Podcast appearances and mentions of jenny melrose

In this episode, Jeff reconnects with Jenny Melrose to discuss how small business owners can stop trading their time for money by creating scalable digital products. They explore the challenges of solopreneurship, the importance of repurposing content, and the tools available for creating digital products. Jenny shares her insights on lead magnets, building an email list, and the power of AI in content creation. The conversation emphasizes the potential for small business owners to leverage their expertise and create income streams that work for them.Jenny MelroseTools mentioned:https://www.podia.com/https://www.canva.com/https://kit.com/https://chatgpt.com/www.claude.ai ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Best of LKNhttps://thebestoflkn.com/Hosted by:Jeff HammReal Estate BrokerCharlotte & Lake Norman (NC)https://lknreal.com/Support the show

If you've been in the blogging world for a while, you know how much things have changed—and if you're just getting started, you might be overwhelmed by everything you “think” you need to do. In this episode of the Ultimate Blog Podcast, Amy and Jennifer sit down with blogging and business coach Jenny Melrose to dive into the future of blogging and how AI can be a game-changer for creators.Jenny, who started blogging in 2010, has seen blogging shift from casual content sharing to strategic, business-building efforts. Now, as the digital landscape continues to change, one of the biggest shifts she's observed is the rise of AI- and she's here to help us wrap our heads around how to use it without losing our voice or authenticity.

Maya Ellis joins Jenny Melrose to reveal the essential framework for building a powerful personal brand that converts followers into customers. If you've ever wondered why some entrepreneurs seem to effortlessly attract clients while others struggle despite creating mountains of content, this episode holds your answer.At the heart of Maya's approach is a profound truth: "People want to buy from people." She explains how the rise of social media and influencer marketing has fundamentally changed how businesses connect with customers, making personal branding more valuable than traditional corporate approaches. The human element builds trust—something that's amplified when audiences can see behind-the-scenes glimpses of your authentic life.What sets this conversation apart is Maya's practical three-pillar content strategy that transforms random posting into strategic brand building. She outlines exactly how to create content that builds trust, generates leads, and drives sales. "If your content is not tied to a sales strategy, you're only going to have so much impact," Maya explains, challenging listeners to stop viewing selling as something negative and start seeing it as creating opportunities for others to achieve better results.For entrepreneurs struggling to compete with larger brands, Maya offers unexpected but powerful advice: focus on relationship-building and exceptional customer service. The ability to provide personalized attention creates an experience that larger brands often struggle to match as they scale. This approach not only satisfies current clients but generates the referrals that fuel sustainable growth.The conversation takes a fascinating turn when discussing AI's role in brand building. Rather than fearing technology will replace authentic connection, Maya reframes AI as a tool that "magnifies who you already are"—making you more efficient at what you're already doing well but never replacing the human essence of your brand.Ready to build a brand that genuinely connects with your ideal clients and converts that connection into sales? Download Maya's brand-building checklist and see how much you can transform your online presence in just 30 days. Don't miss this episode packed with actionable strategies to grow your influence and your income.Read more HERE.Support the show

Subscriber-only episodeAre you missing a massive opportunity to connect with your audience? The digital landscape has shifted dramatically, and the methods we once relied on to build trust with our followers simply don't work as efficiently anymore. That's why I'm focusing intensely on video content—it's become an essential tool for accelerating relationships with your audience.The 7-11-4 rule has become my north star: we must find faster ways to get in front of people and speed up their understanding of who we are. Trust doesn't develop as organically as it once did, which means we need to strategically create content that builds connection more efficiently. Video, particularly on platforms like YouTube (which now surpasses Netflix in viewership), provides the perfect medium for this accelerated relationship-building.While many creators have started automatically feeding their podcasts to YouTube, they're missing a crucial distinction: YouTube users aren't podcast listeners. They come to the platform seeking visual engagement, not just audio with static artwork. If you're serious about leveraging YouTube to grow your audience and business, you need to show your face. When viewers can see you educating them and speaking directly to them, they develop trust significantly faster than through audio alone. After years of procrastination, I've finally committed to consistent YouTube content creation, and I've discovered it's not nearly as complicated as I imagined. I challenge you to join me in this commitment—search for Jenny Melrose on YouTube to see how I'm approaching it, and then create your own video strategy to transform your audience connections.Subscribe to Jenny's YouTube.

Unlock the secrets to crafting a brand voice that not only resonates but also cuts through the noise of today's crowded marketplace. Ever wondered how some brands effortlessly connect with their audience and build trust? This episode of the Influencer Entrepreneur's Podcast with Jenny Melrose promises to equip you with the tools to master your brand's voice and tone. Discover how to create a consistent brand identity that reflects your unique personality, values, and mission. Learn how to maintain authenticity across all platforms and channels, enhancing your brand's credibility and fostering emotional connections with your audience.Join me as we explore the essential steps to define and develop a standout brand voice that aligns with your core values and mission. We'll discuss how to identify your target audience, analyze competitors, and seize differentiation opportunities to craft a unique voice chart and guidelines. You'll gain insights into adapting your tone for different platforms and stages of the sales funnel, ensuring a cohesive and engaging experience for your audience. Whether you're building brand awareness or strengthening customer support, aligning your voice and tone can significantly impact relationships and drive success. Embrace this opportunity to transform your brand identity and elevate your business to new heights.Read more HERE.Grab your Strategic Growth Planner.Support the show

Unlock the hidden power of your existing video content with insights from the Influencer Entrepreneur's Podcast featuring Jenny Melrose. What if you could dramatically extend the reach of your videos without the constant grind of creating fresh content? Join us as we address the often-overlooked strategy of repurposing video for multiple platforms, turning a single piece of content into an engagement powerhouse. Jenny delves into the challenges faced by creators, such as burnout and resource constraints, and explores how repurposing offers a sustainable solution. Discover how you can seamlessly adapt your video content for different formats like blogs and podcasts, tapping into diverse audiences who prefer various modes of consumption.Jenny shares her tried-and-true techniques for maximizing ROI while enhancing your audience's "know, like, and trust" factor. Learn the secrets of engaging broader audiences across platforms, ensuring your message reaches those who need it most. By repurposing your video content, not only will you save time and resources, but you'll also boost engagement and guide your audience towards your email list and offerings. Whether you're a veteran content creator or just starting, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to amplify your impact and grow your online presence effectively. Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your content creation approach and make your video efforts truly worthwhile.Read more HERESupport the show

Unlock the secrets of content repurposing and revolutionize the way you reach your audience. Have you ever wondered how you can extend the lifespan of a single piece of content across multiple platforms effectively? Join me, Jenny Melrose, as I share powerful strategies on transforming content into various formats to save time and broaden your audience. You'll discover the art of working smarter by reimagining your content to fit blogs, podcasts, and social media, ensuring you captivate different content consumers effortlessly. I'll guide you through the importance of having a primary platform and why owning a piece of digital real estate, like a website, is crucial for maintaining control over your creations.But the journey doesn't end there. Experience the thrill of innovation as we explore creative ways of repurposing, ensuring your content continues to impact and engage. With exclusive access to my Influencer Entrepreneurs Unhinged premium podcast, I invite you to get up close and personal with unedited, behind-the-scenes insights. This is your chance to embrace content repurposing as a game-changing tool, enhancing your reach and efficiency. Let's embark on this exciting learning adventure together, and take your content strategies to unprecedented heights.Read more HERE.Support the show

What if you could unlock the secrets to ultimate productivity and effortless efficiency in your business? Join me, Jenny Melrose, on the Influencer Entrepreneur's Podcast as we uncover practical strategies to streamline your workload and achieve your 90-day goals for 2025. You'll discover how to build your ultimate project task list, prioritize effectively, and set achievable deadlines. Learn the power of batching similar tasks to maintain focus and reduce mental fatigue, and explore tools like Asana, Trello, and Google Docs to enhance your task management. Whether you're a fan of digital tools or prefer traditional planners, you'll find helpful insights to boost your productivity.Organizing tasks can transform your efficiency, and dedicating specific time blocks to similar activities prevents the constant switching that drains your energy. We'll dive into a 90-day planning program that focuses on three main goals, breaking them down into projects, tasks, and SOPs to create a smooth workflow you can easily delegate. This tailored approach ensures your task management aligns perfectly with your business objectives. So, whether you're recording podcasts, conducting research, or filming videos, this episode provides the essential framework you need to optimize your task handling and achieve outstanding results.Read more HERE.Support the show

In today's episode (149) of the EAT, CAPTURE, SHARE podcast, I'm chatting with business coach and strategist, Jenny Melrose. We talk about how to work with brands that want to create content beyond social media, why having a website or blog is still EVERYTHING in 2024/2025, and so much more. Jenny's enthusiasm for creative entrepreneurs is so infectious you'll be inspired to start or revamp your website today! Here's what else you can expect from today's episode...I share some news.Jenny introduces herself.Jenny explains why it's still essential for food content creators to have a blog or website.We discuss how food content creators can utilise AI to increase their revenue (as well as pitfalls to avoid).Jenny reveals the top elements that all profitable websites share (and one common mistake!).Jenny talks about how food stylists and food photographers can use their websites to find more clients.Jenny gives her top tips to guarantee your website or blog is at the top of a Google search.We talk about how to repurpose old content so it can get more traffic NOW.Jenny shares her best advice for how to use social media to interact with your customers.LINKS MENTIONED:Order my brand new book HOW TO MAKE YOUR FOOD FAMOUS HERE! It's all about developing a social media strategy that works!My first book, Creative Food Photography is available HERE! It's for food photographers who want to find their own unique style and up level their photographyJenny's website, Instagram and FacebookJenny's bookHow to pitch brands, with Jenny Melrose - Eat Capture Share Podcast episode number 39Jenny's Influencer Entrepreneur Podcast episode on How AI is shaping the future of bloggingMy entire launch plan revealed! – Eat Capture Share Podcast episode number 143My episode on Jenny's Influencer Entrepreneur podcast on How Instagram live video works to build your brandFind out more about my Fearless Focus Mastermind and Mentoring program for food photographers and food bloggers HEREYou can enjoy a full month of Grocer's List absolutely FREE! Just use the code PODCAST at checkout. But hurry, this offer ends December 31st, 2024!Find the full show notes HEREFind my Instagram HERE 

