How to Make a Million Dollars with Social Media
About This Episode
In this interview, my guest, Ashley Ann, shares on How To Make a Million Dollars using Social Media. She also shares her journey of building a successful online business and the importance of focusing on your niche, being authentic, and investing in yourself.
Discover how consistency, genuine passion for helping others, and learning from successful mentors can unlock massive growth and opportunities. Tune in to this insightful conversation that will change your perspective on social media and entrepreneurship!
Who Is Ashley Ann
A gifted business builder and entrepreneur. Ashley helps her clients excel in social media, lead generation, and sales—both locally and internationally. She specializes in lead magnets, sales funnels, and return paths. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Dallas, Texas, Ashley is known for getting results, simplifying social media strategy, and helping thousands of people monetize their social media platforms.
Ashley has helped over 100 clients—likely more by now—achieve seven figures. She has a proven track record of success, so let’s get straight into it. Ashley, welcome to the show! How are you today?
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Episode Transcript
Markeith Braden: What’s going on, everyone? Welcome to another episode of The Maximizer Brand Podcast with Markeith Braden! I’m so excited that you’re here with me again this week. And let me tell you something—you do not want to miss this episode. In fact, you need to grab your notepad and pen right now. Whether you’re listening to this via podcast or watching via video, this is going to be a jam-packed episode.
You know I’m always talking about how to leverage your personal brand, expertise, skills, and talents online to create the lifestyle you crave and the income you desire. Well, my guest today has done exactly that. She is tried and true, and as she would say, she has the receipts to prove it. Today, we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty of how to make a million dollars using social media.
My guest today is Miss Ashley Ann, a gifted business builder and entrepreneur. Ashley helps her clients excel in social media, lead generation, and sales on local, nationwide, and international levels. She specializes in lead magnets, funnels, and return paths. Based in both Little Rock, Arkansas, and Dallas, Texas, Ashley is widely known for getting results, simplifying social media strategies, and helping thousands of people monetize their social media platforms. In fact, Ashley has helped over 100 clients (and I’m sure that number has grown) hit seven figures!
So let’s get right into it and welcome my guest, Ashley! How are you today?
Ashley: I’m doing great! How are you?
Markeith: I’m doing wonderful! I’m so grateful that you took the time to talk with us today about how to make a million dollars using social media. But before we dive into that, I always like to give my guests the opportunity to introduce themselves and share more about their business—anything I may not have covered in your bio.
Markeith: I’m wonderful, and I’m so grateful that you took the time to chat with us today about making seven figures using social media. But before we dive in, I always like to give my guests the opportunity to introduce themselves and share more about their business beyond what I covered in their bio.
Ashley: Well, first of all, thank you for having me! I’m excited to be here. I’ll keep it short because I know everyone wants to get into the good stuff—the tech, strategy, and all of that.
Basically, I’m an entrepreneur. I worked in the corporate world for a while, but I ended up doing really well with my event design and production company. That was my first business, where I made my first million and discovered that I had a talent for social media marketing. From there, I launched a social media agency, initially specializing in Facebook ads—believe it or not. And to this day, we’re still running Facebook ads.
From there, we expanded into business consulting, strategy, funnels, return paths—all of that. I also started teaching for free, and that blew up bigger than I ever imagined. And here I am, 13 or 14 years later! Honestly, time is starting to blend together, but I’ve helped over 800 people hit six figures. Well over 170 of my clients are now seven-figure earners in under a year. I have 12 clients who have had million-dollar months, and four who are currently earning over $10 million a year.
I always tell people—I don’t know everything, but I know a lot, especially when it comes to making money through digital channels and social marketing. That’s what I do, and I absolutely love it! I love helping people get paid to do what they love.
Markeith: “Love helping people get paid, doing what they love to do.” We are definitely in alignment because I love doing the same thing—especially helping people leverage what they already know. So, this is going to be a great conversation!
When we talk about social media, I know a lot of businesses still have some reservations about using it and leveraging it for growth. This is especially true for many brick-and-mortar, mom-and-pop businesses. They don’t always see the benefit of social media.
So first, let’s break the ground—why should businesses be using social media?
Ashley: Okay, so this might sound a little bold, but social media is not going anywhere. At this point, you’ve got to make a move—you’ve got to “poop or get off the pot,” as the saying goes. The number one rule of marketing is this: Be where your customers are.
People in the United States alone spend an average of about an hour and 22 minutes a day on social media. That’s a huge opportunity! I always tell people that while the principles of business don’t change, the channels and mediums we use to reach and connect with customers are constantly evolving. If you’re not willing to evolve, your business is going to struggle—or even die.
