251: How to Build Trust and Sell More Using Instagram Stories and Your Personal Brand

Are you hiding your business, or yourself, from the world? In this episode, Ashley shares the powerful mindset shift that changed everything for Pod Shark Media: becoming her own biggest cheerleader. She gets real about the early messy days of building the business, the fear and discomfort of showing up online, and why betting on yourself is the ultimate growth strategy. Ashley walks you through how to show up consistently (even when it’s scary), why it’s okay to be imperfect, and how this energy attracts the right people, opportunities, and clients into your life. If you’ve been holding back on sharing your story, your offers, or your wins, this is your nudge to step into the spotlight and go all in. If this episode gave you the courage to show up, share it with a friend who needs to hear it too! Subscribe, leave us a review, and tag Ashley @ashleytwhaley so she can cheer you on as you take bold action in your business.

Are you doing everything right in your business?   Clear on your messaging, ideal client, and offers, but still falling short of your revenue goals? In this episode, Ashley shares a behind-the-scenes story of how she and Avery unlocked a new level of growth by adding content shoots to their business model. You'll hear how this single decision not only generated more revenue but also deepened relationships with their clients and helped them show up more confidently online. If you’ve been feeling stuck or wondering what the next move is for your business, this episode will inspire you to explore creative ways to serve your clients at a higher level, and get paid well to do it. It’s time to take action and build momentum. Head over to podsharkmedia.com/work-with-us and let’s create the social media strategy, content, and systems you need to grow your business.

Let’s be real—most business owners don’t have time to post on social every day. But inconsistent content = inconsistent revenue. In this episode of All About That Action, we reveal the secret to showing up consistently online—even if you’re juggling a million things. Here’s what you’ll learn: 🧠 How to shift your mindset from “I don’t have time” to “This is a priority” 📅 The batching method that saves hours and builds momentum 🎥 Why your content doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful This isn’t about hustle—it’s about strategy. If you're tired of starting and stopping, this episode will help you stay visible, consistent, and in control. ✨ Ready to stop ghosting your audience and start showing up with purpose? Visit www.podsharkmedia.com for done-for-you content that helps you stay consistent without doing it all yourself.

In this inspiring episode of All About That Action, host Ashley Whaley sits down with Tara Dunn, brand photographer, small business coach, and founder of Connect Belong. Tara shares her journey of relocating to Arizona and building intentional connections both online and in person. They discuss the power of community for entrepreneurs, how to lead with heart while growing a brand, and practical tips for creating meaningful relationships in business. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, a small business owner, or just someone who wants to find more authentic connection in the digital world—this episode will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to take action. Connect with Tara: Website: https://connectbelong.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taradunnconnects/ 👉 Learn more at podsharkmedia.com or DM us on Instagram @podsharkmedia. Book a Free Strategy Call

You might think not posting on Instagram isn’t a big deal—but to your potential clients, it’s a red flag. In this episode of All About That Action, we break down why an inactive feed sends the message that your business is outdated, unavailable, or even closed. You’ll learn: 📉 How inconsistency on social media erodes trust 📱 The psychology behind a “digital storefront” ⚡ Quick fixes to make your feed active and relevant again If you want your business to stand out, attract ideal clients, and look legit online, this is your wake-up call. 🎯 Visit www.podsharkmedia.com to get done-for-you content that keeps your brand active, professional, and in demand.

Struggling to grow your business sustainably? In this episode of All About That Action, we dive into practical, battle-tested ways to increase your Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)—without sacrificing your sanity or personal life. We cover: 💰 The mindset shift every service-based business owner needs 📈 The difference between scaling smart vs. scaling sloppy 🔁 How to productize your offers and build consistent income Whether you're stuck at $5K/month or eyeing your first $30K+ MRR milestone, this episode is packed with real talk and real strategy to help you get there. 🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to ditch the hustle hamster wheel and build a business that grows month after month—with margin.

Let’s face it—most business owners don’t have hours to spend planning, filming, and posting content every week. In this episode of All About That Action, we tackle the #1 excuse for not showing up online: “I’m just too busy.” You’ll learn real-world strategies to stay consistent on Instagram—even if your calendar is jam-packed. We break down: ✅ How to batch 2 weeks of content in 2 hours ✅ What to post when you have “nothing to say” ✅ When to outsource (and what to hand off first) Whether you’re running a one-person show or managing a small team, this episode gives you the clarity, systems, and confidence to stay visible without the stress. 🎯 Ready to stop ghosting your followers and start getting results? Press play. Let’s go. Done-For-You Content That Actually Converts Let us take social media off your plate—so you can focus on running your business. 👉 Book a Free Strategy Call

After nearly two decades in business, Ashley Whaley shares the honest truth about what it takes to build a business that fuels both growth and freedom. In this episode of All About That Action, she opens up about what’s finally working, how to create space for your family while scaling your business, and why peace and profit can absolutely coexist. If you're a purpose-driven entrepreneur craving more fulfillment, flexibility, and forward momentum—this one's for you. ✨ Ready to feel excited about your business again? Tune in, take notes, and start building your version of freedom. 👉 Learn more at podsharkmedia.com or DM us on Instagram @podsharkmedia. Book a Free Strategy Call

In this episode of All About That Action, Ashley Whaley dives into the real power behind Instagram and Facebook Stories — not just as a content feature, but as a relationship-builder. Inspired by insights from Jenna Kutcher’s Goal Digger Podcast and Donald Miller’s Building a StoryBrand, Ashley shares a fresh perspective on how stories (both social and personal) build trust, increase engagement, and become the foundation of an authentic marketing strategy. Tune in to learn: Why Stories may not grow your audience, but will deepen trust with the one you already have The #1 mistake marketers make when telling brand stories — and how to fix it Easy, low-effort ways to show up in Stories every day How to turn your personal journey into powerful, connection-driven content The “client-as-hero” mindset that transforms your marketing This is a must-listen for small business owners, content creators, and entrepreneurs looking to create meaningful relationships that drive results. 📲 DM @ashleytwhaley or @podsharkmedia and let us know how you're showing up in your stories this week! #instagrammarketing #socialmediatips #personalbranding #storytellinginmarketing #podsharkmedia

Are you a busy business owner sitting on a goldmine of content that’s never seen the light of day? Maybe you booked a brand shoot, captured amazing photos and videos… and then left them sitting in your phone, untouched. In this episode of All About That Action, Ashley Whaley shares a simple, powerful system to help you resurrect unused content and finally turn it into momentum for your business. Whether you’re a service-based entrepreneur, coach, or creative, this episode will help you build a strategy that works. You’ll learn: Why content sits unused—and how to change that The exact steps to organize, plan, and execute a content strategy How to define your content pillars and ideal client Why consistency beats perfection (and what to do if you’re not a content pro) Ashley also shares the real-life shift that happened when she handed her own content off to the Pod Shark Media team—and how that decision freed up her time and fueled her brand. If you’ve ever said, “I just don’t have time to post,” this one’s for you. 👉 Send this episode to a fellow entrepreneur who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to DM Ashley on Instagram with your biggest takeaway!