AI isn’t replacing you—unless you let it.
In this episode, I’m sharing the full replay of my most popular free webinar to date—a training designed to help you build a thriving, booked-out business as a social media manager or service provider in 2026 without getting left behind by AI.
We’ll cover:
Why ChatGPT won’t replace high-touch service providers
How to become the irreplaceable option in your niche
The exact ways I’m using AI to save time, serve better, and sell smarter
Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale, this training will help you shift from fearing AI to fully leveraging it—and position your business for long-term success.
Spoiler alert: The future isn’t less human. It’s more.
xx
Ellen
💻 The Ultimate SMM Template Bundle
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
👩💻 My Business HQ
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/
📧 Sponsorship Enquiries
team@dishingupdigital.com
📲 Follow Me for More:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
In this spicy episode of the Dishing up Digital podcast, I’m sharing some of the wildest, most chaotic moments from my 6 years as a social media manager. From nightmare clients to contractor drama, invoice ghosting to holiday content meltdowns—these stories had me questioning everything.
But with each messy moment came a powerful lesson that’s shaped how I run my business today.
Here’s what we’re diving into:
💔 A client ended our contract with zero notice during their divorce
🌍 I redid a month of content while on vacation in South Africa
🙃 A contractor nearly cost me my biggest client
😵💫 7+ revisions on one post—and the meltdown that followed
🚨 Late invoices, luxury car purchases, and the audacity
🧾 Refunds, breakdowns, and what finally taught me to walk away
If you’re a social media manager, freelancer, or service provider, this episode is your permission slip to set boundaries, charge your worth, and protect your peace.
🎧 LISTEN NOW — and stay ‘til the end for the most unhinged confession I’ve never shared publicly 👀
xx
Ellen
🚨 Sign up for my FREE webinar on how to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar
——————————————————————————————————————————
💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
🤯 //FREE GUIDE//
How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
If you’ve ever thought “I missed the boat” when it comes to content creation… this episode will flip that belief on its head.
Today, I’m joined by one of my incredible students—Janice, a 60+ UGC creator who’s redefining what’s possible at any age.
We’re talking about what it really looks like to start creating content later in life, how Janice landed her first brand deals, and the mindset shifts that helped her finally show up online with confidence.
Whether you’re a new creator or you’ve been putting it off because you think it’s “too late”—this episode is your permission slip to start where you are, with what you have.
💬 We cover:
Why age can be your superpower as a creator
Janice’s first steps into UGC + building her portfolio
Getting over the fear of being visible online
Building a brand when you're not a 20-something influencer
The ripple effect of choosing to go for it
✨ Follow Janice on Instagram: @janice.ugc.creates
xx
Ellen
WORK WITH ME & be the next Janice! 📲 Sign up for the Dishing up Digital School here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School
//SOCIAL MEDIA//
Instagram: @ellenmackenziee
Tiktok: @ellenmackenzieee
The creator economy is exploding—growing from $250B in 2024 to a projected $480B by 2027—but here’s the truth: you do not need a million followers or viral videos to claim your slice of the pie.
In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact strategies micro creators can use to grow a magnetic brand, build a community, and generate consistent income—without burnout and without waiting to blow up.
If you’ve been thinking:
→ “No one’s watching”
→ “I don’t know how to grow”
→ “I’ll start when my content takes off”
...this is your sign to stop waiting and start building like a CEO.
This is the new era of content—and you’re not late. You’re right on time.
xx
Ellen
🚨 Sign up for my FREE 3-day online conference for social media managers:
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/summit2025
💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
🤯 //FREE GUIDE//
How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
August 2025 was my highest revenue month ever—and in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how I hit $40K (in New Zealand dollars) in 30 days.No fluff. No fake urgency. Just the real strategy, shifts, and streams that made it possible.In this episode, I break down:✨ The 9 revenue streams that made up my $40K month✨ How I rate each revenue stream and how important they are✨ Which offer made me $25,000 alone✨ Why smaller revenue streams are important tooThis isn’t a “look at me” moment—it’s a here’s what’s possible when you commit to a freedom-first business model moment.💻 Want to grow your own social media management business?Sign up for my FREE training: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar👀 New Instagram Strategy minimind drops Friday!Follow me on Instagram for all the launch details:https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/xxEllen💻 //LINKS// 💻The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZdBuy Ellen's book: amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: @ellenmackenzieeTikTok: @ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most terrifying (and transformational) decisions in business: raising your prices.
I was booked out, overworked, and knew something had to shift. So I doubled my prices—fully prepared to be ghosted or told I was “too expensive.”
