The Social Media Takeaway - Louise McDonnell

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m thrilled to be joined by Julie Burke (JulesRulesIRL), an Irish comedian and social media sensation who has taken TikTok by storm since launching her channel 4 years ago. We dive into the essentials of using TikTok for business growth, discussing how creative content and strategic engagement can attract a wider audience and enhance your brand presence. Julie shares invaluable insights on building a presence on TikTok, from crafting relat...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m delighted to be joined by John Murray, a professional headshot photographer and personal branding expert. We discuss the importance of authentic profile pictures in building trust and connection online, diving into the psychology behind genuine smiles and how they impact first impressions. John shares practical tips on preparing for a headshot, avoiding common mistakes like forced smiles and poor lighting, and why investing in professio...

In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m delighted to have an old friend on the show, Gill Russel, a business growth strategist. Gill shares her expertise on referral marketing and networking, including how to build effective referral strategies and why networking is a crucial part of growing a business. We also discuss practical tips for creating meaningful connections that drive real results. If you’re looking for actionable advice on how to improve your networking and refer...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m joined by Anita Wong, a YouTube and video strategist, and she helps business owners use YouTube to grow leads and increase visibility. In this episode, we discuss how YouTube can be a powerful tool for business growth and lead generation. Anita explains why YouTube videos have a longer lifespan compared to other platforms, how YouTube and Google work together to boost your content's visibility, and the key steps to optimising your video...

In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I’m delighted to welcome Debbie White, an award-winning marketing expert with three decades of experience working with major brands like Starbucks and Nordstrom. Debbie joins me to dive into the importance of having a clear offer and a focused messaging strategy, which we both believe are the foundations for any successful business. We also discuss how service providers can make their offers "magnetic" to attract the right clients. We explo...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m joined by Alastair McDermott, a consultant, author, and podcast host with over 17 years in business and tech. We dive into the practical capabilities of AI in everyday work, from handling repetitive tasks to enhancing productivity. Alastair shares tips on getting better results with AI, like his “GOAL” framework for prompts, and we explore how AI is shaping our professional lives. If you’re curious about how to integrate AI into your da...

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professional and business growth, but where do you start, and how can you use it without getting overwhelmed? In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I’m excited to welcome Louise Brogan, an international speaker, writer, and the host of the "LinkedIn with Louise" podcast. Louise has over ten years of experience supporting small businesses who want to use social media, specifically LinkedIn, for business growth. In our conversation, we discuss prac...

Sales can often feel daunting, especially when you're unsure how to start conversations or handle objections. But what if you could turn those challenges into opportunities and connect with clients on a deeper level? In this episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I’m excited to welcome Steve Donnellan, a seasoned trainer, sales coach, and the founder of Steve Donnellan Consulting and Soaring Sales Academy. With over 35 years of experience in sales and marketing, Steve brings a wealth of ...

If you died today, what would happen to your digital footprint including your social media accounts. Our social media presence, personal data, and business profiles can continue to exist after our death, causing challenges for our loved ones. While we won't be here, do we really want to burden those we leave behind? This is a conversation we need to have to ensure peace of mind for ourselves and those we care about. In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m joined by Niki...

In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I am delighted to be joined by Leni Cavazos, a marketing and business strategist who helps coaches and entrepreneurs build six-figure retreat businesses. We dive into the power of hosting transformational retreats and how they can significantly boost both your income and brand. Leni shares practical tips on planning retreats, choosing the right locations, and setting profitable pricing strategies. She also highlights the importance of using...

A company is like a tree—its roots representing the people and their connections. If the roots are weak or disconnected, the tree cannot stand strong. In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m joined by Roxanne Derhodge, a registered psychotherapist, corporate consultant, and bestselling author. With over 20 years of experience, Roxanne has worked closely with senior leaders to enhance resilience and implement effective mental health strategies within organizations. Throughout ...

In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I am delighted to welcome Peg Fitzpatrick, an accomplished social media strategist with over a decade of experience. Peg was the first head of social strategy for Canva, and she shares the story of how she helped grow Canva from a small startup to a global brand. In this episode, we explore the critical role of consistent social media engagement and the importance of networking and building partnerships for business growth. We also uncover ...

Are you spending hours on social media but not seeing those hours turn into sales? You're not alone—69% of businesses feel the same way! In this solo episode, I’ll be diving into how you can maximize your social media time to drive real results, not just engagement. I'll walk you through the four stages of the customer journey, common mistakes I see people making, and how to build a customized social sales funnel that converts followers into paying customers. And if you're ready to take this ...

In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I am delighted to welcome Melissa Henry, the founder of Helluva Brand™. As an expert brand strategist, Melissa helps visionary entrepreneurs create a brand that not only represents their vision but also feels right. With more than 14 years of experience as an entrepreneur, brand builder, and master photographer, she has assisted hundreds of clients in achieving profound clarity about their business identity and authentic self-presentation.&...

Ever wondered what the faces of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris reveal about their true personalities? In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I am joined by Joseph McGuire, a renowned facial analysis expert and human lie detector, who shares his unique insights into the power of reading faces and body language. We dive deep into how understanding subtle facial cues and body movements can enhance your communication skills, improve your ability to detect dishonesty, and give you an...