Brandmerry Blog Archives
Unlocking the Secrets of Authentic Meta Advertising with Expert Kwadwo from The Art of Online Business Podcast
In this episode of The Authentic Brand Builders Podcast, I sit down with Kwadwo, a skilled Meta ads expert, to explore what it truly takes to create successful, authentic Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns.
Together, we take a deep dive into strategies to approach Facebook and Instagram ads with patience and authenticity, even in today’s landscape where people are more skeptical than ever about advertising.
We talk about everything from optimizing ad funnels and the timing of your first ad to creating scalable campaigns that build real trust with your audience.
Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:
How ads amplify your brand and when to get started with ad campaigns after your organic strategy has been proven.
The importance of testing your ads, from ad copy to visuals, testing each element can help keep costs down while improving performance and targeting.
How to focus on genuine, trust-building ads that don’t just sell but also engage and educate your audience during a time when audiences are more cautious.
**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 128 now.
SHOW NOTES FROM EPISODE 128.
Why People Are Skeptical About Ads
Many entrepreneurs view advertising as risky or "salesy," especially if they've had past experiences with ads that didn’t work. In our conversation, we tackle this head-on and offer insights to rethink ad strategy for a fresh start.
The Power of Facebook & Instagram Ads When Done Right
Ads aren’t just about conversions; they’re about relationship-building, too. Kwadwo shares how Facebook and Instagram ads can help brands extend their reach and foster trust when approached with patience and intent.
Key Insights for Getting Started with Facebook Ads
Timing is everything. Kwadwo and I discuss how to gauge when you’re ready to invest in ads and why having a strong organic presence first can set you up for greater success.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Misconceptions
One big misconception? That ads can instantly fix a business or product. Kwadwo emphasizes that ads amplify what’s already there, making it crucial to have a clear, authentic brand foundation in place first.
The Olympic Gold Medal Testing Framework for Ad Optimization
We delve into Kwadwo’s creative testing framework, which focuses on systematically testing visuals, copy, and audiences to keep costs manageable and reach the right people effectively.
Effective Strategies to Optimize, Scale, and Build Trust
Kwadwo’s advice is clear: commit to the process. Ads aren’t a one-and-done approach—they require ongoing testing and refinement to truly pay off.
Mastering Dynamic Creative
Dynamic Creative can be a game-changer. We talk about how letting Facebook mix and match your ad elements can optimize performance and provide valuable insights into what resonates with your audience.
Scaling with Purpose
Scaling isn’t just about adding budget; it’s about reading the data, adjusting to what’s working, and building campaigns that feel as personal and authentic to a cold audience as they do to loyal followers.
Free Gift: The 7 Biggest Facebook Ad Mistakes
Get 'The 7 Biggest Facebook Ad Mistakes Course Creators Make That Burn Through $$$ And Kill Results' email series and stop your ads from burning through your hard earned money.
Download Here: https://quayjo.mykajabi.com/7mistakes-podcast
CONNECT WITH KWADWO
Kwadwo – (sounds like QUĀY.jo) – is the host of The Art of Online Business podcast with 849 episodes and 4.92M downloads, a Meta ads manager and online business strategist, specializing in serving established online course creators with annual earnings ranging from $250,000 to $1.2 million.
But unlike most ads managers, he doesn't just bring in quality leads. With over three years of experience, he excels in optimizing funnels and providing marketing, sales, operations and hiring guidance. All of which enable his clients to work less, earn more, and live the life they were meant for.
Since January 2020 Kwadwo has resided in central Mexico with his wife and two kids after an ill timed vacation (right before the pandemic started) ended his 12 years of living in China. He speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese, decent Spanish and firmly believes that everyone should experience international travel and engage with different cultures.
Business website: https://theartofonlinebusiness.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theartofonlinebusiness
Instagram:https://instagram.com/quayjo
TikTokhttps://tiktok.com/@quayjo
Facebook Business Page:https://www.facebook.com/quayjo
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
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FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
Getting Your Brand Seen: A Brand Coaches Struggle With Visibility
In the online business and branding world, visibility is crucial.
