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Remember that catchy "Hey Mickey" song from the 80s? Much like that earworm, trending social media platforms grab our attention, dominate conversations, and then fade away. In this candid reflection, I share my personal experience with Clubhouse – that audio platform I recently rediscovered forgotten on my phone – and the valuable marketing lesson it taught me.

Small business owners waste precious time chasing every shiny new platform that emerges. From Clubhouse to Lemonade and countless others, we're often seduced by the promise of being early adopters and building massive followings. But here's the brutal truth – if your actual customers aren't on these platforms looking for solutions to their problems, you're simply talking into the void.

Marketing effectively isn't about platform-hopping; it's about strategic presence where your audience already spends time. Every social channel should have a clear purpose: driving traffic to content with opt-in opportunities that capture email addresses. Without this intentional approach, you're building on rented land with no way to maintain relationships when platforms inevitably change or disappear. Traffic without conversion is just vanity metrics that don't pay the bills.

Next time you feel tempted by a trending platform, ask yourself two critical questions: Is my audience actually there? And are they actively seeking the solutions I provide? Your marketing energy belongs where your customers are already looking for help, not where other marketers are chasing trends. Focus there, and you'll build something sustainable rather than exhausting yourself on platforms that will be forgotten faster than yesterday's viral dance.

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Ever feel like you're shouting into the void with your marketing efforts? This candid conversation cuts through the noise to address a fundamental question: Is your marketing actually reaching the people it's meant to reach?

Drawing from personal experience navigating family health challenges, we explore the crucial decisions business owners face when life throws curveballs. When you're in "mom mode" or crisis management, certain marketing activities inevitably slide to the back burner. But which ones can you afford to pause, and which require your consistent presence?

The truth is surprisingly liberating: not all platforms deserve equal attention. We dive deep into identifying which marketing channels truly matter for your specific audience. Rather than stretching yourself thin across every social platform, discover how to prioritize content delivery methods that don't require your real-time presence—podcasts, YouTube, blogs, email—where you can create in advance and maintain consistency even during personal challenges.

Most importantly, this episode offers practical guidance on setting healthy boundaries around what you share publicly. Some experiences can only be discussed once they've "scabbed over," not while wounds are still raw. By understanding where your audience actually consumes your content and focusing your energy there, you'll create more impact with less exhaustion. Ready to build a marketing strategy that works even when life gets messy? Listen now, and don't forget to apply for our upcoming Insiders Retreat in South Carolina this November!

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What does success really mean to you? Beyond the flashy headlines about seven-figure businesses and scaling rapidly, there's a more personal question that deserves your attention: Why did you start this business in the first place?

This episode challenges you to pause and reconnect with your authentic motivations. We're constantly bombarded with messages about growth and hitting financial milestones, but rarely encouraged to question whether these goals align with our desired lifestyle. Do you actually want to manage a team of people? Are you seeking the freedom to work just 10-20 hours weekly and take spontaneous vacations? Perhaps your business began as a passion project that gave you purpose, not necessarily a path to wealth.

Your definition of success might look dramatically different from the standardized versions we see on social media. For some, success means generating enough supplemental income for family experiences. For others, it's about creating impact and helping those who are struggling. And importantly, your answer today might evolve as your family circumstances and priorities change over time. The key is regular reflection to ensure your business serves your life vision—not the other way around.

Ready to align your business with your authentic goals? I'm hosting an Insiders Retreat this November in South Carolina where we'll create personalized 90-day plans for 2026. This immersive experience will help you bridge the gap between your business strategy and your true definition of success. Take this opportunity to ensure your entrepreneurial journey leads to a destination that genuinely fulfills you.

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Maya Ellis joins Jenny Melrose to reveal the essential framework for building a powerful personal brand that converts followers into customers. If you've ever wondered why some entrepreneurs seem to effortlessly attract clients while others struggle despite creating mountains of content, this episode holds your answer.

At the heart of Maya's approach is a profound truth: "People want to buy from people." She explains how the rise of social media and influencer marketing has fundamentally changed how businesses connect with customers, making personal branding more valuable than traditional corporate approaches. The human element builds trust—something that's amplified when audiences can see behind-the-scenes glimpses of your authentic life.

What sets this conversation apart is Maya's practical three-pillar content strategy that transforms random posting into strategic brand building. She outlines exactly how to create content that builds trust, generates leads, and drives sales. "If your content is not tied to a sales strategy, you're only going to have so much impact," Maya explains, challenging listeners to stop viewing selling as something negative and start seeing it as creating opportunities for others to achieve better results.

