DIY Marketing School with Melanie Dyann Howe

In this episode, we dive into the power of preparation for your media content, especially when you’re working live! Discover how separating your practical and creative tasks can help you reduce stress and show up with confidence. I’ll walk you through my three-phase approach—Brainstorming, Planning, and Creating—to build your ideas, craft content, and go live with ease. Whether you're recording a video, going live, or creating social posts, preparation is key to a smooth and energized production. From batching content to setting up your studio, I’ll share tips on preparing effectively to maximize creativity. Plus, I’ll share my favorite apps—like ChatGPT, Trello, Canva, and Voxer—that make content creation a breeze. Ready to shine on camera or in your posts? Let's get into it! Another helpful episode to help you brainstorm ideas for your content checkout Episode 45: How to Create 30 Content Ideas in 30 Minutes  - Helpful apps I mentioned in this episode: Chat GPT Asana Trello Google Docs Voxer Support the show Learn more from me on YouTube Connect with me on Instagram Get a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link

We’ve all heard the saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” often credited to Theodore Roosevelt. But what if I told you it’s not just stealing your joy—it’s also stealing your progress? In this episode, we’re diving deep into how comparison can sabotage not only your happiness but also your creative potential, your business growth, and your personal success. We’ll cover: The pitfalls of comparing your journey to others—whether it’s followers, revenue, or career milestones. The myth of "fancy"—why you don’t need top-tier gear, a perfect studio, or polished production to make an impact. Avoiding the trap of mimicking online personalities and staying true to your authentic self. The dangers of obsessing over metrics and stats—don’t let their full team overshadow your solo hustle. Plus, we’ll share actionable strategies to break free from the comparison trap, like setting boundaries on social media and learning to be inspired, not discouraged, by others’ success. Stop letting comparison paralyze you. It’s time to own your unique journey and move forward, unapologetically. Support the show Learn more from me on YouTube Connect with me on Instagram Get a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link

I'm diving into a topic that often feels overwhelming—marketing strategies. If the idea of a marketing or content strategy feels heavy or confusing, you're not alone! But here's the thing: it doesn’t have to be that way. Today, I’m breaking it all down and offering a new approach—reframing your marketing strategy as a helping strategy. By shifting your mindset, you can create better, more aligned content that helps your audience and moves your business forward. I’ll also be sharing practical tips, examples, and a simplified view of the customer journey to show you how valuable, helpful content can turn casual followers into loyal advocates. Let's make it easier, more fun, and way more impactful! Tune in and let's get to work.  Support the show Learn more from me on YouTube Connect with me on Instagram Get a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link

Whether it's creating content, making difficult phone calls, or facing those daunting to-dos, this method will help you get started and keep going. Melanie explains how setting just five minutes of focused time can break through your resistance to starting tough tasks and reduce the anxiety and dread that comes from putting things off. She also dives into how visualization techniques can help prepare your mindset for action. If you've ever struggled with getting things done or faced tasks you dread, this episode offers a practical, no-nonsense strategy to overcome procrastination and unlock momentum.  Support the show Learn more from me on YouTube Connect with me on Instagram Get a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link

When it comes to building an effective content strategy, it's important to recognize the various options for video. Video is one of the most impactful formats you can create in modern day marketing.  But, each format has a specific purpose. In this episode I explain how I feel about short form and viral video, pre-recorded video, and live video.  Short Form - Attract VOD - Attract, Educate and Serve Live - Nurture, Build Relationships, and Gain Trust I break it down and also explain why I believe so strongly that everyone marketing themselves should be including live video in their content strategy. Links Mentioned in this Episode: Get a 14-Day Free Trial of StreamYard with My Partner Link Join the DIY Marketing With Melanie Facebook Group Subscribe to my YouTube Channel More Episodes about Live Video Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

A common thread in business owners and online entrepreneurs is how often we can get stuck due to the sneaky voices in our head. Whether it be due to perfectionisms, fear of rejection, overwhelm, or overthinking - it happens to us all. I got inspiration to record this episode after talking things through with one of my great friends and amazing entrepreneurs who was feeling stuck.  95% of being stuck is in your head...your mindset. I've dealt with these challenges my entire time being self-employed and I'm grateful to be in a place where I can share some tips to help you get unstuck too.  Links Mentioned in This Episode James Hicks's YouTube Channel B-Minus Work Episode on Amy Porterfield's Podcast My episode about Sucking First Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Let's be honest here, growing an audience on social media, especially YouTube can take a lot of effort and time. You can potentially speed the process up with paid advertising but if you're on a tight budget, you might not be ready for that. I'm sharing 3 strategies that are proven to help you grow your audience organically. I've used these exact strategies to reach the coveted first major YouTube milestone of 1000 subscribers. These strategies all revolve around the concept of collaborations and virtual networking through interviews. You'll find new followers, but you'll also create a snowball effect for your virtual networking journey. Enjoy this Topic? Other Episodes You May Like: Episode 43: Seven Ways to Show Up Online Episode 46: Five Ways to Get Bigger Results With Online Networking Episode 41: How to Make it Easier To Create More Live Videos Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

