The Yegi Project

Starting a Social Media Agency During the Pandemic & Pushing Through Self Doubt with Sharon Brand

August 03, 2022 Yegi Saryan Episode 20
The Yegi Project
Starting a Social Media Agency During the Pandemic & Pushing Through Self Doubt with Sharon Brand
Show Notes Transcript

Sharon Brand is a 26 year old entrepreneur based in Montréal, Canada. She owns social media agency Brand's Media Group (BGM) - and yes, Brand is her actual last name so she was pretty much born to do this! In July 2020, two months after BGM started, she decided to take a risk and leave an internship early to go full force into building her business, and has since gone on to help many brands with their social media. There's no end in sight for BGM as the company has recently revamped their site and moved into their own office! In this episode, Sharon will take us through her process with clients, how her team is building clientele in an unexpected way, what new social media features you should be on the lookout for, how she has pushed through her own self doubt in business & more!

Check out Sharon & Brand's Media Group!
https://www.instagram.com/sharonbrand/
https://www.instagram.com/brandsmediagroup/
https://www.brandsmediagroup.com/

The Yegi Project, is the podcast for the young entrepreneur who may not know where to start, doesn’t have anyone to guide them in the right direction and may not have full support from others. This podcast is called The Yegi “Project” because although Yegi is happy with where she is now, she knows that she still has a lot to do to complete her mission and purpose in this world. She aims to use this podcast to work hard alongside all of you to grow to a point where she can make a lasting change in people’s lives and in the world. 

If you would like to be a guest on a future episode of The Yegi Project, please email info@yegiproject.com

The Yegi Project is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and more!
https://linktr.ee/theyegiproject

#theyegiproject #socialmediaagency #femaleentrepreneur

Follow us on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theyegiproject

If you would like to be a guest on a future episode of The Yegi Project, please email info@yegiproject.com

The Yegi Project is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and more!
https://linktr.ee/theyegiproject

Yegi:

[intro] Hey beauty lovers  and fellow entrepreneurs. I'm Yegi,   the owner and founder of Yegi Beauty.  Within five years of being my own boss,   I was able to grow Yegi Beauty into  a multi-million dollar company.   This podcast is where I share what it takes to be  a successful entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Hello hello hello welcome back to the Yegi  Project. I am excited to talk about social media   again today. It is a major topic for entrepreneurs  and influencers and brands but it comes with the   risk of self-doubt, burnout, confusion - since it  is always changing and there are so many features,   especially for small businesses for what our  podcast is focusing on, um it could be a lot   to handle. For that reason we have Sharon today  from Brands Media Group and she's gonna help us   have a conversation about some of these topics to  see if we can get some help and even myself who's   been in business for over seven years managing  her own company, the social platforms always   are evolving and even right now I feel like we're  going through a transition of where - okay what do   we want to do? Do we want to post more? Do we  want to post less? Do we want to focus on one   platform or two platforms versus on all of them?  So currently we are also trying to make a change   and shift and try to see if that could work  better for us but for that reason Sharon as   someone who has dedicated to be an expert on this  topic is going to help us navigate through some   of those questions. So we're excited to have her  please Sharon welcome and tell us about yourself.

Sharon:

Thank you so much for having me. I just  can't wait because like you said the social media   is always changing and there's so many things  to say about it. Like I could - you know it's   endless. So I'm I'm Sharon I was born in Paris,  grew up in Montréal, Canada where I am right now   also and I studied abroad in Tel Aviv and in New  York and then back in Paris to do my bachelor and   my master's degree. I studied communication,  marketing and fashion and then I decided to   kind of combine my true passion and open a social  media agency during COVID uh like right when the   thick of COVID was starting and combined both  and get clients in the fashion and beauty -

Yegi:

That's a way to be productive right?

Sharon:

I didn't catch a  break but it's been great. thank you thank you thank you and I'm so  grateful you know it's really doing what I love   every day and helping brands on social media  doing everything organic uh so no paid ads,   everything from content creation to  really creating fun and engaging content   and yeah I'm back in Montréal  now, I'm 26 years old also, so   just so much to learn so much that you know I  did in two years it's kind of surreal to look   back you know and tell myself like wow I did  this at the age of 23 when I launched BMG.

Yegi:

So please go ahead and tell us a little bit  about your company and how you got started and   what pushed you to follow your passion to do so.

Sharon:

Yeah so I was always an advocate to you  know doing what you love and pursuing your dreams   and all those things like very aspiring very also  cliche but in the end you know I really do believe   that if you don't do what you love then it's not  sustainable in the long term. So I knew that it   would be marketing and fashion that I wanted to  do, I just didn't know exactly what it was, but   I was really I've always been really into social  media and into like the trendy content and you   know everything that goes on online. I remember  when instagram just launched in - it was 2011,   I started posting my outfits and my daily things  that I loved and my mom was like Sharon you know   I was only 15, so my mom was like you should  be private like we don't know who's on those   platforms and so I went private but I keep  thinking if I would have kept public this   account then who would have who know what would  have been you know today. So I've always been into   it and uh during covid everyone was asking me for  advice on how to shift from physical to digital   so that's when I launched BMG. So Brands Media  Group is called Brands Media Group because Brand   is my last name so I really wanted to have it  inside and and in the end it works because it's   a marketing agency and it just you know works  fine with it and we worked with the graphic -

Yegi:

That's perfect.

