The Lora Shipman Show - Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Podcast Episode 348 - How to Build a Content Calendar You’ll Actually Use Intro: Hey there, friends! Welcome back to The Lora Shipman Show! I’m your host, Lora, and if you’ve ever started the week thinking, “What on earth am I going to post on social media?” this episode is for you! Today, we’re talking all about how to build a content calendar you’ll actually use—one that keeps you organized, aligns with your goals, and helps you stay consistent. Whether you’re new to planning or you’ve struggled to stick with a system, I’ve got you covered. Episode 348 starts right now! Segment 1: Why You Need a Content Calendar Let’s start with the why. A content calendar is like a roadmap for your social media. It: Helps you stay consistent. Aligns your content with your business goals. Saves time by reducing daily guesswork. Keeps you accountable. I used to struggle with consistency until I started using a content calendar. Once I had a system, I felt more organized, my reach improved, and creating content became fun instead of stressful. Segment 2: Start with Your Content Pillars Content pillars are the foundation of your calendar. They’re the main themes that represent your brand and keep your messaging cohesive. If your’re not sure how to come up with content pillars, this may help get the creative juices flowing: Ask yourself the question: What do I want to be known for. Write as many things as you can think of that really align with your business and business goals Think about your expertise and what your audience needs. For example, if you’re a fitness coach, your pillars might be workouts, nutrition, mindset, and client success stories. Think about your favorite customer or client. Who are they, how do you help them and why are they your favorite. Now that you have all of these various ideas about content pillars, keep it simple. Pick 3-5 pillars or main topics that you align with your brand and business. Here are mine: Social Media Management Services I Provide. Organizing and Streamlining Social Media. Creating Content That Gets Noticed. Productivity Hacks Once you’ve nailed your pillars, brainstorm topics for each one. For example, under “Creating Content That Gets Noticed,” I might include tips on writing captions, designing graphics, or using trending audio. When you go to do this exercise, make the outcome a living document. Here’s what mean. Keep your content pillars somewhere handy. It could be a doc on Google Drive, A Trello Board, a Notion Template, or even a note on your phone’s notetaking app. Here’s why. You never know when inspiration will hit you! If your content pillars are easily accessible, you can add ideas on the fly, making sure you never run out of ideas in the future. The reason why I love content pillars so much is because it keeps the messaging for your business organized and consistent. Without content pillars, you tend to just talk about anything and hope it sticks and makes...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Hey there, friends! Welcome back to The Lora Shipman Show! I’m your host, Lora, and today we’re diving into a topic that’s going to help you hit the refresh button on your digital world. It’s time for some social media spring cleaning! If your online presence feels cluttered, unorganized, or downright overwhelming, this episode is for you. We’ll cover actionable tips to declutter, organize, and optimize your social media for a streamlined and stress-free experience. Episode 347 starts right now! Segment 1: Why Social Media Spring Cleaning Matters So why does Social Media Spring Cleaning Matter? Social media is like a digital home for your business. But just like our physical homes, things pile up over time—unnecessary posts, inactive followers, and outdated information. Here’s the thing: an organized social media presence doesn’t just look better; it works better. It helps you: Attract the right audience. Save time managing your platforms. Keeps your messaging on point. I learned this the hard way when I realized I was juggling too many platforms, some of which weren’t even relevant to my audience. Once I streamlined and cleaned things up, managing my social media felt way less stressful. It may even help you improve your engagement rate. Segment 2: Step 1 - Audit Your Platforms The first step to social media spring cleaning is a thorough audit. Here’s how you can do it: Update Your Bios: Check that your bios across all platforms reflect your current brand and services. Are your links working? Is your tagline clear and compelling? Review Analytics: Dive into your insights to see what’s working and what’s not. For example, if a platform isn’t driving traffic or engagement, it might be time to let it go. Delete Old Content: Archive or delete outdated posts that no longer align with your brand or goals. Pro tip: Use a checklist to stay organized during your audit. Break it down by platform to make it manageable. Segment 3: Step 2 - Declutter Your Following Next up: clean up your followers. This isn’t about vanity metrics; it’s about quality over quantity. Here’s what to do: Unfollow Inactive Accounts: These are accounts that haven’t posted in months or don’t add value to your feed. Remove Fake or Bot Accounts: These followers don’t engage with your content and can actually hurt your reach. Engage With Your Audience: Take some time to interact with your real followers. Comment, like, and respond to messages. This strengthens relationships and boosts your visibility. When I did this for my Instagram account, I saw an immediate improvement in engagement. My feed became a space filled with inspiration instead of noise. Segment 4: Step 3 - Organize Your Content Let’s talk about streamlining your content creation process. Here are a few tips: Create a Content Library: Use tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Canva to organize graphics, captions, and templates in one place. Batch Your Content: Set aside...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Hey there, friends! Welcome back to The Lora Shipman Show! I’m your host, Lora, and I’m so glad you’re here today. If procrastination has ever kept you from crushing your goals, this episode is going to be a game-changer. Today, we’re diving into powerful tools and strategies to help you kick procrastination to the curb and take charge of your time like a boss. Episode 346 starts right now! Segment 1: Recognizing Procrastination’s Impact Let’s get real for a moment. Procrastination isn’t just about putting things off until the last minute. It’s sneaky. It shows up as thing that MAKE you feel productive. Things like… Checking email instead of starting that big project. Scrolling social media instead of sending that important proposal. Grabbing a quick bite to eat, promising yourself you will start Sending a quick text Or insert whatever you think you do without realizing that you are procrastinating If you do recognize that you are doing these things, don’t beat yourself up. We all do it. For me it’s checking email and looking for little tasks that I can knock off my to do list because it FEELS good - like I am actually getting things done. Here’s the thing: procrastination steals time, energy, creativity and even your confidence. I know because I’ve been there. Back when I first started my business, I would avoid tasks like creating financial reports or drafting complex strategies. These were tasks that felt overwhelming, so I kept pushing them to the bottom of my list. The result? More stress and less progress. If this sounds like you, keep listening because I’m about to share 6 tools that will help you break the procrastination cycle and reclaim your time. Let’s Dive In! Segment 2: Tool 1 - Brian Tracy’s "Eat That Frog" First up is a classic: Brian Tracy’s "Eat That Frog." The idea is simple. You identify 3 frogs that you have to eat for the day. It’s a non-negotiable thing…you have to eat 3 frogs a day. One is a BIG, hairy bullfrog The second is a medium-sized frog And the third is a little toad The strategy is to eat the biggest, ugliest one first and then move down the line. The smaller the frogs become the easier they are to eat and before you know it, you tackled all three. Imagine if you reversed the order. How horrifying would it be if you had the big, hairy frog looming over you all day. You would probably avoid it and procrastinate eating it. It’s the same with work… Your “frogs” tend to be the most important and often the most dreaded tasks on your to-do list. If you tackle your BIGGEST to-do or frog first thing in the morning before distractions creep in, your results or what you can accomplish in a day begins to multiply as your day moves progresses and before you know it, you accomplished more than you thought was possible. Here’s how it works for me: Before I end my day, I write down my BIG THREE for the next day. Then I rank them - identifying which is the biggest frog and the item I am avoiding...