Look at what happened during COVID—over 60% of businesses went under and never reopened. Even before COVID, we saw massive companies like Sears, Toys “R” Us, and JCPenney start to collapse because they refused to adapt to new digital channels. Take Blockbuster as another example—they didn’t evolve, and now they no longer exist.
Markeith: So it’s wild—there’s actually one Blockbuster that still exists somewhere. I remember watching a documentary about it on Netflix.
Ashley: It’s kind of like a museum store—I can’t remember exactly where it is, but it’s very odd to me. You know, I meet people who’ve had a lot of success offline, and they’ll say things like, “I don’t know what happened.” And I’m like, well, things changed—and you didn’t change with them.
I actually started my business with a brick-and-mortar approach—two feet on the street, knocking on doors. And I did really well with it. But I also recognized early on that social media was becoming something powerful. It was an amazing way to connect with people, reach new customers, build my portfolio, and get my name out there. So I stepped into that space.
I really believe it’s important to have both—an in-person audience and an online audience. At the end of the day, you’re going to have to move into the digital space. And if you don’t do it, eventually it’s going to force itself onto you.
Sometimes, I just wish I could go shake people and be like, “Just do it already!”
Markeith: You’re going to have to do it—social media is not going anywhere.
So let’s drill down a little more. We’ve talked about those with brick-and-mortar businesses, but what about individuals who are currently in corporate America and thinking about transitioning into entrepreneurship? Or those of us who are already entrepreneurs but are still struggling with social media—why is it so important to keep at it and figure out how this can work for us?
Ashley: So let me just say this—nobody asked me, okay? But this is some unsolicited advice.
I don’t believe in that whole, “Just jump. Just leap. Just go for it!” mentality. I’m not one of those people who did that. I actually planned. I made sure I had clients, and I was already making more money from my event design and production company—what started as a side hustle—before I left my 9-to-5. So I just want to put that out there.
Now, with that said, I do believe social media can get you to that spot way faster now.
So what are we actually doing with social media? It’s really simple: we’re trying to find an audience of people and build a community around them. Why? Because they care about what you have to say, what you think, your products, and your brand. These are people who actually want to connect with you and listen to you.
And that’s it. That’s the whole game, in a nutshell. It’s not more complicated than that.
You don’t need a huge following to make money on social media. That’s a major misconception. People get discouraged when they say, “Oh, I only have 1,100 followers.” But I have a client—she won’t mind me sharing this—her company is called Proud Failure. When she first started, she had only 720 followers and still made over $11,000 in one month.
I have clients like that all the time—under 2,000 followers—and they’re consistently making between $5,000 and $10,000 a month. Why? Because it’s about quality, not quantity. It’s about connecting with your audience in a way that’s unique to you.
You have to get this into your head: you’re building a community. If you’re out here just trying to sell, you’re not going to make sales. People don’t want to be sold to. You don’t want to be sold to—think about it.
If you happen to be watching TV and it’s not DVR’d, what do you do when a commercial comes on? You get up. You go to the bathroom. You grab a snack. You check your phone. You may even start scrolling through social media. So if you don’t want to be sold to, why do you think other people want to be?
But here’s what people do want:
They want to be informed.
They want to be entertained.
They want to be educated.
They want to be connected.
They want to be advised.
These are all easy entry points for building a real relationship with your audience—and turning that relationship into customers.
Ashley: I’ve had clients making $6,000 a month for years with under 2,000 followers. So again, it’s not about how many followers you have—it’s about quality, not quantity. I always tell people that.
Think about it like this: let’s say we’re at an event, and Markeith, I put you on stage in front of 12,000 people. Then I hand you 20 darts and say, “I want you to throw these darts and try to hit your ideal customer.” How challenging is that going to be? With 12,000 people in the room, it’s pretty much impossible to target the right ones.
Now, let’s change the scenario. I put you in a smaller room with just 100 people, and I tell you, “Hey, Markeith—there are 12 people in here who are truly interested in what you have to offer.” That’s going to be way easier, right? Much easier to identify and connect with 12 out of 100, rather than trying to guess among thousands.
That’s how I encourage people to think about social media. Everybody isn’t for you. Everybody isn’t your customer. Start small—with 10, 12, or 20 people. People who will show up to your live stream. People who like your posts, who DM you, or open your emails.
Let’s say your goal is to get 10 people this week to give you their phone number so you can text them. That’s literally how it starts. You build rapport. You become a resource to them. That’s where the relationship—and eventually the revenue—begins.
