Kara Duncan - Podcast Details

Shows

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations80 | Do you really need to market your business when you're fully booked? What I've been thinking lately...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 experience here because I also talk about the time I ghos...2025-07-0112 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations79 | How to Pare Down Your Marketing for Summer (A Simpler Summer Marketing Plan That Still Works)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 content more effectively, and why it's tot...2025-06-2426 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations78 | What NOBODY Tells You About Starting a Podcast (And How To Actually Make Money) with Hayleigh HayhurstWe 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 mistakes new podcasters make, and how to make your show work for your business, not drain it.2025-06-1736 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations77 | AI Can’t Replace Your Voice But It CAN Help You Blog Consistently (Here's How) with Ryan Robinson of Right BloggerWe 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 it takes to build content that people (and search engines) truly love.2025-06-1034 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations76 | 6 Ways to Turn Your Website Into Your Hardest-Working Team Member with Carolyn LeasureIn this episode, I’m joined by Carolyn Leisure—founder of Maypop Creative Studio and website evolution expert—for a conversation about turning your site from a digital business card into your hardest-working team member. We talk about strategy, automation, trust, and how to make sure your website is pulling its weight (so you can get out of your inbox and back into your zone of genius).This episode is packed with smart, simple tips to help your website grow with your business—and make your tech stack a whole lot more efficient in the process.🎙️ In...2025-06-0339 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations75 | 5 (Kind of) Bold Decisions I Made With My New WebsiteWe talk a lot about optimizing for SEO, launching new services, and doing all the things in our businesses. But what happens when you decide to do less, simplify your offers, and lean into what feels truly aligned—even if it means walking away from things that technically work?In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my brand-new website—and the five bold (and slightly scary) decisions I made behind the scenes. From cutting services I was ranking for to launching a new private podcast and letting a course take the back seat, I’m sh...2025-05-2726 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations74 | Positivity Is Powerful (With Data To Back This Up!) + 5 Ways to Shift Your MessagingPositivity isn’t just nice—it’s powerful. In this episode, I’m sharing why positivity in marketing isn’t just a feel-good tactic—it’s a data-backed, results-driven strategy. If you’ve ever felt grossed out by fear-based sales tactics or guilty about trying to "agitate pain points," my hope is that this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.I’m walking you through the latest Pinterest data on consumer behavior, how positivity impacts trust and conversion, and practical ways you can rewrite your messaging to attract empowered, ready-to-invest clients—without the guilt trips.Plus, I...2025-05-2027 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations73 | 3 Things I've Heard Lately About Scaling (That I KNOW Are True)We talk a lot about growth, but what if scaling your business isn’t about adding more—but actually doing less?In this short solo episode, I’m sharing three quotes about scaling that have deeply resonated with me lately, and why I know they’re true based on my own experience. If you’ve felt overwhelmed by too many ideas, too many offers, or too much on your plate, this episode is a permission slip to subtract, simplify, and refocus on what matters most. Plus, I share what I’m cutting from my own business, how...2025-05-1311 min

Authentic AI® for Entrepreneurs: Branding & Marketing With Chat GPT and AI ToolsAI for Blogging, Pinterest & Actually Enjoying Your Work Again with Kara DuncanSend us a textYou don’t need to be a tech bro (or even a tech-savvy founder) to start using AI tools in a way that saves you hours and makes your content better.In this episode, I’m joined by Kara Duncan — Pinterest strategist, blogging pro, and founder of The Kara Report — for a super practical, no-pressure convo on how AI can make your content workflows smoother, more strategic, and way less draining.We talk about content repurposing, building custom GPTs, and the very real ways AI has helped both of us creat...2025-05-0832 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations72 | 2 Things I'd Tell You If Your Blog Wasn't "Working"We talk a lot about blogging, consistency, and showing up online—but what if the reason your blog isn’t bringing in sales isn’t the amount of content, but how it’s structured?In this episode, I’m diving into the two most common issues that sabotage your blog’s performance—and how to tell if you’re dealing with a traffic problem or a conversion problem. If you’ve been blogging for a while and still aren’t seeing results, this one’s for you. I also share a surprising shift I made in my own routine that...2025-05-0612 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations71 | Do You Really Need to Grow a Team? Why Staying Solo & Strategic Can Give You The Boring, Profitable Business You Deserve with Maggie PattersonWe talk a lot about scaling, hiring, and chasing the next level in business—but what if growth doesn’t have to mean building a team or launching a course? What if the most sustainable, profitable version of your business is… well, kind of boring?I have to be honest, in this stage of my business? Boring actually sounds pretty good to me.In this episode, I’m joined by Maggie Patterson—creator of BS-Free Business and author of Staying Solo—for an honest conversation about what it actually looks like to run a profitable solo busines...2025-04-2932 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations70 | Imposter Syndrome Has Cost Me THOUSANDS.... Let's Talk About It (4 Ways)We talk a lot about strategy in business—pricing, marketing, systems—but what about the mindset stuff that quietly chips away at our growth and profits? The truth is, some of the most expensive mistakes I’ve made weren’t because of bad investments or wrong moves… they were because of imposter syndrome.You know the feeling: you hesitate to raise your prices because you’re worried people will walk away. You sign up for yet another course hoping it’ll finally make you feel “qualified enough.” You keep quiet in client conversations instead of setting boundaries because you don’t...2025-04-2227 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations69 | If I See "Ready To Get