The I Am [Dot. Dot. Dot.] Podcast

Ep# 32 I Am...Celebrating Entrepreneurial Success with our Members [Navigating Perimenopause, and Mastering UGC]

• Kristen Werner & Mia Steel • Season 1 • Episode 32

Share episode

Imagine the sheer joy of seeing your partner retire early because of your entrepreneurial success. That's precisely what @Katrinais.is.40 accomplished through her digital marketing endeavours.

She's one half of the powerful duo we're spotlighting today, alongside Hayley, who turned her culinary passions into a profitable content creation enterprise. We're also taking a leap into new territory, discussing my navigation through perimenopause and contemplating a TikTok platform to connect with others on this journey. 

Together, we're celebrating the milestones and embracing the challenges that shape our lives as women in business.

Building a thriving community that supports personal and professional growth is an art. This episode delves into the importance of mentorship, personal branding, and making choices that truly reflect your individual needs and aspirations. 

Our Hive of women is a testament to the strength we draw from one another, as we foster deeper connections and prioritise mental health alongside our business goals. The balance of work and wellness is a delicate dance, and here, we explore how to choreograph a life that resonates with fulfilment and presence.

Finally, I pull back the curtain on the universe of user-generated content and how to carve out a successful niche in this dynamic field. I share my personal playbook for attracting freelance opportunities and reveal how you can dazzle brands with your creativity—without the hard sell. 

As we wrap up, anticipation builds for our next episode, where we'll continue to empower millennials to craft their careers and lives with intention. Join us as we shine a light on more inspiring community members who redefine what it means to work and thrive in today's world.

💸 Join our FREE Workshop - Want to Know What it Feels Like to Get Paid as a Content Creator (even as a beginner)?

🤖 Trained AI Agents Available Now:

🪩 Join our Recurring Revenue Society Membership - Start creating content that pays you now and build a brand that delivers recurring income for years. Join now!

Follow Us:

Products We Recommend:

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the I Am Dot Dot Dot podcast.

Speaker 2:

The podcast for busy mums who want to consume useful shit for their biz and their life. Here we tackle the things we know are holding mums and women back in their business.

Speaker 1:

We're not afraid to tackle the big shit, the bullshit and the good shit. We go from mum guilt to confidently learning how to kick ass in this digital space.

Speaker 2:

We will discuss the world of digital marketing and share life's tips and tricks for getting it done.

Speaker 1:

As six-figure business owners with over 10 years of digital marketing and brand experience, and mums to young kids, we get it, we share it and we own it. So buckle up and let's go.

Speaker 2:

Let's go Welcome to the IAMcom podcast for the physically and the mentally.

Speaker 1:

I'm Kristen Werner and right now I am just doing a cheek, cheeky introduction to this week's podcast. But Mia and I this week sat down with our incredible community and said to them guys, we want to do a spotlight session. What's a spotlight session? Well, that is where we said to them, for the first kind of five people, we're going to pick four people I think we did this week and we're going to put them in a little cheeky randomizer and all you need to do is comment spotlight to one of our facebook posts and we want to spend 15 minutes and focus solely on you, your business, any questions, any struggles, any celebrations, anything you want to talk about. We are going to dive in deep and make sure that we can support you in this space. So we had so many replies like spotlight, spotlight, spotlight. So put them in a cheeky little randomizer and we came up with four incredible members to speak to.

Speaker 1:

So this week on the podcast, we are speaking to two of our members and then you can speak to the other two next week. So Katrina and Hayley are going to be our spotlight session hivers this week Now. Both of them have such an incredible story that you need to stick around for this episode. Katrina, just a little little breadcrumb, has retired Her husband after being a year in this space and loves it so much, is working her butt off in her nine to five, which she absolutely loves, but still loves this online space and wants to see what's more for her. So come and follow her journey there. And then Hayley, one of our incredible creators, who has just gone leaps and bounds in her content since she started UGC, landed a $4,000 job and created that just by cooking, so doing something that she's doing every day as a busy mom, and got paid $4,000.

