Episode 41

full
Published on:

7th Mar 2024

From ITV to Digital Mother - Nailing your SMM!

In this Episode we are talking to the lovely Emma Peries .

Emma aka Digital Mother is a Social Media Marketing Expert who specialises in Instagram and LinkedIn.

A single mother, a former ITV Good Morning Britain Reporter and Producer, she has worked with words, pictures and content for 20 years before turning her skills into the world of marketing.

Emma runs the Digital Mother Club, a monthly membership to help female solopreneurs nail their social media marketing or she works 1:1 with business leaders to create their own social media strategy.

Lover of the water, outdoors and is very honest about she is still learning to lean into saying no!

You can find Emma at the following places:

Instagram: @digital.mother

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaperies-digitalmother/

Website: https://digitalmother.co.uk/

You can keep up to date with the host Helen here:

https://linktr.ee/Helencorsicadmore

Liked this episode? Remember to subscribe and leave a review! Or if you want to be a guest then contact me at hello@helencorsicadmore.com

Thank you,

Hels x

Transcript
Speaker:

Hello and welcome to another episode of

my wonderful, fabulous and female podcast.

2

:

Today, I am delighted to be

joined by the lovely Emma Perries.

3

:

Emma, aka the Digital Mother, is a

social media marketing expert who

4

:

specialises in Instagram and LinkedIn.

5

:

I love this bit.

6

:

A former ITV Good Morning Britain

reporter and producer, she has worked

7

:

with words, pictures and content

for 20 years before turning her

8

:

skills into the world of marketing.

9

:

Emma runs the digital mother club, a

monthly membership that helps females

10

:

Uh, solopreneurs nail their social

media marketing, um, or does do one

11

:

to one work with business leaders to

create their own social media strategy.

12

:

So that's the very

business introduction bio.

13

:

Lovely Emma, welcome.

14

:

Thank you.

15

:

Thanks for having me.

16

:

You are welcome.

17

:

I would love to know a little bit

more about Emma Perrys, personally.

18

:

What do you love?

19

:

Tell me a bit more about you.

20

:

What do I love?

21

:

I love the sunshine.

22

:

Oh yes.

23

:

And I love the beach.

24

:

Yes.

25

:

And I love big cups of tea.

26

:

Can I have a cup of tea?

27

:

How big?

28

:

Half a half that leaves this size.

29

:

Because, you know, just when you

get one of those silly little

30

:

saucers and what's the point.

31

:

I know.

32

:

Although my, my, um, husband's nan, who

we're still living with at the moment,

33

:

we've still not moved into our house,

so we're residing there, um, will

34

:

only drink out of a cup of the saucer.

35

:

My nan was the same.

36

:

When we used to go to Nan's house,

it'd be like, I'll have a mug.

37

:

Yeah, I'll get you the bone chowder.

38

:

Get a special one out of the cupboard.

39

:

I'd be like, well I have

to have four of those.

40

:

How do you take your tea?

41

:

Oh, I'm builders, definitely a

builder, quite strong, a bit of milk.

42

:

Nice.

43

:

Nothing, thank you.

44

:

Yeah, no sugars, no sugars.

45

:

Amazing.

46

:

So how often do you manage to get out

in the sunshine, get to the beach,

47

:

do all those outdoor things you love?

48

:

So, I'm in South West London,

so I don't get to the beach very

49

:

often, but I am a Devon girl.

50

:

So, I was brought up near the beach.

51

:

I forget that!

52

:

I live like five minutes from the

beach, so I, everyone's always

53

:

like, don't you want to move

back to Devon, and I'm like, no.

54

:

But, because I've got the best of

both worlds, so I'm actually off

55

:

there this weekend, so actually I

get there more often than most people

56

:

that live in South West London.

57

:

Yeah.

58

:

I totally truth, actually, I say

the beach, but do you know what?

59

:

It's water.

60

:

That's my thing.

61

:

Okay.

62

:

Yeah.

63

:

My, so I'm very close to the river here.

64

:

I'm 10 minutes from the river,

so every time it is sunny,

65

:

I've got a bit of a thing.

66

:

It's like as soon as the sun's

out, I'm like, gotta out, out,

67

:

gotta get out . Um, me too.

68

:

And then if it's sunny, I've also

got to get to the, the water.

69

:

Like it's definitely the thing

that kind of, it's the calling.

70

:

It is definitely appalling.

71

:

So yeah, which is kind of why I

would only live in Kingston, like as

72

:

far as I need to be near the water.

73

:

Yeah.

74

:

So, um, yeah, so that's my thing.

75

:

So when I'm here, I can go to the water

every day if I want to, I probably

76

:

don't, but at least three times a week.

77

:

Yeah.

78

:

And then probably down

to Devon and the beach.

79

:

Once every now we'd speak in half

terms because we've got kids.

80

:

I know.

81

:

Do you know what?

82

:

I dropped my daughters off this morning.

83

:

Um, they said, oh, because they're going

to wrap around and they said, oh, um,

84

:

are they coming in, in, in half term?

85

:

And I was like.

86

:

They've only just come

back from Christmas.

87

:

What?

88

:

She's like, yes, it's early this year.

89

:

And I was like, right, okay,

I'll just add that to my diary.

90

:

Didn't even think.

91

:

I know.

92

:

I was just sorting out one of my clubs

for February and I was like, oh my

93

:

goodness, it falls in half term already.

94

:

I feel like I've only just got back.

95

:

I know.

96

:

And interestingly, so just before we came,

um, uh, live, we were saying, how are you?

97

:

I'm seeing you for a while, you

know, and you were like, oh yeah, I

98

:

had a really nice, quiet new year.

99

:

And it was just what.

100

:

You need it.

101

:

So what is it you've needed

about that quiet new year?

102

:

Yeah, so, you know, it's

just, I'm a single mum.

103

:

I run my own business.

104

:

I've got two kids.

105

:

I do see their dad, but you

know, quite a lot of it is on me.

106

:

Yeah.

107

:

So, you know, I'm always

juggling all the balls.

