It’s been a minute! My last episode was back in April, and so much has happened since then. Wedding season, I got engaged, and then I ended up taking a break I didn't even know I needed until I was in it. I'd been operating in total overdrive without realizing it.

But we're back, and a few things are different this time around. I'm no longer doing seasons. This is just an ongoing show now, still dropping every other week on Tuesdays, straight to your Substack inbox. I hired a podcast editor, and I've had Meg helping me with ideation on the backend. Having that structure and those deadlines is exactly what I needed.

So let's get into the first episode back.

For this one, I brought on my accountant and tax advisor, Zsofia Alfonso. If you're a creative business owner, you probably got into this because you're good at the craft, not because you love spreadsheets, so Zsofia is here to help us out with that!

Quick disclaimer before we jump in: everyone's business is different, so please take this as guidance and education, not a replacement for your own professional advice.

Zsofia Alfonso is a business owner and professor. For the past 15 years, she's been the principal at ABL & Co. Tax and Accounting, where she and her team simplify the financial life for small, service-based businesses, handling everything from tax preparation to payroll and bookkeeping (mine included). She's passionate about supporting the growth of small business owners and brings insight from ABL & Co.'s 25 years of experience starting and running businesses.

In this episode, we're getting into:

• Why a separate business bank account matters from day one, even if your creative business is still a side hustle
• Sole proprietor vs. LLC
• LLC vs. S-Corp
• The IRS's one real rule on write-offs, and how to tell if something counts
• Signs it's time to bring in a tax pro instead of DIY-ing it

Tools mentioned in this episode

• ZenBusiness — the service Maddie used to register her own LLC
• Apply for an EIN — free, direct through the IRS

How to connect with Zsofia:

Website: www.ablandco.com/meet-our-team

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zsofia-alfonso-6546b7

Facebook (ABL & Co.): www.facebook.com/ablandco

Have more questions after listening? Drop them in the comments on Substack or on Spotify.

👉 If this episode landed, subscribe below so you don't miss the next one.

Thank you so much for listening to another episode of As You Should. I'll see you back here in two weeks!

xo, Maddie

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit madisonbethune.substack.com

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

Omg!! We have reached the end of Season 1 already, like what?!!

10 episodes in, and I’m so beyond grateful for everyone whose tuned in each week to listen to me yap. I wanted this last episode to really tie it all together, and so I thought what better way to close this first chapter than to go back to how it all started.

I talked about all the reasons I pushed off starting the podcast, and all my fears going into it in Episode 1. After 10 episodes, I’m deep diving into what I learned, what I loved, what I didn’t love, and what’s coming next for you in Season 2.

Season 2 will launch sometime this summer, and so if you’re not already subscribed, now is the time to do so!! As You Should subscribers will be the first to know when Season 2 is coming, and also have a chance to give their input for the episodes!

Sign up to be notified of Season 2, AND get inside access to the making of the next season!

If you loved the first Season, it would mean the world to me if you could also leave a review & share your favorite episode with a friend who needs it right now.

Although Season 1 is coming to a close, be on the lookout for emails from me over the next few months! This podcast has truly been created with you and mind, and so your input about what you loved and what you want more of is greatly appreciated!

Why am I getting emotional rn… okay keeping this short and sweet

Thanks for listening to another episode of As You Should!

And I’ll see you back here soon for Season 2!!

xo,

Maddy

👉 If this landed, subscribe below so the next one shows up in your inbox. Already subscribed? Keep the vibes going and browse past episodes.

👉 Let’s be friends on Instagram!

We have SUCH a fun guest for today’s episode, Sara at BTL Copy.

Sara Joelle is a copywriter and marketing mentor specializing in website copywriting, marketing consulting, cheeky humor, and bad hair days.

Using her sales-focused storytelling method and her unwavering obsession with writing copy that consistently gets results, Sara helps brands and businesses of all shapes and sizes connect with their ideal clients, increase their revenue, and gain the confidence they need to lead their brand to their next success story.

As an extrovert by nature and personal-client-cheerleader by choice, Sara’s someone you’d really benefit from having in your corner.

In today’s episode, Sara is here to give us all the tough love we know we need on how to get over ourselves and start showing up authentically online.

Some topics covered in this episode:

* What does professionalism even mean when you’re your own boss?

* How to use Instagram stories effectively to drive business & get clients

* The trends Sara see’s in photographer’s marketing after writing countless photographers website copy.

