Social Media Money Makers

Ep 42: Imposter Syndrome, Authenticity, & Mental Health (from a Therapist with 400k Followers)

In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish (@drtracyd 435k), a therapist, mental health expert, and podcast host with over 400,000 followers on Instagram. Although she’s not your typical social media guru, Dr. Tracy offers valuable insights into maintaining mental health and setting boundaries on social platforms. We dive into her journey from being advised to avoid social media altogether to sharing her expertise on relationships, parenting, and overcoming perfectionism online.
Dr. Tracy also discusses the power of syncing content creation with one’s hormonal cycle and the benefits of cycle-based planning for women. She shares practical strategies for building an authentic community, including the importance of consistency, addressing controversial topics, and knowing when to draw the line between personal and professional life. Whether you’re interested in mental wellness, content creation, or navigating life as a busy professional, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice.

Ep 41: Make $30K on Instagram with Fewer Than 1,000 Followers

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Kelly Leardon (@walk_like_warriors 1k), a business coach who recently hit nearly $30,000 in revenue with under 1,000 Instagram followers. Kelly proves that a massive following isn’t necessary for big sales and shares the strategies she used to launch her group program successfully.
We dive into her step-by-step process, including her pre-launch seeding tactics, the role of consistency in her Instagram Stories, and how she builds trust with her audience. Kelly also shares how she uses testimonials effectively, nurtures her community through authentic engagement, and offers advice for building a strong business without going viral.
This episode is packed with insights on how small accounts can drive high revenue by leaning into authenticity, knowing their audience, and focusing on results over follower count.

Ep 40: How to Build a Thriving Online Business After 50 Using Instagram

In today's episode, I chat with Kristen Coffield (@kristencoffield 170k), a coach and successful content creator in the niche of active grandparenting. Kristen has grown her Instagram following to over 150,000 by attracting women aged 50 and above. We explore how she’s built her online business, grown her email list, and transformed her passion into a thriving brand.
Kristen shares her inspiring story of consistency, trial and error, and finding her niche after ten years on the platform. We dive into her effective selling strategies, discuss the importance of niching down, and her journey to monetizing her content even before reaching a massive audience. Kristen also gives valuable insights into creating content that resonates with her demographic and building authentic connections on Instagram.
This episode is packed with practical tips for anyone looking to grow their business, especially for those over 50 who may feel hesitant about social media. Kristen’s approach is a masterclass in leveraging Instagram to build a loyal community and a successful online empire.
Links to everything mentioned:
Hydration: https://theculinarycure.com/newsletter/Book: https://theculinarycure.com/book/Website: https://theculinarycure.com/Media: https://theculinarycure.com/media-kit/

Ep 39: How to grow WITHOUT going Viral + Creating Recurring Revenue

In today's episode, I sit down with Tam Milledge, an inspiring teacherpreneur who's built a thriving online business while navigating the ups and downs of content creation. Tam shares her unique journey of steady growth on Instagram, amassing over 100,000 followers without ever going viral. We dive into the strategies that have been key to her success, including the power of consistency and how she leverages DM automation to boost engagement and build her email list.
Tam also opens up about the challenges of balancing content creation with a full-time teaching job before transitioning to running her business full-time. We explore how she and her husband teamed up to create a membership platform for teachers, offering resources and tools to help them succeed in the classroom. She talks about how this membership model provides reoccurring revenue and has allowed her to scale her business while maintaining a work-life balance.
From insights on monetizing a niche to tips on repurposing content, Tam’s journey is full of actionable takeaways for anyone looking to build a sustainable business on social media. Stick around to the end, where Tam drops some wisdom for those feeling stuck or overwhelmed with their own content journey.
Tam’s instagram https://www.instagram.com/mrslearningbee
 
Tam’s Website https://mrslearningbee.com/
 
The Hive: 
https://hive.mrslearningbee.com

Ep 38: From STUCK (for 3 years) to 100k+ followers... HOW?!

In today's episode, I have a fantastic conversation with Heather (@thefairytalefoodie 115k). Heather has built an impressive following of over 100,000 by creating whimsical, themed “dinner and a movie” nights, often inspired by Disney. We dive deep into her journey, from experimenting with different content to finding her niche that combines elaborate themed meals with a dash of magic.
We discuss how she broke out of a plateau and skyrocketed her follower count by adding new elements to her content, including cocktail recipes inspired by Disney characters. Heather explains her unique content strategy, which allows her to stay months ahead of schedule, and how she keeps her audience engaged by playing guessing games about the themed recipes she creates.
She also shares her approach to monetization, specifically how she’s made her digital cookbooks a major income source. Heather details her experience using Facebook ads to drive sales and how it gave her the freedom to be creative on Instagram without relying solely on organic growth. Stick around to the end, where Heather offers some empowering advice for anyone nervous about what friends and family think when they’re starting their own journey in content creation.

