DIY Marketing School with Melanie Dyann Howe

Marketing tactics may evolve with new platforms and technologies, but the foundational principles remain the same. In this episode, we dive into why trust is the cornerstone of creating lasting customer relationships. Learn about the "like, know, and trust" factor and how it shapes the customer journey. We'll explore the types of content that not only capture attention but also nurture trust, helping your audience move from curious observers to loyal customers. Whether you're experimenting with the latest trends or sticking to proven strategies, this episode will give you the clarity you need to align your marketing efforts with what truly works Helpful links mentionedQuickly Create 30 Content IdeasGet Over Your Fear of Live VideoCapCutOpus ClipChat GPTSupport the showLearn more from me on YouTubeConnect with me on InstagramGet a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link

In this episode, we dive into the power of preparation for your media content, especially when you're working live! Discover how separating your practical and creative tasks can help you reduce stress and show up with confidence. I'll walk you through my three-phase approach—Brainstorming, Planning, and Creating—to build your ideas, craft content, and go live with ease.Whether you're recording a video, going live, or creating social posts, preparation is key to a smooth and energized production. From batching content to setting up your studio, I'll share tips on preparing effectively to maximize creativity. Plus, I'll share my favorite apps—like ChatGPT, Trello, Canva, and Voxer—that make content creation a breeze. Ready to shine on camera or in your posts? Let's get into it!Another helpful episode to help you brainstorm ideas for your content checkout Episode 45: How to Create 30 Content Ideas in 30 Minutes  - Helpful apps I mentioned in this episode: Chat GPTAsanaTrelloGoogle DocsVoxerSupport the showLearn more from me on YouTubeConnect with me on InstagramGet a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link

We've all heard the saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” often credited to Theodore Roosevelt. But what if I told you it's not just stealing your joy—it's also stealing your progress? In this episode, we're diving deep into how comparison can sabotage not only your happiness but also your creative potential, your business growth, and your personal success.We'll cover:The pitfalls of comparing your journey to others—whether it's followers, revenue, or career milestones.The myth of "fancy"—why you don't need top-tier gear, a perfect studio, or polished production to make an impact.Avoiding the trap of mimicking online personalities and staying true to your authentic self.The dangers of obsessing over metrics and stats—don't let their full team overshadow your solo hustle.Plus, we'll share actionable strategies to break free from the comparison trap, like setting boundaries on social media and learning to be inspired, not discouraged, by others' success.Stop letting comparison paralyze you. It's time to own your unique journey and move forward, unapologetically.Support the showLearn more from me on YouTubeConnect with me on InstagramGet a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link

I'm diving into a topic that often feels overwhelming—marketing strategies. If the idea of a marketing or content strategy feels heavy or confusing, you're not alone! But here's the thing: it doesn't have to be that way. Today, I'm breaking it all down and offering a new approach—reframing your marketing strategy as a helping strategy. By shifting your mindset, you can create better, more aligned content that helps your audience and moves your business forward. I'll also be sharing practical tips, examples, and a simplified view of the customer journey to show you how valuable, helpful content can turn casual followers into loyal advocates. Let's make it easier, more fun, and way more impactful! Tune in and let's get to work. Support the showLearn more from me on YouTubeConnect with me on InstagramGet a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link

Whether it's creating content, making difficult phone calls, or facing those daunting to-dos, this method will help you get started and keep going. Melanie explains how setting just five minutes of focused time can break through your resistance to starting tough tasks and reduce the anxiety and dread that comes from putting things off. She also dives into how visualization techniques can help prepare your mindset for action. If you've ever struggled with getting things done or faced tasks you dread, this episode offers a practical, no-nonsense strategy to overcome procrastination and unlock momentum. Support the showLearn more from me on YouTubeConnect with me on InstagramGet a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link