So the first step is getting out of your head this idea that you need a massive following to succeed.
Now, to be fair, quantity does matter in a few specific situations. For example, if you’re monetizing your views—maybe you’re part of a creator program, or you have a monetized YouTube channel—yes, then viewership counts. It also matters if you’re trying to land a brand sponsorship deal, because brands will break down the cost per impression. In those cases, a large, targeted following is important.
But if you’re doing affiliate marketing, running a cash-flow business, dropshipping, ecommerce, offering services, owning a brick-and-mortar store, selling handmade products, reselling, or doing online consignment—then no, you don’t need a ton of followers.
You just need to find people who are genuinely interested in what you’re offering. That’s the first goal.
Markeith: Well, first of all, we’re going to take a quick break. But when we come back, can you share with us maybe the top five—or even seven—steps we need to take just to get started?
Something to help us know we’re on the right track to creating consistent monthly income by leveraging our social media and our personal brands.
We’ll be right back, right after this commercial break.
Markeith: All right, all right, all right—welcome back! We’re jumping right back into this conversation because we want to help you make some money by leveraging social media. And I’ve got the expert here who knows all about it.
So Ashley, if you could, give us a step-by-step guide for the novice—someone who’s saying, “I really want to start learning social media.”
Maybe they’ve written a book… maybe they create things like arts and crafts… or maybe they’re into coaching and want to start doing public speaking.
How do they leverage social media to start moving in that direction—to actually start making money? What’s the first thing they need to do?
I think you already gave us Step 1 before the break, but feel free to repeat it for those just tuning in.
Ashley: Yes! So Step 1—and this is so important—is getting it into your head that you don’t need a massive audience. You’re looking for quality people, not a large quantity yet.
Once you find those quality people, then you can start growing that community. But focus first on finding the right people.
Step 2 – is defining your offer. And I always encourage people to develop a core offer, a sub-offer, and if possible, a higher-tier offer or something complementary that stays in your wheelhouse.
Why? Because you’re always going to have people who want the VIP experience, and then others who want the bare minimum. This doesn’t just apply to services—it works for physical products too.
Let’s say your core product is an 8-ounce bottle of something. Some people might want a sample size or a travel version because they’re not sure yet. Then others may want a bundle package—they want the 8-ounce product, a matching lotion, and a cute travel bag.
If you’re a service provider, maybe your core offer is a 90-day program or one-on-one sessions. But then you have folks who say, “I love Markeith, but the way my checking and savings are set up right now…”
So for those people, you offer a DIY program—maybe it includes 7 to 10 modules, a workbook, and step-by-step instructions for what they need to do each day. That way, they still get value, and you still make income—but at a price point they can manage.
Ashley: So that mid-tier could include something like live Q&A sessions twice a month, where people can come in, ask questions, and get unstuck. Then your higher-tier offer might be a more intensive 90-day program where clients get weekly or biweekly check-ins with you. You can review their progress, give feedback on their “homework,” offer pointers or corrections, and help them stay aligned with their goals. You’re helping streamline their journey—and that’s huge.
This structure works for both physical products and services.
Even if you have a book—and I know authors are always asking, “How does this apply to me?”—listen, I love y’all, and I’m not trying to offend anyone, but let me tell you: authors need to get creative!
What is your book about? Can you pair it with a physical or digital product?
For example, if your book is fiction, your higher-tier offer might include the book plus a ticket to a live dinner event where readers come together to discuss the book, enjoy a meal, and dive deeper into the story—maybe talk about symbolism, upcoming ideas, or inspiration for the next book.
Your core offer could be the physical copy of the book plus an instant download of the e-book, and maybe a workbook with guided exercises to enhance the reading experience.
Your lower-tier offer could simply be the e-book by itself.
So the key here is: figure out your offer. And then break it down into three tiers—core, lower, and higher. That way, you’re meeting people where they are, financially and in terms of commitment.
Markeith: And honestly, we see this model all the time in business today. Think about it—whenever you’re buying something, you’re usually presented with options: the basic version, the standard version, and the premium version. We’re constantly opting in at different tiers, depending on our needs and budgets.
So why not build your brand to reflect that same model?
Ashley: And if you have a store, like a boutique or something with multiple items, you still want to establish a flagship or core product. From there, you can create bundles or collections to increase perceived value. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
I always tell people who sell physical products: try to think of a few digital products you can pair with your physical ones. That way, your customer feels like they’re getting added value, and it doesn’t cost you much more to provide it.
That’s one of the easiest ways to double your revenue without doubling your traffic, spending more on ads, or racking up additional expenses.