108

:

And I don't have any family, so I don't

have any real support network like that.

109

:

So, um, you know, I'm not getting the

violin out, but you know, it's life.

110

:

It's life.

111

:

Yeah, it's a juggle.

112

:

So, um, and I think I can quite easily

get my head in too much stuff, say yes

113

:

to too much stuff, or even just, yeah,

I'm just, you know, there's just a lot.

114

:

So I think when, you know,

we all know what December's

115

:

like, so it just got to that.

116

:

And I didn't, I didn't feel it.

117

:

I felt really good going into it, but

I definitely was like, actually, I was

118

:

faced with a week on my own through

different sort of personal circumstances.

119

:

So I had a wonderful week with my kids

and my parents for Christmas, and then I

120

:

came back, and what I was supposed to be

doing for the week wasn't going to happen.

121

:

Right, okay.

122

:

Suddenly went, ooh, can

I do this on my own?

123

:

Ooh, I don't know.

124

:

But then I went, you know what, Emma,

I really think you need to A, try and

125

:

tackle it on your own, but B, just need

to be at home, rest, eat healthily,

126

:

go for those walks, go to the river,

get some sleep, and watch some telly,

127

:

because I never get to do that.

128

:

Yeah.

129

:

And do you know what, the week

went so quick and I did all those

130

:

things and, and then I started

talking to loads of other mums.

131

:

How was your Christmas?

132

:

How did you do?

133

:

You know, when you, oh, but it was

so good to see those people in my

134

:

house and that people in, oh, and

I just feel like I'm burnt out back

135

:

to, and I'm like, and I felt that.

136

:

Oh, brilliant.

137

:

You know what?

138

:

Did you just say you feel really smug?

139

:

Yeah.

140

:

Say that out loud.

141

:

I feel really smug.

142

:

You know what?

143

:

And it's weird isn't it?

144

:

Now I can feel guilty about being

a single mother because actually I

145

:

love that part of being a single mom.

146

:

Now I'm six years in and I

can get my head around it.

147

:

I get some time to be me.

148

:

Yeah, it's so important.

149

:

And I can do what I want with that.

150

:

And that week I didn't necessarily

choose it but then I made a choice.

151

:

To rest and recuperate and I've gone into

chandlery and I still feel really good.

152

:

Yeah, brilliant.

153

:

Yeah, and you listened.

154

:

I think, um, you know, top tip for

anyone out there that's possibly

155

:

thinking the same as them, is

listen to your bloody body.

156

:

Listen to it.

157

:

And if you want to just sit down.

158

:

And watch TV for a bit.

159

:

Do it.

160

:

Sometimes we just need to

listen to our bodies a bit more.

161

:

Thank you so much for sharing

that, because I think a lot

162

:

of people will relate to that.

163

:

And also, I just want to say this.

164

:

Single parents are incredible.

165

:

I think anyone that's got children,

working or not working, and actually

166

:

being, are incredible, but being a

single mum, or father, or whatever,

167

:

is incredible, and I don't think we

give, I say we because I'm not a single

168

:

parent, but you give our, give yourselves

enough credit, it's bloody hard.

169

:

It is bloody hard.

170

:

Like, my husband is away quite a bit.

171

:

But nobody gets it until you're

in that situation, you know.

172

:

Exactly.

173

:

And I wouldn't expect anyone

to understand or get it.

174

:

Yeah.

175

:

Until you've been there.

176

:

Yeah.

177

:

You know, we're all in

different boats, aren't we?

178

:

And nobody knows your picture until

you're shoved in the same situation.

179

:

Exactly, yeah.

180

:

But I'm just going to say

something on that as well.

181

:

It's like, I think for me as well,

because I I'm, you know, high achiever.

182

:

I always thought I'm an extrovert.

183

:

I always felt like I needed to

be out and seeing people and

184

:

I always wanted to be busy.

185

:

And yeah, that's what I thought

the excitement came from.

186

:

And I think after that week on

my own, which I did think, Oh,

187

:

is this going to be a challenge?

188

:

I suddenly went, I know I choose my words,

not always correctly, but I was like.

189

:

Do you know what, I think I need to

be a bit more boring, because that

190

:

boring has made me feel amazing.

191

:

Made you feel amazing, yeah.

192

:

I'm like, okay, maybe I don't need

to be tapping into the, yeah, let's

193

:

go for that, and let's do this.

194

:

I just need to be like, oh,

actually this is like Just need

195

:

to be a bit calm sometimes, yeah.

196

:

Or, or boring, whatever, whatever word

you want to associate with it, yeah.

197

:

But how different, like you just said

then, you know, how different has that

198

:

made you feel going into a new year?

199

:

Which can, which can be a lot of

pressure for some people, you know.

200

:

There's so much noise, do you know what

it does my head in for all the, yeah, do

201

:

this, do this, do this, you know, lose

weight, go book a holiday, you know.

202

:

It's another month.

203

:

Okay, it is the start of a new

year, but it's just another month.

204

:

So let's just go into it

how you want to go into it.

205

:

But I think, you know, if you're

tired, you can't think properly.

206

:

Yeah.

207

:

If you're, you know, I mean, I think

for me, tiredness is everything

208

:

because it doesn't allow you to

make the decisions you want to make.

209

:

Your choice is like, you just,

you're just fuzzy, aren't you?

210

:

Yeah, you really are.

211

:

You then can't think positively.

212

:

So then you can't even talk to yourself.

213

:

You know, it's just, it's,

it's massive, I think.

214

:

It is.

215

:

It's a ripple effect, isn't it?

216

:

It is.

217

:

So I think for me, it's just, and

it's allowed me to realise that.

218

:

So I can be like,

actually, do you know what?

219

:

I do need to get a bit more sleep.

220

:

And I do need to live

life a bit more like that.

221

:

Yeah.

222

:

Amazing.

223

:

And just do those things and

make you, make you feel a little

224

:

bit more boring sometimes.

225

:

Yeah, exactly.

226

:

That's okay.

227

:

So if anyone's listening, take a leap.