You have gifts to share with the world, you know it, you feel it and it's inside of you. This podcast is going to help you make sure that you don't let your gifts go ungiven. Welcome to the podcast where we believe action is what creates courage, and embracing your authentic self is the key to success!I'm back! Season 2 of this podcast is officially launched and it's all about creating more courage (and more content) in your life and business so you can reach your dreams. If you've been here before, thank you! You are a huge reason I'm still here and relaunching this podcast with more depth, more motivation, and more action taking assignments. If you're new, welcome! I'm Melanie Dyann Howe and I'm here to guide you through the journey of creating courage to maximize your influence as you share you gifts with the world. "Don't Let Your Gifts Go Ungiven" - Melanie Dyann Howe  Support the showLearn more from me on YouTubeConnect with me on InstagramGet a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link

When it comes to building an effective content strategy, it's important to recognize the various options for video. Video is one of the most impactful formats you can create in modern day marketing. But, each format has a specific purpose. In this episode I explain how I feel about short form and viral video, pre-recorded video, and live video. Short Form - AttractVOD - Attract, Educate and ServeLive - Nurture, Build Relationships, and Gain TrustI break it down and also explain why I believe so strongly that everyone marketing themselves should be including live video in their content strategy. Links Mentioned in this Episode:Get a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner LinkJoin the DIY Marketing With Melanie Facebook GroupSubscribe to my YouTube ChannelMore Episodes about Live VideoSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

A common thread in business owners and online entrepreneurs is how often we can get stuck due to the sneaky voices in our head. Whether it be due to perfectionisms, fear of rejection, overwhelm, or overthinking - it happens to us all.I got inspiration to record this episode after talking things through with one of my great friends and amazing entrepreneurs who was feeling stuck.  95% of being stuck is in your head...your mindset. I've dealt with these challenges my entire time being self-employed and I'm grateful to be in a place where I can share some tips to help you get unstuck too. Links Mentioned in This EpisodeJames Hicks's YouTube ChannelB-Minus Work Episode on Amy Porterfield's PodcastMy episode about Sucking FirstSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Let's be honest here, growing an audience on social media, especially YouTube can take a lot of effort and time. You can potentially speed the process up with paid advertising but if you're on a tight budget, you might not be ready for that. I'm sharing 3 strategies that are proven to help you grow your audience organically. I've used these exact strategies to reach the coveted first major YouTube milestone of 1000 subscribers. These strategies all revolve around the concept of collaborations and virtual networking through interviews. You'll find new followers, but you'll also create a snowball effect for your virtual networking journey. Enjoy this Topic? Other Episodes You May Like:Episode 43: Seven Ways to Show Up OnlineEpisode 46: Five Ways to Get Bigger Results With Online NetworkingEpisode 41: How to Make it Easier To Create More Live VideosSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

It's easy to get caught up in the number of followers, the number of likes and comments, the number of downloads, the number of video views, how much revenue got deposited into your bank account, etc. The list goes on. These are in fact some of the ways we can measure our progress and success, but there are more ways we need to be fueling our journey to move forward as entrepreneurs.  In this episode, I'm going to share five new ways for you to measure your success.  Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Creating content on social media should have some strategy behind it. This is something we talk about a lot. One of the things you've probably tried to focus on is creating content the social media algorithms favor. I believe when we start putting the algorithms first, we're missing out on the most important piece of the puzzle...our audience. In all honesty, if you focus on creating great content that serves your audience, you shouldn't need to worry about the algorithms. If you need to get up to speed on what we're even talking about check out this previous episode about social media algorithms. https://www.melaniedyann.com/blog/episode-4-what-the-heck-is-the-social-media-algorithmSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