Started?" You Get An Automatic F (& Other Website Copy Tips From Sara Noel of BTL Copy)There’s no shortage of website advice out there—but if you’ve ever felt like your site is technically “fine” and still not doing the heavy lifting for your business, this episode is your sign to stop settling for “good enough” copy and start infusing your website with the kind of personality and clarity that actually converts.In this episode, I’m joined by Sara Noel of BTL Copy—the internet’s most unapologetic, hilarious, no-BS website copywriter. Sara’s known for helping business owners write websites that sound like them and get results. We talk about what makes websi...2025-04-1532 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations68 | The 8 Marketing Metrics Every Business Owner Should Track with Ally from Akari DigitalThere’s no shortage of marketing advice out there—but if you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the things and still not seeing results, this episode is your sign to stop guessing and start tracking what actually works.In this episode, I’m joined by data-backed marketing strategist Ally from Akari Digital, who helps small business owners cut through the noise and make smarter marketing decisions using real data. We talk about Google Analytics, the most important (and actually useful) metrics to track, and how to uncover the hidden bottlenecks that might be slowing your busin...2025-04-0832 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations67 | How to Build a High-Impact Business Without Sacrificing Your Freedom with Rosemary DedeThere are a million ways to grow your business—but what if the most powerful strategy to grow a high-impact business was actually doing less?In this episode, I’m joined by holistic business coach Rosemary Dede, who helps high-achieving women build businesses that align with their lifestyle, values, and seasons of life. We talk about redefining success, creating intentional systems, and building a business that supports you, not the other way around.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, burned out, or like your business is running you, this episode is your permission slip to pause...2025-04-0129 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations66 | Blogging For Your Business: What's Working Now?Are you still treating your blog like it’s 2017—posting short, generic updates and wondering why your traffic isn’t budging? Or maybe you’ve been putting off blogging altogether because you’re not sure it’s still worth it in the era of AI, TikTok, and shiny new platforms. If that’s you, this episode is a must-listen.Today, I’m diving deep into what’s really working for blogging in 2025—and what outdated strategies are dragging your content down. Whether you’re brand new to blogging or looking to revive your content strategy, I’m sharing actionable tips...2025-03-2540 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations65 | 3 Tips For Selling Right Now (When The World Is Chaos and Everything Feels Hard)Are you feeling like selling your offers is harder than it used to be? Maybe your last launch didn’t hit like you thought it would, or you're noticing your audience seems more hesitant to buy. You’re not imagining it — the market has shifted, and people are being way more cautious with how they spend. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still sell well (and ethically) in this season.In this episode, I’m sharing 3 real, actionable tips for selling right now — even when the world feels chaotic and everything just feels… hard. From reducing risk fo...2025-03-1820 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations64 | How To Be The Last Tab Someone Has Open: Brand Voice Guides, Client Experience Copy, and Messaging That Sticks with Andrea ShahThere are so many ways to market your business, but one of the most underrated tools? Client experience copy and building a brand voice guide.Everyone talks about sales emails and conversion-driven copy, but what about the emails and messaging after someone inquires? From your inquiry forms to your follow-ups, proposals, and even your contract emails—every touchpoint is an opportunity to reinforce your brand voice and create a seamless client experience.If you’ve ever struggled with writing client emails that feel personal and efficient, this episode is for you! We’re diving into how to...2025-03-1136 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations63 | An Advanced Conversation About Lead Generation (+ Why Your Freebies Aren't Working) with Samantha BurmeisterThere are so many buzzwords in the online space, and "lead generation" is definitely one of them. Everyone says you need to grow your email list, create lead magnets, and optimize your landing pages—but how do you actually make it work?If you’ve ever launched a freebie, only to wonder “Where are the leads?”, this episode is for you! We’ll go beyond the basic advice and talk about what truly makes a lead magnet successful—from landing page copy to strategic call-to-actions.PS: You can grab Sam's Clickable AF CTAs for ONLY $1 using the co...2025-03-0432 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations62 | Pinterest Marketing in 2025: What's Working Now?Are you still using Pinterest like it’s 2019—and wondering why your results aren’t what they used to be? Or maybe you’ve heard that Pinterest is a great tool for traffic and sales, but every time you try, it feels like you’re just throwing pins into the void. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.Today, I’m breaking down exactly what’s working on Pinterest in 2025—and what’s absolutely not worth your time anymore. From outdated strategies that could actually be hurting your reach to the real truth about pinning frequency, keyword...2025-02-2551 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations61 | My Biggest Business Lessons: What I Got Right (and Wrong) in My First 8 Years in BusinessEight years in business—what a ride! I can’t believe it’s been that long, and honestly, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on everything I’ve learned. There are things I’m so glad I did early on… and then there are the things I’d 1000% do differently if I could go back.In this episode, I’m getting real about the biggest lessons from my business journey—what worked, what totally flopped, and what I wish I’d known sooner. From the systems I should have set up earlier to the investments I’ll never make agai...2025-02-1838 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations60 | 7 Mistakes You’re Making with Your Virtual Assistant (Why They Keep Quitting Or Failing To Meet Your Expectations)Do you keep hiring virtual assistants, only for them to quit after a few months? Or maybe you’ve brought on a VA, hoping they’d magically take tasks off your plate, only to find yourself more overwhelmed than before. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.Today, I’m diving into the biggest mistakes business owners make when hiring and managing VAs—and what you can do to create a work environment where they actually want to stay. Whether you’re struggling with high turnover, unclear expectations, or just feeling like your VA isn’t the stress...2025-02-1125 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations59 | 9 Ways to Find Fresh Content Ideas (When You've Said EVERYTHING There Is To Say)Do you ever feel like you've said everything there is to say in your business—like you're just repeating yourself over and over? While repetition is key in marketing, it can still start to feel a little stale. If that sounds familiar, this episode on how to find content ideas is for you.Today, I'm sharing nine ways I generate fresh content ideas—even as someone who writes a ton of content. These strategies work not only for social media but also for blog posts, podcasts, and YouTube channels. As a service provider with years of experience work...2025-02-0425 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations58 | 4 Easy Steps to Scale Your Business Without Ads (Marketing Edition)As an online business owner, you likely know the importance of scaling your business. But what if you don’t have the budget for ads? Or even if you DO have a budget for ads, you might be wondering if there is any way to scale your business without ads (or at the very least - diversify your efforts). First, let me cut to the chase: the answer is a resounding yes!Listen, as an online marketer offering a variety of DFY marketing services, I've worked with several six-figure businesses (and even a couple of seven-figure businesses!) ov...2025-01-2819 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations57 | Predictable Income or Creative Freedom? How to Choose Between Retainer Model vs. Project-Based WorkIf you're a freelancer or a creative business owner, chances are you've thought about whether to focus on project-based work, aim for more retainer clients, or try a mix of both. Maybe you're currently doing one and wondering if the grass is greener on the other side? That's exactly what I want to dive into today. I've worked in both a retainer model vs. project-based clients, and I have plenty of thoughts to share—lessons I've learned, pros and cons, and what’s currently working for me. Let’s get into it!🎙️ In This Episode:Pros...2025-01-2119 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations56 | What It Really Looks Like to Get Better at Marketing: Getting Off the Instagram Grind, Investing in Brand Photos & Using Enji with Danison Fronda-TietzWhat does it really look like to get good at marketing? Especially at the beginning of the year, many of us set lofty goals: add a new channel to our marketing, spend less time marketing, finally be consistent, or create better content. But what does that actually look like? How can we actually get better at marketing?One of the things I wanted to bring to you early this year is an interview with a real business owner about how they finally got their marketing act together. If you’re on the Instagram hustle train or just wo...2025-01-1445 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations55 | An End of Year Recap, My 2025 Goals, and 2 Unconventional New Years Resolutions I Think Every Business Owner Should HaveIs anyone else still in disbelief that it’s 2025? This episode is for all my nosy listeners who love a peek behind the scenes—hearing about other people's goals, reflections on the past year, and plans for the new one. If that’s your kind of tea, you’re in the right place!Last week, I posted a story on Instagram about how I create quarterly Looms for my team, and it got a lot of interest. So today, I’ll dive into that process, share my reflections on last year, and talk about what’s on my mind for...2025-01-0736 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations54 | Are You a Bad Communicator? 5 Ways to Get Faster Responses From Your Clients or Team in the New YearIn this episode, I’m sharing practical tips that have made a huge difference in my business and could do the same for you. If you’ve ever dealt with missed deadlines, unclear requests, or slow responses, these simple tweaks will make your communication clearer, faster, and more effective. If you want to get faster responses (and BETTER responses) from your clients and team, these will help!🎙️ In This Episode:How to make your messages clear and actionable to avoid delays.Mistakes people make that slow down communication.The best ways to use tools like voic...2024-12-3114 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations53 | Mental Breaks in Marketing: Taking Time to Reflect, Recharge, and ReimagineIn this episode, I'm talking about why we need to start taking intentional breaks when it comes to marketing and content creation. I'm also sharing my recent experience with batching podcast episodes, lessons learned from observing other creators, and why giving yourself "white space" can lead to fresh ideas and renewed creativity. Whether you're managing a podcast, blog, or business, my hope is that this episode inspires you to prioritize rest while staying consistent.🎙️ In This Episode:Why batching content can help you stay consistent and avoid burnout.The scene in MadMen that I can...2024-12-2409 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations52 | Is It Time to Hire a Marketing Agency? 3 Questions to Ask Before You Splurge on a Marketing AgencyHi! Your favorite content marketing agency here, coming at you with an episode that I swear is not a sales pitch for our services (although, hello, what are you waiting for? hire us for blogging and Pinterest). Instead, I'm sharing 3 KEY questions that I think you should be asking before you hire anyone to market your business for you (regardless of if you're looking for a virtual assistant to support you, a blogging/pinterest agency, or even a social media manager).Helping you make informed decisions around your marketing is the MOST important thing to me, so...2024-12-1715 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations51 | The 5 Ps to Profitable Podcast Guesting (+ How to Create a Steady Flow of Highly-Qualified Leads Without Paid Ads) with Dustin RiechmannAre you thinking you might like to be a podcast guest someday? Maybe you've been a podcast guest and you're thinking, Hey, I want more of that. Or maybe you're looking for alternative ways to market your business, but you're not set on starting your own show. Today's episode is for you. Actually, it's for you even if you do have your own show. Because let me just tell you, I've been a podcast guest many times and it's always been a super great way to connect not only with the host more, but also connect with...2024-12-1034 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations50 | 2 of the Biggest 2025 Website Trends (+ UX Tips You'll Want To Implement ASAP) with Hannah DavisWho doesn’t love a good trends episode? Today, I’m excited to bring on Hannah Davis to talk all about 2025 website trends and how we can update our websites without making them look overly trendy. I also loved how she tied in website UX (user experience) into everything she does!We chatted all about the balance between copy and design, how to use templates effectively, and common website mistakes to avoid. 