It’s not just about putting yourself out there online; it's about truly showing up as your authentic self, something I’ve found over the years can be incredibly difficult.
As someone who has been creating and publicly sharing content over the past eight years, I still struggle with a fear of visibility, and today, I want to talk about a personal journey I’ve taken recently concerning visibility and how I navigate my relationship with social media as an entrepreneur and brand strategist.
I’m also giving you the three journal prompts that helped me uncover this fear and start taking action to move forward.
Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:
My recent discovery around visibility and specifically what was holding me back from social media.
The importance of asking yourself the hard questions to create an authentic and aligned brand online.
Three journal prompts to get you started in discovering what is holding you back from getting your brand seen.
**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 127 or explore the video on the Brandmerry YouTube channel.
A Fear of Visibility and Getting Your Brand Seen
Visibility isn’t straightforward. As much as we want it o be, if it were, we’d all be doing it effortlessly.
But, the truth is many of us have a fear of being seen online. It might manifest itself in a lot of different ways from not being able to come up with content ideas, to having a lot of drafts or ideas or things created and not posting them to avoiding a platform altogether.
No matter how it’s manifesting in your journey, it’s important that you take the time to uncover WHY it’s there and what it’s causing you to specifically fear about putting your brand out there and getting it discovered.
My Personal Journey with Visibility as a Brand Coach
The first step starts with understanding what holds us back.
For me, it was a fear around social media platforms, particularly Instagram. Despite appearing confidently online, through all of my podcasts, videos, and blogs, I uncovered a hidden fear of judgment around social media.
Over the years, I’ve been very open about my relationship with social media, taking an SEO approach to my marketing. Now, while this is something I’m incredibly grateful for because the results from SEO have been incredible for my business growth, I also found that I was lacking a bit of creativity when creating daily content.
This led me to a deep-dive journal session that helped me uncover what was really holding me back from showing up on social media.
I asked myself why these platforms felt intimidating and what was stopping me from engaging creatively. An essential step was identifying what I was passionate about and recognizing what aspects of my creativity and self-expression were not being utilized.
I love behind-the-scenes storytelling and nonverbal communication like reels, yet my existing relationship with social media kept me from creatively expressing myself in this way.
I made this discovery by following the prompts below.
Three Journal Prompts to Help Online Business Owners With Visibility
If you're navigating similar roadblocks around visibility, I wanted to share these three prompts with you.
1. What specific thoughts or situations come up when I imagine sharing my brand online? Do I fear judgment, rejection, or failure, and why do I think these fears exist?
2. If I could show up online without fear or judgment what would I share? What would I say? How would I express myself?
3. What small step can you take today to face these fears?
These prompts allowed me to ask specific questions that helped me dig deeper and map out an actionable way forward.
Moving Forward Through a Fear of Visibility
Starting with understanding and facing these fears is vital.
Once you’ve clearly identified the WHAT and the WHY, you can then begin to map out HOW you move forward.
I highly recommend that you allow the last questions to fuel a flow of ideas and ways you could get started. You only need one idea to start, and then through your actions, you can watch your confidence grow.
I decided to experiment, using TikTok as a platform to explore personal branding without the pressure of having to teach.
The objective is pure creativity—sharing who I am without focusing on selling a product or service. This playfulness, although in the early stages, has almost instantly reinvigorated my creativity and led to an overflow of ideas and content for my main business, Brandmerry.
As with all things when the creativity is flowing, other areas benefit greatly.
Building a Brand: The Foundation
Visibility also lies in having a solid brand foundation. If uncertainty about your brand is holding you back, it’s time to revisit and define your brand’s core.
This starts with confident messaging and a clear understanding of your mission will naturally make being visible much easier.
