The Digital Brew

The Digital Brew
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY

Want to know how to start and grow a small business? Pour yourself a cuppa and listen to Angela and Stewart talk about websites, marketing, copywriting, SEO, content marketing, tools, systems and processes, and running a small business. With a balance between storytelling, learnings, and actionable tips, we always try to keep it on topic. We know you’re busy, so we carefully plan each episode to be the perfect length to enjoy over a cup of tea or coffee. Who is The Digital Brew? We’re Angela and Stewart Rodgers - married high school sweethearts in Brisbane, Australia. Together we combine our copywriting and web design skills to launch really, ridiculously good websites that help our clients be more visible online. Want to catch every episode? Subscribe to The Digital Brew Postcast on your favourite podcast app or head to https://thedigitalbrew.com.au/podcast/ to check out detailed show notes and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. #25 - Running a business and staying married

    05/07/2025

    #25 - Running a business and staying married

    In this episode, we're diving into something really personal - how we manage to run a business together while staying happily married. When we tell people we're married to our business partner, we usually get that look of mild shock followed by "How do you survive spending so much time together?" Our JourneyWe've been running businesses together on and off for over 10 years now, and we've been married for 13 years this year. Back when we started our first business, we were only 22 and barely adulting properly! We were newlyweds trying to figure out marriage whilst simultaneously learning how to run a business without a boss telling us what to do. Those early days were tough but also pretty wonderful. We got to spend heaps of time together - café breakfasts, beach walks whilst everyone else was at work (definitely pre-kids!). But we struggled with time management and switching off from work for ages. When we launched The Digital Brew, we were older, had two kids, and crucially, we'd figured out what roles we each played best. Our Top Tips for Working with Your Spouse1. Set Goals TogetherHave really good reasons for going into business together that you're both committed to. Whether it's financial goals, flexibility for family, or career opportunities - these will carry you through the tough spots. 2. Play to Your StrengthsDon't assume who should do what based on stereotypes. We initially thought Angela would be the creative one and Stewart would handle admin and finance. Turns out Stewart's rubbish at admin! Now Angela handles the upfront project work and ongoing admin/finance, while Stew focuses on long-term client management and support. 3. Give Each Other SpaceWe split our tiny office down the middle with a divider. Sounds dramatic, but it's brilliant! We can still chat about projects, but we're not constantly interrupting each other. 4. Set BoundariesUse tech systems to keep work conversations contained. We use Twist for async work chats and Todoist for task management. No more work talk over dinner (the kids quickly shut that down anyway!). 5. Always Do Your BestThe beauty of working with your spouse is seeing the full picture of what they're dealing with. Support each other through the ups and downs. 6. Marriage FirstMarriage is forever - business might not be. If your marriage goes sideways, chances are your business will too. Prioritise your relationship above all else. What's Next?This wraps up season two of our podcast! We're taking a little break but we'll be back with season three and loads of fresh episodes already planned. Thanks for listening, and if you've got your own experiences or tips about working with your spouse, we'd love to hear them! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 min
  2. #24 - Quality over quantity content

    27/06/2025

    #24 - Quality over quantity content

    In this episode, we're diving into a topic that's been on our minds lately - quality versus quantity when it comes to content creation. With AI tools making it easier than ever to pump out heaps of content, we thought it was time to have a proper chat about why quality should still be your number one priority. What We CoverDefining High Quantity Content We break down what "high quantity" actually means by looking at it two ways: Platform-specific comparisons (like one LinkedIn post per week being average)Industry-specific benchmarks (B2C vs B2B posting frequencies)For context, we paint a picture of what extreme quantity might look like for a small B2B service provider - daily blogs, multiple social posts, and loads of stories content. Sounds exhausting, right? The Five Pillars of Quality ContentAngela walks us through what makes content truly quality: Usefulness - Does it actually deliver on its promise?Uniqueness - Your own spin, not just copy-pasted AI contentAccuracy - Research thoroughly and back up your claimsExperience - Proper formatting, grammar, and user-friendly presentationPeople-focused - Created for humans first, not just algorithmsWhy Quality Wins Every TimeWhen you focus on quality over quantity, brilliant things happen: You build a reputation people actually trustFollowers stop scrolling and start engagingSearch engines love your stuff and rank you higherYou have time to build real relationships with other creatorsYou create work you're genuinely proud ofThe Quantity TrapOn the flip side, we discuss what happens when you prioritise pumping out loads of mediocre content: Your brand values get lost in the noisePeople start seeing you as someone who cuts cornersEngagement drops and algorithms punish youYou might even start hating the work you doOur TakeLook, we're not against using AI tools - they can be brilliant when used properly. But if your team is suddenly producing heaps more content with the same resources, that's a red flag. Always double-check that your content still ticks those quality boxes. For most small businesses, the reality is you can't have both quality and quantity without a massive investment. And that's okay! We'd rather see you create one piece of great content than ten pieces of rubbish. Bottom line: If you're not in a position to produce content consistently, choose infrequent good content over frequent mediocre content. Your audience (and your sanity) will thank you for it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min
  3. #23 - Tools we use - websites, productivity, content creation

