You Can Build A Personal Brand Without Selling Out w/ Barbara Skidmore

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If you’ve ever wondered why some creators feel instantly trustworthy while others feel like walking ads, this conversation puts language to it. We’re joined by Charleston creator and consultant Barb Skidmore, the voice behind Blushing Alpacas and the owner of Outside Center Consulting, to talk about what authenticity actually looks like in personal branding and influencer marketing.

We get into the real mechanics of turning content into a business: choosing brand partnerships you’ll genuinely use, setting expectations around deliverables, and understanding the hidden labor behind a “simple post.” Barb also shares what she sees from the brand side as someone who runs social media marketing for restaurants, catering companies, and real estate, including how to keep up with Instagram Reels and TikTok trends without losing your voice. We also dig into paid media basics, like when boosting helps, when targeted ads matter, and how goals like reach, clicks, and conversions change the plan.

Then we go to the part businesses rarely hear out loud: comment pods, bots, and inflated engagement. Barb explains what to look for, what questions to ask before you pay, and why great content still has value even when the audience signals are messy. You’ll also pick up travel hacks using Google Flights alerts and deal tools, plus the mindset that keeps her work sustainable.

Subscribe for more Charleston marketing insights, share this with a business owner who hires influencers, and leave a review with your biggest creator red flag or best partnership.

The Harbor House Party Vol. II brings together conversation, connection, and live music for one unforgettable night in Charleston - all while raising funds to support the Harbor Entrepreneur Center.

On September 23, guests can choose how they experience the night, from an intimate VIP gathering at Share House to the roundtable and live music at Music Farm featuring the Futurebirds.

HarborEC.org

Join Camp Happy Days on Saturday, September 19th for Happy Steps, a 5K run/walk on Sullivan's Island in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The race starts and finishes at The Island Club, where we invite you to stick around for the afterparty featuring food, drinks, raffles, auction items, music, and race awards — all benefiting Camp Happy Days and the children and families we serve. 

https://www.camphappydays.org/happysteps

How can Charleston businesses get noticed, found and chosen? The Charleston Marketing Podcast, brought to you by Charleston AMA and recorded at Charleston Media Solutions, answers the marketing and media questions local business owners are asking. We explore media buying, advertising budgets, radio, digital marketing, storytelling and the customer journey, with practical strategies for growing your business in today’s attention economy. CharlestonMediaSolutions.com

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Annual Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Quarterly Sponsor: King and Columbus

CAMACast Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler, Amanda Bunting Comen, 

Silicon Harbor Hot Take Host: Stanfield Gray, https://digsouth.com

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Score by:  The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

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