It's possible that creating a digital course has never even crossed your mind. But, here me loud and clear when I say, every business should consider adding a digital course to their revenue plan. We all have something to teach, and when you use an online course (e-learning) to help people learn new skills or work through a process you can make a greater impact without having to spend extra time in your business. Digital Courses make it possible for you to help more people than you can when you're trading time for dollars or only able to serve people in your local community through in-person services. In this very special episode, I interview the one and only, Amy Porterfield to talk about how you can start creating a digital course. You'll learn how to come up with a course topic, how to discover your next steps in creating a course, and you'll hear Amy's advice on how to overcome the fears you may have inside of you.About Amy Porterfield: Amy Porterfield is an online marketing expert and the host of the top-ranked podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy. Before building a multi-million dollar digital course business, Amy worked with mega-brands like Harley-Davidson and Peak Performance Coach, Tony Robbins, where she oversaw the content team and collaborated on ground-breaking online marketing campaigns. Through her bestselling courses and popular podcast, Amy's action-by-action approach proves that even the newest online entrepreneurs can bypass the overwhelm, and instead generate exciting momentum as they build a business they love.Links Mentioned in This Episode: Discover Your Personal Path to Creating an Online Course (Quiz)Get Inspired By These Amazing Course Creator TestimonialsSign Up For Amy's Free Masterclass (available for a limited time) "Five Little Known Mistakes "Most"  Course Creators Make and How To Avoid ThemMore of my favorite things from AmySupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

I think just about every entrepreneur, content creator, or self-employed person deals with some level of perfectionism. Some more than others. We strive to be great, even the best, at what we do. When it comes to marketing ourselves it requires us to stretch our skills and even develop new ones. Whether it be learning to write copy, design social media posts, record podcast episodes, create videos, design a website, we have to push through the feelings of "I suck at this" and publish it anyway. Start giving yourself the grace to start out a bit sucky. The sooner you get into action, the better you'll get at creating more content and doing more to support your growth. Another episode you might be interested in: It's not a pivot, more of a realignmentSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Showing up online either in your social media, on your podcast, in your blog, your videos, your emails should become a "way of life" in your business. But it's easy to let other things take priority. For example, you're super busy creating your course, or writing your book, or getting your new store ready...you don't have time to create content or show up online. Right? But, when we let other things put our online content on the bottom of our list, we're missing out. If you're waiting until you have something to promote to create online content, you're missing out on more customers, more sales, a bigger audience. Use your content to create a relationship with your audience so that when it comes time to promote something, they already trust you and are ready to BUY.  Get your Free 14-Day Trial of StreamYard's Professional Plan by visiting melaniedyann.com/streamyard and enroll on that page. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

The rules of social media continue to change and evolve as each of the platforms evolve. But, one rule never changes. You're in control and in charge of what you post. There are no cookie-cutter rules around whether you should share details about your personal life in your professional content. You get to decide whether you share personal info, how much, and how often. Determine your own boundaries but keep in mind there are some things to consider when you decide to open up your personal life to your audience.  Get your Free 14-Day Trial of StreamYard's Professional Plan by visiting melaniedyann.com/streamyard and enroll on that page. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Everyone goes through pitfalls, ruts, or even depression in their life and with their work. It's never as perfect as we wish or dream, but that's part of what makes you stronger. We hear these types of things throughout books, motivational speeches, inspiring podcasts, and everywhere else people are sharing entrepreneurial advice. This episode doesn't include a five-step formula to getting out of a rut, but it does include a piece of my own story, and hopefully, a little inspiration to help you if you're in that segment of your journey right now.Links Mentioned in this Episode: https://www.amyporterfield.com/2018/06/217/ Get your Free 14-Day Trial of StreamYard's Professional Plan by visiting melaniedyann.com/streamyard and enroll on that page. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Networking isn't a new concept to growing your business. But today networking involves connecting with people offline and online. When you network effectively you'll not only see growth in your audience but also your business as a whole. Effective networking creates opportunities for collaborations, partnerships, referrals, and of course new leads. In this episode, I'll share five areas you need to enhance to get the most out of your online networking so you can start to see the results you need. Links Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 16: Eleven Ways to Improve Your Profile PictureEpisode 43: Seven Ways You Need to Show up in 2021Mel's Instagram: @MelanieDyann Mel's YouTubeThe DIY Marketing School Facebook Group

I hope your 2021 is off to a great start. It's been a busy one for me. This episode is dedicated to my subscribers and loyal listeners. I appreciate you. I'm not going anywhere but wanted to just share how I've been approaching my own marketing with the hopes that it helps you too. 