Speaker 1:

So this is just the beginning of some sessions we're going to bring to you around what goes on inside the coaching, inside the membership. So we're just going to drop some little breadcrumbs here, some nuggets of gold, so that you can see what is possible for you when you hang around in a community full of people that absolutely clap you the hell up. So buckle on in, sit down, get a cuppa. We are going to chat to Katrina and Hayley. Okay, let's go. But, katrina, if you want to get us going, how's your business going? What do you need help with? What's?

Speaker 2:

going on. So this is very timely, because I was actually going to message the two of you, um, because I had uh, yesterday the day before was my one year anniversary or, um, business anniversary, I think you might call it since I picked up my phone and I recorded myself and produced a Instagram video. I haven't gone back and watched it and I know I need to, but I know how far I've come. Like I'm very aware that that first video ever, first ever piece of content that I created was average, and I'm okay about that, because a year later, I'm like, oh, this is awesome just amazing, congratulations that's awesome, thank you.

Speaker 2:

So those first five months were a lot of having no idea what I was doing. Um, as you guys probably know, I purchased the roadmap because I wanted to learn how to actually, you know, do something. Um, and then the last whatever the rest of that year months are since October, um, my business has been growing and growing and, um, yeah, I've made significant income. I have my husband's been able to quit his job and, um, he's now full like stay at home. Dad does all the school pickups and the cooking and the cleaning and he's building his own business. So being able to take a little bit of financial risks because we've got two streams coming in by me, um, but I'm bored because that is how we roll. Like you know, multi-passionate, want to try everything, do everything. So I still love the digital marketing. I love, um know I've had some incredible people I've been able to mentor and walk alongside. I've started UGC and that's been great. I've got products coming from the States, I've got products coming from Australia and stuff in New Zealand. It's been so much fun doing that, so that's been cool to add that creative element.

Speaker 2:

But I'm bored of talking about the same old stuff and the thing that is hot topic for me, and I guess the people in my world, is. I think I'm perimenopausal and so I bow. I don't know if she's on here, but her and I send each other voice messages like all the time and I were. We were chatting and I said I think I'm going to start a new TikTok account. I'm going to just start, just start talking about menopause and my journey. I'm just going to share. I haven't had any blood tests, but I'm pretty sure that's what's going on and I'm not actually losing my mind that there's actually some hormonal stuff. And she said just do it on your page. I was like nah, nah, nah, I can't do that. But anyway, I recorded me chatting and I just went one, two, three post and I posted it on my business page. I changed the name of my account.

Speaker 2:

So now I'm like and I've got lots of engagement, I've had private messages, people reaching out, and I thought this is really fun, because this is what I want to talk about. It's like bigger, like, yes, digital marketing, yes, ugc. Yes, yes, I have an online business. Yes, I still work full-time. I'm in my office right now at work, um, but I'm also a person outside there and I'm going through something new at the moment, I guess inspired by the stuff, mia, that you've been doing around your own journey as well, down something differently, um, but yeah. So now I'm like okay, but how do I kind of merge those well, and how do I keep income coming in? Because as soon as I stop talking about digital marketing which I know it takes a hit on my income I see that there's a definite alignment between that. So, yeah, so that's what I'd love to get some tips about today.

Speaker 1:

Well, Well, that's all like firstly, very exciting in the fact that, like you've had your anniversary, then you've retired the husband, you're in this space but still looking for more, which I think we can all kind of say is we all know, and I suppose the biggest thing is we've had a couple of coaching calls this week too is just going back to that, why. So going back to that why? But then in that is finding that thread Like what's that thread that's going to keep all of this together and what's that thread that kind of ties it up. So, in terms of moving into that menopausal, perimenopausal phase, which you know, probably most of us are thinking about going through, been through, but what's that thread that aligns and keeps you in alignment with the other things that you want to do?

Speaker 1:

Not so much thinking okay, well, I need to keep selling, say, it's the roadmap to keep making income, so I need to keep doing that, instead of kind of boxing it into I need to sell that and I need to sell that. I need to sell that. Let's start to go. Okay, look at this thread. How can this thread tie everything together and help my ideal customer, who no doubt is sitting in this potentially same position as me. How can I help her and keep that coherent in the content as well? So is there like a thread that you can already see or feel or that you want to lean into?