Step 3 – Once you’ve figured out your offer, the next thing you have to figure out is: Who is this offer for?
This is where a lot of people struggle. You’ll hear it called targeting or finding your niche.
And I’ll be honest—when people say, “My product is for everyone,” I’m like, No it’s not.
Your service is not for everyone. Your podcast is not for everyone.
Sure, anyone can listen to it or buy it, but:
- Can everyone afford it? No.
- Will everyone value it the same way? No.
- Will everyone use it the way you intended? Definitely not.
So let’s start with the first and most overlooked question:
Can the people you want to serve even afford your offer?
That’s critical. I’ve been teaching for free for over a decade, and I get it—I want to serve my community, the underserved, the forgotten. I know there’s talent and potential there. That’s why I intentionally offer many products under $100—things other coaches are charging $4,000 to $5,000 for.
Because I know that if you show these people what to do, they’ll do it. You’re sowing into good ground.
But let’s be real: I can’t offer the same level of service to someone who pays $97 as I do to someone who’s paying me $165,000 for high-level consulting.
So if someone is paying $97, maybe they’re getting group coaching sessions, pre-recorded trainings, and digital resources. Versus someone at the high-ticket level—they’re getting one-on-one calls, strategy sessions, funnel audits, product development, brand deal planning, even help with manufacturing.
So yes—serve with integrity. But also, make sure your business can pay the light bill and support your team. You are in business, which means you must make a profit.
Step 4 – Define your audiene demograhics. Once you’ve figured out who you want to serve, ask yourself:
- What age group are they in? Keep it to a 5–10 year range. Most of your audience will likely fall within a 20-year age span. For example, your core group might be between 25 and 55.
- What gender do they identify with? Are your products or content geared more toward women, men, or are they gender-neutral?
- Where do they live? Geography matters! Let’s say you sell fuzzy snow boots. You’re probably not going to sell many of those in southern California where it’s 80 degrees year-round. But in New York, Chicago, or Denver? Totally different story.
- How do they use the product or service?
My favorite example of this is pizza. Almost everybody eats pizza, right?
When I was in college and broke for broke, there was this pizza shop that would sell us three large pizzas for $10. We weren’t looking for gourmet, artisanal toppings—we just wanted to be full on a budget.
But contrast that with someone ordering pizza for a family movie night or a team lunch at work. Same product—totally different use case, different messaging, and sometimes a different price point.
Ashley: So yeah—three large pizzas for $10, right?
Then, when it got close to finals, what did the pizza shops start advertising? “We’re open late! We stay open until 2 AM, even 4 AM!” That’s exactly what college students want—whether they’re up late partying, clubbing, or studying.
Now let’s take the same pizza shop and switch gears. Suppose they run a commercial for families. It goes:
“Hey Mom, hey Dad—be a hero tonight! You don’t have to cook. Swing by and grab our Family Special for $35: two medium pizzas, drinks, cheesesteaks, plates, cups, and dessert—cookies included.”
That message hits completely different.
Do both college students and families eat pizza? Absolutely. But the angle is different. The marketing message shifts based on the pain points and desires of the customer.
For college kids:
- They’re broke.
- They’re looking for something cheap, fast, and available at 3 AM.
For busy parents:
- They have more disposable income.
- They have less time.
- They’re not staying up until 3 AM.
- They want convenience, value, and peace of mind.
So what I’m really trying to say here is this:
You need to figure out why your customer wants your offer.
It’s going to vary depending on their age, lifestyle, and values—and that influences which version of your offer you should push to them.
Ask yourself:
- Do I lead with the core product or a bundle?
- Do I highlight a lower-tier option or a premium-tier experience?
- Is this audience more cost-conscious or quality-conscious?
Let me give you some free 99 game right now—something most people keep a secret.
When you’re trying to define your target audience, pay attention to where they shop for groceries. Seriously.
That will tell you a LOT about their habits, mindset, and values.
- People who love Walmart are typically cost-focused. They’re looking for value and quantity.
- People who shop at Target (or “Tarjay” as we call it!) are more quality-focused. They care about aesthetics, service, and they’re often willing to pay more for something they like.
- These folks will lean toward your core or premium products.
- They often appreciate customization.
- Customers who shop at Whole Foods or the farmer’s market tend to be health-conscious, community-minded, and small-business-friendly.
- They understand why your prices may be higher. They get that you’re not some mass-production brand.
- Then you’ve got folks who shop at discount stores or salvage groceries—where you get dented cans for 10 cents.
- That audience is super price-sensitive.
