Dishing Up Digital with Ellen Mackenzie

🚨 Sign up for my FREE 3 day online conference for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/summit2025If you’ve ever thought, “Why is no one booking me?”—this episode is your wake-up call. Inside, I’m breaking down the exact 5-step strategy I’ve used over and over again to get fully booked fast—whether I was starting from scratch, lost a big client, or just needed fast cash flow in my business.➡️ No giant following.➡️ No complicated funnels.➡️ No slashing your prices.Just simple, repeatable moves that work—especially for freelancers, social media managers, coaches, and service providers ready to grow to consistent 5k+ months and scale to six-figures in 2025.In this episode, we cover:How to tap your personal network (without feeling cringe)The right way to ask for referrals (and actually get them)Why testimonials are client magnets (if used strategically)The magic of posting so much it annoys even you 😏And how to add a ‘yes factor’ that makes people buy nowWhether you’re a new freelancer or seasoned service provider, this episode will reignite your momentum—and prove that you're not behind, you're just under-executing the boring stuff that actually works.🎧 Press play and let’s get you fully booked—again and againxxEllenOther pitching video mentioned: https://youtu.be/GbPNLtLB3F8?si=7hIzG19RP_TFl9ee💻 //LINKS// 💻The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZdBuy Ellen's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com

Let’s talk money - because ignoring the “boring stuff” could be costing you thousands.In this episode, I’m sitting down with my accountant to break down the stuff no one talks about:➡️ What small biz owners always get wrong➡️ How to stay organized for tax season (without crying)➡️ When to hire help (and how to afford it)➡️ What actually matters when you’re starting outThis is the episode that would’ve saved past Ellen from so many money headaches. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or scaling fast, this is your reminder: financial literacy is a CEO skill. Let's make your bank account (and your mindset) match the business you’re building. 💸xxEllen⬇️ Sign up for my FREE online conference for social media managers: AUgust 12th-14th ✨https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/summit2025📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee

Let’s talk about the unspoken villain in your business story: your inner broke girl.The one who hoards money, second-guesses every investment, and whispers, “you can’t afford that” every time you try to grow. In this episode, I’m unpacking the mindset that secretly runs the show for so many online entrepreneurs—and how to shift it.We’ll cover:✨ What “broke girl energy” actually looks like in business✨ The difference between smart strategy and scarcity-driven decisions✨ How I shifted my relationship with money to grow a multi-6-figure brand✨ Tactical ways to move from fear-based to CEO-level financial decisionsThis one’s spicy—and it might sting a little—but it’s going to change the way you show up and scale. You ready?xxEllenWIN AN IPHONE 16 📲To celebrate the re-launch of the Dishing up Digital podcast, I'm hosting an epic giveaway! Enter here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/podcast📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/

Whether you're a freelancer, creator, or coach, this is your roadmap to working less and earning more before 2026 hits. In this video, I'm breaking down the 3-part Freedom Framework - aka the three key steps to scaling your online business without working 24/7.To celebrate the re-launch of the Dishing up Digital podcast, I'm hosting an epic giveaway! Enter here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/podcastxxEllen⬇️ SIGN UP FOR MY FREE WEBINAR: how to become a social media manager ✨https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar--------------------------------------------------------------------------📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯// FREE GUIDE // 🤯How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored.

In this episode we're chatting about those red flags that pop up in our clients and potential clients from time to time. Take it from me, someone with a lot of experience, I still can get caught out with red flags. Sometimes you need to look back and reflect and learn from these mistakes - luckily for you, I've compiled them all up to help you out! RED FLAGS: Asking for a discount Can't make time for a discovery call Starts to ghost you when it comes time to contract/invoice Someone who grills you about growth during the discovery call Your business styles just simply don't align (don't force yourself to change) When they won't commit to a 3-month minimum contract When they want to put you on a "trial period" When they don't want to pay for content creation but their social content at the moment is really bad When they aren't showing respect for your work hours The client who wants endless meetings - but is on your lowest package Traditional or older businesses who aren't willing to adapt When it feels like they want an employee not a contractor If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us! Have a great week guys!Ellen xx This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started! ~~~ Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Mackenzie Studios Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/mackenziestudios.nz/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Ellen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EllenandTara/videos  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book