But here’s the thing: the client still said yes.
And that moment changed everything.
I’m sharing the full story, plus the truth about what really happens when you raise your rates, how to handle the mindset wobble that comes with it, and the pricing strategy I now swear by.
We’re talking:
🔹 The turning point that made me realize I was undercharging
🔹 What to do when clients say yes and when they say no
🔹 How to use pricing as a business growth strategy
🔹 The analytics + psychology behind my price increase method
🔹 Why your dream clients will thank you for charging more
This one’s for the service provider, freelancer, or coach who knows it’s time to stop charging “starter” prices—but feels scared to lose the clients they’ve worked so hard to earn.
Spoiler: Raising your prices is rarely what breaks your business. Playing small is.
xxEllen
🚨 Sign up for my FREE live webinar on how to become a booked-out social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar
💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZ
Buy Ellen's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
🤯//FREE GUIDE//
How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
Struggling to grow on Instagram, TikTok or Youtube? DESPITE posting consistently and doing everything "right"? You’re not alone… and you’re not broken.
The truth is, most social media “strategies” in 2025 are just content calendars with no real conversion plan behind them.
In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact strategy I use to sell $400K+ in digital products - including how to build a content plan that will increase your reach and brings in actual sales (even with a small following).
We’ll cover:
⚡ Why your current content strategy isn’t working
⚡ The 4 core layers of a modern content plan
⚡ My step-by-step method to map content to your goals
⚡ What to STOP doing in 2025 if you want to actually grow
Whether you’re a freelancer, creator, or coach—this episode is your roadmap to consistent clients and clear strategy.
xxEllen
💻 //LINKS//
The Social CEO Toolbox - including my AI Content Coach ✨ SAVE $100: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/F449g2tE/checkout?coupon_code=EARLYBIRD
Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //FOLLOW ME//
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
📧 Sponsor: team@dishingupdigital.com
DISCLAIMER: This episode is not sponsored.
🚨 Sign up for my FREE 3 day online conference for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/summit2025
If you’ve ever thought, “Why is no one booking me?”—this episode is your wake-up call. Inside, I’m breaking down the exact 5-step strategy I’ve used over and over again to get fully booked fast—whether I was starting from scratch, lost a big client, or just needed fast cash flow in my business.
➡️ No giant following.➡️ No complicated funnels.➡️ No slashing your prices.
Just simple, repeatable moves that work—especially for freelancers, social media managers, coaches, and service providers ready to grow to consistent 5k+ months and scale to six-figures in 2025.
In this episode, we cover:
How to tap your personal network (without feeling cringe)
The right way to ask for referrals (and actually get them)
Why testimonials are client magnets (if used strategically)
The magic of posting so much it annoys even you 😏
And how to add a ‘yes factor’ that makes people buy now
Whether you’re a new freelancer or seasoned service provider, this episode will reignite your momentum—and prove that you're not behind, you're just under-executing the boring stuff that actually works.
🎧 Press play and let’s get you fully booked—again and again
xx
Ellen
Other pitching video mentioned: https://youtu.be/GbPNLtLB3F8?si=7hIzG19RP_TFl9ee
💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
🤯 //FREE GUIDE//
How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
Let’s talk money - because ignoring the “boring stuff” could be costing you thousands.
In this episode, I’m sitting down with my accountant to break down the stuff no one talks about:
➡️ What small biz owners always get wrong➡️ How to stay organized for tax season (without crying)➡️ When to hire help (and how to afford it)➡️ What actually matters when you’re starting out
This is the episode that would’ve saved past Ellen from so many money headaches. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or scaling fast, this is your reminder: financial literacy is a CEO skill. Let's make your bank account (and your mindset) match the business you’re building. 💸
xx
Ellen
⬇️ Sign up for my FREE online conference for social media managers: AUgust 12th-14th ✨
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/summit2025
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
Let’s talk about the unspoken villain in your business story: your inner broke girl.
The one who hoards money, second-guesses every investment, and whispers, “you can’t afford that” every time you try to grow. In this episode, I’m unpacking the mindset that secretly runs the show for so many online entrepreneurs—and how to shift it.
