The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations

Summer is officially here. Which means it's time to figure out how you're actually going to market your business for the next few months, when fewer people are online, your analytics dip, and everyone's outside touching grass instead of refreshing the feed.

Here's the move most people make when they see their analytics dip: double down and push harder. And honestly? That can work. But this year, I'm doing the opposite. I'm cutting my own marketing almost in half. On purpose. 

In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly what I'm keeping, what I'm dropping, a...

The online business landscape has shifted — and the strategies that are actually working right now? They're not showing up in anyone's public content.

In this episode, I'm sharing the real conversations happening behind the scenes in masterminds and private coaching rooms — the advice that business coaches are giving their highest-paying clients but nobody's talking about publicly. 

Spoiler: it's not sexy. But it's working.

We're in a different era of online business. The sophisticated buyer is here, passive income hype is fading fast, and the tactics that felt effortless in 2020 and 2021 are just not hitti...

Think blogging is dead in 2026?

Before you ditch long-form content for TikTok and Reels, watch this. The truth is… the biggest names in tech are doubling down on SEO, AI models are hungry for high-quality website content, and small business owners who start blogging now are about to unlock a massive advantage.

In this video, I break down why blogging is not outdated — it’s evolving. You’ll learn how AI, voice search, and shifting buyer behavior are reshaping content discovery, and why your blog might be the most powerful brand-building engine you create in 2026. I’ll als...

You have the ideas. You've always had the ideas. They're sitting in a Google Doc somewhere, probably called something like "Q3 Content Plan," last opened months ago and somehow nothing in it has ever actually gotten published.

Today's guest Tayler Cusick-Hollman would tell you that's not an ideas problem. It's a brain problem. And once you understand what's actually happening, you can do something about it.

Taylor is the co-founder of Enji, a project management tool built specifically for small business owners doing their own marketing — and she has a background in psychology and sociology th...

Most SEO advice assumes you have unlimited time. But what if you only have one hour? In this episode, I'm sharing exactly what I'd do with that hour (and it's probably not what you'd expect).

Spoiler: I wouldn't tell you to write a blog post. Instead, I'm walking through the specific website SEO tasks that actually move the needle, require zero technical expertise, and can realistically get done in 60 minutes or less.

 Whether you're brand new to SEO or just doing a tune-up, this episode will give you a clear action plan you can start t...

If you've been wondering whether Pinterest is still worth your time and money in 2026, this episode is for you (my answer will surprise you).

I run a Pinterest marketing agency — it's one of the main services I sell — and I am telling more business owners to WAIT on Pinterest than I ever have. In this episode, I'm sharing exactly why, what needs to be in place before Pinterest can actually work for your business, and how to know when you're ready.

This isn't about scaring you off the platform. Pinterest is still one of the best...

If you've been thinking about hiring a VA but keep talking yourself out of it… this episode is for you.

I sat down with Sarah Roberson, a virtual assistant who specializes in helping wedding pros and photographers run smoother businesses behind the scenes. She's also been on my own team since August 2024! So I knew she's be the right person to have on for this conversation.

We get into everything you've been too scared to Google. Let's dive in.

🎙️ In This Episode:

Blogging and SEO advice is everywhere right now — but a lot of it? I don’t agree with.

In this episode, I’m sharing my honest (and probably unpopular) opinions about SEO and blogging — what’s actually working in 2026, what I think is a waste of your time and money, and what I see small business owners getting wrong over and over again.

This isn’t about saying other people are wrong or that there’s only one way to grow your business. It’s about adding nuance to the conversation and helping you think critically about...

Everyone's using AI. But are you using it in a way that actually sounds like you — or are you slowly handing your voice over to a chatbot and hoping no one notices?

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on ways I use AI in my content writing business every single day without losing what makes my writing mine. This isn't about being anti-AI or pretending it doesn't exist — it's about being strategic with how you use it so your content stays in your voice, your frameworks, and your point of view.

I'm sharing nine...

You've got a lead magnet. Maybe it's a checklist, a guide, or a template pack. You've promoted it, maybe even gotten some downloads — but those downloads aren't turning into clients. So what's actually going wrong?

In this episode, I handed the mic to Meta ads expert Melissa Litchfield or Litchfield Media, and she is breaking down exactly why most lead magnets don't convert, what needs to be true before you spend a single dollar on ads, and how to test with just $5–$10 a day so you're not throwing money at something that isn't working. 