Sharon:

I know and funny story every  time that I'm on a prospect client call   or email they always end with ps you  have the best last name for this job.

Yegi:

You do you really do!

Sharon:

And I mean yeah everything kind of  escalated from there, we worked with a graphic   designer, we worked on the logo, the colors,  just a website that was really simple and you   know kind of ready to use type of thing and then  we got our first three clients the first week   so the way that I portrayed I I would say BMG at  first was really like a full social media agency   working you know to do everything content-wise  and outsourcing the things that we are not doing   but today I feel like we really narrowed it down  to really the organic side of things. So there's   no more outsourcing really it's really focusing  on making content aesthetic, trending, engaging,   really fun for the clients and we're also a  team of four so we're four women on the team,   all in Montréal. We just got an office  uh last month and we just rebranded our   website after two years of having the  same one. Thank you thank you thank you.

Yegi:

That's very exciting and I love women-owned  businesses especially team of women that are   working hard together to accomplish their dreams  so inspiring to hear about it. Tell us more how   long have you been in business and what was one  of the biggest challenges for you to get started?

Sharon:

So we launched in May 2020 so really  the peak of the pandemic. I feel like one of   the things that really helped us was that  everybody was staying at home for a really   long time like for the next three months or so  everyone was just hibernating at home so this   only worked in our favor in the sense that you  know a lot was happening online and digitally   on instagram especially and I feel like one of  her challenges was and it would be really for   more about me it's and it's talking thinking about  the future really but I didn't know what would   happen with bmg so I kind of lived like moment to  moment day to day because it was pandemic and I   was staying at a home but I was always really  concerned of like okay what's gonna happen   when things pick up again and we go back to real  life, like is this gonna be an actual business   that I'm gonna keep? Uh everything happened so  quick and so like a snowball effect that I didn't   have time to really think about those things and  then it just evolved to be what it is today but it   was kind of a challenge to really keep everything  I would say balanced and organized post pandemic.

Yegi:

Isn't it amazing though once you actually  take the leap and get started how things kind   of do work together and end up working  out? I always love hearing those stories.

Sharon:

I know well I think it's  about like trusting the universe   and you know trusting like okay you're gonna  take it day by day you're gonna do your thing   do what you love and then you know whatever  happens happens so really thinking like this is   out of my control and just letting things  flow as they should and with no pressure   at all above it all it's just you know  whatever's meant to be it will be.

Yegi:

Exactly and I think it's really hard  to get to that point sometimes it's easier   said than done but really working on that  mentality of having that okay work your   hardest put in as much work as possible,  wake up every day, do what you have to and   then just trust in the process for you to get  to where you need to get and if it works out   great if it doesn't we just pivot and go in a new  direction but we just kind of have to keep going   right I think that's like the key to success is to  just keep pushing and not overthinking of the uh   future of what's gonna happen but just  really give it your all every single day.

Sharon:

Yeah there were times where business  was so slow you know and then like a year   after even just a few months ago and I was  thinking I was like you know should I stop   this should I go back to a corporate job  because who knows maybe this would be better   and it's what you say it's exactly what  you said it's consistency is staying true   to you know what you love and not giving  up because then things pick up again and   it's kind of not the the end of it so just  you know keep on pushing and keep on going.

Yegi:

One other question for you starting out news  and you're still fairly a new business for the   uh I guess oh a little bit new but um having  people trust you in order to take over or   advise them on social media that could be  a huge challenge when you're starting out.   Now what did you do to overcome that or  how did you kind of convince the clients   that hey I'm the right person to help you  grow your social media? Did you have to   do some stuff for free did you have to build a  portfolio, how did you go about that challenge?

Sharon:

I love this question so first of all  because I traveled a lot and I met a lot of   people uh you know through my studies and through  my travels I really got the the credibility   I would say and the trust of a few people  that we ended up working with that I had met   during my travels and I think this is a really  good lesson of you know networking and keeping in   touch with people but also to really be kind and  genuine and to just be your true self and in the   end that kind of follows the next thing that I'm  going to say is that when you're true to yourself   and you you just are who you are the people that  are going to want to work with you and really get   who you are and it's a good fit it's going to work  out. So right now it's like you know sometimes we   get prospect clients and it's a vibe like we  really vibe there's good energy there's good   intentions they really get boundaries they get  me I get them and when it's like that I love   working with people you know that are just they  just get who I am and that it works like that   and that's how they also trust me and there's  other people who are a bit you know a bit more   vigilant which I get because it's you know it's a  lot of money they're investing and everything but   I will always puts my clients first and that's  what I always always tell them on the first call   and they just know that if they do sign with  us it's gonna be like the top priority is their   happiness and they come first before everything  so we really and they know this since the start   we put them over everything else that we have.  That also means myself being involved because   often you know social media agencies and you know  there's different ways that uh structures are   depending on other social media agencies but  my structure is that I'm really involved in the   process with the client and their socials so even  though we have dedicated community managers that   are going to work with the clients I'm always  going to be here on the group chats on the zoom   call if I can at least like I'm going to be on  all of them and they love that because the first   call is with me and so you know it's hard when  like you have a first call with someone and then   they give you out to someone else so I  always make sure to be there no matter what.

