🔑 In This episode Helen shares tips for going live, how to deal with the nerves if it's your first time and why you should just do it anyway. And here are the 3 pieces of equipment that are worth the investment if you want to up your gams: **Wireless Hollyland Lark M2 Microphone Set: https://amzn.to/4bwInBu **SmallRig Tripod with remote: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1897565-REG/smallrig_5291_st30_lite_one_touch_deploy.html **Neewer LED Light: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VGJ1T...
Jul 25, 2025•18 min•Ep. 146
✨ Episode Overview: In this heartfelt and information-packed solo episode, Helen kicks things off with a meaningful story sparked by a letter and a stack of old cards—reminders of the deep, lasting connections she’s built through her content and community. She then dives into two of her most-used (unsponsored!) products that make her content-creating life easier, and shifts into a hands-on mini-masterclass: tips for getting the most out of your phone’s camera to improve your content instantly. �...
Jul 18, 2025•22 min•Ep. 145
On this week’s episode, Helen covers: Favorite Tools + TikTok Future + Building What’s Next 🔌 Unsponsored Favorites of the Week 1. Hollyland Wireless Mic: Compact, clean audio, magnetized for easy placement Comes with adapters for iPhone/Android Great alternative to bulky, poor-quality wireless mics Bonus: Comes with discreet black stickers to cover the logo 2. Eastpak Travel Backpack: Perfect for laptop + travel essentials Dual function: backpack + shoulder strap Sleek, under-the-seat friendly...
Jul 11, 2025•21 min•Ep. 144
How to Build Effective Social Media Habits If staying consistent on social media feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Between the pressure to post, the temptation to scroll, and the constant changes in trends, it can be hard to build a rhythm. But what if creating content became as automatic as checking your phone? This week, we’re diving into simple strategies to turn content creation into a daily habit—starting with one surprisingly effective mindset shift. Why This Habit Is Working This stra...
Jul 04, 2025•21 min•Ep. 143
Today we're talking about real life tv commercial production and how it relates to social media content creators. Helen covered the stages and crew roles on a shoot, as well as how to connect the dots to yourself as a content creator. Pre-Production: This happens before the shoot where the client sources their team of production experts. Once a crew is established, they all use their expertise to nail down the budget, creative, storyboards, talent, locations, set design, and more. All of this is...
Jun 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 142
If you’ve ever wondered why your videos feel flat—even if your content is great—it might be the angles. The right camera angle does more than just capture a scene, it sets the tone, creates emotion, or tells a story without a word. This week, we’re breaking down the essential camera angles every content creator should know—and how to use them to elevate everything from talking-head videos to creative B-roll and storytelling reels. Want to know how to put the angles into practice in your own cont...
Jun 20, 2025•20 min•Ep. 141
In today's episode, we share how to become your most authentic self on camera. Helen went well beyond the newsletter outline below and covered bonus tips about how to gain confidence with little camera hacks and practice ideas! 🎬 Record Something Daily (Even If You Never Post It) Treat it like vocal warm-ups for your face. One take, one topic—anything goes. Talk about your breakfast, your to-do list, your opinion on oat milk. Just get in the habit of showing up. No pressure to publish, just pra...
Jun 13, 2025•23 min•Ep. 140
Today we’re diving into the world of social media ads—how they hit us, how they're crafted, and why they’re more familiar than you think. After decades working behind the scenes in commercial production, I’m pulling back the curtain on the old-school tricks that are now dressed up as everyday TikToks and Instagram Reels. From bubble machines that never worked to duffel bags that “magically” shrink, let’s get real about the strategies advertisers have used for years—and why they still work. Even ...
Jun 06, 2025•29 min•Ep. 139
In this episode, I’m sharing a wild personal update (spoiler: it involves 15 stitches and a middle-of-the-night fall), followed by two unsponsored product reviews—one brutally honest take on a trending TikTok bra alternative, and a rave about my favorite organizing pouches. Then we dive into practical, easy-to-understand tips for choosing the right iPhone camera settings for high-quality content creation without overwhelming your storage or workflow. Here's the outline and if you'd like to try o...
May 30, 2025•22 min•Ep. 138
In today's on-the-road episode of The Socialize Strategy , Helen records from a hotel room in Las Vegas—mic in suitcase, content in motion. She kicks things off with her beloved “unsponsored buys,” including Halara jeans, SmallRig tripods, and a shout-out to her licensing show client, Hangry Pets. The heart of this episode dives into a shared creator struggle: low views. Helen breaks down why they happen, how to stop letting them derail your momentum, and how to use them to your advantage. From ...
