Who knew being a business owner would be so lonely? It’s not all glitz and glamour - there are hard lessons to learn and a shift in mindset that no one can prepare you for… Or can they??? Christina has met some truly engaging entrepreneurs who have amaz
In this episode, Christina delves into the critical topic of content marketing, addressing why many businesses struggle to see results from their efforts. Drawing from her recent blog post, "Why Content Marketing Isn't Working and How to Fix It," she emphasizes the importance of having a clear content strategy aligned with business goals. Christina discusses common pitfalls, such as creating content for the sake of consistency and over-reliance on AI tools, which can dilute the human touch in marketing. She offers actionable insights on setting clear objectives, understanding the target audience, maintaining consistent messaging, and diversifying content formats. KEY TAKEAWAYS Content marketing without a clear strategy is likely to fail. It's essential to align content creation with business goals and audience needs to avoid creating content for the sake of it. Utilizing a mix of content formats—such as blogs, videos, podcasts, and infographics—can help reach different segments of the audience and keep the messaging fresh and engaging. Outsourcing can be a valuable strategy for businesses that struggle with content creation. It allows access to expertise and creative insights, freeing up time to focus on core business activities. Establishing specific objectives for content marketing efforts and regularly measuring performance is crucial. This helps identify what resonates with the audience and allows for optimization of future content. Maintaining consistent messaging across all platforms is vital for building brand recognition and trust. Businesses should focus on a few core messages that clearly communicate their value and address audience pain points. BEST MOMENTS "Content marketing without a strategy is essentially a recipe for failure." "If you are just putting content out there to tick those boxes, then it ends up becoming a bit scattergun." "Outsourcing allows you to access people like me, the people that are in this every day, seeing what works, what doesn't." "Every bit of content should serve a purpose. It should be intentional." "Content marketing isn't working for many businesses because they're focusing on producing content, not the strategy behind it." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In this episode, Christina engages in a thought-provoking conversation with behaviour specialist Andy Baker. They explore the complexities of behaviour management, particularly in the context of neurodiversity, and how understanding behaviour as a form of communication can transform interactions in both personal and professional settings. Andy shares his extensive experience in the health and social care sector, emphasizing the importance of empathy and the need to approach behaviour with curiosity rather than judgment. KEY TAKEAWAYS All Behavior is Communication: It is crucial to understand that behaviour, whether it's a child acting out or an adult struggling, is a form of communication. Be a Detective, Not a Judge: Instead of jumping to conclusions about someone's behaviour, it's important to investigate the reasons behind it. The Importance of Self-Esteem: Many individuals, especially those who are neurodivergent, may struggle with self-esteem due to repeated negative feedback about their behaviour. Understanding Neurodiversity: Neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD, may process information and respond to situations differently. Flexibility in Expectations: It's vital to adjust expectations based on an individual's developmental level rather than their chronological age. BEST MOMENTS "The general premise is that all behavior is communication. I'm telling you something; I may not like the language you're using, but I'm communicating that at least I'm not happy." "Your response is your responsibility, right? Because we're the adults in that situation." "If I look at something like ADHD, one of the analogies I love for understanding attentiveness is like the bingo machine analogy. Some individuals with ADHD, their brain is like a bingo machine." "It's almost like I hate it when people say everyone's on the spectrum. I hate when people use the spectrum as an excuse." "If a kid doesn't know how to behave, then we should teach them. But there's still a philosophy there of sometimes punish them." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter Website
In this episode of the Christina Talks podcast, Christina delves into the concept of becoming a thought leader and positioning oneself as an expert in their field without coming across as egotistical. She discusses the importance of focusing on the value you bring to clients, highlighting benefits rather than personal accolades, and sharing success stories that build credibility. Christina emphasizes the need for authenticity, defining your niche, and using data to support your insights. By maintaining a genuine passion for helping others and continuously evolving, listeners can effectively position themselves as trusted advisors in their respective industries. Tune in for actionable strategies to enhance your personal brand and attract more business opportunities. KEY TAKEAWAYS Focus on Value and Benefits: Position yourself by emphasising the value you bring to clients and the benefits they receive from your services, rather than boasting about your own achievements. Share Success Stories and Testimonials: Highlight client success stories and let them share their experiences. This builds credibility and trust more effectively than self-promotion. Identify and Address Pain Points: Understand the challenges your target audience faces and provide actionable solutions. This positions you as a problem solver and keeps your audience engaged. Maintain Authenticity: Communicate your passion and care for your work. Authenticity resonates with people and helps build a genuine connection, making them more likely to trust you. Stay Adaptable and Evolve: Continuously learn and adapt to changes in your industry. Share new insights and experiences to keep your messaging relevant and dynamic, reinforcing your position as a knowledgeable expert. BEST MOMENTS "The more we can do this without selling, actually, the more business opportunity comes our way." "Talk about the benefits, not just your own experience. Share the testimonials. Let other people do the talking for you." "Authenticity is about communicating how much you care about something." "If you give them 75% of that solution, you are positioning yourself as the person that has the rest of that answer." "It's the passion that really positions you. And you've got to allow people to see that." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter Website
In this episode, Christina is joined by the dynamic Gary Das, a multifaceted entrepreneur, coach, and mentor with a wealth of experience in financial services. Gary shares his intriguing journey from temporary jobs to becoming a successful mortgage expert and business owner, highlighting the challenges he faced along the way, including the impact of the credit crunch and the importance of personal growth. Gary also discusses his innovative program, "Leads to Lifestyle," which emphasizes achieving balance in business and life through strategic planning and incremental growth. KEY TAKEAWAYS Recognizing personal responsibility in business challenges is crucial. Acknowledging that one may be the bottleneck in their own business can lead to significant growth and improvement. In industries like financial services, building a personal brand is essential. Clients prefer to connect with individuals rather than faceless companies. Implementing a seasonal structure for business activities can enhance productivity. By aligning tasks with the natural rhythms of the year, entrepreneurs can focus on strategic planning, execution, and reflection at appropriate times. Choosing the right mentor is key to success. It's important to find someone who has relevant experience and can provide actionable insights rather than just theoretical knowledge. Building a strong team with experienced individuals can free up time for entrepreneurs to focus on high-value tasks. Effective delegation is essential for scaling a business and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. BEST MOMENTS "I realized I was the problem... I can't continue to keep doing this. It must be me." "People still ring up and say, you know, I interviewed Neil Patel... and they expect me to do their SEO." "You need to have a stack of cash to be able to do it because I've bought 100 before and got no sales." "You're not paying me to be nice to you. I will care for you and I will love you, but you're paying me to get a result." "I think balance is one of those really tough things as a business owner and an entrepreneur that is hard to deal with." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In this episode, Christina shares her thoughts on the importance of recognizing that not everyone wants or needs your help, particularly in the coaching and marketing realms. Drawing from her experiences with coaches, consultants, and business owners, she emphasizes the significance of understanding your audience and targeting the right people with your message. Christina discusses the frustrations that can arise from ineffective marketing efforts and the necessity of focusing on delivering value rather than trying to convert every prospect. With a candid and passionate tone, she encourages listeners to engage in meaningful conversations, listen actively, and prioritize quality over quantity in lead generation. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's important to recognize that not everyone is seeking assistance or coaching at any given moment. Understanding this can help avoid frustration in conversations and marketing efforts. Effective marketing requires knowing your audience and ensuring that your messages are directed at those who genuinely need your services. Conducting market research can help identify the right target group. Focusing on generating a smaller number of highly qualified leads is more beneficial than trying to attract a large volume of unqualified prospects. When creating content or engaging with an audience, prioritize delivering value rather than pushing for conversions. Pay attention to the responses and feedback from your audience. This listening approach allows for a better understanding of their needs and helps tailor your offerings accordingly, rather than imposing solutions they may not want. BEST MOMENTS "Not everybody wants or needs your help... sometimes it's just not appropriate." "If you talk to everyone, you're talking to no one." "It's about targeting the messages. It's about being realistic when it comes to what we're putting out there." "I'm not hung up on converting everybody into a Christina fan... I do that based on trying to create valuable thinking points." "Start from a place of offering value. Don't try to ram what you're doing down everyone's throats." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In this episode, Christina is joined by Rebecca Shannon, who identifies herself as the "queen of heart-led leadership." The conversation delves into the essence of heart-led leadership, emphasizing the importance of leading from a place of empathy, vulnerability, and self-awareness. Rebecca shares insights on how to connect with one's inner leadership and make decisions that align with both the heart and gut instincts. They discuss the challenges many face in practising self-love and kindness, highlighting societal beliefs that often label self-care as selfish. The episode also introduces the concept of being a "time warrior," focusing on how individuals can shift their mindset around time management by prioritizing their intentions and setting strong boundaries. KEY TAKEAWAYS Leading from the heart involves connecting with empathy and vulnerability, allowing leaders to inspire and motivate others by being authentic and open. This approach emphasizes that true leadership begins with self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Effective decision-making should involve a holistic approach that includes the mind, heart, and gut. By physically connecting with these areas and seeking alignment among them, individuals can make more informed and heartfelt choices. The concept of being a "Time Warrior" focuses on how individuals can shift their mindset about time management. Instead of relying solely on tools and techniques, it emphasizes the importance of being intentional about priorities and commitments. Many struggle with self-love due to societal beliefs that prioritize caring for others over oneself. Practising self-love is essential for personal well-being and enables individuals to better support those around them Embracing vulnerability is crucial for effective leadership. It allows individuals to connect deeply with others, fostering trust and collaboration. Recognizing and addressing one's own needs is not a sign of weakness but rather a demonstration of strength and self-awareness. BEST MOMENTS "When we drop into our hearts and lead from there, something very different occurs, and we get more from ourselves and our lives than when we come from just up here." "I consider myself to be very much a heart-led leader... I've embraced that part of me that is an empathetic leader." "Our problem is not procrastination. Our problem is priorities. If my heart isn't in something, I haven't prioritized it." "If I love myself, I can love you more. But because we've been taught that that's not true, we love everybody else and then have nothing left for ourselves." "There's this fear of recognizing vulnerability as weakness, where no, it isn't. Recognizing that doing something about it, that is strength." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In this episode, Christina explores the importance of effectively communicating the experience of working with your business through social media content. She emphasizes the need to balance industry-related insights with the direct promotion of services and products. Christina shares practical strategies for showcasing behind-the-scenes moments, client interactions, and testimonials to build authenticity and trust. She also discusses the value of case studies and educational content in demonstrating expertise and creating emotional connections with potential clients. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's important to balance industry-related content that addresses pain points with content that directly promotes your services or products. Sharing behind-the-scenes insights, such as daily operations and client interactions, can effectively communicate the experience of working with your business. Collecting and sharing testimonials, especially in video format, can enhance credibility and trust. Highlighting client stories and their successes can provide valuable insights to potential clients. Detailed case studies that outline challenges, solutions, and specific services used can demonstrate the effectiveness of your offerings and showcase your problem-solving abilities. Sharing educational content, such as tips and insights, positions you as an expert while also illustrating how your services have positively impacted clients, fostering an emotional connection with your audience. BEST MOMENTS "Testimonials can work really, really well. And I think when you can capture them in that way, where there's a bit of joint value there, that's even more impactful." "It's not just about positioning yourself as an expert. It's not just about selling your stuff. It's about creating an emotional response in people. And let's face it, I would hope you do what you do because you love it." " 'Oh my god, like it actually works, you guys know your shit'. That's a direct quote, by the way." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In this episode, Christina interviews Kane Baron, an expert in the world of podcasting and a prolific member of Progressive Media. They discuss the journey of podcasting, the challenges new podcasters face, and how to make a podcast successful. Kane shares his personal experience of transitioning from a law degree to digital marketing and eventually into podcasting. He emphasizes the importance of consistency, building a back catalogue, and engaging with the audience through competitions and giveaways. KEY TAKEAWAYS Building up a back catalog of content is crucial to avoid running out of content and maintain consistency. Tying a relaunch to a specific reason, such as an anniversary or a special event, can help create momentum and interest. Hosting a competition or giveaway related to the podcast's target audience can incentivize listeners to engage and potentially convert into paying customers. YouTube is predicted to become a central platform for podcasts, emphasizing the importance of incorporating video content into podcast strategies. While AI content may be useful in the short term, it is expected to lose effectiveness over time, highlighting the importance of authentic and engaging content creation. BEST MOMENTS "The number one way to monetize it is selling your own stuff. It leads into your business 100%." "Podcast downloads are anonymous, so nobody can see it. So Apple charts is like the UK top 40, right? Every Sunday that you've released your top 40, there's some sort of credibility." "YouTube will be the future of podcasting for sure." "Rob wanted the benefit of the staff and people doing all the hard work and the difficult things with podcasting and social media for him. He just wanted to interview people he found interesting, and he wanted to make a living doing it. And then basically, in comes me, and he was like, oh, cool, you manage these things. And I'll go out on the road and I'll record all these podcasts." "I was struggling to make the time to sit down and record my solo episodes. I kind of, I felt like I'd peaked with guests and I'd had some amazing people on." VALUABLE RESOURCES Kane's Instagram Kane's LinkedIn Email: podcast@progressiveproperty.co.uk Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In this episode, Christina considers the power of asking the simple yet impactful question, "What can I do for you?" She emphasizes how this question shifts the focus from oneself to the person being asked, making the conversation more about them. Christina discusses how asking this question in various contexts, such as sales, marketing, and personal relationships, can lead to more personalized and tailored interactions. KEY TAKEAWAYS Asking "What can I do for you?" is a powerful question that shifts the focus onto the other person, making the conversation about their needs and desires. This question can be used in various contexts, such as sales, marketing, relationships, and even with family members, to show genuine interest in helping and supporting others. By asking this question, one can tailor their services or assistance to meet specific needs, creating a more personalized and impactful interaction. Acting on the answer received from asking this question not only feels good but also demonstrates authenticity and selflessness in helping others. Incorporating this question into conversations can empower the dialogue, create intentional support, and ultimately strengthen relationships and connections. BEST MOMENTS "What can I do for you? It shifts the focus from you to the person you're talking to. It makes the conversation about them." "If someone does something for me, I'm asking, you know, it's one thing to say thank you, but to follow that up with, is there something I can do for you?" "It's massively powerful. Business-wise, asking that question can just empower the whole conversation that you're having and is something I invite you to do." "It's so powerful in terms of building relationships with people, not just your clients, but all of your contacts, even with family members." "It's massively powerful. Business-wise, asking that question can just empower the whole conversation that you're having and is something I invite you to do." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In today's episode, Christina interviews Stewart Roberts, owner of Maia Kai, on the importance of understanding finances in business. Stewart shares his extensive experience in the back office accounts and funding side of recruitment for over 24 years. He highlights the value of non-exec finance advisory services for recruitment agencies and emphasizes the need for directors to have a solid grasp of their financials. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's crucial for businesses to prioritize understanding their finances from the very beginning. Hiring a non-executive financial director can provide valuable insights and guidance, even for smaller businesses. Monthly management accounts can help businesses stay on top of their numbers and make informed decisions. Outsourcing tasks like bookkeeping, accounting, and IT can be cost-effective and efficient for businesses of all sizes. Accountants should not only provide financial services but also actively help businesses succeed and grow. BEST MOMENTS "I think people think if they get these softwares it's going to actually eliminate the need of their accountant." "I always say to get monthly management accounts. I know a lot of people would say quarterly. I think monthly, really, you've got to know what your numbers are on a month by month basis." "I think that accountability piece is really important, especially in those smaller organisations, when there's no one to have those hard conversations with." "People don't understand things like VAT, corporation tax and things like that, so what they will quite often do is they'll look at their bank account and use that as a judgment on how successful their business is." "I've had some bad luck with accountants, right? And a big part of that was over-reliance on automation by the accountant without something strong enough on my part, as well as theirs, to make sure that where we were relying on automation, that things were getting picked up, checked." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In this episode, Christina shares her insights and experiences on how to secure speaking gigs and grow as a speaker. She refers to the importance of building a personal brand, networking with other speakers, and how this can help create opportunities for oneself. Christina discusses the value of offering unique and valuable content to event organizers, as well as the significance of starting small and gradually moving up to larger stages. KEY TAKEAWAYS Dedicate time and effort into building a personal brand to attract speaking opportunities. Sometimes you need to create your own speaking opportunities, whether in-person or online, to showcase your expertise. Deliver webinars and create video content to showcase your speaking abilities and attract speaking gigs. Reach out to event organizers, podcast hosts, and other speakers to build relationships and secure speaking opportunities. Begin with smaller speaking engagements and gradually move up to larger stages, investing time and effort in your speaking journey. BEST MOMENTS "I dedicated a lot of time and a lot of effort into building a personal brand. I looked for those opportunities to connect with other speakers, to see where they were speaking, to ask them about their contacts." "Sometimes you need to create your own stages. And again, I put a lot of time and effort into that." "So putting content out there of you on stage, of you presenting a webinar is one thing. Another way you can do this is actually just recording your video content." "Reach out to people with podcasts. Reach out to me. If you think you've got something of value to offer my audience, reach out to me." "Getting on those stages has brought me massive opportunity, has introduced me to some magnificent people and overall has helped me to grow my brand as Christina and also my business brand as well." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
Today, Christina speaks with Jeff Mask, a CEO coach. Jeff shares his personal experiences and professional insights on leadership, purpose, kindness, and self-awareness. Throughout the episode, Jeff emphasizes the importance of leading with love, being kind to oneself, and understanding that challenges are not as dire as they may seem internally. He also discusses the significance of finding one's purpose and being at peace with the past to create a fulfilling future. KEY TAKEAWAYS Kindness is not a weakness, but rather a display of abundant strength. It involves clarity, conviction, and love, allowing for difficult conversations and decisions to be made with compassion. Being kind to oneself is crucial for personal growth and well-being. It involves treating oneself with the same compassion and understanding as one would offer to others. Having a clear vision of the future helps in navigating through present challenges and struggles. It provides meaning to the obstacles faced and motivates progress. Leadership and love go hand in hand, with love being a powerful motivator for inspiring growth and change in others. Leading with love fosters trust, confidence, and positive relationships. It's important to remember that things are never as bad as they seem from the inside or as good as they appear from the outside. Every individual and business faces challenges and imperfections, highlighting the importance of self-compassion and perspective. BEST MOMENTS "I love to help CEOs confidently grow their business without losing their mind, losing their priorities, losing their soul." "The more at peace we can be with our past, the more we can create a great future." "Kindness isn't weakness. Kindness is abundant strength." "It's never as bad as it feels from the inside and never as good as it looks from the outside." "Kindness is clarity. Kindness is conviction. Kindness is love." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In this episode, Christina delves into the topic of achieving virality on LinkedIn. She emphasizes the importance of personal content, discussing trending topics, building an engaged network, timing of posts, and utilizing various content formats. Christina provides valuable insights on creating hooks to draw in the audience and shares practical tips for maximizing engagement on the platform. KEY TAKEAWAYS Share real photos, videos, and passion to connect with your audience on a personal level. Utilize trending stories on LinkedIn and mainstream media to create relevant content that sparks engagement. Connect with individuals who share mutual interests and potential business opportunities to increase engagement. Experiment with posting times to determine when your audience is most active and engaged. Utilize various content formats on LinkedIn, such as text-only posts, videos, carousels, polls, and articles, to keep your audience engaged and interested. BEST MOMENTS "LinkedIn's one of those platforms where people are kind of almost scared of it. And I don't know why, because it's no different to anywhere else." "Personal content is all about real photos, real videos, people seeing the whites of your eyes, the smile on your face, and being able to engage in you in that way." "If you are just constantly connecting, connecting, connecting, connecting with anyone and everyone, you're probably not going to have an engaged network." "Timing is another one as well. Pay attention to the timing that works for you. You will find there's particular times of the day, perhaps, or days of the week, where when you post those moments, that's when you see more engagement happening." "What's that first line of text in that post? What is that caption on that photo? When you are recording your video, what's the first line out of your mouth that people are going to see there?" VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In this episode, Christina interviews Neville Wright, a successful entrepreneur who started a business with just 37 pence and grew it to a value of £200 million. They discuss Neville's journey, from his struggles with dyslexia and ADHD to building a thriving retail business, Kiddy Care. Neville shares his own insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and the importance of creating a positive customer experience. KEY TAKEAWAYS Neville Wright's journey exemplifies the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset, where he started with just 37 pence and built a business worth millions by saying "yes" to opportunities and challenges. The focus on providing an exceptional customer experience was evident in Neville's approach to retail, where he emphasized creating a welcoming environment, offering assistance, and anticipating customer needs. Neville's emphasis on training and developing his employees, recognizing their individual strengths, and empowering them to take responsibility contributed to the success of his business. The implementation of systematic processes and procedures, from training employees to managing suppliers and customers, played a crucial role in the growth and success of Neville's business. Neville's ability to adapt to changing circumstances, embrace new technologies like online retail, and innovate in response to challenges highlights the importance of flexibility and creativity in business. BEST MOMENTS "I wasn't very good at school. That was one of the main drivers, I think." "Life's not fair. And yeah, so it got to rock bottom and I do think very often people are not low enough in a way or desperate enough to make a difference to their lives." "Forget I can't, focus on I can." "People forget the basics. They go to the seminar and they read the book and they listen to the podcast and they're going through all this shiny stuff and they forget the basics." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
In this episode, Christina discusses her hiatus and the overwhelming feeling of taking on too much. She reflects on the pressure she felt to keep up with the podcast, her main business, and other ventures, leading to a sense of failure. However, she shares a valuable lesson she learned about looking back at her journey and focusing on the next steps rather than the current obstacles. The host expresses her excitement to be back, ready to share intimate thoughts and insights with her audience. She teases upcoming guests who are either inspirational, motivating, or experts in their fields, promising to deliver valuable content that will resonate with listeners. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's important to recognize when you need a break and prioritize self-care to avoid burnout. Instead of focusing on current challenges, reflect on how far you've come since starting and the successes you've achieved. Break down tasks into manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed and maintain a positive mindset. Embrace the freedom of expression and ownership that comes with personal platforms like podcasts to share openly and authentically. Surround yourself with inspirational and motivating individuals who can trigger positive changes and growth in your own journey. BEST MOMENTS "I had not been recording episodes. I'd not been booking in guests. And the weeks had passed where I'd not published a podcast." "I felt like a failure. I felt the worst thing in the world, which was that I felt that I'd let myself down." "I forgot about all those successes. I forgot about the speaking gigs that I was booked for and paid for because someone had heard me on the podcast." "I looked at it as: I've got to record all these episodes. I've got to get all these guests. And that overwhelm just fueled that negative spin I had going on." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ https://twitter.com/christinamc80?lang=en-gb https://www.green-umbrella.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarobinson2/?originalSubdomain=uk HOST BIO Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!
