Ellen Mackenzie | Dishing up Digital
How to Set Up Claude Cowork (99% Better Than Other Freelancers)
updated
In this episode, I’m sitting down with my accountant to break down the stuff no one talks about:
➡️ What small biz owners always get wrong
➡️ How to stay organized for tax season (without crying)
➡️ When to hire help (and how to afford it)
➡️ What actually matters when you’re starting out
This is the episode that would’ve saved past Ellen from so many money headaches. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or scaling fast, this is your reminder: financial literacy is a CEO skill. Let's make your bank account (and your mindset) match the business you’re building. 💸
xx
Ellen
⬇️ Sign up for my FREE online conference for social media managers: August 12th-14th ✨
ellenmackenzie.com/summit2025
💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram: instagram.com/ellenmackenziee/
TikTok: tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com/
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored.
The one who hoards money, second-guesses every investment, and whispers, “you can’t afford that” every time you try to grow. In this episode, I’m unpacking the mindset that secretly runs the show for so many online entrepreneurs—and how to shift it.
Whether you're undercharging, overthinking, or stuck in feast-or-famine cycles, this is your call-out and your come-up.
We’ll cover:
✨ What “broke girl energy” actually looks like in business
✨ The difference between smart strategy and scarcity-driven decisions
✨ How I shifted my relationship with money to grow a multi-6-figure brand
✨ Tactical ways to move from fear-based to CEO-level financial decisions
This one’s spicy—and it might sting a little—but it’s going to change the way you show up and scale. You ready?
xx
Ellen
⬇️ SIGN UP FOR MY FREE WEBINAR: how to become a social media manager ✨
ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar
💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram: instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
🤯// FREE GUIDE // 🤯
How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business:
ellenmackenzie.com
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored.
To celebrate the re-launch of the Dishing up Digital podcast, I'm hosting an epic giveaway! Enter here: ellenmackenzie.com/podcast
xx
Ellen
⬇️ SIGN UP FOR MY FREE WEBINAR: how to become a social media manager ✨
ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar
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💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram:
instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
Tiktok:
tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
🤯// FREE GUIDE // 🤯
How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored.
My engagement has gone through the roof on Instagram and it's NOT professional photos or fancy reels driving this growth.
It's the simple phone selfies.
It's the carousels that are just an iphone photo with text.
It's the videos made off the cuff in my car.
Your followers don't want a full blown Stephen Spielberg film when they open up their social media.
They want to see the real you.
And that's an advantage for business owners.
Don't let tech or advanced editing techniques stop you from posting content.
🎥 from a recent workshop I taught at @mackenziestudios
Sometimes there are new systems we can introduce to help support the client to make better content.
In some cases we can even upsell them onto a content package or help coordinate the management of some local UGC creators.
BUT at the end of the day, if a client is still giving you 💩 content, there’s not a lot you can do!
Whether you're a coach, service provider, or content creator—this is proof you don’t need months to start monetizing your skills.
✨ Want to steal my launch workflow? Grab The Social CEO Toolbox here: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/F449g2tE?coupon_code=YOUTUBE
xx
Ellen and Tara
⬇️ SIGN UP FOR MY FREE WEBINAR: how to become a social media manager ✨
ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar
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💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram:
instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
http://www.instagram.com/tardaeda
Tiktok:
tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
tiktok.com/@tardaeda
🤯// FREE GUIDE // 🤯
How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored.
Posting for yourself is SO different to working with a real client. If you’re brand new to social media management, you’re number one focus should be approaching potential clients and networking.
Don’t sit around waiting for a client to fall out of the sky!
P.S. ready to become a booked-out social media manager? Sign up for my free webinar! ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar
I analyzed 250+ Instagram posts and pulled the actual data behind what worked—and what didn’t.
Inside the video video, I’m breaking down:
📈 The post that got me 424 followers without showing my face
🤔 Whether TikTok repurposing hurts your reach
#️⃣ If hashtags are even worth your time anymore (spoiler: not really)
+ SO MUCH MORE!
youtu.be/d24k0VA_Gv4?si=QtLtikyJQkwaViZa
I'm also breaking down what content formats performed best across platforms, whether daily posting actually grows your audience, wow I used content to fuel a high-converting launch, my biggest surprises (and regrets!) from posting 10x a day and more! This isn’t just about going viral. It’s about using content intentionally to grow your brand and attract aligned clients.
xx
Ellen
⬇️ SIGN UP FOR RELLA: save 30% off your subscription with the code "ELLEN": getrella.com/?via=ellen
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💻 //LINKS// 💻
Get 50% off the Social CEO Toolbox: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/F449g2tE?coupon_code=YOUTUBE
Buy Ellen's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram:
instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
http://www.instagram.com/tardaeda
Tiktok:
tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
tiktok.com/@tardaeda
🤯// FREE GUIDE // 🤯
How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
Audiences are craving authentic and honest content.
My engagement has gone through the roof on Instagram and it's NOT professional photos or fancy reels driving this growth.
It's the simple phone selfies.
It's the carousels that are just an iphone photo with text.
It's the videos made off the cuff in my car.
Your followers don't want a full blown Stephen Spielberg film when they open up their social media.
They want to see the real you.
And that's an advantage for business owners.
Don't let tech or advanced editing techniques stop you from posting content.
