Good Influence(r) Podcast

In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, Julia Marcum is joined by her other half in life and in business — her husband and the co-founder of Chris Loves Julia, Chris Marcum. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it’s really been like building an influencer career over the past 16 years.   From the chaos of a waterfall in their living room to the heartbreak of losing their cabin, Julia and Chris share the highs, lows, and hilarious in-betweens of life lived online. They chat about regrets (yes, they have a few), what it’s actually like creating content as a couple, and how they’ve learned to laugh, pivot, and keep going when things don’t go as planned.   Along the way, they open up about handling criticism, redefining success, and finding balance when your marriage and career are totally intertwined. It’s an honest, unfiltered look at the messy, magical ride of being influencers — with plenty of wisdom, humor, and heart.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 A Waterfall in the Living Room 00:23 Welcome to the Good Influencer Podcast 00:35 Reflecting on 10 Years of Podcasting 01:51 Navigating Regrets and Vulnerability 04:48 Behind the Scenes of Content Creation 07:44 The Emotional Toll of Renovation Projects 21:33 Balancing Work and Personal Life 27:00 Balancing Work and Home Life 30:05 The Turning Point: Becoming Full-Time Influencers 36:20 Navigating the Challenges of Influencer Life 43:17 Celebrating Success and Overcoming Financial Struggles 49:37 Handling Criticism and Staying Positive 55:59 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In this solo episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, Becca McLeod dives into the biggest challenges influencers face when it comes to connecting with their audience and growing their following authentically. She discusses best practices for handling direct messages, comments, and overall engagement without becoming overwhelmed. Becca also critically evaluates common growth strategies like round robin giveaways and daily giveaway prompts, explaining why these may be considered as buying followers and not sustainable for long-term engagement. The discussion further explores the importance of stories in building and maintaining an engaged audience, the industry benchmarks for story views, and strategies to improve story engagement. The episode concludes with insights on how influencers can evaluate and improve their content to increase followers and maintain credible influence in their niche through consistent and authentic content creation. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:40 Engaging with Your Audience: Best Practices 02:50 The Truth About Giveaways and Buying Followers 07:17 Maximizing Story Views and Engagement 15:10 Creating Engaging Content and Market Research 21:39 Balancing Growth and Engagement 26:56 Building Credibility and Consistency 32:11 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, hosted by Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod, the duo dives deep into the history and strategies of content planning that helped them overcome burnout and achieve sustainability. They share insights from their 2022 retreat where they decided to get two weeks ahead in content creation, aiming to alleviate stress and improve the quality of their work. The episode explores how they successfully managed this feat by organizing and repurposing past content, implementing a visual content calendar, and emphasizing the importance of consistency and planning. They discuss the challenges and adaptations required to maintain flexibility, especially in their niche of home renovation. The hosts end with practical advice on setting up a content calendar and leveraging existing content to create a sustainable and efficient workflow. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdote 00:39 Welcome to the Good Influencer Podcast 00:51 The Two Weeks Ahead Strategy 11:43 Challenges and Adjustments 16:16 Repurposing Content for Consistency 22:22 The Importance of a Content Calendar 25:54 Batch Shooting and Planning Ahead 31:10 Conclusion and Homework 31:38 Outro and Call to Action  