It's easy to get caught up in the number of followers, the number of likes and comments, the number of downloads, the number of video views, how much revenue got deposited into your bank account, etc. The list goes on.  These are in fact some of the ways we can measure our progress and success, but there are more ways we need to be fueling our journey to move forward as entrepreneurs.  In this episode, I'm going to share five new ways for you to measure your success.   TO SIGN UP FOR AMY'S FREE MASTERCLASS CLICK HERE --> SIGN UP Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Creating content on social media should have some strategy behind it. This is something we talk about a lot. One of the things you've probably tried to focus on is creating content the social media algorithms favor. I believe when we start putting the algorithms first, we're missing out on the most important piece of the puzzle...our audience. In all honesty, if you focus on creating great content that serves your audience, you shouldn't need to worry about the algorithms. If you need to get up to speed on what we're even talking about check out this previous episode about social media algorithms. https://www.melaniedyann.com/blog/episode-4-what-the-heck-is-the-social-media-algorithm Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Creating content on social media should have some strategy behind it. This is something we talk about a lot. One of the things you've probably tried to focus on is creating content the social media algorithms favor. I believe when we start putting the algorithms first, we're missing out on the most important piece of the puzzle...our audience. In all honesty, if you focus on creating great content that serves your audience, you shouldn't need to worry about the algorithms. If you need to get up to speed on what we're even talking about check out this previous episode about social media algorithms. https://www.melaniedyann.com/blog/episode-4-what-the-heck-is-the-social-media-algorithm Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

It's possible that creating a digital course has never even crossed your mind. But, here me loud and clear when I say, every business should consider adding a digital course to their revenue plan. We all have something to teach, and when you use an online course (e-learning) to help people learn new skills or work through a process you can make a greater impact without having to spend extra time in your business. Digital Courses make it possible for you to help more people than you can when you're trading time for dollars or only able to serve people in your local community through in-person services. In this very special episode, I interview the one and only, Amy Porterfield to talk about how you can start creating a digital course. You'll learn how to come up with a course topic, how to discover your next steps in creating a course, and you'll hear Amy's advice on how to overcome the fears you may have inside of you. About Amy Porterfield: Amy Porterfield is an online marketing expert and the host of the top-ranked podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy. Before building a multi-million dollar digital course business, Amy worked with mega-brands like Harley-Davidson and Peak Performance Coach, Tony Robbins, where she oversaw the content team and collaborated on ground-breaking online marketing campaigns. Through her bestselling courses and popular podcast, Amy’s action-by-action approach proves that even the newest online entrepreneurs can bypass the overwhelm, and instead generate exciting momentum as they build a business they love. Links Mentioned in This Episode:  Discover Your Personal Path to Creating an Online Course (Quiz) Get Inspired By These Amazing Course Creator Testimonials Sign Up For Amy's Free Masterclass (available for a limited time) "Five Little Known Mistakes "Most"  Course Creators Make and How To Avoid Them More of my favorite things from Amy Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

It's possible that creating a digital course has never even crossed your mind. But, here me loud and clear when I say, every business should consider adding a digital course to their revenue plan. We all have something to teach, and when you use an online course (e-learning) to help people learn new skills or work through a process you can make a greater impact without having to spend extra time in your business. Digital Courses make it possible for you to help more people than you can when you're trading time for dollars or only able to serve people in your local community through in-person services. In this very special episode, I interview the one and only, Amy Porterfield to talk about how you can start creating a digital course. You'll learn how to come up with a course topic, how to discover your next steps in creating a course, and you'll hear Amy's advice on how to overcome the fears you may have inside of you. About Amy Porterfield: Amy Porterfield is an online marketing expert and the host of the top-ranked podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy. Before building a multi-million dollar digital course business, Amy worked with mega-brands like Harley-Davidson and Peak Performance Coach, Tony Robbins, where she oversaw the content team and collaborated on ground-breaking online marketing campaigns. Through her bestselling courses and popular podcast, Amy’s action-by-action approach proves that even the newest online entrepreneurs can bypass the overwhelm, and instead generate exciting momentum as they build a business they love. Links Mentioned in This Episode:  Discover Your Personal Path to Creating an Online Course (Quiz) Get Inspired By These Amazing Course Creator Testimonials Sign Up For Amy's Free Masterclass (available for a limited time) "Five Little Known Mistakes "Most"  Course Creators Make and How To Avoid Them More of my favorite things from Amy Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