For entrepreneurs struggling to compete with larger brands, Maya offers unexpected but powerful advice: focus on relationship-building and exceptional customer service. The ability to provide personalized attention creates an experience that larger brands often struggle to match as they scale. This approach not only satisfies current clients but generates the referrals that fuel sustainable growth.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when discussing AI's role in brand building. Rather than fearing technology will replace authentic connection, Maya reframes AI as a tool that "magnifies who you already are"—making you more efficient at what you're already doing well but never replacing the human essence of your brand.

Ready to build a brand that genuinely connects with your ideal clients and converts that connection into sales? Download Maya's brand-building checklist and see how much you can transform your online presence in just 30 days. Don't miss this episode packed with actionable strategies to grow your influence and your income.

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Success in business begins with taking care of yourself. Drawing from years of mastermind facilitation, I've noticed a clear pattern: entrepreneurs who prioritize self-care consistently outperform those who sacrifice their wellbeing for their business.

Today, I'm sharing three powerful self-care strategies that form the foundation of sustainable business growth. First, get active—whether through morning workouts, walks in nature, or any movement that gives your brain space to reset. I share my personal routine of early morning weight training and how establishing clear boundaries around this time has transformed my productivity and mindset.

The second strategy focuses on intentional breathing techniques to manage stress and regulate your nervous system. From box breathing to the surprisingly effective practice of "blowing raspberries" before recording content (yes, really!), these simple tools help you stay centered when business challenges arise. Learning to calm your nervous system prevents the fight-or-flight response that clouds judgment and depletes energy.

Finally, I emphasize the vital importance of cultivating meaningful female friendships. Every entrepreneur needs supportive women who understand both business challenges and personal life stages—from raising children to navigating hormonal changes. These connections provide crucial sounding boards and prevent the isolation that often accompanies entrepreneurship.

Start implementing these practices weekly until they become natural habits. Your business deserves the best version of you—centered, supported, and physically well. Ready to take your business strategy further? Applications for our exclusive Insiders Retreat are open now, where we'll create personalized 90-day plans in an intimate, supportive setting. Don't wait—spaces are filling quickly!

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Ever wondered where your workday really goes? That nagging feeling that time is slipping away despite your busy schedule might be more than just a feeling. 

Through a revealing time audit using tracking software, I discovered the uncomfortable truth about my productivity—I wasn't nearly as focused as I thought. The data showed hours disappearing into social media scrolling, aimless email checking, and other digital distractions that masqueraded as work. This reality check became the catalyst for transforming my entire approach to time management and business productivity.

Taking a cue from my teaching background, I developed a structured block scheduling system that revolutionized my workday. By assigning specific tasks to designated time periods—just like a school timetable with classes, breaks, and transitions—I created a framework that eliminated decision fatigue and minimized task-switching. More importantly, I learned to match high-value activities with my peak energy periods, scheduling creative work when my mind is sharpest and administrative tasks when precision matters most.

The results speak for themselves. This methodical approach to time management hasn't just improved my productivity—it's given me the clarity and consistency needed to achieve meaningful business goals. I challenge you to examine your own time habits through a similar audit. What patterns might you discover? How could strategic scheduling transform your results? Whether you're struggling with consistency or looking to accelerate your growth, understanding where your time truly goes is the first step toward reclaiming control of your business and your life.

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The paradox of entrepreneurship often lies in the tension between embracing business evolution while craving personal stability. In this candid episode, I reveal my deep aversion to personal change – from my husband rearranging furniture to shifts in my children's behaviors – while simultaneously thriving in the constantly evolving landscape of digital business.

This contradiction highlights a crucial insight for entrepreneurs: while we cannot control external changes in algorithms, platforms, or technologies, we absolutely can create internal systems that provide stability amidst chaos. My success in producing hundreds of podcast episodes across multiple shows isn't accidental – it stems from deliberately constructed consistency, carefully designed processes, and a commitment to scheduled creation that withstands the turbulence of industry shifts.

The secret to navigating change without becoming overwhelmed lies in quarterly planning. By establishing 90-day goals that inform your projects, tasks, and daily schedule, you create a framework that allows for both consistency and adaptation. This approach provides the perfect balance – structured enough to maintain momentum, yet flexible enough for regular review and adjustment as market conditions evolve. Ready to transform how you handle business change while maintaining your sanity? Join us at the Insiders Retreat this November in South Carolina, where we'll build your personalized 90-day plan for making 2024 your most consistent, adaptable, and successful year yet. Apply today to secure your spot!