In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod discuss the evolving landscape of the influencer industry with the rise of AI models and content creation tools. They share their concerns about AI replacing real human connections, the ethical implications, and the legal battles some influencers are facing. They also explore how AI is being used to enhance content creation rather than replace human creativity, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and storytelling. Additionally, Julia and Becca touch on practical tips for using AI as a brainstorming tool and the necessity of having a personal website as an influencer. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.⁠https://good-influencer.com/subscription ⁠ 00:00 Introduction and Future Reflections 00:14 Welcome to the Good Influencer Podcast 00:25 AI in the Modeling Industry 01:33 AI and Influencer Licensing Issues 06:53 AI's Role in Content Creation 07:37 Legal and Ethical Considerations of AI 09:17 Using AI for Social Media Strategy 11:48 The Importance of Human Connection 15:07 AI in Blogging and Website Management 23:07 The Future of Influencer Content 26:49 Embracing AI in Content Creation 41:46 Homework and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Good Influencer Podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod discuss the crucial role consistency plays in the growth of social media followings. Julia shares insights from her experience with her brand Chris Loves Julia, detailing the impact of their reduced posting frequency in Q2 and the resulting halt in growth. The conversation also touches on the balance between creating content for engagement versus growth, the pitfalls of rage-bait content, and strategies for maintaining and attracting followers. Additionally, the hosts offer practical advice for new influencers, emphasizing the importance of owning one's content creation journey, consistent posting, and the benefits of showing up in your content. They also highlight the evolving landscape of social media algorithms and search functionalities that can aid in growth. The episode concludes with homework for listeners: analyzing what elements made them follow their last 10 recent follows, to glean insights for their own content strategies. The fashion girlie Julia mentioned today — obsessed 😍 →  ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelgwilson⁠ Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.⁠https://good-influencer.com/subscription ⁠ 00:00 The Importance of Consistent Posting 00:30 Introduction to the Good Influencer Podcast 00:41 Quarterly Meeting Insights and Growth Challenges 04:11 Balancing Engagement and Growth 06:42 Avoiding Common Influencer Mistakes 09:17 Case Study: Hub's Life and Niche Content 13:01 Strategies for Overcoming Growth Slumps 16:33 The Evolution of Instagram and Growth Opportunities 21:45 Engaging Content and Consistency 24:05 The Role of Family and Friends in Influencer Success 28:12 Promoting Side Hustles and Overcoming Early Challenges 29:43 The Power of Showing Up in Your Content 37:54 Mastermind Insights and Homework 44:13 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

In this episode, Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod dive deep into the realities of life as a content creator within the fast-paced, ever-evolving influencer industry. Julia opens up about her recent trip to Italy, juggling ongoing home renovations, and the value of staying true to one’s voice through authentic storytelling. The conversation covers essential topics for modern influencers, including the difference between documenting and “creating” content, coping with burnout, staying on top of content calendars, and navigating brand partnerships without losing creative freedom. Julia also explains why she and Chris have repeatedly turned down TV show offers — choosing independence and creative control over mainstream exposure. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription 00:26 Vacation Stories and Renovation Updates 03:53 Audience Engagement and Personal Growth 08:21 Balancing Content Creation and Personal Life 15:58 The TV Show Dilemma 23:17 The Realities of Renovation Content 24:11 Setting Up Editorial and Sponsorship Rules 25:15 Embracing Real-Time Storytelling 26:34 The Power of Authentic Reactions 31:02 The Importance of Documenting Over Creating 40:31 Creating a Flexible Content Calendar 41:08 Detailed Content Planning 44:13 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod pull back the curtain on the unspoken rules of influencing—what to do, what not to do, and what they’ve learned the hard way. From filming at the gym to setting fair rates with brands, they dive into the everyday etiquette that comes with having a platform. They touch on topics like protecting your privacy, handling DMs with grace, and why originality still matters. It's a thoughtful, honest conversation about being a good digital neighbor in a space that’s constantly evolving. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription 00:00 – Introduction 00:41 – Welcome to the New Podcast Studio 04:27 – Respecting Privacy in Content Creation 06:36 – Influencer Pet Peeves and Etiquette 17:03 – The Ethics of Using Others’ Content 27:07 – Networking with Brands 35:07 – Concluding Thoughts and Homework