May 23, 2025•18 min•Ep. 137
In this episode of The Socialize Strategy , Helen kicks off with her "Unsponsored By" segment, spotlighting two favorite products—a sleek, smartly designed water bottle and a game-changing wireless microphone. Then, she dives into making engagement on Instagram (and beyond) easier and more intentional. From clever comment strategies to the secret power of Instagram’s “favorites” feed, Helen shares practical, heart-forward tips to grow real community and connection on social. 📱 Main Content: Eng...
May 16, 2025•23 min•Ep. 136
📌 Making Content Planning Easy In this episode, we're diving into one of the biggest game-changers for any content creator: getting organized . Whether you're juggling multiple platforms or just trying to post more consistently, having a solid content planning system can save you time, reduce stress, and seriously level up your output. 🧠 Core Tips & Takeaways Set a Realistic Posting Goal Aim for 3–4 posts per week. Studio members get a ready-made weekly framework with ideas for 3 base vide...
May 09, 2025•18 min•Ep. 135
Today’s episode covers how to use SEO strategies to get your social media videos discovered. Make sure you use this powerful tool for increasing visibility on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. 💡 Key Takeaways: 1. SEO Works on Social Media • Helen shares a real-life story: a baton tutorial she posted a year ago was discovered by someone searching for baton lessons on TikTok — proving videos can be surfaced by search if optimized properly. 2. How to Find the Right Keywords ...
May 02, 2025•23 min•Ep. 134
In this episode of The Socialize Strategy , Helen kicks off what she’s calling Part One of the Small Business Series , dropping essential social media tips for small business owners. Whether you're strapped for time, creatively blocked, or just unsure where to start, Helen’s got real talk, relatable examples, and honest advice to help you level up your content game—without burning out. Plus, don’t miss her hilarious (and painful) “unsponsored by” review of TikTok-famous Crocs. Spoiler: it didn’t...
Apr 25, 2025•23 min•Ep. 133
This week Helen breaks down why video formatting is essential for engagement across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. She walks through editing basics in CapCut , sharing how to fix common issues like black bars, wrong aspect ratios, and poor layout. ✂️ Key Takeaways: Set your aspect ratio first! Use the correct format (like vertical for TikTok/IG Reels) to avoid black bars. CapCut Tips: How the first clip sets the project shape, using overlays, resizing content, and adding backgrou...
Apr 18, 2025•23 min•Ep. 132
🎉 Highlights from This Episode: This week’s episode is full of reflection, celebration, and practical tips for creators at every stage of their journey. Helen shares big updates from her world and drops some major knowledge on growing your presence—and confidence—on social media. LINK TO VIDEO MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjeQV7qW/ 📰 Big News: New Sponsor: Morning Brew! A full-circle moment for Helen as the newsletter she helped build was once inspired by Morning Brew—a...
Apr 11, 2025•17 min•Ep. 131
Maximizing Music on Social Media: Why Use Music on Social Media? Using trending music helps increase visibility on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts. Trending music doesn’t guarantee followers, but it improves your chances of being discovered. Music trends can either be random (like an '80s song becoming popular unexpectedly) or driven by artists paying to promote their new songs. How to Use Music Effectively: Balancing Music Volume: Ensure music doesn’t overpower your voice. ...
Apr 04, 2025•23 min•Ep. 130
Introduction: "Socialize Strategy" • Podcasting from the Road: A brief reflection on how content creation can happen anywhere, even from a sparsely decorated Airbnb. • Main Topic: Understanding the balance between using trends and creating original content. Section 1: Understanding Social Media Trends • Defining Trends: What are social media trends and why should you care? • Two Types of Trends: 1. Audio-Driven Trends: Example: Lip-syncing trends or specific sounds gaining popularity. How the al...
Mar 29, 2025•16 min•Ep. 129
This week @themuthership provides a social media overview that gives you the basics with insider tips on how to maximize your presence on social media as a brand or business that has a team. Clarify Your Goals Determine your goal on social media, promoting your business, showcasing expertise, being visible, or navigating social media credibility. A sales-driven approach can result in a "non-social vibe" for your content, leading to content that feels salesy rather than engaging. Focus on blendin...
Mar 21, 2025•36 min•Ep. 128
Podcast Notes: Simplifying Content Creation & Managing Social Media Helen production background video HERE! The Challenge of Social Media: The constant cycle of producing content can feel overwhelming, similar to the “hamster wheel” of social media management. The key is finding balance and simplifying the process. Content Creation vs. TV Production: Content creation for social media isn't all that different from TV production. Both involve moving from project to project. The challenge is le...
