Learn about updates, tips, strategy and ideas connected to popular social media platforms.

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Going viral, dealing with trolls, and social license to operate with Niki Baxter

Going viral, dealing with trolls, and social license to operate with Niki Baxter

niki baxter baxter equine services

Is going viral all it seems? Do we need to be aware of social license? We chat about this as well as how to deal with trolls on this week’s podcast with Niki Baxter from Baxter Equine Services

You can listen on Apple here…

I’ve followed Niki for as long as I can remember and have been wowed by her perfect plaits, amazing clips and stunning quarter marks and more for years. Some of Niki’s videos have gained huge traction with one getting over 160 million views making it truly viral… but is going viral all it’s cracked up to be? Spoiler alert… not so much. Niki has had  her fair share of viral content and the trolls and opinions that come with it, and I’m so pleased that she was open to sharing the ups and downs of this journey.

150 million views

One of Niki’s videos recently received well over 150 million views, and the comments she received provided a great opportunity to discuss whether going viral is all it seems, and the fairly significant negatives this can have.

Niki also discusses dealing with opinions on social media, social license to operate and why we all need to be aware of this, and shares lots of tips too.

It was an absolute joy to speak to Niki and hear her insight on all these subjects. Not easy ones but very important ones for any user of social media and any equestrian too.

To find Niki in all the places, make sure you check her out on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and her own website.

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Is that really you? How to spot a fake account on social media

Is that really you? How to spot a fake account on social media

Have you ever had an encounter with someone who pretended to be someone they weren’t? In real life, the fake moustache is a big giveaway(!), but online, on social media, it’s a lot harder to spot. A few weeks ago, some delightful individual decided that I would be a good person to pretend to be. The whole thing was more than a bit strange, but as you know, I like to use these weird experiences as learning points for anyone who needs them- myself included(!), so, let’s dive in to how to spot a fake account on social media, shall we?

This blog is taken from a podcast I recorded all about the experience, so make sure you head off and listen to the whole podcast for all the juicy details (and all the strange bits of the story!)

My impersonator (affectionately referred to as ‘fake me’) did a really good job. They took lots of elements from my account and bio, targeted people I knew, and bizarrely even promoted a course I run (I assume this was some kind of trust gaining exercise), but they let themselves down on a few points, which I chat about on the podcast.

From this, I have opted to pay for verification on my Instagram account. Should I have to? No, but my Instagram account is important to me. Did it aid the removal of the fake account? It vanished in under 12 hours. Should you? It’s a personal decision whether to opt for the subscription, but it did provide me with a positive outcome in this situation.

Dealing with impersonation on social media can be unsettling, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are some key takeaways:

1. **Be vigilant**: Pay attention to language, communication style, and subtle details that might indicate an account is not genuine.

2. **Check usernames**: Look for subtle variations, extra characters, underscores, or misspellings in usernames that impersonators might use.

3. **Avoid clicking on links**: Be cautious about clicking on links, especially if they are shared through direct messages. Verify the legitimacy of the links through other means, such as going to that person’s website and

4. **Screenshot and report**: If you encounter an impersonation account, take screenshots of the interactions and report the account to the platform. Provide evidence to support your report.

5. **Inform the person being impersonated**: If possible, reach out to the person being impersonated through other channels to let them know about the situation. Share any evidence you have.

6. **Consider verification**: Depending on your situation and preferences, you might explore verified subscriptions offered by social media platforms for added security and support.

Remember, maintaining awareness and staying proactive can help protect yourself and others from the impact of impersonation on social media. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, follow these steps to address it effectively.

Small & Supercharged Book

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Being an influencer with Alanna Clarke

Being an influencer with Alanna Clarke- what’s it like being an equestrian influencer?

Alanna Clarke is a 20-year-old dressage rider, law student, and social media superstar with big followings across a range of platforms, brand deals, and some very exciting things to come. On this episode of the podcast (or blog, depending on how you’re consuming this!), we talk about her experiences as an influencer, challenges of this line of work, and lots more besides.

alanna clarke equestrian influencer

Alanna talks about her social media journey, and how she’s actually been involved with social media and growing her accounts since she was just 13. Lockdown prompted her to explore TikTok, where her funny horse-related videos gained traction. But it’s not just TikTok where Alanna’s numbers are impressive- she’s also got an incredible following on Instagram and has a growing subscriber base on YouTube. That said, as Alanna emphasises, it’s about more than the numbers…

How have the platforms and content evolved?