    19/06/2025

    #23 - Tools we use - websites, productivity, content creation

    In this episode, we're sharing our tried-and-tested toolkit that keeps our digital agency running smoothly. We've been refining these tools over 10+ years! Content Creation & WritingGoogle Docs - Angela's go-to for pretty much everything writing-related. AI Transcription Tools - We've used Otter AI, Temi, and Happy Scribe to turn client calls into content gold. Claude AI - Our favourite for development help and content brainstorming. Website Building & DesignWordPress - Still our CMS of choice. Bricks Builder - Our current visual builder. Great balance of flexibility for us and simplicity for clients. Figma - Where all our designs start. Productivity & Project ManagementTodoist - Our task management lifesaver. Twist - We ditched Slack for this gem. Zoom - Still our reliable choice for client calls, especially with that handy Google Calendar integration. SEO & AnalyticsMangools - Our budget-friendly SEO toolkit. Google Analytics & Search Console - We use them, but let's be honest, GA4 is a bit of a pain compared to the old Universal Analytics! Technical ToolsWP Umbrella - Keeps all our WordPress sites monitored, updated, and secure. GridPane - Our WordPress hosting management panel that makes server management actually enjoyable. Gmail + MXroute - Our clever email setup that gives us Google's interface without being locked into their ecosystem. Client CollaborationUserBack - Absolute lifesaver for getting website feedback. Fluent CRM - Our WordPress-based email marketing solution. ScreenPal - Perfect for quick how-to videos and client walkthroughs. Design & GraphicsCanva - Essential for quick graphics when you're not a full-time designer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
  4. #22 - Website maintenance - all the things you should be doing

    16/06/2025

    #22 - Website maintenance - all the things you should be doing

    In this episode, we dive deep into the nitty-gritty of website maintenance - all those essential tasks that keep your site running smoothly but often get overlooked. Whether you're managing your own website or just curious about what your web team actually does behind the scenes, we've got you covered with practical tips and real-world insights. What We CoverUptime Monitoring - We start with the absolute basics. Set up monitoring to ping your site every few minutes and alert you if anything goes down. We recommend Better Stack (10 monitors free) or Uptime Robot (50 monitors free). Don't forget SSL and domain expiration monitoring too! Backups (The More, The Better!) - Never rely on just your host's backups. We recommend at least two backup methods, ideally three or more. Make sure your backups are stored off-site - you don't want all your eggs in one basket if your host implodes. Broken Link Checking - Nobody likes hitting a 404 page, and Google doesn't either. Regular checks of your internal and external links keep both users and search engines happy. Software Updates - The golden rule of security: keep everything updated. We chat about using staging environments, checking changelogs, and why major version updates need extra caution. Vulnerability Checks - Stay ahead of security threats with systems that compare your plugins against vulnerability databases. We mention Patchstack's clever "virtual patching" feature. Form Testing - Simple but crucial. Test your forms regularly because there's nothing worse than missing leads due to a broken contact form. Google Search Console Monitoring - Set it up and monitor those notifications. Most are noise, but that 1% of genuine issues can be goldmines for fixing ranking problems. Visual Checks - Nothing beats good old-fashioned human eyeballs. Jump on your site in incognito mode every few days to make sure everything looks and works as it should. The Bottom LineIf you're feeling overwhelmed by all this (and fair dinkum, it is a lot!), remember that many web agencies handle all these maintenance tasks for you (check out our website hosting and support plan!). Sometimes it's worth investing in professional help so you can focus on running your business. Got questions about website maintenance? Drop us a line - we'd love to help! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min
  5. #21 - Why you shouldn't get too creative with your website (UX)

    08/06/2025

    #21 - Why you shouldn't get too creative with your website (UX)