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Hey there, friends! Welcome back to The Lora Shipman Show! I’m your host, Lora, and in today’s episode, we’re talking about something that can be a huge game-changer for your business in 2025—Time-Saving Social Media Hacks. If you're feeling like social media is consuming more of your time than it should, you’re not alone. A lot of entrepreneurs and business owners struggle with streamlining their content creation process and making it as efficient as possible. But today, we’re going to change that. I’m sharing actionable tips that you can start using right away to save time, get more organized, and create content that not only gets noticed but also drives results. Episode 345 starts right now! Segment 1: Make Social Media Feel Less Like a Chore with a Simple System Let's face it, social media can sometimes feel like a full-time job on its own. But there’s a secret I am going to share with you! The secret is creating a system that works for you and your business. Here’s how to start simplifying: Choose Your Content Formats Wisely: Video, images, carousels, stories... it can get overwhelming. Instead of trying to do it all, focus on one or two formats that will get the most engagement from your audience. Maybe it’s short, punchy reels or eye-catching carousels. This means you’re not constantly switching between different types of content and can batch-create more efficiently. Use Content Buckets: Think of these as your go-to content categories. Break your content creation into manageable chunks. Some examples could be: Educational (tips, how-tos, value-driven content) Behind-the-Scenes (peek into your business or processes) Engagement (polls, questions, fun prompts) Testimonials & Case Studies (let your clients do the talking) This system ensures you’re never stuck asking, “What should I post today?” because you already know the types of content you'll rotate through. PRO TIP: Listen to my previous episode, number 344 Batching Made Easy - Crush Your Content Goals to help you build out content pillars for your business. Segment 2: Automate the Repetitive Tasks One of the best ways to save time on social media is to automate the tasks that don’t need your hands on them. Here’s how to do it: Schedule Content in Bulk: Scheduling is your best friend. Using a tool like Metricool allows you to plan out your entire month’s worth of posts in advance. Set aside a few hours each week or month to create and schedule everything, then let the tool do the rest. This way, you can create content in bulk, keep a consistent presence, and free up your time for more strategic tasks. If you want to check out Metricool for free, I have included a link in the show notes. Use AI for Caption Creation: AI is a game-changer. Instead of coming up with captions from scratch, you can use a tool like ChatGPT to help generate caption ideas or even write drafts based on the content you're posting. The key here is using it as a starting point...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Hey there, friends! Welcome back to The Lora Shipman Show! I’m your host, Lora, and you’ve landed in the perfect spot if you’re looking to simplify your content creation and seriously level up your social media game. In today’s episode, we’re diving into Batching Made Easy so you can Crush Your 2025 Content Goals. I’m going to give you a no-fail batching system that will keep you organized, consistent, and effective. And trust me, once you start batching your content, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without it. So grab a notebook and let’s get to work! Episode 344 starts right now! HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you are as excited as I am to start 2025. This year is going to be different, I can just feel it. I really want us (me included) to get a handle on our content and become incredibly consistent. While consistency may seem mundane, it truly is where the magic happens! With that being said…let’s be honest for a second: How many of you feel like you’re constantly scrambling to get posts up on social media? Maybe you’re tossing out random ideas, just hoping something sticks? If you’ve ever felt like your content strategy is more of a chaotic guessing game than a plan, today’s episode is for you! First, let’s dive into what is Batching, and Why Should You Care! Batching is a content creation strategy where you group similar tasks together and knock them out in focused time blocks. Think of it like meal prepping, but for your content. Instead of cooking one meal at a time, you prepare an entire week’s worth of meals in one session. When you batch your content, you’re creating weeks—or even months—of posts in just a few focused sessions. Why am I such a proponent of batching? I’ve used this content creation method for YEARS and it helps me manage multiple challenging clients at once. When you get disciplined with batching, you will find that it Saves Time: No more scrambling to create something new every day. Reduces Stress: Especially when it comes to consistency. When you batch, Consistency becomes automatic. Improves Quality: When you’re not rushed, your content shines. I find when I set aside time to batch, I can take my time with the content and make it the best possible for my clients and their audience and I want you to get the same results. Boosts Creativity: You get into a flow state and create with more ease. It’s amazing what focused time can really provide for you. I promise, batching is the secret sauce to crushing your 2025 content goals without burning out! Ready for the batching how-to method? Let’s get into it! Step 1: Identify Your Content Pillars Before you batch anything, you need to know what kind of content you’re going to create. That’s where content pillars come in. Content pillars are the 3-5 main themes or topics that represent your business and brand. They’re the foundation of everything you post. When you know your pillars, you never run out of ideas. Don’t worry if you have never...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Hey there, friends! Welcome back to The Lora Shipman Show! I’m your host, Lora, and today we’re talking about something we all need this time of year—quick, festive content ideas that keep your social media buzzing without taking up all your time. Whether you’re knee-deep in holiday shopping or soaking up time with loved ones, your audience still wants to hear from you. I’ve got your back with some fun, easy-to-execute content hacks that’ll keep your audience engaged all season long. Episode 343 starts right now! Why Holiday Content Matters Even though your schedule is packed, staying visible on social media is crucial. People are in a buying mood, and your content can help them connect with your brand while building trust and loyalty. Quick Content Ideas 1. Festive Polls and Quizzes Example: “Which holiday movie is a must-watch? ” or “Hot cocoa or eggnog—what’s your holiday drink?” Tools like Instagram Stories and Facebook polls make this super easy. 2. Behind-the-Scenes Holiday Prep Share a quick video or photo of your workspace decorated for the season, or your favorite holiday treat in the making. Example caption: “Here’s how we’re decking the halls while staying productive!” 