✨MiloTree Black Friday Sale starts November 22nd! Join the waitlist here!✨ In my newest episode of The Blogger Genius Podcast, I interviewed online business coach, Jenny Melrose, where we delve into the evolving landscape of online business and blogging, particularly as we look ahead to 2025. Shifting Mindsets: From Pageviews to People One of the central themes of the episode is the critical need for bloggers and online entrepreneurs to transition from merely chasing pageviews to focusing on building meaningful connections with their audience. Jenny and I argue that the landscape of online business has changed, and success now hinges on how well one can serve and educate their audience rather than just generating traffic. MiloTree MiloTree Black Friday Sale Waitlist The 3 AI Prompts You Need to Create a Freebie Cheatsheet Join The Blogger Genius Newsletter Jenny Melrose Personality Quiz: What Digital Product Should I Create? Become a Blogger Genius Facebook Group Subscribe to the Blogger Genius Podcast: iTunes YouTube Spotify Key Takeaways Focus on Relationships:Building a loyal audience is more important than ever. Instead of focusing solely on pageviews, prioritize creating content that addresses the specific needs and problems of your audience. Educator Mindset: See yourself as an educator and expert in your field. This shift in perspective can help you create more valuable content and build stronger connections with your audience. Building a Strong Foundation Jenny highlights that many entrepreneurs struggle at the foundational level of their business. She points out that a significant number of clients come to her with websites that are cluttered and unfocused, making it difficult for visitors to understand what they offer. A well-structured website is essential for nurturing relationships and driving sales. Website Essentials Opt-in Opportunities: Your homepage should prominently feature an opt-in or freebie to encourage visitors to join your email list. This should be placed above the fold, ensuring that it's visible without scrolling Clear Navigation: Ensure that your website has clear navigation to three main areas of your business, such as educational resources, services, and products. This helps visitors quickly understand what you offer and how they can benefit. Content Integration: Showcase your latest blog posts, podcast episodes, and other content, along with additional opt-in opportunities to keep visitors engaged. Nurturing Your Audience I reiterate the importance of an email list as the most effective way to nurture relationships with potential customers. The number of social media followers is not as important as having a dedicated list of engaged subscribers who are interested in what you have to offer. Actionable Tips: Email Marketing: Focus on growing your email list and regularly engage with your subscribers through valuable content and offers. Personal Touch: Use your email list to build personal connections with your audience. Share your story, insights, and behind-the-scenes content to foster a sense of community. Clarity and Strategy Jenny positions herself as an educator who provides clarity and strategic plans for her clients. She encourages entrepreneurs to focus on solving specific problems for their audience, which can lead to the development of products and services that people are willing to pay for. Strategic Steps: Identify Problems: Conduct keyword research to understand the problems your audience is searching for solutions to. Content Distribution: Choose three platforms to distribute your content consistently, whether it be through podcasts, blog posts, or videos. For instance, if you start with a podcast, transcribe the audio into a blog post for greater visibility and engagement. Product Development: Develop products and services that address the specific needs of your audience. This positions you as an expert and creates additional revenue streams. Overcoming Overwhelm Many entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed by the myriad of options available to them. Break down your goals into manageable tasks and prioritize them based on their impact on your business. Don't hesitate to seek support from mentors, coaches, or online communities to help you stay focused and motivated. Learning from Experience Jenny reflects on her journey as a former lifestyle blogger and the lessons learned from her experiences, including the challenges of algorithm changes and the importance of adapting to the evolving digital landscape. We both stress the value of sharing these lessons to help others avoid similar pitfalls. Lessons Learned: Adaptability: Stay flexible and be willing to adapt your strategies as the digital landscape changes. Continuous Learning: Invest in your education and stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in your industry. Final Thoughts Focus on building a solid foundation for their businesses, prioritize nurturing your audience, and embrace a mindset of education and problem-solving. By doing so, you can position yourself as an expert in your field and create sustainable, scalable businesses in the ever-evolving online landscape. Other Related Blogger Genius Podcast episodes You'll Enjoy: Set Yourself Up For Successful Brand Work with Jenny Melrose The Future of Blogging: Why Authenticity Beats AI Every Time with Kimberly Espinel Embracing Imperfection: The Power of B-Minus Work MiloTree, the Best Tool for Non-Techies to Sell Digital Products and Grow Your Audience I also want to introduce you to the MiloTree, a tool designed for non-techies to sell digital products easily. It comes with features like AI-generated sales pages, check-out pages, a sales dashboard, upsells, and customer support. With MiloTree, setting up your products takes less than five minutes, and you can start generating income without any hassle. Plus, MiloTree offers unlimited freebies and lead magnets to grow your email list, and social media pop-ups to increase your followers, all in one place. Sign up today and get your first 30 days free to see how easy it is to start selling your own digital products and growing your audience with MiloTree!

In this episode, we dive deep into blogging and online business with the incredible Jenny Melrose! Jenny shares her journey from being a school teacher to becoming a successful lifestyle and recipe blogger, and now, a mentor for entrepreneurs. We discuss the importance of understanding your target audience, the power of email lists, and why having a blog can be a game-changer for any business owner. Jenny also shares practical tips for monetizing your blog without relying on social media and staying motivated through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your online business to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice! In this episode, you'll learn: The importance of understanding your target audience How to stand out in a crowded niche Tips for getting started with blogging and creating high-quality content Strategies for growing and monetizing your email list The role of social media and which platforms you should focus on The power of collaboration and networking How to balance your personal life with the demands of running an online business How to adapt to changes in digital marketing and the role of AI in your business... and so much more. Enjoy! Connect with Jenny & Get Started with Your Own Blog: https://jennymelrose.com/bloggingpro ----- Connect with Jazzy on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @firsthustlethenbrunch. Visit our website for freebies, resources, and more. Want to learn how to create passive income with your own digital product? Check out this FREE TRAINING.

Unlock the secrets to increasing your practice's visibility and connecting with your clients on a deeper level as Dr. Kate Walker and SEO maestro Jenny Melrose join forces. This power duo offers a masterclass in optimizing your online content to not only reach but resonate with your potential clients. Prepare to be armed with the tools to create content that answers the real questions plaguing your audience, from parents grappling with children's ADHD to adults seeking self-improvement, while learning the art of transforming website visitors into loyal subscribers.Step into the world of online counseling with strategies that extend beyond the therapy room. From morning routine guides to checklists for managing emotional changes, discover how to provide immediate solutions that forge meaningful client relationships. Dr. Kate and Jenny also explore income diversification for counselors—think online workshops and digital products—ensuring your expertise yields rewards even when you're not in session.Finally, we navigate the dynamic landscape of social media, pinpointing exactly where to share your crafted messages to engage your targeted audience. I'll guide you in establishing content pillars that keep your topics fresh and highly relevant, especially for those counseling parents of children with ADHD. Whether you're selecting the best platform or devising your social media strategy, this episode is your blueprint for standing out in the digital space and making an impact where it counts.Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

As our counseling practices flourish, we're faced with the critical task of balancing ethical standards with the burgeoning demand for our services. This episode promises to guide you through the thorny issues ranging from the use of client testimonials and navigating the pitfalls of Google reviews to ensuring compliance with HIPAA and House Bill 300. We tackle the potential for burnout during the delicate transition from agency work to private practice, and share effective strategies for self-care and professional sustainability. If you're curious about incorporating AI into your practice without overstepping ethical boundaries, you won't want to miss the wisdom imparted by guest expert Jenny Melrose, who also provides the opportunity for earning continuing education credits through her illuminating webinar.Navigating the murky waters of content creation is no simple feat in the mental health profession—misrepresenting your skills in pursuit of market appeal can lead to serious consequences. We'll confront the ethical quandaries in advertising, particularly concerning the accurate portrayal of one's expertise in sensitive areas like eating disorders. Struggling with client waitlists? We offer ethical and practical solutions to provide value while clients anticipate your services. Moreover, the complex journey of trademarking, as I've personally experienced with AchieveBalance.org, is demystified, showing how it integrates with ethical business expansion. This episode wraps with a call to uphold responsibility, especially in rural and underserved communities, while extending an invitation to collaborate and grow within our professional support network.Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

Hey you wild women!  On this episode of Into the Wild we're joined by Jenny Melrose. Jenny is a successful content strategist who teaches bloggers and entrepreneurs how to grow and monetize their online businesses. She is also the host of the Influencer Entrepreneurs Podcast. Jenny, a successful lifestyle blogger herself, started blogging after she had her daughter as a way of rebuilding her identity as a new mom. Soon, her blog led her to landing deals with companies like Neutrogena, Smucker's, and more. In this episode, you will learn about: Current blogging strategies and trends that actually work in 2024. What needs to come first before you offer your services online. The edge that email marketing has over social media marketing. How often you should be sending out emails to your list. The surprising way Jenny structures her emails and why she does it that way. The secret to staying consistent with your content strategy. How Jenny was able to land sponsors for her blog. Tips for presenting and pitching yourself to other businesses. Why blogging is a long-term game, plus how to plan ahead for your online business. What it means to be a wild woman: Being willing to take the risk and putting your genius out in the world. Mentions: www.wewildwomen.com/vip-day ______________ Got a minute? I would love a review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap, and give me five stars. Then select "Write a Review." Make sure to highlight your favorite bits. Subscribe here. ______________ Connect with Jenny: www.jennymelrose.com www.jennymelrose.com/podcast www.instagram.com/jenny_melrose Connect with Renée: @renee_warren @we.wild.women www.wewildwomen.com

Embark on a marketing odyssey with us and Jenny Melrose, a virtuoso in speaking the language of client growth through SEO and keyword optimization. We dissect the code behind Key Performance Indicators and craft strategies tailored for clients on divergent timelines, from those in dire need to the ones still contemplating. As we map out our journey, akin to my impending trek across Spain, we share invaluable insights on how to position your business as the go-to solution in urgent scenarios and how to cater to the more reflective search habits of potential clients. You'll also learn the intricacies of tracking your digital footprint with tools like Pretty Links, ensuring every step of your growth is measured and accounted for.In the realm of client engagement, the conversation takes a deep dive into building relationships that last and improving your practice's visibility. We tackle the nuances of navigating the digital marketplace, from optimizing content that climbs the Google search ladder to engaging proactively in community activities for heightened visibility. Whether you're balancing the scales between cash payments and insurance claims, or curating content that resonates from the first click, this episode is your compass. Plus, we offer a candid look at redefining user experience with a personal tale about streamlining navigation on our own 'start here' feature, proving that sometimes the smallest tweaks make the biggest ripples. Join us as we share the blueprint for a thriving practice that stands out in a sea of online noise.Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

In this episode, Jenny Melrose shares how she is able to earn multiple 6-figures with sponsorships for her blog and business. If you are a blogger or business owner, this is a must if you want companies to pay you sponsorship money! Check out Jenny's freebie at the show notes at MomBeach.com/Podcast.

Get ready to be enchanted! In today's soul-stirring episode, I'm delighted to converse with the magical Jenny Melrose.   Once a dedicated reading specialist, Jenny chose to "retire" from her teaching career when her blogging income far exceeded her salary. She is a content strategist that helps entrepreneurs better understand their messaging and unique position in the online space.    Now, she's combining her passion for teaching with her extensive experience of creating strategic content for online business owners via JennyMelrose.com and her podcast, Influencer Entrepreneurs with Jenny Melrose as well as her first book Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4-Step Framework to Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making More Money Online. Jenny and I dish on:    - The fundamentals of growing an online business  - Connecting with your ideal clients online  - Speaking your story through photos  - The very first step in your writing journey   - Tips on recreating your old content   Purchase your copy of Love Based Feminine Marketing: The Art of Growing a 6-Figure Business Without Hustle, Grind, or Force, (https://tinyurl.com/ydmzb6qz) TODAY!!!   Subscribe now so you'll never miss an episode and leave us a review. It really helps us know which content is most important to you.   Join our Feminine Business Magic Facebook Group (https://tinyurl.com/ygdkw7ce)  with your host, Julie Foucht. This is a community of women dedicated to connecting, supporting, and celebrating each other in growing businesses that honor their Divine Feminine while filling their bank accounts abundantly.   Resources mentioned:   Purchase Love-Based Feminine Marketing (https://tinyurl.com/ydmzb6qz)    https://jennymelrose.com/book   Instagram @jenny_melrose  **Contact Jenny Melrose via Instagram or https://jennymelrose.com/**   **Connect with Julie Foucht via Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/yeb82uuj) or email at https://juliefoucht.com/**  

Unlock the potential of blogger collaboration and harness the power of collective growth! Discover the strategies, benefits, and practical tips for collaborating with fellow bloggers. Propel your blog to new heights through the art of collaboration.The first thing that I want to start off with is that, I personally have seen that blogger collaboration is what has helped me over the course of 13 years of being in the online space, propel my business forward as a lifestyle blogger.When I first started off with The Melrose Family and now even with the JennyMelrose.com, podcast, and all that goes into it, there is still a ton of blogger collaboration that goes on.Read more HERE.

What is an influencer entrepreneur and how do you become one? Jenny Melrose joins me on the Become a Media Maven podcast with a four-step framework on how to build your audience, grow your business, and make more money online.Jenny dishes on everything from starting, growing, and selling a family lifestyle blog to breaking down PACK, her four-step framework.Some resources mentioned in this episode:Pumpkin PlanSuperfansInfluencer Entrepreneur Podcast@Jenny_Melrose on IGJennyMelrose.comJoin Christina's newsletter for insider tips on growing your business without ads here.Become a contributor to a top website to build your brand with free resources here.Click here to join Christina's 3-hour bootcamp Pitch Publicity Profit. Follow Christina on social media at: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube TikTok If you liked this episode, please subscribe to this podcast to hear more like it. Tell your colleagues, friends, and family… and don't forget to tap that subscribe button. For more podcast episodes, tap here.