* How to stop feeling cringe when creating content

* The mindset shift needed to grow a successful business

How to connect with Sara:

Website: www.betweenthelinescopy.com

Podcast: www.betweenthelinescopy.com/podcast

Newsletter (free copywriting tips): www.betweenthelinescopy.com/subscribe

Website copy course: www.betweenthelinescopy.com/site-series

Freebies: www.betweenthelinescopy.com/free-stuff

Newsletter subscription: www.betweenthelinescopy.com/swipe-file

Instagram: www.instagram.com/btlcopy

Substack: www.btlcopy.substack.com

Oh, and fun fact! Sara wrote my website which we talk about a lot too. Click here to see for yourself.

If you loved this episode, you’re gonna want to check out:

Thank you for listening to another episode of As You Should, and I’ll see you next week in the last episode for Season 1!!

xo,

Maddy

Resources:

Let’s be friends: https://www.instagram.com/asyoushouldpodcast_/

Subscribe to get future episodes straight to your inbox: https://madisonbethune.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

How you interact with your couples behind the scenes matters just as much (if not more) as your creative eye & experience using a camera. If you’re not creating a comfortable environment for your clients, how will you ever get photos where they look & feel comfortable?!! It just doesn’t add up.

As photographers, our job is so much more than taking photos. It’s a balancing act between being a director, a guide, a friend and a creative allll at the same time, and that’s what we’re talking about here today.

Resources from today’s episode:

* Grab the Boston Engagement Location Guide for yourself!

* Read more about how I help couples feel comfortable in front of the camera in this blog post.

* Submit a question for future episodes

* See my engagement session work on Instagram

👉 Want 1:1 support for your photography business?! Book a 1-hour mentorship call where you’ll get my eyes on your business, and leave with actionable steps to move forward with clarity. Book your call here!

If you’ve ever thought about starting a creative business but immediately felt overwhelmed by where to begin… you’re not alone!

I get messages about this all the time. People have an idea — photography, baking, vintage reselling, design, handmade products — but the question is always the same:

“Okay… but where do I actually start?”

When I started my photography business, I didn’t have a perfect plan, a big audience, or unlimited time. But within six months, I had built a fully booked wedding photography business. Not because I did everything right — but because I focused on a few things that actually matter when you’re starting out.

In this week’s episode of As You Should, I’m breaking down the first five steps I recommend taking if you want to start a creative business.

Resources from today’s episode:

Use my Dubsado code: maddybethunephoto for 20% off your first month or year, or click here to learn more.

Not knowing WTF I'm doing but doing it anyway // Episode 1: https://madisonbethune.substack.com/p/01-not-knowing-wtf-im-doing-but-doing

You could be getting 400+ inquiries/year by showing up online // Episode 2: https://madisonbethune.substack.com/p/02-how-showing-up-online-could-bring

What your client experience is saying about your brand // Episode 4: https://madisonbethune.substack.com/p/04-what-your-client-experience-is

Let's be friends: https://www.instagram.com/asyoushouldpodcast_/

Subscribe to get future episodes straight to your inbox: https://madisonbethune.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

You asked & I’m answering! In this week’s episode of As You Should, we’re having a candid conversation about how and why to use social media to marketing your business

In this episode we’re diving into:

* How you can use social media to market your small business and grow an engaged community

* What showing up consistently can look like

* How to come up with content ideas people actually want to see

And sooo much more :)

Why this matters

I’ve used social media to market my photography business since day 1, and it’s the sole reason I was able to grow, quit my corporate job in 6 months, and work with aligned clients on repeat.

Saying “you’re bad at social media” is like saying you’re bad at painting, or singing, or any other skill — you can get better with practice!

Now more than ever it’s so important to understand how to use social media to market your business since it’s where your dream customers are every single day, and this episode will give you the tools to view your social media presence with a fresh perspective.

RESOURCES:

Speaking of social media, if we’re not friends already what are we doing!?! Click here to be friends on Instagram.

Submit a question for future episodes: https://madisonbethune.substack.com/p/submit-a-question-for-the-podcast

Subscribe to get future episodes right to your inbox: https://madisonbethune.substack.com

Going full-time is so many wedding photographers dream, but once you get there, what does it really look like?

In today's episode we’re chatting about:

* Networking & second shooting to gain wedding photography clients

* Different marketing strategies to implement to attract couples & build your business

* Treating burnout as a learning lesson, and the boundaries we’re setting moving forward

Is your 2026 goal to take your wedding photography business full time?

You don’t need to be the best photographer in the world to be successful, and sometimes the best way to get to that next level is to invest in someone whose been their already & can give you the steps to do the same.