3. Holiday-Themed Tips or Tricks If you’re in retail: “3 Creative Ways to Wrap Your Gifts Like a Pro” In service-based industries: “How to Stay Stress-Free During the Holidays” 4. Customer Spotlights and Testimonials Feature clients or customers who’ve shared their success stories. Add a festive twist: “We’re grateful for [customer name] this holiday season! ” 5. Countdowns or Giveaways Run a “12 Days of Christmas” giveaway, offering a small prize or discount each day. Encourage engagement: “Comment below to enter today’s giveaway!” Pro Tip: Batch Your Content Take an hour or two to create and schedule all your holiday posts at once using a tool like Metricool. This way, you’ll have more time to enjoy the season without worrying about daily posts. [Takeaway Challenge] Here’s something fun to try: Plan and schedule one holiday-themed post for each week leading up to New Year’s. Use one of the ideas we talked about today and watch how your audience responds! [ChatGPT Prompt] Need help brainstorming more holiday content? Here’s a prompt for you: "Can you help me come up with engaging holiday-themed content ideas for my [business type] that will resonate with my audience?" That’s it for today’s episode! The holidays are the perfect time to connect with your audience and keep your brand top of mind. In our next episode, we’ll get a head start on 2025 with strategies for batching and planning your January content like a pro. You won’t want to miss it! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and share it with a friend. Until next time, stay festive and keep creating. Bye for now!

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Hey there, friends! Welcome back to The Lora Shipman Show! I’m your host, Lora, and I’m so excited you’re here. Today, we’re diving into one of my favorite topics: vision boarding! We’re not just talking about slapping some magazine clippings onto a corkboard. Nope, this is all about creating a vision board that strategically aligns your personal growth with your business goals. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear framework for building a vision board that actually helps you achieve success in 2025. So grab your crafting supplies—or your favorite digital vision board tool—Episode 341 starts right now. Why do vision boards work? It’s simple. They keep your goals front and center. When you see your dreams visualized daily, they become tangible and actionable. But to make a vision board truly effective, you need to craft it with intention. That’s where our step-by-step framework comes in. Today, I’ll walk you through the 4-Step Vision Board Framework: Reflect, Define, Visualize, and Activate. Step 1: Reflect Before you start cutting out images or creating digital boards, pause and reflect. Ask yourself: What worked well in 2024? What areas of your life or business need more focus in 2025? What specific outcomes do you want to achieve by this time next year? Pro Tip: Review your reflections from the last episode to ensure your vision aligns with the lessons you’ve learned. Step 2: Define Your Goals Now that you’ve reflected, it’s time to get specific. Break your goals into categories. Some to consider are: Personal Growth (e.g., health, hobbies, mindset) Business/Professional (e.g., revenue targets, new skills, networking) Relationships (e.g., family, team building, partnerships) For each category, define 2-3 SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. These will serve as the foundation for your vision board. Step 3: Visualize Your Goals This is the fun part! Gather visuals that resonate deeply with your goals. You can use: Magazine clippings Printed photos Digital tools like Canva or Pinterest But don’t stop at pictures. Include words or phrases that inspire and motivate you. Examples: “Financial Freedom” “Launch a New Product” “Work-Life Balance” Organize these visuals into sections based on your goal categories. Pro Tip: I love using Canva for my digital vision boards because it allows you to create a custom layout and tweak it throughout the year. Step 4: Activate Your Vision Board Here’s where most people drop the ball—they make a vision board and forget about it. Not you! Here’s what you’re going to do instead… Place your vision board somewhere you’ll see it daily. Incorporate it into your morning or evening routine, or both! Spend 2-3 minutes visualizing yourself achieving each goal. Track your progress monthly. Ask yourself and reflect whether you are taking the necessary steps that align with my vision? Bonus Tip: Take a picture of your vision board and set it as...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Why Holiday Productivity Matters Let’s face it: the holidays are hectic. But staying productive during this season is crucial if you want to hit the ground running in 2025. The key is finding a balance that lets you enjoy the festivities without letting your business fall behind. There are 5 steps to follow to help you do this. Step 1: Prioritize What Truly Matters The holidays are busy—there’s no denying it! But let’s simplify the chaos. Start by making a Holiday Priorities list. Break it down into three categories: Must-Do, Nice-to-Do, and Can-Wait. Must-Do tasks are your non-negotiables—things like client deadlines, sales pushes, or essential content creation. In this area, I really like to limit to the top three things I need to get done daily Nice-to-Do tasks are things you’d love to get done, but if they don’t happen, no biggie. Can-Wait tasks? Well, those can chill until the holiday rush settles down. When you see everything laid out like this, you can really see what your priorities are. By focusing on what truly impacts your business or your sanity, you’re giving yourself permission to let go of the small stuff and focus on what moves the needle. Step 2: Leverage Your Calendar Time-blocking is about to become your holiday bestie. Here’s how you do it: Block off time for everything. I’m talking work hours, client calls, family events, and—yes—even downtime. Don’t just leave rest to chance. If you need a cozy night in with hot cocoa and a cheesy holiday movie, schedule it! Tools like Google Calendar or your favorite planner can help you stay on top of it all. When you see your week visually laid out, it’s easier to protect your time and avoid double-booking yourself. Plus, it feels so good to check things off and know you’re staying organized! Step 3: Delegate and Automate This is your friendly reminder: You don’t have to do it all! Seriously, give yourself some breathing room. Delegate those low-priority tasks to someone else. Maybe that means hiring a VA to handle admin work, or maybe it’s asking a family member to take over wrapping gifts or baking cookies. Lean on your support system. They want to help! And don’t forget about the magic of automation. Tools like Metricool let you schedule your social media posts ahead of time. That way, your brand stays visible, even when you’re off enjoying the holiday magic. Set it and forget it! Step 4: Set Boundaries Boundaries are key to making it through the holidays with your sanity intact. Be clear about your availability. Let clients, coworkers, or employees know exactly when you’ll be working—and when you won’t. And here’s a big one: turn off those notifications during family time! When you’re with loved ones, be with them. Your business can wait, but those holiday moments? They’re priceless. Protect that time to recharge, and you’ll come back to work feeling refreshed and ready to conquer. Step 5: Embrace the 80/20 Rule Ever heard of the 80/20...