If Instagram disappeared tomorrow, how would you connect with your audience? 😬

It’s a question more business owners need to ask themselves — because relying solely on rented platforms like social media is risky. In this episode of Stop the Scroll, I’m diving into the one platform you actually own — and the one that consistently delivers the highest ROI in marketing: your email list.

I’m breaking down why email is not dead (spoiler: it’s thriving), how to create personalized newsletters that get results, and how to start building or rebooting your email strategy today — without burning out your list or yourself.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been ghosting your email list (no judgment here), this episode will give you actionable steps to create emails your audience wants to open.

Episode Highlights

• Why email marketing still delivers the best ROI

• What rented platforms (like Instagram) can’t offer you—and what email can

• How to write a newsletter that builds real relationships

• The simple structure I use for writing emails that get replies and conversions

• Why consistency beats frequency (and what Jay Schwedelson says about it)

• Tips for writing skimmable, actionable content your audience will actually read
  
  
  

If this episode helped shift your thinking about email marketing, share it with a friend and leave a review! It helps us reach more entrepreneurs like you — and keeps this show growing.

Resources Mentioned

• Join the Waitlist for the Social Media & Marketing Masterclass

• Watch the Free Social Media Strategy Simplified Workshop

• Get on My Email List (And See the Strategy in Action!)

• Let’s Plan Your Newsletter Strategy in a 1:1 Session

• ConvertKit (my preferred email platform)

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com

Let’s be real: for many small business owners, bookkeeping feels like a necessary evil - a box to check for taxes, a task to avoid until it's urgent. But what if your financials could actually become your secret weapon to business growth?

This week, I’m joined by Gala McCray, founder of Two Arrows, a boutique financial services firm that supports creative and service-based entrepreneurs. We’re diving deep into why financial clarity isn’t just about taxes or compliance, and how it’s a core leadership tool that helps you make bold, strategic decisions with confidence.

From recognizing the true cost of servicing a client to knowing when (and how much) to invest in marketing, Gala shares actionable tips to help you shift from “doing” to leading. Whether you're just getting a handle on your numbers or ready to scale, this episode will empower you to own your role as CEO.

Episode Highlights:

• Why shifting from “doer” to decision-maker changes everything

• The core financial reports every entrepreneur should review monthly

• How to stop being “gun-shy” with money and start making empowered decisions

• What marketing KPIs you should track and how to actually evaluate ROI

• How a CEO mindset and diversified income transform your ability to grow

• The truth about how much you should be spending on marketing

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review. It helps Stop the Scroll reach more entrepreneurs like you — and keeps the insights coming your way each week.

About Gala

Gala McCray is the founder of Two Arrows, a boutique financial services firm helping service-based entrepreneurs elevate their financial operations with strategic bookkeeping, cashflow clarity, and executive-level advisory. With nearly two decades of experience in operations and financial management across corporate, nonprofit, and creative sectors, Gala blends precision with care to deliver peace of mind—because luxury, to her, means knowing your numbers are working as hard as you are.

As a QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and financial thought partner to agencies, consultants, and creatives, Gala empowers business owners to make bold, confident decisions rooted in clarity and control. Her signature framework—Consistency, Comfort, and Confidence—has become a trusted roadmap for clients ready to scale sustainably and lead like CEOs.

When she’s not transforming spreadsheets into strategy, Gala can be found championing financial empowerment through masterclasses, podcast appearances, and her blog series The Art of Bookkeeping.

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Connect With Gala

• Gala's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/galamccray/
• Follow Gala on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/twoar

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com

Feeling overwhelmed with content creation? You’re not alone, and that’s exactly where AI can step in (without making your brand sound like a robot).

In this episode of Stop the Scroll, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I actually use AI tools like ChatGPT, CastMagic, and Descript to save hours in my weekly workflow, without losing the authentic voice that connects with my audience. From batching posts and writing emails to refreshing stale captions and repurposing podcast content, I’m sharing real prompts, practical tips, and a few cautionary tales.

Whether you’ve dabbled with AI or you’ve been too intimidated to start, this episode will help you use it with more strategy, more creativity, and way less stress.

Episode Highlights:

• How to prompt AI tools to sound like you (and not like a robot)

• The exact prompts I use for repurposing, optimizing, and batching content

• How I use ChatGPT, CastMagic, Descript, and more

• A behind-the-scenes look at how I use AI for my podcast, emails, and content strategy

• Tips for protecting your voice, editing AI-generated copy, and staying authentic

• What AI can do—and what it can’t (and shouldn’t) replace

If you found this episode helpful, it would mean the world if you’d take a moment to subscribe to Stop the Scroll on your favorite podcast app. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a quick review—those stars and kind words help more entrepreneurs discover the show, and it keeps this podcast going strong!

Resources

• CastMagic – Podcast automation tool - https://get.castmagic.io/oacvbm1jghvp

• Descript – Video editing + transcription - https://www.descript.com/

• AI Content Quickstart Workshop hosted by Chrissy Rey - https://websitesuccessacademy.com/event/ai-content-quickstart-june-2-2025/

• How to Create Your Own Action Figure Trend - Your Social Club - https://yoursocial.team/blog/how-to-create-your-own-ai-action-figure-doll-trend

P.S. I’m opening up space for new done-for-you and consulting clients starting in May. If you're ready to take your marketing to the next level without burning out, book a call with me!

Drop a question or a review! We love getting feedback from our listeners!

Connect with me:

Website - https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/

Email - Heidi@heidijschmidt.com