Join host Christina as she interviews Martin Mason, a talent and diversity and inclusion specialist. Martin shares how he helps organisations improve their recruitment, talent, and D&I practices. They discuss the difference between diversity initiatives that are tokenistic versus intentional. Martin explains important but not yet mainstream concepts like social mobility and how organizations can remove unnecessary barriers to create more equity. He provides insights on how businesses can foster inclusive cultures through education, seeking diverse perspectives, and focusing on desired outputs. Martin talks about trends like neurodiversity and leveraging different talent pools. He also introduces his company's new tech platform, Talent Mapper, which helps businesses understand their existing workforce capabilities. KEY TAKEAWAYS Don't just do tokenistic activities for diversity - have the intent to create impact. Social mobility is about removing unnecessary hurdles for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Broaden recruitment outreach beyond top universities to increase diversity. Discuss desired outputs first, then work backwards to build an inclusive recruitment process. Seek perspectives from people different from you when making big decisions. Emerging trends are neurodiversity and tapping into wider talent pools through social mobility. BEST MOMENTS "It's not in the mainstream because people don't realize that they need to take some responsibility to fix this." "You've got to go to the right advisors." "The smart businesses are the ones that are seeing it as a long term investment, because if you can outthink your competition and innovate, then your business is sustainable." "Stay curious and educated. The more that you can keep your mind open and learn, the better it will be." VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
Get ready for a fun and enlightening ride with nutrition guru Dale Pinnock. Dale talks about his decades of experience in the nutrition field, simplifying healthy eating into practical lifelong habits. You'll learn the science behind anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric and oily fish, how certain mushroom extracts can boost brain power, and why quality supplements are key. Dale gets real about the declining state of metabolic health today and how we can start fixing it through proper nutrition education and cooking skills. Tune in to soak up Dale's expansive wisdom and walk away with simple, doable steps to eating healthier and living your best life! KEY TAKEAWAYS Simplify healthy eating into practical, lifelong habits rather than short-term diets Turmeric, ginger, and oily fish provide potent anti-inflammatory benefits Certain mushroom extracts like lion's mane can enhance cognitive function Quality is critical when choosing supplements for them to work effectively BEST MOMENTS "Quality is critical when choosing supplements for them to work effectively." "Turmeric and oily fish provide a powerful one-two anti-inflammatory punch." "You ask for what you want. Be discerning. Make the effort." "Just write what you wanna write. Otherwise what is the point." VALUABLE RESOURCES The Medicinal Chef Dale Pinnock website Dale Nutrition YouTube Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE GUEST Dale Pinnock, aka The Medicinal Chef, has been a nutrition expert for over 30 years. With 7 bestselling books and regular TV appearances under his belt, Dale has become a leading voice on simplified, practical health advice. His passion lies in creating lifelong healthy habits and dismantling fad diets. Dale's wisdom comes from hands-on client work, extensive research, and a genuine desire to help people live healthier lives. When he isn't writing or seeing clients, you can find Dale whipping up medicinal recipes packed with science-backed nutrition in his kitchen. ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter Website This show was brought to you by Progressive Media
“The Shari Teigman” is a performance coach and creative strategist who works with individuals to unleash their maverick in their life and business through being who they truly are. Shari joins Christina to discuss the vital importance of expressing your true self and why the journey to finding out and understanding who you are, who you have been and who you truly want to be is pivotal in creating your unique life and business and impacting on the world as a unique individual KEY TAKEAWAYS You can get lost in branding but you can also find in it yourself too, and when you ask, ‘Who am I?' there is a silent inner revolution and the realisation that you can't be anyone except yourself If you don't reconcile internally who you truly are, you can experience imposter syndrome, and struggle to find where you fit in There is justice and rebirth when you face who you think you are, who you've been and who you think you want to be over and over again There is the knowing and there is the habit, when we are expanding into learning how to think differently we are facing our primal habitual self We learn in a state of openness and do in a state of panic, go mode and excitement, we don't use the same parts of ourselves Leadership is connection and to connect you need to be vulnerable because you can't build trust without it No one else lives your life and knows how you feel so why would you ask everyone else's opinion about what to do next We can't change anything until we have space and perspective, when you have space you can see the difference and act differently You go on a ride knowing you have your self-leadership, how to ground yourself, manage your state and who to lean on and how to read your own clues and that all that needed in your toolbox You have to know what you are ready for, who you are and who you want to be before you look for a coach The reason we have those ‘not them' moments with the wrong mentors is because we are going to be saved by someone but you need to find out what you don't need, you learn by doing and undoing BEST MOMENTS 08:00 “Am I going to battle and have balls to survive or am I going to battle and have balls to drive” 11:49 “I'm so vulnerable and messy, I'm human, and I like the relevancy of knowing exactly what my clients feel like on a day-to-day basis” 17:53 “The environment you learn in is not the environment you do in” 35:12 “When we become more rich in our internal world and are intrinsically led all our interest in the world has a better pacing to it” 38:33 “Your greatest growth points are in the buckets you avoid and are not willing to go to on your own” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter Website This show was brought to you by Progressive Media
Jennifer Roblin is an anxiety coach, who specifically works with teenagers and young adults. After spending 30 years in the corporate world, Jennifer quit her job, realising her lifestyle wasn't what she wanted for her and her family. Jennifer joins Christina to talk about why she changed career and what drove her to work with young people. They also talk about what anxiety is, how it can manifest and how we can become aware of our own beliefs and behaviours and how this impacts others. KEY TAKEAWAYS One of the main things Jennifer enjoyed in her corporate role was big teams of people, she now realises she was coaching these people. Anxiety is evolutionary, the sole purpose of anxiety is to keep us safe, it's looking for danger all the time. The amount of information we as individuals have to deal with on a day-to-day basis in the modern world is astounding, this can have a profound impact on our levels of anxiety. Jennifer felt she could have the biggest impact coaching those under 25, changing their future but also having a positive impact on those around them including their parents. Jennifer also became more passionate about helping young people when her friends' son took his own life at just 19. There are different types of anxiety, including generalised anxiety disorder which impacts children on an everyday basis. Parents can imprint their own anxieties onto children, leaving a long-lasting impression on them. Children learn these behaviours at an early age and it becomes their identity and who they are. There isn't a one size fits all approach to coaching people through their anxiety, you have to figure out what motivates that person and what it is they want to achieve. Many of the approaches that Jennifer uses are about individuals realising and recognising their behaviours and what they can do to take control and influence their lives. Try and be more aware of the media you take in, for example with songs, ensure you listen to the lyrics. If we listen to negativity we take it on board. Ask yourself how you are feeling and stop and truly think about what your answer is and the words you use. BEST MOMENTS 04:15 “I realised there is such a job as coaching” 14:25 “Once you've proved to yourself you can do it, you can't ‘unprove' it” 17:20 “Children are so frustrated they're venting their anger in the family home” 20:01 “We don't realise how we are affecting the people around us” 49:20 “I just didn't have the words to label my emotions” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE GUEST Jennifer Roblin | Anxiety Specialist www.betteryourlife.co.uk ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
In this episode, Christina is joined by a woman she relates to on many levels and whom she holds a lot of respect and admiration for, an ‘absolute powerhouse of a woman' Dawn Willock. Dawn is a business owner who stands for truth and integrity in business. She talks to Christina about why this is important to her, how this translates into her business practices, and why peer support is essential to any entrepreneur or business owner. Dawn also talks about the importance of embracing change in business, why covid had some positive influences, her book writing process and even a story about DMing Russell Brand! KEY TAKEAWAYS Many are fearful of change, but it's necessary and is often how we make a name for ourselves in business. You have to get out of your comfort zone to make progress. Covid forced change, it pushed some businesses into the modern world. Those who had already implemented change effectively previously had an advantage over those who resisted it. You have to be bold and take chances to become successful, if you don't try things in the first place then you will certainly fail! You must weigh up the balance between your work and personal life. It's not worth doing everything 100% at work if your personal life is falling apart. Dawn fell out of love with her business which then impacted her energy, drive and passion which in turn influenced the metrics and health of the business. Your business challenges aren't unique, you have to be honest and then seek support and help. Masterminds can be invaluable for this. Book writing has been cathartic for Dawn and allowed her to feel joy in new and unique ways. She has written her book for her, if it sells well that's a great bonus! BEST MOMENTS 02:55 “Be brave, question things, fundamentally I stand for truth and that has been something that's been a gift” 07:34 “Those who were going to survive, were willing to change or had already changed” 12:40 “From a business perspective, not everybody is on the breadline” 21:40 “That's where the magic is, where you take 100% responsibility for yourself” 39:20 “Because I've given myself something with so much joy you don't mind the graft of work in the things that you don't necessarily want to have to do” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
Fellow podcaster Stephen O'Donnell has been in the world of recruitment for 36 years, including owning and running recruitment agencies before building a website and branching out into the technology side! He joins Christina to talk a little about his personal journey and why he has such a passion for utilising tech in recruitment. Stephen also talks about the role of AI as well as outlines the red flags to watch out for in tech! KEY TAKEAWAYS People often play down their expertise, especially in the UK. You need to recognise where your expertise lies and then share that with others. Stephen was drawn to the tech side of recruitment out of pure curiosity and then discovered his unique talent for it. Some tech can be utilised for almost instant results, but some take time to work, such as things that focus on marketing. There is some promising AI in recruitment right now, including tech where the system is learning from both candidates' and recruiters' behaviour and experience and matches them accordingly When you are looking at recruiting someone you don't just look at who they are and what they can achieve today but what you expect to get from them in the future and technology is exactly the same. Bear in mind which apps your customers will use, what you prefer to use or think is in favour might not be what your ideal client uses. You don't want to spend time and money developing your product onto apps they will never use or convert on. BEST MOMENTS 05:05 “I want to be known as someone who knows what they're talking about within recruitment” 29:07 “There are some technologies I'd expect to make an immediate effect, there are some that are gonna take a while to pay dividends” 30:57 “It was one of those, this is gonna change everything moments” 41:49 “Just because something can be done, doesn't mean it should be done” 51:16 “I'm never ever working on the launch of an app ever again” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
