Small Business Casual: Content Marketing, Productivity, Customer Experience for Entrepreneurs & Creators

Text Emily!

There are ZILLIONS of lessons I've learned as a business owner over the past decade and countless nuggets of advice I want to pour into those coming behind me and walking alongside me.

But advice is a lot like opinions...

Everyone has some AND they're not always relevant and applicable for you.

While sparing you my advice, I'm sharing three things I wish I knew before I started as we spark up a conversation and reflect on some of the lessons learned along the way.

In this episode: 

• Don't forget to tell them who you are! 
• Some of us know before we try, and some of us have to try to know - what to do if you're the latter
• There are no shortcuts. I repeat, there are no shortcuts. 
• Failure is a wide, open door, a beginning... not an end. 

Links and Resources Mentioned:
July 2nd Episode "Can Content Creation Be Enjoyable?"
TC Burr's YET Podcast and our episode "Content with Character" 

Thoughts on this episode? Something else on your mind? Let's connect!
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About Me: 

I’m Emily Aborn, I’m a Content Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host. I love working with small business owners who are excited to push boundaries and have FUN infusing personality into their copy. When not working, I enjoy: reading, listening to podcasts, hiking, game nights IN with my husband, spending time with family and friends, and going to beaches that are little-known to others.

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What's the story behind your "I"? Where you came from, how it all began, and why you do what you're doing today? 

You may not have some reality-bending origin story. 

Even if you didn't find your life's purpose while narrowly dodging your demise, your origin story is no less exciting and no less relevant! 

In this episode, we get into how to write and tell your beautiful, multifaceted origin story and apply it to just about anything you're sharing! 

• What's an Origin Story? 
• What are some recognizable examples of Origin Stories? 
• 6 Reasons telling your Origin Story is important 
• 6 Questions to ask yourself when creating your Origin Story
• Where to share your Origin Story 
• 5 Tips to help your Origin Stories shine! 
• What to share if you haven't "arrived" yet?  

👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES: 

Prompts:

1. Why did you decide to start the company, business, or brand? Why YOU? 
2. What were the moments or experiences that shaped you on your life journey? Which events took place along the way?
3. Was there an aha moment for you? If so, what was it? 
4. Who are the people who’ve influenced your journey? Mentors, friends, family, inspirers, how have they shaped you?
5. What challenges have you faced? What obstacles have you overcome? How did you overcome them? Did you have a moment wanted to throw in the towel, how did you stop yourself? Or perhaps someone else intervened?
6. What curiosity, passion, or interest has driven you to your work? 
7. What major lessons have you learned?

Where to share: 

• Your website, specifically, your About Page
• When starting a presentation, workshop, or educational talk
• When seeking financial support from investors/lenders
• In a keynote or as the keynote itself 
• With clients on Discovery Calls
• On social media 
• In blogs
• In emails and newsletters
• On your podcast
• On other people’s podcasts as a guest
• When networking and connecting 

Resources & Links
People-Pleasing Episode
Bio Builder Freebie - sorry, this is no longer an offering! 
Bio Builder Service & Strategy Session- contact me directly: [email protected] 
For the Health of It Podcast by Jenny Bruck of Spinal Corrective Center

About Me: 

Emily Aborn: I’m a Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host. I love working with small business owners excited to push boundaries and have FUN infusing personality into their copy. I enjoy: reading, listening to podcasts, hiking, game nights IN with my husband, spending time with family and friends, and going to beaches that are little-known to others.

Let's Connect!
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Text Emily!

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Do you find the process of marketing and creating content to be exhausting and frustrating?

You're not alone!

In this episode, we answer a listener question as we talk about approaching our marketing and content creation in a way that inspires a little more FUN and enjoyment! 

I personally am the weirdo that LIKES creating content. I see marketing as an adventure and love connecting and sharing with others. I'm actually having a great ol' time over here doing so! BUT, it's also my job and I fully realize that it's not why most people started their businesses (or expected to be doing so much of). I also get that it's not all sunshine and rainbows.