Blogging | Content Marketing | Brand Sponsorships | UGC | Content Creators | Selling a Blog | Boundaries This episode is JAM-PACKED with golden nuggets of info, including what it's like to sell a blog (which we thought was pretty fucking cool lol). Jenny shines the light on not only the power of blogging & content creation but also on the opportunities available for entrepreneurs to start making money by partnering with brands. She gives so many tips & perspective shifts, along with being SUPER transparent about pricing and where to start with it when first starting out, which we LOVED. This episode is a juicy one, we hope you enjoy it! Overview of the Episode: ➡️ Jenny's journey from teacher to full-time blogger & coach ➡️ Pivoting from blogging as a hobby, to turning it into an actual business  ➡️ What it's like to actually SELL a blog ➡️ Getting sponsorships even from a small audience ➡️ The importance of finding & using YOUR VOICE in your content ➡️ What brands look for when searching for creators for sponsorships  ➡️ UGC (User-generated content) examples ➡️ Establishing boundaries with brands ➡️ ACTUAL EXAMPLES for pricing sponsorships ➡️ Pivoting from gifted collabs to paid sponsorships  ➡️ Is blogging dead? ➡️ How you can use SEO to leverage paid sponsorships AND find gaps in the market for organic traffic  ➡️ Common mistakes that bloggers make that hold them back from the success they want   Links & Resources Mentioned: 3 Secrets Brands are NOT Telling You About Sponsorships FREE Training Jenny's Book: Influencer Entrepreneur How to Setup Google Search Console FREE Meditation pack Buy us a coffee/support the podcast Book a Strategy Session with Shay & Mariah About Jenny Melrose: Jenny is a former reading specialist who “retired” from her teaching career when her blogging income far exceeded her salary. Through hard work and dedication, her lifestyle blog, The Melrose Family, became regularly sought out by nationally recognized brands such as Neutrogena, Smuckers, Glad, Costco, Stanley Steamer, Sara Lee, and many more. She is a content strategist that helps entrepreneurs better understand their messaging and unique position in the online space.  Now, she's combining her passion for teaching with her extensive experience of creating strategic content for online business owners via JennyMelrose.com and her podcast, Influencer Entrepreneurs with Jenny Melrose as well as her first book Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4-Step Framework to Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making More Money Online.   Website: https://jennymelrose.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenny_melrose/ Connect with the Podcast: Curiouslyguided.com Instagram.com/curiouslygiuided CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS SHAY + MARIAH: Websites: saleswithshay.com & mariahmagazine.com Instagram: @saleswithshay & @mariahmagazineco

I've said it before, and I'll continue to drive it home: you cannot rely on social media to promote your business! In this week's episode, I'm speaking with Jenny Melrose about how why it's important that you utilize email marketing and other platforms such as a podcast, YouTube channel, and your own website to market your business. We also discuss influencers, TikTok, and Instagram.What you can expect from this episode:Why you can't rely on social media for marketing your businessHow to get the most out of email marketingMonetizing your blog (with ad networks and sponsorships)Social media influencers: Are they oversharing?About Jenny Melrose:Jenny is a former reading specialist who “retired” from her teaching career when her blogging income far exceeded her salary. Through hard work and dedication, her lifestyle blog, The Melrose Family, became regularly sought out by nationally recognized brands such as Neutrogena, Smuckers, Glad, Costco, Stanley Steamer, Sara Lee, and many more. She is a content strategist who helps entrepreneurs better understand their messaging and unique position in the online space. Now, she's combining her passion for teaching with her extensive experience of creating strategic content for online business owners via JennyMelrose.com and her podcast, Influencer Entrepreneurs with Jenny Melrose as well as her first book Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4-Step Framework to Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making More Money Online. Relevant Links:JennyMelrose.comThe Influencer Entrepreneurs PodcastThe 4-Step Framework for Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making Money OnlineJenny's Instagram @jenny_melroseWatch the short YouTube clipFor the full show notes and transcript, visit https://www.socialslowdown.com/influencers-email-marketing-with-jenny-melrose/Support the show

A friend introduced Laura to Jenny Melrose, a teacher-turned-massively successful business-owner who now consults influencers. She's the influencer to the influencers.

In this episode, Christina and Corinne sit down with Jenny Melrose to discuss sponsorships and affiliations. They discuss the difference between the two and how to pitch yourself in order to stand out to brands. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Influencer Entrepreneurs PodcastBrittany RatelleSmart Influencer MastermindPitch Perfect ProTrue Ranker********************************DISCLAIMER: This audio and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of our recommended products, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support our show and allows us to continue to  provide you with valuable content. Thank you for your support!********************************FULL SHOW NOTES: https://thesmartinfluencer.com/sponsorship-opportunities-in-2023/JOIN OUR COMMUNITY:https://www.facebook.com/groups/214681812013517https://www.instagram.com/thesmartinfluencer/

Jenny is a former reading specialist who “retired” from her teaching career when her blogging income far exceeded her salary. Through hard work and dedication, her lifestyle blog, The Melrose Family, became regularly sought out by nationally recognized brands such as Neutrogena, Smuckers, Glad, Costco, Stanley Steamer, Sara Lee, and many more. She is a content strategist that helps entrepreneurs better understand their messaging and unique position in the online space. Now, she's combining her passion for teaching with her extensive experience of creating strategic content for online business owners via JennyMelrose.com and her podcast, Influencer Entrepreneurs with Jenny Melrose as well as her first book Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4-Step Framework to Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making More Money Online.Website:https://jennymelrose.comSocial Media Links:https://www.instagram.com/jenny_melrose/Scaling for Growth Guide (free) https://jennymelrose.com/scaling-for-growthConvert more clients and make money in your sleep with the ultimate email marketing starter kit - www.girlmeansbusiness.com/emailkit

One of the more lucrative ways to sustain a career as a content creator or influencer is working with brands, and while there are countless brands out there looking for creators to work with, we often have a hard-time finding the right ones, making strong connections with them, and getting them to dish out payment for our services. So, how can you attract your dream brands, get them to hire you, and get them to stick around? Today, we're here with Jenny Melrose, a business coach, content strategist and podcast creating content strategies for you to scale your business. She's also the author of “Influencer Entrepreneurs”, a book the shares Jenny's four-step framework for building your audience, growing your business, and making money online. Today, we're diving into how to find your dream brands, what methods you can use to connect with them, how to get more inbound requests, and how to build those long-lasting connections to keep your brand partners hiring you long-term.

When I got started business about 5 years ago there was so much I wish I knew beforehand! Like how to build a trustworthy brand and set yourself apart from other businesses in a similar niche (which makes it easier for clients to find you by the way). That's why in today's episode with Jenny Melrose a business coach for bloggers she's walking us through the business basics every successful business owner needs in order to build an impactful business. If you know you need this, grab a notebook then hit play so you can soak up all the gems! Full show notes: TheresaForever.com/159

From family food blog to entrepreneurial empire, Jenny Melrose (@jenny_melrose) took a leap of faith and it paid off. In a world where content creators emphasize social media over anything else, Jenny shares why owning a blog can only strengthen your personal brand.CHECK OUT THE SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE: www.fulltimeinfluencer.co/blog/season-2-episode-23JOIN REELS ROCKET SHIP TODAY AND EXPLODE YOUR INSTAGRAM FOLLOWING:https://www.reelsrocketship.comFOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @fulltimeinfluencer.co

If you're budding influencer or microinfluencer, you'll definitely want to listen to this episode! My guest, Jenny Melrose, is an expert content strategist, business coach, and the author of Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4-Step Frame for Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making Money Online. You may have already discovered her through her Influencer Entrepreneurs Podcast.  Jenny started a lifestyle blog in 2009 while working as a teacher. Interested in learning how to leverage her audience and successfully monetize her blog, Jenny focused on creating the type of content that would resonate with her readers and build an audience that brands would pay to get in front of — and within five years she was able to quit teaching and replace her yearly salary through sponsorships alone! Since selling her blog for six figures, Jenny has built a business helping bloggers and entrepreneurs discover the strategies and resources they need to unlock their inner influencer and monetize their online businesses! In this conversation, we talk about why the influencer world has changed over the last five years, how to leverage your data to attract paying brands, the importance of creating a win/win/win situation. In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode,‌ ‌you'll discover:‌ ‌· The type of content you should be creating if you want to grow into an influencer type of role·  What you need to know before you take the first steps toward monetizing your content ·  The pros and cons of 3 different methods of monetizing your content Guest bio: Jenny Melrose is a successful business coach, content strategist, and podcaster who offers bloggers and entrepreneurs resources to grow and monetize their online businesses. Timestamps:‌ ‌00:33  Meet Jenny Melrose03:56  What is an influencer?05:32  How influencers have changed08:55  Monetizing your content10:41  Selling to brands11:33  Leveraging data13:55  Sponsorships14:59  Affiliates15:50  Influence outside of social media17:45  Find your niche & pitch20:51  Consistency, perseverance & vulnerability25:21  Pick your best platform Links mentioned:‌ ‌Jenny Melrosehttps://jennymelrose.com https://jennymelrose.com/cheatsheet/Instagram: @jenny_melrose —Learn with me: https://www.liannekim.com/dreamclient‌Connect with me:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liannekimcoach Instagram: @liannekimcoachJoin the Mamas & Co. community to get access to valuable resources and the support of likeminded mompreneurs and mentors: https://www.mamasandco.com Instagram: @mamasandco

It might not seem like pitching for sponsorship (for a podcast or blog) is similar to pitching to be a guest on a podcast, but that's precisely what this episode is about. Alongside my guest, Jenny Melrose, we talk through our different (but similar) approaches to pitching. Jenny's specialty is helping bloggers pitch for sponsorships, while mine is pitching business owners to be guests on podcasts. We chat about what's similar and what's different about the work we do, and we also talk about our experiences in blogging and podcast hosting. Jenny Melrose helps bloggers, influencers, and entrepreneurs build their businesses and make money online in a number of ways. She's the host of the Influencer Entrepreneurs podcast and the author of Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4-Step Framework to Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making More Money Online. There's a lot of crossover in the work that we do. But whether you're pitching to be a podcast guest or pitching for sponsorship, they both involve at least two things - knowing your audience and laying the groundwork for a mutually beneficial business relationship. Topics covered include: How Jenny transitioned from blogging to helping bloggers and influencers learn how to scale their business Why Jenny encourages her clients to add a podcast to the channels they already manage, in order to attract sponsors Mistakes that she has seen some Business to Business podcasters make when it comes to ads and sponsorships How pitching for sponsorship is similar to pitching for podcast appearances - it's all about finding a perfect fit for the audience you're wanting to help How podcast guesting has impacted Jenny's business, and how they manage it internally Full show notes and resources: https://thepodwizegroup.com/pitching-for-sponsorships

In this episode, digital content and influencer marketing expert Jenny Melrose joins us to share the story of her entrepreneurial journey. Jenny is the founder of  jennymelrose.com, a business that combines her passion for teaching with her extensive experience in creating strategic content for online business owners.I have to warn you: I do a lot more talking in this episode than usual. Jenny is a subject matter expert in topics that I find fascinating and many of the concepts we discuss are very relevant to the work we do here at The Best of LKN. So, forgive me if I nerd out in this episode.JennyMelrose.comIG: @jenny_melrose   Get Jenny's book HERE!Shoutouts to these businesses:Laurel Belle Photography & BrandingNatasha HemmingwayWright DesignJC ArtBooks recommended:Will It Fly? by Pat FlynnOn Purpose by Tonya DaltonWe Should All Be Millionairesby Rachel RodgersSign up for The Best of LKN Email Newsletter HERE!Special thanks to our sponsors:Sodoma Law NorthBlumengärten FloristClean Eatz Cafes - Lake NormanJuelerye Fine Gifts & ArtRefresh Medical SpaEleven Lakes Brewing Co.SoundVisionJohn Hassell - Farm Bureau InsuranceSupport the show

In this episode, I talk to Jenny Melrose, who made the switch from school teacher to blogging teacher! After her blogging income outdid her teaching income, Jenny retired from teaching at the age of 35 and made the shift to teaching other people how to grow their blogs and their brand. Jenny eventually sold her original lifestyle blog and in our conversation, she shared lots of good tips for anyone looking to do the same. In the blogging world, Jenny is known as “the person who talks about sponsorship” and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to partnering with brands and building long-term relationships with them. SHOW NOTES: https://www.southerncrushathome.com/episode60 Links Mentioned: Convert Kit Empire Flippers Pitch Perfect Pro Course Mastermind Course 

In this podcast I interview Jenny Melrose, business coach, content strategist and podcaster. Shel is the host of Influencer Entrepreneur podcast. We discuss practical steps how to drive more leads to your business. What would that mean to you to bring 100 highly qualified leads for your business for free. How can that help you grow your business? Catch Jenny Melrose on Instagram and Tune In to Her podcast.https://www.instagram.com/jenny_melrose/https://jennymelrose.com/podcast/

Finding a career that you love is the goal of every teacher thinking about transitioning out of the classroom, but how do you know which one is right?In today's episode, Jenny Melrose shares her experience including what led her to leave the classroom and how she became a successful online entrepreneur...twice!  She also gives insight into why pivoting was so important for her business and how it allowed her husband to pursue his dream career.