I've perso...

What does a social media-free launch actually look like — numbers and all? Before you assume you need a big audience, a sales page, or an Instagram strategy to launch something new, let's talk about what's actually possible with just an email list and a well-thought-out offer.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my AI Blog Sprint beta launch: how I planned it, how long it actually took to build, what my goals were with only 274 email subscribers, and what the numbers looked like from day one. I'm also getting honest about what I spent, wh...

Are you ready to make your next hire but not sure whether you need a VA, an OBM, or a specialist — or whether you're even ready to outsource at all? Before you hire the first person who shows up in your feed talking about your exact pain point, let's slow down and think this through.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the four most common hires for online business owners, what each one actually does (and doesn't do), and my honest take on generalists vs. specialists — including why hiring one person to do all your marketing platforms migh...

A few months ago, I saw the headline: “Google announces that traditional SEO is dead.” (or something like that lol). I paused. I re-read it. I rolled my eyes if I'm being honest. There are a lot of things to spiral about in 2025 but search-driven marketing going away is not one of them. 

That said, all of the conversations around "is SEO still a thing" did get me thinking deeply about how blogging fits into the world we're suddenly living in. A world where AI is writing everything from wedding vows to business strategies, and where the inter...

If you’ve ever wondered whether slowing down will cost you everything you’ve built… this episode is for you.

In this conversation, Sabrina Gebhardt shares what it actually looks like to build a business you can embody — not just teach. We talk about the long game of entrepreneurship, why rushing from “doing the thing” to “teaching the thing” rarely works, and how true authority is built through years of lived experience.

Sabrina opens up about something that made absolutely no sense on paper: intentionally setting down two significant (and easy) revenue streams in her business. She wa...

Do you ever feel like you’re waiting for the moment — the big opportunity, the big client, the big breakthrough — and telling yourself you’ll rise to the occasion when it gets here?

This episode is your reminder that most opportunities don’t come with prep time. They come fast. And if you haven’t been getting ready behind the scenes, you’ll feel it.

If Q1 flew by for you too, this is your nudge before Q2: don’t wait until it’s urgent.

🎙️ In This Episode:

If you’ve ever felt like your business slowly turned into something you never meant to build... this episode is for you. What starts as being helpful, flexible, and “open to anything” can quietly turn into burnout, resentment, and a business that no longer fits your life. And often, it’s not because you’re doing something wrong, it’s because you haven’t given yourself permission to niche down.

In this conversation, Francis Ledgewood shares what it really cost her to say yes to everything, and how learning to set boundaries changed not only her business, but her peace...

Do you ever wonder what people who have more successful businesses are doing? I know I always swipe through on carousels and listen to episodes like this, and often it's the same kind of things, like "they're consistent", "they charge their worth", kind of basic advice like that. This episode is not like that.

Instead, I have gathered 11 things that I genuinely see people doing who have multi-six and seven figure businesses, (and I know this BECAUSE I am behind the scenes in their business). I guarantee you haven't thought of or noticed some of these things...

Nine years in business is wild — and this week I’m celebrating my “business birthday” by sharing nine non-negotiables I’ve learned across nearly a decade of running my own business. Entrepreneurship truly is the craziest personal development journey there is lol.

Some of these are tactical (things I actually do).

Some are mindset (things I had to learn the hard way).

None of them came naturally, and I’ve slipped on all nine at different points, but they’ve shaped how I think, how I work, and are true non-negotiables for how I run my busin...

If you’ve ever gotten a little too excited about “workflows” and “automation” only to realize that something is still not clicking... this one’s for you. We talk about an overlooked, not-so-glam part of your CRM that can quietly change everything: the actual words your clients and leads are reading. Because it doesn’t matter how slick your setup is if your actual communication feels like an afterthought. 

If you’ve been dealing with people who hesitate, disappear after inquiring, or need a whole sales call just to figure out what happens next—this conversation will make you rethink wh...

Is it possible to hire a writer that doesn't use AI? 

Why do all marketers copy and past from ChatGPT when I could just do it myself?

These conversations and hot takes are driving me crazy over on threads  — like AI automatically equals slop and human-only equals quality. But the real conversation is much more nuanced than that.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what it actually means to hire a writer that doesn’t use AI in 2026 — including the cost, ROI, SEO impact (or lack thereof), and the assumptions business owners are making...

