Ignition

What do a classroom of 20 tiny humans and a booked-out online business have in common? A lot more than you think. In this episode, I’m joined by Halle Schmidt - a former teacher who turned her transferable skills into a fully booked online service provider business. We talk about the real journey from teaching to entrepreneurship, how to translate your background into client-ready skills, and the...

You can learn content strategy from a literal piece of garbage. The most memorable piece of content I saw wasn’t a viral trend or a 10-step list - it was a 15-second TikTok about how to put on a trash bag. And I still think about it every time I take out the trash. That’s what sticky content does: it’s simple, actionable, and unforgettable. In this episode, I’m breaking down why endless lists don’...

Back-to-school season isn’t just a reset for the kids: it’s a reset for you and your business. In this episode, I’m sharing three simple ways to tap into the fresh-start energy of September, so your content feels relevant, seasonal, and magnetic… without adding more to your plate. Whether your kids are already back or you’re in the final stretch of summer, these strategies will help you shift your...

What if taking a break didn’t mean disappearing? In this honest conversation with returning guest Sarah Petrillo (@thesassycollab), we unpack the guilt that comes with stepping away from social media—even when you know you need the break. If you’ve ever felt like logging off might mean falling behind, being forgotten, or letting people down… this episode is your reminder that rest ≠ irrelevance. W...

If you’ve ever wondered how to actually make money from your podcast (without a massive audience or relying on $3 ad payouts), this episode is for you. Podcast producer Claudia from Work With CML is back — and we’re breaking down the real ways to scale your podcast, monetize your episodes, and turn your content into new leads, clients, and income streams. Whether you’re just getting started or alr...

What if your strategy didn’t require a checklist? In this conversation with Sarah Petrillo of @thesassycollab we dive into the tension between content that connects - and content that performs. If you’ve ever felt like you're “doing everything right” on social media but still feel disconnected, this episode is for you. Sarah shares how she’s moved from social media management into intuitive busine...

You’re not here to perform. You’re here to connect. And this final part of the series is about how to actually do that — without defaulting back to pressure, posturing, or someone else’s tone. We’ve unpacked the freeze, the shame, the fear of sounding salesy, and the misuse of pain points. Now, we bring it all together and ask: What kind of marketer do you actually want to be? Because you can writ...

Let’s talk about the kind of content that made you feel small— and why it seemed to work. In this episode, I’m naming what most people won’t: a huge chunk of online marketing wasn’t built on trust. It was built on FAKE urgency. On manipulation. On shame. It worked—technically. It sold offers. Filled masterminds. Grew brands. But what did it cost ? This episode is for the service provider who’s don...

Yes, your audience is in pain. No, you don’t need to poke the bruise to prove your point. In this episode, we’re getting into one of the most common things I hear from online service providers: “I don’t want to use pain points—I don’t want to sound like them.” This is your guide to naming pain with power, not shame. You’ll learn how to speak to what your audience is actually navigating without col...

So you finally want to talk about your offer—but that voice creeps in: “Ugh, I don’t want to sound salesy.” In this episode, I’m breaking down why that fear is actually a good sign - and not something you need to bulldoze through. If you’ve ever hesitated to talk about your work because you didn’t want to sound pushy, manipulative, or like those people —this one’s for you. You’re not afraid of mar...

You’re not bad at marketing. You’re just remembering how it once made you feel. In this first episode of my 5-part mini series on Shame + Mean Girl Marketing, we’re talking about the freeze that happens when smart, capable online service providers go to market their work...then shut down. You know how to help people. You know your offer is good. So why does content creation feel so sticky? Because...

Welcome Back to Ignition! I chatted with Claudia again from Work With CML all about ghosting your podcast... and what to do next. If you are someone who's ghosted your podcast (or any social media platform for that matter) this episode is for you. We get into why someone might ghost their podcast - usually related to burnout, and how to avoid this. Claudia shares some steps you can take if you...

The rinse and repeat content system that allows you to triple how much content you create, without any fancy workflows or systems. This is one of those simple to implement ways to create more content, and because you are creating more, you are practicing more, which as we know, helps you get better. You're not out of content ideas. You're just using them once. And that stops with your next post. I...