Welcome Back to Selling with Charm, This week, Reena sits down with Jenny Melrose, a former teacher now Business Coach, Content Strategist, Podcast Host, and Author. Reena has followed Jenny's career for years and appreciates many of her winning sales strategies. Jenny shares some of those strategies, from prospecting to customer relationships, plus what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Check it out! ••• A little about Jenny: Jenny is a former reading specialist who “retired” from her teaching career when her blogging income far exceeded her salary. Through hard work and dedication, her lifestyle blog, The Melrose Family, became regularly sought out by nationally recognized brands such as Neutrogena, Smuckers, Glad, Costco, Stanley Steamer, Sara Lee, and many more. She is a content strategist that helps entrepreneurs better understand their messaging and unique position in the online space. Now, she's combining her passion for teaching with her extensive experience of creating strategic content for online business owners via JennyMelrose.com and her podcast, Influencer Entrepreneurs with Jenny Melrose, as well as her first book, Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4Step Framework to Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making More Money Online.  Jenny's Contact Info: Website: https://jennymelrose.com/ (Here) Social: https://www.instagram.com/jenny_melrose/ (Instagram) • https://www.facebook.com/jennymelrose1/ (Facebook) Podcast: https://jennymelrose.com/podcast/ (Here) Book: https://www.amazon.com/Influencer-Entrepreneurs-Framework-Building-Audience/dp/1087871794 (Here) ••• #podcast #sellingwithcharm #selling #sales #salestips #salescoaching #coldcalling #mindset #reenaphilpot #reenaphilpotsalescoaching #salesteam #salesmanager #salesrep #b2b #b2c #customerservice #businesscoach #businesstips #goals #salesgoals #salescareer #business #jennymelrose #content #coach #build #onlinebusinesses #growaudience #makemoneyonline #salesdoneright ••• https://www.instagram.com/reena.philpot.sales.coaching/ (@reena.philpot.sales.coaching) More Info: https://reenaphilpot.com/ (ReenaPhilpot.com) Community Info: https://reena-philpot.mykajabi.com/ (https://reena-philpot.mykajabi.com/) Questions, please reach out: Reena@ReenaPhilpot.com

This Week on the Live Your Light Show:  Our guest this week is Jenny Melrose. Jenny is a former reading specialist who “retired” from her teaching career when her blogging income far exceeded her salary. Through hard work and dedication, her lifestyle blog, The Melrose Family, became regularly sought out by nationally recognized brands such as Neutrogena, Smuckers, Glad, Costco, Stanley Steamer, Sara Lee, and many more. She is a content strategist that helps entrepreneurs better understand their messaging and unique position in the online space. Now, she's combining her passion for teaching with her extensive experience of creating strategic content for online business owners via JennyMelrose.com and her podcast, Influencer Entrepreneurs with Jenny Melrose as well as her first book Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4-Step Framework to Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making More Money Online.   In This Conversation, We Cover:  1:42 Her story of becoming a full-time influencer  4:06 Standing out from the crowd and finding your audience  8:04 Tips on increasing engagement and building influence  11:59 How to start a passive income and brand partnerships  15:00 The best strategies when reaching out to brands  18:15 Why she decided to write her book    Resources: Get her free IG guide: HERE Check out her book: HERE   Stay Up To Date: Ready to energetically align your business and life? Click here to book your free 15 min session with Emily to get a brief energetic analysis of your business to unlock current blocks in your life & start receiving the flow of abundance in your biz!  Follow @itsemilythomas and @liveyourlightpodcast on Instagram Subscribe to receive light letters & promos to events and courses from Emily HERE Visit EmilykThomas.com for more programs and free resource library Click HERE To Join the Entrepreneurs of Impact FB group to collaborate and network with visionaries like yourself

Jenny Melrose of the Influencer Entrepreneur's podcast shares some amazing info on landing promotional deals with brands!Whether you're an influencer or personal brand, this is a great way to make some extra income or potentially even a full time income.What's Covered:• How to reach out to brands you want to work with• What to say in your opening message• What to charge brands for promotional deals• How much content should businesses hire influencers to create in order to see resultsFind Jenny's podcast HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/influencer-entrepreneurs-blogging-social-media-tips/id1191204365Download her "Learn How to Perfectly Pitch Brands" Checklist HERE: https://jennymelrose.com/pitch-checklistAd To The BoneThe digital advertising, AdTech & programmatic advertising podcastListen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Jenny Melrose of the Influencer Entrepreneur's podcast shares some amazing info on landing promotional deals with brands!Whether you're an influencer or personal brand, this is a great way to make some extra income or potentially even a full time income.What's Covered:• How to reach out to brands you want to work with• What to say in your opening message• What to charge brands for promotional deals• How much content should businesses hire influencers to create in order to see resultsFind Jenny's podcast HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/influencer-entrepreneurs-blogging-social-media-tips/id1191204365Download her "Learn How to Perfectly Pitch Brands" Checklist HERE: https://jennymelrose.com/pitch-checklist

In this episode, Jenny Melrose explains how to make the most of using Instagram Reels.READ MORE HERE

Today I'm joined by Jenny Melrose to talk about attracting new customers with blog content. Blogging may not be talked about as much lately, but it's still a hugely impactful piece of your business. Jenny shares how she creates content that helps her audience and drives them to sign up for her email list. We also talk about using your website to sell products or services and the strategic way she points people to her opt-ins from her blog and website. Topics Discussed: Why blogging is impactful for businesses Using blog content to attract new customers The things that go into content creation The number one mistake people make when creating blog content The best way to create a website to sell products or services Resources Discussed: Ubersuggest Connect with Jenny: Jenny is a former reading specialist who “retired” from her teaching career when her blogging income far exceeded her salary. Through hard work and dedication, her lifestyle blog, The Melrose Family, became regularly sought out by nationally recognized brands such as Neutrogena, Smuckers, Glad, Costco, Stanley Steamer, Sara Lee, and many more. She is a content strategist that helps entrepreneurs better understand their messaging and unique position in the online space. Now, she's combining her passion for teaching with her extensive experience of creating strategic content for online business owners via JennyMelrose.com and her podcast, Influencer Entrepreneurs with Jenny Melrose as well as her first book Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4-Step Framework to Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making More Money Online. Website Instagram The Influencer Entrepreneurs Podcast Growing an Email List Guide

For our last episode of 2021, we're talking to the wonderful Jenny Melrose all about Instagram and improving your social media marketing strategy. Jenny is a content marketing and business strategist who helps entrepreneurs better understand their messaging and unique position in the online space. Jenny is taking us through her best tips for showing up on your Instagram Stories authentically and using Stories to sell effectively and grow your business.We are talking about:Why Instagram is Jenny's social media of choiceGetting crystal clear on your ideal audience, what kind of content you create and WHY you make that contentSetting yourself up as an expert on your profile so your audience keeps coming back to learn more from youTips for showing up on Stories and getting into your audience's DMs without feeling "spammy"How to use the data in your insights to improve your strategyClick here to get Jenny's Instagram Engagement Guide or you can reach out to her directly on Instagram to learn more and ask questions.Sign up for our weekly email list by clicking here!

Jenny Melrose is a business coach, a content strategist, and a podcaster.  She has helped hundreds of female entrepreneurs to build their businesses and create the lives they wanted for themselves and their families.We have a great conversation about building a business and increasing your revenue through podcasting.  Jenny shares valuable tips on how to ensure your content is meeting the needs and solving the problems of your audience.Jenny leverages her podcast to convert cold leads to warm leads.  These leads then buy into her programs because they have already learned from her and they know her teaching style works for them and for the needs of their businesses.See the full show notes here.CONNECT WITH JENNYInstagram Story PlannerInstagramFacebookWebsitePodcast: Influencer Entrepreneurs with Jenny MelroseBook: Influencer EntrepreneursCONNECT WITH LAURATake a screenshot of this episode, post it on your Instagram stories, and tag @laurabauderco  Clubhouse: @laurabauderFree Facebook groupThe Podcast Vault - A curated collection of resources for podcasters at all experience levelsLOOKING TO OUTSOURCE?Check out this directory of podcast service providers!

In this episode, I'm talking with influencer coach and podcast host, Jenny Melrose.  Jenny shares her best strategies for using Instagram stories to effectively build your business.  You will learn how Jenny's best tips for using Instagram stories - even if you don't have the swipe up feature! Plus, you can grab Jenny's FREE Instagram Story Planner.READ MORE HERE.

Today's Episode has featured guest Jenny Melrose! She is a former inner city school district teacher that grew a lifestyle blog to a six figure income. She now hosts the Influencer Entrepreneurs Academy, a high level mastermind for women looking to scale their businesses by developing products for their audience. She also has her first book that launched this week called Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4 Step Framework for Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business and Making Money Online! A few great quotes in the episode: "This is not a sprint, this is a marathon. Focus on the problem you are solving. Have a strategy in place!" "Understand who YOU are. It hasn't been done by you, with your voice, your personality! Know YOUR voice!" Find and follow her on Instagram: @jenny_melrose

Happy Best Day Ever! You guys...today's episode is something special! I am interviewing someone I have looked up to for many years in the blogging world. Jenny Melrose is incredible at empowering and showing you how to blog and get sponsored content!FOLLOW JENNY! Instagram: @jenny_melroseWebsite: http://www.jennymelrose.comHer course Pitch Perfect Pro: https://jennymelrose.com/pitch-perfect-proFollow me on Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/carlyyhartmanSign up for the FREE Training "How to Brand & Monetize Your Blog" - http://bit.ly/2ktE9WaSign up for HoneyBook here to start organizing your business and clients with this amazing CRM system! Get 50% off your first year with this link! EEK! - http://bit.ly/2kb45FPGet my Best Day Ever Book here - https://amzn.to/2kr0wLTNeed digital marketing? Request a quote from my agency, CLOUD MGMT! - http://www.cloudmgmt.co/helloSupport the show (http://www.carlyhartman.com)