The desires and trends that create engagement have changed since Alanna started, and she talks about  the shift from creating videos in her bedroom to incorporating outdoor scenes with her horses. We talk about the importance of authenticity and staying true to yourself, especially as she navigates brand collaborations.

The Highs and Lows

Our conversation takes a more poignant turn as Alanna reflects on the challenges she’s faced, both online and offline. She talks about losing friendships and enduring online attacks from people she once considered friends. But there have also been a lot of highs, from meeting people at shows to working with brands and events.

Working with brands

Working with brands is a big part of working as an influencer, so we chat about this and Alanna shares a challenging experience with a brand, which really highlighted the importance of clear communication in influencer partnerships. Alanna has learnt a lot from working with brands and shares plenty of tips around how to develop and nurture good relationships that work for everyone.

Influencer marketing evolution

Influencer marketing continues to grow in popularity- whether this is through short or longer term projects. Alanna explains how she prefers longer-term connections with brands and why this is. We also look to the future of equestrian influencer marketing and influencer marketing as a whole, how working with influencers is a rising trend, and how major brands that used to support athletes are now seeing the huge value that influencers can bring to their marketing efforts and seeking relationships in those areas. We both predict a continued shift towards influencers as key players in brand promotion within the equestrian space. We also both agree on the value that influencers can bring to the table. However, this depends on many factors including relatability, authenticity, and ability to connect with their audience. This can set them apart from traditional marketing avenues. The conversation highlights the missed opportunities for top athletes who may not fully embrace influencer marketing.

Payment?

We talk about payment… as this is an interesting topic and one that is a regular discussion in influencer and brand circles. Alanna argues that influencers, especially those for whom influencing is a full-time job, should be compensated for their time, effort, and creativity. We talk about the struggle of determining fair compensation, considering factors like product value and content requirements, especially when equestrian influencer marketing is a fairly new marketing proposition to many businesses.

I loved chatting to Alanna about all things influencer, and if you’d like to follow her and see what she gets up to on her social media platforms, you can do so by following the links below:

Alanna Clarke Instagram

Alanna Clarke TikTok

Alanna Clarke YouTube

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Connecting the rural world with podcasting with Ben Eagle

Connecting the rural world with podcasting with Ben Eagle

ben Eagle ruralpodmedia

Podcasting continues to grow in popularity, and today I’m joined by someone who has not one, but two podcasts- Ben Eagle from RuralPodmedia. Ben is known for hosting two fantastic podcasts, “Meet the Farmers” and “Rural Business Focus”, and today we’re going to find out all about Ben, his journey, his podcasts and more.

Ben’s farming roots

Ben’s roots are deeply embedded in farming. Having grown up on a dairy farm, Ben’s childhood was intertwined with the cows and farming life, but a challenging period in the 1990s led to significant changes, including selling the cows and transitioning to an arable farm.

What happened next?

Ben’s varied interests and desire to explore different avenues led him to travel, to brewing beer as his first business, working as an assistant at a school in Norfolk, and eventually pursuing a degree in environmental history at Bristol University. But the farming bug never left, and during his university years, Ben spent his summers working on farms, delving into his farming roots. Simultaneously, he volunteered with conservation organisations like the National Trust and Avon Wildlife Trust, gaining practical knowledge and experience. In fact, his first paid job after university was with the Essex Wildlife Trust.

What about farming?

Despite his background, Ben actively avoided farming for a while, encouraged by his dad to explore other possibilities. However, his interest in agriculture persisted, leading him to pursue an agriculture course at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester. This marked the beginning of his deeper involvement in farming.

During this time, Ben started the “Meet the Farmers” podcast, initially focused on sharing farming stories with a conservation audience. He realised the importance of listening to farmers and reshaped his own perspective on agriculture.

A pivotal point

During 2017, Ben’s own challenges saw him returning to the family farm, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in his life. He also bought into a friend’s sheep flock, deepening his connection with the farm and gaining a renewed sense of purpose. This led to further business and community based ventures, based at the farm, with community being something that has been important from the podcasting point of view too.

Focus, the birth of his second podcast, and the start of RuralPodMedia

Rural Business Focus came about when Ben realised the power of finding focus, really zeroing in on what he wanted to do in his life. He looked at where he felt he could give the most value, and make the most difference. There was the seed of an idea that was around communications work, podcasting, and with lockdown and the surge in podcasting, people started reaching out to Ben for help. And so RuralPodMedia was born.