In this episode, we address the good, the bad, and the unfun of content creation, marketing, and visibility in hopes that you'll be inspired to focus on what brings you joy, and consider letting go of the rest!

In this episode: 

• What is CONTENT anyway!? 
• What are examples of different types of content we can choose from for our businesses? 
• What are the awesome parts and gifts of content creation (and marketing)? 
• Do you need to be doing all of it? Any of it? 
• Questions to help you bring back the FUN in your content creation and marketing experience 
• And more! 

Resources Mentioned: 
TC Burr's YET Podcast 
Refresh Yourself: Book a Strategy Session with Me! 
My Substack: 104 Experiments, turning everyday life into a "try before you buy" experience 

About Me: 

I’m Emily Aborn, I’m a Content Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host. I love working with small business owners who are excited to push boundaries and have FUN infusing personality into their copy. For fun, I enjoy: reading, listening to podcasts, hiking, game nights IN with my husband, spending time with family and friends, and going to beaches that are little-known to others.

Let's Connect!
Leave a Voicemail!
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LinkedIn

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Summer tends to be a high-energy, out-in-the-world, on-the-go season. We often feel spread thin, running in a million different directions, and racing to and fro.

[Insert overly busy cliche of choice here]

Summer slowdowns can occur in our businesses due to the natural seasonality of our work or be self-imposed.

The goal of this episode is to help you better focus the time you do spend working this Summer going deeper vs. wider and leaning in when most others are leaning out.

You'll hear 5 things to focus on in your business during a summer slowdown or vacation season, plus a bonus that might just liven up your personal world too!

In this Content with Character episode: 

• What it means to lean in when everyone else is leaning out 
• 5 Things to focus on when everyone’s on vacation 
• Being intentional with your time to show up better when working and playing 
• An invitation to hone in and refine 
• Encouragement to reconnect and nurture existing relationships 
• Thinking outside trends and tactics 
• Infusing your life with micro-experiments 
• And more! 

Links and Resources Mentioned
My Substack: 104 Experiments "Turning everyday life into a try before you buy" 
Content with Character Episode: Setting Time Boundaries for Your Business and Life

About Me: 
I'm Emily Aborn, Content Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host of Content with Character and She Built This. I've worked with 100+ industries as a copywriter, writing original copy that increases your confidence. Fan of: being a nerd, reading, podcasts, and hiking with my husband and dog.

Email: [email protected]
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Today's episode starts with a short story about a pair of (expensive) pants I didn't even really want in the first place... 

People-pleasing has no place in our lives and it can get in the way of sharing authentically and honestly in our businesses too! 

Like ice cream, people-pleasing comes in different flavors and varieties. 

The various types of people-pleasing may manifest similarly but with different reasons and motivations behind why you're doing it in the first place.  

In this episode, we get into five types of people-pleasing and how to stop bringing it into your marketing, content, and business messaging. 

• 5 Common types of people pleasing 
• How people-pleasing shows up in our content and marketing 
• Tangible ways to share about your business, without the people-pleasing! 
• 5 Tips to help you focus on being YOU, no matter what
• And more! 

Quotes and Resources Mentioned: 
Lisa Zawrotny's Positively Living Podcast (my go-to for all things self-care)

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES: 

5 Common Types of People Pleasing in Content and Marketing: 

#1) Overcoming People Pleasing for Approval Seekers: Develop a strong brand identity and core message that reflects true values and beliefs. Focus on creating content that adds genuine value, rather than seeking praise. Limit the frequency of major changes to branding; make data-driven decisions instead.

#2) Overcoming People Pleasing for Conflict Avoiders: Identify core principles and stand by them in your content and marketing efforts. Learn to address criticism constructively and openly. Practice setting boundaries and being assertive in communication.

#3) Overcoming People Pleasing for Caretakers: Establish clear policies and boundaries regarding what can be offered for free and what is a paid service. Ensure pricing reflects both value and sustainability. Balance helpful content with topics that promote business growth and sustainability. 