- They’re looking for rock-bottom deals, not premium experiences—and that’s okay. But they may not be your target customer.
So yeah, watch how your potential customers shop. That one habit reveals so much about what they value—and how to position your product to actually sell to them.
Markeith: That actually made me start thinking about my own shopping habits! Here in Tennessee—in Nashville—we’ve got Kroger, Publix, Walmart, and Target.
Sometimes I’ll go to Publix because I want something fresh, pre-seasoned, and ready to cook—like right now. But then I’ll go to Kroger for other items because I’m like, “I’m not paying more for the same loaf of bread just because it’s in Publix!”
So yes—I totally get what you’re saying.
Ashley: Exactly! That’s the kind of thinking we need when we’re identifying our audience.
Now, once we’ve figured out who we’re selling to, here’s something that may feel counterintuitive, but it’s super important: you need to set up your Linktree.
For those who are like, “What’s Linktree?”—in social media land, we all make money from our “trees.”
I know, I know… it’s been drilled into everyone’s head that you must have a full-blown website to make money. But I’m here to tell you: You do not.
Please don’t come for me—I’m just giving the real. People love to debate me on this, but listen… I’m undefeated on this one.
Here’s why:
75% of the people who find you online are using their phones. If they discover you on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or wherever, what are they going to do? They’re going to click the link in your bio.
And if that link sends them to a complicated website? You just lost the sale.
Websites can actually hurt your conversions in social media land because they take too long to load, they’re not optimized for mobile, or they have too many distractions.
Markeith: Can I stop you right there for a second?
So, I do have a website, of course—but I also created a kind of “Linktree-style” landing page on my website just for social media. Is that basically the same thing, or is it different?
Ashley: No, that’s actually better—as long as it’s mobile optimized. That’s really the key.
Because typically, when someone goes to a website, the whole site has to load. All the pictures, all the text, videos, music—whatever you’ve got on there—it all has to load at once.
Now compare that to a Linktree-style page: it’s simple, fast, and it’s just a list of buttons and links. That page loads almost instantly, and that’s exactly what you want when people are coming from social media.
I will say this—if it’s an ecommerce website, okay, then maybe, maybe you can get away with using a full site. But even then, I still recommend having a Linktree or mobile landing page that people click through first.
And here’s why:
Most Linktrees and landing pages load in about 0.5 to 1.5 seconds. That’s lightning fast. Websites? Not so much.
Ashley: Most websites, on average, take two to five seconds to load. You’ll see that little loading bar inching across the top of the screen. But most people are impatient—they’re not going to wait unless they really, really, really love your brand, your story… or your dirty, stinky dolls, as I like to say!
You have to remember: on social media, you’re interrupting people’s day.
They’re not there to shop—they’re there talking to friends, liking funny posts, checking in with coworkers, or catching up with family and grandkids. Social media is social. So when we show up with our offers, it can feel intrusive.
If your website takes a while to load, and they do wait it out, now they have to click through the menu. Then they’re guessing which section or page to go to. If they don’t get it right the first time, they have to go back and try again.
If you sell multiple products, now they’re scrolling through categories trying to find the one item you mentioned in your video or your post. Once they finally find it, they add it to the cart. But now? The checkout process is usually not even on the same site—it redirects them to Sezzle, PayPal, Stripe, or another third-party platform.
Markeith: There are so many chances for people to leave before completing the sale—and they do. People abandon carts all the time.
Now compare that to a simple Linktree setup. Someone sees your post on social, they click the link in your bio, and boom—they see exactly what they need:
“Oh, I’m here for the red shirt.”
“I’m looking for that 90-day coaching program.”
“I want the plant-based recipe guide.”
“I saw that 20% off coupon.”
They click it, and it takes them directly to the page they want—no distractions, no guesswork, no loading multiple pages.
Even if you’re using Shopify, WooCommerce, or something else, I always recommend people set up their Linktree (or similar landing page) to feature:
- Your top-selling products
- The featured product of the week or month
- A link to your lead magnet
- A link for people to connect with you
That setup almost always results in higher conversions and more sales than simply dropping your homepage URL into your bio.
Ashley: I have a setup like that on one of my websites. And on my other sites, I build everything using LeadPages—because they’re just so fast.
If you have the skills, I absolutely encourage you to do what Markeith did—build your own Linktree-style page. It’s worth it.
But if you’re like, “All this tech stuff makes me nervous,” or you’re just starting out and don’t want to get overwhelmed, that’s okay too. Just go grab a free Linktree account, get it set up, and then later on you can come back and hire someone to build you a custom version.
