DiscoverThe Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations
The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations
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The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations

Author: Kara Duncan

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Hey there, welcome to "The Kara Report"! Each week, we’re sharing what we see real businesses doing to grow their business and expand their reach to help you grow your business and become a marketing pro. In each episode, we get granular and talk about real-world marketing strategies, what DOESN’T work when scaling your business, and host candid conversations on the latest business and marketing trends. We'll even share the juicy data we collect and behind-the-scenes bloopers as they come.

No fluff, no filler; just authentic, in-depth discussions that explore the key factors that truly make a difference in your business success. After all, we know that marketing your business is about more than Instagram Reels tips and social media algorithm hacks, and great marketing also doesn’t always mean you’re running a successful, profitable business. 

While we specialize in content marketing, blogging for SEO, Pinterest marketing, and website copy for our own content marketing agency, all marketing strategies are welcome (and discussed) here. Whether you're an established entrepreneur looking to refine your business or marketing strategy or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, we’re serving up valuable insights designed to help you navigate the ever-changing world of business and marketing. 

We believe when you do the work, you’ll reap the rewards and we promise we will focus on results-driven action steps (not the busy work) to help you hit your goals this year.

Now let’s get started!



106 Episodes
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Quitting Instagram is often framed as dramatic, impulsive, or reckless — like you either delete the app overnight or you’re “doing business wrong.” But the real conversation is more nuanced than that. In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of why I quit Instagram after six years — not out of burnout or frustration alone, but after looking closely at my data, time investment, and actual return. We’re talking about what really happens when Instagram stops being a growth channel, how ...
In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how I approached my 2026 business goals after a big year of growth. From experimenting with AI for planning, to realizing what I don’t want my business to turn into, this conversation is more about intention than ambition (although let's be honest... there's plenty of ambition lol). I’m not offering a perfect framework or a 10-step plan. Instead, I’m walking through the questions, trade-offs, and decisions shaping the way I’m moving in...
Two years. Over a hundred conversations. Countless moments where I hit record not knowing what would come out on the other side and somehow, it all added up to this. Instead of doing a neat, polished recap or a predictable year-end episode, I wanted to do something more honest (and more fun). You’ll hear pieces from the very beginning, when everything was scrappier (and yet also, more scripted). There are moments I forgot I ever shared, lessons I didn’t realize I was still carrying, an...
SEO is often positioned as the obvious next step for business growth but the truth is, it’s not always the right investment right now. In this episode, I’m sharing a very honest breakdown of when SEO doesn’t make sense, when you should wait, and when investing too early can actually slow you down instead of helping you grow. This isn’t anti-SEO (far from it). It’s about timing, resources, and making strategic decisions based on how your business actually works (not what the internet is shout...
Blogging for SEO is often positioned as an all-or-nothing commitment — post every single week or don’t bother at all. But that advice leaves out something important: real life, real business seasons, and real capacity. In this episode, I’m breaking down when batching blog posts can actually be a smarter, more strategic move than weekly publishing. We’re talking nuance, not absolutes — and how to build long-term visibility on Google without burning yourself out or abandoning blogging altogethe...
In this episode, I’m answering your Ask Me ANYTHING questions with as much honesty, nuance, and context as possible — from whether AI-written blogs can truly rank, to how I manage my workload as a mom, to the biggest mistake I made in my first business. It truly is a mix of personal, behind-the-scenes things about how I run both of my businesses, plus a handful of strategy questions you were curious about. 🎙️ In This Episode: Does a blog written by ChatGPT perform as well as one you wr...
Marketing your business without Instagram sounds impossible… until you see the real strategies successful business owners are using every day. While the online space can make it seem like Instagram is the place to grow, convert, and stay relevant, the truth is far more nuanced — and far more freeing. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on three very different businesses that thrive completely off Instagram. We’re talking real funnels, real marketing strategies, and real results… wit...
Podcasting looks simple from the outside, but once you’re actually doing it — especially as a business owner — there are so many hidden cons to starting (and having!) a podcast that no one warns you about. From confusing data to low listener engagement to the myth of effortless batching, running a podcast can feel like you’re constantly troubleshooting, adjusting, and deciding whether the effort is paying off. In this episode, I’m walking you through the honest truth about podcasting that mos...
