The Social Circus

EP89 - Claudia Neal-Shaw shares tips for building confidence in business.

In this episode of the Social Circus, host Sarah Thomson delves deep into the world of personal branding and self-marketing with the Claudia Neal-Shaw of Candor Consulting. The discussion unlocks the secrets to cultivating a business and personal brand with authenticity and confidence.
The conversation starts with Claudia's journey from a corporate lawyer to the founder of Candor Consulting. With a focus on women entrepreneurs, the dialogue touches on overcoming self-doubt, leveraging unique skill sets, and how to present oneself to the world with confidence. The episode is rich with strategies, personal anecdotes, and actionable advice for anyone looking to amplify their impact in business through personal branding.
Key Takeaways:Establishing a clear personal brand starts with understanding oneself and one’s aspirations within the business.Confidence is not the absence of uncertainty, but it's about taking action despite the fear and doubt.It's vital to recognize one's own worth and the unique skill set one brings to the table, rather than underestimating one’s capabilities.Simple confidence boosters can play a significant role in how we present ourselves online and in person.Sharing one's gifts and specialized skills with the world is not only a personal achievement but also an obligation.
 
claudia@candourconsulting.com
https://www.instagram.com/claudia.nealshaw/
https://www.candourconsulting.com/

EP88 - Demystifying the Launch Process: A Guide to Successful Digital Product Launches

Dive into the exciting world of launching with Sarah Thomson in episode 88 of the Social Circus, where she unpacks the intricate puzzle of digital marketing launches. This episode serves not only as a comprehensive guide but also demystifies the daunting experience of launching a product or service in the digital space. If you've been wrestling with the idea of a launch or find yourself intrigued by the process, keep reading for an episode that promises to empower and enlighten.
Sarah explains the multifaceted stages of the launch process, beginning with the ‘prelaunch’ phase, steering through the core launching event, and smoothly landing into post-launch activities. With an enticing blend of marketing strategies, Sarah advocates for the engagement of one's digital audience and emphasizes the critical nature of staying visible and consistent across platforms. The discussion is ripe with insightful tips, from warming up your audience to harnessing the energy during the launch for optimal results. Read on as Sarah reveals her tried-and-tested methods and offers a golden opportunity to access her "Ultimate Launch Toolkit" as the trajectory towards successful launching is charted.
Key Takeaways:
Launching refers to a systematic online event aiming to get a product or service in front of an audience, inciting engagement and anticipation for purchase.
The prelaunch phase is crucial, often involving waitlist creation or engaging launch events like webinars and social media blitzes to prime the audience.
A launch period of 10-14 days is optimal to maintain momentum and provide adequate time for consumers to make purchasing decisions.
During the launch, an entrepreneur should be highly visible, engage actively with potential consumers, and anticipate a surge of last-minute sales.
Post-launch activities are essential, including soliciting feedback from non-buyers and offering modified versions of the product that could lead to future conversions.
Notable Quotes:
"Launching is typically an online event and involves using all of your digital marketing strategies."
"If you launch, you will always perform better than if you just kind of have your cart open and you just talk about it now and then."
"The launch is the language that we use to say, this is the moment that I'm going to be putting my offer out into the world."
"During the launch period, you are blanketing your social media, you are emailing your list as much as you're comfortable."
"The purpose of a launch event is to get someone warmed up and excited about your offer."
Resources:
Referenced in the discussion is Sarah Thomson's "Ultimate Launch Toolkit," which is available at a reduced price of $97, down from the usual $297. 
Invoke the enthusiasm and strategy behind successful digital launches by giving the full episode a listen, and don't forget to explore Sarah Thomson's "Ultimate Launch Toolkit" for a step-up in your launch game. 
Stay tuned for more of Sarah's empowering and expertise-laden discussions on the Social Circus.
 
Ultimate Launch Toolkit

EP87 - Setting Goals and Boundaries for a Successful Year in Business

Welcome to the Social Circus podcast, where host Sarah Thomson embarks on a journey to explore the pivotal aspects of social media, business mindset, and the intricacies of entrepreneurship. Dive deep into the heart of goal setting and strategic planning, as Sarah unveils her reflections on the past year and maps out her objectives for 2024. If you're an entrepreneur seeking guidance on translating your vision into tangible results or simply curious about maintaining a work-life balance, this episode is tailored for you.
Sarah Thomson starts the year with a positive outlook, emphasizing the critical nature of goal setting for business growth. Throughout the episode, Sarah shares her deliberate approach to setting achievable financial goals, dissecting revenue streams, and constructing a systematic plan to propel her business forward. The second segment of the podcast offers valuable insights into setting boundaries, structuring non-contact weeks, and managing client expectations to prevent burnout and prioritize personal well-being.
Key Takeaways:
Setting concrete goals is essential for directing your business toward success and ensuring accountability for growth.
It's important to review previous years' accomplishments and use them as a foundation for setting realistic expectations.
Time management and boundary setting are vital for balancing professional commitments with personal well-being.
Time blocking, including designated CEO days and flex days, can greatly enhance productivity and prevent burnout.
Integrating personal milestones and important events into your business calendar ensures you remain present for life's significant moments while running a successful business.
Notable Quotes:
"You must, must know where you are going. Otherwise, anywhere is good."
"We have to honor ourselves and our energy and remind ourselves, why did we start our business and come back to that as your north star?"