Steven Rothberg is the founder of college recruiter, a job search site. He believes that every student and recent grad deserves the right career and finding one should be easy and inexpensive for employers to reach them and this is what they facilitate. He joins Christina to talk about the current generation of people entering the workforce, who the winners and losers of AI and automation will be as well as the different approaches of businesses in regards to recruitment and progression. KEY TAKEAWAYS The current generation of students and graduates have more opportunities than ever especially in regards of flexibility, doing what they want when they want and where they want. Everything is going to be changed by AI and it will happen faster than most people realise. Universal basic income would not be as much of a far-fetched idea in a world filled with AI. In the best-case scenario, the world would become less about output and making money and more about fulfilment and purpose. As most larger organisations have many opportunities and specific graduate programmes, this is where most university and college leavers start their careers, whether they want to or not. Having a specific set of skills won't always serve you, being versatile and having more general knowledge can protect you in harder economic times, allowing you to be more flexible and avoid layoffs. It's good for a business to develop their employees but it needs to take into account that they are individuals rather than the ‘cookie-cutter' approach. One of the benefits of small organisations is that they are generally more nimble, meaning they can be flexible with the skillset of those they hire. If someone fits culturally they are more likely to hire them even without the required skills. Try and think of ways you can include and demonstrate your company culture in job ads, to ensure you attract the right candidates. BEST MOMENTS 07:21 “We're gonna know in a couple of years whether AI is going to be beneficial for most or just the few” 14:38 “We're going to get to a Star Trek workplace where people aren't going to have to work nearly as much” 20:28 “The vast majority of university grads go to work for large organisations whether they want to or not” 22:14 “People with more generalised skills tend to survive layoffs better” 35:19 “We try very hard to include in there a sense of our culture” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
David Roberts has successfully grown multiple businesses and is the host of the ‘People with Purpose' podcast, along the way he has learnt lots about business, life, relationships and purpose. He talks to Christina about finding your purpose and passion and why as a leader building an environment with psychological safety is crucial in creating a commitment culture where purpose and commitment are shared by all. He also discusses the powerful role of feedback in building rapport and trust in relationships KEY TAKEAWAYS If you can fill the start of your day with the highest priorities for you that align most strongly with your values then your day is starting well Write down what you love, what the world needs, what you are good at and what you can get paid for and try and do one of those things in your day Building rapport and maintaining rapport with others is about developing empathy and when you can openly give and receive feedback you are in a really strong relationship It's important to be open to all feedback but you don't need to act on feedback, it's a gift and you can decide what you want to do with it Knowing you're in an environment with psychological safety where you can be yourself and bring your best self to a situation is crucial People knowing they have psychological safety and that their emotional and mental well-being is being looked after and they are empowered to be able to make a difference to innovate, to be creative and to be themselves in what they are doing is what brings long term commitment Everyone has a story to tell and we can all learn from each other When you are trying to unlock your purpose use a story arc (awareness, reflection, create BEST MOMENTS 02:36 “What's been the most meaningful thing is seeing people achieve things they didn't think they were capable of when they started and that's what really floats my boat and what I really like doing” 10:56 “Having a focus on what you want is definitely the holy grail and the end game but understanding what you don't want so you can stop doing it is equally important” 20:17 “I open myself up to it, I ask for feedback all the time and it's so, so powerful” 20:45 “If someone feels they can trust you with what they really think then you've broken through a barrier and boundary that keeps people apart” 31:44 “The ultimate culture is where you have a commitment culture, everyone's aligned on the why and everyone is committed to working together” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
Russell White is a co-owner of a recruitment company after years of experience as a recruiter including working with a variety of FTSE 500 companies. Russell joins Christina to talk about his wealth of knowledge in the industry including what real inclusion in the workplace looks like, the demands on agency-style businesses and account managers and how the pandemic revolutionised how we work forever. KEY TAKEAWAYS Recruitment has evolved over the years that Russell has worked in the industry, it now has recognised value across industries Sadly Russell still comes across unconscious bias and attitudes towards people based on their race, age, neurodiversity and other traits. It's up to businesses to accommodate those who are neurodiverse in the workplace. Bias towards them or not understanding the differences can be a detriment to the company, being neurodiverse is a positive. Inclusion can look very different depending on the company and the employee, it's about looking at workers as individual people and recognising their needs, seeing them as part of the organisation. Making your people and employees feel part of something is a key element in creating good company culture as they will respect your company ethos, values and approach. Meeting people face to face is much more nuanced, the communication flows more freely and the conversations had are different and have a different energy. As a business owner you have to wear many different hats, you need to be analytical yet great at relationships alongside knowing all the moving parts of the business and its people. BEST MOMENTS 04:05 “[recruitment] Supported the life and careers of so many people who have gone on to help other people” 04:34 “You evolve the values of what a recruiter should be doing, for me it's very much about helping the individual whilst understanding the cultural ethos and values of a business” 12:33 “Businesses need to adjust how they talk to them [neurodiverse], the environments those people work in” 16:31 “Being neurodiverse is not a negative, it's a positive” 24:10 “It's all about making people feel part of something, your people will respect the brand, the organisation, the ethos, the approach” 41:26 “As a business owner I do feel like a bit of a chameleon at times” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
Darin Adams from Keap (previously Infusionsoft) joins Christina in this episode to talk about the strength and power behind AI and automation for businesses and entrepreneurs. Darin has shown people across the world how to run their businesses via the power of automation and how to utilise this to make their small and medium-sized businesses more successful. He talks with Christina about how he does this and shares the many benefits of automation and AI beyond just saving time as well as defines why no one needs to feel worried or overwhelmed when integrating these tools into their business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Small businesses and entrepreneurs often fall into the trap of thinking they need to do everything themselves but automation is one of the best solutions to this. Automation isn't new, it's just being talked about a lot at the moment. Keap actually started using automation over 20 years ago. People are often intimidated when they hear the words automation and AI, but it's simply because people don't understand it. You don't have to automate from start to end, you can break processes down and automate parts of it, this alone can save you a lot of time. To make a business successful you need good processes and structures, automation can aid you in doing this. Automation and AI aren't just about saving time, the benefits go way beyond this. Sometimes we can get too focused on various new tech when instead we should be focusing on one thing at a time and making it work for us and our business. If you can use automation to compile and validate the right data you can then use this to aid your strategy, marketing and follow-ups. It's actually a benefit of being smaller when start to integrate automation and AI into your business. If it is just you, you build the systems first before having to teach anyone else. BEST MOMENTS 02:17 “If you can automate things you can grow your businesses without manually having to do it” 05:47 “If it's a technology we don't understand and it feels overwhelming to us…it seems intimidating” 09:58 “Just find one or two things that you're crap at the things that you can just streamline and maybe get the most amount of impact from the smallest investment” 14:16 “If you want to build a business that has value you need to build structure, you need to have process, and that's all automation is” 17:35 “There are so many benefits beyond saving time” 45:10 “They've looked at the data but they haven't read the data, they haven't understood the data, they haven't taken intelligence away from it” 50:39 “If you get it right, the urgent things on your to-do list are presented to you” 53:53 "It's [AI] so flexible, we just need to get started with it" VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
Nishi Patel is a fellow podcaster and specialises in helping businesses with their cashflow management and getting their pricing right, which is even more important in the current economic crisis. He joins Christina to talk about his approach to business and marketing, including how he created his business as well as budgets, podcasting and mindset. KEY TAKEAWAYS Focusing on content creation has allowed Nishi's company to build interest and generate leads for a part of the market that didn't exist. Results take time, there is always a delay of at least six months in marketing. A mindset shift was necessary for Nishi to transition from simply accountant to becoming a marketing director. Marketing is an investment, not a cost. Surround yourself with the right people with the same mindset as you. Content creation and the social media age are the new gold rush. The podcast space is still growing. Nishi likes to compete where others aren't competing as you get better growth, and this is why he is focusing on podcasts. The more time people spend with you the more they trust you which is why podcasts are a unique vehicle for developing relationships with potential clients. Build a referral strategy, it's an essential way to generate strong leads. Marketing is important but you have to spend just as much time on your offering. BEST MOMENTS 06:32 “The results you get today are the benefit of what you put in place 6 months ago” 11:02 “That's the bit that really got me down about marketing, is the amount of money we wasted to get it to work” 18:11 “You spend money on marketing, your business gains value” 25:38 “Content creation is the goldrush, social media is the vehicle” 30:25 “There's no hype you can generate that with override a weak offering” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
As entrepreneurs, we can't underestimate the importance of health, both physical and mental and Lauren Lepley joins Christina in this episode to talk about exactly how we can prioritise it. Lauren is a multiple business owner including a wellness centre she also coaches and mentors people around strategizing them as a human, to better themselves and their business. She joins Christina to talk about all things wellness including the importance of sleep, finding out the things that count for you and gives tips and advice on what we can do to make a difference in our health to impact our lives and business. Christina and Lauren also talk about aligning your people, clients and business relationships with your vision and goals and why it's ok to say no. KEY TAKEAWAYS When it comes to business, there are a few things we need to prioritise staying on top of and one of them is our health, both mental and physical. If we can be the best version of ourselves, recognise our weaknesses and utilise our strengths then we can create better businesses too. The world itself is simple, the only thing that complicates it is human beings. If you can only do one thing for your wellness and commit fully to it, then focus on sleep as it impacts everything. Sleep is how our body regenerates, including our brain. There is often a domino effect for health and wellness. As individuals, we have one element or habit that then impacts everything else, for the better. For Lauren, eating well is the thing that keeps her on track and dictates her sticking to other good habits. Lauren doesn't believe we should think of life as being balanced, as it gives the illusion that different areas should be equal and this is never the case. Instead, we should think about things as being ‘blended', that we blend them alongside each other to suit our needs. If we aren't living in alignment with our needs then we won't be living in our flow state, we will feel out of control and overwhelmed. You need to have someone you can talk to, who is in your corner, whether that is a friend, coach or mentor it is vital. Be authentic and unmasked whenever you engage, communicate and talk with people. Just be you and stay true to your vision, values and mission and the right people will find you. You need the bad times and negativity to feel and be positive. The lows have to come with the highs. There is nothing bad about saying no and turning clients down. You need to recognise when you can't work well with someone. Think about if you are the right person for the job as well as if they are the right client/partner for you. BEST MOMENTS 03:28 “I work with people on their health, their psychology to help them become better for themselves and that makes their business better” 03:40 “Whenever there is an obstacle with in business, a human has created it” 07:22 “The way you feel today is dependent on the way you slept, it always starts with sleep” 16:22 “People say listen to your body, it's quite a hard thing to do and then your head gets in the way” 27:28 “To be in flow is a complete control state, overwhelm is a lack of control” 31:08 “There's so much pressure to always be Instagram filtered, to live that trailer life that we forget, rewind, that I'm human” 41:15 “Things don't happen to you they happen for you” 45:10 “I work with as many people as I say no to” 46:43 “It doesn't take a lot anymore for someone to say they are a coach which is a sad thing because it's such a powerful place to be in” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
