Small Business Casual

Text Emily! 3 Years ago, when I started this podcast, I decided to go 100% in on myself. The first of many times I would show up for ME. I’ve learned since that when you take a bet on yourself, when you’re willing to go “all in”, you end up showing up even more fully for others. Today, to celebrate the 3-Year Podiversary of Small Business Casual (previously named “Content with Character”) and my 40th bday, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing behind-the-scenes truths, learnings, and fun factoids about running the show and SO much more. I share honestly what it’s like to start a podcast, share consistently, and wonder whether or not anyone is actually even out there… You’ll hear:Why I started a podcast (and what others had to say about it) My favorite podcast resourcesHow I deal with creative blocks and self-doubtWhat to do when you have to pivot drastically  What I’d do differently if I started over today Why I keep showing up week after weekThe weird ingredient I add to my Yerba MatéAnd more!Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being a part of this journey with me! Let’s celebrate OUR milestone, together! Resources & Links Mentioned: PodMatch: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/emilyabornNew England Podcasters Group (NEPG): https://newenglandpodcasters.group/Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2129309Episode that Flopped: "Are You Running Your Marketing, or is it Running You?" https://www.buzzsprout.com/2160062/episodes/14219002Good Hang Podcast with Amy Poehler (on all major listening apps) The Big Four Oh with Stephanie McLaughlin: https://thebigfouroh.com/The Karen Kenney Show: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcastAbout Me & Let's Connect: Emily Aborn | Small Business Copywriter & host of Small Business Casual. 12+ years of copywriting experience in 122+ industries. I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Website: Emilyaborn.comFacebook: Facebook.com/Emily.CatherineGrace/LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/EmilyAbornSubstack: Smallbusinesscasual.substack.com/If you loved this episode, I welcome you to share your thoughts and aha’s with me at [email protected] AND I also would love for you to give me five stars and write me a review on the Apple podcasts app. Go to the show, scroll down a little, and find the little pencily thing where it says “Write a Review”. 

Text Emily! Instead of overthinking, what if you experimented about it instead!? “Don’t get stuck with where you have not succeeded. Go on to something else. You don’t know what will unfold.” - Natalie GoldbergIn this episode, we get into where experimentation and "just trying it" fits into life and business, and how a try-before-you buy mentality can end up being a winning strategy for success and happiness. In the episode: What does experimentation look like in business? Why it might be worth giving a whirlHow experimentation improves revenue, happiness, and chances of success Why failing faster is a winning strategy How experimentation helps make better decisions Examples of experiments in life and business5 Steps to experimentingAnd more! Links & Resources MentionedKaren Kenney's Podcast Episode: Find Out For Yourself My Pinterest Experiment My Substack: 104 Experiments Link to Stats Source: "According to Booz & Company's 2011 Global Innovation 1000 report, more innovative companies showed 11% higher revenue growth and 22% higher EBITDA growth compared to less innovative companies."https://www.viima.com/blog/innovation-statsHow to Undergo YOUR Next Experiment: 1. Identify: What are you curious about? What haven't you tried but want to? 2. Keep the Stakes Low: Don't commit forever, set a time limit, and try it for a given period 3. Pick a Metric to Track: What would success look like for this? What do you want out of it? 4. Debrief: Did you like it? What did you learn? Would you do it again/keep going? What would you change? 5. Decide: Keep, pivot, or quitAbout Me: Emily Aborn | Small Business Copywriter & host of Small Business Casual. 12+ years of copywriting experience in 122+ industries. I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Got a Question for the Show? Email Me! [email protected] | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack

Text Emily! When to hold em’ and when to fold em’... THAT is the question. And in creative ventures and businesses, it’s one of the hardest things to answer when it comes up. When do you quit, stop pushing, throw in the towel, and when do you keep going?While there’s no clear answer, magical checklist, or formula, there are some questions you can ask yourself and some gut checks that can help give you a lot of clarity on whether or not to keep going and when to throw in the towel on tools, platforms, services, collaborations, products, and… maybe even your business entirely!  Inside the episode: When to throw in the towel on tools and platforms, and when to push through When to give up on memberships, courses, or groups, and when to keep on going When to stop offering products or services and when to give them a fair shake When to stop running your business or pivot entirely, and when to reconsider Questions to ask yourself before ditching everything And more! Key Reminders & Takeaways Quitting isn't good nor bad. It’s redirection. Pushing through isn’t always the right answer. You're allowed to change your mind. Always. Full stop. Quitting doesn't erase what you built. Walking away isn't an indication of failure. Sometimes the most courageous step is walking away, and sometimes the bravest one is to stay. Only YOU can know which is your step towards COURAGE.Throwing in the towel, walking away, or saying bye-bye isn’t giving up. It’s making space for bigger, better, more aligned. Reflection Questions: Am I quitting because it's hard, or because it's wrong?Have I actually given this a fair shot?What would I do if I stopped?What does my gut/inner voice/quieted mind say when I'm not panicking?What would I tell a friend in this exact situation?Am I staying because I believe in it, or because I'm afraid of what people will think?Is this MY dream, or someone else's dream for me?About Me & Let's ConnectEmily Aborn | Small Business Copywriter & host of Small Business Casual. 12+ years of copywriting experience in 122+ industries. I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Got a Question for the Show? Email Me! [email protected] | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack

Text Emily! Have you ever seen a business owner pay for help and then get all a gazillion different opinions from Mary, Larry, Harry, Tom, Billy, and Sally? Maybe it's been YOU seeking helper after helper whose help isn't "working"?It can be really frustrating and entirely unhelpful when we poll everyone and anyone for help on how to move forward and proceed. Too many cooks in the kitchen can cause you to be forever catching up. It can create chaos, endless pivots and updates, and unwarranted or unnecessary strategy. In today’s episode, we’re going to get into the issue of hiring serial help to fix problems that sometimes don’t even exist, and what happens when there are too many cooks in the kitchen.In the Episode: 3 Ways I see "too many cooks in the kitchen" play out in businesses What's at risk when we look to anyone and everyone to weigh in 4 Things that go wrong when seeking serial help What to do before asking for help And more! Key Takeaways: 1. Get clear FIRST before asking for help 2. Look for help strategically, not reactively3. Trust the process (and the person you hired)4. Ask fewer people for advice5. Don’t forget to listen to YOUR voice too!6. AI is NOT your business strategist Quotes: “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.” - Jim RohnAbout Me: Emily Aborn | Small Business Copywriter & host of Small Business Casual. 12+ years of copywriting experience in 122+ industries. I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Got a Question for the Show? Email Me! [email protected] | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack

Text Emily! Have you been burned by bro marketing? Exhausted by all the social media hacks? Underwhelmed with the "just manifest it" advice? If so, you're going to LOVE the wisdom of my guest, Jessica Lackey. Jessica reminds us that when you play by their rules, the house always wins in the entrepreneurial casino. We discuss how to stop betting on tactics and build a business that actually works for YOU as we tackle some of the bigger, better questions. In our conversation about Leaving the Casino:  What does being in a casino have to do with entrepreneurship? How to identify which type of business you're running and what that might mean for your marketing How to determine your stage of growth and use it as a filter for focus and the actions that matter most What is ENOUGH? The myth of passive income Why more isn't always a good thingAnd more (despite having said more isn't always a good thing in my previous bullet point 🤪 but if you're reading the show notes, at least you'll get a chuckle) About Jessica - Links & Resources Jessica Lackey is a business systems consultant and guide. She brings both corporate sophistication and soulful wisdom to the table to help established service providers build sustainable businesses. She’s worked with over 60 entrepreneurs 1:1, served as a fractional COO for multiple 7-figure organizations, and helped hundreds of business owners through her memberships and programs. She brings an exceptional depth of business knowledge, a genuine care for her client’s success, and the ability to make complex business concepts practical and actionable.BookWebsiteLinkedInYouTubeAbout the Host, Emily Aborn Emily Aborn | Small Business Copywriter & host of Small Business Casual. 12+ years of copywriting experience in 121+ industries. I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Got a Question for the Show? Email Me! [email protected] | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack

Text Emily! Do you feel guilty if you don't post or engage on social media for a week? Do you feel like you did something WRONG if you just spent an hour scrolling instead of being productive?I recently asked this question about social media guilt on LinkedIn, asking people to share their experience with this no-win guilt phenomenon, and the comments and solidarity totally surprised me! Lots of people felt equally guilty posting as they did NOT posting! People felt just as bad being ON it as they did NOT being on it. Something sparked in me well beyond social media guilt... I think businesses feel guilt in a whole lot of other ways, too. Even if they didn't do anything "wrong"! Making too much money, not enough money, saying no to clients, taking a break, working too much, the list goes on... Let's unpack the TRUTH about guilt and talk about how to overcome it to get us back on track with how we want to feel and be: Inside the episode: Guilt vs. shame: Which is which, and do they really motivate us to change? False guilt vs. real guilt The guilt inventory: Oh, the things we can inflict upon ourselves! Should you feel guilty marketing your business when the world is falling apart? Why guilt isn't a productive emotion and how to turn it into beneficial thoughts and behaviors Resources, Links & Key Takeaways: 👋🏼 Welcome to our new listener, Richard, of Groove Fitness, who said hello to me from Belgium!! Follow him on Instagram HERE 🪩💃🏻Guilt isn't always bad: It can signal misalignment and show you where you need to course-correctA lot of entrepreneurial guilt is false guilt or borrowed guilt: Who's telling you that what you're doing is WRONG? Is that your voice or someone else's expectations? Guilt implies there's a right way and a wrong way and you're not doing it RIGHT. Usually, there's no right/wrong, you're doing it your way.People who make you feel guilty for XYZ: Might be on a guilt trip of their own. Don't take on their guilt. Don't borrow anyone else's moral compass.  Tangible Steps to Unpacking Guilt: 1. Specifically name the guilt 2. Ask where the voice of guilt is coming from 3. Check it against YOUR values (not that external voice's values) 4. Give yourself permission to do things your way 5. Reframe the action: i.e., "I feel guilty for resting." → "Rested and recharged is how I do my best work." About Me & Let's Connect Emily Aborn | Small Business Copywriter & host of Small Business Casual. 12+ years of copywriting experience in 121+ industries. I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Got a Question for the Show? Email Me! [email protected] | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack

Text Emily! Over 80% of internet users rely on search engines regularly, and billions of searches happen every day! If you're not thinking about how people find you through search, you're missing a massive opportunity for your business. In this episode of Small Business Casual, I’m joined by Marketing and Business Strategy Consultant, Sarah Moon, for a deep dive into what’s working in search in 2026We go beyond keywords and algorithm hacks and instead look at building a solid foundation, establishing true topical authority, and sharing your human expertise, all while playing nice with Google, AI chatbots, YouTube, and more. Sarah breaks down her “layer cake” approach to modern SEO and walks us through establishing core topics, building a hub-and-spoke system, and creating content people and search engines will find delicious! We dig into: What on earth is Dog Dancing? Click HERE to watch a dog-dancing video! How large language models (LLM’s) are changing discoverability and visibilityWhere AI fits (and doesn’t) in your content Why your unique insights and credibility matter more than everHow to future-proof your website in a world of chatbots and constant change And more! About Sarah Moon & Resources Mentioned Sarah Moon is a Portland, Oregon-based marketing and business strategy consultant who founded Sarah Moon Consulting in 2008. She specializes in helping conscious entrepreneurs and thought leaders increase their online visibility using her proprietary, SEO-fueled Alignthority® System. Her work focuses on data-informed ethical, sustainable, and tailored marketing strategies. When she's not supporting awesome clients doing awesome work, you'll find her practicing dog dancing (yes, really), befriending local crows, or baking sourdough to share with her neighbors. Find her at sarahmoon.com!Google Business Profile Workshop Tuesday, April 14th @ 4pm ET Engineer Luck with SEO: FREE SEO Course50 Post Titles for Business Blogs: FREE E-BookWebsite: sarahmoon.net/Instagram: instagram.com/sarahmoonco/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahmoon/YouTube: youtube.com/@sarahmooncoAbout Me, Host Emily AbornEmily Aborn | Small Business Copywriter & host of Small Business Casual. 12+ years of copywriting experience in 121+ industries. I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Got a Question for the Show? Email Me! [email protected] | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack

Text Emily! Calling all word nerds!! And, of course, non-word nerds who are ready to start writing with more impact. This episode is for you! We’re getting tactical and hands-on as I share tiny writing shifts that make a massive difference in how your emails, social posts, web copy, and marketing land. These aren’t complicated shifts. You don’t need an MFA in Creative Writing or to spend the next year curled up with your dictionary... these are simple, small, specific shifts that will help make your writing clearer, punchier, and more effective. Inside the episode: Building better bullets Ending sentences on a power word STOP saying, "cut the fluff!": my no-fluff reminder to CUT the fluff in your content Shifting from passive → active voice Varying your sentence lengthsAnd MORE! Resources & Links Mentioned 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTESAbout Me & Let's Connect I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 121+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! In the world of AI, misinformation, and a whole lot of suspicious stuff out there in the ether... building trust matters more than ever as small business owners and creators! In this episode, we’re going to get into what you can do to build it apart from simply saying, “Trust me!” We're laying a foundation of trust by addressing 5 important pillars you can't afford to overlook. Plus, a bonus one that so many people neglect to strengthen!Inside the episode: What is trust really? Is it the same for everyone? How consistency builds trust Words that show competency (and incompetency) Building trust by showing you CAREWhere transparency and honesty play a role in business The crucial pillar of integrity Collaborations and endorsements as a vital trust bolster And more! Resources & Links Mentioned Tad Hargrove's "Build Trust But Not in the Way You Think" Reel on Instagram @marketingforhippiesAbout Me & Let's Connect I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 121+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Entrepreneur, Freelancer, Self-Employed, Business Owner, Small Business Owner, Founder, CEO... what's in a name? Don't they all just mean the same thing? Does it even matter what we call ourselves? Does it matter what we call our clients? In this episode, we’ll explore why "entrepreneur" vs. "small business owner" feel a bit different. We'll get into what they actually each MEAN on paper, and we’ll identify together which one YOU might be while giving you permission to reject both if you so choose. What you'll learn: What these labels actually mean (and who's deciding what they mean)Why "entrepreneur" can feel icky to some and empowering to others Why "small business owner" feels limiting for some (and grounding to others)What’s freelancing and self-employment got to do with it How to choose what to call yourself (or reject the labels entirely)What should you call your B2B clients and customers? And more! Connect with Me! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 120+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Words aren't neutral. The specific words you choose shape how people perceive you, your business, and your message.Sometimes, it's just a word, and trying to find the exact right one is just overthinking in disguise, and sometimes... the tiniest words matter. Two words, two different ways of saying the same thing, can feel completely different and set a totally different tone. Semantics is defined as: the branch of linguistics concerned with meaning. You get into word origins, context, implications, word relations, structures, and  more. In this episode, we're getting into whether or not it is just a matter of semantics or if it's something to look at more closely. Real examples of how word choice shifts meaningShould you say "fully booked" "at capacity" or "busy"? Why vague language kills your messageWords that sound professional but mean absolutely nothingA few tips on how to choose words that actually landAnd more Links & References Mentioned: John McWhorter - articles on the NYTWhat to Expect in 2026 featuring linguist, John McWhorterGrammar Girl Podcast with Mignon Fogarty The Karen Kenney Show, hosted by Karen Kenney "I hate terminological arguments. Nothing important rests on the specific words we use so long as we understand each other.” - Paul BloomLet's Connect! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 120+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! You know what I'm talking about... That ONE thing that's been sitting on your to-do list for weeks, taking up mental real estate, making you feel behind. I can all but guarantee that the mental weight of NOT doing it takes WAY more energy than just doing the damn thing!In this week's Love Note, I share with you the results of my mini-four-week Love Notes Experiment and challenge you to pick your one 10-minute (or less) task that's been haunting you.Together, let's knock it out. Feel lighter. More accomplished. And wonder why in the Hellsinki we waited so long! Until next week, keep on experimenting! About the Host, Emily Aborn | Small Business Copywriter From hypnosis to wind turbines, I've written it all! With experience in over 120 industries in marketing and copywriting, I help small businesses grow with the words that shape worlds and make a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and craft genuine connections as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. 🧘🏻‍♀️Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! We're wrapping up our series exploring Don Miguel Ruiz’s book and philosophy, The Four Agreements, and applying it to our modern businesses and creative endeavors. Marketing, content creation, client relationships, boundaries, and perhaps most importantly, your relationship with YOURSELF, we’re going to examine what it means to do your best, not to be confused with "be perfect". This is Part the final episode of the four-part series, so make sure you catch each one and enjoy the journaling prompts and self-exploration along the way.In the episode: What doing your best actually is (and isn’t) Why this can be such a hard one for so many of us as business owners How to redefine what YOUR best looks like for you so you can show up sustainablyJournaling prompts for self-reflectionAnd more! Journal Prompt #1) What does 'my best' look like today - not in an ideal world, but given my ACTUAL capacity right now? What do you ACTUALLY have to give today? What would it look like to show up with integrity at that level?Journal Prompt. #2) Where am I confusing "doing my best" with "doing MORE"? What would change if I redefined my best to include rest and boundaries? Are you pushing yourself past your limits in the name of "doing your best"? What would it look like to do your best AND protect your capacity?Resources & Associated Episodes Link to Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements (link is to ThriftBooks)Karen Kenney's Actions are the Voice of the Heart podcast episodePart I) The Hidden Cost of Broken PromisesPart II) It's Not About You Part III) Stop Guessing, Start AskingConnect with Me! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 120+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! OOPS! I already failed on my ten-minute self-induced time cap for these weekly love notes. Forgive me this once, and I will try not to let it happen again! I had too much GOOD stuff to share with you this week! I'm sharing five perhaps uncommon things that have been helping me feel happier lately. Big time happiness boosters sans dopamine crash and without the cost of selling your soul to the social media scroll. Inside the episode: What it means to be a 2%-erHow texting or reaching out to someone can turn the beat aroundReviving the handwritten letters and cardsWhy I recommend reading a book in a day (and not calling it lazy!) And how looking at things you don't usually see can spark creativity and joy Resources Mentioned: 14-Day "Real Attention" Challenge References: The Waking Up App Good Life Project: "A Different Take on Excellent that Changes Everything with Brad Stulberg" Kelsey Green's Episode on Digital Minimalism and the Screen-Free Challenge Tonya Leigh's School of Self-Image Podcast "Make Any Decision in Under 60 Seconds" Quotes: “In a world engineered for comfort, ninety-eight percent of us unconsciously take the easy route.” -Michael Easter“When we perpetually optimize for what’s right in front of us, it doesn’t mean we’re necessarily optimizing for the long term and a life well-lived." -Jonathan FieldsAbout the Host, Emily Aborn | Small Business Copywriter From hypnosis to wind turbines, I've written it all! With experience in over 120 industries in marketing and copywriting, I help small businesses grow with the words that shape worlds and make a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and craft genuine connections as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. 🧘🏻‍♀️Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Today, we’re digging into the wisdom from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book and philosophy, The Four Agreements, and applying it to our modern businesses and creative endeavors. Marketing, content creation, client relationships, boundaries, and perhaps most importantly, your relationship with YOURSELF, we’re going to examine what it means to stop making assumptions and how freeing it can be. This is Part III in a four-part series, so make sure you catch each one and enjoy the journaling prompts and self-exploration along the way.In the episode: What "don't make assumptions" actually means in businessWhere we make assumptions without realizing itThe cost (time, money, relationships, stress) of making assumptionsHow to start asking instead of guessingWhy clarity is the kindest thing you can offer (to yourself and others)And more! Journal Prompt #1) Where am I currently making assumptions in my business (with clients, in my marketing, with myself)? Be honest. Where are you guessing instead of asking? Where do you find yourself avoiding clarifying conversations because it feels awkward?Journal Prompt #2) What's one question I can ask this week (to a client, to my audience, or to myself) that would replace an assumption with clarity? Pick ONE thing. Ask the question. See what happens.Let's Connect! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 120+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Just like I'm always encouraging YOU to do, I'm experimenting here on Small Business Casual!For the month of February, each Friday I'm going to give a little love note, an extra helping, a brief, to-the-point weekly episode where I'll share something along the lines of: A lesson learned or challenge faced and the outcome A cool new tool or resourceA podcast episode I loved, was featured on, or just sparked my curiousityA fun word device, language tool, or quick copy tip A book to readAnd MORE! It might flop. It might fail. It might not be something I want to stick with. We shall see. This week, I'm sharing a clip from a recent episode of Melissa Snow's Powerful Women Rising podcast in which she interviewed KJ Blattenbauer and me for her PWR yearly awards for best podcast host and speaker of the year.  Apple EPISODE LINK: "Borrowed Trust: Using Podcasts, Speaking & PR to Grow Your Business w/Emily Aborn and KJ Blattenbauer" Spotify EPISODE LINK:  "Borrowed Trust: Using Podcasts, Speaking & PR to Grow Your Business w/Emily Aborn and KJ Blattenbauer" Did You Enjoy This Mini Episode? Contact me and let me know! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 120+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Today, we’re digging into the wisdom from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book and philosophy, The Four Agreements, and applying it to our modern businesses and creative endeavors. Marketing, content creation, client relationships, boundaries, and perhaps most importantly, your relationship with YOURSELF, we’re going to examine what it means to not take things personally and how freeing it can be. This is Part II in a four-part series, so make sure you catch each one and enjoy the journaling prompts and self-exploration along the way.In the episode: What does it mean to not take anything personally? Why is it so hard NOT to take things personally in business? What to do when clients ghost you, give you feedback, tell you you're too expensive What it means about YOU when your content engagement drops or someone unsubscribesThe cost of taking things personally in businessHow to stop taking things so personally And more! Journal Prompt #1) What's one thing in my business that I've been taking personally - and what ELSE could it mean? Pick one thing: A client decision, low engagement, slow business month, etc. Write down the story you've been telling yourself. Then write down 3-5 OTHER possible explanations that have nothing to do with your worth.Journal Prompt #2) If I stopped taking this thing personally, what would change? How would I feel? What would I do differently? Imagine the FREEDOM of not making it about you. What opens up? What becomes possible?Let's Connect! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 120+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! I'm breaking all the cardinal rules of podcasting and marketing in this one and giving you a grab bag of things that've been on my heart and mind as many of us face what to say, how to help, and what our role is in the world right now. In the episode: 3 Resources I've found helpful in navigating the current news climateMy new PodMatch network member status and what that means for YOU 3 Local events you're invited to join me forOodles of gratitude for YOU And more! Resources & Links Mentioned: Karen Kenney's Episode, “What are You Gonna’ Do About it?” Sara J McCord's Post on Instagram on how to use your voice as a business owner/brand Heather Cox Richardson Letters From an American Substack YouTube Channel and Instagram PodMatch Podcast Network! Local Events: Candid Content at Hannah Grimes Center on Friday, March 27th 10a-2pNew England Podcaster's Group -meets 2nd Saturday of each month at Westford CAT in MALean In at Hannah Grimes Center on Friday, May 1st (SAVE THE DATE) About Me & Contact Info: I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 120+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Today, we’re digging into the ancient wisdom from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book and philosophy, The Four Agreements, and applying it to our modern businesses and creative endeavors. Marketing, content creation, client relationships, boundaries, and perhaps most importantly, your relationship with YOURSELF, we’re going to examine what it means to not take things personally and how freeing it can be. This is Part I in a four-part series, so make sure you catch each one and enjoy the journaling prompts and self-exploration along the way.In this episode: What being impeccable with your word means in businessThe hidden costs of broken promisesPlaces broken promises hide in business and life 4 Ways to up your impeccability factor 3 Journal prompts for self-reflection And more! Journal Prompt #1) Am I currently breaking my word (to clients, in my marketing, or to myself)? Be honest, this isn't shaming yourself, it's reviewing for gaps between what you do and what you say, without judgement. Journal Prompt #2)How do I FEEL when someone else breaks their word to me, even in small ways? How do I feel when I break my word to someone else, even in small ways?Journal Prompt #3) What's one promise I can make this week to myself or someone else that I KNOW I can keep - and actually keep it?Let's Connect! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 120+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! AI is snatching personalities left and right... trends are threatening originality, and uniformity beckons at every turn. Ok, so maybe it's not that bleak out there, but personality is a fundamental piece to every piece of content you share. It's the signature and imprint of YOU in your business. It's how you stand out instead of blending in. In this episode, we talk about infusing your brand personality into everything you create. Because you can have the clearest message in the world, you can have fantastic head-turning headlines, but if none of it sounds like YOU when you show up... it's most likely going to fall flat.Learn how to have a business and brand that's personality-packed and reflects YOU. Inside the episode, we're going to amplify your message and increase your connection by infusing more you: What is brand personality? How much personality is TOO much? One common mistake people make when approaching brand personalityHow to increase connection and engagement with your contentTelling stories through the lens of personalityHarnessing your unique sense of humorSaying it like only YOU canAnd more! Connect with Me: I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 120+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected] Messaging GuidesFacebookInstagramLinkedInSubstack

Text Emily! What makes a good subject line? How do you write podcast titles, website headlines, and taglines that actually work and get people to take action? In this episode, we cover simple dos (and dont's) for writing titles, headlines, subject lines, and more without overthinking it. I'll show you why clarity beats cleverness (almost) every time.You don't need the "perfect" title to create great content. Sometimes "good enough" is perfect, because it gets you creating and sharing instead of being stuck overthinking.In the episode: Why taglines, subject lines, headers, and titles matterWhy is it so hard for us to write great titles?How to write clear and engaging hooks Opening the curiosity gap in your subject lines To number or not to number your podcast episodesAI and tagline generationSimple subject line and title formats to try And more! Contributor Quotes:"I love saying something outrageous that makes people stop and go. What did you say? One of my favorite headlines was for a carpet cleaning company, 'How to ruin your carpet in five easy steps.'" -  Lorraine Ball: Podcast Host & Marketing Coach "For my blogs, I write the material first, using a working title to direct the content. Often, I let an AI tool suggest a few titles, which I use to give me an idea." -Ralph Bender, Financial Advisor "I don't pressure myself to come up with it before I write the post or blog. I find that once I'm fleshing out the topic, those zingers come easier to me." -Beth Knaus, Copywriter"I use a simple test. Is it a single sentence that would actually come out of my mouth? ...it tells me what the product is, what problem it solves, and it sounds like me." - Chris LaFay, Website Design Agency & Podcast Host About Me (Let's Connect!) I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. With over a decade of copywriting experience in 120+ industries, I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! In a world where we're constantly choosing between analog vs. digital experiences, Kelsey Green offers simple practices and habits that help reduce your reliance on tech. In this episode, we explore digital minimalism and how going screen-free can help you find focus, build stronger relationships, and create space for what truly matters. What is digital minimalism? How to be more intentional with technology and make impactful changes as we switch from digital to analog MORE often How can entrepreneurs and creators find a balance between "showing up" and marketing themselves online and creating digital boundaries? What are the benefits of a screen-free day? Tips and tricks for your own screen-free challenge Join ME and Kelsey on Sunday, February 1st for the next Sunday Screen-Free Challenge And MORE!Resources & Links MentionedAmy Bolduc's Grounded in Maine Podcast Episode with Kelsey GreenPodMatch Platform (mentioned by Amy Bolduc) Cal Newport's Book Digital Minimalism Top-Rated Phone Lock Boxes (mentioned by Kelsey) About the Guest: Kelsey GreenSpeaker | Facilitator | Community Strategist Kelsey L. Green works at the intersection of community, strategy, and accountability, helping people stop stalling and start building lives that truly light them up. She’s the creator of Summit in Six, a high-accountability Mastermind, and How to Build Your Circle, a course focused on cultivating meaningful in-person connection. Website Instagram LinkedIn Book Kelsey on YOUR PodcastScreen-Free Challenge Sign Up (FREE) About the Host, Emily Aborn | Small Business Copywriter From hypnosis to wind turbines, I've written it all! With experience in over 120 industries in marketing and copywriting, I help small businesses grow with the words that shape worlds and make a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and craft genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. 