228

:

Be more boring.

229

:

Emma, yeah, and maybe just be a

little bit more boring sometimes.

230

:

I'm with you on that, I'm

absolutely with you on that.

231

:

Um, okay, right, so let's go back.

232

:

So ITV, good morning Britain,

reporter and producer.

233

:

That's quite a big, quite a big thing.

234

:

I was like listening to that going,

oh, she sounds quite impressive.

235

:

That's really good, yeah.

236

:

So what, what was that like?

237

:

Oh, it's pretty, you know, it wasn't.

238

:

It wasn't a job really.

239

:

I mean, it was obviously, but you know,

I, so I trained as a broadcast journalist

240

:

and I worked my way through radio and

that was kind of my end destination.

241

:

That was my goal to make it to national.

242

:

And, um, I wanted to be

on the telly basically.

243

:

So that's what I went as a reporter.

244

:

And then as I was there.

245

:

You know, I did do a lot of on screen

stuff, I read the news, but then I

246

:

think you kind of had to make a decision

whether you were on screen or off screen.

247

:

Yeah, yeah.

248

:

And the kids came along, and to be

honest, I was, I didn't, you know, I'd

249

:

rather be at home for the kids than off.

250

:

All around the country, you

know, it's just that to be made.

251

:

So then I went behind the scenes, doing

news editing and producing and everything.

252

:

Um, yeah, it's hard work.

253

:

Like I was doing night shifts from 7.

254

:

30 at night till 9.

255

:

30 in the morning when I was news editor.

256

:

That's an act.

257

:

Um.

258

:

So it's, you know, faint hearted and

actually as the night goes on it allows

259

:

you get more and more busier and you

know you're on air at six in the morning

260

:

so that's when you have to be on top of

your game and all that sort of stuff.

261

:

Um, but yeah it's really exciting

but comes a lot of pressure.

262

:

Yeah.

263

:

What have you taken from that

experience though that, um, You know,

264

:

you had to be on your, on your A

game, or, you know, at 6 6, 630 Yeah.

265

:

reads in.

266

:

What have you taken from that situation?

267

:

Now, into what you do, now?

268

:

If anything.

269

:

Yeah.

270

:

I think I mean, I definitely,

um, and I sort of question this.

271

:

I want, I don't know if it's me or

whether I learned to be like this, but

272

:

I definitely thrive off a deadline.

273

:

Okay.

274

:

Yeah.

275

:

You know, I was on a 12,

sometimes 14 hour shift.

276

:

And my day would be like, you

know, here's the beginning.

277

:

This is what we're working to.

278

:

But then I went home and

that it was kind of done.

279

:

Because yeah, that was done.

280

:

So I really thrive off of

that sort of deadline thing.

281

:

And I'm again, I'm trying to decide.

282

:

If this is a negative of

mine or a positive of mine.

283

:

So I tie myself up not sometimes

going, why do you leave

284

:

everything to the last minute?

285

:

You know, actually that's

how I work really well.

286

:

So I'm trying to make it

a sort of superpower and

287

:

understand that's how I work.

288

:

But I still have to plan for that.

289

:

Which is why I struggle

with that a little bit.

290

:

So, um, but yeah, I think.

291

:

You know, I either learn to be

like that, or that is just what

292

:

I'm good at, is driving under

pressure and getting stuff done.

293

:

Getting the stuff done,

getting the shit done.

294

:

It's interesting, isn't it?

295

:

Because you, sorry, um, let

me just finish up there.

296

:

It says, um, it's interesting because

we feel we have to be a certain way.

297

:

But actually, if you, if you do work

best in that situation, then let's bloody

298

:

lean into it and, and do it that way.

299

:

I'm fairly similar, actually.

300

:

I like, the closer and closer

something comes, I'm like Oh, okay.

301

:

Should I start doing done, haven't you?

302

:

Yeah, I'm like, oh, should I start or

should I literally push it a bit more?

303

:

Because actually I work very much

under pressure as well, which

304

:

isn't great for other people, but

actually for me it kind of works.

305

:

So I, I, yeah, I love the fact

that actually I think what I'm

306

:

also rubbish at is leaving that

time to do it at the last minute.

307

:

So whereas I'm like, okay, but

now my brain is going, come

308

:

on, this is how you work well.

309

:

So actually Yeah, I did do it today.

310

:

So it's like almost, I'm like, like,

I've got a presentation next Tuesday.

311

:

I'm sure everybody thinks

I've already written it.

312

:

I haven't, but you know, I don't need to,

I could go in there and do it tomorrow

313

:

without writing anything down, but

I know you need to be slightly more.

314

:

Yeah, seeing as being a

bit more slick, I guess.

315

:

No, but I'm going to do it on

Monday because I know I can.

316

:

But actually I've just

blocked that time out.

317

:

So instead of it being 10 o'clock at

night for tomorrow, I'm going to make

318

:

it part of my working day on Monday so

that I can have a good night's sleep.

319

:

Absolutely.

320

:

So yeah, so actually it's It's not

seeing it as a negative, it's seeing

321

:

it as positive, but then planning for

that, I guess, is what I've really

322

:

learned very recently, that I just

need to, God, I am who I am, aren't I?

323

:

I can't, I think, I wanted, I was

trying to change that part of me

324

:

and go, come on, you need to be

more organised and you do it then.

325

:

And I don't think I am ever going to

change that part of me, so actually

326

:

I need to lean into what works.

327

:

Yeah, what works for you.

328

:

And I always say this, what works

for you is like, what works for me.

329

:

Possibly won't work for you

because we're very different.

330

:

Understanding what bit of it didn't work.

331

:

So it was like, it wasn't working.

332

:

I was leaving it till the day before,

but not allowing time for that.

333

:

So, yeah.

334

:

Okay.

335

:

So, so now, obviously you've left the

sort of reporter, producer, uh, world,

336

:

and you run the Digital Mother Club.

337

:

Let's, let's talk about that.

338

:

Cause that just sounds fab.

339

:

I just love it.

340

:

So it's, I love it too.

