Dishing Up Digital with Ellen Mackenzie

Exposing the income streams that made me $270K while working LESS

Transparent, juicy, and zero gatekeeping—today I’m breaking down exactly how I made $270,000 NZD in 2025 across my digital products, brand sponsorships, client work, and more. But here’s the twist: I made the same amount as last year… working way less and loving my business more than ever.This isn’t just a numbers episode—it’s the real story behind the pivots, risks, burnout, boundaries, and breakthroughs that shaped my most aligned (and surprising!) business year yet.If you’re a freelancer, service provider, or digital creator wanting to build a freedom-first business without sacrificing income—this episode is your permission slip AND your game plan. Let’s get into the data, the decisions, and the energetic shifts that changed everything.⏰ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — Welcome to the 2025 Income Report1:28 — Total Income Breakdown (What I Made & From Where)2:55 — Digital Product Revenue Breakdown4:30 — Quarter 1: Burnout, Reset & Big Decisions10:20 — Quarter 2: Buying Out YouTube, New Coach & Engagement Bubble13:12 — Sponsor: How I Use Rella to Run My Business14:15 — Quarter 3: Brand Collabs, Mastermind Creation & Summit Results18:10 — Quarter 4: Momentum, Compounding Revenue & Consistency23:20 — Mackenzie Studios: Second Business25:45 — Final Reflections, CEO Lessons & 2026 Energy💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the PodcastUse code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:👉 https://getrella.com/?via=ellenxxEllen________________________________________________________________🔗 //LINKS (ad affiliates) //Mic: https://geni.us/3qtsXCamera: https://geni.us/iPjpAtLens: https://geni.us/kNkJOxDress: https://rstyle.me/+jOdmDDuWyL-hylcLLb9FIw Earrings: https://rstyle.me/+3e4HcgMGP5DHH8KWuA1eRg 💻 // WORK WITH ELLEN // 
Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-SchoolJoin the high level mastermind: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/the-lfg-mastermind SMM template bundle: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZdBuy Ellen’s book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 // SOCIAL MEDIA //
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//
How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com

Best Carousel Content Ideas for Instagram Growth in 2026 📈🚀📲

If you want to go viral in 2026, you need to stop creating carousels like it’s 2021. That basic Canva infographic? Not cutting it.Instead, you need bold, opinionated, story-led content that cuts through the scroll and converts eyeballs into followers, buyers, and fans.In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 viral carousel types dominating my feed, my metrics, and my business right now—with real examples, the psychology behind why they work, and how you can start posting them today.Whether you're building a personal brand or scaling a service-based biz, this is your go-to strategy guide for carousels that actually move the needle in 2026.🎯 What you’ll learn:• Why your carousels aren’t converting—and how to fix it• The 3 scroll-stopping formats you should post every month• Hooks, CTAs, and messaging tweaks that build trust + drive clicks• Behind-the-scenes of my own viral posts (and how you can remix them)Posts referenced:https://www.instagram.com/p/DNWHaHyyA-M/?img_index=1https://www.instagram.com/p/DMbJBUczycg/?img_index=1https://www.instagram.com/p/DLqJxyGTTj6/?img_index=1https://www.instagram.com/p/DNrCKNq5tRJ/?img_index=1✨ Steal my templates:Want my exact carousel layouts, design formulas, and CTA slides?Grab the SMM Template Bundle—now updated with top-performing posts from 2025:👉 https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd?coupon_code=DISHINGUPComment below and let me know: Which carousel type are you posting first?xx Ellen💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the PodcastUse code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:👉 https://getrella.com/?via=ellen___________________________________________________________💻 //LINKS// 💻Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-SchoolBuy Ellen’s book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenzieeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com