🧘🏻‍♀️Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Stop trying to find just the right hook, quippy headline, or witty tagline, and start HERE first! Your Brand Messaging goes a lot deeper than just clever copy and a heaping serving of your personality; it needs to come from the inside out. In this episode, I share some of the elements of Brand Messaging so you can start gaining clarity on yours. Inside this episode on Brand Messaging: Why we fall into the Tagline Trap What actually is Brand Messaging and why does it matter? How to have more fun with your mission, vision, and values The components of brand voice Messaging pillars that are rinse and repeat for content creation ease What's a brand positioning statementAnd more! Links & Resources Mentioned👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES with Questions & PromptsRecommended Website Designer Page (NEW) Brand Messaging Guide: Service About Me & Contact InfoI’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! To Niche or not to Niche? It’s the question more often than we’d probably like it to be. That's the case for me anyway (no one puts THIS baby in a corner!) In this episode, we’ll get into three unexpected ways to define your niche and, of course, how to do it YOUR way. Is it pronounced, "neesh" or "nitch"? What is a niche, really? What can a niche provide your business with? How can you grow by niching DOWN? How to niche by who you're not forNiching by transformation Niching by how you show up 9 More slightly unconventional ways to niche down And more! Individuals & Links Mentioned Vinnie Potestivo on LinkedIn Ande Lyon's Don't Be Caged By Your Age PodcastStephanie McLaughlin's The Big Four-Oh! PodcastAmy Bolduc's Grounded in Maine PodcastAbout Me! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! What if the secret to a better life and business is doing LESS?Not less of everything. But less of the wrong things.In this final episode of 2025, we’re not focusing on what everyone else is doing… this isn’t your big goal-setting, vision boarding, new year, new you episode. Instead, we’re cleaning house! Deprioritizing, decluttering, and getting really honest about what’s NOT coming with us into the New Year. We’re taking a good, hard look at where you can decide, eliminate, and do LESS to do better. How visual and digital clutter affects us 3 Quick digital decluttering actions 4 Simple ways to keep a cleaner inbox 4 Tab decluttering actions your browser is begging you for4 Things to unsubscribe from and unfollow 4 Ways to audit your calendar for the coming year Links & Resources Mentioned 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTESAbout Me! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! “Our brains are sprinting while clocks stay still.” - Researcher, Helena GrieveIn 2024, a Cambridge physics team tracking circadian data noticed the average human day feels 8% shorter than ten years ago—even though atomic time hasn’t changed.The cause: information velocity. The average person now consumes more data in a week than their grandparents did in a year. Each notification triggers a micro-adrenaline spike, speeding up neural clocks.In this episode, we get into leaning more analog in an ever-digitalized world as we examine our habits with all the pings, dings, screens, and scrolling. 3 Ideas for a slower, more peaceful life The myth of the dopamine detox and how to reset yours insteadThe 24-Hour Screen Free Challenge Small habits from digital to analog And more! Links & Resources Mentioned 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTESFacebook post with Cambridge Study on TIME. Karen Kenney's Podcast Episode: Everything Old is New AgainAmy Bolduc's Episode with Kelsey Greene: Digital MinimalismHarvard Health Article: Dopamine Fasting: Misunderstanding Science Spawns a Maladaptive FadCleveland Health Article: Dopamine Detoxes Don’t Work: Here’s What To Do InsteadKelsey Greene's Screen-Free ChallengesKelsey Greene's Instagram Post About Me! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Every year teaches us something. (well, probably a lot of somethings). This year's lessons changed my life and business from the inside out. It was a year of sneaky, quiet, LOUD lessons and hard truths that made me question everything and get clear and grounded on what matters most. In this special end-of-year episode, I'm sharing my 3 top lessons of the past year and how each changed my approach to business and life. How you do one thing is how you do everything. Deciding who you are and who you're becomingClear branding inspires confidence in who you are and who you're becoming No one person can be everything (including you)And more! Resources & Links MentionedKaren Kenney's Episode #338: You Must Be What You AreNew England Podcaster's Group Ande's Don't Be Caged By Your Age PodcastJess Mercier's Branding Website & Instagram Small Business Casual Episode on Rebranding vs. Refreshing (with Lindsay Dreyer)Danielle LaPorte's Quote on Branding: “Your brand is a gateway to your true work. You know you are here to do something – to create something or help others in some way. "Don't Be a Stranger... Let's Connect!I'm Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! As you will hear in this episode, podcasting can change your life. Each year, I love the opportunity to reflect and learn from what went WELL, what didn't go so well, and what NEW things I want to experiment with and try in the coming year. In this episode, I share industry reports with data and stats, plus 7 takeaways full of insights and wisdom to provide you with info you can use for your podcasting year ahead. We get into: Niching vs. not nichingThe power of experimentation in your podcast and overall marketingWhy it's important to go beyond the downloads and metrics Repurposing in a new way will set you apart Collaborations are the game-changerMicro insights around audio, video, ads, and more The big WHY And so much more!Links & Resources Mentioned: 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES: including names/quotes/links of podcaster contributors Here's the Extended Show Notes link for desktop listeners to copy and paste: open.substack.com/pub/smallbusinesscasual/p/2025-podcast-insights-reportCollaborative "About Me" post on Instagram Collaborative "Podcaster Wisdom" post on InstagramOne Stone Creative's State of Business Podcasting ReportPodMatch's Indie Podcaster's Industry Report New England Podcaster's Group PodMatch  About Me! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Feeling tired? Drained? Run-down? Exhausted? Insert your adjective of choice here, and buckle up as we get into the seven reasons WHY your tank might be empty. I get into Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith's 7 Types of Rest, why they're so important as business owners, and simple ways to incorporate them into your workday and life. The goal is to help you move from depleted to restored by listening to what YOU need most. Inside the episode: Why you might still feel tired even after getting a good night's sleep Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith's 7 Types of Rest: Emotional, Mental, Spiritual, Social, Physical, Sensory, and Creative How to incorporate rest into your everyday in simple but meaningful waysAnd more! Links & Resources MentionedShe Built This Podcast Episode with Dr. Saundra Dalton SmithThe REST Quiz - Which Type Do You Most Need? Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith's Book: Sacred Rest Karen Kenney's Storytime Hypnosis (one of my favorite forms of rest!) 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES About Me & How to Work Together I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I take a big picture approach and genuine connection as I help you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. For fun/downtime, I love reading, writing, hiking with friends, and moments of uninterrupted silence. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Words of appreciation, thanks, encouragement, and gratitude have been continuously shortened in today's fast-moving world:"I Love You" has become "luv u""Thanks" has become "thx" or simply "tsm" and many are just double-tapping, dropping a "Congrats!" or "Love it," to the comment thread. Hearting it doesn't exactly cut it when it comes to showing GENUINE support for other small business owners. Showing up for them takes a little more time, intention, personalization, and thought. In this episode, I share why supporting fellow business owners and creators matters now more than ever and give you FOUR creative ways to show up beyond just saying thanks. Why small businesses matter for our communities Why small businesses need support now more than ever 4 Creative ways to show up for small businesses and creatorsExamples of giving them a platform Examples of resharing their content How to write a specific, stunning Google Review or LinkedIn rec (+) Commenting, engaging, and actually showing up because you care A shoutout to some of those who've made my year impeccable And more! Links & Resources Mentioned: The New England Podcaster's Group The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast (Re-Air of my episode, "Four Questions to Ask Before Chasing Your Next Shiny Object)Amy Bolduc's Instagram & Grounded in Maine PodcastBarb David's Instagram & Small Business Sweet Spot PodcastKristy Ouellette's Instagram & Talk Travel to Me PodcastAnde Lyons on Instagram & Don't Be Caged By Your Age PodcastMegan Doughtery's State of Business Podcasting FREE Report👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES About Me & How to Work Together I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Join us in kissing those awkward networking situations goodbye in this special guest episode featuring, Ande Lyons. In this episode, you'll get anything but cookie-cutter networking advice as Ande helps to reframe networking from schmoozing and dead fish handshakes to spaces of curiosity, connection, and community. We get into: Why networking can often feel icky, transactional, boring, and scary Where traditional networking advice falls flat and misses the markPowerful reframes that will help you view a room full of people in a different light Tips for before, during, and after the event Practical approaches for various event sizes and introversion levels Shifting gears from small talk to big talk How to protect your energy and boundaries, and say no when you need toAnd more! Resources & Links Mentioned🎙️ New England Podcasters Group👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES About my Guest, Ande LyonsAt 69 Ande Lyons is a 4x founder, a former global startup mentor, serial podcaster since 2012, founder of the New England Podcasters Group, a monthly in-person event for podcasters, and host of the popular interview-style pro-aging podcast Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, where Ande shatters age-related expectations, helps folks dissolve internalized ageist beliefs, and provides resources, inspiration and ideas so older adults can thrive after 65.Don't Be Caged By Your Age PodcastNew England Podcasters Group Website Ande Lyons Instagram | NEPG Instagram | DBCBYA Instagram Connect with Ande on LinkedInFollow her on TikTok Want to connect and network with ME!?  