🎙️ In This Episode:2 of the biggest 2025 website trendsHow to know if WE should be jumping on the latest trends (big and sm...2024-12-0330 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations49 | 3 Things I'd Do If I Wanted To Make More Money in DecemberI know that this week is absolutely crazy for some people. A lot of people are having Black Friday sales, it's Thanksgiving for my American friends, and everyone is just getting ready for the holiday season if they're not already in holiday mode already. So I just wanted to bring you a super short episode with just a little mindset shift to consider as we close out the year and answer the question: can you make money in December? I feel like at this stage of the year, a lot of us feel like our year is k...2024-11-2610 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations48 | 3 Steps to Start Profit Planning for the New Year with Geily Romero As the year begins to wind down, I know we all have one thing on our minds: MONEY. Whether we’re thinking about holiday spending, setting goals for 2025, making the most of the final month of the year, planning for more income in 2025, or identifying expenses for tax write-offs, money is definitely a top focus. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Geily. She’s the founder of Cutting Edge Financial Solutions and works with service-based businesses to improve their bottom lines through cash flow management and financial planning, focusing on reducing spending and maximizing take-home profits—which, le...2024-11-1929 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations47 | The Ultimate Black Friday Launch Game Plan with Dolly DelongToday, we're diving deep into Black Friday launch strategies with the incredible Dolly DeLong. Dolly, a seasoned systems and workflow expert (and the #1 person recommended on threads to talk about this!), shares her approach to launching with intention, offering tips to move from a scattered approach to a structured, strategic game plan. From prepping your audience to refining your marketing and planning for a smooth launch, Dolly’s advice is helpful regardless of whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or tackling your first Black Friday campaign. Plus, she shares how she structures her week to run two busine...2024-11-1236 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations46 | I Read 10x Is Easier Than 2x So You Don't Have to (5 Lessons I'm Keeping!)I read 10x is Easier Than 2x, so you don't have to. I'm actually going to talk about why I think it's one of the best business books I've read in a long time, but with a few caveats. This is going to be part "what I learned from it and what I'm seeing in my own business", and then also part, book review. Regardless, I feel like 10x is Easier Than 2x has been the number one book everyone has been recommending, and I was really excited to read it, but I also was a little b...2024-11-0518 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations45 | The Scariest Sh*t in the Online Space Right Now (+ How to Not Get Scammed?) with Danielle RyanIn this episode, we're diving into the unnerving (and often shocking!) world of online business coaching with Vancouver-based content creator Danielle Ryan. Danielle has spent years building a business and now pulls back the curtain on some of the most problematic trends in the coaching industry. From unqualified “gurus” to expensive masterminds with questionable value, Danielle doesn’t hold back on the hard truths about the online business industry. She shares her own experience of hiring a coach who failed to deliver, along with insights into how business coaching has devolved into a web of upsells, peer-to-peer coachin...2024-10-2943 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations44 | Why Does Everyone Market To Beginners? Why Basic Content Is Everywhere (2 Reasons!) Does it feel like everybody tries to market to beginners? This is something I hear over and over again. Especially with my podcast, I really try to avoid those super beginner basic concepts. However, I do know WHY most people market to beginners, and I'm going to dive into that in this episode so that you can decide for yourself if this should be part of your own marketing strategy. 🎙️ In This Episode:Targeting Beginners vs. Advanced AudiencesWhy I have tried to create a podcast that's not "for the masses"Pros and cons of market...2024-10-2219 min

The Systems and Workflow Magic PodcastBuilding Sustainable Micro Funnels with SEO Blogging and Pinterest W/ Kara Duncan🎉 In this episode of the Systems and Workflow Magic Podcast, host Dolly DeLong speaks with Kara Duncan, a content marketing expert specializing in SEO-driven blog content and Pinterest strategies for women-owned service-based businesses. They discuss the importance of sustainable marketing strategies, the concept of micro funnels, and how to effectively use Pinterest to drive traffic and convert leads. Kara shares her journey into the world of blogging and SEO, emphasizing the long-term benefits of these strategies and the need for commitment and consistency in content creation. In this conversation, Kara and Dolly discuss practical strategies for content marketing, mainly foc...2024-10-2140 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations43 | Black Friday Trends for 2024: Launching, Marketing Tips, and Low-Ticket Offers for Course Creators with Mara KucirekIn this episode, I got to sit down with Mara Kucirek, an online course specialist who helps other business owners create, sell, and improve their online courses. She brought a list of Black Friday Trends for 2024, and then we dive deep into Black Friday sales strategies, including why it's important to start planning early to avoid last-minute stress on Thanksgiving. We also talk about the importance of delivering a high-quality product, not just focusing on marketing, and why many online courses fail because they don’t help students implement the material. Mara shares SO much, so w...2024-10-1540 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations42 | Struggling with AI? Here’s How to Make AI Sound Like You with Kinsey SoderbergHave you been looking to use AI in a more authentic way? Or maybe you're just wondering, how do I get the outputs closer to a final version when I use AI? If you're still doing a ton of editing with what Chat GPT spits out, you are going to love today's guest. I brought on Kinsey of Feel Good Social and Authentic AI to share how to make AI sound like you (and she shares a LOT more to be honest). 