Mar 14, 2025•22 min•Ep. 127
Today, we’re talking about the downside of going viral – a topic not often discussed. While going viral brings excitement, it can come with unexpected challenges. The rush of virality: Watching views and comments flood in is exciting, and it feels like a dopamine rush. But the flood of activity also has negative consequences. Clogged comment feeds: With viral videos, it becomes impossible to keep up with comments. The feed becomes flooded, and the sheer volume makes it difficult to stay connecte...
Mar 11, 2025•18 min•Ep. 126
In this episode, we're diving into the realities of monetizing on social media—debunking some common myths and sharing practical advice for creators at every stage of their journey. From the misconception that a big following equals big money to the strategies that actually lead to successful monetization, we cover it all. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: Myth Busting : Having a large following doesn’t automatically mean big paychecks. We break down the truth behind views, followers, an...
Mar 07, 2025•27 min•Ep. 125
In this episode, Helen shares insights from the past week and dives into trends, content creation strategies, and upcoming events: Recap of Last Week's Episode Helen highlights her conversation with Grace McCarrick about negativity on social media, emphasizing how interviews that unfold organically, instead of following a rigid question list, lead to more insightful content. She reflects on how she’s learned to be more open about her insecurities regarding social media, especially the pressure t...
Mar 04, 2025•20 min•Ep. 124
On today's episode, we welcomed Grace McCarrick whose expertise is dealing with negativity on social media. Grace is a founder and content creator on a mission to revolutionize how we approach work. Over the past three years, she has helped teams become more cohesive and has recently worked with brands like Airbnb, Chewy, Abercrombie, and more. She joined us on the podcast today to discuss how she handles receiving hate on the internet! How to Identify and Analyze Negative Comments Grace identif...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 123
Today is our weekly trends and content ideas episode. Before diving into trends, a few thoughts and observations from the past week. Topic 1: Algorithm Mistakes Misleading Advice on Following Niche Accounts Many people advise following accounts in your niche to grow your audience. This advice can be misleading and counterproductive. Following similar creators may lead to constant comparison, stifling creativity. Risk of unintentionally copying content instead of developing original ideas. Instea...
Feb 25, 2025•22 min•Ep. 122
In this episode, we dive into key takeaways from our latest Socialize Studio sessions, featuring expert insights on casting, camera angles, and video production techniques to enhance your content. 🎭 Casting Director Donald Case’s Session Discussed shifts in commercial and video content casting Compared the use of actors vs. real people in production Shared advice for pursuing on-camera opportunities Members enjoyed the insightful discussion and nostalgic industry stories 🎬 Public Transition Le...
Feb 21, 2025•20 min•Ep. 121
In today’s episode, there was a lot covered in addition to the weekly trends and content ideas. Here is the overview: - Doug's Winter Party Aftermath - Duolingo OWL Stunt - Socialize Studio Member’s Viral Moment Camera Angles & Their Impact • Discussed in a recent video, sparking a mix of reactions. • Breakdown of what different camera angles communicate subliminally. • Advertisers and filmmakers are intentional about angles, and content creators should be too. • Common mistake: looking at o...
Feb 18, 2025•22 min•Ep. 120
Episode Overview: Happy Valentine's Day! In this special edition of the Socialize Strategy podcast, Helen shares her love for content creation, her audience, and the joy of going off the rails with creativity. She also dives into frequently asked questions about social media strategies, content backup, hashtags, video search optimization, and increasing views. Key Takeaways: 1 . Embracing Spontaneity in Content Creation Helen shares her fun, off-the-rails moments, including lip-syncing to "Pink ...
Feb 14, 2025•24 min•Ep. 119
This week’s episode started off with an explanation of the latest viral trend: Doug’s Winter Party – A Viral Feel-Good Trend - A man in Bucks County, PA, hand-delivered paper invitations to his neighbors for a winter party. - A neighbor caught the invite on her Ring camera, shared it on TikTok, and it went viral. - Now, people across the world claim they’re "going to Doug’s party"—some even planning cross-country trips. - The heartwarming part? People are hosting their own "Doug’s Winter Party" ...
Feb 11, 2025•19 min•Ep. 118
Today's podcast is all about the different ways to elevate your content with editing know-how! Episode Highlights: Behind-the-Scenes of Mobile Podcasting · Helen shares her travel-friendly podcast setup · Why she uses a handheld mic instead of her usual setup · Tips for getting the best audio quality on the go Elevating Your Social Media Content · Recap of Helen’s presentation at an outdoor furniture conference · Why good editing can turn average content into great content · How to keep videos e...
Feb 07, 2025•17 min•Ep. 117