341

:

I, it only, it was only launched last.

342

:

Beginning of last year sometime.

343

:

It had been an idea for a couple

of years and I did it in my own

344

:

way and did not launch it because I

thought everything had to be perfect.

345

:

Oh, I haven't done that.

346

:

I haven't done that.

347

:

I can't launch yet.

348

:

Um, and it was probably you

that were like, come on, jump

349

:

on with it and launch it.

350

:

So it's like, and actually.

351

:

You know, anybody that has got an idea

and thinks it all needs to be perfect.

352

:

It, it really doesn't like it's

launched and it's still not perfect.

353

:

We're seven months in, but

actually, do you know what?

354

:

I might think it's not perfect, but

all my people do you think it's great?

355

:

Yeah.

356

:

My biggest achievement is I think I've

only had one person leave in the year.

357

:

You know, and, and that was actually

through, you know, it wasn't,

358

:

it was just circumstance where I

could almost have a hundred percent

359

:

retention rate, you know, that is.

360

:

And it, and I know people love it, and

yeah, so it's just a really positive

361

:

thing for me to know that I'm giving

somebody what they need and it's just fun.

362

:

I love it.

363

:

You know, we just have

two Zoom calls a month.

364

:

Like this morning it was, um, the club.

365

:

I taught everybody how

to do a specific reel.

366

:

We were like, I taught what

needed to be done, what needs

367

:

to be, and we like step by step.

368

:

Then they did it.

369

:

And I'm focusing more on

challenges now, like literally

370

:

going, come on, let's do it.

371

:

You know me, action taker.

372

:

Yeah.

373

:

And then it's like, you know, and then

we've all done a real, we've all shared

374

:

it with each other and egged each

other on and yeah, so it's really nice.

375

:

The accountability, the teaching, the

community, yeah, it's been brilliant.

376

:

Amazing.

377

:

Yeah.

378

:

And people in that, um, digital

mother club then, so the membership.

379

:

Is it people that, um, have got their

own business or is it people that it is

380

:

just just people got their own business?

381

:

Yeah.

382

:

Okay.

383

:

Everybody is a female solopreneur like me.

384

:

Yeah.

385

:

Where every single hat, um, not

really sure how to make their social

386

:

media marketing work for them,

knows they need to be doing it.

387

:

Um, but actually it's always

at the bottom of the pile.

388

:

So how do I make it come to,

not the top of the pile, but

389

:

how do I just make it fit in?

390

:

Yeah.

391

:

How can I learn how to do it, but

for that accountability really?

392

:

And yeah, so it's, yeah.

393

:

Do you feel that, um,

it's also good for you?

394

:

So as a business owner, as a

solopreneur, you know, what does having

395

:

that membership actually do for you?

396

:

Um.

397

:

It gives me confidence that

I'm an expert because they all

398

:

make me feel like an expert.

399

:

Um, it allows me to constantly be

talking to people that need my expertise

400

:

and understanding what they need.

401

:

Yes.

402

:

Yeah.

403

:

In marketing, we talk a lot about

positioning and writing for your

404

:

audience and what problems do they solve.

405

:

It's really hard to

know that if you don't.

406

:

Talk to your people.

407

:

Yeah.

408

:

Yeah.

409

:

So actually I'm constantly, you know, so

from this morning, just from different

410

:

things that were said at time without that

can be next month's content then, or I can

411

:

post that on social because they've said

that, or, you know, it's for me and that's

412

:

what me marketing and content is about.

413

:

It's just listening and being

aware and, you know, taking

414

:

things and running with it.

415

:

But, um, it's also, it

also makes me do stuff.

416

:

Morning.

417

:

Cause I'm showing them what today.

418

:

And that's the thing.

419

:

You know, and then tomorrow I'll be like,

Oh, in the digital mother club yesterday,

420

:

I showed everyone how to make a reel.

421

:

So I'm promoting the club

and doing my own content.

422

:

So, you know, it's just that.

423

:

It's the win win, isn't it?

424

:

Yeah.

425

:

And I think a lot of people, um, I've

been a bit generalistic here, but some,

426

:

some people might think that when you

start a membership, it's all about the,

427

:

the, the members in the membership.

428

:

But actually, like, especially

for me as well, it makes.

429

:

It makes me feel bloody amazing and

I get so much from it, I get the

430

:

accountability and like you said, you

know, it makes me think of, you know,

431

:

difference, obviously I'm not in the

digital marketing space, but, you know,

432

:

doing, doing things to help myself.

433

:

And that's something that I don't

know if you'd agree, but we as.

434

:

Female entrepreneurs, self

employed, work by ourselves,

435

:

generally, we forget that we need.

436

:

Oh, yeah, definitely.

437

:

Yeah, I'm part of the community.

438

:

I'm leading it, I guess, but I feel like

I'm part of it rather than leading it.

439

:

Yeah, absolutely.

440

:

So it is nice to have my

little tribe around me.

441

:

Yeah.

442

:

Just going back to like that

deadline driven thing for me.

443

:

You know, I never launched it because

it never felt right, but now I've done

444

:

it, I've got to do it every month.

445

:

Twice a month.

446

:

And I've got to, you know, so it's

like they're almost holding me

447

:

accountable and they're making me,

because I'll do it for them, you

448

:

know, I'll make, I'll make it work.

449

:

So it's, it, yeah, it does

definitely almost work both ways.

450

:

It's not just, you know, they're keeping

me in check as much as I am with them.

451

:

Yeah, exactly.

452

:

And I think, you know, and it's made

me think, actually, I'm going to say

453

:

to my membership, because I don't ever

say this to the guys in mine that.

454

:

You know, I'm doing this for me as

much as you, so keep me accountable as

455

:

well, you know, keep, keep using me and

asking me stuff because it does help

456

:

to grow and, you know, maintain that

level of excitement, but yeah, it's a

457

:

joy, joy in your business, isn't it?

458

:

It is hard when you ask people, because

I think people are still, I don't know

459

:

what the right word is, whether it's

scared or, you know, I think sometimes

460

:

they still don't know what they want.