Yegi:

That's great honestly that's one of  the benefit of working with a smaller social   media group is because you're going to get that  dedication and a lot of one-on-one attention from   the company compared to working with the huge  agencies, that's why I'm a big big fan of small   business honestly. I think there's a lot more  heart and love into it. That's very exciting and -

Sharon:

100% and it's all about that.

Yegi:

It really is and it makes it so much more  fun for you to be connected and actually see   something through see your clients grow with  you right that's the best best part and that's   what I love to see with my students too when I  was teaching the eyelash extensions we I still   teach here and there but I have other educators  who teach but seeing them get the certificate get   to the um point where they open up their own  salons or they have their own product lines   just really exciting to like see that transition  so that's the best best part I want to highlight   to people with doing something that you love  is because you're going to put your heart into   it and you're going to see it through. Now  um now talking about more a little bit more   about um the challenges of starting a business.  Now financials are always always the biggest   um factor that people um are scared about or they  have fear that oh am I gonna make enough money,   is it gonna be stable the ups and downs.  So what has your experience been with that?

Sharon:

So I will start off with that I am so  you know grateful and lucky and fortunate that   financial wise I was able to start off living  at home because I had to go back home during   covid so I had no rent to pay I had you know my  family was like supporting me and was here with me   so when I started the business every thing that  we were earning was really going towards BMG   and I'm just a firm believer in working in  teams so I got the first team member to come   on the team literally two months in starting  the business as a very very part-time a role   but still there was someone and I was still able  to you know pay that person and I really believe   that paying the people that work for you is so  important because for example in France they do   two months free internship and uh you know when  sometimes they do have the budget to pay I really   feel like every work should be valued and rewarded  financially but also of course you know with   kindness and words and all that um but then as you  know I was I went back to paris after covid and   it was hard financially because I was everything  was in euro I was getting everything in canadian   dollars so I had to really just organize myself  for those finances. Now that I moved back to   Canada everything is more set and just well put  together however there is always you know the   in the back of my mind okay well tomorrow there  could be two clients leaving and then what's gonna   happen? So the really important thing  in this case is to always think ahead   and always try to get new clients for you know  the next few months because you never know   what's gonna happen especially today we're really  living in kind of a financial crisis that's gonna   that has started and it's gonna go on and on for  a bit, so you know we've seen clients close down   their business because of covid and when that  happens you know we can't control it you know   they don't have the finances anymore so we need  to always be on the lookout for new brands that   would want to work with us. It's also great though  because it's very stimulating and we're always -

Yegi:

It keeps you on your toes!

Sharon:

Exactly we have no choice because  with no clients we don't live right so   we need to not only find the right clients but  also make sure that they really do need the help.

Yegi:

So what are some of the things you guys  do to get new clients because that is also a   challenge for any business always right? We  always want to acquire new clients because   old clients even though they could  be continuously giving us business   like you said over time it evolves or you  do need a good balance of continuing and   new clients. So what are some of the things  that you guys do to try to get new clients?

Sharon:

So first our current clients when we  sign clients it's a three-month contract so   at least that gives us you know time to you know  see okay after two months are they gonna continue?   If not we're really gonna like push and get new  clients and to get new clients we are we actually   I'm so lucky uh Alanna if she listens to this  she's our growth manager and she's the one in   charge of acquiring and prospecting and finding  new clients so we kind of go together we look at   you know a sheet and we add in businesses and  then we really look at okay do they need help?   What would their needs be and then we send a  little dm. And it might seem very aggressive   in the way in the sense that it's like okay  you know we're messaging them if they need help   but in the end it's like we never know they  might need help and they might not know us   and because of that message they hear about  us. So the way the way we do it is very -

Yegi:

I'm all for that, that's a great strategy.

Sharon:

Yeah!

Yegi:

It's a modern it's the modern  way of cold calling right sending dms.

Sharon:

Exactly so this and we've actually been  doing a lot of cold calls in the that we've been   going outside in the streets of Montréal  on streets that have a lot of businesses   and we've been giving away our cards and  it was so funny to do it because it's so   untraditional of today's like of our age  group you know we do everything online so   being in the street and giving the card it felt  so good and at the same time it felt so weird.

Yegi:

Yes yes but those old school  marketing strategies also still work   and um uh honestly we're we're doing  it ourselves too again now we haven't   done anything physical for years like five  years I want to say but we're gonna try to   do something again right now when we have an  event next month in August to do a little lash   networking event we're also going to go  give out flyers to the local businesses and   there's no going wrong you know sometimes the  face to face really gives a different bond.

Sharon:

Yeah and just in general you  know giving your card you never know   they might keep it give it to someone  hear of someone that needs social media   help and then you know give it to them  so it's like putting yourself out there.

Yegi:

You have a physical item to think  of you. It's old school marketing 101.

Sharon:

Yes very important!

Yegi:

Well since we're talking about your  process take us through it. So let's say   I'm a client and I'm interested so I know  I need some help with social media but   I'm not too sure what I need help with. I  reach out to you and I say hey Sharon or   Brand's Marketing Group I  need help. Where do we start?

Sharon:

So the first thing would be a discovery  call we always love to you know see the vibe with   the client what it is they're looking for also  who they are as a person personality says a lot   about the type of work that you know they want on  the long end and then we after the discovery call   we usually draft a proposal we send our brand book  so they can see a bit of the work that we've done   and then the best thing about all of this  is that we're super flexible in terms of   packaging. So if someone wants less of you know  less reels more stories all that then that's   really not a problem we really adapt and then once  everything is confirmed they just sign a contract   and we start the work. We also always you  know show them what it is that we can do   and uh you know so they have like a visual idea  of what it is we're envisioning, but it's always   mixing the educational with the fun so that's what  we are pitching to them all the time because in   the end social media for business you know it  needs to be like okay what is your business but   also let's have fun with it let's just have fun  on instagram and on the social media platforms.

Yegi:

Question for you so are you guys the  ones who's creating the content or are you   advising the businesses what they need to create?  Because sometimes that could be challenging for a   business too because I would think okay for me um  how would somebody like you work with the company   that um has let's say physical products or um  in our case um you know it takes some time for   you to get to know a company in order for you  to have their vision as well - how has that   process been and is that been a challenge for  you guys? Or how did you overcome that fear in   businesses because I could see myself having  that kind of you know hesitation at first.

Sharon:

For sure so that's why we have different  packages if a client wants to let's say do   everything themselves and don't want to give us  the full uh you know the full instagram account   on our hands that's also fine, we create  the content and then we send it to them.   We've done consultations like that so it's like  I come in I really tell them what they should   change what they should work on then they  could they could decide to do the content   themselves with the guidance that I gave them.  They could also decide for us to do the content   and you know post it themselves and then after  those two packages there comes the social media   management packages which is for us to do you know  everything on the platform and when it's physical   product actually it's so much fun because they  send us the product and we shoot everything so   uh right now for example we are working with a  tea company in new york and she sent us a gua   sha a jade roller and then all of those herbal  tea you know good for the skin and all that so   we have so much fun creating reels and  at the same time we have incredible fun   drinking the tea and even it was funny because  last time we made reels and we had like five cups   of different tea laid out and then we were done  filming and we just drank everything because we   were like you know we didn't want to throw it  away but that's also I don't know it's such a   beautiful thing because it's social media it has  to happen really fast so the clients really also   need in a way to trust us so they just send us  everything and trust us from there and it's been   really working in our favor um you know up  until now we've been doing really incredible   job and that's all due to our incredible  community managers on the team.

Yegi:

That's very exciting well I'm so happy for  you guys and I'm glad that it's been working well   because I could see from a brand's point of view  that it could be challenging but like you said   if somebody's gonna bring you on they do need to  put that trust in you to at least give you what   like couple of months you said initially the  three month contracts to see what you could do   and do you guys use analytics and some sort  of charts to show them the the growth that   you've done with their accounts? Because that  could also be um you know it's very hardcore   data look you started off with 10 followers  now you're at 100 followers for example.

Sharon:

100% yes numbers are so important  and that's also why we do three months   contract because you can't really have  you know data enough data after let's say   30 days. When you have 90 days worth of data  then you could really really see and track   so what we do is that we have templates  already set up for each of our client   and every day um sorry every Monday so every  once a week we go in their instagram account   and we write down all the important numbers  that we have planned to write about and then   we analyze that. So okay what worked what didn't  what would we you know do more about and it's just   such a fun way to also see okay we did really  good on this reels now let's do it better.

Yegi:

Awesome great job  props to you guys for taking   it on and really making something you love  into a successful business where you can   earn money and also already have your  own office that's a huge accomplishment.

Sharon:

Thank you, thank you so much.

Yegi:

Um do you have any interesting or any  inspiring client stories to share with us?

Sharon:

Oh yes I do, uh let me try to think.  Yeah so okay it's a really funny story so   when I launched BMG in May 2020 I was back in  Canada then because of covid but I was going   to go back to Paris in July because I was living  there at the time and in July I had an internship   that I had signed and it was for this really big  fashion trade show uh the biggest one in Paris   Italy London during fashion week and I was going  to do their social media that was I had signed   with them before even starting you know BMG. So  in July when I went back to Paris and I started   the internship I went you know we had like three  clients and I had someone working with me at BMG   but I just wanted to go full time and I felt  so bad you know telling the internship but   bye because when I commit to something I want to  do it fully and 100%. So I stayed and I stayed   and I stayed and three weeks later I just couldn't  do it anymore so I spoke to the manager and I told   her listen I and I was crying I was like I'm so  sorry to do this but I have this business on the   side and there's three clients and it's working so  if I don't go full force I don't know what's gonna   you know happen and she was like between you and I  you know like do your thing, go do your business.