Are you a content creator ready to pitch brands to become a sponsor? If you want to gain traction, this will help you reach the next level. If you're an influential blogger or a podcaster (like me), people are tuning in and want to hear what you have to say. Where next? Pitching brands to become a sponsor will increase your revenue potential, and expand your reach to further grow your audience. So, um… how do we do that? My special guest today is lifestyle blogger turned business coach. Jenny Melrose demystifies how to pitch brands to become a sponsor in 5 simple steps In this episode, you will learn: How to identify the right types of brands to target, that are aligned with you How and where to find the key people at these brands to pitch, so you can create a target list How to structure your pitch email How to use InstaStories on Instagram in a strategic way, to develop relationships before you pitch them Best practices in the follow-up process, that increase your chances of closing the deal Jenny also shares the common mistakes people make when compiling their media kit and sponsorship proposals. #DoTheThing! Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/jenny-melrose-pitch-brands-to-become-a-sponsor

Wait until you hear today's episode. I'm interviewing Jenny Melrose from The Melrose Family and JennyMelrose.com. Jenny is an expert on how to win working with brands. We get into it all in this interview. Want to know how to reach out to companies you want to work with? What to write in your email? How many times to follow up? How much to charge? If you are an influencer or want to become one, you must listen to this! Resources: The Melrose Family Jenny Melrose Sway Group Pollinate Izea Catch My Party MiloTree Pitch Perfect Pro Social Bluebook Influencer Entrepreneurs Podcast The Blogger Genius Podcast Transcript - How to WIN at Working with Brands with Jenny Melrose Host 0:03 Welcome to The Blogger Genius Podcast. Brought to you by MiloTree. Here's your host, Jillian Leslie. Jillian Tohber Leslie 0:11 Hello everybody. Welcome back to Rhe Blogger Genius Podcast. Today, my guest is Jenny Melrose. Now Jenny has two blogs. She is a lifestyle blogger and she's the founder of The Melrose Family. And then she also has her own site JennyMelrose.com. How to work with brands as a blogger Jillian Tohber Leslie 0:30 What we're going to talk about today is working with brands, strategies for getting brands to notice you, how to reach out, and how to really build that part of your business. So Jenny, welcome to the show. Jenny Melrose 0:44 Thank you so much, Jillian for having me. I'm so excited to get to share some of my little tidbits of trainings and things with your audience. Jillian Tohber Leslie 0:52 Perfect. Okay, so Jenny, will you tell us how you started? Jenny Melrose 0:57 Absolutely. My lifestyle site, The Melrose Family has been up and running for nine years, so I'm a little bit of a dinosaur. It started off just kind of as a hobby. I was a new mother and kind of lost myself, in needed something to kind of have a creative outlet. Jenny Melrose 1:17 I started writing. Back then it was, this is what we did today and this is what we ate for lunch. And then it transitioned, as I saw other bloggers, and got into different communities, seeing that they were actually able to start making an income. As a blogger start by solving problems and pain points Jenny Melrose 1:31 I transitioned into making sure that I delivered content that solved problems and pain points for an audience. Jenny Melrose 1:38 When The Melrose Family was started it was prior to Pinterest and Instagram. So I've been able to kind of learn the strategies that work on social media, as I've grown with those outlets. Jenny Melrose 1:52 And then as I got further along in it, probably three years or so into it, I started making an income working with brands, where I would create content for them in exchange for a fee that I decided I would charge, based on my kind of influence that I had at that time. Jillian Tohber Leslie 2:13 Were these brands that were reaching out to you? And were you surprised or were you strategic? Using networks to get sponsored posts as a blogger Jenny Melrose 2:19 So when I first started, I didn't actually reach out to a ton of brands myself, I kind of used networks. Bloggers would let you know, I'm in this network, or that network, there's all, there's so many of them. There's the Sway Group, Pollinate, Izea has one TapInfluence used to be one that's now owned by Izea. Jenny Melrose 2:36 But the way that the networks work is you apply, and then you put in your social numbers, as well as like your analytics for Google, how many page views you're seeing for your traffic. And you also put in all of your personal information as far as how old are you, how many kids you have, do you have a pet. Jenny Melrose 2:53 So they can determine if you are a good fit for the brand that has come to them with a certain amount of money, and then they would hire you in order to create a sponsored post. Jenny Melrose 3:05 I used the networks for quite some time. But the problem that I ran into is that I was like a needle in a haystack. There were so many bloggers, I wasn't standing out. Jenny Melrose 3:17 So about from year three to about year five, I started honing in on my own strategy where I would pitch myself to the brands. Jenny Melrose 3:28 I never saw a million page views. I think at the height of when Pinterest really was driving a ton of traffic, as well as Facebook. I was probably seeing about 700,000 page views but have since been cut in half because of the algorithm change. Jillian Tohber Leslie 3:43 Totally. It's happened to all of us. Jenny Melrose 3:45 Yes. So because of that, I was never one of these huge bloggers that all the brands knew about, and came flooding in to work with me via email. I had to really go out there and reach out to the brands that I knew and loved, to show why my audience would want to hear about their product. Jenny Melrose 4:07 That was from year three to year five. It changed everything for me. At that time was also an inner city school district teacher, was working full time, and I had a second baby and was miserable. Not because I didn't love my students that I had. But I never saw my kids. It was I missed out on everything I felt like. So my sponsor post income actually took over for my teaching salary. Jillian Tohber Leslie 4:37 Wow. How building a blog can change your life Jenny Melrose 4:37 And I was able to retire at 35. Jillian Tohber Leslie 4:40 Wow, wow, I can tell you know, it's funny because I've, I think you are Episode 40, or something like that. How many women have a very similar story to you. Jillian Tohber Leslie 4:53 Many teachers, but many who start their blogs of as a way to make sense of their lives once they become mothers, like how to find meaning, how to hold on to a piece of themselves, how to be creativ. You know, when you're all you're doing is thinking about your kid not having a meltdown and what the right snack is to possibly solve that. Jillian Tohber Leslie 5:16 And then the fact that you've been able to learn and grow and figure out your niche. I just I'm always so inspired by that. Because I do believe that when we start businesses, we don't know where they're going to take us. Jillian Tohber Leslie 5:32 For you, by being able to be savvy and go toward what was working. I mean that you were able to change your life. Jenny Melrose 5:39 Yes, absolutely. Jillian Tohber Leslie 5:43 And be there to solve the problem of being home with your children, or being a much more present mom. Jenny Melrose 5:49 Yes. And now with having left teaching, we moved from New York to North Carolina, and I am now home with the girls. I'm able to put them on the bus, pick them up and bring them to their different events which I never got to do. Jenny Melrose 6:08 And I started the other side of my business once we moved down here, which was the JennyMelrose.com side. And I did it primarily because I knew what it was like to want to make this something, to make it a business, and not knowing who to turn to, or what to listen to, to know how to move it forward. How being a teacher helps you as a blogger Jenny Melrose 6:28 I wanted to be able to be that resource for other moms. And I honestly attract a ton of teachers, because I'm very strategic in the way that I teach things. I'm very much a teacher, and it's given me that passion. I always love to teach. I always loved my students. For me to be able to turn back into my love of teaching and now help these women make their wives business, it's a passion for me. Jillian Tohber Leslie 7:04 Yep. And again, I think that there is something to you know about building your business and learning along the way. Jillian Tohber Leslie 7:13 Because, Jenny, if I said, guess what, in five years or ten years, here's how your life's going to be. You would never believe this. Jenny Melrose 7:21 Oh, no. Like, if someone had said to me three, even even three years ago, when we first left New York, that I would be doing what I do know. I mean, I have spoken at probably 10 to 15 different conferences just this year. I have a podcast. There's so many different aspects of this, that it has become just something that I love to be able to do. I never would have believed someone that that's what I was going to end up doing. Jillian Tohber Leslie 7:48 I love that. I do again, for us, for example, MiloTree, our second business, which, if you look at it, you'd be like, wow, that has nothing to do with Catch My Party, our first business. Jillian Tohber Leslie 8:00 We built MiloTree, not because we thought it was a business, but because it's solved a problem for us for Catch My Party. It grew our social followers. And then we're like, wait a second. Because I to feel very similarly to you, which is I want to help moms, entrepreneurs, grow their businesses in as effortlessly as possible. Jillian Tohber Leslie 8:21 And so we're like, Hey, we could offer this as you know, we could roll this out as a separate business and see what happens. Be open to new opportunities as a blogger Jillian Tohber Leslie 8:29 And so again, my recommendation or my piece of advice, you could tell me what you think about this, is to just start growing your business and to be mindful of how it's growing, to see opportunities that you would never have thought were out there. Jenny Melrose 8:45 Yes. and not being afraid to take that risk. It takes courage, honestly, to do what so many of us do, because it is the wild wild west. Jillian Tohber Leslie 8:55 It is the Wild West. Jenny Melrose 8:56 Yeah, to being able to say, okay, I'm know the algorithms are going to change. I know that I'm going to have to be flexible. Jenny Melrose 9:04 I didn't go to school for technology. Cell phones didn't exist when I was in college, but I'm going to make this work. And I'm going to figure it out. And I'm just going to keep trying to push through that wall. Jenny Melrose 9:17 I firmly believe that you do something where you start looking at who your audience is, and understanding why they're coming to you and continuing to solve problems for them. It's a business and once you start to treat it like a business, everyone else will too. And it can just it can explode it really can. Jillian Tohber Leslie 9:39 Yes. I so agree. It's so it's so funny because we are so like-minded in this way. What is influencer marketing as a blogger Jillian Tohber Leslie 9:46 So okay. Let's talk then about influencer marketing. Jillian Tohber Leslie 9:52 Which is, I decide I'm going to start my blog. And I want to work with brands. You know, we all love certain brands. Yes. And so how do I think about this as turning let's say, my blog into a business? Jenny Melrose 10:10 So first thing to do is you're probably using product in your posts already. You're probably using a specific ingredient for a recipe, or a particular type of decorating to put together a party, whatever it might be, look at those brands and see who they are, your authentically using them, it's going to come across even to your audience. But it is paid. Jenny Melrose 10:38 Because a lot of the negative kind of connotation I think that comes from sponsor posts. Oh, you're selling out to be able to push their product, when in reality, it's a partnership, they see the value in your audience. Jenny Melrose 10:53 So you're going to want to be able to put it out there for your audience and continue to grow and talk to them about that product. Jenny Melrose 11:03 I always teach my audience of bloggers that are looking to work with brands, look in your pantry. Go see what's in your linen closet. What are those brands that you're already buying and using, so that you can really reach out to them and be authentic. Jenny Melrose 11:21 You want to start with an email address. And then from there, it's just pitching yourself even a little bit, freely pitching your audience because that's what they care about. Jillian Tohber Leslie 11:32 Right. Jenny Melrose 11:33 And I think a lot of times, when bloggers first start to reach out to brands themselves, they will forget that. They will think well, it's all about me, what I can do and what my social stats are. Jenny Melrose 11:45 And that's where a blogger maybe that isn't as large but maybe lives on a farm, and can show the behind the scenes of the farm. And um, any sort of like kitchen equipment she uses, it's going to connect with her audience. And because of that, that brand won't care as much about the page views, they'll care more about the audience that is engaged and interacting with her content. Jillian Tohber Leslie 12:12 So I would say this, women in general have a hard time putting themselves out there and figuring out the story, you know, that really shows them in the best light. Jillian Tohber Leslie 12:28 And I'm wondering if that is what you're saying, by not focusing so much about how great you are, but focusing on how great your audience is, that could be a way in that seems less scary. How to pitch to brands as a blogger Jenny Melrose 12:43 I do a Pitch Perfect live every four months where I do this free training on and we're in the middle of it. And the first two days we spent them really figuring out exactly what you said, about how are you unique, what makes you you. Jenny Melrose 13:05 Because honestly pitching is 50% confidence 25% is then the follow up and the other 25% is the pitch that you send. Jenny Melrose 13:15 But if you don't have the confidence to be able to send it and to be able to follow up with them you're done. Jenny Melrose 13:23 You have to really know, and be able to articulate what it is about you for yourself, and be able to look at your business like a business. So that when you send that email you're not going to take it personally when they don't answer. Or you're not going to take it personally when they come back and say, hey we don't have any money right now. And you're like yeah, you do, you are Kellogg's or whoever it is you pitched. Jenny Melrose 13:49 You have to have really thick skin. And then what I teach is you then turn it towards that audience. It can kind of get the pressure off of you. Jenny Melrose 14:02 Because like you said, as women, we have a terrible habit of not being able to know what makes us different. I had a client that kept saying to me my pitches, all right. It's good. But I can't. I don't know how to explain how I'm a little bit different. Think about what makes you different as a blogger Jenny Melrose 14:19 And I looked at her and I read through her pitch and said, well, how many kids do you have again? And she says, 10. Oh, and you homeschool them, that's what makes you different. Jenny Melrose 14:37 You run a parenting blog and you have 10 children that you homeschool. Your audience comes to you because of who you are. They know that you have experience and then you're you're not just randomly pulling this out of wherever it is personal. I'm learning from raising 10 children. Jillian Tohber Leslie 15:04 So I tend to interrupt. I'm so sorry. Could we talk about fake it till you make it? Jenny Melrose 15:10 Yes. Oh my goodness. It's one of my favorite phrases. And it's something I've been saying this entire week. So I love it. Jenny Melrose 15:17 It's just when you have that confidence that you run a business and you are a powerhouse. You're not going to take anything kind of negative coming back as badly as you would if you didn't have that confidence. When it's not worth working with a brand as a blogger Jenny Melrose 15:34 And a lot of times bloggers will say to me, well, I got pitched to work on for a bag of granola. And I'll say okay, well, is that granola, something that's valuable to you for your time? Could you say that, that bag of granola is what you would get paid on a sponsored post for doing all the pictures, doing the social shares everything that goes into it? Jenny Melrose 15:54 If the answer is no, then you need to turn around tell that company: Listen, I appreciate and I love your granola. But in order to keep the integrity of my site to my readers, and any previous brands I've worked with, I only work on compensated content. Jenny Melrose 16:10 And what they always, these bloggers that are newer will always come back to me and say, but Jenny, I haven't worked with any