EP86 - Challenges and Lessons of 2023 in Business

In this episode, Sarah Thomson reflects on the year 2023 and shares her experiences and lessons learned. She discusses the challenges she faced, such as losing a six-figure government contract and the impact it had on her business revenue. Despite these setbacks, Sarah was able to grow her business by 6% through hard work and determination.
Sarah also talks about the importance of setting boundaries with clients and learning to say no to requests that don't align with her business goals. She shares her experiences of saying yes to things she had no business doing and the lessons she learned from those situations.
Additionally, Sarah discusses the value of networking and connecting with other entrepreneurs. She shares her decision to run co-working days and the benefits she gained from them. She also emphasizes the importance of reviewing and evaluating your business regularly to identify areas for improvement and growth.
Key Takeaways:
Set boundaries with clients and prioritize self-care.
Say no to requests that don't align with your business goals.
Focus on networking and connecting with other entrepreneurs.
Regularly review and evaluate your business to identify areas for improvement.

EP85 - Goal Setting and Planning for a Successful Business in 2024

In the final episode of The Social Circus for 2023, host Sarah Thomson discusses the importance of goal setting and planning for small businesses. She emphasizes the need for realistic goals and encourages listeners to review their financials from the past year to inform their goal setting for the upcoming year. Sarah also highlights the significance of understanding the numbers in your business and suggests seeking the help of professionals like bookkeepers and accountants. She advises listeners to assess their current capacity and set goals that are achievable and aligned with their energy levels. 
Key Takeaways:
Set realistic goals based on a review of your financials from the past year.
Understand the numbers in your business and seek the help of professionals if needed.
Assess your current capacity and set goals that align with your energy levels.
Take time off during the Christmas period to rest and recharge.

EP84 - Laura McRae - Managing and Launching a Podcast

 
Summary:
In this episode of The Social Circus, host Sarah Thomson interviews Laura McRae, a podcast manager, about the process of launching and managing a podcast. Laura explains that many people find podcasting overwhelming and don't know where to start. As a podcast manager, Laura helps her clients with all the technical aspects of podcasting, including setting up hosting platforms, editing episodes, and creating social media content. 
With a background as a virtual assistant, Laura decided to niche down her business and focus on podcast management after taking two podcast management courses. She offers a range of services, including setting up hosting platforms, editing episodes, writing show notes, and creating social media content. Laura's goal is to take care of all the technical aspects of podcasting so that her clients can focus on creating great content.
Key Takeaways:
Niche down your podcast to target a specific audience and make it more searchable.
Choose a podcast name that includes a keyword for better searchability.
Consider the length of your episodes based on your target audience's preferences.
Weekly episodes are recommended for better momentum and consistency.
Outsourcing podcast management can save time and ensure a smooth process.
 
podcastsupportservices.com.au
laura@podcastsupportservices.com.au
Instagram (@podcast.support.services)
 
Podcast Support Services
 
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurajmcrae/

EP83 - Get Festive - Creating Engaging Christmas Content on Social Media

In this episode of The Social Circus, host Sarah Thomson shares tips and ideas for creating engaging Christmas content on social media. She emphasizes the importance of making social media fun and simple for both the business owner and the audience. Sarah suggests starting with a post that informs the audience about the business's Christmas plans and availability. She also encourages businesses to take a break during the holiday season and set clear expectations for when they will respond to messages.Sarah recommends creating a Christmas video or photo to wish the audience a Merry Christmas and thank them for their support. She suggests adding some Christmas fun to the branding, such as festive elements in the logo or cover image. For product-based businesses, Sarah advises checking the website and setting up commerce tags on Facebook and Instagram to facilitate easy purchasing.For businesses that don't sell products during Christmas, Sarah suggests supporting other small businesses by giving them shoutouts on social media. She also introduces the concept of user-generated content (UGC) and encourages businesses to engage their audience by asking them to share photos or participate in fun activities and games.

EP82 - Louise Percy

In this episode of The Social Circus, host Sarah Thomson welcomes back etiquette coach Louise Percy to discuss tips for hosting and attending Christmas parties and networking events. Louise emphasizes the importance of sending invitations well in advance and using electronic RSVPs to track attendance. As a host, it is crucial to greet guests at the entrance and introduce them to others. For guests, self-introductions and confident networking are key. Louise also advises on navigating sensitive topics and managing alcohol consumption at work functions.
 
Louise Percy is the founder of the Percy Institute of International Protocol and an expert in etiquette and elegance. With a background in military, political, and diplomatic work, Louise has been running the Percy Institute since 1992, offering courses and coaching on social and business etiquette. She is known for her expertise in networking and has recently launched a podcast called "Manners and Other Matters: Exploring Etiquette and Elegance."
 
Here’s how you can connect with Louise:
https://thepercyinstitute.com
Facebook - The Percy Institute
Instagram.
Linkedin
Manners and Other Matters Podcast
 
Key Takeaways:
Send invitations in advance and use electronic RSVPs to track attendance.
Greet guests at the entrance and introduce them to others as a host.
Be prepared to do self-introductions and confidently network as a guest.
Take cues from the host regarding alcohol consumption at work functions.
Practice respect, consideration, and kindness when traveling and in confined environments.

EP81 - Emily Fogg and Sally Newman -Capability Network

This week Sarah is joined by Sally Newman and Emily Fogg who are the co-founders of Capability Network, an organization that aims to support small businesses and individuals with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. 
 