Being Brand Pleasing: Don't Say Dupe In the season two premiere of The Good Influencer Podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod discuss their new 20-question segment designed to reveal more about each other. Julia shares her dream collaborations, focusing on product design rather than specific brands. Becca tackles the question of whether anyone can be an influencer, emphasizing the hard work, dedication, and authenticity required. They share insights into the relationship between influencers and brands, detailing how to navigate sponsorship contracts and brand expectations. The episode concludes with advice on setting personal guidelines for organic content and sponsorship relationships. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription 00:29 Season Two Special: 20 Questions Segment 01:04 Dream Collaborations and Product Design 02:57 Can Anyone Be an Influencer? 03:36 The Reality of Being an Influencer 04:39 Authenticity and Discipline in Influencing 05:20 Challenges and Misconceptions in Influencing 06:59 The Importance of Being Real 08:28 Sponsorships and Brand Relationships 09:13 The Daily Dupe Controversy 17:52 Adapting to Brand Expectations 25:50 Brand Safety and Influencer Guidelines 30:56 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, host Becca McLeod explores the dynamic world of influencer marketing with Victoria Bradley, brand manager at Chris Loves Julia. They discuss the value of knowing your niche, balancing personal storytelling with audience expectations, and fostering genuine brand relationships. The conversation offers practical tips on tagging, affiliate links, sponsorship negotiation, and leveraging user-generated content (UGC), while also addressing performance pressures and brand contracts. Throughout, the episode highlights the evolving landscape of influencer marketing and the importance of authenticity and integrity in content creation. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription   00:00 Understanding Your Niche and Audience 00:32 Introduction to The Good Influencer Podcast 00:50 Meet Victoria Bradley: Brand Manager Insights 03:04 The Evolution of Influencer Marketing 06:18 Navigating Brand Collaborations and Sponsorships 09:18 Strategies for New Influencers 20:31 The Importance of Niching Down 24:14 Organic Brand Partnerships 25:13 Exclusivity and Brand Loyalty 26:38 Testing and Authenticity 28:49 Building Trust with a Small Following 30:29 Creating an Effective Media Kit 35:25 User-Generated Content (UGC) 41:14 Handling Underperforming Collaborations 47:12 Homework and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, Julia Marcum is joined by her real-life sisters and co-workers, Victoria and Andi - for a hilarious, heartfelt, and brutally honest look at what it’s actually like to work with family. They dish on everything from boundary-setting and creative clashes to the surprising perks of hiring your siblings.  You’ll also hear how their childhood shaped their creative spark, what it's like blending family and business, and why working with your sisters is equal parts chaos and magic. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription Timestamps: 00:38 – Meet Julia’s sisters: Victoria and Andi 06:27 – How they each ended up at CLJ 13:49 – Hiring family: why it works (and when it’s tricky) 24:12 – Behind the scenes of sponsored shoots 30:30 – How the team brainstorms creative ideas 31:06 – Growing up in a creative household 34:29 – Balancing personal life and work 35:21 – The highs and lows of working with family 43:59 – Where they find design inspiration 51:34 – Navigating family dynamics on the team 53:40 – Final thoughts and wrap-up

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod discuss Instagram's latest editing tool, 'Edits,' and compare it to other popular apps like InShot. They talk about the challenges influencers face with Instagram's filming features and the importance of staying updated with platform changes. The hosts also delve into topics like taking breaks as an influencer, the impact on the industry's legitimacy, and offer advice for new influencers navigating sudden growth. They advocate for maintaining consistency, setting business hours, and leveraging digital tools for better engagement and sponsorship opportunities. The episode concludes with tips on planning a successful summer strategy for influencers. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:25 Catching Up and Summer Plans 01:11 Instagram's Latest Update: Edits 02:32 Challenges with Instagram Features 06:35 Legitimizing the Influencer Industry 07:12 Taking Breaks as an Influencer 13:45 Breaking the Fourth Wall with Followers 20:09 Advice for New Influencers 23:35 Summer Strategy and Conclusion

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod dive deep into the critical importance of niching down for influencers. They discuss how identifying and committing to a specific niche can lead to massive growth and engagement, offering personal anecdotes and success stories. The hosts emphasize treating influencer work as a serious business from the start, highlighting the opportunities available for micro-influencers. They also offer valuable tips on maintaining a balance between personal privacy and public content, suggesting that aspiring influencers should clearly define what parts of their lives they will keep private. Practical advice on engaging with brands, setting fair rates for product trades, and adapting content strategies to the evolving landscape of social media are covered in detail. The episode is a comprehensive guide for influencers at all stages looking to refine their approach and achieve sustained success. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription 00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Niching Down 00:15 Welcome to The Good Influencer Podcast 00:40 Overcoming Engagement Slumps 03:16 The Power of Micro-Influencers 04:57 Treating Influencing as a Business 08:38 The Evolution of Niches 13:59 The Benefits of Niching Down 23:18 Real-Life Examples of Successful Niching 27:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of the 'Good Influencer Podcast,' we discuss the essential strategies for turning your passion for influencing into a profitable career. We emphasize the importance of getting paid for your work, highlight the mix-up between being a good influencer and a paid one, and discuss real-life scenarios like Coachella sponsorships and the Revolve lawsuit. Discover actionable tips on raising your sponsorship rates, engaging effectively with your audience, and balancing organic content with affiliate opportunities. Learn how to pitch to brands, network effectively, and maintain a steady growth pace in your influencing journey. Tune in and make sure you're not just a good influencer, but a paid one! We talked about this lawsuit in this episode. Read more about it here https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-04-15/revolve-clothing-faces-lawsuit-influencers-marketing-scheme⁠ Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription 00:00 The Importance of Being a Paid Influencer 00:38 Welcome to the Good Influencer Podcast 01:32 Coachella and Influencer Marketing 02:18 Legal Issues and Sponsorship Disclosures 05:54 Maximizing Sponsorship Opportunities 11:16 Effective Growth Strategies for Influencers 14:14 Engagement and Organic Content Creation 17:26 Pitching to Brands and Affiliate Marketing 25:21 Weekly Must-Dos for Influencers

