In this episode, I chatted with Elyssa Bloom, the owner and CEO of Bloom Digital Creatives, a digital marketing and virtual assistant agency. During our chat Elyssa shared her journey of starting her business while 7 months pregnant with her second child (she even took her laptop to the delivery room!) and how she fell in love with social media marketing which is what led her to where she is today, a business owner with a team of 10.
We discussed the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and life, as well as the current and future trends in digital marketing. Alyssa also provides advice for those starting their own business and shares her daily habits for living her best life.
Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just dipping your toes into the digital marketing waters, this episode is full of tips to help you start or elevate your digital marketing game.
Learn more about Elyssa and Bloom Digital Creatives.
In this episode, I chatted with Elyssa Bloom, the owner and CEO of Bloom Digital Creatives, a digital marketing and virtual assistant agency. During our chat Elyssa shared her journey of starting her business while 7 months pregnant with her second child (she even took her laptop to the delivery room!) and how she fell in love with social media marketing which is what led her to where she is today, a business owner with a team of 10.
We discussed the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and life, as well as the current and future trends in digital marketing. Alyssa also provides advice for those starting their own business and shares her daily habits for living her best life.
Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just dipping your toes into the digital marketing waters, this episode is full of tips to help you start or elevate your digital marketing game.
Learn more about Elyssa and Bloom Digital Creatives.
Welcome back to the Savvy Scoop podcast, where we give you the full scoop on all things living your best life. So if that's your jam, you are in the right place. New episodes drop every Wednesday for you to enjoy, as always. I'm your host, shauna Gray. I'm a Healthy Habits and Accountability Coach for women looking to create simple habits and routines in their health and homes. If you're a fan of the show, I would so appreciate you rating, giving your review wherever you listen, and you can also watch the show on YouTube Maybe you already are and you could subscribe there too so you never miss an episode.
Speaker 1:
Okay, we have a special guest on today's show. We have Alyssa Bloom. She is the owner and CEO of Bloom Digital Creatives, a digital marketing and virtual assistant agency. She is a mom of two boys, a wife and living that Florida life which, as a Canadian, I am very jealous of right now because it is cold and rainy and snowy and just not pleasant. So very jealous of that Florida life. But in her precious spare time, she loves unwinding with a glass of wine and a good book. Okay, thank you so much for being here, alyssa. It's so nice to have you.
Speaker 2:
Thank you for having me. I'm very excited.
Speaker 1:
Let's start with how did you get here, what were you doing before Bloom Digital Creatives and what led you to start your business, shauna how much time do you have? As much time as you need, girl. This is. You know, we're not on time, constraints, oh my gosh Okay.
Speaker 2:
So I kind of got here by accident actually, which I love to tell the story because it's kind of ironic and funny how it happened, but I'm so glad it did. I was a preschool teacher and I was pregnant with my second son and I was like I can't afford to put two kids in school and have this teacher salary Plus. I wasn't like fully happy where I was, so it's like all right time for a change. I was seven months pregnant. I'm gonna start my own business right, because that's like the that's been.
Speaker 1:
Oh, you started it when you were pregnant. I sure did. Oh, good for you, Good for you.
Speaker 2:
I literally brought my laptop to the delivery room, but it was something else. Then I started a membership I lived in Miami at the time for local businesses and moms to connect, and what happened was that the local businesses were coming to me saying I love your social media, Can you do it for me? So I started doing their social media instead and fell in love with social media marketing, which led to email marketing and all the digital marketing things. I love it.
Speaker 1:
Okay, we have so many comments. Actually, I am also a former preschool teacher. I did that in my twenties, though, and I left, because I was like, if I'm ever gonna have children of my own, I can't do this anymore.
Speaker 2:
I loved it.
Speaker 1:
It was so, as I said, it was like the hardest yet most rewarding job ever. I really loved it, but also was like so tired. At the end of the day I was like, no, I will never have children if I stay in this industry. So for all the people that do I mean you are, you are, you know, the real MVP.
Speaker 1:
Because that is something really funny, because most people that I talked to on this podcast started their business sometime on like a maternity leave or after. So I also started my business after my second child, but I waited eight till she went to you know, preschool 18 months after I started while I was pregnant and bring myself to the delivery room. So that is like some next level, so good for you.
Speaker 1:
I mean, but talk about taking a chance on yourself Like thank you, you know that's absolutely amazing and you know I love that hustle so good. So then, obviously, you have two kids and you started your business while you're pregnant with your second kid. So what do you find is the most challenging part of balancing entrepreneurship and life, like, what keeps you? What keeps you in the entrepreneurship roller coaster?
Speaker 2:
Yeah, so first of all I used to think that, you know, we can do it all, women can do it all, moms can do it all. And then I realized, well, I mean, we can't, like no person can do all the things per like perfectly and balance it all. We need help. So, you know, I get help from where I lack. So whether it's, you know, hiring my team for business or when it's with my family, it's hiring a cleaning company to clean my house, so it takes a village and, as cliche as that may sound, it's the absolute truth and I give myself grace. I say, you know, sometimes things happen that you can't control and you have to give yourself grace and permission to not be perfect at everything and take a step back.
Speaker 1:
I think that is really hard for so many people to do, but I think it is the thing that keeps most of us in the entrepreneurship world, because it's so hard, but also being able to take a step back if you need to, or roll with the punches. That's definitely why I mean I love what I do, but some, you know, there are times when you're like, should I just go back and get a job Because? This is so hard, but having that flexibility and stuff is really that's the reason that keeps me.
Speaker 2:
every time I would say and I have to share that it took me a very long time to accept this, so it didn't just happen overnight. Oh yeah, at the beginning.
Speaker 1:
I was working I mean I'm sure you're the same at the beginning of my entrepreneurship journey. I mean I was working as many hours or more than I did in my job as I was then. So you know, it takes time to step back.
Speaker 2:
Yes, yes, exactly, put the boundaries in place for yourself.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, Okay. So how many do you have on your team now?
Speaker 2:
10.
Speaker 1:
And I'm hiring one more 10. I saw that.
Speaker 2:
Everyone's part time, so you know it's very flexible. They can work when they want. But I'm so thankful for all of them.
Speaker 1:
But I mean that's a really big team, that's a big team to manage. So I mean good for you.
Speaker 2:
Thank you, that's amazing, thank you.
Speaker 1:
Okay, so you're up to date on all the digital marketing trends, since this is your agency, so I would love your take on what's in and what's out for digital marketing in 2024.
Speaker 2:
So I'll share that, my personal jam and how I got started with social media marketing. So that's where my personal main focus is. So trends for social media for 2024, I'd say is long term we're gonna see a lot of long form video. Long form video okay, I do. I think so. Yep, I think it's gonna be a mix, and I was actually just talking to a new client the other day about this. She was asking should I do reels or should I talk to the camera? And I told her to do both and each account is different. So you gotta see what works for you and what your audience wants. So once you nail that down, you can give them that content. But then once you know that down, I'm sure Instagram's gonna change things up on you Obviously.
Speaker 1:
I mean obviously they wouldn't be Instagram if they didn't.
Speaker 2:
So they'll throw something else at you to. You know, spice it up, gotta love it.
Speaker 1:
In terms of long term video do you think you're seeing that on Instagram or you're seeing it like YouTube or across like the various platforms?
Speaker 2:
So I think, both I think, like even you, for example, I think you'll be able to take your YouTube videos and flip it vertical and use it for Instagram and Facebook, linkedin. And even we don't do Pinterest, so I'm not an expert there, but you probably no, me neither. I don't understand.
Speaker 1:
I know Pinterest everyone's like now that I'm starting to blog again. I mean I'm starting, I mean I'm gonna put up my first one, like next week, but everyone's saying that if you're to have a blog you have to figure out Pinterest. I'm like, okay, I do have a Pinterest course collecting dust that I know would probably still be Me too valid enough that I could get a start with it.
Speaker 2:
So anyway, we'll get into that stuff later.
Speaker 1:
But anyways, okay, so long form video good. Okay, what else? I think so.
Speaker 2:
I think so and, of course, like adding the closed captioning to all the videos, yeah, I have to do that. Then, for other digital marketing platforms, like your website and SEO, I think we're gonna see an uptick with using AI and privacy and safety. So this is tricky for me because I do have someone on my team who is the SEO and website expert, so I don't wanna put words in his mouth. But things we've been talking about is people are gonna start implementing AI and I think Google's going to try to support that, but I don't see how successful that's going to be, to tell you the truth Okay.
Speaker 2:
So I'm very, very curious to see how that all pans out, and I do like AI, but I think it all needs to be edited, kind of have to use it and play around with it. Yeah, I find the.
Speaker 1:
AI helpful for coming up with titles and show notes for my podcast, but I absolutely cannot take what they've done and put it in Like it's just, it's good, it gives me a good base and then I completely change it Like you wouldn't even probably know it was the same thing. But it does give me a good like, it gives a good spark.
Speaker 1:
But no, I would sound just so not like myself if I used and I know you can customize it, but anyways, they're just taking my podcast episode and regurgitating some stuff to make the show notes. You know what I mean. So it is helpful for, like you know, cutting down on time, but certainly I'm not using it word for word.
Speaker 2:
So Exactly yeah, and then for email marketing, I think again. Safety we're gonna see more safety precautions there and privacy.
Speaker 1:
But with that said Well there's that whole thing right now with as of February 1st, right Isn't it that, like Yahoo and Gmail, were cracking down on some email stuff?
Speaker 2:
Mm-hmm, yeah, and then they came out. Gmail came up with verification also, like how you can get verified on Instagram. You can do that on Gmail, but pay for it, you know.
Speaker 1:
Oh really, oh wow.
Speaker 2:
Okay, which is really interesting, because you know how, like your emails go to spam, Mm-hmm. Like I mean the general you apparently, if you have the verification, they're gonna stop that and that the blue check mark is gonna give you. You know it's gonna make you look better, but you have to pay for it, so I'm curious how that pans out as well.
Speaker 1:
I'm interested in that I have to. This week is my week to, because, as of recording, it's February or not. February it's January 24th, so this week is my week to like get my stuff sorted out so all my flow desk emails don't go to spam. So I just got the notification today it'd be like it's almost February 1st Make sure you have your whatever your records all done. So anyways, hopefully people are listening to that because their email marketing is so can be so effective if it lands in people's inboxes.
Speaker 2:
So Right, right, that's the trick there. Yeah, but I think keep it simple, like you don't have to jazz up the emails with graphics. It doesn't have to be a newsletter, I think. Write a little love letter to your subscribers and that's that. Yeah.
Speaker 1:
I have found that since I went away I started doing a weekly email and made it very just like whatever is on my brain that week sending it and I get at least one reply to every email.
Speaker 1:
So I was like okay, so this is, it's working, it's you know, it's you know, having an effect obviously. So I'm getting a response. So, yeah, I definitely think that even when, with the emails that I read, if I'm finding that the constant like memes or Giffy's or whatever that are in there, I'm like okay, we've done this. I think Like I'm just a plain simple email and I'm like more likely to read it, Agreed agreed.
Speaker 2:
People are so overwhelmed with content these days emails, social media, everything, Google. Keep it simple, it's better for you too.
Speaker 1:
Yes, it takes like I mean honestly, it takes me like 10, 15 minutes to write my email and then okay, well, that's my thought for the week. But yeah, I agree, the more you can keep it simple, because then you can be more consistent with it right, and really having a half decent email that is consistent is better than writing like the world's greatest email once every six months, you know.
Speaker 2:
So I love that.
Speaker 1:
Yes, okay. So if someone was just getting their business going or they've been going for a bit but they have done like no marketing where would you recommend that they start?
Speaker 2:
That's a great question. My instinct and like my first reaction to tell you is social media, because that's what I love, but honestly it depends on what the business is. So for some business owners it might be SEO, especially brick and mortar businesses to be able to be found on Google most likely is where they need to focus. Actually, I can share. My husband is starting his own. He's a physical therapist. He's opening his own clinic on February 1st.
Speaker 1:
I saw that.
Speaker 2:
It's very exciting. Yeah, thanks for seeing it. So, as his full on digital marketing person, I was like, okay, where are we going to start, kind of, are doing all the things at once. So we started on social media, but in the meantime he's working. He's working with our website team and gonna get that started, but that's not gonna be able to launch until March. So that's why it's good to have a little bit and obviously, if you're starting a new business, you're not gonna be able to do everything at once, but it's good to talk to a strategist or someone who can guide you in the right direction. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, because I mean, like that's, there's only so many funds when you're starting.
Speaker 2:
At least I mean social media social media.
Speaker 1:
you could start for free. Exactly, yeah, and I think you know, I think I mean both of us would probably say go to Instagram first, but I think probably better to find out where your audience hangs out and start there Like how would they find you? Yeah, I know, I always just want to say Instagram, there's more, there's more, there's more platforms. There are other platforms that are good, you know, and some people make their business completely on, like LinkedIn.
Speaker 1:
you know, so you just have to, depending on your business, figure out where your people are hanging out. But I don't know I think part of it is where you like to spend time too, so there's a happy medium in there, probably.
Speaker 2:
That's so true. That's so true because if you're not happy, you're not gonna put in your best effort to use the medium. So, yeah, it has to make you happy as well.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, see, social media can make you happy. It really can. Some people wouldn't say so, but I think it can.
Speaker 2:
There's people like us.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, exactly To end, there's a few quick answer questions that I always like to ask each guest. So what's one thing you do every day, or most days, that help you live your best life?
Speaker 2:
Make all the beds I feel so good about that. Oh really.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, no one else has said that.
Speaker 2:
It really helps their mindset, I make all the beds too.
Speaker 1:
They have to be made. It just feels like someone. What it Mel Robbins says, it's like a gift you're giving to your nighttime self to come in to your room and see a beautifully made bed that you can get back into, so I love that no one's given that answer, so that's a fun one. And what's the best advice you've ever been given, or advice you would give to your younger self?
Speaker 2:
It's okay to say no. So when I started off as a business owner, I never said no to anyone. I never turned down a client, I took everyone and I found myself failing so. I would tell my younger self or someone starting out that it's okay to say no.
Speaker 1:
Oh, I love that. It's true, though at the beginning you're just like oh my god, you want me. Okay, you can have me, you can have me. Anyone who wants me can have me. Exactly, okay, and then what is your favorite quote?
Speaker 2:
Oh, quality over quantity. I know that's so simple, but that pertains to so many aspects, like everywhere, quality friends over quantity friends, quality content over quantity content, quality food over quantity. I love that. That's true. That's true, it is in so many areas.
Speaker 1:
I love that. No one said that one either, so Give it some good new answers, love it. Okay. Well, thank you so much for being here. So much fun to chat. How can people work with you right now? Where can they find you? I'll have the links in the show notes, but give us the scoop, great.
Speaker 2:
So we are available for content creation, social media management, seo and WordPress and virtual assistant services. My website is bloom digital creativescom and on Instagram and some of my bloom digital creatives, because we know that's where you're hanging out, yeah.
Speaker 1:
But, full service marketing agency love that. So you can just come to you, get it all going, and that's also really helpful than trying to jump around and find different people.
Speaker 2:
So Think of us as your in-house digital marketing agency. Yes, love that.
Speaker 1:
Well, thank you again so much for being here, thank you to everyone who listed and we'll see you again soon.