Once you have a better understanding of who you are, who you desire to work with, and what makes you unique in your personality, values, mission, teachings, frameworks, etc… you can better create aligned content for your brand.
After all, a fear of being visible is often a fear of being seen, and one of the best ways to combat that is to know yourself and how you want to show up in the world.
I’ve created a free Brand Roadmap that will break down the steps required to build a money-making brand online and share three of the top mistakes I witness entrepreneurs making.
To get your free copy, just go here.
CONCLUSION
By taking steps toward understanding what was holding me back, I began to redefine my relationship with social media. This journey allowed me a renewed creative expression and impacted my business positively.
As I navigate this creative journey, I’m sharing my experiences to inspire you to explore and face your own visibility challenges. My hope is to inspire you to take your own steps toward authentic visibility.
Whether it’s TikTok or another platform, find what allows you to express yourself authentically. Let’s redefine visibility together and continue to experiment with our creativity to become better business owners.
Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at brandmerry.com/subscribe for weekly updates.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
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FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
Embracing Perfectionism and Authenticity as an Online Brand and Business Owner: A Conversation with Martina Fink
Perfectionism is a topic close to my heart and, as a recovering perfectionist myself, I know it's something many of you are navigating too. This two-part episode is inspired by a conversation with my dear friend Martina Fink—a specialist in self-care and helping perfectionists embrace change.
Perfectionism can be a tricky hurdle for many entrepreneurs. I've been open about my battles with it, a struggle familiar to many of my clients. Martina emphasizes the importance of shifting focus from external validation to living from the inside out. This means detaching from others' expectations and instead doing what truly brings you joy and fulfillment.
Martina and I first connected at a mastermind event in 2017 and have since become the best of friends. I’m thrilled to share insights from our chat, focusing on showing up in the online space as a perfectionist, trusting oneself, and taking bold steps as entrepreneurs and women.
Inside this two-episode special of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:
How to build a brand when you struggle with comparisonitis and the perfectionism trap on social media.
One of the most powerful journal prompts from Martina, to help you discover your true passions.
How to take action or make big changes when you’re worried about looking silly or failing publicly.
The process of trusting yourself as a business owner and perfectionist.
**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episodes 125 and 126 or explore the video on the Brandmerry YouTube channel.
Self-Discovery and Authentic Branding
A major theme of our conversation was the importance of self-discovery in authentic brand building.
So many entrepreneurs struggle with defining who they are and how they want to present themselves.
Journal prompts and reflective questions can help you to start shifting focus from external pressures to internal passions.
Two journal prompts Martina shared were:
If money was no issue, what would I want? What would I do with my time, my energy?
If you knew everyone would be excited about what you do, what would you do? If everyone was cheerleading you on what would you do? What would excite you?
Social media can be a daunting, perfectionism-driven space if you're not grounded in who you are.
Many of you might find yourself mimicking others, which is often a sign of not having clarity about your own brand identity. Martina suggests using structure to guide your content creation while also allowing space for creativity and authenticity.
This is why we’re big fans of doing the internal story work FIRST before building your brand and business. It’s one of the pre-work sections inside of You! Branded.
Getting Unstuck as a Perfectionist
One of the biggest challenges for perfectionists is the fear of taking action due to potential rejection or failure.
Identifying what you’re afraid of and understanding the worst-case scenarios can help you confront these fears. Martina is a big fan of adopting a mindset of “better done than perfect” which can liberate you from perfectionism, allowing your true self to shine through.
When it comes to taking action as a perfectionist a lot of it depends on trusting yourself and your decisions. Often times when we feel stuck it’s because we are second-guessing ourselves.
Trusting your instincts and decisions is pivotal for overcoming perfectionism. Whether trying something new or allowing yourself to take a break when uninspired, it's important to create self-trust. This gives you the confidence to make decisions aligned with your authentic self and business goals and the confidence to take aligned action.
The Journey of Trusting Yourself
Martina and I addressed a crucial question: How do we learn to trust ourselves, especially when external pressures are overwhelming? This journey of self-trust often begins at a breaking point, a moment where you realize the need for change becomes undeniable.