Yegi:

Aww yeah that's actually a good lesson for  everybody to hear it it truly you have to know   sometimes when to quit on something or want to  to put an end to it or stop it it's not really a   failure or you feeling like you quit it's actually  just again pivoting and taking on your new   direction that you need to so I think sometimes  closing one door does open different doors and we   need to not be afraid to do it and you definitely  shared a good story with us that proves that.

Sharon:

But wait wait I'm not I'm not even done  so it gets better so then they whatever they   let me go I went full force and the business was  really picking up six months later this fashion   trade show calls me and they go we need your  social media help so can we hire your company   to do our social media so we worked with them  like you know it was like a full circle moment.

Yegi:

Now you get paid to do  what you were doing for free!

Sharon:

Exactly so it was you know  not only a better pay but also   wow like they really trusted me in three weeks  and I even quit the internship early and they   still really liked me enough that they  would work with us for their social media   so we worked with them for a few weeks few months  actually and um we kind of worked today like kind   of mission wise if they ever need something  I'm always there and you know it's such a cool   first like a full circle moment and again the  lesson here is trusting your intuition but also   really keeping in touch with the people that  you come across of in your life no matter if   it's at work if it's you know one second  or a friend or just anyone you never know.

Yegi:

Yeah I think networking is really key and  um I think in nowadays and age a lot of people   don't have really good networking skills we're  just in the moment and we're going and going   so this is a good reminder for myself  and for everybody too that we need to   take our time no matter how busy we are and  really keep your connections really network   and really like don't take people for granted  right even if it's just for a moment and you   expressing yourself like you did in order for  them to understand hey like I'm not quitting   just to quit I'm human this is what's going on  see it didn't work for the negative you were   transparent and it did go full circle and worked  for the best so I think that's really really   a good practice for everybody to have like  everybody is human like let's be transparent   let's be understanding of each other and keep in  touch and network. Thank you for sharing that.

Sharon:

For sure and I mean it's not really like a   client success story we have a lot of these  also but you know I felt like this one was uh   I don't know it's just like a really  unique story and just so so crazy.

Yegi:

It really is and it just kind of gives  you extra motivation to keep going right you   did something right. So social media is always  evolving and changing what are some of the new   um trends that you've seen that we need to  kind of be on top of as business owners?

Sharon:

So first of all video  is the biggest thing right now.   Instagram is actually in the middle of testing  you know new news feed and the new news feed looks   like there won't be any square photos anymore so  all your photos would need to be kind of portrait   mode or else you know people won't really be able  to see it in the best ux experience but reels and   you know just videos in general is the one that  you would need to push the most and I feel like   it's kind of great actually because we're really  I feel like five years ago instagram was very   curated it was very kind of like perfect looking  and now it's more of like okay let's just do   videos and be ourselves and think less of you know  the actual presets and content that we're posting   and um the other thing that instagram has just  launched and adam mosseri the you know instagram   brain well the brain behind instagram didn't  warn us about this new feature he just kind   of put it out there for us but the little  notes on that you can see now on your dm -

Yegi:

What is that? I actually got a notification  about that update I didn't get a chance to really   look into it I do have somebody who  helps me with my instagram as well so   I personally haven't fully seen it  it'd be great to know more about it.

Sharon:

Yeah so think like bbm status and  facebook status with like a mix of twitter   this is what instagram have done now so if  you want to write let's say I don't know   that you have new opening for your you know  your lashes company or that you have a sale   or you know ask someone a question like  what's your favorite song of the moment   then you can leave this these little status  without posting a photo and it's going to   go in the dm page of all of your followers who  follow you back and then people can just answer   um that note so it's kind of a quick interactive  way of speaking with your audience that doesn't   include a picture or a video and it's not  on story as well. I think it's so great.

Yegi:

Yeah that's very you  know it's very different and   I don't know if as a consumer as a business it's  very great for me as a consumer I don't know if   I'm going to like that am I going to get too many  messages but we'll see we'll see how it works. I   guess you can choose which ones you turn on and  off so you can know who you want to hear from but   instagram is definitely evolving and I think I  like that note of focusing on video right now   because we we have noticed a lot too if you  go and video specifically reels for instagram   I notice anytime there's a reel it does do a lot  more interaction compared to just a regular video   post or um or a photo post so definitely I think  they are trying to have people push that more I   don't know maybe because they're trying to also  compete with tik tok but um but it's it's very   you know it's very crazy to know all these new  features. Is there any other advice on any of   the other social platforms that you would give to  our listeners as far as new and evolving changes?