    Hello and welcome back to The Digital Brew Podcast! In this episode, we dive into why getting too fancy with your website's user experience can actually hurt your business more than help it. What We Mean by "Too Fancy"We're talking about websites that break away from what users expect - unusual navigation placement, strange scrolling behaviour, creative image and video usage that leaves visitors thinking "that looks cool, but how do I actually use this thing?" Our Biggest UX Pet PeevesHijacked ScrollingTwo main culprits here that drive us absolutely mental: Forced smooth scroll - when your page swooshes down instead of moving normally Snapping sections - where one scroll wheel movement jumps you to an entirely different section, often before you've finished readingOverused AnimationsWe're not anti-animation, but not every element needs an entrance animation! Use them sparingly and tastefully, and always respect users' reduced motion preferences for accessibility. Pointless Loading ScreensUnless you're showcasing a massive portfolio with tens of megabytes of content, there's no excuse for a loading screen on a business website. If your site loads that slowly, fix the performance issues instead of slapping a preloader on top. Autoplay EverythingJust don't. No autoplay video, no autoplay audio, and definitely no background music (especially if users can't pause it). It's not the MySpace days anymore! The Common ThreadAll these issues share one problem - they take control away from users. When people feel uncomfortable or confused on your website, they're more likely to leave. Our AdviceKeep it simple and within standard expectations. Menu and logo at the top, easy-to-scan headings, plenty of breathing space, and straightforward navigation. You don't have to make it ugly - just make it normal and user-friendly. Remember: function first, creativity second. Always ask yourself if your fancy ideas will negatively impact what you're trying to achieve with your website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min
  6. #20 - Where to purchase domains and hosting

    30/05/2025

    #20 - Where to purchase domains and hosting

    Welcome back to another episode! Today we're exploring domains and web hosting - because choosing the right provider can be a confusing and frustrating experience. What We Cover Domain Hosting: The Must-KnowsPricing Traps to Avoid: Those tempting $1-3 first-year deals? They're designed to hook you in. Always check renewal pricing first! We share a sneaky way to take advantage of cheap first-year prices indefinitely. DNS Hosting: We explain what DNS hosting actually is (those A records and MX records) and why we recommend keeping your domain and DNS separate. It makes switching providers much easier down the track. ID Protection: Essential for stopping spammers from accessing your contact details through WHOIS lookups. Worth getting if it's available for your domain type. Our Domain Provider RecommendationsVenture IP - Our Aussie favourite with solid support and no dodgy upsellsCloudflare - They charge exactly what ICANN charges (zero profit!) hoping you'll use their premium services laterNamecheap - Decent experience with competitive pricingPork Bun - Silly name, solid service with good ongoing ratesWebsite Hosting: Three Main TypesShared Hosting: We're honest - we don't really recommend this anymore. Your site shares resources with hundreds of others, which can cause performance issues. Cloud Hosting: The sweet spot between shared hosting and managed WordPress. Better performance, less hand-holding. Cloudways is our pick for beginners. Managed WordPress: Premium option that focuses solely on WordPress sites. More expensive but includes security management, updates, and even malware cleanup. Hosting RecommendationsShared: SiteGround (reputation a bit tarnished lately) or Venture IPVPS/Cloud: Cloudways for beginners, or try RunCloud/ServerAvatar/xCloud for more controlManaged WordPress: Kinsta or WP Engine are the big namesThe Fourth OptionDon't forget - you can always work with a designer/developer who manages hosting for you! It's part of our care plans, so you can sleep easy knowing we'll handle all the technical stuff. Bottom Line: There's no one-size-fits-all solution. Consider your technical comfort level, budget, and support needs when choosing. Thanks for listening to our podcast where we talk about websites and digital marketing for small businesses. Visit thedigitalbrew.com.au/podcast for more episodes, detailed show notes, resources, and our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min
  7. #19 - Website copywriting and AI in 2025