Welcome to 2021! Another opportunity to look ahead and think, "what am I going to do differently to finally make the strides I want to make?" Well, sister, you're going to show UP! Don't sit around waiting for things to happen. No more waiting for the courage to arrive magically so you can finally take action. Your actions will create more courage. In this episode, I'm going to share 7 ways I want you to show up this year. I'm passionate about every single one of them and they are very much things you can start doing TODAY. So, do it. Pick one, or all seven, take action, and let me know about it on Instagram @melaniedyann Lets GO!Links Mentioned in this Episode:My Instagram ProfileEpisode 16: Eleven Tips for a Better Profile PictureFifty Ideas for Live VideosDIY Marketing With Melanie Facebook Group

Sometimes we just need a break. Either after a big launch, during the holiday season, or in the summer when things are supposed to be more chill (unless your business is boat rentals). All businesses are different and have different seasons of being busy and not busy. I believe in the power of taking a break or reserving time for yourself. Maybe for vacation, time with family, annual planning, or just simply breathing. But I don't believe in you taking a break in your digital marketing. I've done this, and it's not good. I want to share with you how to plan for the breaks and what to do so you don't lose momentum in your marketing. Links Mentioned in this Episode:DIY Marketing With Melanie Facebook GroupEpisode 4 about the Algorithm

Live video is powerful. Simple as that. But it's even more powerful if you do it on a regular basis! So why don't more entrepreneurs use live video more regularly? In my experience in helping people implement a live strategy, the reasons fall into two buckets. The first reason is that they run out of content ideas. Sound familiar? I give you some tips on getting over the limiting belief that you can't talk about the same topics more than once. But also, go grab my super helpful list of fifty live video ideas. The second reason is that the process of going live is because the set-up process hasn't been streamlined. I suggest ways you can create a dedicated space or process for going live so you don't avoid it. The goal is to make it so easy and simple that you can schedule your live video, or go live spontaneously. Links Mentioned in this Episode:Mel's List of Fifty Facebook Live IdeasEpisode: Eleven Tips for a Better Profile PictureDIY Marketing With Melanie Facebook Group

Have you ever feared that the market already has enough of what you offer? Do you sometimes look around and think, "There are SO many people teaching what I teach."Here's the deal. I don't believe in market saturation. I call it market awareness. If you were the only one offering what you offer, then it would be highly likely that you'd have to spend a lot of time educating and convincing people why what you offer is even needed. Instead, consider that because you're not the only one...there must be a need for it (this is a very good thing) and that people are looking for it (also a good thing). So, how do you go about making sure they buy from you?

There are many reasons I hear from people who aren't using live video. But bottom line, most of the time the reason people are using video in their business is fear. Fear of what others will think, fear of how they look, fear of making a mistake and looking foolish. Fear of technology. In this episode I'm using audio from a live Q&A I did inside of my Facebook Community. I wanted to share it here because I know so many people still have not embraced video in their business. Join the DIY Marketing with Melanie community. It's an open Facebook community for anyone in small business or entrepreneurship who is doing their own marketing DIY style. We'd love to see you in there. If you're looking for ideas for live videos, I have you covered in this free PDF that includes 50 ideas to help you get started.

Marketing 101 tells you that one of the key elements of any brand is the "voice." It's an huge part actually. Well, in the case where YOU are the brand your voice is even more important. If you're still trying to "find your voice," look no further because you already found it. It's not something you figure out or find. It's already part of you. You just have to decide how you'll let it out. I want to encourage you to let it out loud. The more you put yourself out there, the more you'll connect with your ideal customer. The more feedback you'll get which will in turn help you know what they need and want from you. When we stay quiet, we're leaving it up to the guessing game. Don't let your gifts go ungiven. Get out there.

Can you successfully market more than one business, product, or offer? I believe you can. While it might be easier to put all of your energy and focus into one area, there are situations that call for you to add something else to your mix. Perhaps you are multi-passionate and want to help people in multiple ways. Or, you're exploring your options and want to try a new product to sell. In this episode, I talk specifically about the network marketing world and how one could be successful in promoting separate products but the concept applies to just about anyone in business.

