Focus on Local

In this episode of the Focus on Local Podcast, host Ellen Matis, of Hello Social Co., chats with Kate Kennedy of the Kane Area Development Center in Kane, Pennsylvania.Kate talks about a unique campaign her organization highlighted on social media and how it built community pride. She also talks about cross-promotion of businesses within a small town setting, and how businesses depend on each other. Each episode, businesses pose Ellen and “Ask Me Anything” question — their opportunity to pick Ellen's brain and talk more about social media marketing. During this episode, we talk about blogging — and how a blog can supplement your online presence as a whole + generate additional revenue for businesses or organizations.

In this episode of the Focus on Local Podcast, host Ellen Matis, of Hello Social Co., chats with Morgan Huey, owner of Backcountry Spine & Sport, offering award-winning chiropractic care in the heart of Happy Valley, Pennsylvania.Morgan talks about how her approach to chiropractic care differs from others, how she uses local and regional events to leverage her services, and what unique tactics she's using to reach her audience on social media. Each episode, businesses pose Ellen and “Ask Me Anything” question — their opportunity to pick Ellen's brain and talk more about social media marketing. During this episode, we talk about Tik Tok, and whether or not it's a good fit for her business. We also share some common mistakes when it comes to researching and utilizing hashtags for social media content. 

In this episode of the Focus on Local Podcast, host Ellen Matis, of Hello Social Co., chats with Stephanie Fost, executive director of the Habitat for Humanity of Centre County. In this episode, Stephanie talks about how the organization is widely known for some of its initiatives, but uses social media to highlight the lesser-known resources in the community: Like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  As a non-profit, Stephanie says "we have so much potential to do more good in the community and it would be impossible as a nonprofit to do what we do without the modest budget that social media allows for."Each episode, businesses pose Ellen and “Ask Me Anything” question — their opportunity to pick Ellen's brain and talk more about social media marketing. During this episode, we talk about what's next for Habitat for Humanity on social media ... and it involves trying out a new platform!

In this episode of the Focus on Local Podcast, host Ellen Matis, of Hello Social Co., chats with Mya Swires of Marie Lane Bakery based in Central Pennsylvania. — The bakery is a gourmet keto bakery owned and managed by her sister, Leah.In this episode, Mya talks about how being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder led the duo to adjusting long-time family recipes into a product that she and her sister could still enjoy. Now, Marie Lane Bakery sells products within five stores in their local region; and also ships products nationwide. Each episode, businesses pose Ellen and "Ask Me Anything" question — their opportunity to pick Ellen's brain and talk more about social media marketing. During this episode, we talk about encouraging customers to organically become brand ambassadors through social media and giving them the tools they need to do so right away.

In this first minisode episode of the Focus on Local Podcast, we're answering a local business owner's questions about social media marketing strategy!Bromlyn, owner of Bees Knees Coffee in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, asked how to successfully set up a calendar for social media posting.She said: "I love the idea of set it and forget it, I just don't know if having the same image for orders opening and closing is a good idea and what else to put in between the major scheduled posts."She also wanted to know if posting the same image for announcements for her business, like pre-orders opening and closing is a good idea.Find the answers to these questions and more in this episode. Make sure to follow Hello Social Co. on your favorite social network: @hellosocialco

In this episode of the Focus on Local Podcast, host Ellen Matis, of Hello Social Co., chats with Kim Cooney, owner of Cooney's Mountain Mustard based in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds. In this episode, Kim talks about how her product took off like wildfire as a result of support from her local community back in 2004, and how she's retained a loyal customer base over the course of many years since launching. Each episode, businesses also pose Ellen and "Ask Me Anything" question — their opportunity to pick Ellen's brain and talk more about social media marketing. When Kim first reached out to Hello Social Co. about being a podcast guest, she admitted she had a lot of questions about marketing and about social media in particular. In this episode, we chat about how to use social media to leverage your business on a beginner-level, and talk strategy and resources for businesses in the same boat. 

In this episode of the Focus on Local Podcast, host Ellen Matis, of Hello Social Co., chats with Karl Fisher, owner of Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Company based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. When it comes to Alabaster, this business was created out of a love for the concept of community. Karl talks more about that, and about how the business' marketing efforts have helped it grow over the last 10 years. Each episode, businesses also pose Ellen and "Ask Me Anything" question — their opportunity to pick Ellen's brain and talk more about social media marketing. In this episode, learn more about empowering your team to help your business post social media content. 

In this episode of the Focus on Local Podcast, host Ellen Matis, of Hello Social Co., chats with Becki Hollen. Becki is the co-owner of Lightning Bug Gift Co., a small business creating and selling small batch goods to show off local and Pennsylvania pride.Becki will share how she ended up doing business in a small town, the business' recently launched Brand Ambassador Program and more. Each episode, businesses also pose Ellen and "Ask Me Anything" question — their opportunity to pick Ellen's brain and talk more about social media marketing. 

In this episode of the Focus on Local Podcast, host Ellen Matis, of Hello Social Co., chats with Emily Boone. Emily has operated her retail boutique, By a Thread, online for a few years — but recently opened a brick and mortar shop out of a love and longing to be a part of a community.Emily will share more about how she scaled her online business using social media, how she made the shift to brick and mortar in the height of a global pandemic, and more. Each episode, businesses also pose Ellen and "Ask Me Anything" question — their opportunity to pick Ellen's brain and talk more about social media marketing. 

Picture a small town, any small town. Kids grabbing a scoop at the ice cream shop. A young couple browsing for renovation supplies and ideas at the hardware store. Families coming out of the movie theater or picking up something for dinner at the farmer's market. All these places and activities make a town what it is. And it's the local business owners who give the town its personality and charm.Hi, I'm Ellen Matis, and this is Focus on Local. I've always loved small towns. In my business, Hello Social Co., I use social media to help small towns and their local businesses grow.On this podcast, I'll share with you the stories of small-town business owners. We'll also take a look at how they use social media to take their business to the next level.