    23/05/2025

    #19 - Website copywriting and AI in 2025

    n this episode of The Digital Brew Podcast, we dive into the reality of AI's impact on website copywriting and content creation. We're not here to sugarcoat it – we'll give you the honest truth about what's happening in our industry. What We Cover How we're actually using AI toolsWe talk about our preferred AI tools (spoiler: we both like Claude) and how we use them in our daily work. Angela shares her approach of treating AI like an enthusiastic intern – helpful, but you've got to check their work carefully. The current state of the copywriting marketWe discuss how the industry has changed, especially for entry-level writers. The work has slowed down, but highly skilled writers are still in demand. We explore whether this is temporary or a permanent shift. Why we don't trust AI with the big pictureAngela explains why she only gives AI small, specific tasks instead of entire projects. We talk about the importance of maintaining quality standards and why straight AI content can damage brands. The Canva comparisonWe draw parallels between AI writing tools and design tools like Canva – they make things more accessible, but professional expertise is still irreplaceable. What the future holdsOur predictions for the next few years include an explosion of written content, the growing importance of "proof of humanity," and why storytelling will become even more crucial. Key Takeaways AI is unavoidable but not a replacement for professional writing Quality content will stand out more as AI-generated content floods the market Brands need unique data, stories, and human perspectives to differentiate themselves If you can't be bothered to write your content, why should your audience bother reading it?The landscape is shifting quickly, so whether you're a writer or a business owner, staying informed about AI developments is essential. But remember – being cautious is just as important as staying current. Thanks for listening to our podcast where we talk about websites and digital marketing for small businesses. Visit thedigitalbrew.com.au/podcast for more episodes, detailed show notes, resources, and our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  8. #18 – What's trending for web design in 2025?

    16/05/2025

    #18 – What's trending for web design in 2025?

    In this episode of The Digital Brew podcast we're chatting about web design trends for 2025. Join us as we explore what's trendy in website design and how you can keep your online presence fresh without sacrificing functionality. What We Covered: 🎯 MicroanimationsWe discuss the shift from overwhelming "macroanimations" to subtle microanimations that enhance user experience without being disorienting. These small, purposeful movements can draw attention to important elements or add personality to your site. Remember to respect users who prefer reduced motion by implementing the right CSS media queries! 🌈 Bold ColoursMany websites are getting creative with their colour palettes in 2025, moving beyond the traditional 2-3 colour schemes. However, we emphasize the importance of intentional colour choices that align with your brand rather than random rainbow explosions. Working with a professional brand designer can help you define your colour strategy effectively. 📝 Mixed Typography StylesWe explore the trend of intermixing different typography styles within the same headings or sentences. This technique can draw attention to specific words and add personality to otherwise conservative websites. It's a subtle way to make your content more visually interesting while maintaining readability. 📣 Giant TypographyOversized words are making a statement in 2025! While not suitable for every brand, strategically placed giant typography can create impact when used sparingly. This approach works best when you have few words but want to make a powerful impression. 🖼️ Enhanced Stock ImagesWe talk about how adding custom illustrations to photography or stock images can help your website stand out. This technique transforms generic stock photos into unique visual assets that better reflect your brand identity. 🚫 Less Intrusive Pop-upsPop-ups are becoming less aggressive and more purposeful. We share when it's appropriate to use them (like announcing limited-time offers) versus when they become frustrating for users. ⏳ Timeless Design PrinciplesWe reflect on how websites built with clean, purposeful design principles can remain effective for years. Many of our sites from 2014-2016 still look great because they prioritize white space, clear structure, and intuitive navigation over trendy gimmicks. Key Takeaways:Focus on strategy and intention rather than cramming in trendy elements with no purposeBe cautious about jumping on short-lived design trends that could quickly make your site look datedRemember that accessibility should never be sacrificed for visual appealWell-built websites with good structure can remain effective for many years with only minor updates Thanks for listening to our podcast where we talk about websites and digital marketing for small businesses. Visit thedigitalbrew.com.au/podcast for more episodes, detailed show notes, resources, and our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Want to know how to start and grow a small business? Pour yourself a cuppa and listen to Angela and Stewart talk about websites, marketing, copywriting, SEO, content marketing, tools, systems and processes, and running a small business. With a balance between storytelling, learnings, and actionable tips, we always try to keep it on topic. We know you’re busy, so we carefully plan each episode to be the perfect length to enjoy over a cup of tea or coffee. Who is The Digital Brew? We’re Angela and Stewart Rodgers - married high school sweethearts in Brisbane, Australia. Together we combine our copywriting and web design skills to launch really, ridiculously good websites that help our clients be more visible online. Want to catch every episode? Subscribe to The Digital Brew Postcast on your favourite podcast app or head to https://thedigitalbrew.com.au/podcast/ to check out detailed show notes and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    The Digital Brew
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Digital Brew
  • Show Website
    The Digital Brew