We’ll cover:
✨ What “broke girl energy” actually looks like in business
✨ The difference between smart strategy and scarcity-driven decisions
✨ How I shifted my relationship with money to grow a multi-6-figure brand
✨ Tactical ways to move from fear-based to CEO-level financial decisions
This one’s spicy—and it might sting a little—but it’s going to change the way you show up and scale. You ready?
xx
Ellen
WIN AN IPHONE 16 📲
To celebrate the re-launch of the Dishing up Digital podcast, I'm hosting an epic giveaway! Enter here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/podcast
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/
Whether you're a freelancer, creator, or coach, this is your roadmap to working less and earning more before 2026 hits. In this video, I'm breaking down the 3-part Freedom Framework - aka the three key steps to scaling your online business without working 24/7.
To celebrate the re-launch of the Dishing up Digital podcast, I'm hosting an epic giveaway! Enter here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/podcast
xx
Ellen
⬇️ SIGN UP FOR MY FREE WEBINAR: how to become a social media manager ✨
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/
Tiktok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
🤯// FREE GUIDE // 🤯
How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored.
In this episode we're chatting about those red flags that pop up in our clients and potential clients from time to time. Take it from me, someone with a lot of experience, I still can get caught out with red flags. Sometimes you need to look back and reflect and learn from these mistakes - luckily for you, I've compiled them all up to help you out!
RED FLAGS:
If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us!
Have a great week guys!
Ellen xx
This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started!
~~~
Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team?
What do you do when your social media strategy is no longer working for you? Firstly - you're not alone! This happens to so many business owners and this is exactly what I'm gonna be unpacking in today's episode of the Dishing Up Digital podcast.
Some Takeaways:
If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us!
Have a great week guys!
Ellen xx
This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started!
~~~
Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team?
"This episode is your permission slip to not have it all figured out"
In this episode I'm chatting about jumping in to your new venture without having all your t's crossed and i's dotted. Sometimes it's something that you just need to do! I'll speak from personal experience, and we'll also do a mini case study on Meghan Markle's latest business ventures.
A few takeaways from this episode:
If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us!
Have a great week guys!
Ellen xx
This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started!
~~~
Mentioned in today's episode:
Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team?
Guys! I'm so sorry for the lack of podcast last week, but things have been hectic! If you're not aware of what's been going on, well, I've been a busy girl launching my second studio space for MacKenzie Studios. It's been crazy, but I am super proud of everything and would love you to go and have a look at it on Instagram. On top of launching the new studio space, I've still been trucking along with my Dishing up Digital students, Social Media clients and getting my own marketing out into the world. How have I done this you ask? Well, listen to today's episode to hear about what systems I have in place and tips & tricks I use to help me out in these busy times.
Remember:
If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us!
Have a great week guys!
Ellen xx
This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started!
~~~
Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team?
If you're thinking about becoming a UGC creator in 2025, this episode might ruin your day. But I could help you avoid a very big mistake.
We're going to unpack the rise of the UGC industry as well as what I predict could be it's downfall in 2025.
I'm also going to share what you can do to build a more sustainable business as a creator and prepare for the changes coming.
What I love about UGC:
Why I think this is a bad decision to build a UGC business in 2025:
If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us!
Have a great week guys!
Ellen xx
This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started!
~~~
Mentioned in today's episode:
Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team?
This episode is one of my most valuable yet and is actually a replay from my last webinar at the end of February.
In this free training, you'll learn the 3 key steps to successfully set up your freelance business as a social media manager.
If you'd rather watch the full webinar and see me in video, you can watch that here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar
Or, (for the first time ever), I'm sharing my Canva slides with you so you can refer to them as you listen or after you'd finished listening. Get those HERE
This episode is sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello HERE - it's free to get started!
~~~
Mentioned in this episode:
Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team?
In this episode, I share my personal journey of quitting my corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship, detailing the emotional challenges and practical steps involved. I provide you with five essential tips for those considering leaving their 9-to-5 jobs, emphasising the importance of preparation, financial stability, and strategic planning.
My 5 Essential Tips:
Today's episode was sponsored by Trello. Sign up for Trello here - it's free to get started!
If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us!
Have a great week guys!
Ellen xx
~~~
Mentioned in today's episode:
Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team?
In this episode my two worlds collide as we chat Social Media Management and Podcast Production with the wonderful Abbey Graves. From radio DJ to Government Social Media Manager to taking her own side hustle full time we discuss her journey and how she was able to apply what she learnt from the Dishing up Digital School to her podcast production company.
Some Key Takeaways:
Find out more about Abbey on her website: https://abbeygravesproductions.com/
If you have the time, please could you rate and review this podcast or subscribe to it. It really helps us to continue making this free content for you and we just generally appreciate that you would do this for us!
Have a great week guys!
Ellen xx
~~~
Mentioned in today's episode:
Want to get more Ellen or Work with her and her team?