I think just about every entrepreneur, content creator, or self-employed person deals with some level of perfectionism. Some more than others. We strive to be great, even the best, at what we do. When it comes to marketing ourselves it requires us to stretch our skills and even develop new ones. Whether it be learning to write copy, design social media posts, record podcast episodes, create videos, design a website, we have to push through the feelings of "I suck at this" and publish it anyway. Start giving yourself the grace to start out a bit sucky. The sooner you get into action, the better you'll get at creating more content and doing more to support your growth. Another episode you might be interested in: It's not a pivot, more of a realignment Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

I think just about every entrepreneur, content creator, or self-employed person deals with some level of perfectionism. Some more than others. We strive to be great, even the best, at what we do. When it comes to marketing ourselves it requires us to stretch our skills and even develop new ones. Whether it be learning to write copy, design social media posts, record podcast episodes, create videos, design a website, we have to push through the feelings of "I suck at this" and publish it anyway. Start giving yourself the grace to start out a bit sucky. The sooner you get into action, the better you'll get at creating more content and doing more to support your growth.  Another episode you might be interested in: It's not a pivot, more of a realignment Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Showing up online either in your social media, on your podcast, in your blog, your videos, your emails should become a "way of life" in your business. But it's easy to let other things take priority. For example, you're super busy creating your course, or writing your book, or getting your new store ready...you don't have time to create content or show up online. Right?  But, when we let other things put our online content on the bottom of our list, we're missing out. If you're waiting until you have something to promote to create online content, you're missing out on more customers, more sales, a bigger audience.  Use your content to create a relationship with your audience so that when it comes time to promote something, they already trust you and are ready to BUY.  Get your Free 14-Day Trial of StreamYard's Professional Plan by visiting melaniedyann.com/streamyard and enroll on that page.   Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

The rules of social media continue to change and evolve as each of the platforms evolve. But, one rule never changes. You're in control and in charge of what you post. There are no cookie-cutter rules around whether you should share details about your personal live in your professional content.  You get to decide whether you share personal info, how much, and how often. Determine your own boundaries but keep in mind there are some things to consider when you decide to open up your personal life to your audience.  Get your Free 14-Day Trial of StreamYard's Professional Plan by visiting melaniedyann.com/streamyard and enroll on that page.   Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Everyone goes through pitfalls, ruts, or even depression in their life and with their work. It's never as perfect as we wish or dream, but that's part of what makes you stronger. We hear these types of things throughout books, motivational speeches, inspiring podcasts, and everywhere else people are sharing entrepreneurial advice.  This episode doesn't include a five-step formula to getting out of a rut, but it does include a piece of my own story, and hopefully, a little inspiration to help you if you're in that segment of your journey right now. Get your Free 14-Day Trial of StreamYard's Professional Plan by visiting melaniedyann.com/streamyard and enroll on that page.   Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Everyone goes through pitfalls, ruts, or even depression in their life and with their work. It's never as perfect as we wish or dream, but that's part of what makes you stronger. We hear these types of things throughout books, motivational speeches, inspiring podcasts, and everywhere else people are sharing entrepreneurial advice. This episode doesn't include a five-step formula to getting out of a rut, but it does include a piece of my own story, and hopefully, a little inspiration to help you if you're in that segment of your journey right now. Links Mentioned in this Episode: https://www.amyporterfield.com/2018/06/217/ Get your Free 14-Day Trial of StreamYard's Professional Plan by visiting melaniedyann.com/streamyard and enroll on that page.   Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/melaniedyann)

Networking isn't a new concept to growing your business. But today networking involves connecting with people offline and online. When you network effectively you'll not only see growth in your audience but also your business as a whole. Effective networking creates opportunities for collaborations, partnerships, referrals, and of course new leads. In this episode, I'll share five areas you need to enhance to get the most out of your online networking so you can start to see the results you need. Links Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 16: Eleven Ways to Improve Your Profile Picture Episode 43: Seven Ways You Need to Show up in 2021 Mel's Instagram: @MelanieDyann Mel's YouTube The DIY Marketing School Facebook Group

Networking isn't a new concept to growing your business. But today networking involves connecting with people offline and online. When you network effectively you'll not only see growth in your audience but also your business as a whole. Effective networking creates opportunities for collaborations, partnerships, referrals, and of course new leads. In this episode, I'll share five areas you need to enhance to get the most out of your online networking so you can start to see the results you need. Links Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 16: Eleven Ways to Improve Your Profile Picture Episode 43: Seven Ways You Need to Show up in 2021 Mel's Instagram: @MelanieDyann Mel's YouTube The DIY Marketing School Facebook Group