5 Marketing Lessons From Kim Kardashian’s All's Fair 👀 | Viral Content Strategy Case Study 📝

If you want a masterclass in modern marketing... stop looking at other creators and start looking at Kim Kardashian and Ryan Murphy.All Is Fair just had the biggest debut on Hulu ever, and whether you love the show or hate it... the marketing is undeniable. Today I’m breaking down the 5 strategies behind their viral success – and how YOU can use them to scale your content, your creative business, and your next launch.This episode is basically a crossover of my two lives: my past career as a TV writer, and my current one as a marketer. And trust me... these lessons are gold.We’re talking:✨ Polarization as a strategy (yes, you WANT some people to hate your content)✨ Why BTS content is your secret connection builder✨ The “weekly rollout machine” that keeps viewers coming back✨ The power of collaboration + star stacking✨ How Ryan Murphy’s signature style can inspire YOUR brand identityIf you want to treat your business like a Hollywood blockbuster in 2025 and beyond... this one’s for you.xxEllen💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the PodcastUse code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:👉 https://getrella.com/?via=ellen___________________________________________________________⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 – The All Is Fair launch: why the marketing deserves a case study1:30 – Lesson 1: Why your marketing should not resonate with everyone5:00 – Lesson 2: Consistency is the engine behind conversion8:40 – Lesson 3: Behind-the-scenes content builds buy-in12:10 – Lesson 4: Collaboration multiplies visibility14:30 – Lesson 5: Lean into your signature style📣 Mentioned:Youtube video on how to make aesthetic content: https://youtu.be/14OKJurBC1Q💻 //LINKS// 💻Join the Dishing Up Digital School:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-SchoolMy Social CEO Toolbox (including my custom GPT The Content Coach):https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/xi9FTZ22?coupon_code=YOUTUBEThe ultimate template bundle for social media managers:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZdBuy Ellen’s book:https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenzieeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries:team@dishingupdigital.com

My Exact Strategy to Scale with ChatGPTt & AI in 2026 📲 (it gets to be easy)

Are you scared AI is going to replace you as a service provider? I get it—but here's the truth: AI isn't your competition, it's your co-creator. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how I use AI in my business (without losing my human touch), how it’s helped me grow faster, create better content, and work fewer hours.We’re ditching the fear-mongering and talking real strategies for service providers, social media managers, and content creators to thrive in the age of AI.Plus, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how I’ve integrated AI into my content workflows, trained my own custom GPTs, and how YOU can do the same—starting today.💕 Thank you to Rella for sponsoring the podcast! You can use the code ELLEN to get 10% off your subscription:👉 https://getrella.com/?via=ellenTimestamps:0:00 — AI isn’t your enemy—it’s your advantage0:47 — The mindset shift that changed everything2:05 — What “AI as a co-creator” actually looks like4:53 — Why AI is a burnout cure for content creators6:36 — My weekly content workflows + Rella shoutout7:46 — Strategic AI: How I use ChatGPT for market research9:00 — Custom GPTs: The underrated content secret10:24 — AI tools you didn’t know you needed11:46 — Integrating AI into your workflow without overwhelm13:23 — Let’s ditch the AI fear-mongering once and for allxx Ellen________________________________________________________💻 //LINKS// 💻Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-SchoolMy Social CEO Toolbox (including my custom gpt The Content Coach): https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/xi9FTZ22?coupon_code=YOUTUBEThe ultimate template bundle for social media managers:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZdBuy Ellen’s book:https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenzieeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business:https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com

How to Create a Social Media Manager Portfolio (NO experience) 👩‍💻 Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Want to land your first social media manager client but feel stuck because you have no experience and no portfolio?In this video, I’m breaking down exactly how to build a high-converting portfolio from scratch - even if you’ve never had a paying client. Whether you’re a beginner SMM, content creator pivoting to services, or just want to book clients faster, this is your step-by-step roadmap.I’m also sharing my best-kept secret: my SMM Template Bundle (50% off this week only for Black Friday!) includes a done-for-you portfolio template to help you get set up in hours, not days.🎁 Grab it here: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd/checkout?coupon_code=BF50💕 Thank you to Rella for sponsoring the podcast! You can use the code ELLEN to get 10% off your subscription: https://getrella.com/?via=ellenxxEllen🕒 Timestamps:0:00 Why and When You Need a SMM Portfolio?0:44 The Portfolio Myth Holding You Back0:55 Portfolio Step 1 — What to Include1:46 Portfolio Step 2 — Visual Examples Without Experience5:37 Portfolio Step 3 — How to Build With No Clients9:58 Portfolio Step 4 — Ways to Get Experience Fast13:41 Final Tips to Make Your Portfolio Stand Out15:18 Get My Portfolio Template!📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee⁠👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: ⁠https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/⁠📧 Sponsorship enquiries: ⁠team@dishingupdigital.com⁠