brands. How can I say that? Jenny Melrose 16:19 No one is going to spend their time going back to see if you've done a sponsored post or not. So to being able to just have that confidence to say, you know what, my time is not worth a bag of granola. I built up this following, I have an audience at this size. And I deserve to get paid for my time. Or I'm just not going to do it. I'm going to walk away. Jillian Tohber Leslie 16:51 Yeah, I've shared this previously. Once I became a mother, it looked like my confidence went up tenfold. But the reality was, I got super busy. Jillian Tohber Leslie 17:05 So a brand would come to me and say, we want to pay you x. And I would think that was too low. So I'd double it or even triple it. And I'd go, Yeah, sorry. Here is my rate, here is why. And I write like the fastest email. And before I could even think about it, I would press Send. Jillian Tohber Leslie 17:27 And if I didn't have my daughter at, you know, and she wasn't in diapers. And it wasn't just a big hot mess in my house, I would have gone up into my head, and I would have second guessed myself. And I would have said, Oh God, should I send this email, maybe I shouldn't double my fee. I would have over thought it and I wouldn't have sent the email. Jillian Tohber Leslie 17:48 So the fact that all of a sudden, I had all these different priorities. And you know what, I'd forget that I had sent that email. So they didn't get back me, I wouldn't remember, right. And so it weirdly tricked me into being much more confident. Jenny Melrose 18:08 Right, and you valued your time, you knew that you only had a certain amount of time. And if you were wanting to put your time into doing a post, it was taking away from your daughter, and your time is valuable. Jillian Tohber Leslie 18:21 Yes. Jenny Melrose 18:21 And we all need to realize that. And I know that there's this kind of feel, where I've watched a lot of bloggers, like rip into new bloggers about don't work for free product, you're ruining it for all of us. And that's not true. If it's valuable to them where they would spend that time and if the product is a $300 blender and their price is normally $300, that makes sense to them. Jenny Melrose 18:47 So, you know, not kind of looking down upon, but knowing what's valuable a lot of times to when you're first starting out, to pitch and work with brands. Sometimes they'll offer and it's kind of like a test. Jenny Melrose 19:01 I wouldn't say, even if you're a new blogger, to do a blog post for a bag of granola, it's not worth it. But I might say, do social share, do an Instagram story, and then prove to them with that data that you're given inside Instagram that you're worth the price that you're asking. Jenny Melrose 19:21 I've had people that bloggers that have told me, Oh, I told her I couldn't pay my mortgage with granola, can she? and I'm like oh, boy. Jenny Melrose 19:31 Yeah, not the best way to go. Jillian Tohber Leslie 19:35 I like that. But no, don't do that. Why MiloTree will help you if you are trying to work with brands Jillian Tohber Leslie 19:39 I wanted to take a short break to talk about MiloTree. Now. If you want to be working with brands, you know that social media followers matter. But not just any sort of social media follower, an engaged follower. And that's why MiloTree is so cool. Jillian Tohber Leslie 19:56 Especially on a platform, let's say like Instagram, you are converting your site visitors into followers. And what better follower than somebody who's already been to your site, seen your content, knows who you are, those are the followers you want. Jillian Tohber Leslie 20:13 Those are the followers who will make you look great on social media. So if you sign up for MiloTree now, you get your first 30 days free. So go do it. And now back to the show. Jillian Tohber Leslie 20:28 Well, okay, so we talked tactics. How to contact a brand to do sponsored posts as a blogger Jillian Tohber Leslie 20:32 First off, you mentioned email, you said find their you know, email that how do I find a brand's email address? Jenny Melrose 20:39 Such a good question. So you want to start by going to their website. And if you go up to the top tab, or sometimes even down in the footer, you want to look for something that says media or press releases. Jenny Melrose 20:50 Once you get a press release, you want to pay attention to whatever product they're talking about, because it's probably a product that you should pitch to help them promote. Jillian Tohber Leslie 20:59 Yes. Jenny Melrose 21:00 Look down towards the bottom, where it signed from the PR person and they're going to have their email address on that press release. That is the person that you want to work with. Jenny Melrose 21:10 A lot of times bloggers will come back to me and see, but it's not Kellogg's that's on there, it is some random PR company. Jenny Melrose 21:16 Every brand for the most part, unless they're teeny tiny mom and pop brand, is using a PR company. You're never working directly with that brand. But a PR company is your gatekeeper that it's going to be the one that you want to talk to. Jenny Melrose 21:32 Now, sometimes you can't find an email address. They don't make this easy. I actually had someone today asked me is there just a list of like all the toy brand emails? I'm like, Girl, are you great, right? Everyone would be pitching! No. Jenny Melrose 21:47 So if you can't find an email address, what we've actually seen huge results with it's doing an Insta story. Because what happens is like you take a picture of that, whatever the brand is that you're trying to reach out. When you say something cute about how you love it, and you tag them in your Insta story. It goes right into their DMs. Jillian Tohber Leslie 22:07 Yep. Jenny Melrose 22:08 Now when they give you a little heart for having put up that Insta story, you're going to immediately reply to them and say hey, I love your product. I'd love to get the email address for the person on your team that works on blogger or influencer campaigns. Jillian Tohber Leslie 22:25 I love that strategy. I always recommend Twitter because again, brands are listening. But I hadn't thought about doing it with Insta stories. Trying an Insta story to connect with brands Jenny Melrose 22:33 Their Twitter was actually the way that I started out teaching this too, because I've had Pitch Perfect Pro now has been open for two years. And originally it was Twitter based. But then Insta stories came out we saw the results just so much quicker because all the brands want you on Instagram. Jenny Melrose 22:53 If you're not an Instagram you're not gonna be able to work with brand at this point. And it goes to direct message which at yet the problem is with Twitter, is that you can put out a tweet but it's out there and then you need them to follow you in order to do a message as well. extra steps. This is so much easier. Jillian Tohber Leslie 23:16 That is brilliant. That's brilliant. Okay, do you have a recommend, let's sa,y I found the email address. Do you have a recommendation for a subject line that will get your email opened? Jenny Melrose 23:29 Such a good question. Do a lot of times bloggers will want to put like "blogger influencer" or "collaboration" or something like that. I tell them what makes you stand out? What makes you different? Jenny Melrose 23:41 So if you have an Instagram account that has 300,000 followers you're going to put Instagram influencer with 300,000 followers collaboration up in your subject line. Or if you do a hands and pans and you have a huge Facebook page, you're going to put that in the subject line. Jenny Melrose 24:01 A lot of times people will rely on social media to kind of say what makes them unique. But you could also mom of 10. Jillian Tohber Leslie 24:10 Yep, yep. Jenny Melrose 24:12 Exactly. You want to kind of try to stand out. Because like those blogger partnership subject lines do not work. Jillian Tohber Leslie 24:23 Got it. So that's what I was going to say. Because I'm sure they get pitched all the time. How to write an email to a brand to get a sponsored post Jenny Melrose 24:28 Yeah, and this is definitely a process. Lot of times they will test you they'll see your first email and open it up, and not reply to you. But they need to see than you actually are invested. And you're going to follow up an email them again, a lot of times, the majority of the brands will answer until the second or third email. And it's not because they haven't seen it. It's because they really want to see that you're invested. Jillian Tohber Leslie 24:54 Interesting. Okay, long email or short email? Jenny Melrose 24:58 So I actually have a pitch checklist that has nine points to it that you kind of want to include. Normally, I would say you're looking for two to three paragraphs, you're not looking to tell your life story. You're going to really hone in on audience and you want to know something about that brand. Jenny Melrose 25:19 So if you go to the brand's website, and there's a tagline that you know is theirs, use that language when you're pitching about what you're going to put together. Jenny Melrose 25:29 Now, the other thing about this is your pitch should not include a specific project or recipe that you're going to do. It should be general. So in other words, if I was going to pitch Bob's Red Mill,  I would be pitching right now. First, you want to pitch three to four months in advance, so I wouldn't even be pitching necessary fall. I'd be thinking actually kind of Christmas or Thanksgiving. Jenny Melrose 25:56 When I put together the pitch. I'm not going to tell him that I'd love to make my grandmother's award winning apple pie with a strudel crust. Because if they're not thinking apple pie, you're done. Jillian Tohber Leslie 26:09 Right. Jenny Melrose 26:10 But instead, if you had said I would love to put together a comfort festive pie for Christmas, or for the holidays, that's likely to get you in the door. Because now you can let them kind of tell you what direction they want to go. Jenny Melrose 26:28 So is it the new type of flour that just came out, that's gluten free, then you can kind of go that direction and let them lead you. Jenny Melrose 26:37 They normally have their own ideas as far as a campaign of what they're trying to pitch, because they know their products that are coming out, right. So if you're general enough, it'll let them kind of see what you're thinking and give you a chance to actually put together a proposal and get on the phone with them. Try to get a sponsor on the phone to close the deal Jillian Tohber Leslie 26:57 I agree. Oh, my God, if any time I can get on the phone with a brand I get the job. Jenny Melrose 27:03 Yes. Yes. Because you can let them lead the conversation and find out exactly where, if you can ask the one question that I think always put the brand at ease is when I say okay, what are your KPIs? Jillian Tohber Leslie 27:17 Yes! What are KPI and why do they matter to bloggers? Jenny Melrose 27:18 Key performance indicators. A lot of bloggers you know, we aren't thinking that way, were just thinking like, okay, we gotta get, we gotta get this. We need some income coming in. Jillian Tohber Leslie 27:26 They think I can make it pretty. Jenny Melrose 27:28 Yes. But they have certain goals. Are they trying to get out of product? Are they looking for you to go to their website? Are they looking to grow their Instagram? Yep, you have to ask those types of questions. They know you're really wanting to know about the brand are going to be able to help them meet their goals. Not yours. Jillian Tohber Leslie 27:47 Yes. In fact, you know, again, I have mentioned this previously also, which is we love ourselves, we do because you know what, if I love myself, I will take care of myself and I will survive, and my genes will get into the next generation. Like it's a survival thing, an evolutionary thing to put myself first, right? Jillian Tohber Leslie 28:08 So this is also the same for brands, brands love themselves. So anytime you can use their tagline, anytime you can put yourself in the position of this brand, and give them back the messaging that they are trying to give to their customers. They will love you. Jillian Tohber Leslie 28:28 So it becomes even less about you, and more about Do you see what they're about? Do you understand that? And can you pitch it right back to them? Jenny Melrose 28:37 Right. Yes, anytime you can show that you know what you're talking about. When it comes to that brand, they are going to stop and listen. Jenny Melrose 28:44 I've had so many brands that will come to me and say that they are looking for something in particular. And I'll be able to ask those questions to then drive them towards what they want. Jenny Melrose 28:57 I had one brand in particular, it's a very big skin company and came to me and asked, okay, we'd love for you to put up this Facebook video. No mention of money whatsoever. Jenny Melrose 29:08 So I emailed back and said, Listen, I absolutely love Kristen Bell. And I think she's super cute. But in order to keep the integrity and my site to my readers, and I'm previous brands I work with, I only work on compensate content, I'd love to send your media kit and a proposal for your review. Jenny Melrose 29:25 They came back and then in my proposal, I was able to talk about the fact that I have two little girls, one that's really very pale, very Irish, and the other one who is very olive skin, and I need two different sunscreens in order to work for both girls ,and how I love the company. It's the only sunscreen we use, and that resulted in a five figure long term contract with that brand. Jillian Tohber Leslie 29:51 Wow, that's terrific. Jillian Tohber Leslie 29:52 And they started simply wanting me to post a Facebook video up, because what happens is, as bloggers when been around for a while, you end up on these PR companies lists and they'll just send a blast email. They have no idea if you have 3 million followers or three. Jenny Melrose 30:10 Yeah, I think you have to come back with them. I've had so many bloggers that have been around for a while. Let's say I get these pitches all the time. I'm just deleting them. I said no, don't delete them go back at them and show them who you are. Jillian Tohber Leslie 30:24 Right, and assume everybody else's deleting them. Jenny Melrose 30:29 Yes, that's exactly right. And they do obviously have a campaign in mind. They just don't know how to get it out there. How to discuss your rates with a brand as a blogger Jillian Tohber Leslie 30:36 Right. Okay. Do I put my rate in an email? Jenny Melrose 30:41 Love this question! No. You never put rates in an email, and I believe you don't create a rate sheet. I teach that you put together a proposal and a proposal is a package price that they get one price for everything. Jenny Melrose 30:59 Because I have sat in at multiple conferences when I've been speaking and listen to other brands that are speaking, and I have heard them say, no matter what price you pitch, I'm cutting you in half. Jillian Tohber Leslie 31:12 Ooh, okay. Jenny Melrose 31:15 So if you go to them with let's say, $1,500 is your package deal. It gets them a blog posts, social shares on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. And then you also throw in... I would always recommend any form of video. So if you want to do Insta stories and IGTV or a Facebook Live, which is what I'm known for, and I have an idea of what I kind of charge for that in my own head. And you should kind of know what you're charging for everything. Jenny Melrose 31:47 But for me, I'm charging a minimum of $500 for Facebook Live. So when I tell them $1,500, and they come back at me and say, we can't quite to $1,500, but we can do $1,200 say. Okay, I'm going to take out the live broadcast. And now my blog posts, social shares just went from what I would normally say $1,000 went to $1,200. So I'm still getting what I'm worth. Jillian Tohber Leslie 32:14 Got it, but you are willing to say, Nope, I'm not going to do this. Jenny Melrose 32:18 Right. Exactly. Jillian Tohber Leslie 32:19 Will they come back at you and say, well, we kind of want that. So okay? Or not? Jenny Melrose 32:24 If they do come back. A lot of times, honestly, they don't come back once. They won't come back and ask for it to go back. And they'll just say, Yep, okay, because they feel like I gave up something without realizing that it's not the value that they're asking for. What is a "hate rate" as a blogger? Jenny Melrose 32:39 And if they try to cut me like, let's say, I'm at $1,500, and they try to cut me to $750, I absolutely tell every one of my students, you have to have a hate rate, right? So it's a rate in which you would hate yourself if you took it because your value is not that low. And the content is going to be terrible. Because you're going to be annoyed at the fact that you're working for half what you're worth. Jillian Tohber Leslie 33:07 I think that's great. I love the hate rate idea. Jenny Melrose 33:13 Yes, it's tremendous. It makes it so much easier to kind of go into it, knowing your prices. And a lot of people will say to me, Well, how do we, I don't know how to price myself? Jenny Melrose 33:23 Well, there's a site called SocialBluebook.com. It's like Kelley Blue Book for cars. But instead it's