461

:

Yeah, yeah.

462

:

Need.

463

:

So I think it is you as

the expert to pull it.

464

:

So it's taking, sometimes, and again, we

ask to, on social, it's about like, ask

465

:

your audience and see what they need.

466

:

And sometimes you can, and you'll just

get this, yeah, there's no engagement.

467

:

And then we'll say, oh, and

then Actually, sometimes people

468

:

don't know what they need.

469

:

So it's, so it's how can you

talk about a subject and find out

470

:

what people need without actually

asking a very specific question.

471

:

So for me, it's like, you know,

we're talking about certain things

472

:

and just different things will come

up and are, but I guess it's the

473

:

way my brain works because I've

been using content for so long.

474

:

I just think that's a bit, that's a bit.

475

:

Yeah.

476

:

Putting it all together.

477

:

So what does, um, what does

the social media strategy

478

:

look like for business owners?

479

:

How do you help people do that?

480

:

I, so for me, it's, um,

like a 10 point plan.

481

:

Okay.

482

:

Got sort of 10 different things

that go into a social media strategy

483

:

and it begins with your audience

and your goals and it ends with.

484

:

Your, how you, um, how you analyze

it, so how you, what you would look

485

:

at to know if it's working or not.

486

:

Yeah.

487

:

And then, you know, your content and your

hashtags and all that are in between.

488

:

So, um, yeah, so, and I see

how you always, again, I love

489

:

the word boring, don't I?

490

:

Strategy always just sounds a bit

like, oh Yeah, I know what you mean.

491

:

Like, I'm trying to dream

up a different word.

492

:

But essentially, it's a It's

just like a guide, isn't it?

493

:

Or is it like an action plan?

494

:

Yeah, it's paid by numbers.

495

:

I'm like, right, if you follow 1

to 10, do this, do that, do that.

496

:

And obviously within those 10 points

are x more points of what you need

497

:

to do, but it's It's a guide, yeah,

to how you make this blooming thing

498

:

called social media marketing work

for your business, you know, and, and

499

:

essentially thinking about it daily here,

instead of thinking about it, like you

500

:

would any other part of your business.

501

:

Yeah.

502

:

You know, and planning it out and

thinking about it strategically with

503

:

your goals and your business in mind,

it's going to get results as opposed

504

:

to going, Oh, what should I post today?

505

:

Oh, there's a picture of a cat.

506

:

Yeah.

507

:

You know, like, because we all

do it, we all get like, yeah.

508

:

Well, I'd be a dog, but

not a cat on a beach.

509

:

Yeah, but that's also fine.

510

:

Yeah.

511

:

In your strategy.

512

:

Yeah.

513

:

But if you're only doing that every

day, then it's, you know, and it is.

514

:

Yeah.

515

:

Yeah.

516

:

And it just sort of makes it.

517

:

It's so interesting.

518

:

The social media world

and like strategy and.

519

:

Um, well, I guess you would have

seen a lot of change as well in, you

520

:

know, since you've been doing it.

521

:

So how long have you been doing

the actual social media side?

522

:

Uh, so 2017 I retrained.

523

:

Okay.

524

:

So nearly, well, seven.

525

:

Yeah.

526

:

Nearly seven years.

527

:

I would say that a strategy does like the

baseline, baseline high at whatever you,

528

:

you know, does last you almost forever.

529

:

Like it's the tactics within it.

530

:

Platform changes constantly, but the,

I mean, obviously your business can

531

:

pivot and it can change, but really

the kind of who your audience are, what

532

:

your messages, what you're selling is.

533

:

It's a tool that can last you for years.

534

:

Yeah, I mean, I would recommend looking

at it yearly to sort of tweak it, but

535

:

actually, which is kind of what the club

is about, is that it's then all those

536

:

changes and that constantness that you

need to keep going with the strategy.

537

:

Yeah, that's what I was going to

say, you like, how do you keep up

538

:

with the constant change, like?

539

:

There's so many.

540

:

I feel like there's so

many changes to happen.

541

:

You should be doing this,

you should be doing that.

542

:

Don't do that anymore.

543

:

Like next week will be something else.

544

:

You're like, the mind just boggles.

545

:

So how do you manage all the changes?

546

:

Yeah.

547

:

So for me, I'm very realistic in how

I teach people and that's my strategy

548

:

is actually based on the person.

549

:

Okay.

550

:

So if I'm working with a company

with a marketing team and a

551

:

dedicated social media manager.

552

:

Yeah.

553

:

It would be very different than

working a strategy for a solopreneur.

554

:

And I'm not saying that one

will work better than the other.

555

:

I mean, obviously the more you put in.

556

:

The more you're going to get out of it,

but if I gave a solopreneur a strategy

557

:

that I would give a social media manager

whose full time job it was, well, they'd

558

:

put it out the window tomorrow because

they'd be like, well, I can't do that

559

:

because I don't have that amount of time.

560

:

Yeah.

561

:

For me, it's about being really

realistic and getting those small.

562

:

winds of growth, making the real

that, you know, you feel proud of or

563

:

whatever it is, that it's baby steps.

564

:

So you don't just chuck it out the window.

565

:

Cause actually, if you chuck it out

the window today, you're not going to

566

:

do anything for six months, but if you

take little steps over the next six

567

:

months, then in six months time, you'd

be like, I can do three posts a week now.

568

:

Yeah.

569

:

Whatever it is, it's, you know, I really

try and base it around everybody's

570

:

individual workload and life.

571

:

That's really, really important.

572

:

And I love the fact that you do that

because everybody's so different.

573

:

And that was kind of one of the questions

really is, is, would you have the same

574

:

strategy for somebody that's, a big

corporate company rather or somebody like

575

:

me, probably the baseline is going to be

the same, but what you do in, yeah, in

576

:

those elements are going to be different.

577

:

And like I said, it's always a, you know,

I could tell you to post every day, but

578

:

to get the same results as a big company,

but I just know that's not realistic.

