The Social Media Union Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jenna Alicia
A podcast for social media professionals, by social media professionals. Each episode Jenna Alicia (founder of The Social Media Union and MD at Gumption Agency) speaks to someone that'll bring new thoughts and processes in to your (work) life.
The Social Media Union is a community by social media professionals for social media professionals. We know what you need, because we are you. We know that working in social media is tough, often lonely and mostly infuriating. Not many people outside of our world understand that.
SMU is about bringing those who use social media in their work life together to solve problems, upskill, learn from each other and bring a level of professionalism to an industry that's (so far) unregulated and unrecognised.
Find out more and join up at www.thesocialmediaunion.com.
A VERY informative podcast today with the brilliant Julie Atherton from the social media transformation consultancy, Small Wonder. In today's episode, Jenna Alicia talks to Julie about her latest book (dropped 3rd November 2022) 'B2B Social Selling' and we get in to what social selling is, how you can use it in B2B sales and the power of using individual employees profiles for social selling, building relationships and more. And we're lucky enough to have a 20% discount for our listeners! When you buy your book https://www.koganpage.com/product/b2b-social-selling-strategy-9781398604490 (here) just use the code AMK20. Jenna Alicia has read it and really can't recommend it enough, it's packed full of useful insights and honestly, so many actionable points. Just brill, go get it and support one of our own! You can find Julie on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieatherton (www.linkedin.com/in/julieatherton) And her consultancy Small Wonder here: www.small-wonder.co.uk And this is the answer to our final question about who to follow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-real-alan-partridge/ (www.linkedin.com/in/the-real-alan-partridge/) and you can find out more about Social Mind Hub here: https://my.socialmindshub.com/ (https://my.socialmindshub.com/) Find out more about The Social Media Union, links to our forum, download the resources all here: www.thesocialmediaunion.com
In this latest episode Jenna Alicia hears from Zoe Osinnowo, Head of Influencer Marketing and Business Inclusivity Lead at FCB Inferno. Zoe shares her advice on how social media managers and professionals can (kindly) push back on content/campaigns they know to be lacking true diversity and will generate negative reactions, what she wants to see more of from brand's social media content plus so much more. This episode is packed full of useful advice from Zoe! And Jenna Alicia shares her own experiences working in social media and dealing with clients whose content is... shall we say... less than diverse. FCB Inferno is was awarded a Titanium at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2022, making them the second most awarded agency in the UK. Find out more about them here: www.fcbinferno.com You can find Zoe on LinkedIn here: www.linkedin.com/in/zoeosinnowo Jenna recommends this week that you should follow Stylist (the fab Chlo Laws took over the helm earlier this year): https://www.instagram.com/stylistmagazine And Zoe recommends... Lucy Edwards (https://www.instagram.com/lucyedwardsofficial/ (www.instagram.com/lucyedwardsofficial)) and Jenny Berry (https://www.instagram.com/wheelie_good_life/ (www.instagram.com/wheelie_good_life)).
This week Jenna speaks to Luke Courtenay Smith, a blockchain consultant, about Web3 and why those who work in social need to know about it. He walks us through what it is and how social media professionals can use it both now and in the future.
Luke works with both traditional brands looking to enter the space, as well as helping web3 brands scale their reach to mass audiences. With a background in Fintech, Marketing & Entertainment, Luke has a diverse portfolio of experiences that guides his principles on technology and human interaction.
They also discuss whether brands get free reign on certain social channels because those in senior positions don't know what they are... Why all social media people should be on Discord and getting native with it and Jenna goes off (again) about not forgetting Facebook and the nuances of what platforms are important country to country.
Plus we learn what a vampire attack is and Luke tells us that he thinks every brand will have a NFT strategy and a metaverse strategy within the next few years. TLDL? Web3 is here whether you accept it or not. As a social media professional, we can't stress enough how much you need to be on board and understand what it is.
Resources from the pod:
The book Luke is reading is Humankind by Rutger Bregman. And the useful doc chock a block(chain) full of useful bits and pieces and all things Web3 is here https://www.openclub.studio/articles/reading-list-welcoming-you-to-web3 (thanks Luke!).
Read about Tiffany & Co.'s NFT adventures here: https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/tiffanys-cryptopunk-nft-pendants-trnd/index.html
Find out more about joining The SocialMedia Union on our website here: www.thesocialmediaunion.com
Follow Luke on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/Luke_Courtenay
And on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukecourtenaysmith/
Jenna recommends this week taking a look at www.b3ta.com and Luke thinks you should follow https://twitter.com/naval.
Oh HOW WE LAUGH.
Ace episode today with professional make up artist and beauty influencer, Lisa Caldognetto and Bex Gardner, Account & Client Manager at DC Studio (beauty brand specialists). It's the first one we've done in person and it was an absolute joy.