If you have been scrolling on your feed for more than 2 minutes... then you have seen the consistent "How to break out of 200 view jail" posts from gurus, coaches, and content experts... ...and I know you are someone who wonders why no matter WHAT you post, when you go and check that reel you did this morning, you are always a little wtf when you see it's sitting at 172 views, 3 like...

I am so excited to welcome Claudia Lems from Work With CML on this episode about starting a podcast! Claudia is a Podcast Producer and shares her perspective on why your business will benefit from a podcast. Whether you want to create authority, connect with your audience on a deeper level, or attract ideal clients, podcasting is a huge business asset. Claudia shares her top tips for starting a po...

Not all coaches. Not all teams. And I’ve had the pleasure of working with some incredible leaders who truly walk their talk—who value collaboration, integrity, and actual business strategy. But this is about the other side. The part of the industry we don’t always talk about publicly. The performative “team culture” that punishes critical thinking. The strategy-free marketing wrapped in cute brand...

You didn’t miss your shot. The market’s not “too saturated.” And no - you don’t need to go back in time to 2020 to be successful. But if your content isn’t landing clients? If you’re showing up and still hearing crickets? You might not be too late … But you are being too quiet. This episode is the wake-up call for every online service provider waiting in the wings, playing it safe, or blaming the...

If your content sounds like it could’ve been written by any other SMM, VA, or OBM on the internet… your dream clients are scrolling right past you. And it’s not because you suck at content. It’s because your content sounds like everyone else’s. In this 6-minute episode, I’m breaking down: ✨ The 3 reasons your content is blending in (and how to fix it fast) ✨ A simple audit you can do right now t...

So you ghosted your socials again… now what? Spoiler: Your audience isn’t sitting around keeping track of how long you’ve been gone. But they are wondering if you’re going to disappear on their business too. Here’s what they’re not waiting for:🚩 Another apology post 🚩 Another reintroduction 🚩 Another “Oops, I’m back!” vibe What they are waiting for? Content that reminds them exactly why they sh...

Most of the business coaches selling you content strategies and content vaulets? They built their audiences years ago - under completely different conditions. They had massive organic reach. They didn’t have to compete with an oversaturated algorithm. And now? They’re still pushing the same strategies from 2020… even though they don’t work the same anymore. And what they aren't showing you whi...

You’ve been told that batching is the secret to getting ahead with content. That it’s how to stay consistent, avoid burnout, and make content easier. So you’ve tried it. You’ve blocked out full days, mapped out content, cranked out 15 reels… yet here you are, still feeling stuck, still dreading content, and still struggling to stay consistent. Because here’s the truth: Traditional batching isn’t j...

You’re posting consistently. You’re following all the “best practices.” But your offer? Still not selling the way it should. That’s exactly where my client was - until we made three simple shifts that 4x’d her one-on-one consults in just one month. And here’s the kicker: She didn’t post more. She didn’t go viral. She didn’t change her offer. What we did instead: Ditched the perfect Canva slides an...

Somewhere along the way, you were told that if you weren’t constantly working on your business, you were falling behind. That if you didn’t post daily, the algorithm would forget you. That you should be fitting content in wherever you can - five minutes in the pickup line, while waiting for your Starbucks order, between client calls. But that’s not a content strategy. That’s survival mode. In this...

Be honest - how much unnecessary effort have you put into trying to “crack” content? Scrolling nonstop to find trending sounds. Watching gurus tell you the latest “must-do” hack. Posting two-second reels because someone swore it would trick the algorithm. But here’s the truth: Content that converts isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about skill. In this episode, we’re covering: The content hacks tha...

Content doesn’t have to be so damn hard. Welcome to IGNITION - the podcast for online service providers (VAs, SMMs, OBMs, coaches, and more) who are tired of overthinking every post and feeling like content is just a box to check, instead of the TOOL that drives your dreamy AF client to your profile. I'm Kat Kurdziel, a former Fortune 500 sales & marketing expert turned content strategist...