We discussed how businesses and lives transition through seasons and emphasized the necessity of granting ourselves permission to change our paths. In entrepreneurial ventures, where the drive to succeed can sometimes overshadow intuition, understanding when to pause, reflect, and pivot becomes well, pivotal.
Perhaps, my favorite part of the conversation was when Martina provided an amazing perspective on making choices from a place of love rather than fear.
She suggests that when faced with decisions, we should focus on what feels expansive in our body, like a sensation of openness in the chest or a lightness in our thoughts.
This choice, cultivated through practice, leads to decisions that align more closely with our true desires. By practicing intuition with everyday small choices, like deciding between matcha or coffee, we can gradually strengthen this skill and apply it to more significant life decisions.
The Foundation of Sustainable Self-Care
During our chat, Martina highlighted three critical elements of self-care: quality sleep, setting boundaries, and journaling. Perfectionists often overlook these essentials, prioritizing tasks for others over their own needs.
Taking time for oneself doesn't have to mean a rigid routine; it should be about what truly nurtures you.
Self-care should not become another checkbox on a list. Instead, it should be about listening to your physiological needs and simplifying your approach. Start small, and gradually make time for these activities without feeling overburdened by the need for perfection.
Martina has put together a Self-Care Planner for Perfectionists that you can get here.
CONNECT WITH MARTINA
Website: https://martinafink.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/martinaglows
Ecstatic Dance Instagram: http://instagram.com/ecstaticdancewinterthur
Get the Free Planner: martinafink.lpages.co/planner
MARTINA’S STORY
Martina's entrepreneurial journey began over ten years ago as a full-time store manager at Apple. Despite enjoying her work environment, she sensed something was missing. Driven by her artistic inclinations and parental influences to pursue passion-driven work, she embarked on a journey in makeup artistry, gradually evolving into a health coach. Her focus transitioned from external beauty to inner confidence and holistic health—integrating emotional wellness, relationships, and self-worth, which are crucial for overcoming perfectionism.
Martina Fink is a certified Holistic Health Coach, Ecstatic Dance DJ, and the host of The Glow Life Podcast. She helps high achievers overcome overwhelm, trust their intuition, and feel light and free in their body, so they can find emotional peace, have a life outside of work, and glow from the inside out. She has helped hundreds of women simplify self-care and feel more confident by helping them fill their own cups first, so they can show up as the best version of themselves.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
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FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
How to Use SEO Tools to Come Up With Content Ideas for Your Brand
Creating a seamless and effective content strategy can be overwhelming, especially when trying to maintain consistency online.
To simplify this process, I’m a huge advocate for planning 90 days of content in advance.
Planning content for 90 days might sound daunting, but with an SEO-focused approach, it becomes manageable.
This strategy revolves around creating one core piece of content each week, which equals only 12 content topics for three full months (aka a quarter).
By leveraging platforms like Pinterest, YouTube, and Google Search, you can align your content with your brand's core messages and SEO goals.
I break down a full Marketing Plan in this video using an SEO-centered approach.
Today’s blog is focused on how to find these content ideas using SEO tools. If you prefer to watch the tutorial video, including a screen share of each tool, watch the video below.
Creating Your Content Web
Before diving into specific content ideas, it's crucial to build a foundation called the "content web." This strategy helps ensure your content aligns with your brand and leads back to your paid offers or services.
1. Centralize Your Brand: Start by placing your brand name at the center of your web. Branch out into subtopics that represent your expertise and the primary benefits you offer. You can also put a specific offer in the center (think your course if gearing up for a launch), and branch out from there.
2. Framework Expansion: For each subtopic, expand into broader categories to support you thorough SEO research. This method prevents having content that potentially goes viral but doesn't lead to customer conversions.