Cliff Spolander, CEO and founder of Business by Design talks with Christina about the importance of having an exit plan in place right from the very beginning He explains the importance of working on financial, personal and business plans to make sure that you can successfully operate your business with effective strategies in place that mean you are prepared for the future and can exit well, whenever this happens KEY TAKEAWAYS It's a flexible framework that people can use to understand where they are from a business personal and financial perspective A successful exit is when the personal and financial plans of the business owner are met Exit planning is a good business strategy and by removing the emotion you can view the company realistically Its understanding the objective of the seller looking at it through the eyes of the buyer If you are going to sell what are you going to do next Most people start with a vision but can find the business all-consuming resulting in the business becoming their identity For the majority of people, their business becomes their baby but around 50% will end up being forced out People exit for a variety of reasons but the key is to be prepared and have a plan in place BEST MOMENTS ‘I'm getting a double buzz of building something helping people in the business world and it's kicking off cash that I can give away' ‘Over time the owner's identity can become completely wrapped up in the business' ‘Exit planning is like insurance you hope you'll never have to use it in a bad way but should life throw you a curveball you are prepared for it' RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE https://www.businessbydesign.co.uk/ https://www.thesmarterexit.com/ VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SMEs since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
Richard Osborne Founder and CEO of the Business Forum Group talks with Christina about the emotional rollercoaster of being a business owner and how being part of a community with other business owners with shared experiences makes such a positive difference In a time where being a business owner is more accessible than it's ever been, hear about the key elements you need to get in place and why building the right team is so important KEY TAKEAWAYS It's a human need to want to be part of something and belong There is a shift in drivers and values when you start a business and you can end up feeling isolated UKBF takes people who all have shared experiences and brings them together These communities are a massive support for small business owners and their mental health Small businesses are small teams, they are micro families and you can't not get close to people Being a business owner has become more accessible and the pandemic resulted in a huge increase in e-commerce-style businesses There are more people starting up in business but education doesn't include any of the necessary aspects of starting a business BEST MOMENTS ‘You spend more of your time with the people you work with than your spouse and children' ‘There is no education about starting a business' ‘There are more people starting businesses than ever beforeABOUT THE GUEST Richard Osborne is the founder of UKBF, the UK's largest and most active community for startups and small business owners. He also founded Business Data Group which, among other things, is the UK's leading company formations platform. You might also know Richard as the host of the DRIVE podcast, where he shares small business owners' stories and what motivates them to keep pushing despite all the odds. Christina Talk podcast Richard Osborne is the founder of UKBF, the UK's largest community for startups, and Business Data Group, developer of the UK's leading company formations platform. In this episode, we talk about the challenges Richard's faced, from overcoming a difficult childhood to scaling a community. VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
In this episode with Christina, she talks about the importance of having a distinct tone for your business when outsourcing social media and marketing activities, and why working on, and with, that tone throughout all you do is essential in remaining authentic and trustworthy to your audience. KEY TAKEAWAYS The more conversations you have with the people helping you with marketing, the more they can help you and your brand get your messaging right. Using something like AI for your copy can be a fast solution but you can also easily lose your tone of voice and with it, your authenticity. Think about the perception of the words you use with your audience. What words would you want your clients and audience to use to describe you? What values are important to you and your business, these will provide clues to what your tone of voice should be. Look at businesses in the same sector as you and what they are doing, there are lessons you can easily learn here, what is working for them? Can it work for you? BEST MOMENTS 02:11 “It's so important that you do it in a way that protects your sound, the voice that you have for your market” 03:11 Your tone of voice is how you say what you say, it's how you communicate your message” 04:27 “Think about how you communicate naturally when you talk with people, listen to how you speak” 07:20 “If we define our tone of voice we can define what we're not going to sound like as well” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media
Laura Perkes is a PR strategist, brand storyteller and the founder of PR with Perks. She joins Christina in this episode to talk about how she supports and teaches entrepreneurs and small business owners, what PR is all about in the modern world and also her most recent book How to Get PR KEY TAKEAWAYS Laura has over 18 years of experience in the PR industry and alongside her PR consultancy business, has also started to coach entrepreneurs on how to manage PR themselves. PR is communicating yourself and your message to your audience, to influence behaviours. In terms of marketing, PR is a ‘top funnel' activity as you are taking one message and broadcasting it to as big an audience as possible. If you are trying to get the attention of a journalist you need to put yourself in their shoes. Mainly you need to stand out to get their attention and do your research, this begins with the email title. Copy and pasting emails and responses are no longer good enough. You need to personalise it. Your audience isn't always where you immediately expect. Especially in the b2b world, not everyone reads industry press. You need to decide what you want your PR message to be. Then the next thing to do is to test it, testing it via social media is a great first step because it tests your audience too. When you are new to PR it can feel overwhelming. But you just need to focus on what you want to achieve and take it step by step. PR visibility isn't just about how you look, but about your message and whether you are being heard. Becoming visible isn't about volume. You don't have to post more on social media, you need to instead be intentional and purposeful with what you post; does it align with your message? BEST MOMENTS 01:20 “There's so much stuff that gets in the way of entrepreneurs knowing where to start, how to start [in PR]” 02:54 “Technically everything we're doing is PR” 05:07 “For me, PR is getting as many people into your business as possible the role of PR is done, we are then going to pass you over to marketing” 12:35 “Personalisation always works from a marketing perspective” 24:16 “Get your message down first and the best way to test your message is on social media” 40:28 "Everyone is born with a personal brand, you choose whether to leverage it or not" 42:30 "Be intentional, why are you there? What are you sharing [on social media]" VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ben Knight is the founder and head trader at Trades Tribe. The Trades Tribe was created from Ben's belief that trading should be so easy that anyone can do it. Listen in to learn all about all things trading and become more educated about investing for your financial future! KEY TAKEAWAYS When Ben started trading, he set out to look for a strategy that was quick, simple and collaborative. This is how Trades Tribe was born. Ben avoids day trading as that's one of the most popular strategies, he instead focuses on what he called ‘medium investing'. Christina's mentality around investing was that she could instead spend that money on something like horse racing. She feels like she might as well do trading and have a chance of getting a return. Ben advises that investing and trading should never feel like a gamble and it isn't a gamble if you have the right strategy. Money mindset affects how a person views trading and investing. You have to bear this in mind when working with them, to know what risks they will take but also how you explain and rationalise things to them. Time, risk and lack of self-belief are the three main deciding factors that are why people prevent or stop themselves from trading. Risk is such a large deciding factor on whether people invest because of two main reasons, one because of the number of horror stories out there and second because people don't have the right education around trading and strategy. Anyone can trade successfully in just 5 minutes a day using Ben's Strategy. Tap into the power of compounding, by reinvesting most of what you make Never invest more than you can afford, no matter how tempting it may be. BEST MOMENTS 03:07 “I invested a lot in my education” 09:30 “How the hell do you know what to buy, what not to buy” 12:17 “There should be no doubt in your mind when you know you're going to exit” 17:25 “Risk is one of the biggest reasons [people don't invest] because there are so many horror stories out there” 23:02 “It's taking something that's just so complex and just bringing it down” 39:47 “A good company to invest in will be dependent on what strategy you're using” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is a marketing mindset and what impact does it have on your results? Join Christina in this episode to find out the answers to these questions and why it's important to determine your clients' mindset before working with them. KEY TAKEAWAYS One of the key things behind your marketing, particularly in social media, comes down to mindset. Social media marketing won't bring you overnight success unless you are willing to put all the work in that's needed including time and money. Having realistic expectations and self-belief allows you to become more open-minded about what can be done to help you achieve the results you want. BEST MOMENTS 02:52 “When you really want results there are certain things you're going to have to do” 04:13 “ If we don't fix this mindset before we begin then we're going to be disappointed” 07:10 “We know this stuff works over a long period, not over a few weeks” 08:30 “Our mindset is this is going to work so we're open to all the ways it's going to work, open to all the results we are going to see” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do you need to build your email list, have you run out of ideas on what you can do? Join Christina in this episode where she shares over 20 innovative ways to build your email list! KEY TAKEAWAYS Sign up form on your home page and contact us page Make sure you have a call to action in your emails Allow people to sign up for content that they will only receive via email Create personalised sign-up options, and allow people to pick and choose what they want to be emailed about Put together a mini-course delivered by email Create a competition with an email opt-in Previews and teasers, incentivise people to sign-up to find out/hear more about something Collaborate with a business that serves the same audience as you and collect email addresses from their audiences too Reactivate ‘stale data' Create quizzes that give personalised reports BEST MOMENTS 05:19 “Now you've got their data, you can market to them” 13:07 “Who do you know who serves the same audience as you, the same ideal clients, maybe you could do guest blogs for each other” 13:46 “Think about collecting your email addresses when you're offline, things like old-school networking, giving your details seems like second nature but asking for theirs does not” 23:19 “Make sure all your systems are integrated correctly, so everything is tidy” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr Ikhenemoh is a GP, mental health specialist and author. He joins Christina in this episode to talk about how he found his passion for psychological health, what it means to have a mission in life and how you can help yourself, or others when they are struggling with their mental health. KEY TAKEAWAYS Starting medical school in Nigeria, Dr Ikhenemoh then spent some time in Russia, he left Russia for Holland where he continued his medical studies. ¼ people have an episode of depression in their life. Asking the right questions, in the right way for the individual, is essential when talking with an individual with mental health issues. Dr Ikhenemoh believes the word depression is often misused. All humans feel down sometimes, this is normal, but it doesn't mean you are depressed. In order to diagnose clinical depression, there are two questions you can ask a patient, if they have feelings of hopelessness combined with a lack of interest in life and they have been feeling this way for two weeks. There are conditions that can mimic depression, such as thyroid gland dysfunction, it's important to be able to distinguish when something physical is affecting a patient's mood. One of the upsides of the pandemic is that it lead to people talking more about mental health. It has become less stigmatised and more recognisable. Depression doesn't define the individual, Dr Ikhenemoh doesn't believe anyone was born to be depressed, he believes you have to find yourself outside of depression. You have to be able to recognise your own symptoms of low mood and/or depression. You can then start to deal with them, preventing spiralling. BEST MOMENTS 08:05 “We are all human beings; we can't be happy all of the time” 18:08 “Depression is not you, it's a state, it's a condition, it's not you” 22:30 “No human being should suffer depression” 33:50 “Every second of every day, I have the power, I have the control, I have the responsibility to choose my state” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christina is joined by Simon Leslie, an author and entrepreneur who founded and built one of the biggest Travel Media Companies, Ink Global. They discuss mindset, the severe impact of covid on businesses, how to rebuild after a major setback and more! KEY TAKEAWAYS Innovation was critical to Simon's business as both travel and media have continually and vastly changed over the past few decades. In tough times, you need to be united as a team. You need to recognise opportunities and stay focused on what you can do in difficult circumstances. The easiest way to build rapport is to ask questions and remain interested. It may take time for your message to hit a customer. It's about building trust and loyalty over time. We are all given opportunities every day, we just have to be able to recognise them and be in the right places, with the right people. People are focusing on the wrong benefits when looking at employment, what they should be looking at is whether the company is going to look at you as a human and invest in you as so. The pandemic has accelerated so many aspects of businesses, especially in marketing and advertising. In over 30 years of experience, nothing has ever stopped Simon from doing business, until covid. He recognised it wasn't his fault but it was his responsibility to deal with. If you find yourself asking multiple people a question, it usually means you're scared to make a decision and take action. BEST MOMENTS 09:58 “The only thing the person in front of you cares about is are you a good listener, do you understand what my problem is and can you help me fix it” 11:20 “At the end of the day if you want that conversion to happen you have to have a human involved” 18:34 “Every day we are presented with opportunities” 30:20 “Culture is everything, stop selling jobs, no one is selling jobs” 45:20 “If you ask yourself poor questions, you'll get a poor answer” 51:38 “You've got to get rid of the negativity in your life and find people who have done what you want to do” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE GUEST Simon Leslie https://www.luckyleslie.com Over the last few decades, Simon has learned one or two things about surviving – and thriving – in global business. His company, Ink, has helped some of the world's largest brands advertise across hundreds of airlines and airports worldwide, in media that's been translated into over 17 languages. As a leader, and a salesperson, Simon has weathered a few storms, and overcome some massive hurdles. The thing that kept Simon going throughout all the years has been belief. Belief in himself, his product, and his team. Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/There-Sales-selling-market-condition/dp/1916105106/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=no+f+in+sales&qid=1566911923&s=gateway&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Equanimity-Diary-Crisis-Simon-Leslie/dp/1916105130 ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A short but informative solo episode with Christina. Christina talks about how you can build your Instagram audience, the mistakes you might be making and some quick wins to help you in your audience-building journey! KEY TAKEAWAYS Think about what you want to get out of your Instagram before then focusing on your content. Look at the past 10 posts and stories you have been using, are you being authentically you? Can you see the people behind the brand? Engagement is key, it's not just about likes but people meaningfully engaging with your content. Can you ask questions or deliver content that invites people to comment and respond to your posts? Think about where your audience engages with you already, is it on your stories, your grid or are reels going to build your audience faster for you? BEST MOMENTS 00:45 - “Instagram requires a lot of effort and sometimes it feels like a lot of effort for not a lot of reward” 03:08 “We just have to be persistent…earn your audience, make it genuine” 05:55 “I know the things the people tend to engage with more” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christina joins Clare Davis on the Women's Power Hour. Clare is an expert on emotional fitness and she talks to Christina about all the things she has done and continues to do to work on her emotional fitness. Christina also opens up about the trauma and difficulties she had to face before developing her own emotional fitness and how you can work on yours too! KEY TAKEAWAYS Success is about how you feel, it doesn't have to be something big it's actually all about a feeling and this is what Christina is addicted to! Emotional fitness to Christina means awareness. Being self-aware of your emotional state, knowing when to take a break and having the strength to recognise what you need and advocate for those needs. Being able to say ‘I love you' to yourself is an incredibly hard thing to do. But when you can do it, it's so powerful. At age 21 Christina was doing really well, But just a few months later she had lost everything. This happened because her emotional fitness didn't exist. By her late 20s Christina had resigned herself to things just happening to her, she almost had a victim mindset. But in 2018 she decided enough was enough and she was going to change the course of her and her families life. Realising that her life wasn't supposed to be how it was, made her recognise that she had control over what happened next. Build yourself a support network that can recognise when you are struggling and help you with the tools to getting back to being emotionally fit! BEST MOMENTS 11:17 - “If you don't work on it, it will trap you” 13:13 “You kid yourself that you're such a failure that you have to do the next thing” 20:05 “That message changed, the thought in my head is my life isn't supposed to be like this” 20:58 “Sometimes you get out of bed and you don't feel right, that just being human, that's normal” 29:02 “When your emotional wellness drops, so does the self-love, so does your self-worth” 31:45 "We all deserve to put ourselves first, if we can love ourselves we can love other people" VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.novaassociates.co.uk/radio-shows Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After meeting at a charity event Christina has invited retired professional rugby player and Public Speaker George Chuter onto the podcast. It was during their conversation at the event Christina realised George had a wealth of wisdom, knowledge and skills relevant to business. Christina and George talk about George's career, the importance of strategy and instincts in decision making as well as why relationships and teamwork are essential to success. KEY TAKEAWAYS George never anticipated being a professional rugby player when he first started playing. The sport only became professionalised during his first year of University in 1995. George discusses with Christina how he has relied on his intuition during career decisions and following what makes him happy rather than strategy and planning. George outlines the transferable skills which being a profession sportsman has given him. These include the ability to connect with lots of different kinds of people, self motivation, discipline, confidence and learning to talk to people. What are the secrets to good rapport when interviewing people during public speaking? Since he has started doing interviews George has tried to create an open conversation. Know your subject but then just talk and try to get behind the usual stories. This creates a more engaging talk rather than hearing the same stories. The best advice George can give is just to talk to people. Step outside your comfort zone and make relationships with people. Taking the opportunity to speak with lots of different people brings lots of rewards, including making you a more rounded human and opening networking opportunities. Hard work is key. George explains how he wasn't the most gifted athlete but he worked hard to maximise himself to compete at the level he was at. In sport, like in business, reflection is key to success. Analysing what went well, what didn't and how to improve. Resilience and stubbornness to succeed is essential. Better athletes than George fell away while he rose to professional level. A great team has honest and open communication. George suggests the best coaches are able to hand over control to the team, this builds resilience and learning. Christina agrees and notes how her team will tell her when her ideas are bad as well as good which allows business to grow. She trusts her team to perform without her. BEST MOMENTS 15:40 - “The sort of things that are almost natural to sports people in general, but in my experience rugby in particular, are [also] priceless commodities when you get into a world of business” 33:45 - “If you want to be successful for a sustainable period of time you've got to work on your weaknesses” 34:32 - “Having a growth mindset, having the mindset of an elite performer because actually we're not focusing on the fact we didn't succeed in that moment, we're focusing on what we do to make sure we do it next time” 38.21 “I wasn't the best player by any means, certainly not the best athlete or anything like that but I had a bit of resolve and a bit of grit about me. Better players than me fell by the wayside and I ended up making a career out of it” 43:17 “Good teams contain good people, simple as that” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME's since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today's world, it doesn't matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter Website See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2022 has been quite hectic for Christina but exciting things are starting to happen now so Christina wanted to come back with a renewed focus to share her knowledge and expertise as well as what she has learnt from the great people she is surrounding herself with at the moment. When people first start in business, their website isn’t always their first focus. They can mistakenly think it’s something that will be expensive and time-consuming to organise but this doesn’t have to be the case at all. Listen in to this episode to hear Christina's 10-Point Marketing Website Checklist she created to help score her clients websites. KEY TAKEAWAYS When businesses are first starting, they just need something that will help them be found on google, will help reassure potential clients and somewhere that can generate leads. You can just think of it as a shop front but even then you should be making it work to help generate something for your business. A call to action is one of the first things Christina looks for on a website. The website should take her on a journey, with every click she is building trust with that brand. The call to action that is created should be the most logical next step which also engages them. When reading the website content, the individual needs to feel like they are being spoken to personally. Think about the language you are using on your website and how you can make the user feel like it’s aimed directly at them as an individual. News or blog pages are a great way to ensure people keep coming back to your website. Ideally you want to try and get people to come back every two weeks. This is a good regularity to have, it’s enough for google to pick it up without overwhelming your potential customers. It’s also a good tool to use and share on social media too. Make sure there is a lead generation capture on the website, for example a blueprint, guide, poster, quiz or even filling in a form to receive a freebie. If you can get data from potential customers, try and mix up the communication. For example, sometimes send an email, sometimes send a text message. People love sharing. On your high value pieces of content, include a share button! Always include your social media accounts on your website banner. Make sure your website is mobile friendly, always check it. Have a visible phone number, make it easy to find and also make it ‘click to call’. If people find it difficult to contact you then it creates a negative start to their interaction with you. Include testimonials on your site. You don’t need a specific section or page necessarily, you can simply scatter them through the web pages. One of the best ways to communicate your brand on your website is simply through images. The more visual your site is the easier it is for people to engage with the content that is there. Consider the variety of media you use on your website, can you add audio or video to make it more interesting and engaging to your potential clients? BEST MOMENTS 01:15 - “I’ve got some really cool guests lined up!” 05:27 “When I land on a website I’m looking for there to be a call to action” 08:15 “How can you make the content, how can you make the text on your website feel more personal?” 