What do you do when your social media strategy is no longer working for you? Firstly - you're not alone! This happens to so many business owners and this is exactly what I'm gonna be unpacking in today's episode of the Dishing Up Digital podcast. Some Takeaways: You are going to have to pivot your social media strategy. Your bio is hot real estate. You need to be so repetitive in your messaging. Sometimes you can't have it all with every single post. Don't let self-doubt take control during launches. Your strategy is gonna change over time. If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us! Have a great week guys!Ellen xx  This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started! ~~~ Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Mackenzie Studios Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/mackenziestudios.nz/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Ellen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EllenandTara/videos  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book 

"This episode is your permission slip to not have it all figured out"  In this episode I'm chatting about jumping in to your new venture without having all your t's crossed and i's dotted. Sometimes it's something that you just need to do! I'll speak from personal experience, and we'll also do a mini case study on Meghan Markle's latest business ventures. A few takeaways from this episode: Building a business requires taking small steps. Mistakes are part of the learning process. You can refine and improve your work over time. Trust yourself to figure things out along the way. Big ideas can be intimidating; start small. If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us! Have a great week guys!Ellen xx This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started! ~~~ Mentioned in today's episode: Book recommendation: The Perfectionists Guide to Losing Control - by Katherine Morgan Schafler  Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Mackenzie Studios Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/mackenziestudios.nz/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Ellen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EllenandTara/videos  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book 

Guys! I'm so sorry for the lack of podcast last week, but things have been hectic! If you're not aware of what's been going on, well, I've been a busy girl launching my second studio space for MacKenzie Studios. It's been crazy, but I am super proud of everything and would love you to go and have a look at it on Instagram. On top of launching the new studio space, I've still been trucking along with my Dishing up Digital students, Social Media clients and getting my own marketing out into the world. How have I done this you ask? Well, listen to today's episode to hear about what systems I have in place and tips & tricks I use to help me out in these busy times. Remember: it's ok to have a break from your own social media don't over-apologise for having a break you can't go wrong with having a consistent morning routine in place discipline is probably more important than motivation YOU have the power to take action in your own business. If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us! Have a great week guys!Ellen xx This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started! ~~~ Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Check out the Dishing Up Digital Agency website for more information and to contact us: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/ Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book 

If you're thinking about becoming a UGC creator in 2025, this episode might ruin your day. But I could help you avoid a very big mistake. We're going to unpack the rise of the UGC industry as well as what I predict could be it's downfall in 2025. I'm also going to share what you can do to build a more sustainable business as a creator and prepare for the changes coming. What I love about UGC: content for social media MUST be different to your other advertising content it's been a game changer for a lot of brands and icnreased sales massively ANNNND they haven't had to spend 10s of thousands of dollars on full production teams shown brands the value of content creation Why I think this is a bad decision to build a UGC business in 2025: Yes, it's proven, yes there's a demand However #2: this is so set up to burn you out mentally and also creatively. #3 As a service business I feel it's fundamentally broken: there's only so many brands you can work with #4 Consumers are catching on and it's loosing the authenticity When you start to lose consumer interest, you start to loose conversions. When you loose that, brands stop hiring you If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us! Have a great week guys!Ellen xx This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started! ~~~ Mentioned in today's episode: You can watch my Free Webinar here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar  Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Check out the Dishing Up Digital Agency website for more information and to contact us: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/ Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book 

This episode is one of my most valuable yet and is actually a replay from my last webinar at the end of February.  In this free training, you'll learn the 3 key steps to successfully set up your freelance business as a social media manager.   How to find high-ticket clients: freedom does NOT mean working for $200 a month   Systems and workflows: Get a BTS look at how I manage multiple clients while working less hours  Outsourcing and hiring your mini dream team: this is my secret weapon to providing high-value service as a SMM without burning myself out If you'd rather watch the full webinar and see me in video, you can watch that here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar Or, (for the first time ever), I'm sharing my Canva slides with you so you can refer to them as you listen or after you'd finished listening. Get those HERE This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started! ~~~ Mentioned in this episode: My episode with Jade McNeil My episode with Stenya LeClair My episode with Abbey Graves https://www.honeybook.com/ & https://www.dubsado.com/  Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Check out the Dishing Up Digital Agency website for more information and to contact us: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/ Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book 