Ever feel like you're crafting podcast content to please algorithms rather than genuinely connecting with your most dedicated listeners? You're not alone. The growing trend of private podcasting is revolutionizing how creators engage with their audiences, and it might be the missing piece in your content strategy.

Private podcasts offer what public feeds often can't—a space for raw, unfiltered conversations without the pressure of search optimization or mass appeal. As I share in this episode, my private podcast "Unhinged" lets me deliver quick-hit, actionable content three times weekly to subscribers who've raised their hands as my most engaged community members. There's no elaborate production, no overthinking the perfect hook—just valuable insights delivered directly to people who've already demonstrated their interest in my work.

The business model makes incredible sense for established creators. For just $5 monthly, my subscribers receive approximately 12 premium episodes packed with strategies they can implement immediately. But the real magic happens beyond the modest subscription revenue—these premium listeners are predominantly existing clients, email subscribers, and students who represent my ideal audience for higher-ticket offerings. My private podcast essentially serves as a trust-building pathway toward events like my Insiders Retreat, creating a natural progression for followers to become clients. And technically? It's surprisingly simple to implement with most podcast hosting platforms.

Ready to explore how a private podcast could transform your relationship with your audience? Listen now to discover exactly how I've structured my premium content, why my most dedicated followers love it, and how you might adapt this approach to your own business model. If you're intrigued by what you hear, you can always reach out via Instagram (@Jenny_Melrose) with questions—I'd love to help you imagine the possibilities for your own premium podcast strategy.

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As March progresses and Q1 draws to a close, it's the perfect moment to honestly assess your 90-day goals and recalibrate for success. Some of you are sailing smoothly past your targets, while others are wondering how those carefully crafted January goals vanished amid unexpected surgeries, family obligations, or sudden business opportunities.

This critical juncture isn't about self-criticism – it's about learning and adapting. Take a hard look at your Q1 data: Which strategies delivered results? Did you allocate sufficient time for key objectives? Were there tasks that consumed far more hours than anticipated? Most importantly, did you succumb to "shiny object syndrome," constantly adding new projects that derailed your original priorities?

My own business journey showcases the power of strategic pivoting. Though I began 2023 focused on podcast growth, I've since committed to YouTube for the next six months. This wasn't an impulsive change but a calculated response to evolving market signals. 

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Ready to future-proof your business? The secret might be simpler than you think. While many entrepreneurs focus on using AI internally, the real opportunity lies in teaching your customers how to leverage AI alongside your products and services.

Your audience is already using AI tools daily - my teenage daughters have ChatGPT on their phones and turn to it constantly. By acknowledging this reality and embracing it, you position your offerings as modern, efficient, and uniquely valuable. Whether you sell courses, memberships, workbooks, or coaching services, providing tailored AI prompts for specific activities creates an immediate competitive advantage.

Consider the possibilities: a play therapist offering prompts to help parents generate thoughtful conversation starters for their children, a productivity coach providing AI templates to streamline client workflows, or as I've recently done with my Pitch Perfect Pro program, creating a comprehensive AI guide that eliminates tedious brand research. These additions transform good products into exceptional ones by respecting your customers' time while still delivering your unique expertise.

The businesses that recognize AI as a complement rather than a threat will pull ahead in 2024. By incorporating AI guidance into your existing ecosystem, you're not replacing your value - you're amplifying it. Your customers get better results faster, and your products stand distinctly apart in the marketplace. What AI prompts could you create today to enhance your offerings?

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Fifteen years into my online journey, I found myself at a surprising crossroads: feeling like a complete beginner. After avoiding YouTube for over a decade, I finally committed to six months of consistent video creation—only to discover the very thing that intimidated me most was surprisingly simple.

The irony wasn't lost on me when my 11-year-old casually introduced me to CapCut, showing me how easily I could edit videos right from my phone. All those years of resistance melted away in minutes. This experience highlighted a powerful truth about content creation: our biggest obstacles often exist primarily in our minds. What seems insurmountable before we begin often proves quite manageable once we take that first step.

My current challenge lies in balancing content production with ongoing education. The digital landscape overflows with strategies, tips, and tactics—but consuming information can't replace the lessons gained through doing. That's why I've embraced "failure is feedback" as my guiding principle. Each underperforming video provides valuable data, directing my next attempt. Rather than waiting for perfect knowledge, I'm learning through consistent action, refining my approach with every upload. Whether you're new to content creation or a veteran facing an unfamiliar platform, remember that growth comes through practice, not perfect preparation. What area have you been hesitating to explore? Perhaps it's time to discover that, like me, what you've been avoiding might be simpler than you imagined.