Quitting Instagram is often framed as dramatic, impulsive, or reckless — like you either delete the app overnight or you’re “doing business wrong.” But the real conversation is more nuanced than that.

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of why I quit Instagram after six years — not out of burnout or frustration alone, but after looking closely at my data, time investment, and actual return. We’re talking about what really happens when Instagram stops being a growth channel, how to tell if it’s still serving your business, and what needs to be in place befo...

In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how I approached my 2026 business goals after a big year of growth. From experimenting with AI for planning, to realizing what I don’t want my business to turn into, this conversation is more about intention than ambition (although let's be honest... there's plenty of ambition lol).

I’m not offering a perfect framework or a 10-step plan. Instead, I’m walking through the questions, trade-offs, and decisions shaping the way I’m moving into 2026 and why I’m choosing to build differently this year.

🎙...

Two years. Over a hundred conversations. Countless moments where I hit record not knowing what would come out on the other side and somehow, it all added up to this. Instead of doing a neat, polished recap or a predictable year-end episode, I wanted to do something more honest (and more fun). 

You’ll hear pieces from the very beginning, when everything was scrappier (and yet also, more scripted). There are moments I forgot I ever shared, lessons I didn’t realize I was still carrying, and ideas that feel even more relevant now than they did when...

SEO is often positioned as the obvious next step for business growth but the truth is, it’s not always the right investment right now.

In this episode, I’m sharing a very honest breakdown of when SEO doesn’t make sense, when you should wait, and when investing too early can actually slow you down instead of helping you grow. This isn’t anti-SEO (far from it). It’s about timing, resources, and making strategic decisions based on how your business actually works (not what the internet is shouting at you).

We’re also talking abou...

Blogging for SEO is often positioned as an all-or-nothing commitment — post every single week or don’t bother at all. But that advice leaves out something important: real life, real business seasons, and real capacity.

In this episode, I’m breaking down when batching blog posts can actually be a smarter, more strategic move than weekly publishing. We’re talking nuance, not absolutes — and how to build long-term visibility on Google without burning yourself out or abandoning blogging altogether.

This is the behind-the-scenes strategy conversation I’m having with clients who want SEO to work for them, ev...

In this episode, I’m answering your Ask Me ANYTHING questions with as much honesty, nuance, and context as possible — from whether AI-written blogs can truly rank, to how I manage my workload as a mom, to the biggest mistake I made in my first business. It truly is a mix of personal, behind-the-scenes things about how I run both of my businesses, plus a handful of strategy questions you were curious about.

🎙️ In This Episode:

Marketing your business without Instagram sounds impossible… until you see the real strategies successful business owners are using every day. While the online space can make it seem like Instagram is the place to grow, convert, and stay relevant, the truth is far more nuanced — and far more freeing.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on three very different businesses that thrive completely off Instagram. We’re talking real funnels, real marketing strategies, and real results… without the constant posting, burnout, or algorithm guessing game. These are the conversations that usually stay inside private client cal...

Podcasting looks simple from the outside, but once you’re actually doing it — especially as a business owner — there are so many hidden cons to starting (and having!) a podcast that no one warns you about. From confusing data to low listener engagement to the myth of effortless batching, running a podcast can feel like you’re constantly troubleshooting, adjusting, and deciding whether the effort is paying off.

In this episode, I’m walking you through the honest truth about podcasting that most people in the online space never talk about. After nearly two years and almost 100 episodes...

We all know the online marketing world can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re surrounded by complicated funnels, pressure to automate everything, and endless talk about “low-ticket ascension models.” If you’ve been craving simplicity or wondering what you’d do if you had to start your business from scratch, this episode is your permission slip to pare it all the way back.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact simple marketing funnel I’d use if I were rebuilding my business tomorrow — no bells, no whistles, no 57-email sequences. Just the foundational pieces that actually move the...

We all know that AI talk can feel both thrilling and slightly terrifying — and if you’re anything like me, you might’ve been firmly in the “Chrome forever” camp… until now. After spending the last week and a half inside ChatGPT’s new browser, I’m bringing you a true ChatGPT Atlas review — not hype, not theory, but exactly how I’ve been using it inside my real workflows as a business owner and creator.

In this episode, I'm walking you through eight specific use cases that saved me time, sparked ideas, or changed how I write and market onl...