Sharon:

Yeah so it's what you you know you  said it best uh instagram is kind of on the   lookout with their competitors tik tok and I  think actually it's not like one or the other   it's you know as a business owner as a consumer  using both in different ways is a really good   strategy to take because the more you're out  there the more you have your brand awareness and   the more people are just gonna reach you one  way or another. So for tik tok for example   it's best to really just really really be yourself  and you don't have to do all the you you can it's   a good mix but to do the aesthetic and also to  do a really funny humorous you know fun tik toks   that don't take long to do whereas on instagram  it's always a bit more aesthetic because there's   a news feed and that news feed is very it's a bit  more curated than tik tok. However I do feel like   once again it's changing and we're going towards  a less curated one but I think you know people   are always scared when there's a new platform  that comes on because they're like oh my god   how am I gonna use it different than the other  and actually it's a great thing and it's another   way of people to discover you so using it you  know could only be to your advantage and add   to what you already are building. So I I love  instagram and instagram will always be my number   one platform but now that we're on tik tok and you  know pinterest and linkedin and twitter also even   I see the the benefits of outreaching  and just being on all of the platforms.

Yegi:

Now let's just focus on instagram  and tech talk now for your clients would   you recommend them to post the same content  on both platforms or how do you um how do   you guys work with your clients as far as  different content on different platforms?

Sharon:

So for example we work with  a talent management agency so they   are in charge of influencers collaboration and  uh just talent you know contracts and all that so   on instagram we're gonna share all of these  news like the collaborations the new talent   that we're signing and it's actually a lot of  pictures uh we haven't really posted videos that   yet because the goal for them is not to go viral  it's really to have a portfolio of their work and   then on tik tok we're going to post the videos  of the talent from instagram so you know it's   it's a different way and a different take of doing  it and there's a million ways that we could do it   for them because of their specific goals this is  the strategy. And then we're also doing linkedin   for them and on linkedin we're going to post  more about this field and this world's updates   and news about creators and about content creators  and all that. So depending on what the goal of the   client is we're going to tweak and  adapt on the different platforms.

Yegi:

That's great honestly and it's a good  reminder for our listeners as well there is   no one way of doing social media. The main thing  is be yourself and really just have a presence   on how many ever platform you can get I think  that's a simple summary um and some for some   people that may be frustrating because some  people want like an exact to-do list of what   to do but I think that's why there's companies  like yours where they can work with and really   come up with a strategy for each platform so  that's one thing I always tell to my business   owners as well - as a business owner you should  really just be good at growing your business and   that's and that means like hiring people to help  you because there's no way you can do everything   yourself so keep that in mind and know that  it's okay to get help in the areas that you're   not the best at and that's what I've done like  social media I know I could be great at but that's   something that I had to kind of give away and have  people help me with because I just don't have time   to be active on there all the time as much as  I would want to be so I have my presence there   but then I do have people who are helping me post  and create the content um and I think I still need   help with it you know like it's always evolving  so keep that in mind as small business owners.

Sharon:

When you do stay true to yourself and  you know people know you offline and then they   see you online and they're like okay yeah this is  really the same person then there is this growth   and even for businesses putting your face in front  you know the image that of who you are in front   and online it's just such a plus it's a  bonus you know it just works in your favor.

Yegi:

Yes that's exciting well I can't wait to  see everything you guys are doing honestly with   your business and your platforms I started kind  of checking you guys out as we were able to you   know meet you I'm even more excited to see all the  things that you're gonna do it's such a pleasure   to meet you I love your personality your energy  and everything you're doing. And another takeaway   I do want to tell to our listeners too is um those  of you that have the ability to stay home save   money and really like push this is the age this  is the time where you really should do that before   you know you're gonna have your own mortgage  your own family your own kids and a lot more   responsibility because it does get a lot more  challenging so don't waste time time is valuable   um yeah and really like try to set yourself  up for success if you have that advantage   of being home or getting help from family even  you know that so that's one thing I would really   um tell all the listeners is this is your time  don't wait the life does not wait for you and   things aren't going to get easier. I think as  we get older things actually get harder from   my own experience we have less energy and  more responsibilities so although it is not   impossible I think anybody at any age can get  anything started but to be truly real with you,   the younger you start whatever your passion is,  the more likely you're gonna live a longer happier   life so this is your cue to you know follow your  dreams. So let's go back to our interview so what   is um we talked about all the benefits of um  starting your business and how great everything   is but in reality um what would you say the  worst part about being an entrepreneur is? Oh my god there's so many things uh  and and that now it sounds like you know   everything I said is like oh my gosh but I  am not lying it's just that yeah people need   to know that you know it's very glamorous  glamorized oh my god I can't say that word Glam-uh I can't even say it.

Sharon:

It's all glam on -   It's all glam online and it could seem very you  know aesthetically pleasing to be your own boss   and you get that freedom and everything but  it's very tough because you want to find a -

Yegi:

It's not for everyone!