🎥 from a recent workshop I taught at @mackenziestudios
I analyzed over 250 Instagram posts from 2024 and 2025 to break down:
✨What types of content go viral on Instagram right now
✨The real impact of hashtags, ManyChat automations, and repurposing from TikTok
✨Which posts brought in the most followers and sales (and which flopped)
✨How to create a content strategy that actually converts
➡️ GET 50% OFF THE SOCIAL CEO TOOLBOX: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/F449g2tE?coupon_code=YOUTUBE
xx
Ellen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram:
instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
http://www.instagram.com/tardaeda
Tiktok:
tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
tiktok.com/@tardaeda
🤯// FREE GUIDE // 🤯
How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored.
➡️ Thank you Upwork for sponsoring today's video - you can sign up for FREE here: upwork.pxf.io/19VgXg
xx
Ellen
💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram:
instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
http://www.instagram.com/tardaeda
Tiktok:
tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
tiktok.com/@tardaeda
🤯// FREE GUIDE // 🤯
How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
xx
Ellen
⬇️ SIGN UP FOR MY FREE WEBINAR: how to become a social media manager ✨
ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
💻 //LINKS// 💻
Top I'm wearing: rstyle.me/+QcraQ3T-SqVLaAH_2aU-_w (AD AFFILIATE LINK)
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram:
instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
http://www.instagram.com/tardaeda
Tiktok:
tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
tiktok.com/@tardaeda
🤯// FREE GUIDE // 🤯
How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored.
xx
Ellen
⬇️ SIGN UP FOR RELLA: save 30% off your subscription with the code "ELLEN": getrella.com/?via=ellen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
💻 //LINKS// 💻
The ultimate template bundle for social media managers: ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS// 🔗
Instagram:
instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
http://www.instagram.com/tardaeda
Tiktok:
tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
tiktok.com/@tardaeda
🤯// FREE GUIDE // 🤯
How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
There have been many lessons learned the hard way.
And there have been a lot of tears along the way.
But at the same time, this journey has been so incredibly rewarding. It’s challenged me in the best way possible and unlocked so much opportunity for me.
It’s a job that often gets glamourised on the internet so this post is for the SMMs who are having a rough week and thinking you’re all alone - trust me you’re not.
A phrase I like to come back to a lot is, “if it was easy, everyone would do it”
I hope that serves as a reminder for those that needed to see this post today ❤️
P.S. if you’re ready to invest in your journey as a SMM and learn from a tried and tested curriculum PLUS get access to community and coaching support, the Dishing up Digital School is back open for enrolment! Message me on Instagram for the details.
When I made my first $1000 as a social media manager back in 2019, I didn't believe it was real... 💰
I had the cash in my bank account but I felt guilty like I was scamming someone... I felt like I didn't deserve the money 🙊
❌ Why would people pay me to do this?
❌ I'm such an imposter.
❌ I don't even have a marketing degree.
❌ Who do I think I am??
These were just some of the many self doubts I had in those early days of starting my business. But if I had given up then, I never would have made it to where I am today - a multiple six-figure business with over 800 clients and students.
Don't stop believing in yourself and keep going. People NEED your services and they want YOU to help them.
…a global pandemic plunged our world into chaos.
I had to pivot FAST.
That awesome high ticket client I just booked who sold travel tours? The one who was planning to fly me to India to create content that year?!
Yep, they dropped me. Their business, just like all my clients, had to shut up shop overnight.
I had a brief thought that maybe I’d chosen to quit my job at the worst time possible. I was hustling hard to find more e-commerce clients that were now popping off with sales due to everyone being locked up at home.
Meanwhile, something huge happened to my “stable” old job and the company I used to work for.
They closed down.
300 of my former colleagues were made redundant on a company wide zoom call 2 weeks into lockdown.
I was absolutely devastated for them.
But the biggest shock was thinking about how I could have so easily been alongside them.
Suddenly, my crazy idea of starting a business became the “stable” option. Because even though I had lost clients, I’d been able to pivot fast and actually came out of lockdown with double the amount of clients than I had going into it.
Your business can provide stability and it can open doors you never thought possible ❤️
🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Dishing up Digital podcast!
1️⃣ Don’t charge hourly
You’re cutting yourself short charging hourly and you’ll struggle to hit those $5k or $10k months with that structure.
Instead, look to build packages. This gives you a more sustainable income AND it means you’re not punishing yourself for doing the work faster or more efficiently.
Did I mention logging your hours is a huge pain and way too much admin?? Packages have the power to set you FREE my friend.
2️⃣ Think of the value
It’s not just the hours you work, it’s the value you provide clients. You take away a huge amount of stress, you give them back time to focus on other parts of their business and you bring the expertise and training (they don’t need to sit around watching another Instagram masterclass because they’ve got you now!)
Also think about the fact that you’re building an online community that will be an ongoing asset to their business, long after your contract finishes.
There is so much more to it than just the hours you spend making a graphic. It’s time to break down that habit of thinking about hours and think about the bigger picture of what you offer.
3️⃣ Pricing is personal
Everyone’s pricing is different, and that’s okay. In a TikTok I posted about a $2.5k social media package I offer, I got serious whiplash reading the comments.
One minute someone told me I was undercharging massively, but then the next comment said I was “overpriced”.
My point here is that everyone has a different idea of the “perfect” price and you shouldn’t just copy what someone else says.
Think about what price feels good for you. Think about your level of experience. Think about where you live and the cost of living.