I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! ...Lead magnet, website, funnel, email list, newsletter, Substack, social media presence? When it comes to all these things your business supposedly "needs", a lot of it is just unnecessary pressure to be everywhere. Doing all the things, creating all the optins and freebies and video content can lead straight to exhaustion, a diluted message, ineffective strategies, and more overwhelm. Success doesn’t require omnipresence. More platforms/places/spaces/faces ≠ more clients.Burnout kills businesses faster than "not being on TikTok".In this week's episode, we get into whether or not your business really needs a [insert thing you've been told you need here] and how to evaluate what's for you and what's not with some simple questions: The quiet quitting of social media Does your business need social media? Does your business need a podcast? Does your business need an email newsletter (and what about Substack!?)? Does your business need a lead magnet, nurture sequence, freebie, funnel Do I NEED to create video!? How to evaluate for yourself what you need and what you don't based on YOUR unique business model, clientele, energy, and current commitments Resources & Links Mentioned👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES Amy Bolduc's Podcast) Grounded in Maine: Digital Minimalism with Kelsey GreeneTeresa Schlup's Podcast) Solo Grind: When it Stops Feeling Fun... is it time to break up? Robyn White's Instagram Post "I get all my business from referrals..." For more on social media check out Barb David’s Small Business Sweet Spot Episode #84 “Don’t Poo Poo Social Media as a Marketing Channel” About Me: Let's Connect! (and maybe book you that strategy call ;)) I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Sometimes saying "yes" can cause us undue stress and leave us feeling overcommitted, behind, and even resentful. Yes can cost you time, money, energy, burned bridges, quality, and more. In this episode, I talk about building a thriving business that isn’t about saying yes to everything and everyone; it’s actually about saying NO more often. This two-letter magical strategy can change your entire life. Inside the episode: Seasons for yes and seasons for no -which one are you in? The financial, time, energy, relationship, quality, and health cost of "yes"4 Questions to ask before taking on something new Introducing your new two-letter strategy: 5 "No's" to implement in your businessHow to say no without burning bridgesAnd more!Resources & Links Mentioned: Heather Maguire (The Unconventional Intuitive) InstagramSetting Boundaries for Business & Life Episode 4 Questions to Ask Before Saying Yes Episode4 Top Takeaways from 53 Podcast Guest Interviews EpisodeSay YES to connecting with me (or no to waiting to connect, you're choice :)) I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! You are in for a TREAT with this bonus episode. No tricks, I promise. When I listened to episode #96 of Jenny Belanger's podcast, Small Business Website Design Made Simple, I reached out immediately to ask if I could share it on my show with YOU! Jenny is a WordPress website Designer and Creative Director at Jenny B Designs as well as a fellow New England Podcast Group Member. As a website design-copywriting duo, Jenny and I often get to collaborate and help people create personality-packed and money-making websites that business owners are proud to show off and share. Jenny shares about Expert Overwhelm in the way only she can and how to avoid this common mistake in your website copy. Connect with Jenny and check out her show: Original episode with extended show notesJenny's Website: Jenny B Designs Follow Jenny on Instagram Other links mentioned: JOIN US in the New England Podcaster's Group Rebranding Aging 4UConnect with me!  I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! How do you know if a decision is good or bad? Can a good decision have a bad outcome? Can a bad decision have a good one? In this episode, we’re going to turn over this concept of what makes a good decision good and a bad decision bad AND I’ll give you some curated tips on making BETTER decisions, no matter how great or small! What a Taoist parable can teach us about the decisions we make Distinguishing quality decision-making from outcomes 4 Things that make a good decision good How you feel about your decision matters5 Ways to make your next good decision, betterThe field of possibilityThe 2-way door framework Shipping it Indecision is still a decision And more! 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES FOR LINKS & Resources Mentioned Mark Graban's "My Favorite Mistake" podcast episode, featuring yours truly Make a good decision and connect with ME: I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! It seems no matter what you do (or don't do), someone, somewhere has something to say about it. You can't and will never make everyone happy. Certain people will never be happy no matter what you do, and you most certainly can't make everyone and yourself happy at the same time. In this episode, we discuss choosing the right strategy for YOUR life and business for your marketing, networking, boundaries, pricing, content and more! Showing up in a way you love Pricing yourself for sustainability and growth Setting reasonable boundaries and expectations around responsiveness Content and messaging that says it all... without saying too much! To niche or not to niche Growing your business your way Networking And more! Links & Resources Mentioned SBC Episode: Making Small Talk BiggerConnect with me for a 90-minute Strategy Session! Connect with me!  I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! You might think it's saving you time, but what's AI costing you and your business? “When I see a post from friends or colleagues that screams, 'AI WROTE THIS,' I scroll right by. You might think it’s saving you time, but it’s causing you to lose a member of your audience. I want more of you and your authentic voice. Not the voice of a tool you’ve outsourced your talent and transmissions to.” -Anjel Hartwell I'm back with more AI talk! This time, I'm not looking on the bright side like I did in my episode on Creative Ways to Use AI in your business... This time I'm sharing some of the dark side(s) of AI. Cause what's a spooky month without some truly horrific findings, amiright? In this episode, we're looking at energy expenditure, the tradeoffs to outsourcing our brilliance to AI, and whether or not these tools that are making business "easier" are really worth it. Listen to hear: Is using AI outsourcing our brilliance? What are the energy costs associated with AI, and what role do we play in the overall environmental impact? What are the privacy/safety concerns when using AI? What creative/copywriting risks do we run with AI? Does it really save time? How do we as business owners draw the line for ourselves? And so much more? 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES FOR LINKS & Resources Mentioned Want to connect with the human behind this podcast? I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! All sorts of ghosts can haunt our businesses… from missed opportunities, forgotten content, and neglected relationships that are all but decaying away. Don't worry, you can put away your sage...And you won't need your book on exorcism or spell-breaking... This episode has all you need to look the ghosts that haunt your business in the eye and shoo them away. Time to breathe some fresh life into our business as we explore some of the ghosts that will be way less spooky once we face them. In the episode: Ghosting your audience (when you're the ghost!) Ghosting clients and collaborators Cleaning out the emails that are haunting inboxesReviving the ghost of content pastSmaller, less scary, but still important ghosts to face off with 5 Tips for beginning your business exorcism And more! 