To find out more about Ben, follow him on Instagram.

To listen to ‘Meet The Farmers’ – listen on Apple

To listen to ‘Rural Business Focus’- listen on Apple

(The podcasts are also available on other podcasting platforms)

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Do you really want to go viral?

Do you really want to go viral? Let’s talk about the Unicorn of Social Media: Going Viral”so you want to go viral

Welcome to the Small and Supercharged podcast! In this solo episode, I explore the concept of social media virality, talk about what it means to go viral, why people are obsessed with it, and whether it should be the aim of our content.


 

I was recently on the radio discussing the topic of going viral, and did a dive into the pros of reaching the right audience versus any audience. Because that’s the think. When content goes viral, it can extend way beyond your audience, beyond your audience’s audience, and out to thousands and thousands (or even millions) of people who aren’t ‘your people’. This can apply to various forms of viral content, including videos, memes, and photographs.

Is going viral predictable?

In this episode, chat about the importance of understanding the unpredictability of virality and how it often hinges on the shareability and uniqueness of the content. I also discuss the challenges of defining what constitutes a viral post and whether there are different levels of virality based on individual account metrics (spoiler alert, I’d say there are!)

Why do people want to go viral?

The podcast touches on the reasons why people desire to go viral, including increased exposure, potential opportunities, and positive impacts on personal branding. I do understand the excitement of content taking on a life of its own and spreading rapidly, I really do- this podcast isn’t a negative one about the subject, it just ‘unpacks’ it in. more detail.

The discussion also covers the difficulty in predicting what will go viral and the lack of a foolproof formula for achieving virality. I also talk about what I advise content creators to do, and that’s to focus on putting out their best content, staying true to their brand, and analysing previous successful content to understand audience preferences.

Due to the unpredictable nature of going viral, if you do create a piece of unicorn content, then I’d definitely look to enjoy the ride. That said, see content going viral as a nice to have, the aligns with your account and purpose, but the overriding objective being to build your brand and increase your reach through engaging with your fans and followers via quality engagement.

Shameless plug!

If you’re interested in social media tips and building your brand on a budget, don’t forget to check out my book, “Small and Supercharge: Small Steps to Supercharge Your Brand on a Budget,” available on Amazon.

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Social media ads 101 with Aggie Meroni from White Bee Digital

Aggie Meroni White Bee Digital

Social media ads 101 with Aggie Meroni from White Bee Digital

Social media ads are here to stay. We all have the ability to place them, but that doesn’t mean that the whole process isn’t overwhelming. Particularly if you’re just starting out.

As a Meta Lead Trainer, I teach a fair amount about the ads process and how ads work on the different platforms, but for this episode I wanted to go deeper and speak to an ads specialist who works across a range of platforms, and that’s Aggie Meroni, the founder of White Bee Digital. Aggie is an expert in paid social, working with individuals and agencies to help them maximise the effectiveness of their ad spend.

Aggie has worked for years with a range of businesses when it comes to placing ads on social, and here she gives us a masterclass in how to get started on the ads journey. Yes, it can feel like a lot, but with Aggie’s help, tips and some of her fab freebies and checklists, it needn’t be at all.

Find out whether the boost button really is a waste of money, how much money she suggests you need to spend to make an impact, and why Christmas should start in September if you’re serious about ads… it’s a good one!

To find out more about Aggie and White Bee Digital, just see the website.

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What is Spoga Horse Creator Days?

spoga horse creator days

What is Spoga Horse Creator Days?

Have you heard of Spoga Horse Creator Days? Well, if you haven’t, this podcast is for you, as I share all about this fabulous event, created for equestrian creators, held in Cologne. The event works in harmony with the Spoga Horse trade event, meaning that people who attend can also have the opportunity to learn about the brands they love, meet up with people from the company, and learn all about what’s to come. It’s a content creation gold mine.

A few weeks ago I announced I’m one of the keynote speakers for the event, so what better excuse to catch up with its founder, Sehrwieviel aka Kristina Sehr, to get the inside scoop for this week’s podcast!

In addition to this being a physical event, there’s some very exciting news in the podcast about how you can also get involved from home… how good is that?!