I’ve invested over $10,000 in business education over the years, because I fully knew that having someone who's been in my shoes & grown a successful business would fast-track my business journey. I’m now so grateful to be in a position where I get to help wedding photographers do the same!

Book a 1 hour 1:1 mentorship call with me for only $175.

We’ll chat through your current struggles & strengths, identify your unique selling point, and create a roadmap for you to reach your goal this year. Have questions before booking the call? Message me on instagram and we’ll chat!

RESOURCES:

Connect with Erica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericawarrenphoto/

Connect with Maddy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddybethunephoto/

Ask a question for a future episode: https://madisonbethune.substack.com/p/submit-a-question-for-the-podcast

The term “client experience” gets thrown around constantly in the entrepreneurial world. Everyone says you need to provide a great client experience… but what does that actually mean?

Today’s guest, Kelly McCracken, is breaking it all down. For over four years, Kelly has helped service-based business owners build seamless workflows and design intentional client experiences that feel elevated and aligned.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into:

* What client experience really means (and what it’s not)

* How to audit your own client journey and spot gaps

* Whether you should be sending client gifts (and when it actually makes sense)

* How to create systems and automations that still sound like you

* Using automation strategically so you can focus on the tasks that actually move the needle

RESOURCES:

* Download Kelly’s free Client Experience Audit: https://kellymccracken.myflodesk.com/clientexperienceaudit

* Connect with Kelly: www.kellymccracken.co; Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

* Use my Dubsado code: maddybethunephoto for 20% off your first month or year

* Submit a question for future episodes: https://madisonbethune.substack.com/p/submit-a-question-for-the-podcast

* Join the As You Should Community: https://madisonbethune.substack.com

* Let's be friends!: https://madisonbethune.substack.com

In this episode, we’re talking about:

* How theme days create just enough structure in my business

* Social media addiction and the negative side effects of consuming too much content online

* Weekday engagement sessions vs. weekend sessions

* How quickly you should send sneak peeks

* Responding to emails in a timely manner without being glued to my phone

What I want to leave you with:

* Entrepreneurs treat burnout as a right of passage on the path to a successful business. But I disagree.

* If the only way your business survives is by you burning out, what’s the point of working for yourself in the first place?!

* You’re too busy to enjoy the flexibility of your own schedule

* You’re too foggy to be present when you finally shut your laptop

* Burnout does NOT equal success.

* Define what success is to you, and create boundaries that support that!!

If you feel like you don’t have enough hours in a week…

If answering emails, scheduling calls, keeping track of payments, and responding to inquiries in your DM’s is filling up your entire calendar, you don’t have the time to pour into the parts of your business that you can only do.

If that sounds like you, you need to check out Dubsado.

Dubsado has single-handedly given me hours of time back each week — hours I can pour into the areas of my business that light me up, or time away from my business to spend with my people. It’s a customer relationship manager that allows you to create inquiry forms, send automated emails, accept payments, send automatic payment reminders and more, so you’re confident your business is running smoothly in the background while you can focus on moving the needle.

Use my code: maddybethunephoto for 20% off your first month or year, or click here to learn more.

Maddy Bethune is an affiliate partner of Dubsado & will make a small commission off of sign ups with the link above, at no additional cost to you. Maddy only partners with companies she uses & loves herself. 🖤

Thanks for listening to another episode of As You Should!

I so appreciate you listening to the first 3 episodes of As You Should. I’d love to hear what you think so far. Comment below or DM on instagram your favorite episode, any feedback, and thoughts.

And if you missed the 1st 2 episodes… you’re missing out! Check them out below:

Speaking of hearing your thoughts — drop a comment sharing one of your business boundaries that’s a non-negotiable for you. Hopefully it can inspire someone else & make their work-life balance even better too :)

See you next week!

Maddy

With the rise of AI, TikTok, and the unlimited information online, anyone can be anything. Someone could provide the exact same service as you in the exact same way that you do it.

The one and only thing that will always be different about your business is you. You are the one thing no one can replicate — your personality, quirks and passions.

Incorporating YOU into your marketing strategy is the one way you will guarantee to connect with your audience and stand out online, leading to aligned inquiries, connections that go beyond the work, and a business built on trust.

RESOURCES:

Get 20% off your first month or year on Dubsado by using my code: "maddybethunephoto"

Submit a Question for future episodes: https://madisonbethune.substack.com/p/submit-a-question-for-the-podcast

Join the As You Should Community: https://madisonbethune.substack.com

Let's be friends: https://www.instagram.com/maddybethunephoto/