Speaker 2:

I think one of the things is and I've been thinking about this myself is I'm an intelligent woman, I've got a master's degree, I've got a very great job, I'm creative, I love connecting with other women, and yet sometimes there's just this want for more like, and I feel like maybe that I don't know if that's the thread that I wanted, not just the income, but like it's a creative outlet um, I want to chat, I want to be real with people I really I'm not interested in. How's your day? Yeah, good thanks. Conversations I I want, I love deep conversations. I love walking alongside other women. I don't, I don't know you're also within the work.

Speaker 1:

You do correct me if I'm wrong, but are you a bit in the mental health space as well?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so I train people to work in mental health. Now I worked in mental health for 10 years and now move into tertiary teaching, teaching people to do that stuff.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, so is there a potential thread that ignites you it doesn't have to be, but you've got to be ignited by it that this next phase is speaking to women, much like we do, that want to just redefine what this has to look like. So and and is that redefining how I feel, my mental health, how that all comes together with I want to get out of what I'm doing now, but I don't know how like being that potential coach, support system, creating a course or something of your own, a mentorship, a program that takes a small container of women, like an, a mastermind type thing, through a more spiritual type journey or whatever aligns with you through this process and still allows them to see what's possible for them in a more holistic manner, potentially yeah, yeah, that's awesome.

Speaker 2:

I love that okay yeah sort of empowering women and showing them what's possible when, like a lot of women our age, like you, you just do feel like there's something more. You've done the career, you've had the kids, you're at this point where you're like what else is there? And then when you see someone really relatable talking about it on social, she's like, oh wow, what is she doing? How is she doing that like and it's not necessarily that I want to, I mean for me personally um, I actually really like my job. I've just had a big promotion at where, you know I enjoy, I enjoy this. But um, yes, I don't know, maybe it's just's just that conversation about there's so many opportunities and you don't have to be boxed into anything. You can try lots of different things. But actually, with the way that I've been feeling and days where my brain literally doesn't work and I'm starting to realize that it's not just me, there's more going on here how good would it be to be able to be like, actually I'm going to drop to part-time or to balance my life better, to actually have the financial ability to do that. So kind of those two of caring for my own wellness or other women doing something similar and having that Actually from the choice, like I love that. I have the choice to work because I'm in this day and age where there is options to work, because I'm in this day and age where there's there is options, um, and I have the choice to do a pretty full-on job. That means I work late, big days because my husband's at home. You know, I have the, I have choices and to have the, you know, yeah, I don't know.

Speaker 2:

It sort of comes down to personal branding too. This is part of you. People want to know you. What you're doing like, what you're going through on a personal level, it's more relatable. And I'm having these sort of thoughts with my other ADHD stuff as well. I'm kind of getting a bit bored of just talking about my diagnosis journey and the ADHD thing. And if I go back to my why, which is empowering women to not feel stuck and do the thing, how can I merge that together with my personal brand? I have ADHD and I want to empower women who are multi-potential, have ADHD, that, yes, they can build this life that suits their brain and live a brain first life. So I'm thinking the same thing, sort of merging that together. So I'm not just talking about ADHD and I'm not just talking about. So it really comes down to building that solid personal brand and, yeah, I reckon that would absolutely tie well into your account because of the target audience that you're talking to at the moment.

Speaker 1:

Anyway, and is it something that? Do you have a passion or desire to either work one-on-one or in a group with somebody, with actual people, rather than you know? This online stuff is incredible and I'm so thankful for it and grateful for it, but, geez, wouldn't it be amazing if we could all just get in a room together Like what excites you more in terms of? Would that be something that would give you more joy than creating something online right now?

Speaker 2:

yeah, so I, I find my I, the most amount of joy I get my business is when I have one-on-one calls with people. Um, so I, I do them fairly often and they just bring me so much joy when people have those aha moments. I love that. And the other thing I absolutely love that I do at the moment is I go live on TikTok fairly regularly and, oh it's, I just love it so much just having conversations with people and them sharing little bits and being able to like join the dots together. Yeah, I love that. Yeah, so I was.

Speaker 2:

I was thinking, sort of long term, should I create a Facebook group where we can just people can be part of that community? I've been thinking about that sort of thing. I'm my what one of my worries is because I still work full-time and this I don't want to set up a group and then let people down not being able to be present enough. I do worry about that, but I guess it depends on how I set it up, because I was thinking maybe I set it up as this is a common place for people to support each other and I'm facilitating that opportunity rather than it's all about me and once you, you grow that community like a free community, then it gives you more of a chance to get you know. Okay, girls, I'm doing a mini mastermind. It's six weeks. Come and join me and you get you know eight or ten of them into this container.

