The Socialize Podcast

🎙️ Welcome back to The Socialize Strategy — the podcast where we talk social media, creator life, and all the behind-the-scenes bits most people don’t tell you.

Before we get into today’s strategy, it’s time for my “unsponsored by” picks — aka products I genuinely use and love without a penny in my pocket from the brand. This week’s lineup includes:

• Oura Ring — why I love it, how it tracks my sleep and steps, and the su...

The Vlog Evolution

The “Unsponsored By” segment kicks off the episode with two daily must-haves:

o   Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea – Helen's forever favorite (no sugar needed, think chai vibes)

o   Fellow Tea Kettle – Sleek, fast, and perfect for daily tea-making (she swears it boils faster!)

🎥 Main Topic: Why You Need to Start Vlogging

·       Vlogging creates connection. It gives your audience a be...

🎯 Main Topic: Why You Should Do Trends (Yes, Even You)

Helen breaks down the why behind occasionally participating in social media trends — even if you're hesitant:

✅ Reasons to Embrace Trends:

• Staying current: Shows you're tuned into the platform's culture.
• Algorithm boost: Trends get pushed further — they work.
• Community building: Viewers relate more when they see familiar content done your way.
• Creative n...

🔑 In This episode Helen shares tips for going live, how to deal with the nerves if  it's your first time and why you should just do it anyway.

And here are the 3 pieces of equipment that are worth the investment if you want to up your gams:

**Wireless Hollyland Lark M2 Microphone Set: https://amzn.to/4bwInBu

**SmallRig Tripod with remote: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1897565-REG/smallrig_5291_st30_lite_one_touch_de...

✨ Episode Overview:

In this heartfelt and information-packed solo episode, Helen kicks things off with a meaningful story sparked by a letter and a stack of old cards—reminders of the deep, lasting connections she’s built through her content and community. She then dives into two of her most-used (unsponsored!) products that make her content-creating life easier, and shifts into a hands-on mini-masterclass: tips for...

On this week’s episode, Helen covers: Favorite Tools + TikTok Future + Building What’s Next

🔌 Unsponsored Favorites of the Week

1. Hollyland Wireless Mic: 

• Compact, clean audio, magnetized for easy placement
• Comes with adapters for iPhone/Android
• Great alternative to bulky, poor-quality wireless mics
• Bonus: Comes with discreet black stickers to cover the logo

2. Eastpak Travel Backpack:

• Perfect for laptop + t...

How to Build Effective Social Media Habits

If staying consistent on social media feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Between the pressure to post, the temptation to scroll, and the constant changes in trends, it can be hard to build a rhythm. But what if creating content became as automatic as checking your phone?
This week, we’re diving into simple strategies to turn content creation into a daily habit—startin...

Today we're talking about real life tv commercial production and how it relates to social media content creators.  Helen covered the stages and crew roles on a shoot, as well as how to connect the dots to yourself as a content creator.

Pre-Production: This happens before the shoot where the client sources their team of production experts. Once a crew is established, they all use their expertise to nail down the budget, crea...

If you’ve ever wondered why your videos feel flat—even if your content is great—it might be the angles. The right camera angle does more than just capture a scene, it sets the tone, creates emotion, or tells a story without a word.

This week, we’re breaking down the essential camera angles every content creator should know—and how to use them to elevate everything from talking-head videos to creative B-roll and storytelling...

In today's episode, we share how to become your most authentic self on camera. Helen went well beyond the newsletter outline below and covered bonus tips about how to gain confidence with little camera hacks and practice ideas! 

🎬 Record Something Daily (Even If You Never Post It)

Treat it like vocal warm-ups for your face. One take, one topic—anything goes. Talk about your breakfast, your to-do list, your opinion on oat m...

Today we’re diving into the world of social media ads—how they hit us, how they're crafted, and why they’re more familiar than you think. After decades working behind the scenes in commercial production, I’m pulling back the curtain on the old-school tricks that are now dressed up as everyday TikToks and Instagram Reels. From bubble machines that never worked to duffel bags that “magically” shrink, let’s get real about the...

In this episode, I’m sharing a wild personal update (spoiler: it involves 15 stitches and a middle-of-the-night fall), followed by two unsponsored product reviews—one brutally honest take on a trending TikTok bra alternative, and a rave about my favorite organizing pouches. Then we dive into practical, easy-to-understand tips for choosing the right iPhone camera settings for high-quality content creation without overwhelmi...

In today's on-the-road episode of The Socialize Strategy, Helen records from a hotel room in Las Vegas—mic in suitcase, content in motion. She kicks things off with her beloved “unsponsored buys,” including Halara jeans, SmallRig tripods, and a shout-out to her licensing show client, Hangry Pets.

The heart of this episode dives into a shared creator struggle: low views. Helen breaks down why they happen, how to stop letting...

In this episode of The Socialize Strategy, Helen kicks off with her "Unsponsored By" segment, spotlighting two favorite products—a sleek, smartly designed water bottle and a game-changing wireless microphone. Then, she dives into making engagement on Instagram (and beyond) easier and more intentional. From clever comment strategies to the secret power of Instagram’s “favorites” feed, Helen shares practical, heart-forward t...

📌 Making Content Planning Easy

In this episode, we're diving into one of the biggest game-changers for any content creator: getting organized. Whether you're juggling multiple platforms or just trying to post more consistently, having a solid content planning system can save you time, reduce stress, and seriously level up your output.

🧠 Core Tips & Takeaways

1. Set a Realistic Posting Goal
   • Aim fo...

Today’s episode covers how to use SEO strategies to get your social media videos discovered. Make sure you use this powerful tool for increasing visibility on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

💡 Key Takeaways:
1. SEO Works on Social Media
• Helen shares a real-life story: a baton tutorial she posted a year ago was discovered by someone searching for baton lessons on TikTok — proving vi...

In this episode of The Socialize Strategy, Helen kicks off what she’s calling Part One of the Small Business Series, dropping essential social media tips for small business owners. Whether you're strapped for time, creatively blocked, or just unsure where to start, Helen’s got real talk, relatable examples, and honest advice to help you level up your content game—without burning out.

Plus, don’t miss her hilarious (and pain...

This week Helen breaks down why video formatting is essential for engagement across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. She walks through editing basics in CapCut, sharing how to fix common issues like black bars, wrong aspect ratios, and poor layout.

✂️ Key Takeaways:

• Set your aspect ratio first! Use the correct format (like vertical for TikTok/IG Reels) to avoid black bars.
• CapCut Tips: How the first clip...

🎉 Highlights from This Episode:

This week’s episode is full of reflection, celebration, and practical tips for creators at every stage of their journey. Helen shares big updates from her world and drops some major knowledge on growing your presence—and confidence—on social media.

LINK TO VIDEO MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjeQV7qW/

📰 Big News:

New Sponsor: Morning Brew!
A full-circle moment for Hel...