🎙️ In This Episode:How to train AI tools to reflect your b...2024-10-0848 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations41 | AI Tips for Small Businesses: The Do's and Don'ts Of How I Use AI In My BusinessToday's topic is one I’m genuinely excited about. We’re diving deep into the do's and don'ts of using AI, AI Tips for Small Businesses, specifically tailored to how I personally use it in my workflow. This episode was actually requested by a listener, which is always my favorite kind of content to create!I won’t be covering the basics like "give your AI a role" or "don’t copy and paste responses" – you can find that with a quick Google search. Instead, I’m taking you beyond the basics to explore the more advanced ways I integ...2024-10-0130 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations40 | Planning Black Friday Now To Stack Recurring Revenue Into 2025 with Wandi RuizAre you thinking about launching something for Black Friday, but you're a service provider and unsure what that would look like for you? Maybe you're feeling pressured to create something new? Or you're an introvert like me wondering how you'll find the energy to maintain a launch during the busiest time of year? In this week's episode, I interviewed Wandi Ruiz all about how planning Black Friday now, can help YOU stack recurring revenue for 2025.Wandi has a challenge starting today if you want to dive into this even further! Head to her Instagram for details: https...2024-09-2332 min

Business-First CreativesBuilding a Steady Stream of Potential Customers through SEO and Pinterest with Kara Duncan [Marketing with Intention Series]Marketing takes up a lot of your time and for businesses that are planning to be around for a while, finding sustainable strategies that generate passive traffic and run on longevity is key for long-term success. For many of us, search engine optimization and Pinterest seem to feel like a lot of work, yet the long-term impacts of the efforts on those two platforms is unmatched. In today's episode, Kara Duncan joins us to share the value of blogging and pinning your content to Pinterest, along with a few tips to getting the most out of your content as...2024-09-1939 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations39 | Do You Have a 5 Minute Booking Process? How to Create One (+ More Tips to SIMPLIFY Your Life With Your CRM) with Colie JamesFive minutes into this episode, I realized just HOW much value Colie was bringing to the conversation. I already knew she was brilliant in systems and client experience, but if you’re not familiar with her yet, get ready. After recording, I made it a goal to implement everything she recommended, and it took me about two and a half hours (though it could’ve been quicker if I hadn’t overthought the details!). You're going to LOVE this episode so let’s get into it!We dive into the bare minimum customer experience, her five-minute booking process...2024-09-1736 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations38 | What Eminem and Taylor Swift Know About Building a Brand in 2024Do you ever have a hard time turning off your business brain? This week’s episode was inspired by a moment that hit me a few weekends ago while driving home from camping. On the way home, we listened to Eminem’s new album—out of sheer curiosity, since I honestly don’t usually listen to that kind of music anymore. But it got me thinking about his lyrics and just how talented he is, honestly, which naturally led me to think of Taylor Swift and, then naturally, business. I couldn’t help but start jotting down ideas, and I’m excite...2024-09-1012 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations37 | 4 Things To Do With That New Fall Energy You're Feeling Right NowIs anyone else feeling that new fall energy? It’s that time of year again—Labor Day has passed, and suddenly, everyone seems ready to dive back into their goals and projects. If you’ve been putting off those big dreams or plans for Q4, chances are they’re now front and center in your mind. Today, we’re exploring four powerful ways to channel that fresh, autumnal energy to make the most of this season. And be sure to stick around until the end, where I’ll share one thing that might be on your mind but might no...2024-09-0316 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations36 | Coming Up With Buzz-worthy Content Ideas (That Actually Generate Sales For Your Business) with Nicole CzarneckiHow do we actually come up with ideas for our marketing content? That's exactly what I want to know, and Nicole Czarnecki has answers. Nicole is absolutely brilliant at the creative side of marketing, especially the kind that's very intentional and designed to drive real results. Sometimes, we think of marketers as either creative types or data-driven types. Personally, I lean more towards the blogging side because I don't consider myself overly creative—I find the keyword first, and then the idea follows.On the other hand, those who excel at social media content tend to lean mo...2024-08-2750 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations35 | You Need To Be Ruthless About What You Listen ToAre you ruthless about what you listen to? Are you surrounded by people agreeing with you and complaining that this year sucks, it's slow, the economy, etc? I'm not here to say it's not valid, but today I'll enter with a hot take - more of a pep talk than my usual tangible tips. Let's get into it.🎙️ In This Episode:What's driving me crazy on threads latelyOne of the easiest ways to self-sabotageHow I'm adapting to changes as a marketer right now (having my best year yet tbh)Lin...2024-08-2010 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations34 | Is Your Business Ready to Hire a Virtual Assistant? Don't Make These Mistakes with Sophie RobinsonIs Your Business Ready to Hire a Virtual Assistant? Or have you tried hiring virtual assistants in the past based on advice from your business coach or business bestie? Maybe you’ve hired one, maybe you’ve hired many, and you’re always like, “why is it not the magic pill that everyone says it’s going to be”? That is what we’re going to talk about today.But before we dive in, I also just want to say this: we talk a lot about misconceptions and myths and what it’s really like hiring a virtual assistan...2024-08-1338 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations33 | Soft Life vs. Hustle Culture: How to Slow Down But Still Hit Your Goals with Simone LittleNot working all the time has been a struggle for me because I genuinely love what I do. Like many entrepreneurs, I have a tendency to overcommit myself. I often don't notice the effects until it's almost too late and I'm way overextended. I genuinely enjoy the projects I take on and the clients I work with. However, I want to live my life too.If this resonates with you, you're going to love this episode. I brought on Simone to discuss why work-life balance doesn't exist and how we can release guilt while remaining productive. We'll...2024-08-0634 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations32 | 3 Weird Things I've Done to Get More Wedding ClientsToday, I want to talk about three weird things I've done to get more wedding clients. This episode is going to be different because I'm not saying, "Do these three things and you'll explode your business." I want to talk about subtle things and hopefully get you to brainstorm different ways to market your business beyond social media, blogging, and Pinterest, which I always talk about here. So let's get into it.