Speaker 1:

We can really get to know them really you know, and monetise it as well, and even with you know, with a Facebook community you could set it up and start it and build it yourself and build that community which you're really, really good at in terms, especially with Facebook lives, and if you love that kind of stuff, then you build that into it. And then you could look at inside your community. You might have two or three people that are often there. They're often showing up and you can just generally ask them and say, look, would you like to be an admin for this community and just help me to kind of be across everything and make sure it's looked after. And now, that doesn't necessarily have to be a paid thing, that can be just look, this is I'm hoping to build a community out of this, with the long-term thought of maybe doing a program which you could be the affiliate for. Or you could say, look, it's not much, but if I paid you, two hours a week over the whole week, 20 minutes a day or something, can you just kind of dip in and out there and if there's anything urgent, maybe send it to me. So there's lots of different options that you can do.

Speaker 1:

And, like Mia said, once you've set up and built that community, you've built trust in people. That then when you say, hey, guys, I've actually decided that you know what I think we need, like a more one-on-one which is at this price, and this is what's going to happen. I want to do a retreat, whatever that looks like. Or you might have a mastermind and say, hey, look, for X amount of dollars, I've, I've got this incredible guest speaker coming in. If you want to join us, here's the link to the zoom link. It's a mini mastermind, whatever that looks like. Yeah, fine, cool, have my money. What you've given me so far is so much support and respect and all that kind of stuff. So if that feels like something you want to do, then lean into it and know that you've got that support and just make it really obvious in the group.

Speaker 1:

Guys, this is just something I'm setting up to build a community. I'm not going to always be here. I have a full-time job. I will get back to you when I can. If it's urgent, please feel free to have conversations with each other. This is a safe, open space, all the stuff that you can say. And then in doing that, it's a private group, so you're collecting those emails when they come in and you say you know, can you leave your email address. So then you're you're building your leads for that day that you do want to go out and say, hey guys, what you got. I think it's a great idea. What's your next step from here? Let's take an. Everyone needs to leave on the action step. What's your action step from here?

Speaker 2:

Okay, that's a good question, I think. I think just a reassurance that it's completely possible to merge the business and the life journey stuff.

Speaker 1:

And so, with confidence, keep posting that content with the intention that I'll create the online community and then a group where people can come in for that, and you know the thing is is when you're trying to merge those two, again, think of that thread, but don't think of it like, oh it's, it's the digital product, and then it's me and my menopause journey.

Speaker 1:

That's not going to work, because then it starts to be guys. The reason why this has come at the most perfect time this whole digital marketing space and what I've done is because I've realized that working a full-time job, working late hours, I just my brain's not coping, my body's not coping, my mind's escaping me. So having these two is allowing me to think about the potential of dropping that's, that's the 15 minutes, but dropping the a few days a week or whatever that looks like. So it's all about the way that you share the story and it's all about the way that you just keep going back to the fact that this is my journey, this is my story and this is how I'm making, I'm designing the life that I want, and if you want that too, then this is my community. This is who I am, I want, and if you want that too, then this is my community.

Speaker 2:

This is who I am. This is how I've made it possible for me. When you start to like no, it doesn't become easy, but you just want to challenge yourself again, cause you're just like, okay, I've done this bit, now what's next? So that's awesome. And my notes app on my phone is just like oh my gosh, oh, that's good, oh, I could do that. Whereas the digital, the digital marketing, I'm like, but I've got like this list of potential conversations around this, and so I'm like I feel excited again. If you're a fly on our slack channel, oh, we could do this.

Speaker 1:

And this and this. So, hayley, if you're ready, what can we help you with?

Speaker 2:

hello everybody. You've been on a little bit of a journey as so, as most of you know, I started UGC about six months ago now After not having so much success in like the digital marketing space, but that's okay. I've actually, you know, I've come to terms with that and left it behind a little bit, and I've been having a journey in the UGC space which has been quite fun. I just over the weekend this is sort of like my proudest team I haven't finished editing yet, but I did a UGC gig that was worth about $4,000 Australian. So, yeah, it was pretty crazy. So that was for dinnerly, so all I had to do was cook food, which so easy.

