In this episode, Sam breaks down how to place your very first Facebook ad—step by step.

From setting a budget and choosing the right objective to using Meta’s AI tools to build your audience, this guide is perfect for small business owners getting started with paid ads.

Sam also covers creative tips, how to set up your ad inside Ads Manager, and what to expect when you launch.

It’s simple, actionable, and built for beginners.

Next episode, Sam will talk about brand awareness campaigns.

Source link for https://www.facebook.com/business/m/small-business/advertiser-success-center. Facebook call it your all-in-one resource for levelling up your advertising strategy.

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If you love the episode… subscribe, share, and like, I’d love a review or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to achieve your small business goals, whether through mentoring, attending a workshop, or a brief 1-hour course.

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

#smallbusiness #podcast #newepisode #5minutebusinessboost #tunein #smallbiz #aussiesmallbusiness #samhicks

In this episode, I explore the power of social media schedulers for small business owners.

Whether you're juggling Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok, these tools can help you show up consistently without losing your sanity.

I break down the pros and cons of top platforms like Publer, Loomly, Blaze AI, and Sendible—plus share my insights from a year of testing.

Learn what features to look for, how to avoid costly currency conversion traps, and why your next best marketing assistant might be a scheduler.

🎯 Key takeaways:

• What features matter most in a scheduler
• The real cost of “free” vs. paid plans
• Which tool fits your stage of business
• My top recommendations for 2025

If you love the episode… subscribe, share, and like, I’d love a review or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to achieve your small business goals, whether through mentoring, attending a workshop, or a brief 1-hour course.

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

Google’s AI Mode is changing how people search—and while it’s not yet available in Australia, it’s on the way.

In this episode, I break down five practical, powerful takeaways from Exposure Ninja's Podcast #357 that small businesses can start using now to get ahead.

We cover why brand mentions beat backlinks, why case studies matter more than testimonials, and how to future-proof your content and digital PR strategy for the AI-powered search landscape.

This is about being ready before the rest of the market pivots. Because in this new search era, early action = lasting advantage.

If you love the episode… subscribe, share, and like, I’d love a review or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to achieve your small business goals, whether through mentoring, attending a workshop, or a brief 1-hour course.

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

#smallbusiness #podcast #newepisode #5minutebusinessboost #tunein #smallbiz #aussiesmallbusiness #samhicks

In this episode, Sam break down the essentials of dropshipping — one of Australia’s most accessible eCommerce models.

Learn how it works, why it’s gaining popularity, and what steps you need to take to launch your own dropshipping business.

Sam covers key topics like choosing a niche, registering your business, finding reliable Australian suppliers, and using automation tools.

Plus, based on research, and highlighted by AI, Sam highlights critical legal and compliance tips and shares three top success strategies to help you avoid common pitfalls.

Ready to explore if dropshipping is right for you?

(*Excuse the yawns - it had been a HUGE week.)

If you love the episode… subscribe, share, and like, I’d love a review or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals; whether via mentoring, attending a workshop or a small 1-hour course.

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

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Sources:

1. DataFeedWatch,

2. Dropshipzone,

3. Dropshipping.com,

4. Sleek,

5. Spocket,

6. Sprintlaw,

7. AutoDS,

8. Shopify,

9. LegalVision,

10. GemPages

Ready to unlock serious profit acceleration for your small business?

In Episode 105 of the 5-Minute Business Boost podcast, we welcome back Phil East to close out our 3-part series on Profit Acceleration Secrets.

Phil dives into how digital marketing and drip campaigns can 10X your leads, nurture trust, and significantly increase lifetime customer value — with real case studies and actionable strategies.

Pure gold in this series and thanks to Phil from Profit Improvers for being such a great sport and sharing his insights from his books and experience working with small businesses just like yours.

So Phil, thanks again—listeners, go to https://bit.ly/BizBoostProfitSim and start accelerating your profits today!

If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, I'd love a review or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals; whether via mentoring, attending a workshop or a small 1-hour course.

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

In this episode, Sam offers a personal and practical perspective on how drought and the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) are impacting Victorian farmers and rural communities.

She unpacks the changes to the fire levy, set to take effect in July 2025, and explains what these reforms mean for primary producers already managing the challenges of low rainfall, rising costs, and increased financial pressures.

Sam also highlights the tough decisions being made by regional families and businesses and calls for a greater understanding of the real pressures facing Victoria’s agricultural sector.

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If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals; whether via mentoring, attending a workshop or a small 1-hour course.

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

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With the help of AI, Sam has reviewed a wide range of sources see transcript.

Understanding Law in Everyday Life – with Katie from Mal Ryan & Glen

In this episode, I’m joined by Katie from Mal Ryan & Glen, Mansfield’s oldest law firm—serving the region since 1921.

With deep community roots and offices in Mansfield and Alexandra, the firm is known for practical legal advice that supports locals through life, family, property, and business matters.

Katie shares what Victorian Law Week is all about and how small business owners—and everyday people—can use it to better understand their rights, responsibilities, and where to get help when the law intersects with life.

Learn more at viclawweek.org.au.

There are events statewide.

Thanks to Katie Lockey from https://www.malryanglen.com.au/

for being my guest and chatting about Law week 2025.

In this episode Sam is diving into marketing plans, even the ones scribbled on the back of a napkin.

Because here’s the truth: any plan, no matter how simple or messy, is better than no plan at all.

Why does it matter?

A marketing plan gives you direction and focus. It stops you from spinning your wheels, guessing what to do next, or feeling overwhelmed by all the marketing options out there. The golden rule? Done is better than perfect.

Start where you are, with whatever you have, a napkin, a note on your phone, or a quick sketch on paper.

If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals; whether via mentoring, attending a workshop or a small 1-hour course.

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

SHOW NOTES

Marketing Plan Templates and Tools

Business Victoria Marketing Plan Template – A free, detailed Word template to help you create and update your marketing plan step-by-step

DIY Digital Marketing Plan Template – A practical 5-page template designed for Australian small businesses, including goal setting and financial basics

The Marketing Planner – An intuitive tool to organise your marketing goals and projects throughout the year

ClickUp – A cloud-based project management tool ideal for planning and tracking marketing tasks.

Additional Resources – Check local government and business advisory sites for workshops and support tailored to Victorian small businesses.

www.samhicks.com.au - Looking for a no-fuss one-page plan? Check out the art of crafting one.