Ep 37: How to Post Consistently on Instagram even with a Full-Time Job

In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Kyle Richmond (@drkyle.richmond 120k), a chiropractor and mobility coach who has grown a following of over 120,000 on Instagram by posting consistently within the strength and mobility niche. We dive into how Kyle stands out in this saturated space and explore his journey of posting a reel every single day for nearly two years. He shares the systems he uses to make daily content creation sustainable while managing a thriving in-person and online business.
We discuss the key strategies that have contributed to his growth, the tools and batching techniques that help him stay consistent, and how he balances quality with quantity. Kyle also opens up about his content hooks that drive engagement and his approach to brand partnerships, explaining how he only promotes products he genuinely uses. Plus, if you’re someone feeling stuck in your content creation process or unsure how to monetize, Kyle offers actionable advice on showing up consistently and learning through trial and error.
This episode is packed with insights into how staying dedicated to a routine can help build your audience and business, and Kyle’s tips for creating a system that works for you are invaluable.

Ep 36: Are Reels the Only Way to Grow on Instagram?

In today’s episode, I sit down with Meredith (@meredith.vanness 157k) to dive into the world of social media success through consistency and organic growth. Meredith shares her journey of building a dedicated following over several years and how she’s successfully used static, text-based Instagram posts to engage her audience without relying heavily on reels.
We dive into how Meredith has found success using a more traditional Instagram strategy of posting static photos and text posts rather than videos. She shares her thoughts on why this works so well for her community and explains how it fosters a more meaningful connection with her audience. We also touch on topics like mental health, avoiding burnout, and overcoming perfectionism—key issues Meredith regularly helps her clients work through.
Additionally, she provides practical tips for managing burnout, staying consistent, and nurturing an email list, all while maintaining authenticity and a strong connection with her community. If you’re interested in learning how to create and launch a successful online business while prioritizing mental health, you won’t want to miss this conversation!
Grab her freebie here: https://meredithvanness.com/10-tips-self-care

Ep 35: $20k in One Weekend -- Full Breakdown

In today's episode, I’m talking with Amanda (@rawfitnessandnutrition 115k), a fitness coach and nutrition expert who has grown her Instagram following to over 100,000. Amanda shares her journey, from starting out casually posting on social media to consistently building her brand over nearly a decade. We dive into the realistic side of social media growth, where viral moments aren’t the norm, and instead, it’s about serving your audience consistently over time.
Amanda also discusses her path to becoming a successful course creator, with practical advice for anyone looking to create and sell courses. We explore the steps she took to develop her programs, including how she pre-sold her courses, involved her audience in the creation process, and eventually made $20,000 during her launch weekend. Plus, Amanda offers tips on growing an email list, the importance of staying consistent, and how she keeps her audience engaged by sharing both valuable content and personal stories. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your online business while staying authentic and connected to your audience, this episode is for you.
 
Amanda's free masterclass: https://www.rawfitnessnutrition.com/optin1717752867740
All of her other freebies and paid offers: https://www.rawfitnessandnutrition.com/store

Ep 34: 100k Followers on Instagram, TikTok, AND YouTube?!

In today’s episode, I chat with Justin Stringfellow (@justin.thedj 150k), a DJ who’s mastered the art of growing his social media presence across multiple platforms. Justin shares how he’s built over 100,000 followers on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts—each with very little crossover. We dive into how he uniquely carved out his niche, focusing on helping other DJs elevate their craft and social content.
We also explore the specific types of content that work best for each platform and how Justin uses gear like Insta360 cameras and iPhones for high-quality, engaging videos. Plus, Justin breaks down how he monetized his following with a $5 monthly membership for DJs and personal coaching offers.
Whether you're looking to grow your social media or monetize your expertise, Justin's insights on scaling content, creating community, and refining your tech setup will leave you ready to take your online presence to the next level.

Ep 33: High-Paying Clients with LESS than 10k followers

In today's episode, I sit down with Brian Ellwood (@brian.ellwood 7k), a seasoned author and coach who has mastered the art of using books to generate leads for his business. Brian shares his journey from the corporate world to real estate investing, and eventually into online coaching, where he discovered the power of writing books to attract high-ticket clients. We dive deep into the strategies behind using books as a lead-generation tool, the importance of creating evergreen content, and how books can help build a lasting legacy.
Brian also offers practical advice on how to get started with writing a book, even if you’re not a writer, and how to ensure your book aligns perfectly with your business goals. Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode will inspire you to think differently about how to grow your business.