Podcast Summary
Discovering the power of networking and personal branding through Instagram: Starting a personal brand or side hustle on Instagram can lead to valuable connections and growth opportunities. Networking and helping others grow their businesses can transform a hobby into a successful freelance business.
Starting a personal brand or side hustle, like a blog or freelance business, can be an empowering and transformative experience. Jess Bruno, a guest on the Girls in Marketing podcast, shared her journey of starting her Instagram blog during lockdown when she was unable to work. She discovered the power of networking and helping others grow their businesses through social media, particularly Instagram. Her relatable and colorful content resonated with many, and she eventually turned it into a full-time freelance content marketing consultancy. Kick Resume, a sponsor of the podcast, was mentioned as a helpful resource for creating professional CVs, cover letters, and portfolio websites, even for those with no graphic design skills. Overall, the podcast episode emphasized the importance of taking control of your personal brand and using social media as a powerful tool for growth and connection.
A marketing professional's diverse day: Background in marketing, freelance corporate work, consulting smaller businesses, honed skills in social media, grew events from a few to sellout, left due to personal reasons, started own business during lockdown, unique approach to marketing, understanding and connecting with audiences.
A typical day for this marketing professional involves splitting her time between freelance corporate work and consulting with smaller businesses. She has a background in marketing, having worked for a cinema chain and teaching girl bands, where she honed her skills in social media marketing. Her experience led her to work for Exclusive Touch, promoting events such as the Reggae Brunch, which grew from a few events per month to sellout events across the UK. She left the job due to personal reasons and eventually started her own business during lockdown, demonstrating the power of social media in growing businesses. Her unique approach to marketing, focusing on understanding and connecting with specific audiences, has been key to her success.
Using social media wisely for personal growth and community building: Social media can broaden horizons, foster connections, and promote growth when used responsibly, but it's important to avoid unhealthy comparison and set healthy boundaries.
Social media can be a powerful tool for personal growth, community building, and even business development when used wisely. However, it's essential to remember that it's not a vital organ or an extension of oneself. Instead, it should be seen as a window to connect with others and expand horizons, rather than a mirror for self-comparison or ego validation. The speaker shared her personal experience of how social media transformed her life by providing her with a supportive network of like-minded individuals and opportunities for growth. However, she also acknowledged the potential dangers of excessive use and unhealthy comparison, emphasizing the importance of setting healthy boundaries and using it as a tool for positive purposes. The ongoing pandemic and lockdowns have highlighted the need for connection, making social media an even more crucial tool for staying engaged with the world.
Mindful Social Media Use: Prioritize self-care over social media validation. Mute negative accounts, set boundaries, and check in with yourself before engaging.
It's essential to be mindful of social media usage and the potential negative impact it can have on mental health. Comparing ourselves to influencers and constantly checking notifications can lead to feelings of inadequacy and overwhelm. To combat this, consider muting accounts that bring about negative emotions, setting boundaries like using the "do not disturb" feature on your phone, and focusing on checking in with yourself before engaging with social media. The Selfhood's "Check yourself before your notifications" campaign is a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing self-care over social media validation.
Managing Business Finances and Engaging with Audience: Using the right tools and platforms can boost productivity and growth. Find balance between technology and self-care.
Finding the right tools and platforms to manage your business finances and engage with your audience can significantly improve your productivity and growth. The speaker shared her experience with using Crunch, an online accounting service for freelancers, and expressed her mixed feelings towards Clubhouse, a social media platform for audio conversations. While she found some value in Clubhouse, such as discovering leads and connecting with like-minded individuals, she also felt overwhelmed by the noise and sales pitches. The speaker suggested adding a text box feature to allow for more meaningful engagement and dialogue. Ultimately, she emphasized the importance of finding the right balance between using technology to grow your business and taking breaks for self-care. So, whether it's through an accounting service or a social media platform, always be on the lookout for tools that can help streamline your business operations and foster meaningful connections.
Focus on a few primary social media channels: Maximize impact by concentrating on select social media platforms and tailoring content to each audience
While the hustle and networking opportunities on platforms like Clubhouse can be valuable, it's important to focus on a few primary social media channels rather than spreading yourself too thin. The speaker admires those who make the most of Clubhouse but also recognizes the potential dangers and the oversaturation of social media platforms. She suggests finding your audience and resonating with the vibe of each platform, using McDonald's as an example of a brand that excels at repurposing content for different social media channels. Additionally, she's excited about the potential of Spotify integrating a Clubhouse-like feature and sees it as a more convenient option for creatives.