Now, once you get your tree built, you’re going to put that link in your bio.
And here’s the thing—you kind of know who your target audience is, but you don’t know everything yet. You don’t know what kind of content they respond to. You don’t know what colors they’re drawn to. You don’t know the best times to post. You don’t know which hashtags they’re following.
That’s why we now start the process of figuring it all out—through testing, trial, and error.
This is where your analytics come into play. But here’s what you need to remember right now:
Once your link is in your bio, you should be telling someone to click that link at least once a day.
Markeith: Let me say that again—once a day.
Ashley: At a minimum, you need to mention your link or free offer once a day. Put it in your stories, post it on your page, say it in your livestream. I don’t care—do the Butterfly or the Tootsie Roll if you have to—but tell them, “Hey, I have this free thing.”
Let me be very clear: nobody wants to join your monthly newsletter. Nobody cares—except you and maybe your mama. And even she’s probably just being polite.
Now, what people will respond to is a free community, specific tips, a cheat sheet, checklist, mini course, or a meaningful coupon. If you’re going to use a coupon to get people to opt in, skip the 10% off—those days are done. We’re in an era of high inflation and rising costs. Make it worth their while. Offer something like 25% or 35% off, and put a time limit on it. Say, “This coupon is only valid for 72 hours” or “Use it by the end of the month.” Create urgency and value.
When you figure out what people want, give it to them. Every single day, you should be saying something like:
“Hey, did you know I’ve got this free guide?”
“Struggling with XYZ? Grab my free checklist.”
“Here’s a surprising stat about [insert your niche]. Want to learn more? Here’s something free to help you.”
Also, you need to be comfortable making offers. There are two kinds: hard offers and soft offers.
A hard offer is direct. “This product is $47, regularly $67. Grab it now.” Straight to the point.
A soft offer is more subtle. Maybe you post a photo of your shipping labels or a video of packing orders, and caption it, “Orders headed out today!” That lets people know something is available to buy, without directly saying it. Testimonials, product care tips, or videos showing how to use your product also fall into this category. You might say, “Click the link to get more info,” or “Check out the reviews.” Once they get to the page, they’ll see the option to buy. That’s a soft sale.
I recommend at least one hard sale per week. I personally make offers every day—because I’m not shy. But if sales give you anxiety, start with three or four soft sales per week and one hard offer. That’s a solid rhythm.
Every single day, get in the habit of inviting people to either join your community or buy something from you.
Your other posts throughout the week can focus on educating, entertaining, or simply having fun.
Markeith: So much to unpack. Just so much.
Okay, so we’re starting our business. We’ve learned that we don’t need a huge following, but we do need quality content and followers. Then, we identify our core offer—what we actually want to provide. Next, we learn who our potential clients are—who is that customer avatar? What do they like? Where do they shop? What colors grab their attention?
Then we start putting our offer out there and getting people into our pipeline.
And you touched on it a little already—but can you tell us why having something free is so important at the beginning of this journey?
Ashley: A couple of different reasons.
First, your “free 99” usually leads to the “pay 99.” It helps you see who’s serious about taking the next step versus who’s just there for the freebie.
Second, lead magnets give you the opportunity to move someone into what’s called a funnel. I won’t go too deep into that right now, but it’s something I teach all my clients. Basically, once someone opts in for your lead magnet, it can trigger an automated offer on the back end.
I’ve used that strategy for a long time, and I’ve been able to generate enough sales from those automated offers that they actually cover my ad spend. So it’s a great way to offset your marketing expenses.
Third, a lead magnet positions you as a resource to someone who’s brand new to you. It helps build trust. And if people don’t trust you, they are not going to buy from you.
Unfortunately, a lot of people have been scammed before. I’ve personally spent money with people and didn’t receive the product or service I paid for. So naturally, people get cautious. That freebie or lead magnet? That’s their very first experience with you.
If they like it—and especially if it exceeds their expectations—you’ve basically earned yourself a long-term customer.
I’ve had people in my community say things like, “I don’t even need this product. I’m just buying it because I want to support you. I like you.” And those same people will turn around and tell others about you. They’ll bring in new customers, they’ll promote you, and they’ll rave about your work.
You need that mix. And to make that happen, you need a solid lead magnet.
Now, let me go ahead and address the thought that someone’s probably having: “If I don’t even know who my target customer is yet, why should I have an offer?”
Because sometimes, while you’re still testing and learning, people will buy.
They need to know you have something to offer in the first place. A lot of us get stuck thinking, “Oh, I just know this idea is going to work,” and then we put out the campaign or content, and no one bites.