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! ____________ Hey there, friends! Welcome back to The Lora Shipman Show! I’m your host, Lora, and I’m so excited to kick off today’s episode. As we wind down the year, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and take stock of everything we’ve experienced in 2024. This year may have been full of ups, downs, and everything in between—but here’s the good news: every single experience carries a lesson that can help us crush it in 2025. To get the most out of today’s episode, grab a notebook, a pen, and your favorite drink and let’s get started! Episode 340 starts right now! Let’s start with why reflection is critical. Think of it as a review session for your life. You wouldn’t launch a new product without reviewing what worked and what didn’t, right? The same applies to your personal and professional journey. Being aware of what’s working, what’s not, and how you can make improvements to your daily routine will help you build the foundation for an even better 2025! Today I want to introduce to the the R3 Method: Reflect, Recognize, Realign Before we get started, here are a couple of pro-tips you may want to entertain while working through the R3 Method: Use a digital tool like Notion or a simple notebook to keep all your reflections and realignments in one place I like old-school methods. My current favorite way to capture stuff like this is my Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt. I have been using this for about a year now, and it really helps me not to lose any information that pertains to my business, my goals, and my professional development Use whatever system is best for you, there is no right answer here, we all record and retain information differently. Ok! Let’s get into the R3 Method. Set aside 10-15 minutes to jot down the answers to the following questions. You can do this now and put me on pause as we work through the method or listen to everything now and come back to it later when you have time to put some thought into it. Step 1: Reflect Start by gathering your data. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about experiences. Ask yourself: What were my key accomplishments this year? Reflect on why you were able to achieve these accomplishments What worked really well, and how can you make so you can replicate that in 2025 and even do better Where did I fall short? I love this question. Be very candid with yourself. Deep down you know this answer. Writing it out helps to work out what didn’t work and how you can make improvements in the new year What unexpected challenges or opportunities came up? It’s important to recognize that the unexpected does show up in life from time to time. I think it’s really important to: Recognize what the unexpected things are and examine how you dealt with them Identify if there were ways you could handle them better in the future What do you want to remember in the future should something similar pop up? Step 2: Recognize Patterns Now, review your reflections and look...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Segment 1: Why Holiday Engagement Matters Before we dive into the strategies, let’s talk about why engagement is such a big deal during the holidays. Engagement isn’t just about likes and comments; it’s about building relationships with your audience. And during Q4, those relationships can directly lead to sales. Whether you’re launching a holiday campaign or pushing your last-minute offers, higher engagement equals higher visibility—and higher visibility equals more potential customers. Segment 2: 5 Holiday Engagement Strategies So now that we are on the same pages as to why engagement is so important, let’s get into the good stuff! Here are five strategies you can implement today to boost your engagement: 1. Run a Festive Giveaway Everybody loves free stuff—especially during the holidays! Host a giveaway with a prize that’s relevant to your audience. For example, if you’re a bakery, offer a holiday dessert bundle. If you’re a service-based business, consider a free consultation or a discounted package. To enter, ask your followers to do something simple but engaging: like the post, tag a friend, and share it to their stories. This will boost your visibility and encourage new people to check out your page. 2. Create Polls and Questions in Stories Polls and questions are your secret weapon for quick and easy engagement. Ask holiday-themed questions like: “What’s your favorite holiday tradition?” “Which is better: hot cocoa or eggnog?” “What’s on your wish list this year?” These are fun, low-pressure ways to get your audience talking and keep your brand top of mind. 3. Share Behind-the-Scenes Holiday Prep People love a peek behind the curtain! Show how you’re prepping for the holidays—whether it’s decorating your storefront, packing orders, or planning a holiday campaign. Use video or carousel posts to tell the story. This builds trust and gives your audience something relatable to engage with. 4. Launch a Holiday Challenge or Countdown Engage your audience with a holiday challenge, like “12 Days of Tips” or “Countdown to Christmas” content. For example, if you’re a fitness coach, share daily exercises to stay active during the holidays. If you’re a business coach, provide productivity hacks leading up to the New Year. Challenges encourage your audience to come back for more, keeping them engaged throughout the season. 5. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC) Ask your audience to share their holiday moments featuring your products or services. Create a branded hashtag and encourage followers to tag you. For instance: “Show us how you’re styling our holiday sweater and tag us for a chance to be featured!” “Share your favorite holiday memory and tag us for a shoutout!” Not only does this boost engagement, but it also provides you with content to share—win-win! Segment 3: Bonus Tip—Don’t Forget the CTA Here’s a bonus tip: Always include a strong Call to Action (CTA) in every post. Tell your audience what to do...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! The holiday season is a prime time to increase your sales, but with so many businesses vying for attention, it can be challenging to stand out. The good news is that there are a few quick and targeted strategies you can implement right away to boost your sales without a lot of effort. In this post, I’m sharing some immediate, actionable ideas to help you level up your holiday promotions. Let’s dive in! 1. Offer Limited-Time Product Bundles One of the fastest ways to increase your average order value is by offering Limited-Time Product Bundles. This strategy appeals to customers looking for gift sets and provides more value, making it a win-win for both you and your customers. How to Implement: Actionable Task: Pick two or three products that pair well together and create a bundled offer. Promote it as a “Holiday Special” and set a deadline to encourage quick sales. 2. Run a Flash Sale on Social Media Social media flash sales are a great way to generate excitement and urgency. The key is to keep them short and sweet, with a clear message. How to Do It: Actionable Task: Plan a flash sale for this week. Choose a product, create a few promotional posts, and use Instagram Stories to hype up the event. Announce the start time and use a countdown sticker to engage your audience. 3. Create a Gift Card Promotion Gift cards are a popular choice during the holiday season, and a small incentive can make them even more appealing. How to Implement: Actionable Task: Set up a simple graphic promoting your gift card offer. Share it across your channels with a clear call to action like, “Shop Now and Get a Bonus Gift Card for Every Purchase!” 4. Launch an Exclusive Offer for VIP Customers Your most loyal customers deserve a little extra love during the holidays. By offering them an exclusive deal, you can increase engagement and show appreciation. How to Do It: Actionable Task: Identify your top 10% of customers and send them an exclusive email offer. Thank them for their loyalty and give them early access to a holiday sale or special discount. ChatGPT Prompt to Help You Plan: Need some help brainstorming your holiday promotions? Here’s a prompt you can use: Prompt: “Help me come up with a holiday promotion plan that includes product bundles, flash sales, and gift card incentives. Provide messaging ideas and tips for maximizing engagement.” With these quick and targeted promotion ideas, you can maximize your holiday sales and connect with your audience in a meaningful way. Don’t wait—choose one of these strategies and start implementing it today to see immediate results. Here’s to a profitable holiday season! If you found these tips helpful, be sure to subscribe to my podcast and share this post with a friend who could use a boost in their holiday marketing efforts. Let’s make this your best holiday season yet!