going to measure your social influence you put in your Instagram, Twitter, all of your social and then you also can pop in your Google Analytics. Jenny Melrose 33:38 So now you're able to get an idea on what you should be charging. It'll give you a range of a rate so that if you've been blogging for a while, and you're like nope. I'm worth more than that, then that's fine. There's nothing wrong with that you know, your value has been around for a while. It's a great site for bloggers that really don't know how to price themselves. Jillian Tohber Leslie 34:02 That is great, I've never heard of it. Jillian Tohber Leslie 34:05 Now here's a question, what if I just want to be an Instagram influencer? And I don't want a blog or what is your thought about that? Jenny Melrose 34:17 That is totally fine. You are absolutely running the risk of Instagram shutting down and your business would shut down with it. Don't build your business on someone else's platform Jenny Melrose 34:28 So I would always kind of try to say you don't build your business on someone else's platform. Only thing that you own is your your website, you have your own website and your email list. So brands will absolutely pay for Instagram influencers, I would just if you're going to create content, I wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket. I would try to make sure that I have something that is my own. Jenny Melrose 34:59 Growing email, offering product or services that you can grow an email through, I'm using Instagram. I've seen tons of bloggers do that. And I think that that makes sense to me on just being an influencer, you can absolutely do it and make money. But who knows for how long. Jillian Tohber Leslie 35:19 I agree with you completely. I say this all the time, which is it's really cheap to start a blog. So just own a piece of real estate on the internet. Jenny Melrose 35:32 Yes. Jillian Tohber Leslie 35:33 And over time, if you're saying making content for these other platforms, just put them on. Put it on your blog, you know, like, it's not hard and just at least have a piece of real estate. Jenny Melrose 35:47 Yeah, and I think that people get caught up because they think. Oh, my goodness, if I have Instagram, and I have Twitter and Facebook and Pinterest in my blog, I have to create all this different content. When in reality, you can reuse that content, you can adjust it so that the image is Instagram friendly, as compared to Pinterest friendly. And make it so that you are still using that same content. Advice: Crosspost your content everywhere as a blogger Jenny Melrose 36:21 And you have to remember that the algorithms don't let people see things. So putting out content is fine to have it on multiple platforms, the exact same as long as you're using like the prescribed images that they say to use. That's best for like Facebook and Instagram, and then Pinterest, because it's not necessarily going to get seen right away. Jenny Melrose 36:51 And even if you have someone on Facebook, that's also on Instagram, maybe they're only going to see the Instagram post. Or maybe they'll see the Facebook post. But so cross post thing is I would highly recommend, and I think it's fine to reuse content. Jillian Tohber Leslie 37:04 Yeah, and God forbid somebody sees the exact same photo of that cake twice, right? It's not the end of the world. And remember, for people to like buy from a brand, usually they have to touch that brand like seven times Jenny Melrose 37:19 I was just going to say that that's like my favorite stat to give because it's so true, and I didn't realize how true it was until I had a client that has bought my course, part of my membership site, and has done one-on-one services with me, a year after my podcast was started and she said I didn't know you had a podcast! And I'm like, How is that possible? Jenny Melrose 37:45 I talk about this all the time, but clearly I'm not. I'm not so putting it out there continuously, your audience has to hear things at least seven times. We're just so busy and things fly by, algorithms hide things So continuing to use that content, there's nothing wrong with that. Jillian Tohber Leslie 38:06 Absolutely, so right now today it is September 5 when we're recording this. Jillian Tohber Leslie 38:15 If I were to step into the role of the brand. What am I looking for today from influencers? Is it Instagram? Is it is it traffic to my site, like what what what's most important to me right now as a brand? Jenny Melrose 38:36 If the brand is smart, they understand that beautiful photos, that also give an authentic story that gets engagement, matters more than anything else. Jenny Melrose 38:50 I think a lot of brands will get caught up in the numbers and think okay, I've got this Instagram influencers. She's got 3 million followers, but those 3 million followers may not interact the same way that that other girl with 3,000 followers may interact and engage because of the algorithms, and the way that things change. You need an Instagram business account if you want to be an influencer Jenny Melrose 39:09 So it's more about the authentic story, and the engagement that that blogger or influencer is getting. I would definitely say that bloggers absolutely need to have an Instagram presence and you need to have a business account. Jenny Melrose 39:25 If you want to work with a brand, you need to have business accounts not so they can track you. But so that you can provide them with the data to be able to say, I was worth it. I got you this many impressions and this many pieces of engagement and you have to be able to report that to them. Jenny Melrose 39:45 And on Facebook. If you're don't have a business account you are, and you're promoting that you are breaking all sorts of Facebook rules. Jillian Tohber Leslie 39:54 Yes, that is true. But like, for example, do brands want clicks to their site? Do they want people, like we've done this relatively recently where a brand was running a contest, and they want people to come, you know, see what you're saying, and then go enter their contest. Or are brands predominantly just looking for kind of warm, fuzzy? Jenny Melrose 40:20 So the smart ones are understanding that if you're paying for sponsored post, it's different than an affiliate program. Because as a sponsored post, it's about providing your influence. It's not about selling a product. Jenny Melrose 40:36 For affiliate marketing, you need to sell a product in order to make money off of that, which means you need to rely on their website to actually sell. Jenny Melrose 40:43 For a sponsored post I might promote, and let's say a salad dressing. And they're going to ask me to link to their website. If that salad dressing company thinks that anyone is going to buy a salad dressing from their website site, they're out of their mind, right? That's just not what we do. Jenny Melrose 41:04 We are influencing them to remember that the next time they go into the grocery store. Oh, so Jenny was talking about that salad dressing. Let me pick up that salad dressing so it's not trackable in the sense that clicks and buys are trackable. Brands want engagement from bloggers and influencers Jenny Melrose 41:20 And when a brand understands that that is the purpose of a sponsored post. That's when the relationship works well, when they can see there's engagement. That's how they're measuring it. They're not measuring it based on click stories and engagement. I mean, like, comments, likes, shares, any of that kind of thing, right, not necessarily clicks and purchases. Jillian Tohber Leslie 41:41 Got it? Now do you recommend that the influencer proactively send analytics back to the brand? Jenny Melrose 41:53 Yeah, so inside of my course Pitch Perfect Pro, I actually teach exactly what to provide them with. The reason I started my course was because what I found worked really well for me, as I could in a network. When I used to work in the networks. That was one and done. I never had contact with that PR company. But my sponsored income started just growing and become filling up my editorial calendar because I was getting long term contracts. Jenny Melrose 42:22 I would work with them once. And then I would provide them with my data on a silver platter tied in a bow. And they would say, Oh, my God, you just did my work for me, and delivered exactly what we were looking for or whatever it might be. So yes, let's talk about three posts or let's talk about six whatever it might be. Jenny Melrose 42:46 And that's what I teach. Honestly, like Pitch Perfect Pro isn't about just getting a one sponsored posts with the brand. It's about creating a long term relationship with a brand so that you're not looking at next month going on. Okay, what income do I have coming in? Am I actually making money, I have these expenses, whatever it may be. I remember that feeling of looking at it and going, Okay, what's coming in next month? Oh, I have no idea. Fabulous. Jillian Tohber Leslie 43:18 Right. And I would argue that your influence, your authority, with that brand increases for your audience, the more you are in a relationship with that brand. Jenny Melrose 43:30 Yes. Because they see the authenticity, then they see that relationship that you're continuing to partner with them. Yes, absolutely. Jillian Tohber Leslie 43:39 So in terms of scaling posts, do you think it's easier? Also, one thing that that is difficult about sponsored content is you're always starting over. You have a new project and like, okay, what's the new recipe, that kind of thing? How to incorporate keywords and SEO in your sponsored posts as a blogger Jillian Tohber Leslie 43:58 Do you have any strategies for how to think through your process of doing sponsored posts, so that you're not necessarily starting at the way beginning again? Jenny Melrose 44:09 So I think that it really comes down to like trying to find that rock content of what your readers are coming to you for knowing and doing your research ahead of time. Jenny Melrose 44:18 Like I know, you have had podcast interviews with people about SEO, I think, doing your research and knowing what you're ranking for is so important, so that if you're ranking for comfort food, and it's a particular type of comfort food, keeping that brand if you have three posts with them, even within that form of those keywords is about it, that them and you it's really when you create content, it's about weaving a spider web, it's not about shooting them all different directions, they have no idea what they're coming to you for. Jenny Melrose 44:50 It's about keeping them on your site. I hear from so many people, oh, my audience just comes from Pinterest, because they're looking for a recipe. Okay, but let's have other you know, pieces, other recipes, side dishes or salads, or something that can go with that recipe that you're weaving a spider web around that audience member to be like, why I really liked it. This Yes, this is the right type of food for me. This is this is the way I want to be eating whatever it might be. Jillian Tohber Leslie 45:20 Oh, I like that. So you're therefore thinking about creating cool content for this brand. But also how will this impact your authority, your SEO, your traffic? All of that? Jenny Melrose 45:32 Yes. Make sure to follow through with your sponsored content and deliver Jillian Tohber Leslie 45:34 I think that is so so right on. Okay, here's another one last question. And we'll wrap up with, is one thing that I have heard from people who work at these influencer networks, is that bloggers can be irresponsible when creating content. Jenny Melrose 45:57 Yes. And those honestly are the bloggers that ruin it for many of us. Not the ones that take a bag of granola, the ones that don't follow through and deliver. You can't be doing this, if you are going to want to get paid, you need to run it like a business, and you can't miss deadlines, and miss part of the deliverables that you're supposed to be giving to that brand if you've signed a contract. Because really, you have entered into a legal transaction with them. And they can say, Listen, you didn't deliver this, you're not getting paid. Jenny Melrose 46:35 And I think when we get into the mindset of thinking of a I'm a business, I need to make sure that if I'm agreeing to a certain deadline that I can deliver that now. There are definitely some times where I think the networks can kind of be a little pushy with the way they want things done. Jenny Melrose 46:57 And I often think that sometimes because the network is the middleman, they'll go back to the brands and come back to you, and you can end up six edits in and all of a sudden the brand decides that that's not not what they wanted in the first place. And you're redoing the entire post. Jenny Melrose 47:13 So standing up for yourself being like, you know, making sense of what they're trying to ask you. I've had some clients tell me, they told me this date. And then they turned around and because of their edits turn around and wanted it the next day. Jenny Melrose 47:26 I had that happen with me, they turned around and it was like Black Friday or over Thanksgiving, they wanted it the next day. Meanwhile, they had been sitting on it for two months, and just gave me the edits and expected in 24 hours over a holiday. So there's definitely knowing how to treat yourself like a business, to deliver what you can want is expected. And then to stand up for yourself when you need to is important. Jillian Tohber Leslie 47:54 I like that. And don't you think though, that if you are responsible, and you do deliver, and you do turn things in on time, and you do have a good attitude, that that could really work in your favor, because you can assume there will be other bloggers a lot of times, like a brand will do a campaign and they'll reach out to 10 bloggers who are all creating content for that. And if you are the blogger that delivers, they will come back to you. Jenny Melrose 48:23 Oh, yeah. And that's so true. Not even just with the networks, but also with PR companies, because PR companies don't represent normally one brand. They represent multiple. So if you fit into multiple brands, they'll go to every single time because of one relationship that you built with one PR agent, Jillian Tohber Leslie 48:41 Right. And because they know that you make them look good. Jenny Melrose 48:45 Yes, exactly. Right. Jillian Tohber Leslie 48:47 And that they don't have to track you down. Right. So Jenny, this has been so wonderful. Will you talk about your course and how people can learn more from you? Jenny Melrose 49:00 Yes. Absolutely. So I actually offer a masterclass which will walk you through how to attract your dream sponsors without selling out, and we go through just some of the things that you definitely need to avoid and just being able to put it into practice. Jenny Melrose 49:17 My course Pitch Perfect Pro gives you step by step as you could tell him very much a teacher. You do not skip steps with me. You have to go from A to Z and nothing in between. Jenny Melrose 49:31 And it also provides you with absolutely everything you would need. I'm lifestyle, I've done everything. I've done travel, I've done the vacuums, everything. So my proposals are all in there so that you can see exactly what I do. Jenny Melrose 49:55 And then you're able to actually download it and you can edit it so that you can make it in your own. My follow up procedure that I use. I have a culmination document that I teach all my students to do. Those are all in there. Jenny Melrose 50:08 Pretty much every little thing that you need. Plus, I also have a closed Facebook group that we use for any specific questions that come up. So if you're running into something with a brand. You're like, Oh, I don't know how to handle this. They're asking for rights for the photos. What do I do? That's a question I think we get asked once a month easily. Yes. And I always think double your rates. Jillian Tohber Leslie 50:29 Yes. Jenny Melrose 50:32 And there's that access to me and my team so that we can make sure that you're getting what you deserve. Jillian Tohber Leslie 50:39 Oh, Jenny. Okay. Tell me how people can find you. Jenny Melrose 50:45 You can find me a Jennymelrose.com and my pitch checklist is actually right on the homepage. As soon as you drop in there. It's a cheat sheet that's going to tell you exactly what needs to be inside your pitch on. Jenny Melrose 50:56 You can also find me on my podcast Influencer Entrepreneurs. If you go into iTunes, and you just search Jenny Melrose, it'll pop as well, and and I also do weekly free training on my Jenny Melrose Facebook page so that you can get your questions answered live with me. Jillian Tohber Leslie 51:17 Awesome. Well, Jenny, thank you so much. You are a natural teacher. I have learned so much. Jenny Melrose 51:24 Thank you so much. It was such a pleasure. Thank you so much for having me. Subscribe to The Blogger Genius Podcast Jillian Tohber Leslie 51:28 If you're enjoying the Blogger Genius Podcast, please head on over to iTunes and rate us also if you have not yet subscribe. do that because that way you will miss a new episode. Jillian Tohber Leslie 51:41 And if you guys have any ideas for guests that you want topics you want me to cover. I love hearing from you. Email me Jillian@MiloTree.com.

