an email list is crucial with actionable tips on growing your list using lead magnets, in-person methods, and regular reminders through social media.

• How to set achievable social media goals and avoid getting caught up in vanity metrics.

About Peg

Peg Fitzpatrick is a social media strategist, author, and speaker who has worked with top brands like Canva, Audi, Motorola, Kimpton Hotels, and TJ Maxx. As the author of The Art of Small Business Social Media: A Blueprint for Marketing Success, Peg is passionate about empowering small business owners and entrepreneurs to grow their online presence with purpose-driven social media strategies. With over a decade of experience, she’s helped businesses create impactful digital content, build authentic connections, and stand out in saturated markets. Peg's expertise and actionable insights provide practical tools for thriving in today’s dynamic social media landscape.

Connect with Peg

• Instagram
• Pinterest
• TikTok
• Youtube
• Website

Resources Mentioned:

• "The Art of Small Business Social Media A Blueprint for Marketing Success" - Coming in November!

• Schedule a Social Media

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com

Are you struggling to make an impact on social media?



Do you find yourself obsessing over likes and followers while burning out on content creation?

Let’s talk about how to overcome these challenges.

In this episode of Stop the Scroll, Heidi is spilling the secrets to shifting your mindset for a more rewarding and sustainable approach to digital marketing. She shares her insights on overcoming limiting beliefs, celebrating small victories, and maintaining authenticity in your digital marketing efforts. This episode is packed with valuable advice for business owners and marketers looking to optimize their social media presence and achieve long-term success.

Episode Highlights:

• Importance of shifting focus from vanity metrics to meaningful measures of success

• Celebrating small victories and viewing social media marketing as a long game

• Practical tips for managing expectations and avoiding burnout

• Overcoming the comparison trap and focusing on your unique journey

• The value of authenticity and connecting with your audience. By detaching their sense of success from immediate outcomes and instead celebrating incremental progress, businesses can build a more sustainable and less stressful approach to their marketing strategies.

If you love this episode, share it with a friend or leave a review!

Resources Mentioned:

• Heidi Schmidt Creative on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heidischmidtcreative

• Schedule a Social Media Strategy Session - https://heidischmidtcreative.hbportal.co/public/664fa7b4b1ee43002b756f3e

• Get a social media audit of your own social media accounts - https://heidischmidtcreative.hbportal.co/public/socia-media-audit/1-Basic_Client_Info

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com

Who wants more leads?

We all do, right? Leads are, after all, what drives business growth, which we all ALSO want.

This week, we’re sitting down with business coach and agency owner Lauren Najar to discuss innovative lead generation and engagement strategies. Lauren shares her top tips for identifying and nurturing potential clients by focusing on their engagement level through key performance indicators like email opens and social media interactions.

Lauren also shares some practical scheduling and productivity tips, particularly for fellow agency owners who struggle with managing their work hours efficiently. By planning daily activities in phases and ensuring personal well-being, Lauren demonstrates how balancing business growth tasks with client work and personal relaxation can lead to sustainable success. Her pragmatic advice offers listeners novel ways to optimize their marketing efforts and build long-lasting, profitable relationships.

Whether you're an introvert struggling to start conversations or seeking to refine your lead-generation efforts, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you grow your business authentically online.

Episode Highlights:

• Strategies for identifying and deleting non-engaging contacts from your list.

• How to utilize Instagram polls, quizzes, and live trainings to engage and gauge potential clients.

• The importance of authentic lead magnets that offer tangible value.

• Practical scheduling tips for optimizing productivity, particularly for agency owners.

• The benefits of treating oneself as a client and prioritizing personal business needs.

Thank you for tuning in to "Stop the Scroll." Love what you hear? Subscribe and leave a review. Happy listening!

About Lauren

Lauren Najar is the founder of LCN Consulting and Lauren Najar Coaching. Lauren is a business coach and agency owner helping businesses scale to 6 & 7 figures through simplified marketing and lead generation strategies. She is recently celebrating six years of coaching and has been running LCN Consulting for over three years. Her specialty is building relationships in the DMs and generating more leads for businesses in a way that feels authentic to them.

Connect with Lauren

Lauren's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laurennajar/

Slaying with Success Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/slayingwithsuccess

Ultimate Lead Generation E-book - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cm84n6h8k5

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com

Did you know that social media platforms like Instagram are being used as search engines?


SEO isn't just for your website anymore my friends.


With more and more people using social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok as search engines, it's crucial to optimize your content to be easily found by your ideal audience.

This week, I’m diving into Instagram SEO and why it's a game-changer for your social media strategy with some fantastic tools, and ways to audit your content and profiles to ensure they’re effective.

Finally, I’m stressing the importance of writing for humans but optimizing for algorithms. Because we’re always marketing to people. Consistent and relevant content is key.

Check out Episode 28 for all the details and start showing up where your audience is searching! Happy optimizing!

Episode Highlights:

• Understanding the rising importance of Instagram SEO in social media marketing.

• Key factors influencing Instagram’s algorithm: text, user activity, and engagement.

• Effective use of hashtags and alt text for better content visibility.

• Practical steps to optimize Instagram bios, captions, and overall content.

• Real-world examples and tools for conducting SEO and keyword research.

Resources Mentioned

• Google Trends - https://trends.google.com/trends/

• Answer the Public - https://answerthepublic.com/

• Chrissy Rey’s Keyword Research Offer - https://pongos.com/keyword-research-seo-strategy-package/

• Book a strategy session - https://heidischmidtcreative.hbportal.co/public/664fa7b4b1ee43002b756f3e
  
  
  

Thank you for tuning in to "Stop the Scroll." Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Happy listening!

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com

Everyone wants more views, and more followers in the social media space.

So many business owners have said to me, “I want to go viral.”

Hard stop y’all.

Going viral is nice, sure, but it’s not a part of a well-rounded social media strategy.

In this episode, we’re talking about the obsession with going viral on social media and why it shouldn’t be a primary goal in your social media strategy.

Simply put, virality does not equal success.

Instead, we’re sharing about the importance of sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic content creation tailored to your specific audience, and the pitfalls of relying on viral content and why a strategy based on virality is not only unpredictable but also unsustainable.

Episode Highlights:

• Why virality shouldn’t be your primary goal.

• The importance of meaningful engagement and building real connections with your audience.

• Understanding why likes and followers don’t tell the full story.

• Tips and strategies how to create content that resonates with your specific audience.

Thank you for tuning in to "Stop the Scroll." Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Happy listening!

Resources Mentioned

Book a strategy session - https://heidischmidtcreative.hbportal.co/public/664fa7b4b1ee43002b756f3e

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com