🎙️ In This Episode:3 ways I booked more wedding clients by accidentHow to market your business in new and interesting waysLinks...2024-07-3010 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations31 | Proven Methods to Find the Perfect Topics: Never Run Out of Blog Ideas Again How should you come up with blog topics? That's one of my most frequently asked questions. People either say, "I have so many ideas, I can't get my thoughts out," or "I sit at a blank screen with no idea what to blog about." After doing this for four years, I have a system. I cover everything you need to know about blogging for SEO in my Blogging for Bingeable Brands mini course, which you can get 20% off with code Podcast 20, but today, I'm sharing how to find your best blog topics!🎙️ In This E...2024-07-2318 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations30 | An Advanced Conversation for Creatives Using AI (Chat GPT Tips + New Tools to Try) with Lauren deVaneThere are so many buzzwords in the online space and it can constantly make you feel like you're missing out. For example, today's guest is coming on to talk all about systems, specifically, her systems trifecta, which is three things that your systems absolutely need to actually be helpful. So many people will tell you that you "need systems", but nobody tells you how to go about creating them in your business and what they look like when they're working. 🎙️ In This Episode:Chat GPT vs. Claude vs. GeminiHow to better prompt AI toolsT...2024-07-1640 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations29 | The Business Systems Trifecta You Have Been Missing with Sandra HendersonThere are so many buzzwords in the online space and it can constantly make you feel like you're missing out. For example, today's guest is coming on to talk all about systems, specifically, her systems trifecta, which is three things that your systems absolutely need to actually be helpful. So many people will tell you that you "need systems", but nobody tells you how to go about creating them in your business and what they look like when they're working. 🎙️ In This Episode:3 things your systems need to have in order to actually help y...2024-07-0940 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations28 | I Started a Podcast 6 Months Ago! Here's How It's Going...It's okay to be nosy 😉 Six months ago, I pressed publish on my podcast. And it has been really fun! I can't believe it's already been six months, so I thought this would be a super fun episode to just talk about how things are going, what I've learned, answering questions I've been asked, etc. This is NOT like a "tips to have a podcast" episode, it's more just me sharing behind-the-scenes being really new at something again! 🎙️ In This Episode:How I come up with topicsHow much time/money I'm investing My average num...2024-07-0235 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations27 | Stop Marketing By Accident: What a Real Marketing Strategy Looks Like with Tayler Cusick Hollman from EnjiThe word strategy feels overused these days but how do we know if we're just marketing by accident? And if we know that we're just kind of winging it, how do we stop? I've brought Tayler from Enji to talk all about what a REAL marketing strategy looks like, and how we as small businesses can actually use one to grow our businesses without losing our minds in the process. 🎙️ In This Episode:What marketing by accident looks like (hint: you might think you're being intentional)The components of a real marketing strategyHow we ca...2024-06-2552 min

Calligraphy Biz Corner12. Get Discovered with Long-Term Marketing & SEO: Expert Strategies from Marketing Pro, Kara of The Kara ReportWe're thrilled to be joined by Kara Duncan, founder of The Kara Report, a content marketing agency that serves women-owned service-based businesses. In this episode, we dive into the essentials of search engine optimization (SEO) and long-term marketing from the lens of calligraphers and wedding professionals!Kara shares valuable insights into the differences between long-term and short-term marketing, practical SEO strategies, and how to effectively integrate blogging into your business. Tune in to learn about actionable steps you can take TODAY to improve your website's SEO, the importance of diversifying your marketing efforts, and how to use...2024-06-2548 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations26 | Your Low-Effort, High-Impact Summer Marketing Plan (Do These 3 Things!)I know as entrepreneurs it can sometimes be so easy to fall off the bandwagon during the summer. That's why today, I'm sharing three pretty low effort, high impact things I want you to focus on this summer. And don't worry, I am practicing what I preach here, because I will be implementing these things in my own business as well!Let's all focus on creating a summer marketing plan that sets you up for success in the fall. We all get that new fall energy, right? We're going to talk about three marketing activities you should...2024-06-1812 min

Keeping It Candid - Wedding Photography Unfiltered052 Experience the Difference of Long-Term Marketing with Kara Duncan from The Kara ReportLet's talk about the struggle we all know too well: keeping up with social media. Imagine focusing on the platforms that truly work for you and using strategic tools to lighten the load instead. Today on Keeping It Candid, I'm talking to Kara Duncan from The Kara Report, who shares insights on how to create a sustainable marketing strategy, the long-term magic of blogging, and the wonders of AI in content creation. Show Notes: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/long-term-marketing-with-kara 2024-06-1239 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations25 | 3 Things You Need To Have To Get Out Of Feast Or Famine Marketing ModeAre you stuck in a feast or famine marketing cycle where sometimes there’s too much work and other times it feels like your email must not be working? Today, I want to help you explore a new marketing strategy that will take you from feast or famine marketing to consistent, high-quality leads. Don't worry - you've got this!