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! The holiday season is upon us, and if you're a business owner, you know it’s go time! It’s the busiest time of year, but also the most lucrative if you have a solid plan in place. The key to thriving (not just surviving) during this busy period is having a toolkit that helps you stay organized, efficient, and ready for anything. In this post, I’m sharing my Holiday Season Business Organizer Toolkit to help you streamline your marketing and maximize your sales. Let’s dive in! 1. Holiday Content Calendar Your first essential tool is a Holiday Content Calendar. Planning your content in advance will keep you organized and ensure you never miss an opportunity to engage with your audience. How to Create It: Plot Key Dates:Map Out Campaigns:Assign Content Types: Quick Tip: Use tools like Metricool (here’s my affiliate link: Metricool) to schedule your posts in advance and track performance throughout the season. 2. Social Media Asset Bank Next up is your Social Media Asset Bank—a folder where you keep all your holiday-themed photos, graphics, and videos ready for use. This will save you time and make it easy to post consistently. What to Include: Graphics for Promotions:Stock Photos:Short Videos and B-Roll: Pro Tip: Set aside a day to batch-create this content. That way, when the holiday rush hits, you have everything you need ready to go! 3. Email Marketing Templates Don’t underestimate the power of email marketing during the holidays. Having a set of pre-designed Email Marketing Templates can save you time and ensure your messages are consistent. Key Templates to Prepare: Holiday Launch Announcement:Exclusive VIP Offers:Abandoned Cart Reminders: Action Step: Use a platform like Canva to design your email templates or explore ready-made options that you can customize. 4. Promotional Planner Your Promotional Planner is your roadmap for all the offers and discounts you’ll be running throughout the holiday season. It helps you stay on top of your marketing strategy and ensures you’re not overlapping promotions. What to Include: Offer Calendar:Budget Tracking:Sales Goals: Quick Win: Choose at least one day this week to map out your promotional calendar. Having this ready will give you a clear strategy to follow. ChatGPT Prompt to Help You Plan: If you’re feeling stuck or need help organizing your toolkit, here’s a handy prompt to get you started: Prompt: “Help me create a holiday marketing plan that includes a content calendar, social media assets, email templates, and a promotional strategy. Provide ideas for themes, key dates, and ways to streamline the planning process.” Conclusion: With a well-prepared toolkit, the holiday season doesn’t have to be chaotic. By setting up these systems in advance, you’ll be able to focus more on connecting with your customers and making the most of this busy season. Happy planning, and here’s to a successful holiday season!

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! The holiday season is just around the corner, and while it’s a time for festive cheer and increased business activity, it can also become overwhelming—especially if your digital life is a cluttered mess. Before you dive into holiday campaigns and promotions, now is the perfect time to declutter your digital space. This will help you streamline your processes, increase productivity, and ensure you’re set up for a smooth and successful Q4. Why You Need a Digital Declutter Digital clutter can be just as stressful as physical clutter. It slows down your workflow, distracts you from key tasks, and makes it harder to find the resources you need when you need them. Here’s why it’s essential to declutter your digital life before the holiday rush: 1. Save Time and Reduce Stress A well-organized digital workspace helps you find files and information quickly, so you spend less time searching and more time creating. 2. Improve Your Focus and Efficiency A tidy desktop and organized folders reduce distractions, helping you stay focused on your holiday marketing goals. 3. Set the Stage for a Productive Q4 Starting the holiday season with a clean slate helps you manage the increased workload more effectively and minimizes overwhelm. Steps to Declutter Your Digital Life Ready to clear out the digital cobwebs? Here are some practical steps you can take to get your digital life in order: 1. Organize Your Files and Folders Start by tackling your desktop and document folders: Create a Folder System: Set up folders for specific projects, clients, or categories. Use clear, consistent naming conventions so you can easily find what you need. Delete or Archive Old Files: Get rid of files you no longer need and archive those that you want to keep but don’t need immediate access to. This will free up space and make it easier to navigate your system. Back Up Important Files: Use cloud storage solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox to back up your critical documents. This not only helps with organization but also ensures your files are safe. 2. Clean Up Your Email Inbox A cluttered inbox is a common source of stress. Here’s how to clean it up: Unsubscribe from Unnecessary Emails: Use tools like Unroll.Me to quickly unsubscribe from mailing lists that you no longer find useful. Set Up Filters and Folders: Create filters to automatically sort incoming emails into folders like “Clients,” “Promotions,” and “Invoices,” so your main inbox stays clean. Delete or Archive Old Emails: Archive or delete emails that are no longer relevant to keep your inbox streamlined. 3. Declutter Your Digital Workspace Your digital workspace includes everything from your desktop and browser tabs to your project management tools: Limit Open Tabs: Use extensions like OneTab to save and close multiple tabs without losing them. This reduces the mental load and keeps your browser running smoothly. Organize Your Bookmarks: Go through your bookmarks and delete outdated links. Create...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! When it comes to managing your social media, it’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of last-minute posts and scrambling for content. But what if you could break that cycle and make your social media efforts more strategic, consistent, and less stressful? That’s exactly what we’re talking about today—how to organize your day for social media success, so you can focus on delivering value to your audience without the overwhelm. Why Planning Ahead is Essential If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “What should I post today?” just minutes before you need to go live, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle with last-minute social media planning. But here's the deal: scrambling for content not only adds stress but also makes it hard to maintain a consistent brand message. Here’s why getting organized is a game-changer: 1. Consistency Builds Trust Regular posting shows your audience that you are reliable and committed, which is key to building trust and brand loyalty. 2. More Time to Engage When you’re not stressed about creating content on the spot, you have more time to engage with your followers, answer comments, and build relationships. 3. Higher Quality Content Planned content tends to be more thoughtful and valuable, aligning with your brand’s goals and message. How to Plan Your Social Media Day Now that we understand why planning is essential, let’s dive into how you can structure your day to make it happen seamlessly. Morning: Set the Tone for the Day Start your day with a quick 10-15 minute check-in on your social media channels. This is your chance to: Respond to any comments or messages from the previous day. Take note of any trending topics or news relevant to your niche that you could leverage in your content. Tip: Limit your time scrolling during this check-in—focus only on engagement. Mid-Morning: Content Creation & Curation Set aside 30-60 minutes each day dedicated to creating or curating content. This could be: Writing captions: Prepare captions for the week that align with your content calendar. Designing graphics or editing photos: Use tools like Canva to quickly whip up eye-catching visuals. Batch-creating videos: Use this time to shoot a few short reels or stories. Pro Tip: Schedule this as a recurring block in your calendar to protect your time and ensure it happens consistently. Afternoon: Scheduling & Analytics Review After lunch, spend some time scheduling your content. Tools like Metricool make it easy to plan your posts across multiple platforms. Batch-schedule posts: Get ahead by scheduling a week’s worth of posts at a time. Check your analytics: Review your recent performance to see what’s resonating with your audience. Use these insights to adjust your content strategy as needed. Evening: Engagement & Reflection In the evening, allocate 15-20 minutes for engagement. This is when you can respond to comments, participate in relevant discussions, and engage with other accounts in your niche. It’s...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Never Run Out of Content Again: Holiday Edition The holiday season is a time for connection, creativity, and capturing attention like no other time of year. But as any content creator or business owner knows, it can also feel like a marathon of posts, promotions, and engagement. The pressure is on, but don't worry—we’re here to make sure you never run out of content during this holiday season. In this post, we’ll walk through strategies, tips, and examples to help you keep your content calendar packed with valuable, festive ideas that resonate with your audience. Let’s dive into how to create endless holiday content that aligns with your brand and keeps your followers coming back for more. 1. Map Out Your Holiday Goals The first step to ensuring consistent, high-quality content during the holidays is setting clear goals. Do you want to drive sales, build brand awareness, engage with your community, or simply keep your brand top-of-mind? Your holiday goals will guide the type of content you produce and the platforms where you focus your efforts. Example Goals: Product-Based Businesses: Boosting sales with countdowns, exclusive holiday deals, and last-minute gift guides. Service-Based Businesses: Increasing engagement with valuable holiday-themed tips, showing support for community events, or sharing festive posts that promote goodwill. General Goals: Drive awareness by sharing behind-the-scenes holiday prep, customer stories, or spotlighting your team’s holiday traditions. 2. Mix It Up with Content Types and Themes The key to keeping your audience engaged is offering a variety of content types. This not only keeps things fresh but also allows you to reach different segments of your audience in creative ways. Content Types for the Holidays: Gift Guides: Create curated gift lists featuring your products or services, or partner with local businesses to create a community-focused gift guide. Countdown Posts: Count down to Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Christmas with daily or weekly posts that include fun facts, sneak peeks, or deal alerts. Behind-the-Scenes: Show how you’re prepping for the holidays, whether it’s decorating the office, packing orders, or getting into the holiday spirit. Service-Based Business Ideas: Dentists: Share holiday tips on maintaining dental health during the season of sweets. Realtors: Offer home-staging tips for holiday viewings, or a checklist for winterizing properties. Attorneys: Post year-end planning tips or advice on family and estate planning during holiday gatherings. Acupuncturists or Wellness Providers: Share tips on reducing holiday stress and keeping a balanced routine. 3. Stay Festive with Daily or Weekly Series One of the best ways to build anticipation and encourage repeat engagement is with a recurring series. Whether it’s “12 Days of Tips” or a weekly “Festive Friday,” consistent themes help audiences know what to expect and create a sense of excitement. Holiday Series...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Podcast Script: Episode 333 - Time Management Hacks to Survive the Holiday Rush Hey there, and welcome back to the show! I’m your host, Lora Shipman, and today, we’re tackling a big one—Time Management Hacks to Survive the Holiday Rush. The holiday season can be one of the busiest times of the year. Between increased business demands, personal plans, and holiday commitments, time can feel more limited than ever. If you’re looking for strategies to stay productive without feeling overwhelmed, you’re in the right place! Episode 333 starts right now. Segment 1: The Importance of Effective Time Management During the Holidays Lora: Let’s start by talking about why effective time management is so crucial during this season. Improved Efficiency – With good planning, you’ll be able to accomplish more with less stress, giving you the freedom to enjoy the holiday season without guilt. Reduced Stress – By knowing which tasks matter most, you can stay focused and avoid feeling swamped. A plan keeps the overwhelm at bay and allows you to work smarter, not harder. More Time for Family and Friends – After all, isn’t that what the holidays are about? With a solid plan in place, you’ll be able to step away from work to truly connect with loved ones. With these benefits in mind, let’s look at some strategies to help you make the most of your time during the holiday season. Segment 2: Top Time Management Hacks for the Holiday Rush Lora: Ready to dive into my top five time management hacks? These tips will keep you organized, focused, and productive without burning out. Hack #1: Set Clear Priorities The holiday season often brings a flurry of tasks. Setting clear priorities will help you focus on what’s most important. How to Implement: Each morning, identify your top three tasks for the day that align with your broader Q4 goals. Whether you use a digital planner or a sticky note, keep these tasks visible to help you stay on track. Hack #2: Batch Similar Tasks Grouping similar tasks helps you stay in one workflow, saving time lost on switching from one task to another. How to Implement: Set aside dedicated blocks of time for specific types of work. For instance, spend an hour on content creation or a half-hour on emails. Batching like this reduces mental fatigue and increases productivity. Hack #3: Use the Pomodoro Technique The Pomodoro Technique helps you stay focused with short, timed work intervals, followed by breaks. It’s perfect for high-focus tasks that require sustained attention. How to Implement: Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on one task without interruptions. After each interval, take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break. This technique keeps you fresh and productive throughout the day. Hack #4: Set Boundaries and Limit Distractions Setting boundaries is crucial during this busy season when demands on your time seem endless. How to Implement: Decide on dedicated work hours, and...