Brand design specialist spills how to make your brand special

Instagram's Reels are all the rage right now... but how the heck do you avoid looking like a dancing fool, and embracing this platform with genuine confidence to build a loyal, engaged, and thriving community? This week Katie and Rach chat with Monique, an Instagram and Reels coach who works with girl bosses to turn their followers into clients. In the past six months, she's grown her Instagram community from 5K followers to 19K and built profitable programs, creating entertaining and educational Reels. She's the co-creator of Instagram Course: Rise With Reels where she teaches brands to harness the power of Reels to make an impact on Instagram. Monique takes us behind the scenes of her Reels strategy - sharing all the steps, pillars and tools she uses to create 'viral' content, grow her loyal community and build a thriving business. We can't wait for you to soak up as much wisdom and inspiration from this incredible, smart, and talented woman! Ps don't forget to join the conversation after and tell us your thoughts - whether you've tried Reels - whether you love it or loath it - and had success from your approach? https://www.instagram.com/thrivinginbusiness_/ @thrivinginbusiness_ Or hit us up on our accounts: •Katie Martel - www.croftpr.com, https://www.instagram.com/croft.pr/ •Rachel Callan - fullstopsocialmedia.com.au, https://www.instagram.com/fullstopsocialmedia/ •Monique Lombardo - The Socialista, @thesocialista_

Ever wondered how to pitch and land TV news coverage? Is it even possible as a small business owner? Today we have the incredible Katrina Blowers, weekend presenter and senior reporter for the Seven Network who shares exactly how you can do that! Katrina has covered global events for major newspapers, radio stations and television networks, worked as a former opinion columnist for the Sunday Telegraph, several major magazines and online news sites, and she MCs for high-profile events like Business Chicks breakfasts. And along with her lengthy career in journalism, Katrina is a highly sought-after speaking coach, facilitator and MC, and host of the incredibly popular Claiming your Confidence podcast. And while it may seem like she's always been confident in the spotlight - Katrina shares a powerful story about how her confidence took a significant hit and eventually led to on-air panic attacks. She generously shares with us the strategies and science she's learned along the way to reclaim her confidence in the public sphere. And she gives us a behind-the-scenes tour of TV journalism, what you need to craft a great story, who you need to pitch to and how! We can't wait for you to soak up as much wisdom and inspiration from this incredible, smart, and talented woman! Ps don't forget to join the conversation after and tell us your thoughts - whether you've pitched to TV, ever struggled with your confidence or tips on how you overcame this on the gram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivinginbusiness_/ @thrivinginbusiness_ Or hit us up on our accounts: •Katie Martel - www.croftpr.com, https://www.instagram.com/croft.pr/ •Rachel Callan - fullstopsocialmedia.com.au, https://www.instagram.com/fullstopsocialmedia/ •Katrina Blowers - www.katrinablowers.com, @katrinablowers @ClaimingYourConfidence @ThisSocialLife

In the first episode for 2021, we chat with the founder of The Business Collection - Tia Robson-Petch. She's an incredibly inspiring founder of this game-changing publication pushing the boundaries sharing feminist and progressive conversations revolutionising the way we think and act - particularly in business. Tia is fearless in the way she tackles some of the most difficult issues, from abuse, to why women hate on each other, to what success looks like and managing a multitude of businesses and charitable projects. She champions the female voice and gives a platform for others. Including Brooke Vullinovich, Roxy Jacenko, Olympia Valance and so many more. She shares •Her experience fighting a personal experience of abuse •How she transitioned into working in business focused on her passion •How she's grown the publication in a tough year in media - and how it's adapting in a digital time •How you can create content to feature in The Business Collection It's an hour-long conversation, but there's honestly nothing we wanted to cut from it. So pull up a seat on the couch, crank your aircon, and enjoy! Ps don't forget to join the conversation after and tell us your thoughts - whether it's about trauma and how this has fuelled you - or how you're working towards living your vision or passion. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivinginbusiness_/ •Katie Martel - www.croftpr.com, https://www.instagram.com/croft.pr/ •Rachel Callan - fullstopsocialmedia.com.au, https://www.instagram.com/fullstopsocialmedia/ •Tia Robson-Petch, The Business Collection, https://www.businesscollection.co/