🎙️ In This Episode:Why you're struggling to get out of feast or famine mode3 things that you need to have in place What order to work on each piece of your fast and slow marketin...2024-06-1113 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations24 | 6 Tips For How To Write Better Headlines In 2024As a small business owner, your success depends on your ability to attract customers and stand out from the competition. One of the most effective ways to do this is by creating headlines that actually grab the reader’s attention and entice them to explore your content further (whether that content is coming from a reel, blog, Youtube video, or podcast!).🎙️ In This Episode:6 Tips for writing better headlinesCreative writing exercises you should tryAsking ChatGPT to helpLinks Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/24Try Coschedu...2024-06-0418 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations23 | Should You Repurpose Your Instagram Posts on Pinterest? My Honest Opinion. Today, I want to talk about something new that's happening on Pinterest. Pinterest is giving more and more accounts the ability to claim their Instagram (again - since we used to be able to do this in the past). But what do we do with it once it's claimed? Should we be auto-posting our Instagram posts to Pinterest? Should we be repurposing our content? We're going to cover all of that today. 🎙️ In This Episode:Content considerations for growing your Pinterest accountWhen repurposing can actually hurt your accountWhat I think you should do instead...2024-05-2812 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations22 | Your Desire to be Different is Costing You MoneyTrying very hard to come up with unique ways to say things so that you don't sound like everyone else in your industry? While I do think there is merit to that, the truth is that I made more money when I STOPPED trying to be a unique little snowflake and instead focused on exactly what my audience was looking for (and using THEIR words to write my content and copy). 🎙️ In This Episode:2 Reasons why you should use "boring words"A real life example of what using unconventional language is costing you 2024-05-2111 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations21 | Should You Do What Meta Recommends? Here's What an OG Instagram Strategist Has to Say with Ashley WatkinsHave you been feeling frustrated with the 'Gram lately? I know every single one of you are probably raising your hand right now. That is EXACTLY why I brought Ashley Watkins onto the podcast today. If you've been following me for a while, you know, I have had a love/hate relationship with Instagram. Like I am sure everybody else has. Should we be doing what Meta recommends now? As an OG Instagram strategist, Ashley tells us today! 🎙️ In This Episode:What Meta recommends (and why it doesn't always work for small business owners...2024-05-0738 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations20 | 11 Business Lessons from Working With Multi-6 + 7 Figure Business OwnersDo you ever wonder what people who have more successful businesses are doing? I know I always swipe through on carousels and listen to episodes like this, and often it's the same kind of things, like "they're consistent", "they charge their worth", kind of basic advice like that. This episode is not like that.Instead, I have gathered 11 things that I genuinely see people doing who have multi-six and seven figure businesses, (and I know this BECAUSE I am behind the scenes in their business). I guarantee you haven't thought of or noticed some of these things...2024-04-3032 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations19 | Managing Inconsistent Revenue Months in 2024 with Tiffany ScarlettDo inconsistent revenue months stress you out? If so, you are not alone. Most of us are dealing with inconsistent revenue months. And it can be stressful AF. Even in my own business (where a majority of my clients are on monthly retainers), I still deal with inconsistency in the number of VIP days booked, or in my wedding business during "busy season".That was one of the reasons I brought Tiffany Scarlett on the podcast! For those of you that haven't met Tiffany yet, she's an on-demand CFO and business strategist for online creative business owners...2024-04-2340 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations18 | How to Make Blog Posts Longer Without Adding Fluff (+ Candid Thoughts About the March Algorithm Change)So you're trying to hit a specific word count on WordPress or on your blog. But how do you do it without adding in a ton of fluff? Today, we're going to talk about how to make blog posts longer without filling them with garbage. Make sure to listen to the end to hear my thoughts on (or shall I say rant on) "SEO being dead" and the new Google algorithm. Let's get into it.🎙️ In This Episode:How important is your word count in 2024?3 Ways to write longer blog posts (without rambling or being...2024-04-1616 min

Your Bookstore BestiesEp. 68 | Kara DuncanAuthor Kara Duncan discusses her self-published book Love Always Wins: One Couples Story of Infertility, Adoption and a Faithful God. She talks about how her faith was able to keep her anchored in her times of trials. We also talked about her writing process and the books she loves to read. You can find more information about Kara at Kara-Duncan.com, and on Instagram @duncankara All the Books we Mentioned: The Babysitter’s Club The Bookish Life of Nina Hill | Abbi Waxman Machiavelli for Women: Defend Yo...2024-04-1233 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations17 | Taking Keywords to Conversions: Breaking Down SEO with Mariah MagazineHow do we go from keywords to conversions? That is the infamous question. How do we rank on Google in a way that will not only get us found, but also get us paid? You guys know I am passionate about this, but today on the podcast, I actually have brought on someone who might be even more passionate than I am to start breaking down SEO.I have brought you Mariah, an award-winning organic SEO consultant and online business educator for entrepreneurs. She covered so much and let me pick her brain about AI...2024-04-0947 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations16 | 3 Hacks to Write Blog Posts Faster + For the “Skimmers”Everybody is short on time, whether it's you writing the blog post or your ideal client reading the blog post, nobody wants anything to take any longer than it absolutely has to, right? So today, I'm going to share three blogging hacks that will make it easier for you to write your blog post (and make your posts more digestible for your ideal client to read it).Because let's be honest, they're not reading it. They're skimming it. When you write a blog post, we have to write for both Google and for our people because we...2024-04-0210 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations15 | Embracing Work-Life Alignment By Balancing Mindset and Systems with Alane GianettiHave you ever felt like achieving the next revenue milestone or booking a certain number of projects would solve all your problems? I brought on Alane, who shares her experience of having her best year in business when she booked 93 weddings but still felt burned out. It’s crazy to think about 93 weddings, but I can really relate to the idea that more money, work, and clients don’t necessarily fix everything. And they definitely don’t give you that “work-life alignment” everyone is looking for!🎙️ In This Episode:What having systems REALLY looks like (it...2024-03-2639 min

