Melissa Mitchell, the dynamic owner of Yellow Brick Pathways, joins The Global Discussion Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode. An expert in organic marketing, Melissa shares invaluable insights into her unique approach and the strategies that set her agency apart in a crowded digital landscape. A Journey into Organic Marketing Melissa's journey into marketing began despite her lack of a formal marketing degree. She discovered a natural talent for the field, which eventually led her to establish Yellow Brick Pathways. Based in Australia, Melissa has made a name for herself and her agency by specializing in organic marketing—a realm where genuine engagement and long-term strategy trump the fleeting impact of paid advertisements. The Yellow Brick Pathways Approach Unlike many agencies that adopt a "post and forget" mentality, Yellow Brick Pathways takes a deeply involved approach to social media. Melissa and her team understand that social media is more than just a platform for broadcasting messages; it is an extension of a brand's identity and a critical component of its digital footprint. Their strategy is meticulously crafted to ensure each post conveys the client's message, attracts new leads, and enhances searchability through strategic keyword use. Yellow Brick Pathways' approach involves: Attracting New Leads: Creating engaging posts that draw attention and spark interest. Converting Leads: Crafting persuasive content that turns prospects into loyal customers. Nurturing and Retaining: Maintaining consistent communication to keep the existing customer base engaged and satisfied. The Power of Organic Marketing During the podcast, Melissa highlighted the differences between organic and paid social media marketing. She emphasized that while large companies with substantial budgets can afford extensive paid campaigns, small to medium-sized businesses often need help with organic content due to lower engagement and a need for more understanding of platform algorithms. Melissa's approach is tailored to these smaller enterprises, helping them understand that organic marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. She shared an interesting perspective from Gary Vaynerchuck, who famously pointed out that while social media can incite massive societal changes, businesses still doubt its ability to sell products like lipsticks. This statement highlights the untapped potential of organic marketing when done correctly. Authenticity and Consistency One of the key takeaways from Melissa's discussion is the importance of authenticity and consistency. Algorithms favor predictability, so businesses must be consistent in their posting schedules. Moreover, authenticity in content helps build a genuine connection with the audience, which is crucial for long-term engagement. Melissa also advised against getting hung up on vanity metrics like likes and follower counts. Instead, businesses should focus on engagement rates, which provide a more accurate measure of a post's effectiveness. Future Plans and Workshops Looking ahead, Melissa is launching workshops aimed at helping business owners and their teams manage social media more efficiently. These workshops cover everything from setting up content calendars to leveraging tools like ChatGPT for content structuring. Follow The Global Discussion on LinkedIn, YouTube, Spotify, and more! Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from Creatives, Leaders, and Thinkers on The Global Discussion. Join the newsletter for updates on new episodes. To support The Global Discussion, please visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/globaldiscuss Watch or listen to The Global Discussion Web: https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠ Audio Podcast: ⁠Spotify⁠ | ⁠Google⁠ | ⁠Apple⁠ Video Podcast: ⁠https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://bit.ly/TGD-YouTube⁠ Follow us on LinkedIn/Social Media ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglobaldiscussion⁠⁠ Others: X, Instagram, and Facebook