What's life really like as a print and TV journalist in 2020? And more importantly, what stories do journalists and editors need from business owners and marketers like us in today's day and age? In this Thriving in Business episode, we go behind the scenes with Elizabeth (Liz) Tilley, an experienced journalist and editor with News Corporation who lifts the curtain on what's happening in the world of media in 2020. Liz's incredible career as a journalist spans 17 years, including in metro, regional, international print and television media roles. Today - she works as the Queensland Real Estate News Editor and part-time news presenter for Sky News Australia. Rachel (Full Stop Social Media) and Katie (Croft PR and Katie's PR School) chat with Liz about how she and her team plan and create content, and what she loves (and loathes) when people pitch stories to her - from content, spokespeople, and picture opportunities. Liz also shares about her incredible new side hustle - becoming a social "influencer" of home tours for some of Queensland's most amazing homes for developers and vendors in her spare time. Who doesn't love peeking inside a stunning home?! This conversation is incredibly enlightening - Liz shares so much insight into what happens in the media world, and so many great tips for how to write great stories that get published. Ps don't forget to join the conversation after and tell us your thoughts - have you pitched to newspaper or TV media? Pop us a line below: •Katie Martel - www.croftpr.com, https://www.instagram.com/croft.pr/ •Rachel Callan - fullstopsocialmedia.com.au, https://www.instagram.com/fullstopsocialmedia/ •Liz Tilley, Qld Real Estate News Editor, https://www.instagram.com/liztilleynews/ Join Katie and Rach, and hundreds of others in our Thriving through COVID19 Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/527152524895728

We are so honoured to chat with Susannah George, founder and CEO of Urban List, one of Australia and New Zealand's largest independent media companies. Susannah's a fifth generation entrepreneur who's built a global business - and won a string of awards for it, including as one of the top Australian entrepreneurs in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards, and among the most influential new voices in media as B&T's Media Woman Of The Year. She so generously shares everything from: •how she built Urban List from the comfort of her bedroom •why the concept of minimal viable product (MVP) has been integral to her success •how to build a profitable challenger brand •her three pillars for hiring the right team •strategies for content creation •how to pitch to Urban List and other lifestyle brands •how she and her wife Prue, also founder of Air Garden, manage life as mums in business As someone who's worked a lot with Urban List for my clients - and my Katie's PR School students - it's a privilege to hear more of the essentials for what her team needs in a great story! Join the conversation after and tell us your thoughts - have you pitched to Urban List - or what are your thoughts on minimal viable product? •Susannah George, founder, Urban List, www.urbanlist.com, https://www.instagram.com/urbanlist/ •Katie Martel - www.croftpr.com, https://www.instagram.com/croft.pr/ •Rachel Callan - fullstopsocialmedia.com.au, https://www.instagram.com/fullstopsocialmedia/ Join Katie and Rach, and hundreds of others in our Thriving through COVID19 Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/527152524895728 And we'd absolutely love if you could leave a rating and review - (preferably five star ;) - it helps even more amazing women out there get inspired to grow their businesses (and let's smash gender equity issues together!)

In this episode of Thriving In Business Rachel Callan and Katie Martel chat with Astrid Schwartz, founder of BUBNEST - an iconic, organic Australian baby brand, with a loyal community of over 45,000 people who share in the joys of parenthood. We chat about all things including •Why she started Bubnest - leaving her scientist background behind to launch her business from spotting a clear gap in the market •How's she's built her community of thousands and how she's built her entire business model off her community •Why every facet of her business has an eco-conscious framework built around it •How she's managed multiple set backs, and challenges in business - including during COVID-19 •Social, PR and marketing tactics she's using daily to grow and thrive! Join the conversation after and tell us your thoughts - how do you engage with your community? Have you become more eco-conscious in your business in 2020 - and how? •Astrid Schwartz, BubNest, www.bubnest.com.au, www.instagram.com/bubnest/ •Katie Martel - www.croftpr.com, https://www.instagram.com/croft.pr/ •Rachel Callan - fullstopsocialmedia.com.au, https://www.instagram.com/fullstopsocialmedia/ Join Katie and Rach, and hundreds of others in our Thriving through COVID19 Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/527152524895728 • And we'd absolutely love if you could leave a rating and review - (preferably five star ;) - it helps even more amazing women out there get inspired to grow their businesses (and let's smash gender equity issues together!)