Jenny Melrose teaches bloggers how to work with brands through sponsored content. In this episode she's giving us tips for staying true to yourself and your readers while making sure the post is optimized for Pinterest.

We are affiliates for Media Kit Smash, Melissa's course that walks you through making a professional, informative media kit that gives potential partners exactly what they're looking for. Go ahead and check it out. We'll wait. Last week, we chatted with Jenny Melrose about the power of pitching to collaborate with your dream brands as the first installment in a four-part series, 4 Marketing Tools Every Influencer Needs. This week, we're tackling another important marketing tool in any influencer's arsenal: media kits. Want to know more about those four marketing tools? 4 Tools Every Blogger Needs to Market Their Business A media kit is a visual complement to your pitch— it serves as a brief introduction so that potential partners can learn about you and your blog. In short, it's your opportunity to highlight just how awesome you are! But much like how many bloggers struggle with writing their own bios, deciding exactly what to include in your media kit and how to best present that information can be a challenge. That's where Melissa Culbertson comes in. Any blogger that does any type of sponsored work really does need a media kit. -Melissa Culbertson Melissa is the author of Blog Design for Dummies, and on her site Blog Clarity, she helps bloggers and business owners find their a-ha moments with online courses. She started out with a parenting site that occasionally posted marketing tips for bloggers, but popular demand and the itch to teach led her to expand into a powerhouse brand that has helped countless bloggers refine their blog design, create better content, and bring in more traffic. Melissa now has over 17 years of marketing experience and currently works at Burt's Bees as the Assistant Manager for Brand Engagement in Digital. As a blogger herself, Melissa sees the influencer world from the brand side and the influencer side, and we love to tap into that perspective. In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, Jamie picks Melissa's brain about best practices when building and designing a media kit. Listen in and learn: why it's so important for influencers to have a media kit the essential components of a media kit (and what bloggers often miss) the value of testimonials and how to acquire them what brands are looking for in influencers advice for new bloggers still building their numbers the best ways to present your media kit to a brand what to include on a "work with me" page on your site how to respond to those pitches in your inbox and a whole lot more, including what you receive and learn from Media Kit Smash (it's like a media kit course and Canva tutorial all in one, and it comes with templates!). Give Melissa's tips a try and let us know how you do in our private Facebook group, Businessese HQ. Resources: Blog Clarity Media Kit Smash Melissa's other courses: Content Brew and Pinning Perfect Blog Design for Dummies on Amazon Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time on Amazon

This episode is sponsored by Pitch Perfect Pro, a program that we're so excited about, we became affiliates. Pitch Perfect Pro is the only course you'll ever need to learn how to confidently work with brands. If you're hoping to make money online, it's essential that you treat your blog and social channels as a business. Among other things, that means formulating a plan, staying consistent, tending to legal matters, and familiarizing yourself with the tools and strategies that will help your business grow. For the month of November, we are focusing on must-have marketing tools for influencers. This episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast is the first installment in a four-part series, 4 Marketing Tools Every Influencer Needs. Long-time readers of the Businessese blog will recall that we posted an article on this subject before: 4 Tools Every Blogger Needs to Market Their Business Those four tools that every influencer needs in their virtual toolbox are: pitches media kits campaign reports case studies When we think of the importance of pitching, Jenny is the person that comes to mind— she has guided many, many bloggers to successfully pitching collaborations with brands, and has a great success story herself. Originally a teacher, Jenny started blogging as a creative outlet. She then transitioned The Melrose Family from a general lifestyle blog into a targeted business that replaced her teaching salary, thanks to a strategic shift in mindset that she shares with us here. People say to me: "Audience and pageviews are the same thing." No, they're not. -Jenny Melrose In this episode, Jenny also details: the main ways she was able to grow her blog and successfully monetize it a better way to work with brands that doesn't involve chasing pageviews why her sponsored content is her most popular content how to stand out when pitching directly, as opposed to applying to networks what she thinks brands find most compelling in a pitch the best method to find an initial brand contact what a great pitch should contain and how specific it should be information about Pitch Perfect Pro and what influencers can learn from it. Listen up and post any further questions you may have in the Businessese HQ Facebook group! Resources: The Melrose Family JennyMelrose.com Jenny's Facebook group, Influencer Entrepreneurs Pitch Perfect Pro The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results on Amazon

Your ideas are only as strong as you're able to communicate them. The skills you need as a professional public speaker are the same skills you need to communicate any ideas, and we are all in the business of communicating ideas! So in this episode, I'll teach you my approach to public speaking and how to become great communicator. My guest this week is a speaker and podcast host-the hilarious and inspiring Ken Davis. He'll talk about how to communicate effectively, compassionately, and in a way that will cause your audience to take action. Our success story is Jenny Melrose, founder of the lifestyle blog, The Melrose Family. The income she made from her blog ended up surpassing her full-time income as a teacher! Today, she's taken what she learned from blogging and sharing her secrets and strategies with other entrepreneurs-and making almost six figures! Plus, I'll answer your top business questions! 1:08 The Basics of Being a Great Communicator 18:13 Interview with Ken Davis 39:06 BB Success Story with Jenny Melrose 45:36 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 51:51 Homework Get Christy's Public Speaking Template by filling out the form here! - To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.