In this episode of 'The Good Influencer Podcast,' Becca McLeod offers advice on taking breaks as an influencer without losing followers, the difference between collabs and sponsorships, and introduces the 'Dear Influencers' segment to answer listener questions. Key topics include negotiating fair compensation for branded content, handling lowball offers, and the pitfalls of using giveaways to grow followers. Becca also emphasizes the importance of treating influencer work like a business, ensuring proper rest, and being cautious with certain types of brand offers. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription 00:24 Welcome to The Good Influencer Podcast 00:45 Understanding Collabs vs. Sponsorships 01:48 Introducing 'Dear Influencers' Segment 02:30 Negotiating Sponsorship Deals 06:08 Handling Vacations as an Influencer 10:47 The Truth About Giveaways and Followers 14:01 Red Flags in Sponsorship Emails 16:35 Submit Your Questions and Stories

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod discuss strategies for making substantial income through affiliate marketing and how to maintain authentic engagement with your audience. They emphasize not relying solely on brand sponsorships and share personal experiences about the effective use of 'comment for link.' The conversation also touches on the importance of organic content, balancing story engagement with affiliate links, and providing practical advice for new influencers. They highlight the benefits of diversifying affiliate streams and the value of documenting daily life over creating staged content. The episode concludes with homework for listeners to reflect on their link-clicking behaviors to enhance their own content strategies. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription   00:00 Introduction to Affiliate Marketing 00:17 Welcome to The Good Influencer Podcast 00:55 Personal Updates and Home Renovation 02:21 The Debate on 'Comment for Link' 06:37 Effective Use of Affiliate Links 13:22 Authenticity in Content Creation 19:59 Building Trust with Your Audience 24:33 Conclusion and Homework for Listeners

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod tackle the hot topic of cancel culture and negativity, both for brands and influencers. They discuss recent examples, such as Happiest Baby and Daily Harvest, and the impact of public scrutiny on businesses. The conversation covers their personal experiences with online negativity, the importance of having a support system, and strategies for dealing with criticism. The Julia and Becca emphasize the need for influencers to stay true to themselves, create policies for handling malign comments, and focus on their core niche to mitigate the impact of criticism. Want to learn more about how to grow on Instagram? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription

Julia details how she’s using Instagram’s new trial reels. A workflow that’s contributed to over 3k new followers from 1 video. Julia and Becca discuss inorganic growth and engagement, and the risk that has to long-term growth. Are round robin giveaways, boosting, and engagement groups akin to buying followers? Want to learn more about how to grow on Instagram? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription

Celebrities under fire for not disclosing sponsored content according to FTC guidelines. Are celebrities and influencers held to different standards when it comes to sponsorship disclosures?Julia and Becca discuss creating content that honors the algorithm, while staying true to your own branding. Letting go of trends and finding your own unique perspective on Instagram. Be an algorithm pleaser, not a people pleaser. Want to learn more about how to grow on Instagram? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum.  Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription

Julia Marcum, founder of Chris Loves Julia and Good Influencer, and Becca McLeod, Head of Good Influencer kick off season 1 by discussing the reality behind large-scale PR campaigns, and how to make money as an influencer.Julia details her first experience setting her rates, working with a brand on a sponsorship, and what she charges for a Story set on Instagram. Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum.  Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST. https://good-influencer.com/subscription

The Good Influencer Podcast, hosted by Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod, pulls back the curtain on the world of influencers. From content creation and brand partnerships to growth strategies and behind-the-scenes stories, each episode offers real, relatable advice. Whether you're building your brand or just curious about the industry, tune in every Wednesday for fresh insights. Want more? Join our Mastermind and use code PODCAST for 30% off your membership.