In this episode, I share my personal journey of quitting my corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship, detailing the emotional challenges and practical steps involved. I provide you with five essential tips for those considering leaving their 9-to-5 jobs, emphasising the importance of preparation, financial stability, and strategic planning. My 5 Essential Tips: Don't just quite straight away - build your side hustle, validate your idea, starting building your client list Build a financial runway Get up close and personal with your numbers - make projections Lay the foundations - education/upskilling, building your website, register your business name Create a roadmap - action plan, goals, new offers etc Today's episode was sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello here - it's free to get started!  If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us! Have a great week guys!Ellen xx ~~~ Mentioned in today's episode: My Business Journey episode: https://pod.link/1576083467/episode/f44764a9626f42968d521b0466bb8377 Buy my Instagram Marketing e-book here Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Check out the Dishing Up Digital Agency website for more information and to contact us: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/ Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book 

In this episode my two worlds collide as we chat Social Media Management and Podcast Production with the wonderful Abbey Graves. From radio DJ to Government Social Media Manager to taking her own side hustle full time we discuss her journey and how she was able to apply what she learnt from the Dishing up Digital School to her podcast production company. Some Key Takeaways: The turning point in going full time with Social Media Management and Podcast Production How the Dishing up Digital School helped How to manage the lower income months Managing client deliverables Giving up control in some areas by hiring a contractor - Ellen gives Abbey homework! Find out more about Abbey on her website: https://abbeygravesproductions.com/  If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us! Have a great week guys!Ellen xx ~~~ Mentioned in today's episode: My episode on hourly rates: https://pod.link/1576083467/episode/a0fe9022dbaa5009400403424e436ea8  Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Check out the Dishing Up Digital Agency website for more information and to contact us: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/ Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book 

My pricing episodes always bring out some interesting comments and responses. Yes I’m going to be revealing every deliverable the details as part of this package, but I first need to reiterate that pricing is personal and everyone is different. There are so many different factors to consider from your level of experience, to where you’re based in the world. Other than a chat about pricing strategy, I’m mainly delving into the deliverables in this package today. I’m covering: Number of posts and the posting schedule Captions and Hashtags Engagement Strategies and community management Analytics & reporting Content Creation vs Management If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us! Have a great week guys!Ellen xx~~~ Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Check out the Dishing Up Digital Agency website for more information and to contact us: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/ Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book

Pricing is such a big conversation around social media Management. I always get DMs on this topic and whenever I do a podcast around pricing it quickly becomes one of the most downloaded. I even have 4 videos on pricing in the Dishing up Digital school alone! Topics I cover in this episode: When hourly rates are useful The downside of hourly rates How packages benefit your clients How to make your packages work best for you and your clients What to do when you're first starting out and trying to get your first client If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us! Have a great week guys!Ellen xx ~~~ Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Check out the Dishing Up Digital Agency website for more information and to contact us: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/ Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book 

How are all my fellow Social Media Managers and Business Owners? What a crazy start to the year this has been. I mean, I don't usually rush to post an update when TikTok gets banned in the US, or there's ANOTHER algorithm change on instagram, or when TikTok gets reinstated, but it's hard to ignore what's been happening over the month of January in our industry alone! Usually I can just roll with the punches and take them in my stride, but this was even a lot for me guys. Listen as I briefly un pack Social Media, but also do my best to convince you that YouTube is where you need to be. If you haven't already, also check out my YouTube video from last year on 2025 Social Media Trends & Predictions: what you need to know. Some takeaways from this episode: The rise of YouTube and longform content YouTube's creator support and monetisation (something we actually get in NZ!) The future of content creation If any of my listeners found me via YouTube, I would love to know! Do you think I should make follow up episodes this year on YouTube? If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us! Have a great week guys!Ellen xx ~~~   Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team? Check out the Dishing Up Digital Agency website for more information and to contact us: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/ Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.dishingupdigital.com/courses  Ellen's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/  Ellen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee?lang=en  Buy Ellen's Book: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/book