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Welcome back to Holiday Marketing Boot Camp! I’m your host, Lora Shipman, and today we’re diving into a festive and powerful strategy for driving traffic and sales this holiday season—creating a holiday gift guide that stands out. A well-crafted gift guide can attract new customers, boost your brand visibility, and convert browsing shoppers into paying customers. In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through the key elements of building a gift guide that’s not only visually appealing but also effective in driving traffic and increasing sales. So grab your favorite seasonal drink, get cozy, and let’s jump into Episode 332! Segment 1: Why Holiday Gift Guides Work Let’s start with why gift guides are such a powerful tool. During the holiday season, shoppers are often overwhelmed by choices and looking for guidance. A well-curated gift guide can: Simplify the shopping process: By grouping items in thoughtful categories, you make it easier for shoppers to find what they need. Boost your SEO: Holiday gift guides can bring in organic traffic through search engines if optimized with the right keywords. Drive higher-value purchases: By showcasing items in a gift-worthy format, you can encourage shoppers to purchase multiple items or upgrade to higher-end options. Gift guides tap into the festive shopping spirit and are highly shareable, making them an excellent addition to your holiday marketing strategy. Segment 2: Building the Foundation of Your Gift Guide To start, you need to plan out the structure of your gift guide. This ensures it’s easy for shoppers to navigate and that it reaches the right audience. Define Your Audience Who are you targeting? Are they parents shopping for kids, partners looking for unique gifts, or coworkers seeking holiday deals? Tailor your guide around your audience to ensure the selections feel personalized. Choose Categories Wisely Create categories that fit the needs of your audience. For example: Gifts under $50, $100, and $200 “For Her,” “For Him,” “For Kids,” “For Pets” “Stocking Stuffers,” “Eco-Friendly Gifts,” “Tech Lovers” Keep the categories clear, relevant, and accessible to guide shoppers easily. Determine Format and Platform Decide where your gift guide will live. Will it be on your website, in a dedicated email, or on social media? Each platform has unique formatting options, so choose the one that best fits your goals and audience behavior. Segment 3: Curating Products for Maximum Appeal Now that you have the structure in place, it’s time to choose products that will shine in your guide. Here’s how to make them pop: Mix Bestsellers and New Arrivals Combine your most popular items with fresh or seasonal products to offer both familiarity and novelty. This gives loyal customers a chance to try something new while new customers can go for popular choices. Focus on Visual Appeal High-quality images are crucial. Gift guides should feel luxurious, exciting, and inviting, so use...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Introduction: Welcome to another episode of Holiday Marketing Boot Camp! I’m your host, Lora Shipman, and today we’re diving into a key ingredient for making your Q4 campaigns as effective as possible—knowing which metrics to track to ensure your success. In this episode, we’ll break down which data points matter most, how to track them efficiently, and what each one can tell you about your Q4 strategy. If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of measuring holiday campaign results and want to close the year with confidence, you’re in the right place! So grab your favorite holiday drink, settle in, and let’s get started with Episode 331. Segment 1: Why Tracking Q4 Metrics is Non-Negotiable First things first, let’s talk about why tracking metrics in Q4 is crucial. With holiday sales representing a massive percentage of annual revenue for many businesses, you want to make sure every move you make is contributing to your goals. Tracking the right data helps you: See what’s working and what isn’t: When you understand which campaigns and tactics are bringing in sales, you can double down on those and pivot away from less effective strategies. Optimize for real-time results: Q4 moves fast. Tracking metrics allows you to make on-the-go adjustments that can have an immediate impact. Plan for future success: The data you collect now will be invaluable as you plan for next year’s holiday season, allowing you to identify trends and make better decisions based on what you learned. In Q4, tracking isn’t just about knowing your numbers—it’s about creating a roadmap for success. Segment 2: The Must-Track Metrics for Q4 Success Alright, now that we understand the why, let’s dive into the what. Here are the essential metrics to focus on in Q4: Revenue Growth This is the most obvious and crucial metric. You want to track not just total revenue, but also revenue growth compared to last quarter or last holiday season. This will help you see if your marketing and sales efforts are really driving results. Conversion Rate Your conversion rate tells you the percentage of visitors who take the action you want, like making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter. This metric gives insight into how effective your campaigns are in turning interest into sales. To improve it, consider refining your offers or simplifying your checkout process. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) During Q4, it’s common to increase spending to reach more customers, but it’s critical to track how much each new customer costs you. A low CAC is ideal, as it shows your marketing budget is being used efficiently. Average Order Value (AOV) AOV reveals how much each customer is spending per transaction. Increasing AOV can be as impactful as increasing total customers. Try bundling products, offering discounts for larger orders, or adding last-minute upsells to boost AOV. Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) If you’re running holiday ads, tracking ROAS is a must. This metric shows how much revenue you’re making for every dollar spent on ads. It’s a straightforward way to evaluate if your ad budget is being spent wisely. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) While CLV is typically tracked over the long term, your Q4 offers might drive sales now that lead to repeat purchases later. Analyzing CLV, even if it’s preliminary, can help you see if you’re attracting high-quality customers likely to buy again. Segment 3: Tools and Tips for Tracking Q4 Metrics Now that you know which metrics to focus on, let’s talk about the tools that make tracking them easier. Here are some recommendations to help you keep an eye on these important numbers: Google Analytics Google Analytics is a powerful tool for tracking website visits, conversion rates, and customer behavior. Set up goal tracking so...