Speaker 2:

That was so easy. Um, so that was pretty exciting. Um, and yeah, so I'm, you know I'm I'm really enjoying this space. It's something that I can fit in. I've gone back to work this year in a different job, so I'm not teaching anymore and I'm again. Like Katrina, I really like my job, but it's also a job. It's actually not as big as teaching and it's only part-time and it's actually working with lots of other businesses, so that's really exciting. So I really like this balance of the UGC has just supplemented my income a little bit, which has been amazing.

Speaker 2:

A couple of questions. Like Katrina, I've been on a little bit of a posting journey of just posting random things from my life and I probably also think I'm in that perimenopausal category. But I'm that perimenopausal category with a 18 month old baby because I had a lovely surprise pregnancy at the age of 39. That was a. It's been a journey, balancing sort of that, with really little kids and kids up to 10. But also I've also been in a space where my middle daughter hasn't yet been diagnosed with autism, but is going through the process of being diagnosed with autism potentially. So she has a lot of additional needs and also my baby is tube fed. So I've been posting a little bit about that and same things happening, getting lots of engagement, lots of comments, just random shit that people relate to.

Speaker 2:

I guess it's just like, okay, here we go. And it's, I think, because I've been posting it on my UGC account, my brain is going. I'm gonna thread this through with just things that I do create my life, be it okay, um, and just not necessarily highlighting products, but just, you know, these are things that I use, like up and goes and potato sticks and crap like that, and with the hope that that's going to be what potentially brings the brands to me. And, mia, you might be able to talk a little bit about this around. You know, should I be tagging those businesses into some of those TikToks, even if I don't necessarily mention them? But I'm thinking my lines of thought is product placement, you know like in television and stuff there's always product placement.

Speaker 2:

Do I sort of start tagging those things into my videos and just go from there and then filter through with? This is how I learned UGC, or this is what I'm doing in my UGC journey and sort of having those really content pillars. If you like that I might be posting one day on. You know, I've got something sitting in my drafts about Soup Tuesday that we do Say here's some content. Example of U UGC. Is that what you were meaning about?

Speaker 1:

tying the threads of the business together, kristen, as well yes, but it's more tying the threads of you so your journey, your life story, your why, your passion, your purpose, and then seeing how the businesses tie together. What I do right now with you guys here, what I've done with building businesses and working on people's brands and all of that, opposed to then weddings like you go there's no tie there. But what that tie is for me is it's all a creative outlet, it's all solving a problem of somebody who's in desperation. That's like I can't do this. I don't understand and I'm the person that comes in that goes it's cool, we got this. I'll plan your wedding for 150 people, no sweat.

Speaker 1:

Everybody on my team's like holy shit, how are we going to do that 170 people? What if it rains? I'm like she'll be right, but that's my nature to make other people feel like it's easy peasy. So that's the thread. Like that gives me so much joy when I see somebody in overwhelming confusion and I go, it's fine, like it's okay, I've got this, like just trust me, and they go, thank you. Like that's what gives, that's why I do what I do, like nothing gives me more joy than that. So that's what I mean by that tie, it's the personal tie, and that's what building a personal brand is about. It's that thing that just lights you up and then all of a sudden you go oh, that ties between everything. That makes sense. I just need to bring it to the surface.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and building that personal. I think TikTok is kind of turning. I've noticed with my content I get much more views and engagement when I'm not talking about selling things or marketing or businessy things. Yeah, absolutely Really want to relate and it's a social app. So building your personal brand and you might bring UGC into it.

