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Marketing Happy Hour Podcast

Marketing Happy Hour Podcast

Written by: Shelby McFarland
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About this listen

Join The Marketing Broker, Shelby McFarland, for the Marketing Happy Hour Podcast. With over 13 years of entrepreneurial experience and as the owner of a successful sign shop, Shelby brings a unique perspective to the world of marketing. Each episode, Shelby dives into insightful discussions, practical tips, and expert interviews designed to help entrepreneurs and marketers alike navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, branding, and business growth. Grab your favorite beverage and join us for a lively conversation at the intersection of creativity and strategy. Welcome to the Marketing Happy Hour Podcast with your host, Shelby McFarland. Cheers! 🥂

© 2026 Marketing Happy Hour Podcast
Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • How To Reach The Right People Online
    Feb 20 2026

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    Ever feel like the algorithm ignores your best work? Here’s the twist: the feed isn’t random—it’s consumer-first. We break down what that really means for small businesses and creators, and how to design content that actually reaches the people you want. Instead of chasing volume or praying for virality, we map audience segments and craft posts that match intent—education for learners, proof for skeptics, and empowerment for DIY marketers—so every piece has a job and a measurable outcome.

    We get specific about staying on brand while tailoring angles, then walk through real examples: educational explainers that clarify how a consumer-based algorithm curates feeds, proof-driven snapshots that show how focused SEO lifts qualified traffic and conversions, and empowerment content that pulls from our book to help self-starters take action. You’ll hear how we structure a weekly cadence that balances these threads, creating momentum without burning out on ideas or production.

    What if your best clients hate social? No problem. We share a practical distribution path that turns social posts into Google-friendly assets—blogs, FAQs, and case studies—so referrals can verify your expertise without logging into any platform. You’ll learn how to repurpose one core idea into multiple formats, from tight videos to long-form captions, and how to use simple feedback loops to see which segment is responding. By the end, you’ll have a clear, repeatable system to reach distinct audiences, respect their time, and help the algorithm do its job—connecting the right message to the right person.

    If this sparks a strategy shift for you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review. Then tell us: which segment will you build for first—education, proof, or empowerment?

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    8 mins
  • Building A Studio And Battling Imposter Syndrome
    Feb 13 2026

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    A lime green carpet shouldn’t be the reason you walk away from a dream. Shelby takes us inside the leap to open Little Rock Creative—a new photography studio and hybrid office built to raise the bar for content creators in west Little Rock—while celebrating ten years of The Marketing Broker and nearly fourteen years in entrepreneurship. This is a candid, behind-the-scenes look at why standards matter, how to spot the right space beneath the chaos, and what it really feels like to scale while the calendar is already full.

    We break down the practical choices behind building creator-friendly infrastructure: choosing a layout that speeds production, designing a front studio and back office that support hybrid teams, and setting up a space where headshots, branding shoots, and video content can actually flow. Shelby shares hard-won lessons from past side ventures that fizzled fast, and how a new approach—mapping costs, pacing decisions, and protecting flexibility—kept this move focused and sustainable.

    The emotional arc is real and relatable: excitement sparked the idea, anxiety followed close behind, and imposter syndrome tried to steal the mic. From sleepless nights to a day-one recording in the new studio, Shelby talks through the self-coaching that keeps momentum alive: acknowledge progress, honor standards, and let community support be fuel instead of pressure. If you’re a small business owner, marketer, photographer, or creative juggling risk and responsibility, you’ll find practical insight and a nudge to claim your wins out loud.

    If this story hits home, share it with a founder who needs a push. Subscribe for more honest marketing and entrepreneurship conversations, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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    9 mins
  • Visibility Blueprint For Small Businesses
    Feb 6 2026

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    Ice on the roads turned into clarity on the plan. After six days at home with my five‑year‑old and a full notebook, I’m sharing a practical visibility blueprint for small businesses that want more than likes—they want bookings. We start with the foundation most people skip: crisp clarity. If a stranger can’t describe what you do in one sentence, the algorithm won’t either. I walk through how to define your core service, name your ideal client, and trim the offers that drain your energy so you can do your best work and get better results.

    From there, we go hyperlocal. Big follower counts feel good, but buyers live down the street. I talk about becoming “famous where it counts” by showing up in your community, partnering with nearby businesses, and choosing quality over quantity when it comes to followers. You’ll hear simple co‑marketing moves—like tagging the local florist after a client gift—that build goodwill and referrals. Then we shift to your feed: how to create a scroll‑stopping presence with clean, on‑brand visuals, real photos, and a voice that matches the experience clients have when they work with you.

    Attention only matters if it turns into action, so we map the path from a post to a purchase. I break down one clear call to action per campaign, basic funnel setup, CRM tagging, and email follow‑ups that feel helpful, not pushy. You’ll get a simple workflow example that moves someone from a free webinar into a course or service without friction. Finally, we anchor everything in consistency. Visibility is a daily discipline, so I share how I plan content, keep stories alive, and refine the client journey while onboarding new clients—small systems that keep momentum even when life gets messy.

    If you’re ready to be seen, heard, and booked with straightforward steps you can apply this week, press play and take notes. If this helped, subscribe, share with a friend who runs a local business, and leave a quick review so more owners can find the show.

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    10 mins
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