Then you post something off the cuff, something casual, just sharing thoughts—and that takes off. Suddenly, people are flooding in asking how to buy.
If people are ready to buy—whether it’s one or one hundred—you need to have something ready. Always.
People need to know that yes, you offer value, but you also have products and services they can purchase. You’re in business. You’re not just here for freebies.
Markeith: Wow. So good. So, so good.
We’ll go ahead and pause the conversation here for now, because we’ve covered a lot already.
At this point, let’s say we’ve gotten people into our world. They’re on our email list, they’re following us on social media, and they’ve made a purchase.
What I understand—and what I’ve seen—is that if you’re trying to hit that million-dollar mark, it’s usually not about getting someone to buy just one thing. It’s a process, often involving multiple purchases across a funnel, that builds up to that level of revenue.
Ashley: Yes, that’s exactly right.
Markeith: Or maybe not… because that also depends on the price point, correct?
Ashley: Yes, that’s good—it absolutely does depend on the price point.
Markeith: So here’s my question: Once someone has made a purchase, what should we be doing next to turn that customer into a lifetime customer—someone who comes back and buys again?
Ashley: Yeah, so there are three main ways businesses grow:
- By getting more customers
- By increasing the amount each customer spends
- By getting those customers to come back and purchase again
You should be doing a combination of all three.
Let me give you a quick example. Let’s say you have some kind of course or program that costs $2,500. Sure, you can make a million dollars if you get enough people to buy just that one offer. But realistically, most people’s products or services are priced under $150.
So, let’s bring it down and look at the $100,000 mark. To make $100K in a year, you only need 1,000 people to buy something from you at $100. That’s it—just 1,000 customers. And no, that doesn’t mean 1,000 different people have to each buy one $100 thing. Like you said, Markeith, people are going to buy multiple things over time.
Let’s say after someone grabs your lead magnet, they buy a $19.99 product. Then, later in the year, you launch a special series for $49.99 and they buy that too. Now they’ve already spent close to $70.
A few months later, maybe you run a birthday sale—everything is $30 for 30 hours. Someone jumps on that. Plus, you include an order bump for $27, and maybe 20% of your customers grab that as well.
So when you do the math, yes—you’ve passed that $100K mark. But remember: you have taxes, software fees, platform fees, maybe some physical product costs, cell phone and internet bills, website hosting—all of that. So the system I use is designed for you to actually take home $100,000 after expenses.
You can absolutely build your model around multiple purchases from the same customer. Or, if your price point is $1,500 or more, you may only need to make a single sale per customer.
What I usually recommend, though, is building something that allows for continued interaction—like a membership, a loyalty program, or some kind of community with ongoing education and value.
Maybe after five purchases or five referrals, someone gets a VIP code or lifetime discount. It’s not hard to do; it just takes some planning.
Sometimes people even ask, “Can I put you on retainer?” They don’t need you every day, but they want to secure your help when needed. So you can create retainer packages.
If you’re selling physical products, think about the next step. For example, if you sell hair growth oil, once someone reaches their length goal, they’ll need something to help maintain their hair. That’s where your maintenance bundle comes in.
It’s about thinking ahead: what comes next for your customer? What are they already asking you for? If you can create or source that, you’re good to go.
Markeith: Well, I don’t know about y’all, but I’m definitely going back to watch this video again. Ashley gave us so much—and it’s all actionable. You don’t have to do it all at once. Just start with step one, and take it piece by piece.
And of course, you’re going to want to follow her—because I know I am.
So Ashley, how can we stay connected to you? Do you have a freemium, a community, or something you want to invite us to? Let us know where we can find you.
Ashley: So I’m @KingAshleyAnn everywhere. Even though I have the most followers on Instagram—and I’ll be honest, I post there and I work my DMs—that’s not where I spend the majority of my time these days.
Right now, I’m having a really fun time building up my TikTok community. I’m also growing my YouTube channel, so those are the two platforms I’m most active on at the moment.
Facebook and Instagram kind of run on autopilot for me now, but I’m still present and responsive.
So again, it’s @KingAshleyAnn on all platforms.
When you follow me, make sure to like three or four posts and comment under a couple of things—that helps my content start showing up in your algorithm.
The best way to stay in touch, though, is to join my Commerce Club—it’s 100% free. You’ll get alerts when I host free masterclasses, trainings, and more.
All you have to do is text the word KOMMAS—spelled K-O-M-M-A-S—to 501-285-8966.
And Markeith, I wanted to give your audience something special. I’m super passionate about helping people get real information and take real steps.