About The Guest(s):
Sally Newman: Sally is a former corporate professional who transitioned into the celebrancy industry after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She is now the CEO of First Line Productions, a theater and film production company that aims to share people's stories through art. Sally is also a co-founder of Capability Network, an organization that supports small businesses and individuals with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions.
Emily Fogg: Emily is a former teacher with 14 years of experience in special needs and mainstream education. She is the founder of Wise Out of Tuition, a tutoring business that specializes in helping neurodiverse children reach their potential in English and math. Emily is also a co-founder of Capability Network, where she provides mentoring and support to individuals with disabilities who are starting or growing their own businesses.
Key Takeaways:
Capability Network aims to provide recognition and support for small businesses and individuals with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions.
The awards night organized by Capability Network has received nearly 250 nominations, highlighting the need for recognition in this space.
Small businesses should consider working with individuals with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions, as they can bring unique skills and perspectives to the team.
Inclusivity in small businesses can be achieved through simple changes, such as providing sensory boxes, offering relaxed sessions, and making marketing materials more accessible.
Capability Network plans to offer networking sessions and online support groups to help small business owners become more inclusive and learn from individuals with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions.

EP80 - Sarah McLeod - Boosting Confidence Through Style

Summary:
Sarah McLeod, a personal stylist, joins Sarah Thomson on The Social Circus to discuss confidence, styling, and showing up as your best self.
Sarah shares her journey into styling and how she helps women find their confidence through clothes. She emphasizes the importance of starting with what clients already have in their wardrobe and helping them understand their personal style. Sarah also addresses common misconceptions about personal styling and offers advice for women who struggle with confidence and want to show up as their best selves.
 
About The Guest(s):Sarah McLeod is a personal stylist and the founder of SJM Styling. With a background in marketing, Sarah followed her passion for helping others feel confident and stylish by becoming a personal stylist. She believes in bringing sparkle, joy, and magic to her clients' lives through clothes.
 
https://www.instagram.com/sjmstyling/
 
https://www.facebook.com/sjmstyling

EP 79 - Selling and Promoting During Turbulent Times

In this episode, Sarah discusses how small business owners can navigate running their businesses during times of uncertainty and unrest. She emphasizes the importance of being true and authentic to oneself and honoring one's feelings. Sarah also addresses the challenge of discussing contentious political issues and advises business owners to approach these topics with compassion, kindness, and love. She highlights the need to maintain sales, promotions, and offers during turbulent times to create financial freedom, influence, and the ability to give back. Sarah encourages business owners to use their financial success to support causes they are passionate about and to bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship.
Key Takeaways:
Honor your feelings and be authentic in how you navigate running your business during uncertain times.
Approach contentious political issues with compassion, kindness, and love to avoid isolating your audience.
Financial success creates influence and the ability to give back to causes you care about.
Maintaining sales and promotions during turbulent times helps bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship.

EP78 - Melissa Ahlquist - From Outdoor Beanbags to Web Development: Melissa’s Entrepreneurial Journey

Melissa Ahlquist is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who has successfully started and managed multiple businesses. She began her journey by importing and selling outdoor beanbags in Australia, with a portion of the profits going towards missions work. Melissa then ventured into business coaching, where she realized the need to provide affordable coaching resources for small businesses. She started Little Biz Foundations, offering workshops and coaching tailored to the needs of micro and small businesses.
Melissa also found success as a WordPress web developer, helping businesses build and manage their websites. She is passionate about giving back and continues to support missions work and charitable causes.Key Takeaways:Melissa started her first business by importing and selling outdoor beanbags, with a portion of the profits going towards missions work.She recognized the need for affordable business coaching resources and started Little Biz Foundations to help micro and small businesses.Melissa became a WordPress web developer after realizing the challenges small business owners faced with their websites.She emphasizes the importance of focusing on one business at a time while allowing room for new opportunities.Melissa's passion for giving back led her to support missions work and charitable causes.

EP77 - Ellie Swift : Running a Successful Mastermind

In this episode of The Social Circus, host Sarah Thomson interviews Ellie Swift, a successful business coach and Mastermind mentor. Ellie shares her journey from working in corporate to starting her own coaching business. She explains how she transitioned from one-on-one coaching to running multiple Mastermind programs. Ellie also discusses the importance of creating a unique Mastermind experience and the power of podcasting in growing a business.
About The Guest(s):
Ellie Swift is a business coach and Mastermind mentor who helps coaches, creators, and consultants build sustainable and profitable businesses. With over six years of experience in the industry, Ellie has successfully created and scaled multiple Mastermind programs. She is also the host of the "Shine Online with Ellie Swift" podcast.
Key Takeaways:
Ellie Swift transitioned from working in corporate to starting her own coaching business after realizing she was dissatisfied with her role and wanted to make a more meaningful impact.
Ellie's Mastermind programs have different tiers based on income level, allowing clients to progress and grow within the programs.
Creating a unique Mastermind experience that aligns with your strengths and values makes it easier to sell and retain clients.
Collaboration and community are key elements of a successful Mastermind, and strategies can be implemented to foster these dynamics.
Podcasting is a powerful tool for building a personal brand and generating leads, as it allows people to get to know, like, and trust you quickly.

