Good Influence(r) Podcast

Chris Loves Julia: Behind the Posts

In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, Julia Marcum is joined by her other half in life and in business — her husband and the co-founder of Chris Loves Julia, Chris Marcum. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it’s really been like building an influencer career over the past 16 years.
 
From the chaos of a waterfall in their living room to the heartbreak of losing their cabin, Julia and Chris share the highs, lows, and hilarious in-betweens of life lived online. They chat about regrets (yes, they have a few), what it’s actually like creating content as a couple, and how they’ve learned to laugh, pivot, and keep going when things don’t go as planned.
 
Along the way, they open up about handling criticism, redefining success, and finding balance when your marriage and career are totally intertwined. It’s an honest, unfiltered look at the messy, magical ride of being influencers — with plenty of wisdom, humor, and heart.
 
Episode Breakdown: 00:00 A Waterfall in the Living Room 00:23 Welcome to the Good Influencer Podcast 00:35 Reflecting on 10 Years of Podcasting 01:51 Navigating Regrets and Vulnerability 04:48 Behind the Scenes of Content Creation 07:44 The Emotional Toll of Renovation Projects 21:33 Balancing Work and Personal Life 27:00 Balancing Work and Home Life 30:05 The Turning Point: Becoming Full-Time Influencers 36:20 Navigating the Challenges of Influencer Life 43:17 Celebrating Success and Overcoming Financial Struggles 49:37 Handling Criticism and Staying Positive 55:59 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Dear Influencers

In this solo episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, Becca McLeod dives into the biggest challenges influencers face when it comes to connecting with their audience and growing their following authentically. She discusses best practices for handling direct messages, comments, and overall engagement without becoming overwhelmed. Becca also critically evaluates common growth strategies like round robin giveaways and daily giveaway prompts, explaining why these may be considered as buying followers and not sustainable for long-term engagement. The discussion further explores the importance of stories in building and maintaining an engaged audience, the industry benchmarks for story views, and strategies to improve story engagement. The episode concludes with insights on how influencers can evaluate and improve their content to increase followers and maintain credible influence in their niche through consistent and authentic content creation.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:40 Engaging with Your Audience: Best Practices
02:50 The Truth About Giveaways and Buying Followers
07:17 Maximizing Story Views and Engagement
15:10 Creating Engaging Content and Market Research
21:39 Balancing Growth and Engagement
26:56 Building Credibility and Consistency
32:11 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Creating Sustainable Content

In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, hosted by Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod, the duo dives deep into the history and strategies of content planning that helped them overcome burnout and achieve sustainability. They share insights from their 2022 retreat where they decided to get two weeks ahead in content creation, aiming to alleviate stress and improve the quality of their work. The episode explores how they successfully managed this feat by organizing and repurposing past content, implementing a visual content calendar, and emphasizing the importance of consistency and planning. They discuss the challenges and adaptations required to maintain flexibility, especially in their niche of home renovation. The hosts end with practical advice on setting up a content calendar and leveraging existing content to create a sustainable and efficient workflow.
00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdote
00:39 Welcome to the Good Influencer Podcast
00:51 The Two Weeks Ahead Strategy
11:43 Challenges and Adjustments
16:16 Repurposing Content for Consistency
22:22 The Importance of a Content Calendar
25:54 Batch Shooting and Planning Ahead
31:10 Conclusion and Homework
31:38 Outro and Call to Action
 

AI Influencers

In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod discuss the evolving landscape of the influencer industry with the rise of AI models and content creation tools. They share their concerns about AI replacing real human connections, the ethical implications, and the legal battles some influencers are facing. They also explore how AI is being used to enhance content creation rather than replace human creativity, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and storytelling. Additionally, Julia and Becca touch on practical tips for using AI as a brainstorming tool and the necessity of having a personal website as an influencer.
Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.⁠https://good-influencer.com/subscription ⁠00:00 Introduction and Future Reflections
00:14 Welcome to the Good Influencer Podcast
00:25 AI in the Modeling Industry
01:33 AI and Influencer Licensing Issues
06:53 AI's Role in Content Creation
07:37 Legal and Ethical Considerations of AI
09:17 Using AI for Social Media Strategy
11:48 The Importance of Human Connection
15:07 AI in Blogging and Website Management
23:07 The Future of Influencer Content
26:49 Embracing AI in Content Creation
41:46 Homework and Final Thoughts

Who Wants to Grow on Social Media?