Evaluating and cleaning up your followers list: Regularly evaluate and clean up your followers to maintain an engaged audience and improve reach. Losing followers is natural as you evolve and produce content that may not resonate with everyone, but focus on bringing in new followers who align with your brand or message.
Losing followers on social media is a natural part of growing an account, especially when you're trying to reach a specific audience. The speaker shared her personal experience of losing followers as she changed the focus of her Instagram content from being single and ready to mingle to working with creative women. She emphasized that it's important to regularly evaluate and clean up your followers list to ensure that you have an engaged audience, as inactive followers can negatively impact your reach. The speaker also noted that it's inevitable to lose followers as you evolve and produce content that may not resonate with everyone. Instead of being discouraged, she views it as an opportunity to bring in more followers who will appreciate and engage with her content. Ultimately, the goal is to have a loyal and engaged following that aligns with your brand or message.
Embracing change in social media and freelance work: It's natural to evolve in social media and freelance work, prioritize personal growth, health, and work-life balance, and remember that online presence doesn't define our worth.
Growth and change are natural aspects of life, including social media. It's okay to move on from accounts or relationships that no longer resonate with you. This can be as simple as unfollowing someone or as drastic as deleting an account. Personal growth may lead to a shift in the types of content or connections that appeal to us. Similarly, health and work-life balance are crucial considerations when making the transition to freelance work. For those with chronic conditions, like an autoimmune disease, freelance work can offer more flexibility and control over one's schedule and work environment, leading to improved management of the condition. Overall, it's essential to recognize that social media and our online presence are just windows into our lives, not reflections of our worth or identity.
Working from Home Improves Quality of Life for Those with Health Issues: Working from home provides flexibility, control, and accommodations for individuals dealing with health issues, leading to improved mental and physical well-being.
Having control over one's work environment and schedule can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals dealing with health issues. The speaker, who has an autoimmune disease called Crohn's, shares her experience of the challenges she faced while working in an office setting during her illness. She explains how the embarrassment and pressure to hide her symptoms led to mental health issues and the agony of calling in sick. During the lockdown, she started her own business and found that working from home, setting boundaries, and having the flexibility to manage her time and symptoms was a game-changer. She emphasizes that while things have improved in terms of workplace accommodations, the stigma around discussing health issues remains. The speaker concludes by sharing that, although it's hard to be one's own boss, the freedom to work in a way that accommodates her needs is worth it. She also acknowledges that everyone's experience is unique, and it's essential to find what works best for each individual.
Prioritize self-care for personal well-being and work quality: Neglecting health can lead to decreased productivity and lost clients. Set boundaries, manage time effectively, and focus on self-care to ensure you're at your best for clients. Personal experiences and activities outside of work can also help recharge.
Taking care of yourself is essential for both your personal well-being and the quality of your work. It can be challenging to prioritize self-care, especially when you're passionate about your career. However, neglecting your health can lead to decreased productivity and even lost clients. Setting boundaries and making time for rest are crucial. Remember, it's harder to take a day off for yourself than for a client, but it's necessary. When you're sick or tired, your work will suffer, and you won't be able to give your best. The speaker shared her personal experience of losing clients due to neglecting her health. She emphasized the importance of creating boundaries, managing time effectively, and focusing on self-care to ensure you're at your best for your clients. Additionally, she mentioned that finding activities outside of work, such as knitting, can help you relax and recharge. So, take care of yourself, and the rewards will be worth it.
Exploring hobbies for mental and physical well-being: Discovering enjoyable hobbies outside of work and screens can enhance mental and physical health, provide a sense of accomplishment, and offer relaxation and nostalgia.
Finding meaningful hobbies outside of work and screens can significantly improve mental and physical well-being. The speaker shares her experience with knitting, which has helped her reduce screen time, find joy in simple tasks, and cope with challenges through her mantra "this too shall pass." Knitting also brings her nostalgic memories and connects her to her family heritage. The speaker encourages listeners to explore hobbies that bring them joy and ease, even if they seem trivial or unconventional. Hobbies can provide a sense of accomplishment, relaxation, and overall wellness in the midst of life's challenges.
Embracing challenges and seeking support: During tough times, stay resilient and connect with resources like the Girls in Marketing podcast for marketing insights and community support.
Even during challenging times, it's important to keep pushing forward and seek help when needed. Jess shared her personal experience and emphasized the importance of resilience and reaching out for support when necessary. The Girls in Marketing podcast is a great resource for marketing professionals, covering topics from setting up your own agency to personal branding and influencer marketing. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the podcast community by leaving reviews, finding them on social media, and joining their Facebook groups. The podcast offers valuable insights and information, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in marketing.
