How Much Do Social Media Workers Make

Visual ambassador, Scott Hull , is finishing the year strong and he’s using the Simplest Marketing Plan – outreach, networking and content marketing – to do it. In today’s episode of the Marketing Mentor Podcast , he generously shares what’s working and which markets are thriving in face of AI. Because, as I like to say, "Marketing works when you do it." And September and October is prime marketing time. Before everything slows down for the holidays, this is when people are spending budgets they don’t want to lose and pulling the trigger on projects that need to get done. I love watching the members of my Simplest Marketing Program get their marketing done – and we are seeing the fruits of their labor. One in particular is Scott Hull who matches big brands with illustrators and illustrative designers. (You can also find him and the work on IG at @scottbhull ) Also, I asked Scott to share one lesson he’d learned over the years and he said something I’ve been saying a lo...

As a freelancer, don’t you wonder what your client thinks makes a good pitch (and a bad one)? That’s just one of the questions I asked Rebecca Matter , President of American Writers and Artists Institute, who hires lots of freelancers and gets pitched every single day. I jump at every opportunity to ask my clients’ clients all the questions you'd love answers to, like: how to tell when the time is right to reach out to a dream client what makes a good pitch and a bad one when you do reach out. how to spot opportunities how Rebecca is using AI these days, and which copywriters AI is replacing.  We also talked about AWAI's new AI Manifesto...find it here. This is a good one, so listen here (and below).    And if you like what you hear, we’d love it if you write a review,  subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor. Read the complete transcript here Hi there, this is Ilise Benun, your marketing mentor, and this is the podcast for you if and o...

Do you ever hesitate to post on LinkedIn because you’re afraid of what someone might say in the comments? In a recent Simplest Marketing Plan Office Hours session, someone admitted to doing this. So I asked the group what “fear of engagement” means to them… And people had feelings! Sound familiar? If “fear of engagement” stops you from creating content… remember this: The point of creating content isn’t to be “right” or for everyone to think you’re wonderful. It’s to stay visible to potential clients. That’s it! And everyone will forget about your post by tomorrow, anyway. If you’re still not convinced, why not practice with AI? If you have access to my chatbot, “Artificial Ilise,” give her this prompt: PROMPT: “I want to post about [insert your idea] on LinkedIn, but I’m afraid people will make negative comments or question my idea. What should I do?” See what she says.  You could even ask her to tell you positive or negative comments people could make - so you can be rea...

Have you heard about – or ever been on – the treadmill of success? Some call it a hamster wheel. It’s a real thing and it’s been coming up in my coaching groups lately. You see, the marketing is working and now they feel like all they're doing is getting a client, doing the work, getting another client, doing another project, etc. A good problem to have, no doubt, especially right now. But they want to know, “Will this treadmill ever end?” I recruited my good friend, Ben Callahan , to tackle this question. (We both just love questions :) And it turns out, the answer starts with another question: What do you value? That’s the baby step Ben suggested. But don’t answer by cogitating about it. Because we can tell ourselves anything we want and it’s not always the truth. Instead, look at a few of the decisions you’ve made in the last year. Why did you do what you did? And what value(s) is/are underneath it? That way, your values are more actual than aspirational.  Listen he...

You don’t even have to say it out loud.  I can hear your objections to doing your marketing. It’s a sixth sense from nearly 40 years as a business coach for creatives. Because after all these years, what works to get clients hasn’t changed… It’s connecting with real humans. And guess what? That’s exactly what you seem to fear the most. 🫣 So today, I’d like to help you quiet the voice in your brain and start connecting, with… 4 Low-Effort Outreach Actions  (And My Retorts to Your Objections) 1. Check your piles.  You went to an event and came away with a pile of business cards, now collecting dust in a drawer. Why not dig them up and reach out? Your Objection: “It's too late. They won’t remember me.” Reality: It's never too late, you just have to provide context. Tell them, “Wow, I just found your business card at the bottom of one of my piles! So I'm reaching out. How's tricks?” Totally relatable. 2. Check in on a past client. Ask, “How's everything ...

In terms of growing your small business, establishing a strong brand is fundamental. You’ll need to focus on several key services that can enhance your market presence. These include developing a brand strategy , creating a visual identity , and crafting effective brand messaging. Each component plays a significant role in how your business is perceived. Let’s explore these important branding services and how they can contribute to your overall success. Key Takeaways Develop a clear brand strategy to define identity, mission, values, and unique selling proposition for market positioning. Create a cohesive visual identity, including logos, color palettes, and typography, to enhance brand recognition and recall. Establish consistent brand messaging and voice to build trust and emotional connections with customers. Optimize a user-friendly website for SEO and ensure alignment with offline branding for a strong online presence. Utilize social media branding to engage cu...

When you’re looking to create a stunning logo , choosing the right software is crucial. With various options available, each software caters to different skill levels and design needs. Whether you prefer the advanced features of Adobe Illustrator or the simplicity of Canva, there’s something for everyone. Comprehending these tools will help you make an informed choice. Let’s explore the best logo design software options that can enhance your branding efforts. Key Takeaways Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard for logo design, offering extensive features and Creative Cloud integration for professional projects. Canva Logo Maker provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it ideal for beginners looking to create logos quickly. Affinity Designer is a cost-effective option with a one-time purchase model, supporting scalable vector graphics for quality logos at any size. Looka utilizes AI technology to align logos with brand identity, offering ov...

Storytelling in business is an essential tool for connecting with your audience. It helps you convey your brand’s purpose and values in a way that resonates emotionally. By sharing relatable narratives, you can build trust and differentiate your brand in a crowded market. Effective stories improve engagement, making your message more memorable. Comprehending these elements can transform how you approach marketing and consumer relationships. But how can you implement these strategies effectively? Key Takeaways Storytelling differentiates brands by conveying their purpose and values, making them more relatable in competitive markets. Emotional connections foster trust and loyalty, influencing purchasing decisions and increasing engagement with audiences. Authentic narratives humanize brands, enhancing credibility and making them 22 times more memorable than mere facts. Compelling stories highlight unique selling propositions, helping brands stand out and build strong emoti...