"If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you?" It sounds ridiculous, but maybe you should consider it. In this episode, I explain how important it is not to feel pressured to do what everyone else is doing in marketing. I also tell you that doesn't mean you should never consider jumping into the new platforms and trends too though. Sidestory...I recently DID jump off of a bridge because my 10-year-old daughter did. You can hear about that in this episode too.

Let's get to the point. Any brand can have a personality, and it should. Even if you're a product-based business, a brick and mortar, or bigger company you have a personality. At a minimum you and your people have personalities. In this episode, I'm sharing why it is so important that your brand has personality and why you need to put it out there. Keep in mind, the word personality doesn't necessarily mean high energy, fun and sexy. A personality can be calm, quiet, and simple...but how will we know if you don't put yourself out there. I also share a real example of a HUGE company that didn't put their personality out there and left it up to their competition to do it for them...in a not so positive way. Ever since they've been working hard to change the persona their competitor created for them. Links mentioned in this episode: Episode 31: The Four Dimensions of Your Personal BrandMac vs. PC commercial compilation

I'm calling this "bonus episode" a "gratitude episode." I'm so grateful for all of my podcast subscribers and DIY Marketing Facebook Group Members. Thank you for being here, and thank you for letting me take a short break this summer to take care of my kiddo and my business. Time to get back at it!

Heather Sager, joins me on the podcast to help you understand why we all need to embrace stages and speaking in our businesses. I know some of you don’t identify yourself as a “speaker” and you certainly don’t see yourself on a stage. But let me make a bold statement...we are all speakers, and we are all speaking on stages in both business and life. Before I lose you, it’s important to note that today’s “stage” isn’t just a physical stage you walk onto in front of hundreds or thousands of people. Today’s stages range from podcasts to live videos to Instagram stories to webinars to talking behind the counter of your brick and mortar business. The bottom line, if you’re in business you need a stage. After listening to this episode with Heather Sager you’ll:Get a better understanding of how to embrace the speaker already inside of you.How to find your stage outside of the physical stages in the auditorium.How to use stages to grow your audience.How to clarify and refine your message. Links Mentioned in this episode: Heather’s most downloaded episode: “How to articulate your thoughts so others can understand them”Check out this amazing free resource from Heather as well: 5 steps to speaking on stages https://www.heathersager.com/5steps

A thriving coffee business with two locations. When the pandemic hit, Zeteo Coffee owner Jon Mitchell knew he needed to make some shifts in his business and his content. Temporarily closing one location and laying off his entire staff meant Jon had to step out of the office and get behind the counter, and the camera. In this episode, I talk to Jon and how he started using live video to stay connected to his loyal customers. The results are amazing and inspiring for anyone running a business. This episode provides a real-life example of the power that live video can bring to your business engagement. Doors close to the Facebook Live Bootcamp on May 8th at 5pm Eastern. Learn more at: https://www.melaniedyann.com/livebootcampLinks Mentioned in This Episode:https://www.zeteocoffee.com/https://www.facebook.com/melaniedyannhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DIYMarketingWithMelanie/

You have a personal brand. Regardless of whether your business is a "Your Name Dot Com" kind of business (for example someone like me). I have been talking "personal branding" since 2014 and I'm always amazed at how many people don't think they have a personal brand. We all have personal brands. In this episode, I share why I am so passionate about helping people understand more tangibly what makes up their personal brand. In a nutshell, it all comes down to living your life authentically in order to have the right relationships (both personal and professional). I know a lot of people struggle with "defining" their personal brand. So, I break it all down into the four dimensions that make up our personal brands. Our RolesOur StyleOur ValuesOur StandardsThis episode is really "off the cuff" and I did it without any notes. I just hit record and talked from my heart. So often I hear people say they don't like social media for the fear of being judged. Good news and bad news....you're being judged regardless of whether you're putting yourself out there or not. So, why not get clear on your personal brand and let it shine? Creating content is a lot easier when we are being our true authentic selves. I promise. Listen and let me know what you think. Links Mentioned in this Episode:Why You Need People in Your Content StrategyDIY Marketing With Melanie Facebook Community