To find out more about Sehrwieviel, see the website

For more about Spoga Horse Creator Days, visit the website

And for more about Spoga Horse, the trade fair, you can visit their website too!

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Finding a way, not an excuse, with para showjumper Evie Toombes

 

evie toombes

Evie Toombes is a truly inspiring equestrian. Not only does she showjump competitively and create really beautiful content, she’s also tube fed 20 hours a day and has a number of significant health issues that impact her day to day life.

Finding a way, not an excuse, with para showjumper Evie Toombes


Her influencer journey started when she was just 11 and a school bully decided to ‘expose’ her health issues. Instead of waiting for this to happen and feeling powerless, Evie took control, started a blog, and started telling her story, in her own words.

This open approach is a theme through everything that Evie does, from her work with schools to help promote understanding and conversations around invisible illnesses to her honest social media. This is an absolute joy to follow and gives an insight into what she has to do to not just compete, but also exist.

I had the pleasure of meeting Evie in real life at  Bolesworth in the summer and knew I had to get her on the podcast. She’s great fun, so interesting, and I learnt so much that I had to get her on to chat!

Evie is one inspiring lady, and it’s an absolute joy to share this podcast with you. Prepare to feel very inspired…

Make sure you follow Evie online too- she’s very active on Instagram, and you can find her here.

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5 reasons to invest in yourself

 

5 reasons to invest in yourself

The media is full of negative news- there’s no denying that- but even with all that’s going on, today, I want to urge you to not skimp on investing in yourself. More than that, I want to encourage you to invest in yourself more than ever. Don’t worry- I haven’t completely lost my mind, there are LOADS of ways you can invest in yourself for free, and there are loads of them in this podcast!

5 reasons to invest in yourself

 

With everything going on in the world at the moment, you may have decided to cut any learning budget in a bid to save money. I’m not here to say you must spend money on your growth and development if there’s nothing left in your budget- but what I will say is stopping all forms of training and investment in your personal growth is never a good idea.

The good thing is, you don’t have to spend a fortune on training- really, as with a lot of things in life, you can generally invest time or money (and maybe even both!) to broaden your horizons. From super high ticket courses through to free podcasts, audiobooks, video trainings, books, webinars- the list is nearly endless and there is plenty out there to suit any budget. I promise.

Why should you invest in yourself now?

  1. If you’re not learning, you’re going backwards. If you’re not trying to grow, develop and upskill, you’re losing ground if your competitors are committed to learning. Just because you’ve stopped, it doesn’t mean everyone else has. You don’t want to be lapped by taking your foot off the pedal when it comes to growth, training and personal development.
  2. You’re not alone. If you work for yourself, particularly if you work from home on your own, it can be really lonely. But the thing is, what you’re experiencing won’t be unique to you- you’re not alone. If you invest your time and/or your money in a community full of likeminded people, you will reap the rewards, feel more supported, be able to find shortcuts and expedite your growth.
  3. It can save you time. If you learn from others and their experiences and mistakes, you’ll likely save yourself a huge amount of time. The investment needed for this benefit is time. If you opt for a group like Mastermind, it’s money too, but if you go for a free group, it’s time. You can also get involved with free online trainings, books and lots of other methods to help progress your learning and save yourself a lot of time.
  4. Community and connectors creates opportunity. Connecting with people, whether in real life or through groups, can lead to huge opportunities. It’s a side benefit of why you should invest in yourself- time or money- because just one connection can make an introduction that can change the trajectory of your business, maybe even your life!
  5. It can help your business to grow in challenging times. We all need inspiration to help us grow, but particularly when times are tough, it can be harder to ‘dig deep’ and find these. That’s why investing in yourself is key. Investing in your education can help encourage different thoughts, new ideas and connections. And these are vital to surviving and even thriving when times are tough.

 

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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Safety and equestrian standards with Claire Williams, Executive Director of BETA

Claire Williams BETA

The second Summer of Safety podcast with the British Equestrian Trade Association is here, and today we’re chatting all about safety (obviously!), standards, fitting and lots more too.

Safety and equestrian standards with Claire Williams, Executive Director of BETA

On this episode, I caught up with Claire Williams, Executive Director of BETA, to chat all about the standards that apply to riding hats and body protectors. We also chat about the importance of a good fit and why buying online can make hat and body protector fitting a challenge.

To find out more about the British Equestrian Trade Association, see the website here, or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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