Social Media Money Makers

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.

Ep 32: Tips for *actually* being AUTHENTIC on Instagram w/ Lauren Hale

In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Lauren Hale (@laurenlhale 475k), an incredibly authentic beauty influencer who's flipping the narrative on what it means to be real on social media. We dive deep into Lauren’s journey from being a kindergarten teacher to growing her Instagram following to over 400,000. Lauren opens up about how she navigated her own struggles with self-doubt, especially after a viral video skyrocketed her to sudden fame, leading to features in major outlets like Good Morning America.
We talk about the importance of setting boundaries, overcoming perfectionism, and how Lauren uses her personal experiences, including the challenges of aging and perimenopause, to connect deeply with her audience. Lauren shares how she’s turned her authenticity into a powerful tool for building trust, all while staying true to her values. Whether it’s makeup tutorials or raw discussions about life’s tough moments, Lauren’s story is a masterclass in showing up as your true self. Tune in to hear her insights on why embracing vulnerability is key to making a lasting impact online.

Ep 31: How Jillian Pivoted Her Business and Gained 500K Followers in One Year - with @HBPilates

In today's episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Jillian of @HBPilates  (720k), who shares her incredible journey of pivoting from an in-person business to thriving online during and after the challenges of COVID. Jillian discusses how she transitioned her business when everything shut down, initially offering donation-based virtual classes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged online studio.
We dive into how she managed to stay consistent, even when she felt stuck with her social media growth, and the game-changing decisions she made in early 2023 that led to her explosive growth on Instagram—going from a stagnant following to gaining over 550,000 followers in one year. Jillian also opens up about the mindset shifts that helped her overcome perfectionism and focus on serving her audience, which played a crucial role in her success.
One of the most unique aspects of our conversation is Jillian's experience in creating her own app. She walks us through why she decided to develop it, the challenges she faced, and why it’s been a pivotal part of her business model, allowing her to offer more accessible and tailored content to her audience. Whether you’re curious about scaling your business online, dealing with burnout, or considering launching an app, this episode is packed with valuable insights that you won’t want to miss.

Ep 30: Turn Passion Into Profit on Instagram with Dr. Lisa Mitro

In today's episode, I am excited to welcome Dr. Lisa Mitro, a physical therapist and run coach who has built a thriving community on Instagram by sharing her journey and expertise. We dive into her unique approach of documenting her experiences rather than positioning herself as an expert right from the start. Lisa explains how this authenticity helped her connect with her audience and overcome imposter syndrome.
We also explore her first successful product launch, a strength and mobility program for runners, and the strategic shift she made from her initial, less successful offer. Lisa shares her sales strategies, including leveraging Instagram stories, testimonials, and engaging with her followers to create curiosity and drive conversions. She provides insights into how she uses data to refine her tactics and optimize her content for better engagement.
Lisa also discusses the evolution of her membership program, from open enrollment to a more structured cart open and close model, and the benefits it brought in terms of managing churn and building momentum. Throughout our conversation, she emphasizes the importance of continually testing and adapting to find what works best.
From using testimonials effectively to balancing her content creation process with a busy schedule, Lisa offers actionable advice for anyone looking to grow their presence and monetize their passions on social media. Her transparent and experimental mindset is a valuable lesson in resilience and strategic thinking.

Ep 29: The Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing with Hilary Krueger

In today's episode, I'm thrilled to sit down with Hillary Krueger, an email marketing strategist and expert. Hillary delves into her journey of mastering email marketing and shares her top strategies for building and engaging with an email list. She explains the critical role an email list plays in a business's success, emphasizing how it can be more valuable than social media followers.
Hillary offers practical advice on how to start and grow an email list, create compelling content, and write emails that people actually want to open. She also discusses the importance of nurturing relationships with your audience through email and shares her insights on the best practices for email marketing. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your email marketing efforts, Hilary's tips and experiences provide valuable guidance. Tune in to learn how to leverage email marketing to grow your business and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Ep 28: My *EXACT* Sales Funnel that Created a 7-Figure Business

In today's episode, I'll dive into my entire sales funnel on Instagram and via email, answering questions directly from you, my listeners. We'll start by defining what a sales funnel is and its importance in converting social media followers into customers. I'll break down my sales funnel step-by-step, explaining how I leverage Instagram posts and DM automation to drive traffic to my email list.
You'll learn about my posting strategy, where I maintain a balance of 20% promotional content, and the rest focused on engagement and growth. I'll highlight the effectiveness of DM automation over traditional "link in bio" methods, sharing my preferred tool, ManyChat, and how it simplifies delivering free resources to my audience.
I'll also discuss the crucial role of landing pages and email lists in the funnel, emphasizing simplicity and effectiveness. With tools like Stan, you can streamline your entire funnel process, from capturing emails to delivering freebies and managing your email list.
Lastly, I'll share recent changes in my email marketing strategy, moving from an aggressive approach to a more value-driven, nurturing method. Tune in to get a comprehensive look at creating an effective sales funnel and turning your followers into engaged customers.
Sign up for your free 14-day trial with Stan HERE

Ep 27: 1 MILLION Followers without creating content?! @Project.VanLife

In today's episode, we're diving into the world of social media moneymaking with my guest, Sami, the owner of the largest Vanlife community on Instagram, @project.vanlife (1.5M). Sami shares his journey from flipping Instagram accounts as a teenager to building a thriving online community with over 1.5 million followers.
We discuss how he navigates the challenges of running an aggregate account in light of Instagram's new policies and his strategies for continuing to grow and monetize his page. Sami emphasizes the importance of creating share-worthy content and how focusing on shares can significantly boost engagement.
Sami also breaks down his successful use of DM automation and email marketing funnels to convert followers into customers. He highlights the effectiveness of offering free resources to build an email list and using a structured sales process for high-ticket offers.
If you're looking to learn from someone who has successfully built and monetized a massive social media following, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical tips. Join us as Sami reveals the secrets behind Project Vanlife's success and how you can apply these strategies to your own social media endeavors.