21:34 “If you can have one page where they are all there [testimonials], they probably won’t look at that page much but when you’re pitching, it can be really powerful” 22:49 “We need to use visuals to communicate the message of the brand” 25:29 “How can you make your website more interesting through the use of imagery, video, audio” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lisa Johnson is a successful business owner and coach. Lisa grew up in poverty and was bullied her entire life. She worked incredibly hard to build a career in an investment bank but it was when she had her twins that her perspective changed; this was the start of her journey to building a passive income. Listen in to hear all about her story and what it takes to run a successful business, how you can turn that into passive income and the personal development industry. Christina and Lisa also talk about how adversity fuels success, what needs to change in the business world and the importance of patience. KEY TAKEAWAYS Everyone in Lisa’s family had lived in poverty, she made a conscious decision to change the pattern. She could only do this by taking risks and making changes. She didn’t want the poverty to continue on to her boys so this is what she did. After turning her own business round into a success, Lisa found people kept asking her for advice so she decided to create a consultancy firm and teach people what she did! Unfortunately, although the business was successful, it was burning her out and she was working far too much. So, she began to consider different business models and then learnt about passive income. Having a tough life where you have faced adversity prepared Lisa for business. It meant she always found a way to do things and to make things happen. She continues to use adversity to fuel her fire in everything she does. It’s ok to use the negative things that happened to you to push you forward. You don’t learn from one person. You learn from many. Lisa understand that’s the strength in her business comes from her entire team not her alone. Not everyone’s measure of success is about money. It’s easy to lose sight of this. Patience in business is essential. It’s incredibly unusual to have success overnight, it takes time and hard work to make a successful business. Hurt people hurt people and Lisa recognises this. She was passionate about doing something to help both those who are bullied as well as the bullies themselves so she became an ambassador for Bullies Out. People think women can and want to do it all. But that isn’t the case for so many, women don’t want to do everything, they want help. BEST MOMENTS 02:20 - “I realised that I was going to have to leave that job that I had worked so hard to get” 05:10 “Business isn’t complicated, but people really make business complicated” 11:07 “There is always another way, there is a million ways to find a million pounds you just have to choose one” 28:52 “It’s definitely not passive in the first year, you’ll work harder than you ever have in your entire life” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE GUEST Lisa Johnson ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join Christina in this episode as she speaks to entrepreneur, coach, speaker and fellow podcaster Nick James! Nick has a growing business empire and contributes a lot to the world of entrepreneurship in the UK, through various means including his podcast Empire Builders and his own event company Expert Empires. Christina and Nick talk about entrepreneurship, Nicks own story and the importance and value of self-development for everyone. KEY TAKEAWAYS Nick was exposed to personal development and self-improvement from a young age. Nick’s mum was actually a trainer for Tony Robbins so it was no surprise that at just 12 years old he had a natural interest in events, coaching and self-development and by his late teens he was working for Tony Robbins himself! Expert Empires is Nick’s event company. It is the culmination of over 27 years of being in and around the world of personal development. It’s Nick’s version of giving people the best experience in self-development and building their business. When you surround yourself with the right people, those who have a growth mindset, the lessons you learn are huge. The best way to introduce your children to ‘alternative education’ is to be the best example of that education and what it can do. Education, information and self-development is more accessible than it has ever been. You can simply go onto Spotify or Apple Podcasts and find millions of hours of education for free. The success of Podcasting has changed the landscape of self-development and the information world. Christina compares events like Empire Builders to a retreat. It gives you time to stop the everyday, refocus and realign yourself to work on your own development, business development or both. You can take the time to work on your life rather than in your life. Everyone has at some level, limited beliefs. Whether that is what they can achieve in work, at home or even financially. You get what you believe you are capable at that point in time so it is so important to increase and grow your belief in yourself throughout life. The vision comes first the ‘how’ comes later. Make a decision and create the space for it to happen. Vision is made up of purpose, mission, and values BEST MOMENTS 04:33 - “I learnt about running amazing events from Tony Robbins all through my teens and early twenties” 13:09 - “You can get access to this information for free, so easily now. This is why I believe self-development is becoming more mainstream because it’s becoming more accessible through podcasts and social media” 33:36 – “I do believe that everyone has, at some level, limited thinking” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE GUEST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme. ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dillon is a philanthropist, economist, consultant and most of all, a humanist. He has so much love and understanding for the world and this alongside his passion for everything in life is why Christina was drawn to his message. In this episode Christina and Dillon talk about media, how the tech world is changing, the impact this is having, and will continue to have on our evolution as well as mindset and how we can all have a net positive impact on the world around us. KEY TAKEAWAYS We all learn from our parents, they and the trauma they have had often unwittingly gets passed down to us. Both Christina and Dillon are the children of refugees and this has shaped them in more ways than one. We all exist on a dual field of existence. Both the material and the metaphysical. Dillon believes having a true understanding of both is important for true and lasting success. When Dillon thinks of how humans should move forward, he thinks about evolution and how moving past the 5 senses is necessary to move the entire human species forward. Right now, we are stuck in living to own, living in our senses, in fear and in insufficiency. Facebooks shares and followers have dropped, could this be the beginning of the end for big tech? Dillon supports TikTok because it has created a true opposition to the giants such as Facebook. He welcomes change and the 'alternative'. It’s important to think about how world events, rhetoric and the media are linked. Are we playing into the hands of those who want to remain in control? Can certain things be linked and if they are, think about why? We are living in a shareable world. We need to protect ourselves in this sense but also, if you have something positive to share then you have a responsibility to do so. It’s not a numbers game, it’s a passion game. The more passionate you are about what you are talking about the more likely people are to listen to you. We can all have a net positive impact on the world by elevating our individual levels of consciousness. Moving away from compulsive actions, thoughts and behaviours and instead, monitoring how we are thinking and how and why we are behaving as we do. BEST MOMENTS 04:53: “If I was to label myself as anything, I think it would be a humanist” 15:14 “The highest good of all is defined as moving the species forward, on the evolutionary spectrum” 19:21 “TikTok might be the thing that has broken the mould” 28:04 “It’s like being on the cusp of a revolution” 39:46 “We live in a world where we expect things to happen quickly, not we live in a world where we expect the success we desire if we continue modifying the action” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Strategic partnerships in business is something Christina has been focusing on recently. When you are growing your business the options to increase growth can be overwhelming but what often gets overlooked is the value of strategic partnerships. Listen in to this episode to hear why! KEY TAKEAWAYS There are different types of strategic partnerships but essentially, it’s having an agreement with another to share resources and working together to reach your own goals. Having an alliance with a similar business to you can strengthen your offering to customers, deliver skill sharing and/or help you achieve your end goals quicker and more efficiently. As a small business, aligning and partnering up with other small businesses means you can give a better offering to your customers together. Especially if your market is quite niche. Strategic partnerships can allow you to be more innovative and bring unique prospects to your customers. To ensure you have a successful partnership you need to establish good communication, that everyone is getting what they want out of it, your values are aligned and being upfront about what you expect to happen. BEST MOMENTS 04:23: “That allows you to create things that are a bit more niche in some sectors” 08:36 “Innovation would happen quicker and it would probably be better in the long run” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christina talks to financial advisor, author and podcaster Doug Bennett. They have a conversation about the importance of goal setting, how you can make it an everyday part of your life. They also discuss managing clients, the value of joining peer groups and how you can benefit from a mentor. KEY TAKEAWAYS Doug was impacted by the global financial crisis and almost went bankrupt. This made him create some goals, leading him to him selling his successful business several years later, writing the book Goals Do Come True and creating a podcast! Doug’s first book was geared towards other financial advisors but he went on to rewrite it towards Entrepreneurs, so they could learn about everything they need to know to have successful journey: Think Simple, Win Big: How to Build the Business of Your Dreams With A few Simple Goals. If you can structure your goals in the right way then you can transform your life. This is what Doug is so passionate about, helping others actualise the lives they want and achieve their goals. Your subconscious plays a big part in making your goals a reality, this starts by writing them down. A simple task to start with this is to write 10 goals down every day for around 10 days, without referring to earlier entries. You will then end up with your very important goals left at the end of the 10 days, usually narrowed down to 2 or 3. When being an entrepreneur and running your own business, alongside goal setting, mindset is essential in creating and maintain your success. Especially in difficult or turbulent times such as during a recession. Finding a peer group can really help with this, being around likeminded people who can also offer you support. It’s important to recognise if working with a client is going to be the wrong decision. You need to learn to say no in a professional but honest way. BEST MOMENTS 05:15: “It’s such a bizarre journey that I have been on that has taken me to where I am today but it is all about goal setting, I think at the start of that I didn’t realise I was setting goals” 16:45 “Do I really want to expose myself and my vulnerabilities in this way?” 19:38 “For anything you do there will be a group of people, some of them behind where you are and some of them ahead of you, so find them, because you need someone likeminded” 26:03 “Go where you’re celebrated not where you’re tolerated” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE GUEST Doug Bennett Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Goals-DO-Come-True-Financial-ebook/dp/B08NK89FNR https://www.amazon.co.uk/Think-Simple-Win-Big-Business/dp/B09MYXXS88 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/goals-do-come-true-with-doug-bennett/id1530802197 ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you are in the marketing or business space you probably have something that needs to be launched! In this episode, Christina talks about how and why social media is the perfect tool to help you launch a whole host of things from a new business to a new product. She also talks about the three key elements you must focus on to enable a successful launch. KEY TAKEAWAYS Start to understand the process of launching. The first