I believe just about everyone should be using Facebook Live or some sort of live video. You can now go live on just about all of the popular social media platforms and we're starting to see more people embrace this incredibly engaging way to create content. I'm still an advocate that even if you just go live with your phone, you'll get bigger results. BUT, I would like to encourage you to take it a few steps further and enhance your live videos with a few tactics. I want you to know, these are not super tricky, do not require ninja skills or super fancy expensive equipment. These are some simple (VERY DO-ABLE) things you can do that go a long way to increasing your organic reach, and engagement for your live videos (which is the ultimate goal). I talk about each of these enhancements in detail on the show, but you can also see them in action on this special page I created about StreamYard which is the tool I recommend for these enhancements. Check it out at https://www.melaniedyann.com/streamyardLinks Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 7 How to Embrace Facebook Live for Increased EngagementEpisode 4 What the Heck is the Social Media AlgorithmFifty Facebook Live IdeasStreamYard Resource Page

In this special episode, I talk with fellow entrepreneur, Krystal Proffitt about podcasting in 2020. Not only is Krystal one of my business buddies who is on my Voxer speed dial, but she’s also a fellow podcaster who happens to LOVE helping people start, launch, and market their own podcast. We got together and talked about why we feel just about anyone can create new opportunities for their business with a podcast, and 2020 is the year to do it. A few things we cover in this episode. It’s actually easier to get started than most people thinkPodcasting doesn’t require perfection with high-end studio equipment or soundA few ways that audio content is different than other forms of content such as video and blogsKrystal covers a few of the basic needs and requirements to get started including tech and softwareHow long it takes us to produce and market each episodePodcasting gets easier and easier the more you do itPodcasting provides opportunities for people including guest appearances, speaking engagements, featured articlesThe types of businesses that should create a podcast If you want to make fart noises on podcasts, go for itOur goal with this conversation is to help anyone on the fence about starting a podcast to get off the fence and GO. Our other goal is to help raise the awareness of how valuable podcasting can be for just about any business, so even if you’re weren’t considering it before, we hope you will now.“This rocket ship ain't slowin down” - Krystal ProffitA Little More About Krystal: Krystal Proffitt is the host of The Proffitt Podcast - where entrepreneurs learn how to start, launch, and market their podcasts. She also teaches the basics of content creation, editing, formatting, and other skills through her digital courses and YouTube channel dedicated to podcasting. She lives just outside of Houston, TX with her husband, 3 sons, and their snorting Boston Terrier, Wall-E.Krystal recently opened her membership community for people looking to take their podcast from idea to creation in a shorter amount of time. To learn more, go to ThePoddyPeople.com.You can stay in touch and follow Krystal here: Social: @KrystalProffittTXYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/krystalproffittPodcast Bootcamp: https://krystalproffitt.com/podcastbootcamp“The Proffitt Podcast": https://krystalproffitt.com/podcastJoin the DIY Marketing with Melanie Community

With more and more people working virtually these days, I wanted to share a few tips that I've picked up over the years. Working from home can sound fun at first, but this isn't a snow day. When working from home, there are a lot of things that can limit productivity. Environmental things, and mental things. So here are a few ways you can ensure you maintain (or even increase) productivity while working virtually. Get up on time or close to the same time each day.Get clean and get dressed each day (don't stay in your PJ's).Keep moving throughout the day.Create a semi-permanent work-space.Keep in touch with a community (peers, colleagues, friends).Use video whenever possible to stay connected.Get a system in place for workflow and managing tasks.Whether you're a business owner, or you work for a company, working from home requires some structure and discipline. I hope you find these quick tips helpful and maximizers to your productivity. Links Mentioned in this Episode:TrelloAsana