So, I have a workshop that normally costs $2,500 per person. But this year, I’ve committed to offering it at least once a month for free.
In this workshop, I teach everything from choosing a profitable product to building your funnel to finding thousands of people online who are a good fit for your offer.
These workshops are deep. They’re usually three to five hours long because we don’t do fluff. I teach, and I try to answer as many questions as possible at the end.
Markeith, I’m going to send you a special link for your community so they can register and attend for free. I usually host them on Sundays, sometime after 4 PM, and again—I do this at least once a month.
Markeith: I’m game. I’m ready. I think I’m already part of the KOMMAS Club—I get your texts! I might not catch all the livestreams, but I definitely get the messages.
But now, after doing this interview, I realize I need to pay more attention… and honestly, I probably just need to become a client!
Because I’m ready. Six figures is great—but I’m trying to hit that seven-figure mark. I need to go to at least half a million next.
Ashley: It’s easier than you think. And I know it sounds crazy when I say that to people, but y’all—I started with $125 and a laptop.
Even when I started live streaming, everybody laughed at me. I really thought, “If I can make $1,000 a month doing this, I’ll keep doing it.” That was my mindset at the time. And now, I have days where I pull in $250,000, half a million, or even a million dollars.
So it’s kind of wild to think about how I started. But I truly believe in setting goals that feel attainable and taking things step by step.
In the beginning, I just wanted to help people—not get scammed, not get taken advantage of. And that’s still my mission.
There are so many people out there calling themselves gurus. I don’t refer to myself as one, but people say it. And a lot of those folks get frustrated with me because I give away for free what they’re charging for.
And then when people get inside my training portal, I teach them even more—the nuts and bolts. I’m not going to charge someone thousands of dollars for something they could learn on Google. That’s just ridiculous.
And when you come into one of my free trainings, I’m not going to bore you with stuff you could Google on your own. I give real strategies, real steps that actually work.
So yeah, my people love me. My competitors… not so much. But it’s because I’m committed to making sure people have access to what they need.
Markeith: I believe it. And look—I’m all in. I’m going to catch as many of those workshops as I can. I know you’re going to walk us through this whole journey from beginning to end, and I want to see the results too.
So Ashley, thank you for joining me for this episode of the Maximize Your Brand Podcast. It was jam-packed with powerful, practical insights. I’m really looking forward to staying connected and learning even more from you because you are the real deal.
Also, congratulations on your wedding! I know there were some challenges leading up to it—as you mentioned with your event planning roots—but you made it through, and you made it happen.
And honestly, that’s one of the biggest lessons I took away from that experience: wealth is really about having the freedom and access to still do what needs to be done—even when things don’t go as planned.
For a lot of people, that kind of unexpected situation could’ve shut everything down. But you had the resources to keep things moving, and that’s powerful. That’s what income and ownership provide—options and control over your life.
Ashley: I tell people all the time—it’s not really about the money itself. It’s about the quality of life and the access that money gives you.
Think about it. The amount of money you make can determine the kind of neighborhood you live in, the school your kids go to, who they network with, and what kind of opportunities come your way.
I wish we had more time because there’s so much to unpack. People say, “I’ve got this degree,” but in reality, it’s often about who you know.
When it comes to business, a lot of opportunities aren’t based on merit—they’re based on relationships.
That’s why soft skills matter. That’s why networking matters. And yes, sometimes it costs money to get in those rooms.
I’ve attended retreats that cost $40,000 to $50,000 per person—but just being in those rooms gave me access to people and opportunities that have led to multi-six and seven-figure contracts.
So no, it’s not about being materialistic. It’s about creating options, flexibility, and freedom—not just for yourself, but for your family and your future.
Markeith: So good. So good. I wish we had more time too.
We’ll have to do another episode, maybe something just focused on Instagram or deeper into funnels, because this was amazing.
Ashley, thank you so much again for being a guest on the Maximize Your Brand Podcast. I’m definitely staying connected, and I know the audience is going to want to follow you too.
To everyone listening—stay connected, make your money, and pass it on.
Ashley: Thank you so much for having me, Markeith. You are amazing. This was awesome.
Markeith (Outro): What a guest. Miss Ashley Ann gave us the real on how to make a million dollars using social media.
I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I did.
Let me know what you thought by emailing me at markeith@markeithbraden.com.
And don’t forget—if you’re not already a subscriber, head over to iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave us a rating and a review and let us know how you’re enjoying the show.
I’m so excited about this episode and everything Ashley shared with us.
Until next time, remember this: Always shoot for the top—because it’s the bottom that’s overcrowded.
Take care.