Speaker 2:

Like I'm at the hospital with my little one this afternoon and I had to have a day off work and I'm so glad that I actually do a bit of UGC on the side to supplement my income, Like you can bring it in that way. But once you're kind of established with of UGC on the side to supplement my income, like you can bring it in that way. But once you're kind of established with your UGC, like you're getting some pretty regular income, you're building relationships with brands. You don't have to talk about it all the time and that's all you talk about on your account. I know there are UGC only accounts and I mean you could make a lot of money doing that. But for me, once I was fairly established, I've had consistent UGC jobs come through from everywhere without me having to just have a UGC-only account. Like even this week I've got over $1,500 worth of UGC jobs and I've said yes to all of them because I, you know, got a bit of time and then I might not do it again for a couple of months. So it's just building that audience and, like you said, product placement or tagging brands in your content as a way to say yes, I work with brands and I know what I'm doing and you know I'm happy to do this sort of thing as well. And then, once you build that audience, you'll have brands coming to you wanting to do posts on your page, because you've got a highly engaged audience of mothers who have children going through the autism process and that sort of thing. So I think, definitely building that personal brand and tying it all together. And even you'll come across mums who engage with your content who might've never even heard about UGC and then all of a sudden, they're learning from you how you manage a job and kids with special needs, and I make money on the side doing this. So it's just all you. Yeah, that's good. It's a question in the Facebook group around pitching, so I've got to get better at that, but you gave some really good tips there.

Speaker 2:

So I think probably what's missing for me in that UGC space is the really specific types of UGC and I'm just like, what's the difference between, like, a review or a testimonial? And I tend to do a lot of the problem solution stuff. You know what are the different types or the categories. I guess if there's somewhere you can point me to, like a table that in my head says this is the characteristics of a review, this is the characteristics of a testimonial Is there something like that? Or even your problem solution type content is a review and a testimonial in itself. You're you know, you're saying I bought this and it really helped with this, this and this and solve this problem. Grab it from here. Um, unless the brand wants really specific types of content, I I would assume that a review and a testimonial is similar to the user generated content. I'm using the brand. Here is my review, but I've structured it in a way that is problem solution based. I mean, there's lots of other organic style content and get ready with me and where you don't actually have to say a proper review, your opinion on it, but you're just telling people about it.

Speaker 2:

But yeah, I think a big part of my UGC journey and why I've spoken to a couple of brands recently that I've worked with over the years and you know they're still having great success. From some of my ads it's because I don't try and overthink it too much. I just say what comes out. I really hate it when they come to me and say, can you send me a script? And let's script it and we'll do it. I find that really hard but the ads that have done really well. I just talk, I just say what comes out, like trying to think, yes, I need a hook and I need to say this and that and the other. But I think UGC is sort of losing that authenticness where it should just be us getting on there and just talking about it and talking what we love about it.

Speaker 2:

So try not to think too much about how these videos come across and just and is it game of numbers with the pitching stuff as well, is it? You know? I know it takes a lot of time and I probably I sit. I've got a giant list that I've just been working through and when I have my day off I'll just send two or three pitch emails off, which I know is not a huge amount. But I guess I want to get into that period where I've got a consistent stream of work so it can become more reliable, and then I can. Yeah, I don't necessarily want to leave my job, but if I have the option to that choice again and that's what it's about that choice I can choose either way. I don't necessarily need to. Yeah, you want options? Yeah, so is it a game of numbers and just keep playing through them?

Speaker 2:

I don't pitch much myself, and I didn't pitch a lot even when I began, because I was very heavily reliant on creating a lot of content and being found that way. I haven't been on Twitter very much recently, but that can be another place to get gigs if you're just posting content there regularly too. But a big thing that I found was actually having relationships with the brands that I've already worked with and going back to them, like keeping in touch. Do you need more content? Like I'm not sure how you got the dinnerly um, but oh really, yeah, awesome. So, and I just put a number out there, because I started with one video and then they wanted three, and because five is in US dollars, I put a number out there, because I started with one video and then they wanted three, and because Fiverr's in US dollars, I put a number out there and then when it converted back to Australian dollars I'm like holy shit well done and then they came back and said, yep, I'm like okay, yeah, and Upwork is a good one too.

Speaker 2:

I remember I did a job for Jora, which is like the kind of seek partner. There's some good stuff on Fiverr and Upwork. But yeah, I just created a lot of content so I didn't have to pitch as much. But yeah, I mean, a lot of brands have a lot of emails in their inbox. We spoke to another brand recently and she's like I've got 50 pitches in my inbox. I just don't have the time to go through it all. So, yeah, if you do, if you are going to pitch, just make it frigging awesome, because if you're going to spend time pitching and then just sit in someone's inbox, just make it really different and cool. But I think, yeah, focus a lot on your content and, like you said, tagging brands in your videos, product placement, um, stuff like that and then contacting brands that you've already worked with as well.

Speaker 2:

Good job on that that's amazing husband was like what it's the best feeling when they do that, when your partner's like wait where all this stuff you've been doing.

Speaker 2:

I thought you were just, you know, got it, so I want a new and I want a new and I'm like do it yourself. Next thing you know I think Sophie's not in here today she's got a brand where she has to review 20 mattresses in one month, so they're sending all these mattresses to a house. Good money, though, my way. Yeah, I know like what are you gonna do all those mattresses? I must be taking them away.

Speaker 1:

But yeah, I think you know what's what's really cool with watching like yourself, hayley and everybody else that's kind of dipped and then stepped into the UGC, whether it's to try or to kind of go further with it, is, mia and I have certainly sat back and watched all of your content improve, watch the confidence improve because finally somebody is paying you to create content. So you go in your mind, oh, I must be good enough. Where, when you're just creating content over again, your brain's like is this shit, I'm no good? You know, you have that imposter syndrome. Where someone's paying you to create content, you naturally go, oh, I must, I must be pretty good at this.

Speaker 1:

So you know, yeah, it's actually been really good to watch everybody that's dipped into UGC, watch their content change and their confidence change in staking their ability in this space. And that's been just. You know why we've led with this now in terms of we see that UGC journey as the start, like let's start getting you paid so that you become confident. And then we're going to move into how you build a business for longevity in this space, how you create the digital products, how you create the Facebook group, like Katrine, like how you then build it after that rather than leading with something that's harder to sell and harder to create, but creating that content gets you paid, so that's, that's been really cool for everyone that's done it.

Speaker 2:

It's actually got me thinking going back full circle as well. So, and I think I'll like I'll certainly do it differently this time. So I've also picked up a couple of social media clients along the way, so that's just been adding to that sort of content bank and that's going really well for them. So that's, you know, just another thing that I can talk about and come back to that. Right Now. I've got credit, like credibility, that I can talk a little bit more about. You know, this is how I did it, I guess, and previously, even though I knew I could do it. Now I can sort of put those testimonials, I guess, into place as well.

Speaker 2:

So it's almost like coaching brands on how to get UGC or create good UGC Well.

Speaker 1:

I hope that has given you a little bit of inspiration for the day to show you what is possible when you lean into this space. We love chatting to our hivers each and every week and then, when we decided to do a spotlight session, what was really cool was inside the community. Everybody was there to cheer each other on, to hear each other's stories and to learn from each other, and I think that's what is the greatest thing about sometimes these kind of sessions is that we can highlight what's going on in somebody else's world and other people like oh, that makes sense to me, now I can use that. So hopefully in this session there was something that kind of was a little light bulb moment for you, a little mind blown emoji moment. If it was, do leave us a DM.

Speaker 1:

We'd love to have a chat about what you learned in this particular episode and, please, we would love it if you could subscribe to the podcast. It helps us know what content is good for you, what you're loving and what you're learning Now. If you want any more information, it's always in the show notes. For less than $2 a day, you can join our membership, the Hype Hub Collective, and get around being part of such a community where we thrive of helping each other, and nothing gives us more joy than seeing our content creators absolutely kick ass in this space. So if anything has got you seriously excited this week from the podcast, then please go to the show notes, check it out.

Speaker 1:

In those show notes you can join the UGC Accelerator course, which gets you started in UGC, or you can come into the membership, where we have that UGC course Now. The membership is less than $2 a day. You get to hang out with hundreds of content creators that are just like Katrina and Hayley, that are getting it done, that are more than likely mums, that are just trying all the things to make it happen because they are passionate and purposeful in this space. So if any of that excites you, then please jump into the show notes. Join us next week for the other two incredible hivers in the spotlight sessions where you can learn even more about how to make it possible in this space for you, because we are all about helping millennials, potentially like you, break the mold and redefine what work looks like to you so that you can create and design the life that you choose, and that's what excites us more than anything. So please subscribe to this podcast and we shall see you next week with the two other spotlight sessions.

Speaker 2:

Okay, shit podcast.

Speaker 1:

We've got so many good ones too.