579

:

So, you know, and you're not gonna.

580

:

Okay, we all want those

big results, don't we?

581

:

But yeah, it's just, I just

don't think there's any, yeah.

582

:

You're stressing yourself

out over it as well.

583

:

Exactly.

584

:

I'm always, you know, I'm always

very realistic and be like, you

585

:

know, the more you put in, obviously,

the more you're going to grow.

586

:

You can do this and 10 times a

week and this and this and this.

587

:

Actually, if you only can give it this

amount of time, which is also why I

588

:

recommend Um, only doing one or two

platforms, if you're in the business.

589

:

So when I trained, I learned

what I call the big four.

590

:

Um, but now I specialize in Instagram

and LinkedIn because I was telling

591

:

everyone I'm going to do one or two

platforms and I was trying to do four.

592

:

And I'm like, well, I'm

a social media expert.

593

:

Doesn't mean I've got the

time to do four channels.

594

:

And so now, and that's how I also

try and keep up with all the updates.

595

:

Cause I think it's physically impossible.

596

:

It is.

597

:

Yeah.

598

:

Master of everything.

599

:

It is.

600

:

And that's the thing, isn't it?

601

:

You're trying to do too much, and

then you can lead into that state of

602

:

overwhelm, that burnout, because you

feel like you have to be everywhere.

603

:

Yeah.

604

:

Um, what, what would you

say are the big four now?

605

:

Be interesting to know.

606

:

Yeah, well, I still call the big, I

mean, Facebook's still the leader.

607

:

Yeah.

608

:

Instagram.

609

:

Twitter and LinkedIn, like obviously

TikTok isn't now coming up.

610

:

Yeah.

611

:

It's coming up, you know,

but they're still evolving.

612

:

Okay.

613

:

Yeah.

614

:

I was just thinking then, like,

when is TikTok going to take over?

615

:

It's just one of those things.

616

:

Yeah, I mean, I haven't looked at the

stats actually, but I mean, they're

617

:

definitely growing hugely, but I

would, I don't know if they're on

618

:

a par with like X or not yet, but.

619

:

I think, you know, it's massive.

620

:

It's never, it's, it's never

going to dwindle, even though

621

:

you might not agree with it.

622

:

But yeah, it's interesting, isn't it?

623

:

Okay.

624

:

So in your sort of, with your clients

now, um, both in your, in your membership

625

:

and your sort of business leaders,

what are the main opportunities?

626

:

Challenges.

627

:

No, I don't like the word challenge.

628

:

The main opportunities that you, you

come up against or you see that are just

629

:

not working for people at the moment.

630

:

Do you have many of those?

631

:

Um, what do you mean on a social front?

632

:

Yeah, yeah.

633

:

So if maybe you've said, I don't know,

you've given them a guide and said,

634

:

right, this is, go away and do this.

635

:

And they come back and say,

it's really not working.

636

:

Yeah.

637

:

Is there anything that's like, that's

really obvious that you think, right,

638

:

what other opportunities are there out

there that I could flip with my clients?

639

:

Um, I mean, I think that, you know,

giving all the advice and telling people

640

:

what to do and then still possibly not

getting engagement on posts is the biggest

641

:

like, yeah, makes you feel a bit rubbish

and you're like, Oh, what can I do?

642

:

And, and the biggest advice

really is It's the consistency

643

:

and it's the keep doing it.

644

:

Yeah, I was doing it as

a social media manager.

645

:

I wouldn't do it once and then give up.

646

:

Yes, you have to keep going.

647

:

And, um, again, like at the club this

morning, someone did the real and then

648

:

can't remember the particular point,

but she said, Oh, you know, I just went.

649

:

You might not get what you want the

first time, because actually it's your,

650

:

you know, we were experimenting with a

new kind of reel, and a new kind of way,

651

:

and like new calls to action, and none

of them had done it before, and it did

652

:

feel quite different, so I said your

audience might go, Yeah, I mean, it's

653

:

not our normal style, so actually, I

think we need to break them in gently.

654

:

So, but you know, you would never throw

a marketing tactic tool, whatever it

655

:

is, out the window on the first go.

656

:

Like, would you throw

anything out on the first go?

657

:

I've just got a new coffee machine.

658

:

Oh my God.

659

:

It took me 20 minutes to

make the first cup of coffee.

660

:

You know, I'm trying, I'm keeping

going with the cup of coffee,

661

:

but it's five minutes now.

662

:

You're going to need another coffee.

663

:

Yeah.

664

:

So to get the blimmin machine working,

but anyway, that's another story.

665

:

So yeah, it's just like.

666

:

You know, it's all about

try, test and refine, Mark.

667

:

Yeah, yeah.

668

:

Putting it out there,

testing it, refining it.

669

:

Okay, maybe after the first social break,

Ooh, what didn't I do quite right there?

670

:

Or, or just And the trouble is, there's

always so much going on, like this reel

671

:

we did today, was it the video, was it

the music, was it the call to action, was

672

:

it the hook in the caption, was it the

caption, was it the call to action in the

673

:

caption, there you go, I've just given

away what you need in the reel everyone.

674

:

It's like, what, what part of

those six things wasn't right?

675

:

Wasn't working.

676

:

So it's like, you know, it's just

constant involvement and testing

677

:

and refining and trying and um.

678

:

Um, what motivation do you give

to people that feel like I just

679

:

can't be bothered to keep trying

all of these things all the time?

680

:

Because I think that's where a lot of

people get to, especially when they're

681

:

working for themselves or in this space.

682

:

They're just like, I just can't

be bothered to keep trying.

683

:

So what kind of things would

you say to your clients?

684

:

So, and again, I've seen it on social

today, the Deborah Meaden quote

685

:

about, um, you know, if you're not

shouting, I can't remember what the

686

:

exact quote is, but if you're not

shouting about your business, who is?

687

:

Yeah.

688

:

If you're not showing up, and

actually this is a real, you know,

689

:

if you're not showing up on social.

690

:

So even if you're not hit, so two

points to this, one point is, is

691

:

how many numbers do you really need?