We all know the online marketing world can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re surrounded by complicated funnels, pressure to automate everything, and endless talk about “low-ticket ascension models.” If you’ve been craving simplicity or wondering what you’d do if you had to start your business from scratch, this episode is your permission slip to pare it all the way back. In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact simple marketing funnel I’d use if I were rebuilding my business tomo...
We all know that AI talk can feel both thrilling and slightly terrifying — and if you’re anything like me, you might’ve been firmly in the “Chrome forever” camp… until now. After spending the last week and a half inside ChatGPT’s new browser, I’m bringing you a true ChatGPT Atlas review — not hype, not theory, but exactly how I’ve been using it inside my real workflows as a business owner and creator. In this episode, I'm walking you through eight specific use cases that saved me time, sparke...
We all know that watching YouTube can feel like both education and escapism — but lately, it’s also been a masterclass in marketing. After bingeing everything from home makeovers to productivity vlogs, I’ve realized that the best creators on YouTube are teaching small business owners something deeper: how to show up online with more confidence, personality, and longevity. In this episode, I’m sharing eight lessons I’ve learned that you can apply to your own marketing even if you never post a...
We’ve all heard them: “Pinterest doesn’t work anymore.” “It’s only for recipes and DIY.” “You need to post 35 times a day to see results.” But what if those Pinterest myths are actually keeping your business from one of the most powerful organic traffic tools out there? In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest misconceptions about Pinterest — and sharing what actually drives results in 2025. Whether you’re a coach, service provider, or e-commerce brand, Pinterest is still one of the be...
We’ve all heard it: “Facebook groups are dead.” But what if that’s the biggest missed opportunity in your marketing right now? In an era where algorithms change daily and connection feels harder than ever, community-driven marketing might just be your most reliable growth channel. And btw - if you’re thinking, “I don’t want to be on Facebook,” this episode is still 100% for you. Because today’s conversation isn’t really about Facebook — it’s about how to build genuine relationships that turn ...
We all know the cycle: pushing out daily Instagram posts, scrambling to keep up with the algorithm, and wondering if it’s even worth it. The highlight reels of “overnight” wins make it seem like short-form content is the only way to grow — but if that’s your only strategy heading into Q4, your future self is going to be exhausted. In this episode, I’m sharing the marketing play that most entrepreneurs skip until it’s too late: building evergreen content systems. Whether it’s blogging, Pinter...
We all see the highlight reels online — $100K launches from one post, “overnight” wins, and the myth that scaling is seamless. But the truth of running a business looks a lot different behind the scenes. In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand-new quarterly series with my business BFF, Laura Milroy. Every few months, we’ll sit down to share what’s actually happening inside our businesses — the wins we’re celebrating, the pivots we’re making, and the uncomfortable conversations that come with...
We’ve all seen flashy testimonials that shout about $50K launches or $10K months. But most of us don’t have case studies like that—and honestly, even if we did, would they really convince someone that our offer is right for them? Probably not. In this episode, sales content coach Jocelyn Montemarano breaks down why case studies are the most underutilized (and most powerful) sales tool in your business. She shares her signature “three types of case studies” framework, the Rent the Runway anal...
It’s tempting, right? The promise of passive income: make money while you sleep, sell one course to hundreds, automate your way to freedom. But here’s the thing... chasing passive income too early is probably costing you thousands of dollars. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what really happens when you dive into passive offers before your business is ready. From the hidden costs of customer support to the constant cycle of starting and stopping, you’ll hear why services are o...
It’s officially September, and that “back-to-business” urgency is real. But along with the fresh start can come a sneaky problem: time anxiety. You know that constant hum of I should be doing more, there’s never enough time, or why can’t I get it all done? Yep—that one. In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest lessons I’ve learned from the book Time Anxiety and how I’m applying them in my own life. From decluttering your calendar to finally tackling those dreaded tasks, you’ll hear pra...
We’ve all heard it before—successful launches require complex funnels, endless emails, and hours on Zoom. But what if you could sell out your program with nothing more than your phone, a little green circle, and a handful of creative ideas? In this episode, Instagram strategist Brittany Roberts takes us behind the scenes of her most successful (and simplest) launch to date—run entirely through Instagram Close Friends Stories. You’ll hear how she curated 250+ people into an exclusive list, del...
We’ve all been there—you head into summer with big marketing plans, only to look up in August and realize you ghosted your audience for months. Now Q4—the biggest sales season of the year—is around the corner, and panic starts to set in. This episode is your practical, no-fluff guide to getting back in the game without burning out. Returning guest Tayler from Enji and I talk about how to restart your marketing after a long break, rewarm your audience, and set yourself up for Black Friday succ...
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