Sharon:

- schedule that works for you and it's  not for everyone that's exactly what's going to   say I think you know it is not for everyone and if  you feel really like a pressure where you you know   you can't do it anymore then you should reconsider  and like it's okay if you start something and then   you realize that you're not meant for it and you  know it could pick up and then you end up selling   it or having someone else as the ceo and you can  stay the creative director for it for example.   I know for me this it works because I I'm very um  stimulated with everything there is to do and I'm   like this I need to move on from task to task the  task and I love managing and I love growing a team   and this in you know I don't see myself doing  something else but it is also really tough because   of life work balance and you know telling yourself  okay well when does my day end because this is   your baby you're talking about. You could work on  it forever and ever and at the same time you don't   want to resent it because if you you if you don't  take a break if you don't take a step back you're   gonna start hating it and so for me I realized  that I just needed to like at 5 pm this is my   time like I close my computer no matter what and  you know what you know what I realized everything   still gets done and people wait and if there you  know nothing is urgent like if people really need   me they're gonna call me a million times and I'm  always available but then the rest I could do the   next morning and it's totally fine so the I feel  like this is one of the challenges I feel like   another one is you kind of want to please everyone  especially in like social media and you want to   help as many people as possible and in the end  that's my goal but you have to learn how to say   no because sometimes clients are not a good fit  and you can sense those from the first discovery   meeting like you were maybe it's because we're  women I don't know I've been talking to about   this a lot with friends and everything but we have  like a really I don't know we have a really strong   instinct and intuition and I feel like we really  need to listen to our bodies and trust it because   I've done deals where you know I thought okay it's  going to get better with time and it really didn't   and I had sensed it since the beginning and  it's not that you know we did that work or the   client was a bad client it's not it's just that it  wasn't a good fit they just needed another agency.   Exactly so I feel like now it's a challenge  that I have proudly overcome and I know how   to say no and I know where boundaries are  set and you know what is good for the company   but I feel like it's hard because it is your  company so you need to dissociate yourself from   the business. It's like you are not your business.  If someone is upset or doesn't like what you're   doing it's not they're not mad at you they're just  they're mad they just don't like it and it's okay.

Yegi:

A lot of time it's personal issues  when people are unhappy with something it's   not even the work that you did they might  be going through a hard time in life and   no matter what you do they're still gonna  be unhappy so that's a very good lesson to   learn and I remember learning that. It's been a  while now I haven't thought about it but in the   beginning I do remember feeling so sad any time of  one client with even a tiny bit be dissatisfied I   would go out of my way I would be so upset I put  in so much time and energy to try to please them   but then at the end of the day like nothing  mattered and I wasted a lot of time and energy.

Sharon:

It's because we care so much so it's  a good thing because if we didn't then would   just you know be also mean and rude and  be like okay well you know figure it out.   Like no we care so we want to put our time and  energy like you said and go full force on it   but we also need to okay where is our limit,  when do we get a break as well you know.

Yegi:

That is I think the key you  know try to figure out that limit   and that that boundary it's like okay this is  what I'm going to do these are the x y and z   things that I'm going to do extra but if that  also doesn't help I'm done you know moving on.   Let's talk about social media burnout and  self doubt because those are two big issues   with social media that I know a lot of  our listeners can take um learn from or   be interested in. So let's see for a social media  burnout right so I think for social media burnout   a lot of times what happens is we want to be so  active but we get stuck and we don't know what   to do or we look at the feed we get stressed  out and there's so many people doing so many   things we don't know like if I should keep going  we're like okay I'm just gonna shut down I'm done.   So what would you advise for people who are  at that level with the social media burnout?

Sharon:

I feel like if you are you do feel like  a burnout take a step back and maybe even don't   look at instagram for a few days you know it could  take just two days for you to kind of recenter and   reground yourself into what it is you want to  be doing on social. I know for me I never ever   had a burnout because I use it in a way that it's  like when I want to use it I use it when I don't   I don't I post whatever I want I don't overthink  it so I feel like if I don't know what the reason   of the burnout could be but if it is because  you're overthinking every single thing that   you want to post I mean no no wonder you're going  to burn out it's so draining I feel like you need   to you know using using social media and having  fun with it is like my whole motto with social   media basically it's just you know have fun with  the platforms that you're using and you really -

Yegi:

Yeah take a break when you need  to take a break if you don't want to   post for a whole week don't post for  a whole week you know if you have   nothing that you feel inspired to post  don't feel like the pressure to do so   because I also feel like any time I've in the past  pushed myself to post something just to post it   it didn't do so well or I was still unhappy with  it so I think that's key like it's okay to -

Sharon:

Yeah

Yegi:

- it's okay to take a break from it  even if you want to take a week off from it   you can get back to it and be more motivated  to use it if you feel burnt out. So how about   self-doubt? As a business owner have you ever  experienced self-doubt especially in the social   media world that could be so easy because you  see most people portray the best versions of   themselves or their businesses online um and  that can make other people or other businesses   intimidated and have more self-doubt - so what's  your advice or have you experienced this yourself?

Sharon:

I definitely did it was actually back  in November I was at my lowest I would say   and what really saved me I actually have  the book right next to me it's this book   called the imposter cure I don't  know if you've ever heard about it?

Yegi:

What is it called again?

