Ep15 Building Authentic Connections & Social Media Strategy with Gabriella Yurevich

Episode Summary:In this episode, Dena Woulfe sits down with Gabriella Yurevich, a former art teacher turned social media strategist who helps women-owned entrepreneurs build authentic, long-lasting connections with their audience. Gabriella shares why chasing virality is overrated, how in-person networking supercharges online growth, and her proven strategies for creating a personal brand that converts followers into loyal customers.Whether you’re a business owner who hates social media or someone struggling to stand out in a noisy digital world, this episode is packed with actionable tips to attract the right people—not just more followers.Key Topics Discussed:1. From Art Teacher to Social Media StrategistGabriella’s transition from teaching to social media marketing.Why she shifted from chasing virality to focusing on real relationships.The problem with vanity metrics (likes/followers) vs. meaningful engagement.2. The Power of In-Person Networking (Even for Online Businesses)How moving to St. Louis transformed Gabriella’s business through local networking.Why face-to-face connections lead to warmer leads than online outreach.Her #1 tip: Follow up within 24–48 hours after exchanging business cards.3. Social Media Strategy That Actually WorksQuality over quantity: Why 200 engaged followers beat 10,000 passive ones.Consistency > Overposting: How to create a sustainable content schedule.Instagram Stories: The secret tool for building trust and qualifying leads.4. Personal Branding: Why Authenticity SellsWhy corporate-style branding falls flat (and what to do instead).How to dig deeper than surface-level pain points to truly resonate with your audience.The “Dream People” framework: Narrowing your niche to attract ideal clients.5. Gabriella’s Services & Free ResourceDone-for-you social media management (for entrepreneurs who hate posting).Community Builder Program: Teach clients how to foster genuine connections.FREE Gift: Personal Brand Blueprint—a guide to clarifying your audience and messaging.Actionable Takeaways: Post consistently (even 1–2x/week) instead of burning out trying to post daily. Use Instagram Stories daily to build rapport (polls, Q&As, behind-the-scenes). Network offline—St. Louis has a thriving biz community (and Gabriella’s fave spots!). Define your “Dream People”—get specific about who you serve and why.Connect with Gabriella:Instagram: @social.traction.studiosWebsite: socialtractionstudios.comFreebie: Personal Brand Blueprint (DM her on Instagram to grab it!)Connect with Dena: https://podcast.upleveledstrategies.com/https://upleveledstrategies.com/