thing you need to do is think about your audience. Consider who your audience is and what things they would be interested in other than what you are launching. You can then use this to pivot your launch and ‘seed your content’. If you don’t have a lot of awareness around your product/service or much of an audience yet you may need to allocate a budget for ads. Having a pre-launch plan can make all the difference in whether your launch is successful. When creating your campaign, include a pre-launch plan and incorporate things such as hints and teasers. Your aim needs to be to build anticipation, excitement and get buy in. Focus on highlighting to your audience how you are going to help them, make it clear how your service and/or product will help their lives. Make sure you use the right social media channel for your product/service and ensure you integrate it with other forms of marketing such as email campaigns. BEST MOMENTS 02:52 “The last thing we want to do is go out there and shout about it to an empty room” 06:29 “They’re so caught up on perfection they don’t realise they need to ensure there is some kind of pre-launch plan in place” 15:57 “You want to make it really clear how you can help people, we don’t want to be aggressive, we don’t want to be blatant we don’t want to be tacky and we definitely don’t want to lose momentum” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/how-to-launch-anything-using-social-media/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christina and Richard Stone met at a business mastermind and after learning how many things Richard had a passion for in his life, Christina wanted to bring him onto the podcast. Richard owns and runs a building contract business, is a property developer, podcaster, public speaker, a mentor and a coach! They have a great conversation all about personal development, the need for diversity in the construction industry as well as the power of seeking therapy. KEY TAKEAWAYS Richard spends 30+ hours a week on personal development. It’s something he is passionate about but came across quite late in his career after being headhunted. He now believes that everyone always has more to learn and preaches the importance of mindset. Counselling is still not commonly talked about and discussed in the UK. Yet it can, and does, truly transform peoples lives. Richard has mentored and coached people that have gone on to run large and very successful companies yet his proudest moment was when he put up a social media video about why he had started seeing a counsellor. He helped many people that day reach out and do the same. People have a need to fit in and be accepted but a lot of this is based around our own personal trauma and needs. If we worry about what others think of us then we won’t ask the difficult questions or reach out of our comfort zones to achieve the best we’re capable of. You don’t need to know about building work to run a construction company, Richard believes what is actually important is that you know about people. There is a real lack of diversity in the construction industry, this can't continue. Richard is trying to change this by going into schools and educating young people about the construction industry as well as helping them recognise and realise their potential. Recruitment at the moment is a candidate driven market. There are a lot of skill shortages in many industries, especially construction. It is increasingly difficult for employers to get the quality candidates they desperately need. BEST MOMENTS 10:59 “The funny thing is I can actually feel in my body right now the feelings I felt on that day” 14:01 “Counselling in the UK is that thing that people don’t want to talk about…yet it’s one of the most powerful exercises” 26:28 “Working with young people at that level, they then start to understand that they are worth something, that people will invest time in them and you can then start to have conversations with them about what their potential is” 36:10 “I would rather have a harsh truth any day of the week” 48:49 “Go back to the very beginning and ask yourself who you really are” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/the-4ps-of-personal-branding/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christina spent some time between Christmas and New Year reflecting on the strategies and goals she had made for 2021. It made her realise why she hadn’t achieved some things but also what had produced and generated her successes of the year too. Listen into this episode to gain insight into what 2021 meant for Christina and the lessons she will be taking into 2022. KEY TAKEAWAYS The reality is, that Christina didn’t achieve everything she wanted to, but by doing this she allowed herself to put a ‘big tick’ against one of her main aims for the year; to not give herself a hard time. 2021 was again a very turbulent year, so much has been out of everyone’s control and Christina hasn’t been immune to this. Christina was able to pick herself up after some challenges but she has realised she didn’t follow one of her own pieces of advice, which is to realign yourself. Despite the many challenges in 2021 Christina achieved a lot, including winning entrepreneur of the year. This is in part, due to years of hard work and skills she has built into herself and her systems that are now subconscious. But it is also down to the fact she has stopped giving herself a hard time for what she hasn’t achieved and focused on her accomplishments too. Christina has 100% faith in herself and her team and she will be taking this faith and positivity into 2022. BEST MOMENTS 01:24 “One of my skills is making things happen” 04:51 “If we spend our energy giving ourselves a hard time for the stuff we didn’t do, sometimes we lose focus on the stuff that we did do” 08:25 “I’m not afraid to ask for help, I have a team around me that I have 100% faith in” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/the-4ps-of-personal-branding/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Christina talks to mentor, network marketer and mother of four Geraldine McGrath from Northern Ireland. Geraldine talks about her journey of personal development where she managed to overcome childhood pain, trauma, perfectionism and more by becoming self-aware. Listen in to this episode to hear how Geraldine achieved this and why she believes you have to make yourself uncomfortable and often endure painful truths to become your most authentic and best self. KEY TAKEAWAYS Geraldine was working in a family business of day nurseries but after baby number four she felt stuck and wanted to see what else was out there. She began working in network marketing and this was the start of her mindset change and self awareness journey. As a young child, due to illness, moving and then bullying, Geraldine realised her voice had been silenced. She had to do a lot of self-development and work to turn this around. She has been able to create her own self-awareness journey and harnessed something powerful within herself. If you are feeling stuck, you need to take some action, become uncomfortable and make change happen for you and your life, then the rest of the journey can begin. The world has changed a lot for families and women in the past couple of generations yet many of us harbour more traditional values, especially when it comes to working and motherhood, which can pile on the pressure. It can be hard to not take other peoples opinions on board and make decisions based on things that don’t serve us. Geraldine believes you should make decisions based on your gut, then your heart and then your head, so tuning into your gut and what it is telling you is key to living a fulfilling and authentic life. Procrastination is almost like a habit. By becoming self aware of her procrastination and how she created a narrative for it, Geraldine was able to change the trajectory of her life. Once we are grateful for what we already have in our lives, we are then ready to allow more things in and can create a bigger and larger life. Your inner voice is your daily narrative, what is it saying? If it’s negative, try and flip it. Once you are aware of your inner voice and what it is saying you can start taking steps to make it say what serves you. Your journey starts with you. Everyone’s journey to self-awareness is different and when and what that looks like will be unique but what is the same is the power of the self. BEST MOMENTS 03:15 “I was exposed to mindset, I had never heard of mindset, I have never heard of gratitude, it was all new to me” 05:30 “Sometimes you have to make yourself really uncomfortable to move yourself forward” 10:43 “You have to really step outside that comfort zone and make change” 23:10 “Self-awareness is one of the most beautiful gifts that we have in life” 37:28 “When we speak about perfectionism we are talking about low confidence, low self-esteem, people pleasing” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/the-4ps-of-personal-branding/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An inspirational and motivational episode where Christina interviews her second MBE guest, Alison Edgar. Alison is a sales and marketing powerhouse, she is also a speaker, mentor and bestselling author. Known to many as the ‘entrepreneurs Godmother’ Alison has worked with many start-ups including Dragons Den winners, right up to large corporate companies such as SKY and EasyJet. Alison brings her breadth and depth of knowledge to this episode and talks to Christina about women in business, her unique perspectives on sales and marketing and delves into the importance of mindset and ethics. KEY TAKEAWAYS Alison is an author of two bestselling books. Her first book, The Secret to Success, was based on the top performers and sellers of organisations, which most of the time was and still is women. Only 5% of all books on sales are written by women, even though at least 50% of sales are by women. Women sell differently, they have a unique way of building relationships and emotional intelligence and this is reflected in their performance. Standing out is great but you want to stand out for the right reasons. Alison believes that this can often be the difference between men and women. She doesn’t care about everyone knowing who she is, she is proud to be known for the right things: practical sales, positivity, authenticity and following through. Alison and Christina are both passionate about the concept of intrapreneurship: When you are in a job, working for someone, but you work and believe in the same way as an entrepreneur. A growth mindset is something Alison has always had, it is also something entrepreneurs, top performers and intrapreneurship have in common. It has made her hard to manage in the past simply because she always wanted to improve things and make change. Now, she is passionate about focusing on changing one person into an entrepreneur at a time: this is how you make significant changes in culture. People overcomplicate business. Sell more stuff, spend less money and make a profit. That’s the formula for success. Sales isn’t just a numbers game. Having time management, good data, great questions and effective processes can make an immeasurable difference to success. Sales and marketing are two separate entities. They need to be treated as such. Alison recognises that sometimes she will be asked to be on a panel to ‘tick a box’. But she doesn’t care, she just uses it to her advantage and as an opportunity and knows by the end she will have proved herself. Women have to go up there to show women that we can do just as much and more than men: when we get the opportunity, we have to take it to inspire others to do the same. BEST MOMENTS 01:52 “Every day, all I do is bring my best and give my a-game” 05:22 “It’s great to be a woman in a space that’s not overfilled with women, so first of all that’s a great differentiator” 14:59 “One of the key factors top performers and entrepreneurs have is a growth mindset” 19:49 “Females tend to make stronger leaders because they can get people to work with them, they can get people to be part of that journey” 38:07 “There are not enough female speakers out there, there are not enough diverse speakers out there” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/the-4ps-of-personal-branding/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christina has been working in a marketing role with recruiters with businesses since 2013, and she has found time and time again that clients, before coming to her, have been ripped off. In this episode, Christina talks about the misconceptions around cost, automation and technology in marketing services and what can be done to challenge this. KEY TAKEAWAYS Part of the problem is people often have the incorrect preconception that the cost of getting marketing or web design is a lot. So then when they are quoted high amounts they don’t question it. The more tech you have when it comes to marketing activity, the more things you have to consider and think about. If you ask for help, people will always want to help you. However, be mindful of where you get your advice from. Go to people you deem to be an expert on the subject you are asking for help about. BEST MOMENTS 01:01 “It’s heart-breaking because they hadn’t come to me first, they went to someone locally instead of looking for someone in their niche”02:52 “Don’t over-tech it”05:55 “We should only be investing in it when we actually need it”07:06 “Be really mindful of actually what advice you are taking on board where, everyone’s got a motive” VALUABLE RESOURCES Christina Talks Podcast https://www.green-umbrella.biz/the-4ps-of-personal-branding/ ABOUT THE HOST Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them! LinkedIn Twitter WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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