EP76 - Creating Boundries for Success

In this episode, Sarah Thomson discusses the importance of setting boundaries and improving productivity in your business. She emphasizes the need to reassess goals and plans for the final quarter of the year and shares her own strategies for managing time and energy. Sarah also highlights the impact of good boundaries on overall well-being and offers practical tips for tracking time and structuring workdays.
Key Takeaways:
It is crucial to set intentions and reassess goals for the final quarter of the year to avoid rolling into the new year without a plan.
Good boundaries are essential for protecting health, energy, and overall well-being in business.
Time tracking is a valuable exercise to understand how time is spent and identify areas for improvement in productivity.
Setting aside dedicated time for working on business goals, such as a CEO day, can lead to significant growth and progress.
Outsourcing tasks, even with a few hours of virtual assistant support, can alleviate overwhelm and free up time for more important activities.
Quotes:
"If you don't start to do some of this planning now, it will get to December, and we just kind of roll into the new year without any plans or thoughts or ideas on what that is going to look like for ourselves and our business." - Sarah Thomson
"If you do too much, you burn yourself out. You're exhausted, you get sick for a long period of time. That is all going to have a massively detrimental impact on your business." - Sarah Thomson
"The easy way to start outsourcing is with a virtual assistant with just a few hours a week of support." - Sarah Thomson
"There is nothing, how do I describe it? There is no magic behind the curtain when it comes to achieving growth and attaining the goals in your business. It is nothing sexy or special. It is simply a matter of setting aside time, preferably every single week, to work on those." - Sarah Thomson
"We do not get anything back. This is not a do over. This is our one time to do the things we want to do." - Sarah Thomson

EP75 - Simone Pavils - Understanding SEO

Sarah Thomson, host of The Social Circus podcast, welcomes back guest Simone, a Pinterest and SEO expert. They discuss the unique aspects of Pinterest as a search engine and how it differs from traditional social media platforms. Simone shares her journey from Pinterest to SEO and explains the three key elements of SEO: technical optimization, usability, and keyword optimization. She emphasizes the importance of Google Business profiles and collecting reviews. Simone offers a done-for-you service for both Pinterest and SEO, empowering clients to manage their own websites.
About The Guest :
Simone is a Pinterest and SEO expert who fell into the world of digital marketing while looking for a creative outlet outside of her nursing career. She is passionate about helping businesses optimize their online presence and has become an expert in both Pinterest and SEO strategies.
 
Key Takeaways :
Pinterest is a search engine, not a traditional social media platform.SEO involves optimizing your website to make it easier to find through search engines.Google Business profiles and online reviews can significantly impact search engine rankings.
Quotes :
"Pinterest is a search engine where you come for yourself, not to learn about other people." - Simone"SEO is optimizing your website to get found by your ideal client or customer." - Simone"Google Business profiles and online reviews are essential for local businesses." - Simone

EP74 - Becca Maxwell - Do Divorce Right

In this episode of The Social Circus, host Sarah Thomson interviews Becca Maxwell, a divorce coach and relational intelligence consultant. Becca shares her journey into entrepreneurship and how her experience in the corporate world and consulting led her to start Do Divorce Right. She discusses the challenges of managing a corporate job and running a business, and emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and delegating tasks. Becca also provides valuable advice for individuals going through a divorce, including managing overwhelm, acting with integrity, not delegating responsibility, and filling your own cup with joy.**Key Takeaways:**1. Manage overwhelm by making appointments with yourself to address thoughts and emotions related to the divorce.2. Act with integrity and avoid badmouthing your ex-spouse to others.3. Take responsibility for decisions and arguments related to the divorce, rather than delegating them to others.4. Fill your own cup with joy and find activities that bring you happiness during this challenging time.**Quotes:**- "Make an appointment for yourself to deal with overwhelming thoughts and emotions related to the divorce." - Becca Maxwell- "Act with integrity and avoid badmouthing your ex-spouse to others." - Becca Maxwell- "Take responsibility for decisions and arguments related to the divorce and create your own narrative." - Becca Maxwell- "Fill your own cup with joy and find activities that bring you happiness during this challenging time." - Becca Maxwell
About The Guest:Becca Maxwell is a divorce coach and relational intelligence consultant with over six years of experience in coaching and consulting. She has a background in the advertising industry and has used her expertise in relational intelligence to help individuals navigate through difficult divorces. Becca is the founder of Do Divorce Right, where she provides support and guidance to those going through a divorce.

EP73 - Meta Ads Q & A part 2

Sarah Thomson, the host of The Social Circus podcast, answers listener questions about Meta ads and provides insights into other advertising platforms. She explains the importance of understanding the audience on different platforms before running ads and highlights the differences between Google Ads and Meta Ads. Sarah also emphasizes the need to know how customers find your business and the scalability of your products or services when considering ads. She discusses the Advantage Campaign Budget feature in Ads Manager and shares her best-performing ad campaign, which is a lead magnet for a Canva class on creating reels.
Key Takeaways:
Before running ads on a platform, establish a presence and test it organically to see if your audience is there.
Google Ads are effective for bottom-of-the-funnel advertising, while Meta Ads are better suited for top-of-the-funnel campaigns.
Understand how customers find your business and focus on scalable products or services when considering ads.
Advantage Campaign Budget in Ads Manager allows for testing and optimization of ad sets and reallocates budget based on performance.
Testing and refining ads is crucial for success, and the best-performing ads often result from continuous testing and adjustments.
Quotes:
"Before you run any paid ads on a platform, it is always wise to have a presence on that platform." - Sarah Thomson
"Google Ads are more effective when people are close to making a purchase decision." - Sarah Thomson
"Your most effective ads are always going to be top of the funnel for Meta platforms." - Sarah Thomson

EP72 - Meta Month: Mastering Meta Ads Q & A

In this episode of The Social Circus, host Sarah Thomson answers questions from listeners about running successful Meta ads. She covers topics such as targeting specific geographic areas, determining a good cost per acquisition (CPA) or cost per click (CPC), choosing the right audience size, knowing when to make adjustments to an ad, and the order in which to test different components of an ad. Sarah emphasizes the importance of testing and patience when running ads, and shares her personal strategies for achieving success with Meta ads.
Key Takeaways:
Targeting specific geographic areas is possible in Meta ads, and it's important to consider the distance people are willing to travel for events or services.
The ideal CPA or CPC depends on the value and profitability of the desired action or conversion.
A good audience size for Meta ads is between 250,000 and 2 million, depending on the targeting criteria.
It's best to wait until an ad has generated at least 100 results before making any adjustments.
When testing different components of an ad, start with images, then move on to audiences, placements, call-to-action buttons, headlines, and finally ad copy.
Quotes:
"Successful people fail fast and fail often." - Jenny Cole

