Not Your Average Online Marketing Podcast

097. Creating Organic Content For Instagram That Connects with Kimberly Espinel

Hey there not-so-average marketers! I'm bringing you something special today - a guest interview that I'm genuinely excited about. You know I don't bring guests on very often, but when I do, they have to bring serious value.Meet Kimberly Espinel, a London-based food photographer, Instagram expert, and author of two books including her latest "How to Make Your Food Famous." Now, you might be thinking "Zach, I don't sell food or do photography" - but here's the thing: some of the best marketing insights come from studying adjacent industries.In this episode, Kimberly shares data-driven strategies from interviewing 40+ content creators who have 100k+ followers (many with over a million). This isn't the watered-down Instagram advice you see everywhere - this is deep, strategic insight into what actually works.What we dive into:How often you really need to post for growth (spoiler: it's not daily)The real stats that matter for organic growth beyond likes and viewsWhy your first 3 seconds are make-or-break for any content pieceHow to analyze your top-performing content and actually replicate itThe difference between content that grows followers vs. content that nurtures existing audienceBio optimization that actually converts visitors into followersI'll be honest - I've paid good money for Instagram courses that didn't give me half the actionable insights Kimberly shares in this conversation. This is the kind of strategic, data-driven approach that actually moves the needle.Whether you're struggling to break out of "200 view jail" on reels or you're ready to get serious about organic Instagram growth, this episode will give you a completely new framework for approaching the platform.Links Mentioned:Kimberly's Book - How To Make Your Food Famous@TheLittlePlantation on Instagram@ZachSpuckler On InstagramThe 90 second pre-roll to promote TheAdsBootcamp.com for the April '25 Live Run

096. The Myth of Passive Income

I had to address something I keep hearing from clients, students, and potential customers: "I just want it to be more passive."In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what "passive income" really looks like in the online course and membership world. Spoiler alert: it's not as passive as you think. I'm breaking down what I call the Four P's of Passive Income:Process: Your sales systems and funnelsPeople: The team you need to make it all workPredictability: How you consistently fill your funnelPersistence: The willingness to keep testing and evolvingI share real numbers from our business - we've have near daily sales this year.The truth? Passive income is really the result of active engagement, active growth, and active management. You can absolutely build systems that generate revenue while you sleep, but maintaining and growing those systems requires ongoing work.If you've been chasing the "passive income dream" or wondering why your funnels aren't running themselves, this episode will give you a realistic roadmap for what it actually takes to build sustainable, semi-passive revenue streams in your business.Links MentionedZach On InstagramThe FB & IG Ads BootcampThe 90 second pre-roll to promote TheAdsBootcamp.com for the April '25 Live Run

095. 7 Common Facebook & Instagram Ad Mistakes to Avoid

In this episode, I'm breaking down the seven biggest Facebook and Instagram ad mistakes I see businesses making repeatedly - costing them thousands in wasted ad spend and missed opportunities. Based on patterns I've observed in our membership community -- and with personal clients -- these insights will help you avoid the painful trial-and-error process most advertisers go through.Discover why skipping the testing phase is the #1 reason most ads fail (and how to properly test creative, copy, and audiences)Understand the "faucet problem" - why turning ads on and off destroys your momentum and resultsGet my practical advice on why you need at least 90-180 days to truly evaluate if ads are working for youIf you've been struggling with Facebook and Instagram ads or you're hesitant to start because you're afraid of wasting money, this episode will save you countless hours and dollars in preventable mistakes. Listen now to transform your approach to advertising and start getting the results you've been looking for!Links MentionedZach On InstagramThe FB & IG Ads BootcampThe 90 second pre-roll to promote TheAdsBootcamp.com for the April '25 Live Run

094. If I Had $1000 to Spend On Ads Here's What I'd Do...

In this week's episode of the podcast, I'm breaking down EXACTLY what I would do if I had $1,000 to spend on ads in 90 days.The goal? Generate 200-300 new leads and create a profitable return. This step-by-step breakdown shows you how to structure your quarters and ad spend spend for maximum impact, even on a limited budget.When you tune in you're going to...Learn how to execute a proper 2-3 day testing phase (and why skipping this costs you more in the long run)Discover why listbuilding is the center of my strategy - including tripwire setup that generates revenue while you build your audienceUnderstand why the "dollar in, dollar out" mentality is killing your results (and how to think quarterly instead)If you've been hesitating to run ads because you're unsure how to allocate your budget or afraid of wasting money, this episode gives you a clear roadmap to follow. Listen now to transform your advertising approach and create sustainable growth, even with just $10 a day (about $1,000 a quarter) to spend!Link MentionedThe FB & IG Ads BootcampZach on InstagramThe 90 second pre-roll to promote TheAdsBootcamp.com for the April '25 Live Run

093. How to Successfully Lose Money With Advertising

In this counterintuitive episode, I'm revealing why strategically "losing money" on certain types of advertising is actually the secret to long-term profitability. I break down my three-part advertising framework that creates sustainable growth while avoiding the trap of obsessing over immediate ROI.Discover the three distinct types of advertising I use (long-term, launch-term, and short-term) and why they work together as a systemLearn why I intentionally run list-building ads at a slight loss and how I offset those costs through tripwires and email sequencesUnderstand why cold traffic is getting harder to convert and how this three-part strategy solves that problemGet my step-by-step approach to implementing this strategyIf you're tired of stressing about day-to-day ad performance or feeling like advertising just "doesn't work" for your business, this episode will completely shift your perspective.Listen now to discover why zooming out and playing the long game is the true path to sustainable ad success!Links Mentioned:TheAdsBootcamp.comZach on InstagramThe 90 second pre-roll to promote TheAdsBootcamp.com for the April '25 Live Run