In this episode of the Good Influencer Podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod discuss the crucial role consistency plays in the growth of social media followings. Julia shares insights from her experience with her brand Chris Loves Julia, detailing the impact of their reduced posting frequency in Q2 and the resulting halt in growth. The conversation also touches on the balance between creating content for engagement versus growth, the pitfalls of rage-bait content, and strategies for maintaining and attracting followers. Additionally, the hosts offer practical advice for new influencers, emphasizing the importance of owning one's content creation journey, consistent posting, and the benefits of showing up in your content. They also highlight the evolving landscape of social media algorithms and search functionalities that can aid in growth. The episode concludes with homework for listeners: analyzing what elements made them follow their last 10 recent follows, to glean insights for their own content strategies.
The fashion girlie Julia mentioned today — obsessed 😍 →  ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelgwilson⁠
Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.⁠https://good-influencer.com/subscription ⁠
00:00 The Importance of Consistent Posting
00:30 Introduction to the Good Influencer Podcast
00:41 Quarterly Meeting Insights and Growth Challenges
04:11 Balancing Engagement and Growth
06:42 Avoiding Common Influencer Mistakes
09:17 Case Study: Hub's Life and Niche Content
13:01 Strategies for Overcoming Growth Slumps
16:33 The Evolution of Instagram and Growth Opportunities
21:45 Engaging Content and Consistency
24:05 The Role of Family and Friends in Influencer Success
28:12 Promoting Side Hustles and Overcoming Early Challenges
29:43 The Power of Showing Up in Your Content
37:54 Mastermind Insights and Homework
44:13 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

This is the Show

In this episode, Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod dive deep into the realities of life as a content creator within the fast-paced, ever-evolving influencer industry. Julia opens up about her recent trip to Italy, juggling ongoing home renovations, and the value of staying true to one’s voice through authentic storytelling.
The conversation covers essential topics for modern influencers, including the difference between documenting and “creating” content, coping with burnout, staying on top of content calendars, and navigating brand partnerships without losing creative freedom. Julia also explains why she and Chris have repeatedly turned down TV show offers — choosing independence and creative control over mainstream exposure.
Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.https://good-influencer.com/subscription
00:26 Vacation Stories and Renovation Updates
03:53 Audience Engagement and Personal Growth
08:21 Balancing Content Creation and Personal Life
15:58 The TV Show Dilemma
23:17 The Realities of Renovation Content
24:11 Setting Up Editorial and Sponsorship Rules
25:15 Embracing Real-Time Storytelling
26:34 The Power of Authentic Reactions
31:02 The Importance of Documenting Over Creating
40:31 Creating a Flexible Content Calendar
41:08 Detailed Content Planning
44:13 Conclusion and Next Steps

Calling All Micro-influencers

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, host Becca McLeod explores the dynamic world of influencer marketing with Victoria Bradley, brand manager at Chris Loves Julia. They discuss the value of knowing your niche, balancing personal storytelling with audience expectations, and fostering genuine brand relationships. The conversation offers practical tips on tagging, affiliate links, sponsorship negotiation, and leveraging user-generated content (UGC), while also addressing performance pressures and brand contracts. Throughout, the episode highlights the evolving landscape of influencer marketing and the importance of authenticity and integrity in content creation.
Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.https://good-influencer.com/subscription
 