EP71 - Meta Ads Mistakes

In this episode, Sarah discusses the top mistakes people make when running Meta ads and provides valuable insights on how to avoid them. She emphasizes the importance of understanding ad success benchmarks, testing ads organically before running paid campaigns, optimizing landing pages for mobile devices, defining the ideal customer, and conducting rigorous testing to improve ad performance.
Key Takeaways:
Understand ad success benchmarks to set realistic expectations for your ads.
Test your offers and landing pages organically before running paid ads.
Optimize your landing pages for mobile devices to maximize conversions.
Define your ideal customer and tailor your ads to their specific problems.
Conduct rigorous testing of different variables in your ads to improve performance.
 
 
Welcome to episode 71 of The Social Circus! I'm your host, Sarah Thomson, and we're now in week three of Meta Month. In this episode, I want to discuss the top mistakes that people make when running Meta ads. As a small business owner, it's essential to spend your advertising budget wisely and avoid wasting money on ineffective ads. Meta will gladly take your money, whether your ad is successful or not. It's up to you to understand why your ad may not be performing as expected. So let's delve into the common mistakes and how to avoid them.
 
Mistake 1: Not Understanding Ad Success
Many people don't understand what ad success looks like. They lack knowledge of the benchmarks and metrics they should be aiming for. It's essential to have realistic expectations and know what to measure in terms of click-through rates, conversion rates, and other relevant data. To help with this, there is a document that provides benchmarks for Meta ads by the industry. Understanding these benchmarks allows you to assess whether your ad is underperforming or if there are other factors at play, such as issues with your landing page or sales page.
"Most people think that if I haven't made a sale, my ad isn't working, and that is simply not true. It can be other factors for that." - Sarah Thomson
 
Mistake 2: Not Testing Organically
Before running ads, many people fail to test their offer, product, or service organically. They skip the crucial step of gauging interest from their audience before investing in paid ads. Testing organically allows you to gather valuable feedback and determine if your offer resonates with your target audience. It's important to have a significant number of visits to your landing page or sales page before making any judgments about its effectiveness.
"If your page that you're wanting to run an ad to has not had traffic through it of at least 100 visits, which is like an absolute minimum, you cannot then say, does this page work? Does it convert? Is the offer interesting to my audience?" - Sarah Thomson
 
Mistake 3: Neglecting Landing Page Optimisation
One common mistake is blaming the ad for poor performance when the issue lies with the landing page. It's essential to test your landing page on mobile devices since a significant portion of Meta ad traffic comes from mobile users. Ensure that your landing page renders well and that buttons, images, and other elements are optimised for mobile viewing. Neglecting mobile optimisation can lead to low conversion rates and wasted ad spend.
"Landing pages are often a big culprit for poor-performing ads, and people don't think to look at those. They go straight to their ad and think about what isn't working in my ad, and why is it not working?" - Sarah Thomson
 
Mistake 4: Poor Audience Definition
Understanding your ideal customer is a fundamental aspect of marketing. However, many people make the mistake of thinking their product or service is ideal for everyone. It's essential to define your target audience and tailor your ads to their specific problems and needs. Trying to market to everyone leads to a diluted message that fails to resonate with anyone. Break your audience into logical groups and create ads that speak directly to their unique challenges.
"It is never true that your product or service or offer is ideal for everyone. It is never true. What you need to know is for your ad, who is your audience? And your audience is always those people who are most likely to buy the product." - Sarah Thomson
 
Mistake 5: Lack of Testing
Testing is a vital component of running successful ads, yet many people neglect it. To optimise your ads, you need to treat them like science experiments. Change one variable at a time and track the results. Testing different elements such as images, headlines, and call-to-action buttons allows you to identify what resonates best with your audience. Rigorous testing helps you refine your ads and improve their performance over time.
"One of the biggest mistakes is that most people don't do testing of their ads, and if they do, they do inadequate testing and they don't also have those benchmark data to use." - Sarah Thomson
 
Implications and Potential Impact
By avoiding these common mistakes, businesses can significantly improve the performance of their Meta ads. Understanding ad success benchmarks, testing organically, optimising landing pages, defining target audiences, and conducting rigorous testing all contribute to more effective advertising campaigns. These strategies can lead to higher click-through rates, improved conversion rates, and ultimately, increased sales and revenue.
The impact of implementing these best practices can be transformative for businesses. By aligning ads with the needs and preferences of their target audience, businesses can create more compelling and relevant messaging. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of attracting and converting potential customers. Additionally, optimising landing pages for mobile devices ensures a seamless user experience, leading to higher conversion rates.
 
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Running Meta ads successfully requires a strategic approach and a deep understanding of your audience and their needs. By avoiding the top mistakes discussed in this episode, businesses can maximise the effectiveness of their advertising efforts. It's essential to set realistic expectations, test organically, optimise landing pages, define target audiences, and conduct thorough testing.
As the advertising landscape continues to evolve, businesses must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices. Meta Month has provided valuable insights into the world of Meta ads, and businesses should continue to educate themselves on the ever-changing advertising landscape. By staying informed and adapting their strategies accordingly, businesses can leverage Meta ads to drive growth and achieve their marketing objectives.
Thank you for joining me on this episode of The Social Circus. I hope you found this discussion on the top mistakes people make when running Meta ads insightful and informative. Stay tuned for next week's episode, where I'll be answering questions from the Blooming Biz Academy members about their common problems with Meta ads. Until then, happy advertising!
 
Quotes:
"Test your concept organically before running paid ads to ensure it resonates with your audience."
"Don't overlook the importance of optimizing your landing pages for mobile devices."
"Your ideal customer is not everyone; focus on targeting the audience most likely to buy."
"Testing is crucial for improving ad performance; treat it like a science experiment."

EP70 - Intro to Meta Ads

Can you believe that Meta (Facebook) introduced ads in 2007. That is a long time and it means that this is not really a new form of marketing – it should be part of your mix.
Advertising is a type of marketing that always involves the spending of money. Many small businesses avoid paid ads in favour of organic marketing. This is a common misconception – that organic marketing is free. However, it still takes time and effort to create content, whether it is organic or paid.
 
The Shift to Digital
It is hard to think that 20 years ago most advertising spend was focused on the traditional mediums such as tv, print, radio and outdoor. Over time, we have watched digital marketing continue to erode the share away from these traditional advertising platforms.
The reality is that for traditional media, the market changed significantly and I am not just talking about social media. Lets consider how we spend our time. 20 years ago we may have all sat around as a family watching tv and tuned in during ad breaks. Now the whole viewing market has evolved and changed. We now have endless choice as to what to watch – think so many more channels, streaming services and apps for all the major stations. This has fragmented our viewing habits.
Add to this the rise in devices in our homes. Once upon a time we had a single tv and we had to agree (or fight) about what to watch. Now we all have our own devices with multiple tvs in our homes. There is no need to compromise on what we watch any longer.
All of this has had a negative impact on what we watch – this has made it harder for advertisers who rely on traditional media to connect with their audience.
On top of all these changes in our homes and habits, the time we spend on social media has been on the rise for years now. Our eyes are glued to our screens and we are addicted to the scroll.
These eyeballs on screens has meant good news for digital advertisers. The more time we spend on social media, the more ads that can be delivered to us.
It is anticipated that Meta will make around $120billion in ad revenue in 2023. This gives it around 13% market share of the digital advertising spend. Google’s share of this is around 28% with Amazon considered to be the other major player whose share of digital ad spend is around 7%.
So why should you consider running paid ads using Meta?
Running ads using Meta means you can get your ads in front of a huge audience. Every month Meta platforms reach almost 3 billion people (out of 8 billion on the planet). This means you can really get seen.
As well as have numerous placement options within each platform, you can push your reach with Meta ads allowing you to place your ads on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and audience network. It is so much more than Facebook ads.

EP69 - Meta Month - Unveiling the Monolith

Welcome to Episode 69 of our podcast! In this Meta Month special, we're delving deep into the world of Meta, the parent company of Facebook and a host of other influential brands. Join us as we explore the history, acquisitions, and impact of this technological giant.
Segment 1: The Birth of Meta
Meta, originally known as Facebook, was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and three Harvard University friends.
 Initially limited to Harvard students, the platform's popularity skyrocketed, leading to rapid expansion to other universities.
 In 2005, the company acquired the domain facebook.com and rebranded, dropping "The" from its name.
Segment 2: Building a Monolith
 Meta's growth strategy involved acquiring numerous companies to expand its reach and influence.
Notable acquisitions include Instagram (2012), WhatsApp (2014), and Oculus VR (2014).
Instagram was purchased for $1 billion and became one of the highest-priced acquisitions of a profitless startup at the time.
WhatsApp's acquisition for $19 billion was initially seen as a risk but has since proven its value.
Oculus VR's acquisition for $2 billion positioned Meta as a player in the virtual reality market.
Segment 3: The Meta Rebrand
To streamline branding and clarify its identity, Meta emerged as the parent company in October 2021, overseeing Facebook and its acquired brands.
Segment 4: The Revenue Machine
Meta's platforms are free for users, with revenue generated primarily through paid advertising.
In 2022, Meta's revenue reached an impressive $116 billion, although there was a slight decline due to substantial investments in the Metaverse, its virtual reality prototype.
Segment 5: Exploring the Metaverse
Meta has invested $36 billion in developing the Metaverse, an ambitious concept with no operational prototype as of now.
 Drawing comparisons to the fictional world of "Ready Player One," the Metaverse aims to revolutionize virtual experiences.
Segment 6: Popularity and Influence
Facebook remains the dominant social media platform with nearly 3 billion monthly active users, surpassing even the global population.
WhatsApp boasts 2.7 billion users, while Instagram follows closely with 2.35 billion.
Messenger, another Meta-owned platform, boasts 931 million users.
Segment 7: The Power Players
Meta is part of an elite group known as "The 4," along with Alphabet (Google), Amazon, and Apple.
Microsoft was formerly included but withdrew due to differences in data collection practices.
Segment 8: Threads' Triumph
In 2023, Meta made a significant comeback with the launch of Threads under the Instagram brand.
Threads, designed to rival Twitter (now rebranded as X), garnered an astounding 100 million users within just five days.
The platform enables users to share posts in concise text format, complemented by images and videos, while excluding in-app editing and messaging functions.
Check out my podcast episode on Threads here
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of our podcast. Stay tuned for more captivating insights into Meta and its evolution throughout this Meta Month!
 

EP68 - Tracy Murray aka The Glasses Lady

In today’s episode, I chat with Tracy Murray aka The Glasses Lady, who is quite well known around Perth for her positivity, zest for life, and passion for inspiring others.  
Tune in to hear what inspired Tracy to follow her dreams and start her own business. Saying “If you believe in the service you can offer someone, follow that talent, and passion and be inspired to do great things… be patient.”
Tracy offers a personalised service taking the time to understand your preferences, characteristics, and lifestyle needs, guiding you on a transformative journey of self-expression, to discover the perfect frames that enhance your features, boost your confidence, and embrace your uniqueness.
Sharing her experience of running a business, making all the decisions, learning how to use social media platforms… “Thank you Sarah”. The importance of networking and being part of the community. She also lets us in on what’s next for The Glasses Lady which is going to have a big impact on many.  
If you’re ready to be inspired to do what you love, you don’t want to miss this episode.
If you want to find out more about what The Glasses lady has to offer, or even help out with what Tracy has got planned next, you can connect with her here:
https://www.facebook.com/theglasseslady
https://www.instagram.com/theglassesladyperth/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-murray-the-glasses-lady

EP67 - Sarah & Elsa Mitchell - Make Bank for Christmas

In today’s episode, I chat with Elsa Mitchell, Business Mentor and Podcast host of Bossy Bitch.
Hear how we met, and why we decided to collaborate since bonding over different life experiences.
Chatting about our upcoming event here in Perth. It’s at a great location, with incredible food… Hello, Morning Tea and Lunch! Fabulous for making connections, and a door prize you won’t want to miss. So much value in the one day!
 
We also chat about the power of stories, our vulnerability and real talk. We’ll be sharing more of our stories at our event.
 
Sharing some of the things we hear our clients struggling with, and tag team our top ideas on how to bring in some extra cash to make bank for Christmas. Here’s a couple to whet your appetite:
Affiliate marketing with integrity
Track and follow-up your leads
 
We’re stronger together!
 
If you’re ready to Make Bank for Christmas, you don’t want to miss our live event in Leederville later this month. Here’s the link to get your hands on a ticket: https://onlinesocialbutterfly.com.au/make-bank-for-christmas-workshop/
 
Also, here’s where you can connect with Elsa
https://elsamitchell.com.au/
 
 
And, here’s the link to the book “Go Giver” by Bob Burg mentioned in this episode: https://a.co/d/0ARkr54
 

EP66 - Priya from Punar Handloom Homewares

In today’s episode, I chat with one of my lovely client’s Priya, Founder of Punar – a word originating from the ancient Sanskrit language in India meaning “again”.
Priya and I have been working together for over 12 months, beginning with her pre- launch and launch phase of Punar.
Tune in as Priya passionately shares what motivated her to start Punar – the event that triggered her to live on purpose. Her incredible business journey so far to creating sustainable gifts and homewares ethically handcrafted by women using handloom fabric made with recycled yarn.
Punars purpose is to enrich lives of women weavers and their communities in India while solving the problem of landfill textile waste. The statistics she shares in this episode will surprise you. 
She also shares their ethical production process, and how Punar is making an impact on the planet, and more. As well as her plans going forward.
Here’s where you can connect and support Priya:
https://punar.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/punar.co/
https://www.facebook.com/Punar.co/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyaravindra/

EP65 - Talking Reels with Ally from Alyona Social

In today’s episode, I chat with Ally from Alyona Social. She starts by sharing her journey, and how she threw herself into her business with no plan b. Adapting her skills to the world of social media after giving up her day job.
Tune in to hear how Ally went from knowing very few people in Perth to establishing her brand, making amazing connections and becoming known as the “Reels Queen”.   
You’ll hear tips for overcoming the feeling of being scared when it comes to getting yourself out there - remember everyone is feeling the same, speaking on camera is not a skill you are born with.
If you have previously been put off by the dancing, pointing and lip synching of reels. Ally reassures us that 2023 is about keeping it simple, sharing the most popular reels content for this year.
Here’s where you can connect with Ally, as well as some of her offerings:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alyona.social/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-polishchuk-972408147/
FREE ‘Six Steps to Speak on Reels’ guide - https://www.alyonasocial.com/speakonreels
 ‘Simple Sell Out Reels’ Masterclass - https://www.alyonasocial.com/masterclass
Instagram Business Strategy Sessions - https://www.alyonasocial.com/strategy

EP64 - Making the most of ChatGPT

If you haven’t used ChatGPT in your business yet, it’s highly likely you will get left behind, simply because your competitors will be able to produce content a lot quicker. I encourage you to give the free version a go as it currently has so many features, but do keep in mind as the platform grows they are likely to add the features to the paid version.
I’m excited to share with you how I use it in my business, and why it’s one of my favourite tools.
I also share some prompts you can use to help you get started. It’s important you know to use these, so you don’t end up sounding like everybody else - remember the platform doesn’t know anything about you when you first join. Plus, other ways you can use ChatGPT to elevate your professionalism.
Once it understands your style, you’ll be blown away to hear how it can help you with social media posts, copy for your sales pages, launches etc...
Don’t forget to tag me @onlinesocialbutterfly and share in your stories so I know when and where you’re tuning in.
 

EP63 - The new Threads App

This episode was recorded and put live on Friday 7th July 2023, just 24 hours after the Threads App went live. Please note that some of this data is date sensitive.
In this episode, we dive into the launch of Threads, the latest app from Meta, which is generating a lot of buzz in the social media world. Threads is an Instagram app and is being touted as a rival to Twitter, offering a predominantly text-based platform.
Where I am in Perth, Western Australia, I downloaded the app at 5.46am and was not able to set up my account. Fast forward an hour or so later and I was on – my account is officially 437,912
According to the official Mark Zuckerberg profile @zuck on threads the first day for Threads was meteoric
2 million sign ups in the first 2 hours
5 million in the first 5 hours
10 million in the first 7 hours
30 million in the first day
Here is a summary of some of the features and limitations of the Threads App
Increased Character Limit: Threads allows users to post up to 500 characters, compared to Twitter's 280-character limit for non-verified accounts.
Links and Media: Unlike Instagram, Threads allows users to add links to their posts. It also supports photos and videos, with a 5-minute limit for videos.
No Reels, Stories, or Messaging: Unlike Instagram, Threads does not offer features such as Reels or Stories. It is primarily focused on text-based content.
Verification: If you already have a blue verification tick on your Instagram account, it will carry over to Threads.
Post Editing and Hashtags: Users can delete posts on Threads but are unable to edit them. Currently, hashtags do not work on the platform.
No Trending Stories: Threads does not have a feature for trending stories like other social media platforms.
 GIF Integration: Users can easily add GIFs to their posts using a simple paste function.
Concerns and EU Launch: Meta's dominance in screen time raises concerns about spending even more time on their platforms. Threads has not yet launched in the EU due to regulatory uncertainty and strict data privacy laws.
Why Threads is gaining popularity:Platform Fatigue: Many users are experiencing fatigue from other social media platforms, especially Facebook.
Twitter Troubles: Meta's acquisition of Twitter for $40 billion and subsequent dismantling of the platform has
caused controversy, with Elon Musk even sending a cease-and-desist notice to Meta over claims of stolen Twitter intellectual property.
Simplified Content Creation: Users appreciate the simplicity of Threads, as it eliminates the need to create complex content like reels and stories.My own personal experience with Threads:
Excitement over the fun, new, and fresh experience of using Threads.
Reconnecting with people followed on Instagram but lost track of.
Level playing field as everyone learns and explores the app together.
 
Join us on this episode as we delve into the world of Threads, exploring its features, limitations, and the impact it may have on the social media landscape.

EP62 - Building the business you desire with Shayla Burtin

In today’s episode, I chat with Shayla Burtin, Business Operations Strategist. Shayla generously shares the start of her business journey - why she started and how it’s evolved into what it is today.
Let’s face it, most of us are in business for the freedom and flexibility it provides, spending more time with our family, taking time off when we like. The reality of having all of this is also a huge challenge because we don’t always know how to make it happen.
Don’t make it difficult to take a break. Tune in to hear a few of Shayla’s strategies when it comes to taking time off, unplanned, or not. Including clear communications, calendar management, setting expectations and boundaries. 
If you’re looking for more flexibility and freedom in your life you don’t want to miss this episode!
If you’d like to hear more about the work Shayla does and how she helps her clients to get the freedom they desire, here’s where you can connect:
www.shaylaburtin.com
www.facebook.com/shaylaburtin
www.instagram.com/buildingherdream

EP61 - How to be a guest on other people’s podcasts with Christina Lenkowski

In this episode, I chat with Christina, Podcast Publicity Strategist and Trainer at Publicity by Christina.  We talk about how and why she got into this super niche business after working for someone else in PR and marketing for over a decade. Hear her laugh and the irony when you hear what she didn’t do when launching her first course.  
She passionately and generously shares a couple of her tips on how to reduce the overwhelm when starting the process of being a guest on someone’s podcast, whether you chose to work with her or go it alone. Plus, lots of other recommendations.
If sharing your story on a podcast to your ideal audience is where you want to be then one thing  you’ll need to learn is how to pitch yourself. Christina has a 2-hour pre-recorded training for this titled “Hey Bitch Let's Pitch” where she teaches you how to pitch, research and follow-up. You can find it here https://www.publicityxchristina.com/a/2147507699/xtFBaewG
If you do work with her she guarantees you will get booked on to 24 podcasts with listeners who are your ideal audience. She touches on the process of what working with her is like, and the commitment from both sides. 
It may surprise you to hear no matter how big the person is whose podcast episode you want to be on, it’s possible to get a booking. Sharing an example of why it’s important you don’t just chase the most popular podcasts.
If you fancy sharing your message via a podcast listened to by your ideal clients, you do not want to miss this episode. What’s the worst that can happen?
 
Here’s where you can connect with Christina:
Website: https://www.publicityxchristina.com/a/2147500720/xtFBaewG
Podcast Pitching 101 Workshop:https://www.publicityxchristina.com/a/2147501873/xtFBaewG
IG: https://www.instagram.com/publicityxchristina/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/publicityxchristina

EP60 - Creating your first digital product

I’ve been creating digital products in my business for a while now. Launching my signature course in 2020. It took a huge effort, and quite honestly some days it felt like I was running another business I almost burnt out creating it. Let me tell you it doesn’t have to be that way.
Tune in to hear lots of examples of what you can create once in your business to sell multiple times without having to do any extra work each time you sell. You may be surprised by what you hear today. You’ll be pleased to know it’s not all about creating an online course.
I share how I’ve broken down digital products in my business, as well as giving you so many examples of what you can create and sell in yours, under the banners of technology, templates, content, and learning. There is so much choice when it comes to what you can come up with… some may give you the light bulb moment you’ve been waiting for. Also, learn the difference between a tutorial, a masterclass, and a webinar, as well as other ways to deliver your digital products.
Tune in, feel inspired and let your creative juices flow.
I really hope by listening to this podcast you come away with a bunch of ideas of the types of digital products you can create for your audience.
Don’t forget to tag me @onlinesocialbutterfly and share in your stories so I know when and where you’re tuning in.