Word of mouth marketing is not dead. It just looks different today than it did before all of this online marketing hootenanny came into play.So what does word of mouth marketing look like today? It looks like it used to, but it also includes online reviews, check-ins on Facebook, people tagging you and your business, people sharing their experience with you in their own social content and stories (just to name a few). So, how can you foster this type of activity from your communities and customers?Show up and be helpful in your communities, especially Facebook GroupsCreate a customer experience worth talking aboutBe memorable in how you delight your customersTake the time to recognize people advocating for your businessProvide exceptional customer supportThese are just a handful of the ways you can be remarketable and foster more word of mouth referrals. I encourage you to think about your own customer experiences that delighted you. What can you take from that experience and apply in your own business?Links Mentioned in this Episode:Krystal Proffitt - https://krystalproffitt.comBobby Klinck - https://www.bobbyklinck.comEpisode 5 - The Real Reason We're On Social Media For BusinessEpisode 26 - Adding a Personal Touch to Your Communications

The business world can be a busy place. Social media news feeds get crowded, and sometimes it can feel impossible to actually create personal connections with your audience. I have a few ways you can add a personal touch to various ways you communicate. This includes responding to direct messages on social media, emails, and even text messages. In this episode, I share how you can use audio, video, and handwritten notes to stand out and make your people feel extra special. This makes you more memorable but also enriches the connections you're making. Links Mentioned in this Episode:Dubb Video App - Get 10% off. Episode 10 - Create an Encouragement BankDIY Marketing With Melanie Facebook Community

By now you're probably hearing the buzz around marketing guru land. The buzz is about LinkedIn and how it's been a sleeping giant that has woken up. You've probably heard how it's like Facebook before the algorithm made it merely impossible for anyone to see your content organically. Well, my friend, the buzz is real. I've been using LinkedIn for years and in 2019 I really noticed some major shifts in who was showing up in the platform. It's not just a B2B place for people to find jobs anymore. Today, I'm going to share why these LinkedIn myths need busted. So I'm busting them! Myth #1: Your LinkedIn profile is just an online version of your resume.Myth #2: LinkedIn is for finding a new job, or recruiting new employees.Myth #3: LinkedIn isn't for "my" business because I'm not B2B.Myth #4: I can't be my true self on LinkedIn because it's too stuffy and corporate.Myth #5: It's just a bunch of people trying to sell.Myth #6: I can't be interesting on LinkedIn because the platform is just so boring.Listen and learn why each of these LinkedIn myths is BUSTED! Links Mentioned in this Episode: My LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-dyann-howe-99696315/LinkedIn Workshop: https://www.melaniedyann.com/linkedin

I use this phrase, "Leading with the Negative," to describe all of those times we point out something we're feeling insecure about before even giving anyone a chance to notice it themselves. "Oh, I haven't even washed my hair today." "You'll have to excuse how gross I look right now, I just got out of the gym.""I've been crazy running around so haven't even had a chance to put myself together today." I see it all the time. As women, we so often point out negative things before we begin giving our message. I see this on Facebook Live videos, Instagram Stories, and even when people go on stage and start a presentation. In this episode, I'm sharing how common this is, and why it's so important that we stop. You've got to embrace how awesome you are and stop letting the negative B.S. distract people from your gifts.

When it comes to social media, Facebook Live is one of the best formats to engage with your audience. Even here in 2020, when you research social media strategies or trends, you'll see live video as a highly recommended tactic for your 2020 social media strategy. So in this episode, I'm going to share four (actually 6) tips to help you ensure you're getting started with Facebook Live in the best way you can. Let's do this. Links mentioned in this episode: Episode 7: How to Embrace Facebook Live for Increased EngagementFifty Facebook Live IdeasLogitech Webcams Mentioned:Logitech 922 from supplierLogitech 920 from StaplesJoin us over in the DIY Marketing with Melanie Facebook Group where I share bonus training using Facebook Live.

Today let's help you get into action. I'm sharing four mindset shifts that will keep you moving forward and taking action so you can make progress in your life and in your business. These will help you get unstuck, keep moving, and GSD (get Sh$t done). The concepts I share in this episode I learned from Brooke Castillo, Marie Forleo, and Mel Robbins. They can be used individually, but they are best used together. Links Mentioned in this Episode:Amy Porterfield Podcast - Episode 217 with Brooke CastilloFollow Melanie on Instagram