00:00 Understanding Your Niche and Audience
00:32 Introduction to The Good Influencer Podcast
00:50 Meet Victoria Bradley: Brand Manager Insights
03:04 The Evolution of Influencer Marketing
06:18 Navigating Brand Collaborations and Sponsorships
09:18 Strategies for New Influencers
20:31 The Importance of Niching Down
24:14 Organic Brand Partnerships
25:13 Exclusivity and Brand Loyalty
26:38 Testing and Authenticity
28:49 Building Trust with a Small Following
30:29 Creating an Effective Media Kit
35:25 User-Generated Content (UGC)
41:14 Handling Underperforming Collaborations
47:12 Homework and Final Thoughts

Make Social Media Social Again

In this episode of the Good Influencer podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod delve into the intricate world of social media algorithms and the power influencers possess to shape their own success. They stress the importance of not viewing the algorithm as an insurmountable obstacle but as a reflection of user behavior that influencers can learn from and adapt to. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, they emphasize the necessity of critical analysis, staying ahead of trends, and maintaining creativity amidst the ebb and flow of engagement metrics. The discussion covers the value of acting as both a creator and user of social media, understanding the shifting behaviors of audiences, and the role of influencers in setting trends rather than merely responding to them. They encourage influencers to take initiative, embrace change, and find joy in the creative process to truly excel in the dynamic landscape of social media. 
 
Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.https://good-influencer.com/subscription
 
00:00 Introduction and Preface 
00:41 The Challenges of Being an Influencer 
01:29 Analyzing and Solving Issues 
05:18 Understanding and Shaping the Algorithm 
06:29 Adapting to Trends and User Behavior 
10:58 Creating Engaging Content 
15:22 Staying Ahead of the Algorithm
26:02 The Power of Audience and Creator Influence 
29:30 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 
36:26 Outro and Community Engagement

Unwritten Rules of the Industry

In this episode of The Good Influencer Podcast, Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod pull back the curtain on the unspoken rules of influencing—what to do, what not to do, and what they’ve learned the hard way. From filming at the gym to setting fair rates with brands, they dive into the everyday etiquette that comes with having a platform. They touch on topics like protecting your privacy, handling DMs with grace, and why originality still matters. It's a thoughtful, honest conversation about being a good digital neighbor in a space that’s constantly evolving.
Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.https://good-influencer.com/subscription00:00 – Introduction
00:41 – Welcome to the New Podcast Studio
04:27 – Respecting Privacy in Content Creation
06:36 – Influencer Pet Peeves and Etiquette
17:03 – The Ethics of Using Others’ Content
27:07 – Networking with Brands
35:07 – Concluding Thoughts and Homework

Being Brand Pleasing: Don't Say Dupe

Being Brand Pleasing: Don't Say DupeIn the season two premiere of The Good Influencer Podcast, hosts Julia Marcum and Becca McLeod discuss their new 20-question segment designed to reveal more about each other. Julia shares her dream collaborations, focusing on product design rather than specific brands. Becca tackles the question of whether anyone can be an influencer, emphasizing the hard work, dedication, and authenticity required. They share insights into the relationship between influencers and brands, detailing how to navigate sponsorship contracts and brand expectations. The episode concludes with advice on setting personal guidelines for organic content and sponsorship relationships.
Want to learn more about how to monetize your channels as an influencer? Join our Good Influencer subscription for access to our exclusive course library, and Influencer Mastermind forum. Listeners can get 30% off their monthly subscription by using the code: PODCAST.https://good-influencer.com/subscription
00:29 Season Two Special: 20 Questions Segment
01:04 Dream Collaborations and Product Design
02:57 Can Anyone Be an Influencer?
03:36 The Reality of Being an Influencer
04:39 Authenticity and Discipline in Influencing
05:20 Challenges and Misconceptions in Influencing
06:59 The Importance of Being Real
08:28 Sponsorships and Brand Relationships
09:13 The Daily Dupe Controversy
17:52 Adapting to Brand Expectations
25:50 Brand Safety and Influencer Guidelines
30:56 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser