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.

______________________________________________________________________

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

Tired of pouring hours into Instagram with minimal return? Wondering why your social posts aren’t turning into paying clients? Here’s the truth most digital marketers won’t tell you: social media can’t be your only strategy.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I’ve actually grown my business. Hint: it’s through in-person connections, referrals, and showing up offline just as much as I do online.

If you’re a service-based business owner looking for real, sustainable growth (and not just chasing the algorithm), this episode will show you how to bring the human connection back into your marketing, and why that’s the key to long-term success.

You’ll walk away with practical, low-pressure ways to network (even if you’re introverted), how to turn coffee chats into clients, and how to use offline moments to strengthen your online presence.

Episode Highlights:

• Why word-of-mouth and referrals still outperform ads for many service providers

• How to reframe networking as relationship-building, not sales

• Easy networking tips for introverts (spoiler: bring a wing person!)

• How to follow up after an event (and why that matters more than your first impression)

• Creative ways to incorporate offline networking into your online marketing strategy

Resources

• Leading Lady Facebook Group
• Episode 29 featuring Lauren Najar and Authentic Lead Gen Strategies
• Taste of Pasadena – May 15, 2025 – Hosted by the Pasadena Business Association
• Coffee News Maryland
• Want help with your own marketing strategy? Schedule a discovery call
  
  
  

My Challenge to You…
Make it a goal in Q2 to attend one local networking event. Not sure where to go? Start with your local Chamber of Commerce, small business groups, or ask me! I’ll go with you if you’re local and need a networking buddy.

Enjoyed this episode?
Be sure to subscribe to Stop the Scroll on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss a new episode. And if today’s conversation gave you something to think about, consider leaving a review. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover the show, and helps me continue creating episodes that truly support your growth.

P.S. I’m opening up space for a few 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,

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

What if you could skip the most common mistakes new business owners make—and fast-track your growth with real, hard-earned lessons?

In this episode, I’m sharing what five years of running Heidi Schmidt Creative has taught me about pricing, systems, scaling, marketing, and mindset. Whether you're in year one or year ten, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to help you run your business like a confident, clear-headed CEO and not just someone stuck in survival mode.

If you're tired of flying by the seat of your pants and ready to take control of your growth, this episode is your roadmap.

Episode Highlights:

• Why pricing yourself correctly can make or break your business—and how to stop undercharging

• What your marketing funnel really needs to convert leads into paying clients

• The role of multiple revenue streams in creating stability and freedom

• How burnout shows up and what it’s telling you about when to outsource or grow your team

• The mindset shifts that helped me stop playing small and start leading my business with intention

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

• Schedule a Strategy Session - https://heidischmidtcreative.hbportal.co/schedule/62e348c67a8c031e4271ea5f
• Join my Email List to learn when our Marketing Masterclass/Membership is kicking off
• Notion (a business Must!) - http://notion.so
• Two Arrows Bookkeeping - https://twoarrows.co/
• Leading Ladies - https://leadinglady-coaching.com/

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

One year. 53 episodes. Countless lessons.

This episode is a raw and honest reflection on what I’ve learned after a full year of showing up consistently to record Stop the Scroll. It’s personal, it’s practical, and it’s exactly what I wish someone had told me before I started.

If you’ve ever thought about launching a podcast (or blog, YouTube channel, newsletter…whatever your version of showing up is), this one’s for you. I’m talking through the lessons, the systems that saved me, and how messy action is the only way forward.

And YES, I’m getting vulnerable and a little bit in my feels because this podcast has been a game changer for me AND my business.

If you’ve been here since episode 1 or you’re brand new, THANK YOU. I’m so grateful you're along for this ride.

Episode Highlights:

• Why I launched a podcast and the accountability that made it possible

• The marketing muscle of consistency—and why it's not just a mindset

• The importance of not letting perfect be the enemy of good

• How batching, planning, and Airtable keep this show running and the tools I use to make it easy

• The wild (and amazing) growth I’ve seen on my website and email list since launching

• What I'd do differently (spoiler: not much—because messy action wins)
  
  
  

Go ahead and subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss a single episode. If this episode resonated with you, I’d love if you left a review, shared it with a friend, or sent me a DM with your favorite takeaway. Here’s to year 2 of Stop the Scroll—and doing it messy.

Resources

• Learn about my upcoming Social Media & Marketing Masterclass (it’s a beta group so schedule a call to learn more and if its right for you!) https://www.heidijschmidt.com/contact-us-1
• Descript - https://web.descript.com/home
• My Podcast Manager - https://lizchapmanco.com/
  
  

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

Think you’ve got a handle on your social media strategy? Think again.

In this episode, we're breaking down the biggest social media platform shifts from Q1—and spoiler alert: things are changing faster than ever. Instagram wants you using music on everything (yes, even carousels), Threads is creeping into Twitter’s old territory, and LinkedIn? It’s quietly becoming the place for video content and thought leadership.

Heidi’s sharing what these updates actually mean for your content (without the corporate jargon), how to make smarter platform choices, and why repurposing isn’t just allowed—it’s necessary.

If you're tired of chasing trends and ready to actually understand what’s working and where to focus your time in Q2, this is your episode.

Think of it as your shortcut to staying current without the overwhelm.

Episode Highlights:

• Instagram’s new algorithm ranking signals: watch time, shares, likes per reach

• Smart repurposing tips (and what “original content” really means)

• Why adding music to all types of posts—yes, even carousels—matters now

• LinkedIn's shift to video-first: what formats are performing best

• Meta’s new “community-based” fact-checking and what it could mean for your content

• Hot takes + thought leadership: why they’re trending on Threads and LinkedIn

• Newsletter repurposing tips for better LinkedIn reach

• Platform-by-platform takeaways to guide your content in Q2

Love what you’re hearing? Be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode—and if this helped you feel more confident about your content, leave a quick review! It helps us reach more entrepreneurs like you and keeps the good stuff coming.

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

How is it already the end of Q1? It seems like just yesterday that we were setting our January intentions!

This week, we’re chatting about assessing our Q1 marketing efforts and planning strategically for Q2. It’s time to outline plans and set goals. Remember, even when we have big goals, it’s so important to remain flexible when it comes to your strategy and aligning your marketing efforts with personal and business goals.

What are your Q2 marketing goals?

Episode Highlights:

• Learn how to effectively review and adjust your Q1 marketing efforts for a successful Q2.

• Discover strategies to enhance your marketing ROI through paid advertising and workshops.

• Insights on the importance of analytics in crafting a powerful marketing strategy.

• Tips on aligning marketing goals with personal life events and business objectives.

If you loved this episode, we’d love for you to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or leave a review! We read each one and are so grateful for feedback!

Resources of note:

• Connect on Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/heidischmidtcreative
• Chrissy Rey’s Website Success Academy - https://websitesuccessacademy.com/

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