The Dead Elephants PodcastDuncan attempts to go scorched earth on the church again, Kara Martin corrects him. (Part 4)What is the job of the church, how do we tackle equipping the saints and should the church shift what it does and how it does it! This is the final episode with Kara Martin! Join the chat on discord https://discord.gg/gBt7CTrShq 2024-03-2142 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations14 | The Surprising Secrets to Standing Out: Strategic Branding for Service Providers with Ellie Brown BrandingEven after seven years in business, I still sometimes think of branding as this intangible thing. We know we need it to stand out. Nobody is disputing that good design and strategic branding for service providers has a strong ROI. It's been proven over and over again, and yet it's still something that I feel a lot of business owners—who are not designers, have questions about. It's more that we don't know the right questions to ask.So that's why I am THRILLED to say that I brought Ellie from Ellie Brown Branding on the podcast to...2024-03-1943 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations13 | 7 Important Reminders if You Want to Make More Sales From Pinterest Today I have a fun episode! I was recently planning my toddler's 2-year-old birthday and obviously the first place I went is Pinterest. I don't think that's a surprise to anyone, and I kind of was just really nerdily thinking about my buying decisions, what my natural user behaviors are, and that kind of stuff. So as I was planning and shopping, I gathered seven things we need to remember about the way that people use Pinterest specifically when making a buying decision. Want more sales from Pinterest? That's what I want to talk about today. Let's g...2024-03-1219 min

The Dead Elephants PodcastCareer and Calling with Kara Martin (Part 2)We keep the conversation going this week with Kara Martin, lets tackle Career and Calling and figure out what we should all do! Join the conversation on Discord! https://discord.gg/gBt7CTrShq 2024-03-0731 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations12 | How Much Does it Cost to Scale Your Business With Ads? Setting Realistic Numbers and Expectations with Melissa LitchfieldMelissa brought REAL data and numbers in this episode, where she shared exactly what running ads in 2024 looks like, the buzzwords that aren't working anymore, and how we can better set realistic expectations when it comes to how fast things will work (and how much it will cost!). I absolutely loved this conversation and I can't wait to share it here today!🎙️ In This Episode:What a good starting budget for ads isHow to reverse engineer your goals to decide how much you should spendThe truth behind SLO funnels (tiny offer funne...2024-03-0541 min

The Dead Elephants PodcastFaith and Work with Kara Martin - Work/Life Balance (Part 1)Today on the show we're joined by Kara Martin, who has authored a book called "workship" today we're talking Faith, Work and Everything in-between, actually we've got her for 4 episodes so lets start with Work/Life Balance.2024-02-2938 min

Go Get Great47. Why Every Business Needs a Blog to Support Sustainable Marketing Strategies with Kara DuncanJoin me and Kara Duncan as we explore why every business, big or small, needs a blog to have a sustainable marketing strategy. Kara reveals the secrets of how a blog isn't just another project on your to-do list; it's a game-changer for your business. From boosting SEO to engaging your audience and driving sales, Kara shares the keys to a thriving blog. Get ready for a deep dive into the world of blogs, SEO tips, and uncovering the magic that turns casual readers into loyal customers. Tune in and let's blog our way...2024-02-2749 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations11 | Beyond Instagram: A Deep Dive into Omni-Channel Marketing with Candice CoppolaI think I literally jumped for joy when Candice Coppola agreed to be a guest on the podcast. To know her is to love her, she's an author, podcast host, business coach, and entrepreneur who believes that you shouldn't have to do business (or happy hour) alone. In this interview, we talked about her omni-channel marketing approach, what it is, how she views marketing differently, how she used Instagram as a part of her strategy (but not her entire strategy), and so much more. So if you know or you have been feeling that kind of itch t...2024-02-2748 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations10 | You Can Fire Me But You Can't Hurt Me (+ Other Advice When Selling "Yourself")Have you ever had a difficult client? Have you ever got stuck in your head and spent more time thinking about the client and how you can make them happy than you did actually doing the work? Have you ever had a bad day that was caused by someone not absolutely loving what you created for them? Today's episode is for you. It's going to be, I want to say a little more vulnerable and a little bit more motivational than the content that I usually put out, but that's one of the things I wanted to do on...2024-02-2016 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations9 | 4 Ways to Get More People To Find Your Blogs in GoogleWhat's the point of blogging if you're not being found on Google? Okay, I am obviously a blogging stan, so I could go on and on about the benefits of blogging beyond SEO, but the truth is SEO is probably the biggest reason you're reading this right now. After all, you want to be found on Google. That's kind of the whole point. Today we're going to talk about blogging and ultimately: how do we know if our time spent blogging is paying off? How do we know if our blog posts are ranking on Google and...2024-02-1319 min

The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations8 | Want More Sales From Your Website? Fix These 2 Pages2024 is going to be all about the little tweaks we can make in our business that create a bigger impact. Don't you agree? I am so tired of the "burn it all down", of the create a course, then create a membership, then do this, then do that. Even though that has been great and has definitely served us for a season (let's ignore the fact that we're all burnt out and half of us are completely leaving entrepreneurship), I feel like I am very ready for the shift that's happening. Today I'm going to be sharing...2024-02-0610 min