Stop the Scroll: A social Media podcast with Heidi Schmidt - Social Media and Content Marketing Advice for small business own - Details, episodes & analysis
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Stop the Scroll: A social Media podcast with Heidi Schmidt - Social Media and Content Marketing Advice for small business own
What’s the best type of content to post on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn?
How frequently do I post on social media and how do I even know if what I’m doing is working?
Welcome to "Stop The Scroll” a podcast dedicated to helping business owners, entrepreneurs and creatives thrive online.
Hosted by Heidi Schmidt, a social media strategist and owner of Heidi Schmidt Creative, a social media and content marketing agency.
Heidi shares all the best tips to help you show up online confidently with tips such as what really goes into a content strategy and how to stop overthinking your content.
Heidi’s strategies have helped her and her clients build six-figure businesses over her 15-plus years in the marketing industry, working with brands of all sizes to accomplish their business goals online. Ready to thrive? Tune in!
This podcast will answer questions like
What are the pros and cons of social media in business?
How do I start social media marketing?
What are essential strategies for Effective Social Media Marketing
What are some Top Social Media Trends to Shape Your Strategy
What are social listening tools and how do I use them to understand my audience?
Exploring the Advantages of Social Media for Businesses
How can you Leverage the Many Benefits of Social Media for Business Growth
Storytelling Techniques That Captivate Social Media Users
The Art of Storytelling in Marketing
Creative Social Media Content Ideas to Refresh Your Feed
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Instagram Reels Made Easy: Easy Video Ideas You Can Batch Today
Episode 81
Monday, October 27, 2025 • Duration 26:49
If you’ve got 10 seconds, you’ve got a clip: the door opening, a notebook flip, keys on the desk, a client thank-you email.
String a few together, add a “how I” voiceover or a strong on-screen hook, and you’ve got a reel…without blocking your calendar or your creativity.
In this podcast episode, If you’ve been overthinking reels, try this: film life as it’s happening—eight 3–5 second clips—and tell one specific story. That’s it. In this episode, I break down five easy reels you can batch in about half an hour, why your audience wants authenticity over perfection, and how to track success beyond views (hint: watch time, saves, shares). We’ll ditch the “faceless” trend, lean into you on camera, and make consistency feel doable today.
Episode Highlights:
Why consistency beats virality: aim for steady, repeatable reels rather than chasing a one-off 10K view spike.
Why we need to ditch “faceless marketing”: connection happens when your audience sees and hears you—use B-roll with your voice/story.
How to lead with “how I,” not “how to” to position yourself as the expert by telling short, specific mini-stories.
Make a shot list: 3–5 second clips from your day (desk setup, coffee pour, walking into a meeting, closing the laptop) are more than enough to tell a story.
Batch in micro-bursts: keep an idea bank, capture 8–10 quick moments tomorrow, assemble the edits the next day.
Always add captions: accessibility matters, and most people watch with sound off—especially on LinkedIn.
Track what matters: watch time (aim 50–70%), saves, shares, profile views, DMs, and site clicks > raw views
Subscribe, leave a review, and share Stop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing.
The Toxic Social Media Habit Crushing Your Confidence (& Your Strategy) (Fan Favorite!)
Episode 80
Monday, October 20, 2025 • Duration 20:22
If checking your follower count is the first thing you do when you open Instagram… we need to talk.
Obsessing over followers and unfollows isn’t “staying on top of your metrics”, it’s a toxic habit that triggers anxiety, imposter syndrome, emotional exhaustion, and desperate content. Even worse? It pulls your focus away from the metrics that actually grow your business.
In this episode, I’m sharing why your follower count is not a true indicator of success, how this habit quietly sabotages your strategy, and what you should track instead to build real momentum online. Because when you focus on nurturing your current audience and creating valuable content, everything changes.
Episode Highlights:
Why tracking unfollows destroys your confidence and creativity
The psychological toll of “vanity metrics” (and why they keep you stuck)
Real client examples that prove follower count does not equal success
The metrics that actually show if your content is working
How to create engagement-driven content your audience actually wants
Simple mindset shifts to protect your energy and stay consistent
Subscribe, leave a review, and share Stop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing. Your reviews help us reach more creators like you!
Q3 Social Media Updates That You Need to Know
Episode 79
Monday, October 13, 2025 • Duration 22:40
If it feels like the rules of social media change the moment you find your groove, you’re not wrong. Social media is ALWAYS changing.