We chat about ethics within the beauty industry's social media presence, what more brands can be doing and Jenna Alicia coins the term 'peak sh*t'. We also somehow start discussing Watermelon Bacardi Breezers and being fed cheese like a mouse.
You can find Lisa here:
- YouTube
- TikTok
And Bex is on LinkedIn here.
You can find the YouTube Beauty Fest 2022 here (we talk about that).
Also, please play our delightful drinking game. Each time we say 'authentic', DRINK. You'll be absolutely sloshed by the end of it. And don't steal our AMAZING business idea.
Warning: There are a few swears in this episode.
This week your host Jenna Alicia talks to her pal Paul Armstrong, the founder of TBD about the future of social media. Sound lofty? Well, these are big questions and big answers so yeah, we're going big and definitely NOT going home.
Paul is the Founder of HERE/FORTH, the future technology advisory that helps a diverse set of clients (PwC, Coca-Cola, Coutts, O2, P&G, Omnicom Group) navigate new technologies strategically.
Paul is regularly seen on the BBC and News at Ten when industry comment is called for and currently writes for a number of publications including Forbes, Reuters, Cool Hunting amongst others. Paul is currently writing his second book, which is focused around CEO's and risk.
Get your tickets to the TBD Conference here: https://www.thetbdconference.com/. And you find Paul on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulstephenarmstrong/
We discuss many a thing but we reminisce about the old days and what it was like to work in social media over the year plus MANY rants, our work together at the UK's the National Lottery and there's a very accurate prediction from Paul about Elon (recorded before he pulls out of the sale).
Also, where's the fun gone from brands? We used to do really cool stuff but we're not seeing as much these days. Can we just all promise each other that we'll bring the fun back in? No more wings on the side of buildings, we'd done that now... OK?
Find out more about SMU at www.thesocialmediaunion.com. We're a private community for social media specialists who believe in raising the ethical bar.
We're back on influencer marketing and it's a DOOZY, packed to the brim with advice from Joe Friend, an influencer marketing specialist and, perhaps his biggest accolade, on the advisory board for SMU. When we asked our members what they wanted to know more about it was overwhelmingly how to better work with influencers and so that's mainly what we tackle today.
You need to listen to this if:
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You're not sure what to pay an influencer
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You aren't 100% convinced you're approaching influencers in the right way
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You've worked with influencers before but been disappointed with the output
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And well, just anyone that's worked with or plans on working with influencers in the future
Joe is one of the founders of Pepper Studio, a multi award-winning boutique influencer marketing agency and media space and once you listen you'll not hesitate to confirm that he absolutely knows his stuff. You can find him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-friend-88a69568/.
If you are interested in working with Pepper Studio, and would like to learn more, please get in touch via hello@pepper.studio or check out their site at www.pepper.studio.
The Social Media Union is a private and supportive community for those who work in and with social media - we've got a really active Discord forum for problem solving and questions plus an ever-growing number of resources such as a Crisis Plan template and a breakdown of the ASA Guidelines (we know they're dull so we've made it easier for you to digest them). You can find out more about us here: www.thesocialmediaunion.com. And join up! The first month is currently free and it's only £15 per month after that, a bargain.
And Joe recommendations for who to follow on social were Joe Lycett and The Pasta Queen. Both most excellent suggestions!
In this week's episode we speak to Jerry Daykin about pridewashing, following June's Pride month and looking at how brands have posted during this month of protest and celebration. Jenna asks Jerry what social media managers and brands can do more of during Pride (and the rest of the year)... and less of too! Plus we discuss how representation in ads and social has changed in recent years.
Jerry is Head of Global Media for Beam Suntory and volunteers for Outvertising who exist to make UK marketing and advertising completely LGBTQ+ inclusive.
Follow Jerry on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/jdaykin and LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdaykin/
And find out more about Outvertising here: https://www.outvertising.org/
And Jerry recommended following Amy Charlotte Kean on Twitter, you can find her here: https://twitter.com/keano81
You're in for a bumper episode this week so plug in those headphones, settle in and listen to Matt Campion - he tells us all about starting the global campaign phenomenon #IAMWHOLE, founding Digital Detox Day and so much more. Jenna also asks Matt about his advice for social media managers and how they can help with the mental health of their communities.
We mention Matt's Ted Talk on mental health, if you haven't watched it then get hot on it (it really is excellent): https://youtu.be/9J-0Tc89MEc.
Matt is best known for creating award-winning brand campaigns as well as many successful TV and digital formats for the likes of BBC, ITV, C4 and UKTV.
In 2016 Matt founded #IAMWHOLE, a global mental health movement that challenges the stigma surrounding mental health in young people. In 2018, #IAMWHOLE hosted its first fundraising concert - Music 4 Mental Health, featuring global music artists from Ed Sheeran to Anne-Marie. To date #IAMWHOLE has reached over 4 billion people.
To see more of Matt's work visit: www.spirit-media.com www.whole.org.uk
Follow #IAMWHOLE on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/iamwholeuk/
In this episode Jenna is joined by Beckii Flint who's the Co-Founder, Pepper Studio (influencer marketing agency) - the agency is fresh off winning Best Multi-Platform Campaign and Most Creative Influencer Marketing Campaign at the Influencer Marketing Awards! So Beckii and her team really do know their stuff (not that we need to see an award to know that).
Beckii and Jenna talk about what marketers need to know about working with influencers and, most importantly, what we can expect to see in the next year or so in the influencer marketing world. If you're in marketing then you MUST listen to this.
Beckii is not only agency side but started her career as an influencer herself, so she really does know her sh*t.
Find Pepper Studio here (https://pepper.studio/) and Beckii is on LinkedIn here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckiiflint/). You can also find her on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/beckiicruel/).
This week Jenna talks to Hafsa Lodi (@hafsalodi on Instagram), the author of Modesty: A Fashion Paradox. She shouldn't have favourites but alas she does... This is one of Jenna's favourite episodes to date (shh don't tell anyone).
They discuss modest fashion and its rise through social media, what social media managers can do more (and LESS!) of during times of religious observance (such as Ramadan) and Hafsa shared her thoughts on western brands marketing direct to the 'modest fashion' consumer.
We really recommend reading Hafsa's book, it's a great read for anyone interested in fashion and those who want to understand more about Modest Fashion (get it from your local indy retailer). Want to know even more? Start following #modestfashion on Instagram.
Hafsa recommended @sofia_reading on Instagram (it's a really beautiful account so go go go!).
Oh hey super special episode! Your host Jenna chats to David Wilding, Twitter's Head of Planning. David tells us how to have a better relationship with the platform, what's coming up on the platform that social media people need to know about and (and this bit is REALLY interesting) what brands are getting wrong on Twitter and how they can be better.
Jenna also sneaks in a question about HIM... you know who we mean.
Follow David on Twitter: @drwilding (quick to point out that he's not a real doctor, just so you know).
Liked what you heard today? Join The Social Media Union, we're a community of like-minded social media professionals who support one another, knowledge share and are committed to a higher level of ethics on social media (see our website for more details).
Join today at www.thesocialmediaunion.com and use the code FIRSTMONTHOFF to get your first month free (that's how confident we are that you'll love it).
Already a member? Head to your Library and look in Resources, we've put a handy list in there with all the advice that David share plus links to the research he mentions.
Meet Caitlin, she's the Head of Communications and Public Fundraising at Glitch, a charity set up challenge and combat online abuse. Caitlin talks us though the Online Safety Bill (UK) and why those in social media need to take notice. She also tells us what's in it that we need to know about. Look, we know what you're thinking but this is seriously important for us lot in the digital space and Caitlin does a sterling job of explaining it (you'll be better off listening to this JOY rather than reading the whole bill OK?).
- Find out more about Glitch and its work here: https://glitchcharity.co.uk/
- Follow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/glitchuk_/
- Find out about their campaigns here: https://glitchcharity.co.uk/our-campaigns/
- And most importantly... DONATE (what you can)! Glitch's work is so important to ending online abuse: https://glitchcharity.co.uk/donate-to-glitch/
Warning: There's a few swears in the podcast.
This episode we welcome the brilliant Alice Benham, a business and marketing specialist who Instagram account we love and always learning from. Alice and your host Jenna (SMU's founder) chat all things strategy - how to create one (even when you're an expert), how to utilise a strategy created by someone else that you've had little to no input in to and her advice on how best to revisit and revamp a old strategy. Got a great idea for a guest? Then be sure to send us an email on jenna@thesocialemdiaunion.com - we'd love to hear from you. Follow Alice on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/alice_benham/
This episode is an absolute treat. Jenna is joined by Sam Pearce, The Joyful Performance Coach, to chat about how we can bring, practically, joy into our working lives. Your host accidentally uses this episode as a therapy session (whoops) but you'll walk away after listening with some really insightful ways to take a step back and think about what really brings you joy. You can find Sam at: https://www.trainofthoughtpd.com/
Join your host Jenna, SMU Founder, as she speaks with Creative Consultant and Pinterest Specialist, Rachel Waring. In this episode they discuss why Pinterest so often gets forgotten when it comes to our strategies, what the platform has in store for us in 2022 and Rachel's top tips to get the most of it.
You can find Rachel at https://www.rachelemmawaring.com/