Project Management is kind of my jam. I spent 12 years managing projects and programs that were valued in the multi-millions before I became self-employed. So naturally, when I started my business I carried over a lot of that experience for both my own business but in how I train my clients. Today I'm sharing the custom process that works for me to plan and manage my tasks. It's unique and built by me for me, but it might work for you too. Even if you don't use the apps or methods mentioned, I hope you'll at least use the approach. Here it is in a nutshell. The Approach is to first plan, then use a system to GSD (Get Stuff Done)Brainstorming (planning)Planning & Plotting (detailed planning)Weekly Tasks (GSD'n)Daily Tasks (GSD'n)Here are the methods I use for each of those phases. I use the app, Trello, to capture ideas during brainstorming. I then use Asana to plot the detailed tasks. What needs done, when it needs to get done, and who is going to do it. Each week, no later than first thing Monday morning, I pull tasks from Asana and write down in my trusty notebook what I'm getting done that week (in no particular order). Every morning before I do anything, I look at the notebook and write down what I will get done that day on a small index card and carry it with me everywhere. This system works for my equally left and right-brained personality as well as my Attention Deficit Disorder. Each method allows me to function best with the right mindset while mitigating distractions. It's not for everyone, but either way, I wanted to share.

Your social media is a way to begin building relationships with potential customers, and you do this by putting people in your content.In this episode, I'll share why we're so hungry for human connection and how you can stand out in the busy marketplace by showcasing people in your content. Links Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 7: How to Embrace Facebook Live for Increased EngagementFifty Facebook Live Ideas - Free Download

We spend a lot of time talking about small business marketing strategies and what you should be doing. However, there are also some things you should NOT be doing on your social media. In this episode, I'll cover five things you should stop doing, or vow to never do on your social media pages. Here is a quick snapshot: Don't badmouth peopleDon't get too personalDon't post about sensitive topicsDon't copy and paste other people's contentDon't make it all about you

It sounds simple, but social media is intended to be social. So what does that even mean? It means that to fully leverage social media for business you need to ensure you're having conversations. This comes into play by ensuring you're responding to comments, direct messages, and creating posts that foster conversation. And by conversation, I mean two-way conversation. It also means not taking more than you give. This is really important inside Facebook Groups. I'll cover all of this in this episode.

Dear Melanie, is it ok to cross-post my Instagram posts to Facebook? Mel, it's hard to find the time to create custom content for LinkedIn and Facebook and Instagram. Can I use the same posts on each one? This question comes up a lot in Q&A around social media whether it's at one of my own workshops, or at a social media conference. I wanted to use this episode to tell you, YES you can, but there is a better way than just using the Instagram auto-cross post feature. I'll share how you can recycle content from one platform to the other and get even more leverage out of it.

Your profile picture is a first impression, but it's also a way to maintain a lasting impression. When you're showing up online, it's important that you not only are authentic in how you post and comment but also how you look. This episode is not how to look pretty online, it's how to have an authentic profile picture that will actually help you connect with your audience. I've got eleven tips that will help you have a better profile picture.

Networking events, you either love them or you get sweaty palms just thinking about them. Attending meetups, conferences, network events, luncheons, fundraisers, and all of the other types in between come naturally for some. For others, they create stress and anxiety which can prevent you from getting all of the benefits out of the event. This episode is dedicated to all of you who want to put yourselves out there and meet new people even if it's sometimes the hardest thing for you to do. Maybe you're an introvert, maybe you're shy, or maybe you just lack self-confidence. Use these ten tips and strategies to help you push through the hard stuff and get more out of these amazing opportunities.

What do I mean by optimizing your marketing? Getting the most of your efforts, your content, and your social media profiles. Essentially, we want all of this marketing stuff to benefit us, not hurt us or cause us pain without the gain. We want bigger outcomes without bigger efforts. In this episode, I cover five areas where you can optimize your marketing. Improve how you organize and access your filesUtilizing hidden features of your social media profilesGetting more out of your core contentEnsuring your website is clearSave time in how you create your core contentLinks Mentioned in this Episode:Melanie's LinkedIn ProfileEpisode 8: How to Re-purpose Your Core ContentBuilding a Story Brand by Donald MillerDIY Marketing with Melanie Facebook Community