In this episode of Thriving In Business, we chat with Kateena Mills who, after years of gathering her HR consulting experience in Brisbane and the UK, started Club Sandwich HR to help business owners and their employees build thriving businesses with incredible cultures. In this episode we chat with Kateena about: •Why culture is key, even in small business - and how it impacts your marketing whether you like it or not! •Tips to build a thriving one for marketing and business success •How to hire the right staff •How to get the best performance out of your team, even during a pandemic •How to have difficult conversations or know when to let go of staff •How to lead with heart and empathy. And because Kateena is so generous - she's given us a cheat sheet for building your team, even before you advertise - you can download it here! https://croft-pr.ck.page/7bce900c5b It's a jam packed episode - we know you're going to get heaps from it so get comfortable and enjoy! And we'd love to hear how you're going growing your team - reach us at! •Kateena Mills, Club Sandwich, https://www.clubsandwichhr.com.au/ •Katie Martel - www.croftpr.com, https://www.instagram.com/croft.pr/ •Rachel Callan - fullstopsocialmedia.com.au, https://www.instagram.com/fullstopsocialmedia/ Join Katie and Rach, and hundreds of others in our Thriving through COVID19 Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/527152524895728

In this episode, we're privileged to share with the incredible insights of the incredibly talented, Madison Connors - a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Gamilaroi woman, activist, and founder and Creative Director of Yarli Creative. Today she'll share how she launched and grew her name as an artist and creator of incredible homewares and fashion products - and in just six month, has built a highly engaged community of over 15,000, growing by the hundreds daily. Madison will also share why she started her journey as a mum in business, founded on her passion to create connections, conversations, and spaces to educate, and her tips for how we can empower our First Nation Australians. She'll also talk about her journey with mental health and how this shaped the business she has today. I hope you enjoy this podcast conversation as much as we did.

Influencer marketing is a given in 2020 - even if you're in the B2B space. In fact, 86% of markets are using influencer marketing since last year, and budgets for influencer marketing are skyrocketing. It's a huge portion of the work both Rach and Katie do at Full Stop and Croft PR. The term "influencer" is so much broader than just a "social media influencer". Your non-competing industry peers, referrers, industry experts, and media leaders are all your ideal "influencers" - so building relationships with these people is absolutely imperative. And one of the most creative and cut-through approaches to building relationships with influencers is through gifting. Today we're joined by Brianna Russo, a former marketer and wedding planner, turned entrepreneur who's founded The Bundle, Australia's go-to corporate and influencer gifting platform. Today she'll share: •How she grew her business from the spare bedroom of her home •Some of the incredible creative campaigns she's worked on including with Dan Murphys, Myer, Westpac and Twitter •Why she customises every gift she works on and how to make sure it ties back to your brand's goals •How to gift well on a budget - even if it's only $100 to spare! •And some smart and savvy DOs and Don'ts you must know before going down the influencer gifting route! Bri's another wonder woman in business, and she's got a tonne to share with us to help us all thrive! We can't wait for you to learn and get inspired by this super mama boss! And just a little reminder, if you like what you hear today - you can support what we're doing by giving us a rating and review! And we'd love to hear if you've had a go at influencer gifting! •Brianna Russo, The Bundle, https://www.thebundle.com.au, https://www.instagram.com/thebundle._/ •Katie Martel - www.croftpr.com, https://www.instagram.com/croft.pr/ •Rachel Callan - fullstopsocialmedia.com.au, https://www.instagram.com/fullstopsocialmedia/ Join Katie and Rach, and hundreds of others in our Thriving through COVID19 Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/527152524895728