692

:

How many likes and comments do

you really need, depending what

693

:

you're offering and da da da da da.

694

:

Yeah.

695

:

A lot of it is vanity metrics,

which you just take personally.

696

:

So actually just look at the, no

one's seeing a hundred percent

697

:

of your content except you.

698

:

Exactly.

699

:

Exactly.

700

:

And then on the second part of

it is, um, oh, I've gone off

701

:

on a tangent, I can't remember.

702

:

Oh, the Deborah Meaden thing.

703

:

It's like.

704

:

If you give up, would you take

your website down tomorrow?

705

:

Mmm.

706

:

Because you can't be bothered

to update your website.

707

:

If you wouldn't, would

you just leave it there?

708

:

Just leave it, yeah.

709

:

But your social, to

me, is your 3D website.

710

:

It's your shop front.

711

:

It's your, somewhere that someone can walk

in and feel you and see you and hear you.

712

:

Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

713

:

Um, but if you haven't shown

up since, Even last October.

714

:

If I go in there and go, Oh, I don't think

they might have gone out of business.

715

:

Yeah, that's the first thing, yeah.

716

:

Oh, are they okay?

717

:

Like, where have they been?

718

:

What's happened?

719

:

It's funny, you know, it's like, you

might just think You know, and then you'll

720

:

get loads of people coming back going,

Oh, sorry, I've been away for a while.

721

:

No one cares about that.

722

:

Yeah.

723

:

No, no one cares.

724

:

No one knows you've been away.

725

:

Just get on with it.

726

:

Yeah.

727

:

You know, it's like I want

to see the nosy pictures.

728

:

Where have you been?

729

:

What have you been doing?

730

:

Just share them.

731

:

I want to see what

you've had to feel like.

732

:

So, it's, it's don't give up.

733

:

Yeah.

734

:

And actually think about what that

message is sending when you've given up.

735

:

Mmm.

736

:

Yeah.

737

:

It's a big learning curve for me as well.

738

:

No one's gonna come to you.

739

:

Nope.

740

:

You've got to go to them and you've

got to put yourself under their nose.

741

:

As hard as it is, and I still You

know, it's, um, And that's, that's

742

:

completely normal though, right?

743

:

And I think for anyone that's

listening, watching, you know,

744

:

just, and it's really important.

745

:

So I ask these questions and I want

people to be honest because it's normal.

746

:

Also, if you're feeling that sometimes

you're just like, Okay, I've got

747

:

to keep going, or I've got to go

start networking, or whatever it is.

748

:

Oh, it's alright to have a break.

749

:

Yes.

750

:

Have a week off for New Year.

751

:

Yes, like you'd be a bit boring.

752

:

Be really boring, have some sleep, and

come back like, yes, I can do this.

753

:

Absolutely.

754

:

And it's taking that time away, isn't it?

755

:

And that's when you get that, um,

you know, you feel a bit revitalized,

756

:

you've rejuvenated, you get those new

ideas, you get that new excitement.

757

:

So, yeah, really, really

glad that you've done that.

758

:

And also push yourself out of your

comfort zone a bit, because actually, it

759

:

doesn't always feel comfortable to me.

760

:

And pushing everyone to make that

real today with their faith in,

761

:

which actually, do you know what?

762

:

A couple of years ago, I wouldn't

have pushed people to do that because

763

:

I understand, actually, it's a

skill set of mine that I've found.

764

:

It doesn't come naturally

to me, I guess, does it?

765

:

I've just been doing it for a long time.

766

:

Yes.

767

:

Whereas some people just, and

actually even posting that today,

768

:

she went to me, I'd be really sick.

769

:

Yeah.

770

:

It's okay, but the next time you do

it, you don't feel quite as sick.

771

:

Yeah, absolutely.

772

:

And when you get somebody that engages

on it, or you get this, or you get that,

773

:

or you get a sale from it, imagine that.

774

:

Can you imagine if somebody

actually bought something from it?

775

:

You know, it's, and it is, it's

just like little baby steps and

776

:

we can feel proud each time we do.

777

:

Yeah.

778

:

I love that.

779

:

I've just recorded another podcast

with, um, about the fear of something

780

:

and what it is, and it's always

there just to keep us safe in it.

781

:

And somebody, when you just said

somebody felt sick about posting

782

:

it, you know, realistically.

783

:

It's only going to be seen by like

a really small number of people.

784

:

And I looked at it and I was

just like, you look amazing.

785

:

That's great.

786

:

You know, like we're just so harsh

judgment on ourselves, aren't we?

787

:

Oh, that's not, that's not good stuff.

788

:

You know, I'll obviously

watch this back and go.

789

:

Oh no, no.

790

:

But yeah.

791

:

I think we all will, we all will.

792

:

And funnily enough, just another

podcast about judgement on how.

793

:

No honestly, these things come up all

the time about, you know, what you

794

:

feel about yourself and how much does

it hold you back in your business.

795

:

It's an interesting question.

796

:

Yeah, it can for a lot of people.

797

:

I would love to know, for you to share,

one, just one, one top tip for somebody

798

:

that is thinking or just starting

about, um, just starting their social

799

:

media presence in their business.

800

:

What would be the one thing

you would say to them?

801

:

Um,

802

:

think about how you want to be known.

803

:

Oh, that's nice.

804

:

So, which is essentially

your personal brand.

805

:

Yeah.

806

:

So how do you, how do you want to be seen?

807

:

And I think, you know, how do you

want your business to be seen and

808

:

think about that and go with that?

809

:

Because actually your first impression

or how you're seeing is hugely,

810

:

but you can strategize and give

people what you want them to see.

811

:

That's a really good

one actually, isn't it?

812

:

Because especially when you're starting

out, you feel, you probably feel like,

813

:

you probably feel like you should be

seen as this way, but actually it's

814

:

like, don't worry about anyone else.

815

:

How do you want to be seen?

816

:

And let's work on that and lean into that.

817

:

Again, because I work

with mainly solopreneurs.