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Hi my friends! Welcome back to the Lora Shipman Show—I’m your host, Lora, and today, we’re diving into one of the most powerful tools for driving sales during the holiday season: Email Marketing. Yep, it’s not just about social media and ads—email is still one of the highest-converting marketing channels out there. And in Q4, when people are primed to shop, a well-crafted email campaign can make a huge difference. Today, we’re talking all about creating email marketing campaigns that convert—specifically, for the holidays. From Black Friday to Christmas, I’m going to show you how to craft email sequences that grab attention, build anticipation, and ultimately lead to sales. By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable steps to create your holiday email marketing plan and quick wins you can implement right away. So grab a pen and a notebook and Let’s get into it! Episode 330 starts right now. Part 1: Why Email Marketing is Essential for the Holidays Alright, first things first—why is email marketing so crucial during the holiday season? Let me hit you with some stats. Email marketing has an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent. And during the holidays, that ROI can shoot even higher. Why? Because your customers are actively looking for deals, gift ideas, and special offers. But here’s the catch—everyone is sending holiday emails, so you’ve got to stand out. It’s not just about blasting out promotions every week. You need to craft emails that are engaging, offer real value, and guide your audience toward taking action. So, how do you do that? I’ve got you covered. Part 2: Crafting Holiday Emails that Convert – 3 Essential Elements When it comes to crafting holiday emails that actually convert, there are three key elements you need to focus on: Subject Lines, Body Content, and Calls to Action (CTAs). 1. Subject Lines That Grab Attention Your subject line is your first—and sometimes only—chance to get someone to open your email. During the holidays, people’s inboxes are overflowing, so your subject line needs to stand out. Make it fun, urgent, or enticing. Use emojis sparingly, and be clear about what’s inside. Examples of Holiday-Themed Subject Lines: “🎁 Exclusive Black Friday Deal: 50% Off Just for You!” “Holiday Magic Inside: Your Special Offer Awaits 🎄” “Last-Minute Gift Ideas You Won’t Want to Miss” “Limited-Time Offer: Free Shipping on All Orders!” You can also A/B test different subject lines to see what resonates best with your audience. 2. Let’s Talk About Engaging Body Content Once they open your email, you need to keep them engaged. The body of your email should be short, scannable, and to the point. No one wants to read long paragraphs during the busy holiday season. Make it visually appealing with product images, holiday colors, and clear headings. Example: “Still scrambling to find the perfect gift? We’ve got you covered! Our [Product] is the perfect solution for that hard-to-shop-for loved one....

A Podcast For Social Media Transformation Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Voted one of the TOP 20 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION PODCASTS of 2021 by Welp Magazine! Important Show Links: Lora’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lora_shipman Best Social Media Scheduling Tool: Try Metricool for FREE when you click HERE HEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Digital Marketing Made Easy! Digital marketing doesn’t have to be a bear or expensive! Groove Funnels makes it easy. You have access to: Try it for FREE with no credit card needed by CLICKING HERE. FREE Access to GrooveFunnels - the new best way to build better funnels Free for LIFE Learn From Lora Daily: Check out Lora's Blog: https://lorashipman.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lora_shipman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraShipmanOfficial/ HEREEmail: LoraShipman@me.com Some links listed above may be affiliate links and will award me a small commission. Thank you for your support! Whether you’re a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or running a digital marketing agency, Q4 is the time to shine. It’s all about getting your message in front of as many people as possible and converting that visibility into sales. But how do you do that? How do you stand out in the crowded holiday season when everyone is shouting for attention? Well, that’s exactly what we’re breaking down in this episode. By the end of this podcast, you’ll have actionable tips and strategies to help you expand your social media reach, boost engagement, and make your content work harder for you this holiday season. And as always, I’ll leave you with next steps to take so you can see quick wins by the end of the week. Ready? I know I am! Episode 329 starts right now! Part 1: Why Social Media Reach Matters in Q4 : First off, let’s talk about why reach is so important, especially in Q4. This is the most competitive time of the year when it comes to marketing. People are spending more, but they’re also getting bombarded with promotions left and right. The brands that succeed during this time aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets—they’re the ones that get seen by the right people at the right time. Reach is the amount of people who see your posts, and the more people you reach, the better your chances of converting some of them into customers. That’s why you need a strategy to maximize your reach so you’re not just posting into the BIG BLACK void. But here’s the thing—reach isn’t just about throwing money at ads. There are plenty of organic ways to get your content in front of more eyeballs. And that’s what we’re going to focus on today. Organic reach is one of my favorite ways to grow social media accounts. Part 2: 5 Key Strategies to Boost Your Social Media Reach in Q4 Alright, now let’s break down five powerful strategies that will help you increase your social media reach during Q4. These are methods you can start implementing today to make sure your content gets seen by the right people. 1. Leverage Seasonal Hashtags Hashtags are like doorways to larger audiences. During Q4, people are actively searching for holiday-related content. Use trending seasonal hashtags like #HolidayDeals, #GiftIdeas, #GiftIdeasForMom, #GiftIdeasForMen, #BlackFridaySales, or #CyberMonday. But don’t just use the big ones—look for niche hashtags related to your industry. This way, you can target people who are more likely to engage with your content. Example: If you’re a fitness coach, you might use hashtags like #HolidayFitnessTips or #HealthyHolidays to reach people interested in staying healthy during the holiday season. 2. Create Shareable Content One of the easiest ways to increase reach is by getting people to share your content. Think about creating content that’s highly shareable. This could be anything from inspirational quotes, funny holiday memes, or helpful tips. Pro Tip: People love holiday giveaways and contests! Create a post...