In this Quarterly Updates episode, I’m pulling together what actually shifted on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn, what it means for small businesses, and translating those changes into simple actions you can try this week.
No panic, just perspective and a reminder to keep your strategy diversified so your content keeps connecting wherever your audience chooses to hang out.
Episode Highlights:
What changes are happening in Meta (especially important if you utilize shops or ecommerce!)
Why we need to optimize for watch-through, and lean into credible, conversational content on Instagram.
Changes in Short-Form Video on LinkedIn.
Why every brand should diversify platforms and measure what works.
Subscribe, leave a review, and share Stop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing.
Why Business Owners Need a Creator Mindset When Showing Up on Social Media
Episode 78
Monday, October 6, 2025 • Duration 20:37
Are you treating social media like another task on your to-do list? Do you treat it as a tool to genuinely connect with your audience? For many small business owners, the difference between feeling overwhelmed and seizing an opportunity comes down to one thing: mindset.
This week, I’m exploring what it means to adopt a creator mindset in your marketing. This shift isn’t about becoming an influencer or oversharing. It’s about weaving in stories, values, and moments of connection so your audience feels seen and understood. When you bring the personal into the professional, you create content that resonates….and ultimately, converts which is what we all want, right?
If you’ve ever struggled with making your content feel authentic (without oversharing), this conversation will give you the perspective and practical tips you need to humanize your brand and show up online with confidence.
Episode Highlights:
Why the traditional “check the box” approach to social media doesn’t work
What it means to adopt a creator mindset (and why it’s not about being an influencer)
How storytelling builds stronger audience connections than endless “how-to” content
Why authenticity and relatability matter more than perfection in your content
Why treating social media as a creative sandbox helps you experiment, play, and grow
Subscribe, leave a review, and share Stop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing.
Ever feel like your Instagram content deserves way more views than it gets? The truth is, it might not be your content at all…it’s your hook(s). Without a scroll-stopping first impression, even your most valuable posts will get ignored.
In this episode of Stop the Scroll, we’re breaking down the three types of hooks —visual, verbal, and caption —and why they’re key to grabbing attention and keeping your audience engaged. We’ll talk about why vague hooks fall flat, how storytelling creates stronger connections, and what you can do to make your content irresistible in those first three seconds.
If you’ve been frustrated by Reels that flop or captions that no one clicks “…more” to read, this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with practical strategies (and plenty of examples) to turn your hooks into powerful tools for growth and connection.
Episode Highlights:
What a hook is and why it’s the most important part of your content
The three types of hooks: visual, verbal, and caption—and how to use them effectively
Why generic, vague hooks don’t stop the scroll (and what to do instead)
How storytelling hooks build connection and keep people watching
Real examples of strong vs. weak hooks you can apply today
Why captions matter for engagement signals (like “…more” clicks)
Q4 Marketing Strategy: Small Business Holiday Marketing Planning Tips
Episode 76
Monday, September 22, 2025 • Duration 15:52
Scrambling to pull together holiday promotions at the last minute? Let’s fix that.
Marketing during this time of year can feel incredibly overwhelming, but with the right plan in place, it can also be your most profitable season.
In this episode of Stop the Scroll, we’re walking you through a practical approach to small business marketing strategy for the final 90 days of the year. From tying your revenue goals directly to your marketing goals to breaking down a tactical plan that balances visibility, conversions, and client nurturing, you’ll learn how to simplify your efforts while still hitting big results.
We’re also discussing how service providers can capitalize on this season to attract clients looking ahead to 2026. With insights on holiday promotions, email marketing, social media content pillars, and key metrics to track, you’ll walk away with the tools to finish the year strong and enter the new year with clarity and momentum.
Episode Highlights:
Why Q4 planning looks different from other quarters—and how holiday noise impacts your strategy
How to tie your marketing goals directly to your business revenue goals
The most important metrics to track (open rates, click-throughs, conversions) and how to pivot when something isn’t working
How to leverage Q4 as a service provider (not just retail!) to attract clients looking ahead to 2026
Subscribe, leave a review, and share Stop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing. Your reviews help us reach more business owners like you!
I Tried 30 Days of Reels and Here’s What Really Happened
Episode 75
Monday, September 15, 2025 • Duration 16:47
What really happens when you commit to 30 days of Reels?
I tested it for myself, and while I didn’t hit all 30, I still walked away with higher reach, more engagement, and some surprising takeaways about what actually works on Instagram.
