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!



96 Episodes
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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...
It’s easy to get caught up in big, lofty goals - more engagement, more sales, more visibility. But sometimes, the key to building momentum isn’t about overhauling your whole life or business. It’s about creating small, intentional rules that keep you consistent, focused, and motivated. In this episode, I’m sharing a handful of personal “rules” I’ve put in place for myself (some for business, some for everyday life!) that make getting things done a lot more fun. From gamifying my social media ...
It’s so easy to look at the “OGs” of your industry or those seven-figure business owners and think, Wow, if only I’d started earlier or had that viral moment. Bigger audience, more money, more options—right? But here’s the thing: there are some very real advantages you have right now that they don’t. This episode is all about flipping the script and recognizing the four hidden advantages you have over those massive businesses—and how you can leverage them today. From the freedom to experiment...
Pinterest can feel like shouting into the void and as a business owner? It's seriously missing the dopamine hits we know and love from other platforms. But before you write it off completely, let’s talk about what might actually be going on under the surface. This episode is a follow-up to a blog-centric one I did back in Episode 72, but this time, we're zooming in on Pinterest. I’m sharing the two things I’d tell you if your Pinterest wasn’t working—because sometimes it’s a traffic issue, an...
Ever gotten a DM saying, “We’d love to feature you in Forbes... for $250”? Or seen someone on the Today Show and wondered how they actually got there? In this episode, we’re talking all things earned media—what it is, why it matters, and how small businesses (yes, even with tiny budgets) can get press that actually moves the needle. I’m joined by PR expert Holly Mitton of Little Bird Boston, who breaks down what really goes on behind the scenes in modern PR. It’s not all glitz and glamour, an...
A few months ago, I saw the headline: “Google announces that traditional SEO is dead.” (or something like that lol). I paused. I re-read it. I rolled my eyes if I'm being honest. There are a lot of things to spiral about in 2025 but search-driven marketing going away is not one of them. That said, all of the conversations around "is SEO still a thing" did get me thinking deeply about how blogging fits into the world we're suddenly living in. A world where AI is writing everything from w...
Half the year is officially behind us (how?!), and if you’re feeling a little off-track, unmotivated, or just plain unsure what your goals even were in January… you are not alone. This episode is part pep talk, part planning session, and part personal catch-up as I walk you through my own messy Q2, what I’ve learned, and how I’m thinking about Q3 (and beyond). If your first half of the year didn’t go as planned, or if you never really had a plan, you’ll want to tune in. I'm also sharing one o...
In this episode, I’m answering a question that’s come up more than once lately: Do I really need to keep marketing if I’m already fully booked? If you’ve ever found yourself in a busy season (from business demands to sick toddlers and surprise moves), it can be tempting to hit pause on visibility—but that might not be your best move. I’m sharing my real-life perspective on why staying visible still matters, even when you’re not actively looking for clients. And I'm speaking from experie...
You don’t have to do it all to stay consistent... and summer is the perfect time to prove it. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own marketing strategy and showing you how I’m staying visible without maxing out my time, energy, or creativity. Whether you're a one-person show or leading a small team, this approach will help you simplify without losing momentum. We’ll talk about choosing the right platforms to prioritize (and which ones to put on pause), how to repurpose your c...
We talk a lot about podcasting as a visibility tool—but what if your podcast could do more than just get listens? What if it could build trust, generate leads, and actually support your bottom line? In this episode, I’m joined by Hayleigh Hayhurst—founder of Espresso Podcast Production and total genius when it comes to podcast strategy—for a conversation about what really goes into starting (and sustaining) a profitable podcast. We get into the behind-the-scenes realities, the biggest mistake...
We talk a lot about traffic, SEO hacks, and cranking out content when we’re trying to grow our online presence. But what if the goal isn’t just more content—but better content that actually connects? In this episode, I’m joined by Ryan Robinson—long-time content marketer, blogger, and co-founder of RightBlogger—for a conversation about creating standout content in the age of AI. We talk about why the human element still matters, how AI can actually help instead of hurt your strategy, and what...
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