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 Strategist

• Gabriella’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 Works

• Quality 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 Sells

• Why 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 Resource

• Done-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.studios
• Website: socialtractionstudios.com
• Freebie: Personal Brand Blueprint (DM her on Instagram to grab it!)

Connect with Dena:

• https://podcast.upleveledstrategies.com/
• https://upleveledstrategies.com/