The Social Media Takeaway - Louise McDonnell

In this episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I sit down with Deirdre Sullivan, who turned her traditional flower school into an online sensation, amassing over 338,000 followers across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. 🚀 We dive into: ✅ Better done than perfect - why perfection is overrated. ✅ The power of consistency - how showing up daily changed everything. ✅ Short-form video strat...

In this episode of The Social Media Takeaway , I dive into the 10 most common social media marketing mistakes—and more importantly, how to fix them fast. From setting clear goals to knowing your audience, managing expectations, and leveraging paid ads, I’ll walk you through the exact strategies you need to start seeing real results. What you’ll learn: ✅ Why vague goals are hurting your social med...

In this episode of The Social Media Takeaway , I sit down with Joe Apfelbaum, CEO of Ajax Union and LinkedIn marketing expert, to break down the exact steps to help you get noticed, attract the right people, and grow your business on LinkedIn in 2025. We’ll cover: ✅ The biggest mistake professionals make on LinkedIn—and how to fix it. ✅ Simple tweaks to your profile that make you stand out insta...

Ever feel like your own thoughts are the biggest obstacle to your success? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Social Media Takeaway , I sit down with Danielle Serpico, a mindset coach, NLP trainer, and author, to dive into the power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)—a tool that can help you break free from limiting beliefs and rewire your mindset for success. Danielle shares her incredib...

In this episode of The Social Media Takeaway , I sit down with Ross Brand, a trailblazer in live streaming and video podcasting. With over 1,000 live shows, bestselling books, (including “100 Livestreaming & Digital Marketing Predictions” series and  “Video Podcasting Made Easy”) and a career helping creators and businesses grow, Ross brings unmatched expertise to the table. Together, we explo...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, we dive into the must-know social media trends for 2025, featuring expert insights from leaders across LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and beyond. Our panel of specialists, including Louise Brogan (LinkedIn Expert), Anita Wong (YouTube Strategist), Samantha Kelly (Twitter/X Specialist), Julie Burke (TikTok Expert), and Karen Sheehy (Social Media Mana...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m joined by Wayne Denner, a cybersecurity expert who shares essential tips for staying safe online. With cybercriminals ramping up their scams, Wayne explains how to spot phishing emails, avoid delivery scams, and protect your personal information. We also discuss the importance of digital hygiene, from using strong passwords to enabling two-f...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m thrilled to be joined by Julie Burke (JulesRulesIRL), an Irish comedian and social media sensation who has taken TikTok by storm since launching her channel 4 years ago. We dive into the essentials of using TikTok for business growth, discussing how creative content and strategic engagement can attract a wider audience and enhance your brand...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m delighted to be joined by John Murray, a professional headshot photographer and personal branding expert. We discuss the importance of authentic profile pictures in building trust and connection online, diving into the psychology behind genuine smiles and how they impact first impressions. John shares practical tips on preparing for a headsh...

In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m delighted to have an old friend on the show, Gill Russel, a business growth strategist. Gill shares her expertise on referral marketing and networking, including how to build effective referral strategies and why networking is a crucial part of growing a business. We also discuss practical tips for creating meaningful connections that d...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway , I’m joined by Anita Wong, a YouTube and video strategist, and she helps business owners use YouTube to grow leads and increase visibility. In this episode, we discuss how YouTube can be a powerful tool for business growth and lead generation. Anita explains why YouTube videos have a longer lifespan compared to other platforms, how YouTube and G...

In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I’m delighted to welcome Debbie White, an award-winning marketing expert with three decades of experience working with major brands like Starbucks and Nordstrom. Debbie joins me to dive into the importance of having a clear offer and a focused messaging strategy, which we both believe are the foundations for any successful business. We also...

In this week’s episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I’m joined by Alastair McDermott, a consultant, author, and podcast host with over 17 years in business and tech. We dive into the practical capabilities of AI in everyday work, from handling repetitive tasks to enhancing productivity. Alastair shares tips on getting better results with AI, like his “GOAL” framework for prompts, and we explore h...

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professional and business growth, but where do you start, and how can you use it without getting overwhelmed? In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I’m excited to welcome Louise Brogan, an international speaker, writer, and the host of the "LinkedIn with Louise" podcast. Louise has over ten years of experience supporting small businesse...

Sales can often feel daunting, especially when you're unsure how to start conversations or handle objections. But what if you could turn those challenges into opportunities and connect with clients on a deeper level?  In this episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I’m excited to welcome Steve Donnellan, a seasoned trainer, sales coach, and the founder of Steve Donnellan Consulting and Soaring...

If you died today, what would happen to your digital footprint including your social media accounts.  Our social media presence, personal data, and business profiles can continue to exist after our death, causing challenges for our loved ones. While we won't be here, do we really want to burden those we leave behind? This is a conversation we need to have to ensure peace of mind for ourselves...

In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I am delighted to be joined by Leni Cavazos, a marketing and business strategist who helps coaches and entrepreneurs build six-figure retreat businesses. We dive into the power of hosting transformational retreats and how they can significantly boost both your income and brand. Leni shares practical tips on planning retreats, choosing the r...

A company is like a tree—its roots representing the people and their connections. If the roots are weak or disconnected, the tree cannot stand strong. In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway , I’m joined by Roxanne Derhodge , a registered psychotherapist, corporate consultant, and bestselling author. With over 20 years of experience, Roxanne has worked closely with senior leaders...

In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I am delighted to welcome Peg Fitzpatrick , an accomplished social media strategist with over a decade of experience. Peg was the first head of social strategy for Canva, and she shares the story of how she helped grow Canva from a small startup to a global brand. In this episode, we explore the critical role of consistent social media enga...

Are you spending hours on social media but not seeing those hours turn into sales? You're not alone—69% of businesses feel the same way! In this solo episode, I’ll be diving into how you can maximize your social media time to drive real results, not just engagement. I'll walk you through the four stages of the customer journey, common mistakes I see people making, and how to build a cust...

In this week's episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I am delighted to welcome Melissa Henry, the founder of Helluva Brand™. As an expert brand strategist, Melissa helps visionary entrepreneurs create a brand that not only represents their vision but also feels right. With more than 14 years of experience as an entrepreneur, brand builder, and master photographer, she has assisted hundreds of...

Ever wondered what the faces of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris reveal about their true personalities? In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I am joined by Joseph McGuire, a renowned facial analysis expert and human lie detector, who shares his unique insights into the power of reading faces and body language. We dive deep into how understanding subtle facial cues and body movem...

In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I'm joined by Miriam O'Donoghue, an accomplished facilitator and trainer with over 40 years of experience. Miriam is a certified LEGO Serious Play facilitator, a Tony Buzan Licensed Mind Mapping Instructor, and a certified Six Bricks trainer. She brings a wealth of expertise from both public and private sectors, specializing in cr...

In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I am joined by Joanne Sweeney, a three-time bestselling author and host of the Public Sector Marketing Show podcast. Joanne shares her experience and insights on specializing in digital marketing for the government and public sectors. We discuss the evolution of social media platforms, the impact of AI on marketing, and strategies for using...

In this week's episode of the Social Media Takeaway, I am delighted to be joined by Cara Quinn, a career interview and mindset coach, founder of Stellar Impact and the creator of The Sparkle Cards. In this episode, we discuss practical strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, including identifying self-doubt, reframing negative thoughts, and building confidence through actionable steps. C...