030 | Monetizing Social Media: Candid Conversations with Natalie Kovarik and Tara Vander Dussen

Listen to Monetizing Social Media: Candid Conversations with Natalie and Tara on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for a Candid Conversation! In these episodes, we’ll cover life updates from the ranch (Natalie) and the farm (Tara), things we are currently obsessed with, community recipes, or industry news. In this episode of Candid Conversations: Monetizing Social Media we cover:

• A Recap of the First Elevate the Summit

• Natalie’s Currently Coveting: Cast Iron Pan Cleaner

• A Candid Conversation About Monetizing Social Media

• Community Recipe: Sourdough Discard Brownies

Farm and Ranch Updates + Elevate the Summit Recap

For this week’s updates, both Natalie and Tara are reminiscing from their first Elevate the Summit Mastermind that took place earlier this week. They were both thrilled with the small group of powerful women that were able to attend this first event. Another exciting aspect of the Summit was the guest speakers that dropped in throughout the event. The first guest speaker was Jenna Biancavilla, who is a wealth manager based out of Scottsdale, Arizona. She joined the ladies on the first day of the Summit providing amazing value in the realm of wealth management. The second guest speaker that dropped into the event was Lone River Ranch Water Founder, Katy Beal Brown, who was able to come in and provide some real-life stories about growing a business and the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. The best thing about the Summit is that it’s not over yet. The gals who attended still have one-on-one’s coming up to follow up on goals and intentions that were set over the course of the week in addition to a final group call. If you’re interested in all the details of this event, make sure to listen to this episode! 

Natalie also shared that her family attended the Nebraska State Fair before she went to the Summit this week. She shares her experience of being a show mom and her family’s experience while attending the fair. Tara also checked in and shared that she is knee-deep in planning her sister’s bachelorette party that’s coming up this month. She is excited to share some updates as that date comes closer. 

Currently Coveting: Cast Iron Pan Cleaner

Natalie surprised Tara with a chain link cast iron cleaner from Amazon. This is Natalie’s favorite item this week because she uses it on all of her cast iron pans. For those ranch and farm wives and moms, this is a useful item if you have a husband that likes to cook eggs in your cast iron pan. You can check out the link below to snag your own!

Monetizing Social Media

Natalie kicks off this Candid Conversation by recapping her journey with monetizing her social media. She started off by selling beef online, then pivoted to sharing more about ranching and her family story. This path led Natalie to several brand partnerships and monetizing her YouTube Channel. She stresses that the ways she has monetized social media have changed as her interests have changed over the course of her career. Tara adds to the conversation by mentioning that it’s okay to say “yes” in the beginning to opportunities that come your way but to filter out the things you don’t enjoy and focus on the ways you enjoy making money online. She started off with brand partnerships and quickly realized that those weren’t her favorite way and shifted to speaking and consulting which became her largest income avenue. There comes a “tipping point” where you will have several opportunities available but you have to decide what you are going to spend your time and energy on. 

Tune into this episode to see how Tara’s newest monetization journey on Facebook is going and what her earnings were in her first and second months. In addition, make sure to check out the free download below to see the 12 Ways to Make Money Online and how you can start monetizing your social media. 

Community Recipe: Sourdough Discard Brownies

Natalie shared her favorite recipe for brownies this week, which was shared by Ally, with Crave the Good. Everyone is always looking for a great brownie recipe and this is the only one you’re ever going to need. You can find the full recipe below and make sure to tag @ElevateAg_ on Instagram when you give it a try to let us know what you think!

ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 3 large eggs

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

• 1/2 cup sourdough discard, stirred down & room temperature

• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup dutch processed cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

instructions

1. In a medium-sized saucepan, brown the butter over medium-low heat. Once butter is browned, remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the chocolate chips until completely melted and smooth. Set aside on a wire cooling rack to cool for 10-15 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 350f and prepare a 9x9 inch baking dish by lining with tin foil or parchment paper and spraying with cooking oil or greasing lightly.

3. Meanwhile, add the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat the eggs and sugars at high speed for 2-3 minutes, until lightened in color and fluffy.

4. Add the sourdough discard and beat again at high speed for 2 minutes.

5. Once the chocolate-butter mixture has cooled for 10 or so minutes, turn the stand mixer on high speed again, and pour the chocolate mixture slowly down the side of the mixing bowl while whisking.

6. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a small bowl, and stir to combine.

7. Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients with a spatula. Stir only until completely mixed, avoid overmixing.

8. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.

9. Bake at 350f for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges look set and the center looks slightly undercooked.

10. Allow the sourdough brownies to cool to room temperature before cutting.

Find the full recipe on Crave the Good website along with tips and tricks to get the best brownies!

Photo Credit to Crave the Good

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Elevate the Online Course launches again in October, make sure to join the newsletter to stay up to date on the release to snag your spot. 

• Connect with Natalie and Tara on Instagram

More About Elevate the Podcast

Where can I find tools and strategies to confidently and effectively share my story online? How do I monetize my brand? Where can I find community among women in agriculture and business? Can I cultivate my passion while also making money?

Welcome to Elevate the Podcast where we will answer ALL of these questions and so much more! Hosts Tara Vander Dussen and Natalie Kovarik, along with their guests, will bring you tangible advice, useful tools, and bold strategies that you can implement to drive your business forward and elevate the voice of agriculture. This business interview and storytelling podcast serves agriculture, western and rural entrepreneurs who want to excel in the social space and make their dreams a reality. Tune in every week to dig into entrepreneurs’ stories as they share the problems they encountered and opportunities they created as a way to educate, inspire and encourage the dreamer inside of all of us.

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