Tools for Content Ideas Using SEO Research
Once your content web is in place, it's time to tap into powerful tools to generate specific content ideas. Again, this video walks you through the process with a glimpse at my screen!
Begin with "Answer the Public," a free tool that pulls data from Google to help identify popular search queries. Enter broad topics, such as personal branding or home organization, to unveil commonly searched terms related to your field.
You can see specific SEO data, as well as the type of wording people are using when searching online. This can help you choose topics that will get your brand seen, as well as make sure the wording you’re using is the same as your ideal customer.
SEO research and understanding what keywords to go for can feel like a lot. Inside, the Content Strategy Blueprint I share exactly how to perform this research, what to look for, and how to create 90 days of content.Get the details here.
People Also Ask: Keywords Everywhere
Once you’ve narrowed down some topics you can click through to Google, or open another tab. Using the Keywords Everywhere plug-in, you can scroll down to see the “People Also Ask” section to discover niche questions your audience might have. This can offer insights into content angles you hadn't considered.
Google also offers a glimpse into this with the “People Also Search For” at the bottom of the search results. Just scroll down!
Auto-fill on SEO Platforms
Utilize auto-fill suggestions on platforms like YouTube or Pinterest to uncover trending or related topics in your industry. These suggestions can help you identify market gaps, as well as different angles to explore. Bonus points because it’s completely free!
Applying Your Ideas to Your Content Strategy
By just following these few steps you could have an entire quarter of topics, maybe even a year!
Remember: It’s important to select a broader topic and break it down into smaller series or segments for your research. The more specific you are to start, the harder it will be to get results. You can use your results to then expand into micro topics of the series. For example, under "home organization," explore niches like "organization for ADHD" or "minimalist home tips."
If you're ready to dive deeper into SEO research and better understand the data to support your content and marketing goals, be sure to explore the Content Strategy Blueprint here.
FREE GIFT FOR YOU!
Remember, the ultimate goal is to create content that resonates with your audience and drives them toward your paid offers. The key to any great strategy is consistency.
Inside my new free guide, the Content Playbook, I’m giving you ALL of my top secrets ways to plan, prep, create, and distribute your content consistently.
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
--
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.
Check Out the Latest Posts
Must-Reads on the Blog
How I’ve Embraced Content Strategy Shifts as an Online Business Owner
Many people believe that consistency means showing up every single day without a break, but I don't see that as sustainable. In addition, content strategies must shift not only to the demands of the market but also to personal life demands as well.
Over the past eight years of being a business owner, my content strategy has shifted numerous times. I've learned to value intentional breaks, which allow me to recharge and continue delivering valuable content, as well as completely overhauling my strategy when it no longer serves me.
If you've noticed a theme in our recent Authentic Brand Builder Podcast episodes, you're not alone. We're all about sharing behind-the-scenes lessons and experiences directly from my journey.
As you know, storytelling is a core part of my message, and today, I'm excited to dive into discussing my content strategy and how it’s changed throughout the years, and what drove those changes.
I'm pulling back the curtain to share my evolving content strategy over the past eight years as a business owner.
Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:
The evolution of my content strategy throughout my eight years as a business owner, from the birth of my son, traveling in an RV, and today.
The unrealistic expectation of daily consistency when it comes to content creation and how I’ve shifted my strategy to meet both personal and business demands.
The importance of adapting strategies to fit lifestyle changes to maintain effectiveness without burnout.
Personally, I think this is the perfect episode to watch or listen to because of the storytelling aspect.
For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen or watch Episode 124 now.
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY | LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS | LISTEN ON YOUTUBE
P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU
--
FREE GIFTS FOR YOU --
DISCOVER YOUR BRAND STORY IN UNDER 5 MINUTES
LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ‘ABOUT ME’ PAGE THAT CONVERTS
MAP OUT 30 DAYS OF CONTENT IN UNDER AN HOUR
Hey there, I’m Michelle Knight!
I’m an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I travel the world (sometimes in an RV) while running my business.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation, productivity, and more.