Sharon:

Yeah so it's um so it's called the  imposter cure and it's how to stop feeling   like a fraud and escape the mind trap of the  imposter syndrome and it's by Dr Jessamy Hibberd   and it really was my bible for I did a lot of  work on myself when I was feeling all these you   know self-doubts and it talks about all about  how failure is essential part of the success   and how discomfort is actually a trigger for  self growth um and just how compassion needs   to overcome like self-criticism so I read it and  I was doing all the work inside of the book and it   took like two months in after I finished reading  it we signed three new clients and I was just   the best manager but my best self you know  that I could be so I feel like this I mean   reading good books like this really helps. Also  if you can I have a business coach for example   and that really really helps me just you know  if I have any doubts on anything sometimes it's   just an outside perspective that helps me  you know get the guidance that I need to.

Yegi:

Yeah definitely and honestly I love that  you mentioned business coach because that's my   passion that's what I'm also doing on the side  and now for fun besides running my own business   because it does really help to have somebody  be like snap out of it you know you're doing   fine here's what you need to do, stop overthinking  it, you can take action and get um to your   wherever you want to get instead of  sitting and stressing about something.   Um but books is definitely been my go-to too I  think any time that I feel like I'm I've been   stuck in the past with my business or in life I've  just kind of taken a break and read something or   listen to something motivational even podcasts  or youtube motivational videos that really like   helps kind of give you the key points to help you  snap out of that right and it does take a lot of   work on yourself we need to always continuously  be working on ourselves and that will push you   to be more successful and more and constantly  more motivated as you go through the process of   being an entrepreneur or a business owner. I think  what you shared is really really valuable because   everybody goes through that and I want to say some  people don't talk about it or don't mention it but   even the most successful people go through  those self doubt moments. I bet you like even   I don't know all the top um uh billionaires  self doubt on the decision that they're gonna   make and they need an advising team or  a coach like no you're fine go for it.

Sharon:

For sure. I feel like what's really  comforting is that we are not alone so it's   like even when you do have those horrible  you know and bad feelings telling yourself   okay there's other people that right now are  literally feeling the same thing that I am   and that's why I also share it on  instagram when I'm having a bad day,   when I'm having you know those like self-doubt  moments, I always share it on my stories because   I get really good words of just encouragement  from my friends but also people that say like   I feel the same way today and I'm  like wow okay like it's great .

Yegi:

It helps a lot to feel like we're  not alone and that we have a support   from other people out there who are  going through the same thing and   that it's gonna be okay it's just it's temporary  I think that's also something we need to remember   if we're going through a negative part in our life  or in our business just know that it's temporary   and instead of focusing on it because sometimes  when you focus too much on the negative it just   kind of a downfall you keep going down and down  and down instead know that it's temporary and   I don't know my key advice for that would be  just stop thinking about it and do something   like a physical action item you know for you was  reading the book and working on yourself or some   somebody may be like going on a vacation or  running you know whatever your that something is   take physical action and I think that's gonna help  turn things around instead of you focusing on that   self-doubt or that negative point in your life or  your business. Awesome well thank you for sharing   that now - my last question for you as our closing  topic if you can do it all over again what would   you change or what would you do when you're just  starting out and also where can people find you?

Sharon:

So people - I will start with the  easy question first people can find me   on instagram at @sharonbrand b-r-a-n-d and  the business account is at @brandsmediagroup   and again on my highlight on instagram there  is a highlight of book recommendations so if   anyone wants to read more books on self growth  and you know as a business owner and you think   there's a lot of there of them in there and I  feel like if I would start again the different   thing that I would do is is actually just  take more time for myself right from the   beginning because I was I was working a lot  at the beginning beginning more than I am now   and when I look back I was really stressed about  things that in the end ended up working just   fine and that were done and that I needed  didn't need to you know look over twice   so I would really just take a step back and just  you know tell myself like okay this will work   you just have to continue and not stop and  it's all gonna work in your favor you know.

Yegi:

Yes I think we all go through  that as new business owners and   although people will tell us don't  overthink things it's gonna be fine   I think everybody needs to find their own journey  through it and and and it'll be fine for real. It makes you it makes you stronger  it's like whatever happens whatever   challenges it is you just  come off stronger in the end. Now do you have any last words  of encouragement before we close?

Sharon:

Yes I think if you have a project in mind  if there's something you really want to be doing   that you really love that you're passionate  about then you know just go for it like don't   don't overthink oh is this name good is this  color good just you know start it and then   the little details they come afterwards um like  you know the website and all those things it   can always be changed and just you know tangible  but the idea you have that fire inside of you if   you're really feeling it and you feel like it is  a good idea then like jump right in and just do it   and you know everything else  will kind of like follow.

Yegi:

Awesome well thank you so much Sharon for  being on our podcast today was such a pleasure   meeting you and talking to you. We'll link all her  information below so you guys can go find her and   follow her through and see if you need  any help with your social media she   is available um and yeah thank you for  listening I hope this was helpful. If   you guys have any questions or comments let  us know below but again thank you Sharon,   pleasure meeting you hope to work  with you soon again in the future!

Sharon:

Thank you so much  for this opportunity bye!

Yegi:

[outro] Thank you for listening.  Please rate and review this podcast.   Follow and engage with us on  social media under @theyegiproject   and if you’re interested in being a  guest, email info@theyegiproject.com   and don’t forget to subscribe so you  don’t miss out on any future episodes.