818

:

Um, I could work with 10 accountants, 10

fitness instructors, whatever, but each

819

:

of those 10 people will have something

unique about them, or have a different

820

:

value, or a slightly different Look on

something and it's, and it's you that

821

:

we buy from so actually what is it, it

might not be a fitness classes, but it

822

:

might be your just the way you are with

people so actually if you're not going

823

:

to show people that how, why would they

buy from you than from somebody else.

824

:

So, love it.

825

:

And I've got one more question.

826

:

My God.

827

:

Three more questions actually.

828

:

One more sort of related to what you do.

829

:

So how are you different, Emma, from all

the other social media managers out there?

830

:

What makes you stand out?

831

:

See, I can tell you what to do,

but I can't say it about myself.

832

:

Uh, what makes me different?

833

:

I think it is, so I do I

do make people take action.

834

:

I don't just, um, I want

to talk for a living.

835

:

Yeah.

836

:

But as I am talking, I am making people

do stuff like I don't even when I hold

837

:

a free webinar or a paid for thing.

838

:

Um, and again, this is a reflection

of me, because I don't go back and do

839

:

stuff that people tell me to do, like a

webinar or whatever, unless I take some

840

:

sort of action within that call and then

figure out, yeah, I can finish that off

841

:

or, I kind of see where this is going.

842

:

Um, so that, I think that's what

makes, yeah, like my style unique.

843

:

And I think I'm quite approachable

and I think I'm realistic in.

844

:

I'm not going to make you

post every single day.

845

:

Yeah.

846

:

I'm going to tell you that that's what

you should be doing to grow quickly.

847

:

But actually, let's make it realistic.

848

:

Yeah.

849

:

And what your consistency means to you.

850

:

Yeah, absolutely.

851

:

So don't throw your thoughts

out on the ground to my room.

852

:

Yeah.

853

:

And go, Emma, why isn't this working?

854

:

You told me to do this.

855

:

Yeah.

856

:

I love that.

857

:

Um, and I love the fact because

you, you've talked about it already.

858

:

So I know you're an action taker.

859

:

With your clients, because in your

club, in membership this morning, you've

860

:

got everyone to do something, which

is really, really valuable, isn't it?

861

:

Really valuable.

862

:

And that's why people

obviously have joined.

863

:

So amazing.

864

:

Right.

865

:

Bit of a fun question.

866

:

Do you like cake?

867

:

And what is your favorite cake?

868

:

Oh, I love cake.

869

:

Yes.

870

:

Uh, I just like chocolate anything.

871

:

Oh, yes.

872

:

So I'm definitely a, um, chocolate

gâteau with extra chocolate ganache.

873

:

Oh, the ganache.

874

:

Yeah, but I like the extra, you know.

875

:

Oh, yeah.

876

:

Love it.

877

:

Because I'm from Devon, there needs to be

a bit of clotted cream on there as well.

878

:

Okay.

879

:

That rarely happens.

880

:

I'll allow that.

881

:

I'll allow it.

882

:

For my wedding cake, I did have a

very traditional Victoria sponge.

883

:

Oh, can't beat a Victoria sponge.

884

:

Cannot beat, it's quite underrated,

a Victoria sponge, isn't it?

885

:

I see it as a bit like a cream

tea, which is another thing.

886

:

Yeah, yeah.

887

:

And Devon, remind me, is

it cream on top or bottom?

888

:

Right, don't go there.

889

:

Get me really cross.

890

:

Go on, tell me the Devon way.

891

:

Devon is, Devon, and the only way.

892

:

Cream on the bottom and the jam on top.

893

:

Because you can then get more

cream and a little bit of jam.

894

:

And.

895

:

It goes nicely with the big picture.

896

:

Oh, Emma, it's been fabulous.

897

:

Thank you for being so honest

and sharing some tips with us.

898

:

Um, if people are interested in, um,

getting to know you a bit more or

899

:

more about your membership or what you

can offer from a social media point

900

:

of view, then how do we find you?

901

:

Uh, my website's digitalmother.

902

:

co.

903

:

uk and I am always around on Insta.

904

:

I'm at digital.

905

:

mother on there.

906

:

So you can email me on there.

907

:

Yeah.

908

:

Fantastic.

909

:

Thank you so much.

910

:

Thank you.

911

:

Hope you've all got, um, lots from

Emma today about being honest,

912

:

being a bit boring, and yeah,

taking some time for you as well.

913

:

Amazing.

914

:

Thank you so much.

915

:

You're welcome, Helen.

916

:

Thanks for having me.

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Fabulous & Female

About the Podcast

Fabulous & Female
Hello and welcome to Fabulous & Female! For women who are running their own businesses and want advice, guidance and great tips that they can take forward for business growth, better balanced life and most importantly to avoid burnout, then this is for you!

Featuring fantastic guest interviews, you will get to hear inspirational stories behind successful female entrepreneurs, plus the real life dramas that happen behind the scenes. Between guest interviews, listen in to hear the host talk about her own business experiences and share tips and knowledge gained over many years of business life, plus the huge changes made from bricks and mortar businesses to coaching.

Each week, these honest, funny and ‘keeping it real’ conversations show the ups and downs in the life of an entrepreneur.

Follow Helen
https://linktr.ee/Helencorsicadmore

About your host

Profile picture for Helen Corsi-Cadmore

Helen Corsi-Cadmore

Helen Corsi-Cadmore:
An award-winning Business, Mindset and Fertility Coach, an NLP Master practitioner, Hypnotherapist and mum to twin girls.
Having built a successful career in property, and then turning her hand to owning a large multi-million-pound retail business, Helen is now a successful coach that helps people achieve their true desires by being a positive disruption!
Huge lover of fresh air, coffee and cake and dogs!

Jane Mack:
A bestselling Author, Visibility Coach, and mum to two boys.
Jane’s first business was a successful holiday letting agency she owned with her husband before selling it to a national company. She moved into business consultancy before realising a passion for coaching.
After going through her own visibility journey she now helps women be visible in their businesses, because she believes no one should feel they have to hide because of fear.