In this episode of Stop the Scroll, I’m talking about my 30-day Reels experiment – from what I posted, what the analytics showed, and the lessons I’ll carry into my strategy moving forward. From the boost in non-follower reach to the power of repurposing and reposting, I’m sharing the wins, the struggles, and the real numbers you can learn from.
If you’ve ever wondered whether posting daily is worth it, or if you’ve struggled to balance consistency with strategy, you’ll walk away with practical insights to help you set realistic benchmarks and create content that fits your business (and your bandwidth).
Episode Highlights:
The results of Heidi’s 30-day Reels challenge (and where she fell short)
How Instagram’s recap features and insights can help shape your content strategy
Why consistency matters more than going viral—and how to set your own benchmarks
The role batching, repurposing, and reposting play in staying consistent
Lessons on balancing strategy with sustainability in your marketing
Why clarity in your message matters more than how often you post
How to Identify Your Ideal Audience (and Why Broad Answers Don’t Work)
Episode 74
Monday, September 8, 2025 • Duration 19:37
If your answer to “Who’s your audience?” is something broad like “women” or “business owners,” it’s time to dig deeper. If you’re marketing to everyone generally, you’re really marketing to no one.
In this episode of Stop the Scroll, we’re breaking down the questions you need to ask yourself to get clear on who you really serve; and how that clarity can transform your content, messaging, and offers.
Clarity isn’t limiting…it’s empowering. The more specific you are about your audience, the easier it is to attract the right clients and create content that resonates. This episode is part guided exercise, part tough love, and 100% designed to help you stop throwing spaghetti at the wall and start marketing with purpose.
Episode Highlights:
Why broad categories don’t cut it (and what to do instead)
The essential demographics you need to define your audience
How to uncover your audience’s mindset, values, and motivations
The importance of pain points, desires, and goals in shaping your message
How to identify buying behaviors and habits that drive your strategy
Why knowing your differentiator helps you stand out in a crowded market
Resources & Mentions:
Why Authenticity Beats Perfection in Marketing (and How to Finally Post Without Overthinking)
Episode 73
Monday, September 1, 2025 • Duration 20:52
What’s really holding you back from showing up online? For most business owners, it isn’t lack of strategy—it’s mindset.
In this episode of Stop the Scroll, we’re getting real about the fear of rejection, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to “look perfect” that keeps so many of us from sharing our stories.
We’re talking about how authenticity and resilience go hand-in-hand, and why letting go of perfection is the key to connection. If you’ve ever hesitated to hit “post,” this episode will give you both encouragement and practical strategies to get out of your head and into action.
Episode Highlights:
Why authenticity builds trust—and why that matters more than polished perfection
How to overcome fear of rejection, trolls, and overthinking
Simple practices to boost resilience and confidence online
Why remembering your why makes it easier to show up consistently
Practical tips to create and post content—even when self-doubt creeps in
What Instagram’s Latest Updates Mean for Your Marketing Strategy
Episode 72
Monday, August 25, 2025 • Duration 18:44
Instagram just dropped a wave of new updates, and if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed (or wondering which ones are actually worth your time), this episode is for you.
From three-minute Reels to reposting, new editing tools, location tracking (yikes), and DM upgrades, you’ll walk away knowing exactly which features to test, which to skip, and how to use them strategically without burning out.
As always, we’re breaking down what’s new, how it impacts your reach and engagement, and sharing our personal take on where these updates really fit into a smart business marketing plan.
Episode Highlights:
The biggest changes Instagram just rolled out (and what they mean for creators & businesses)
Why longer Reels can be a game changer for tutorials, transformations, and storytelling
How to use the Repost feature to boost credibility and collaborate authentically
The pros and cons of Instagram’s new location sharing—and why Heidi turned it off
A quick-start checklist for testing new features without derailing your content strategy
DM upgrades you should be using right now to stay connected with leads and clients
Subscribe, leave a review, and share Stop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing. Your reviews help us reach more creators like you!
Subscribe, leave a review, and shareStop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing. Your reviews help us reach more creators like you!
Subscribe, leave a review, and shareStop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing. Your reviews help us reach more creators like you!
Subscribe, leave a review, and share Stop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing. Your reviews help us reach more creators like you!
Subscribe, leave a review, and share Stop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing. Your reviews help us reach more creators like you!
Subscribe, leave a review, and share Stop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing. Your reviews help us reach more creators like you!
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