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTESWant to connect with me? I promise, I'm not scary! I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Almost every business owner finds themselves asking the question at one point or another, "Does my business need a rebrand?"How do you know when it's time to fully overhaul your brand and when it's time for a simpler refresh? I'm joined by my fellow cozy small business owner friend, Lindsay Dreyer of City Chic Real Estate (rebranding to REVERIE in October 2025), to help you answer these very questions and more about the rebranding process. In the episode, we share personal stories, lessons learned, the emotional ups and downs of evolving a brand to match growth and reflect your new direction, and more! Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or leading a team, this episode is packed with insights to help you make confident branding decisions.The difference between a brand refresh and a full rebrand, and how to know which your business needsPersonal experiences and challenges faced during the rebranding processTips for managing timelines, teams, and expectations during a brand overhaulImportant questions to ask collaborators Actionable advice for making your brand feel truly “you”And more! Links Mentioned: 👉🏻 Emily's ULTIMATE REBRANDING GUIDE Jess Mercier | JM Artist/Designer Website | Instagram | Brand Transformations PodcastTuo StudioConnect with Me, Emily Aborn I'm Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: emily@emilyaborn.comWebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInSubstackConnect with Lindsay DreyerFounder of Happy Agent Co. and The Happy Agent Method, Broker and Owner of City Chic Real Estate, and mom of three. 🌎 Website | 📲 Instagram | 🎙️ Podcast

Text Emily! In last week’s episode, we talked about literal small talk… the awkward weather banter at a networking event, the Zoom conversation you get stuck in that seemingly goes nowhere fast, and the idle chit chat that’s draining.We learned that while small talk SEEMS small, it can act as a catalyst for bigger conversations and deeper talk. What starts small can have a BIG impact. Today, we’re going to get into figurative "small talk": the language and patterns that seem little (sometimes even three letters or less), but they can show up in BIG ways in your business and mindset. Ready to stop shrinking your presence and learning the small words that keep you from playing BIG? What do I mean by words that keep you playing small? 6 Ways our language may unintentionally keep us from playing BIGResources and ideas to start removing these things from your everyday vocabAnd more! Resources and Links: 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES (on Substack) including articles, stats, reference links, and bonus info! Jenny Belanger's Episode #91) What High-Converting Websites Don't DoPlaying Big by Tara Mohr"Some um, surprising advice for public speakers" by Mignon FogartyReady to play and say BIGGER? Let's Connect!  I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Do you dread swapping senseless words with cashiers and strangers out in public? Do you go out of your way to avoid neighbors, coworkers, or people you know at the grocery store lest you get stuck in idle chit chat? Do you get heart palpitations thinking about discussing the weather at a networking event? If so, you may have an aversion to SMALL talk. And yes, you may be entitled to some sort of compensation (talk to your lawyer for legal recourse). Today, we're going to get into the ins and outs of small talk, what it is, why it happens, and how to escape it as fast as possible. Or... perhaps it's not the archenemy we make it out to be? Inside the episode: What is small talk? The various definitions of small talkWhy do we dislike small talk? Stats showing what small talk does in the workplace/business 5 Benefits of small talk as business owners5 Ways to move small talk to bigger talk Keys to small talk comfort And more Resources and Links Mentioned: 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES (on Substack) including articles, stats, reference links, and bonus info! Want to connect and talk BIG with me? I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! You are not "just" anything. You're not just a business owner, parent, spouse, community member, speaker, podcaster, writer, etc. You're a multifaceted human being who gets to bring your WHOLE self everywhere you go! Just like a recipe made up of lots of parts and pieces, a dash of this and a dash of that, we are too. In this episode, I'm sharing some ideas that have helped me grow in my business and throughout my entire life in small, surprising ways. Join me as I share: 3 Myths about owning a business while having a life 5 Ideas to spark joy outside work that will help you thrive in surprising ways Bonus mini-routines that can increase creativity, help you connect to others, learn about the world around you, and growAnd more! Resources & Links Mentioned: 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES (these are now on my Substack, I welcome you to come join me over there too!) The Karen Kenney Show The Secret Room Podcast What It's Like to Be Podcast with Dan Heath Smartless PodcastDr. James Pennebaker's Science-Backed Journaling Protocol Julia Cameron's Morning Pages Brett Ingram's OptYOUMize Podcast "The Bucket Method" About Me: I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! The Content with Character has a FRESH face and has been rebranded, officially, to Small Business Casual! This is the FIRST episode in our new digs where the goal is to help us create small businesses that feel like ahhhhhh, home. On this episode, I share a little bit of why I changed the name and am steering away from "content" a bit more in general, plus three lessons learned through the podcast rebranding process: The difference between copy and content Why the decision to rebrandChanges to help us engage more and grow! It's OK to change your mind Trust yourself when something feels off Change can be scary, and it’s worth it!About Me: I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Listen, enjoy, and walk away feeling empowered and ready to become their FAVORITE podcast guest. Join myself, Barb Davids, and Ande Lyons in this LIVE re-aired workshop as we dish out insider secrets and goodies to help you UP your guesting game!The conversation includes: How to ruin a good pitch FAST by making a crucial mistakeHow to set yourself apart even in a noisy industry Tips for standing out with your pitches How to prep for your interviews Where to find podcasters to pitchRemembering your worth and value as a guestAdopting a giver's mindsetAnd so much more! Resources & Links Mentioned: Full Video Replay of this LIVEEmily's Guest Bundles Join PodMatchNew England Podcasters GroupCWC Episode: 4 Top Takeaways from 53 Podcast Guest Interviews & Standing Out as a Podcast GuestPodcast Guesting Tracker TemplateGuest/Speaker One-Sheet TemplateBarb’s Podcast Guest FormAbout the Hosts:Ande LyonsAt 69, Ande Lyons is living proof that ambition is ageless. A 4x business founder, longtime global startup mentor, and serial podcaster since 2012, Ande brings decades of entrepreneurial spirit and broadcasting experience to everything she does. She's the founder of the New England Podcasters Group and the host of Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, a popular podcast where she’s redefining what it means to thrive after 65.Barb DavidsFounder of Compass Digital Strategies and Host of the Small Business Sweet Spot podcast, Barb Davids is a Website Marketing Consultant and SEO Strategist with over 25 years of digital marketing experience. She helps ambitious business owners get direct results from their digital marketing and SEO. When not behind her laptop, you can find Barb running with her dog, Stone, living a minimalistic lifestyle, and reading yet another self-improvement book! Emily Aborn I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Email: [email protected] | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack

Text Emily! Just like not all DIY home projects turn out like your Pinterest board... not all collaborations end in sunshine in rainbows. And some downright fail. Flop. Fizzle. Fallout. Failure is inevitable when you're experimenting, trying something new, and collaborating with others. While it might not be so tasty in the moment, failure is full of invaluable wisdom if you're willing to look closer, learn from your fumbles, and, of course, try again. In this episode, we get into the six flavors of failed collaborations, lessons learned, and how to move forward intentionally when things flop. In the episode: Painting failure in a new light Vanilla Letdown (the Flop)Neopolitan Ghoster (the Ghoster) Rocky Road to Nowhere (the Fizzle) Tunafish Mint Chocolate Chip (the Mismatch) Salted Caramel Heartache (the Friendship Fallout) Triple Scoop Overload (the Self-Sabotage) Lessons learned to help you prevent future failuresAnd more! Resources & Links MentionedKaren Kenney's Episode "Relationships are Collaborations" About Me & Let's Connect I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Content with Character. I’m beyond passionate about helping small businesses grow with out-of-the-box, human-centered, personality-filled marketing. Sharing your work goes beyond strategies and frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing begins with genuine connection and being the real YOU. Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Want to partner up with collaborators and spark collaborations that give you the goosebumps!? It takes two to make a thing go right (it takes two to make it outta’ sight), and that’s exactly what I believe the best of the best collaborations create - an outta' sight experience that leaves everyone feeling good.In this episode, I shed light on 20 different ways collaboration could look in your business, so you can consider new ideas and expand ones already underway. I'll also offer 6 Keys to successful collaborations and what makes the BEST collaborations so amazing. Inside the Episode: The power of collaboration to take you to unimaginable places My definition of collaboration 20 Ideas to add to your collaboration repertoire6 Keys and examples of successful collaborationsAnd more! Links, Amazing People, and Resources Mentioned: [LIVE] Event with Barb Davids on August 28th: Become Their Favorite PodcastKaren Kenney's Episode: "Ep. #327 - Relationships are Collaborations"Teresa Schlup of Caffeine Creative (WP) Robyn White of RDW Design Studio (WP) Alethea Copelas of Inspired Website Design (Wix)PodMatch Chantelle Davis Gray's NEW Card Deck "It's Grow Time!" Spotify Playlist featuring a ROUNDUP of Collaboration Pods Quote from Episode: "The best part of collaborating is believing you’re better together. That you can both bring your unique gifts to the table and that when combined, they are like a magic superpower.” - Karen Kenney About Me: I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Content with Character. I’m beyond passionate about helping small businesses grow with out-of-the-box, human-centered, personality-filled marketing. Sharing your work goes beyond strategies and frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more. Successful marketing begins with genuine connection and being the real YOU. Let's Connect: Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! How do I grow my podcast? How do I grow my business? They seem like good questions, but in reality, they’re a bit open-ended… hard to define. What does “grow” even mean? I’m doing something totally different in this bonus episode!This month is all about COLLABORATION on the Content with Character podcast and in the name of collaboration, I wanted to share this powerful takeaway from a fellow podcaster and collaborator, Dave Campbell. Dave is here to bring insights that will help you focus on who's already engaged, already listening, and already cheering you on to GROW. Key Takeaways: How to define what growth actually means for your business or podcastEmbracing the power of one listener and the ripple effect they can createShifting your mindset from building an audience to building a communityEngaging with current listeners to increase loyalty and retentionMeasuring success through depth of connection, not just downloads.Resources & Links: Dave Campbell, host of the How to Podcast Series Podcasting Made Simple Podcast Dave's Episode on Podcasting Made Simple (includes blog article!) About Dave and his link: Empty nest Dad, musician, podcaster, and collector of people - I love having conversations with creative people and building bridges with others via podcasting. In a world that seems to value our differences over what we have in common, I am hoping that we can leverage the power of our words and a life well lived and well loved.Website: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Dave Campbell on Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTubeAbout Me & Connect: I’m Emily Aborn, a Copywriter, Content Marketing Consultant, Speaker, and Podcast Host. I live in the backwoods of New Hampshire, where my husband and I spend time preparing for winter, wishing it was summer, hiking, reading, and playing Crib Wars (IYKYK). Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! I've seen far too many podcast guests and speakers who are just winging it... Underplaying the gift and opportunity of being a guest, their lack of preparation translates into less impact and being just a tad uh, underwhelming. In this episode, I'm going to give you some KEYS to being an outstanding podcast guest or speaker, what you need before getting started, and what you can safely forget about! Your guest prep talk includes: The power and potential of guesting and speaking opportunities Who podcast guesting and speaking makes a great fit for Who should pause prior to pitching A list of assets from A-Z (well, they're not actually in alphabetical order) What you can safely ignore and not worry about for now How to come up with your topics A few key secrets to successful pitching Ways to stand out as an EXCEPTIONAL guestAnd more! Your Prep Checklist (things your one-sheet, website, Google Doc, etc. should ((ideally)) contain):  Contact information: phone, email, etc, social accountsFirst and third-person versions of your bio 3-5 Topics Sample questions, takeaways, bulleted teaching points High-resolution headshot (not a selfie!) Links to past interviews or speaking clips and/or short video intro, audio speaking clip, etc. Articles, related resources, or blogs written by you that are related to the topic Links and Resources Mentioned: Emily Aborn's Podcast Guest Bundles Barb Davids, Ande Lyons, and my upcoming LIVE event: Become Their Favorite Podcast GuestSamson Q2U MicrophonePodMatch (affiliate link, but I'm an affiliate because I LOVE IT, so there :)About Me and Let's Connect, please! I’m Emily Aborn, a Copywriter, Content Marketing Consultant, Speaker, and Podcast Host. I live in the backwoods of New Hampshire, where my husband and I spend time preparing for winter, wishing it was summer, hiking, reading, and playing Crib Wars (IYKYK). Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! Looking to be a guest on more podcasts? Want to improve your guesting/hosting skills and be a better collaborator? This month, we're breaking down the numbers to help you become even BETTER and know how to spend your time, money, and energy for maximum possibility. Business is a balance of profit and soul and podcasting is a blend of art (heart) and science. Knowing the truth of the numbers can help you grow in confidence and become even better at your craft. In this episode, I walk through the time, energy, and financial investment from a guest and host standpoint as we focus on: How much time it takes to become an exceptional host and guest How much time it takes for solo episodes, guest episodes, pitching, guesting, prep, post-production, and more The energy in and out of podcasting and guestingThe cold hard cash: how much money can you make podcasting?And more! Podcast Hosts Mentioned: 🎙️ Shoutout and THANKS to friends and fellow podcasters Barb Davids of the Small Business Sweet Spot, Kristy Ouellette of Talk Travel to Me, TC Burr of The Write Mindset, and Lindsey Dreyer of The Happy Agent Co. Podcast Resources and Groups Mentioned: 🚢 Seas the Day, Not the Panic: Overcoming Cruise Fears (Talk Travel to Me)🐝 Buzzsprout (affiliate link) 👉🏻 PodMatch (affiliate link) 👯 New England Podcasters Group 🎤 Samson Q2U Microphone 🎶 Premium Beat -Royalty-Free Music 🎙️ MY Podcaster Done-for-You Guest Bundles 📣 UPCOMING LIVE with Me and Barb Davids on Thursday, August 28th! About Me, Your Host and Small Business Copywriter, Emily Aborn I’m Emily Aborn, I’m a Copywriter, Content Marketing Consultant, Speaker, and Podcast Host. I live in the backwoods of New Hampshire where my husband and I spend time preparing for winter, wishing it was summer, hiking, reading, and playing Crib Wars (IYKYK). Email: [email protected]

Text Emily! I can overthink, outthink, rethink, and retroactively think my way into anything BUT momentum. Can you relate? If so, this episode is for you! This episode is for you if you identify as an overthinker (or just a little too much thinker) at times. We're going to get into the importance of overcoming overthinking so we can gain clarity, confidence, and momentum by quieting the inner chatter and noise inside our heads. Ways overthinking can manifestWhere overthinking might come from (it's not all bad!) 9 Ways to overcome overthinking by: Creating decision-making rules Starting with what YOU want Zooming out Creating before you consumeRemembering that not everything is permanent Picking a lane (and sticking to it) Designing routines and a system Shipping imperfect work: done is better than perfectDetaching your worth from the outcome And more! Links & Resources Mentioned 👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES🎙️ June Episode: Mid-Year Marketing Checkup About Me (Let's Connect!) I’m Emily Aborn, I’m a Copywriter, Content Marketing Consultant, Speaker, and Podcast Host. I'm a dog mom to Sir Clyde and wife to Jason (my favorite person in the whole world). Our little family lives in the backwoods of New Hampshire where we spend time wishing it was summer, hiking, reading, and playing Crib Wars (IYKYK). Email: [email protected] Me!Leave a Voicemail