We all know that watching YouTube can feel like both education and escapism — but lately, it’s also been a masterclass in marketing. After bingeing everything from home makeovers to productivity vlogs, I’ve realized that the best creators on YouTube are teaching small business owners something deeper: how to show up online with more confidence, personality, and longevity.

In this episode, I’m sharing eight lessons I’ve learned that you can apply to your own marketing even if you never post a single YouTube video. From letting your personality shine to building long-lasting assets that compound o...

We’ve all heard them: “Pinterest doesn’t work anymore.” “It’s only for recipes and DIY.” “You need to post 35 times a day to see results.” But what if those Pinterest myths are actually keeping your business from one of the most powerful organic traffic tools out there?

In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest misconceptions about Pinterest — and sharing what actually drives results in 2025. Whether you’re a coach, service provider, or e-commerce brand, Pinterest is still one of the best ways to drive long-term traffic, build brand authority, and turn cold audiences into loyal customers.

We’ve all heard it: “Facebook groups are dead.” But what if that’s the biggest missed opportunity in your marketing right now? In an era where algorithms change daily and connection feels harder than ever, community-driven marketing might just be your most reliable growth channel.

And btw - if you’re thinking, “I don’t want to be on Facebook,” this episode is still 100% for you. Because today’s conversation isn’t really about Facebook — it’s about how to build genuine relationships that turn into revenue, no matter where you show up online.

I’m joined by marketing...

We all know the cycle: pushing out daily Instagram posts, scrambling to keep up with the algorithm, and wondering if it’s even worth it. The highlight reels of “overnight” wins make it seem like short-form content is the only way to grow — but if that’s your only strategy heading into Q4, your future self is going to be exhausted.

In this episode, I’m sharing the marketing play that most entrepreneurs skip until it’s too late: building evergreen content systems. Whether it’s blogging, Pinterest, or other search-driven strategies, Q4 is the best time to plant seeds t...

We all see the highlight reels online — $100K launches from one post, “overnight” wins, and the myth that scaling is seamless. But the truth of running a business looks a lot different behind the scenes.

In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand-new quarterly series with my business BFF, Laura Milroy. Every few months, we’ll sit down to share what’s actually happening inside our businesses — the wins we’re celebrating, the pivots we’re making, and the uncomfortable conversations that come with growth.

In this first check-in, we talk about why taking a summer off wasn’...

We’ve all seen flashy testimonials that shout about $50K launches or $10K months. But most of us don’t have case studies like that—and honestly, even if we did, would they really convince someone that our offer is right for them? Probably not.

In this episode, sales content coach Jocelyn Montemarano breaks down why case studies are the most underutilized (and most powerful) sales tool in your business. She shares her signature “three types of case studies” framework, the Rent the Runway analogy that will completely shift how you think about client stories, and the simple sys...

It’s tempting, right? The promise of passive income: make money while you sleep, sell one course to hundreds, automate your way to freedom. But here’s the thing... chasing passive income too early is probably costing you thousands of dollars.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what really happens when you dive into passive offers before your business is ready. From the hidden costs of customer support to the constant cycle of starting and stopping, you’ll hear why services are often the smarter, more profitable path (especially in your first few years.)<...

It’s officially September, and that “back-to-business” urgency is real. But along with the fresh start can come a sneaky problem: time anxiety. You know that constant hum of I should be doing more, there’s never enough time, or why can’t I get it all done? Yep—that one.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest lessons I’ve learned from the book Time Anxiety and how I’m applying them in my own life. From decluttering your calendar to finally tackling those dreaded tasks, you’ll hear practical shifts to calm the overwhelm and start...

We’ve all heard it before—successful launches require complex funnels, endless emails, and hours on Zoom. But what if you could sell out your program with nothing more than your phone, a little green circle, and a handful of creative ideas?

In this episode, Instagram strategist Brittany Roberts takes us behind the scenes of her most successful (and simplest) launch to date—run entirely through Instagram Close Friends Stories. You’ll hear how she curated 250+ people into an exclusive list, delivered a 3-day teaching series from her couch, and sold out her group program without ever making i...

We’ve all been there—you head into summer with big marketing plans, only to look up in August and realize you ghosted your audience for months. Now Q4—the biggest sales season of the year—is around the corner, and panic starts to set in.

This episode is your practical, no-fluff guide to getting back in the game without burning out. Returning guest Tayler from Enji and I talk about how to restart your marketing after a long break, rewarm your audience, and set yourself up for Black Friday success—even if you’ve been MIA since June...