#4) Overcoming People Pleasing for Perfectionists: Set realistic deadlines for content creation and adhere to them. Embrace the idea of “good enough” and focus on progress over perfection. Allow for authentic, relatable content that shows the human side of the business.

#5) Overcoming People Pleasing for Empaths: Balance emotional content with clear, strategic calls to action. Use data and analytics to guide marketing decisions, ensuring they align with business objectives. Develop a content strategy that considers both emotional engagement and practical outcomes.

5 General Tips for Avoiding People Pleasing: 

• Increase Self-Awareness: Recognize and acknowledge when you’re people-pleasing in your content and marketing. Reflect on how these behaviors impact your business decisions.
• Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries for interactions with clients and customers. Communicate these boundaries openly and stick to them.
• Determine Your Values: Reconnect with the core values and mission of the business. Ensure that content and marketing efforts consistently reflect these values.
• Seek Feedback: Regularly seek feedback from trusted mentors, peers, or business coaches who can provide objective perspectives.
• Prioritize Self-Care: Balance the needs of the business with personal well-being. Avoid burnout by delegating tasks and taking time for self-care.
• Create a Plan/Strategy: Map out a plan and strategy that works for your business and stick to it! 

About Me:
I'm Emily Aborn, Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host. I've worked with 122+ industries as a copywriter, writing original copy that increases your confidence. Fan of: being a nerd, reading, podcasts, and hiking with my husband.

Email: [email protected]
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She Built This Podcast

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Not your average time management and productivity podcast!

It's about time we talk about time here on Content with Character. I'm sharing about a recent time experiment I conducted and how it helped me in setting time boundaries that work for my business and my life!

You'll walk away with consideration and helpful tips in setting time boundaries that work for YOU - no matter what you’re here to accomplish and enjoy in this lifetime.

In this episode: 

• Why we're so obsessed with time 
• Why your time matters 
• Where Does All the Time Go? My time experiment 
• Questions to consider in setting time boundaries that matter to you 
• Distractions aren't all bad! 
• Examples of setting time boundaries 
• 4 Things to review when time seems to slip through the cracks 
• There's no one right way to manage your time
• And more! 

Resources Mentioned: 
Positively Living Podcast with Lisa Zawrotny (my go-to time management resource!)
Don't Manage Your Time - Befriend It! Brainz Magazine Article by Emily Aborn (2020)
Emily' Substack: 104 Experiments 

Extended Show Notes: 

Questions to Consider for Setting Your Time Boundaries: 

• How do you WANT to spend your time?
• What’s the sweet spot between work and leisure for you?
• What do you want time for? Creative projects? Family? Your business? Fixing up your home? Leisure? Travel? Hobbies and interests? Friends? Health and wellness? Other? 
• How much time do you need for the things that matter most to you in life? 
• How much time do you need to spend on your business vs. in your business? (for yourself vs. delivering for clients) 

Set realistic time boundaries by: 

1. Knowing how you want to spend your time and why. What are you working towards? What do you want to do in this lifetime? What do you most want to create?
2. Get honest with how your spending your time – what are you giving it away freely to? Is it feeling reciprocal? Are you being compensated for your time, or are you giving it away left and right with no payment? Are you spending it on things that really matter to you and to growing your business?
3.  What can you let go of? Delegate? Delete? Do? Delay? 
4. Where do you need to be more careful with your yes’s?

Quotes and Questions:
“Time is what we want most but what we use worst.” - William Penn
“The way we spend our time defines who we are.” - Jonathan Estrin
“Juggling everything makes it impossible to enjoy anything." @BeMorewithLess

Books:
Four Thousand Weeks | Time Management for Mere Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Deep Work | Rules for Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
Slow Productivity | The Lost Art of Accomplishment without Burnout by Cal Newport

About Me:
I'm Emily Aborn, Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host. I've worked with 122+ industries as a copywriter, writing original copy that increases your confidence. Fan of: being a nerd, reading, podcasts, and hiking. 

Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook
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She Built This Podcast

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Comparing ourselves to others can be exhausting and discouraging. 

People may give you advice to just unfollow, unsubscribe, stop the thoughts in their tracks, think "positive", or focus on all the things that make YOU great...

But it's not always that easy to turn the beat around! And sometimes glossing over the experience can cause it to keep popping up again and again and again, rather than teach us to work through it and move to a more productive place. 

In this episode, I get into how we can move through comparison in a way that allows us to acknowledge and feel it, take action if needed, and bless and release. 

I don’t want you to compare yourself. I certainly don't want you to swim in the pool of comparison, and I'm going to help you find out you what it's good for! 

• A personal story about a recent "compare and despair" moment
• What I learned about comparison and the information it can provide 
• How to overcome and move through comparison with grace, compassion, gratitude, and action 
• 3 Ways to reframe when you compare yourself 
• 7 Ways to turn down the noise of comparison 
• And more! 

Resource: 
Life's Enough - Stop Comparing ZenHabits.Net Article

About Me:
I'm Emily Aborn, Content Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host of Content with Character and She Built This. Since 2014, I've had experience running brick-and-mortar as well as online businesses. I've worked with 100+ industries as a copywriter, and help my clients write original copy and content they can feel confident in. For fun, I love nerdy word games, reading, listening to podcasts, and hiking in the woods with my husband, Jason, and our dog, Clyde.

Email: [email protected]
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She Built This Podcast
Book a Strategy Session with Me

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Today, we’re going to talk about the importance and power of customer service and how to make the customer the main character. What does it look like to make THEM the main event in your copy, marketing, and throughout your business?  

I'll offer you some tangibles for content creation and the customer journey and how to hug your customers with exceptional customer service each and every step of the way!

In the episode: 

• Why does customer service matter? 
• What's the power and potential of having GREAT customer service? 
• What are some examples of bad customer service and how can we do better? 
• Tangibles for content marketing, customer journey, and more to improve your customer service throughout your business
• The 5 C’s of client experience and customer service
• And more! 

Resources Mentioned:
Hug Your Customers book by Jack Mitchell

👉🏻  EXTENDED SHOW NOTES BELOW:

1. Learn about your customers and who they really are. Identify their: 

• Needs
• Wants
• Values
• What they have too much of/too little much of 

2. Focus on the Benefits vs. Features 

• Features = bells and whistles, systems, and processes
• Benefits = how it will make them feel, change their life, lighten their load, go back to what matters to them, and what they want/need

3. Keep it Conversational!

• Speak to one person, one issue at a time
• Choose a tone that sounds like you! Keep it human: friendly, upbeat, encouraging, kind, positive, funny, etc.

4. Communicate with them where they’re at: 

5. Consider tailoring communication specific to their individual needs (ie. audio, video, additional calls, written options, etc).

6. Set boundaries: Good boundaries actually improve the customer service experience! You show up better, and your clients know what to expect along the way.

7. Listen and be open to feedback and willing to make a change to benefit your customers 

8. Map out the entire customer journey and see where you can sprinkle in touchpoints and “hugs” along the way

9. Go the extra mile 

10. Do what you say you’ll do WHEN you say you’ll do it. 

11. Use people’s names and remember meaningful details about their life whenever possible. 

12. Ask them questions and learn about them! 

Emily’s C’s of great customer service and customer experience: 

• Communication 
• Cohesion
• Connection
• Collaboration
• Consistency 

When you make your customers the main character and commit to delivering an impeccable customer experience, they’re the star of the show! They feel important, valued, seen, heard, and in turn, you bring out their brilliance and highlight the best in them. 

About Me:
I'm Emily Aborn, Small Business Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host. Since 2014, I've had experience running brick-and-mortar as well as online businesses. I've worked with 122+ industries as a copywriter, and help my clients write original copy and content they can feel confident in. For fun, I love nerdy word games, reading, listening to podcasts, and hiking.

Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
She Built This Podcast

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In this episode, we get into what CHARACTER means. Why is it the name of this show? What is it even? And do you just naturally have it or do you have to build it? Does it really take "hard work" to get?

How do you infuse YOUR content with YOUR character!?

This is episode 1 of 2 where I take a look at the role character plays in your business, content, and otherwise. Next week, we're diving into making your client or customer the main character, and this week is all about YOU.

In the Episode: 

• What is character? What does it mean? 
• Is hard work the only way to build it? 
• What are the different "character types" and which one are YOU showing up as in your life and business? 
• How do you discover more about your personality and character? 
• And more! 

Resources, Quotes, and Other Mentionables:
👉🏻  EXTENDED SHOW NOTES BELOW:  

What Type of Character ARE YOU in your life and business? Common character types in film, books, plays, etc.: 

1. Supporting Characters: They aren’t the main focus, but they play a significant role in advancing the main plot. 
2. Antagonists: Opposition to the main character. They’re the obstacle creators, troublemakers, and opponents of the main character. 
3. Dynamic characters: These are characters who go through a major change or development throughout the story. They start one way and end up somewhere else entirely different.
4. Round vs. Flat Character: This has to do with depth and complexity. And here’s where that “hard work” come in as we see many round characters shaped through obstacles and challenges. Flat characters are like these one-dimensional, very simple characters. They sort of have one job in the story, and one job only. Round characters get a little more backstory, personality, and motivation. 
5. Stock characters /stereotypical/archetypes: These are characters that can be found across various stories and genres. Examples: The wise sage, the hero, the evil villain, the damsel in distress, etc. 
6. Main Character: In stories, this is the protagonist – the one we’re rooting for. In life, this is YOU. You get to have Main Character energy! Main characters often exude confidence, a belief that they can overcome, they’re self-assured, charismatic, and they take into account their needs and feelings, as well as supporting others. 

Two Journaling Prompts

• Sit down and write down ALL your professional experience, starting with your first job to now. Take a look at significant experiences in each of your past jobs and how it’s helped build your character. What skills and parts of your personality have you built along the way?
•  Journaling on your personal experiences: Sit down and reflect on your life in increments – Ages 0-5, 6-10, 11-15, etc. etc. What past experiences have shaped who you are today? 
• Ask your friends/family how THEY see you! What characteristics do they see and love in what makes you YOU? 

Stat on podcasting:  90% of podcasters don’t make it past 3 episodes, and only 90% of those remaining make it past 20 episodes.

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." -John Wooden 

"Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character." 
-Heraclitus

"Our ability to handle life's challenges is a measure of our strength of character." 
-Les Brown

"You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans." 
- Ronald Reagan

“Character building isn’t something you can do alone. Morality is a social practice.” - David Brooks 

Alesia Galati's Podcasts: Listeners to Leads and Successful Podcasting Unlocked
Lisa Zawrotny's Podcast: Positively Living 

👉🏻 EMILY's BRAND MESSAGING GUIDES

About Me:
I'm Emily Aborn, Small Business Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host. Since 2014, I've had experience running brick-and-mortar as well as online businesses. I've worked with 122+ industries as a copywriter, and help my clients write original copy and content they can feel confident in. For fun, I love nerdy word games, reading, listening to podcasts, and hiking.

Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
She Built This Podcast
104 Experiments: My Substack

Text Emily!

Repurposing is for you as a content creator. It saves you time and helps you stop spinning your wheels as you take any one single piece of content and turn it into MORE!

AND in addition to being hugely beneficial to you (and your sanity), it also helps increase your impact and reach others who may not be able to access your original format of content.

Especially when it comes to audio, webinars, workshops, courses, and video content, repurposing can make it more accessible for others while spreading your message further and wider.

In this episode, I cover: 

• Celebrating the Content with Character first birthday: Feeling behind, celebrating our wins and milestones, how consistency pays off, and a big thanks to YOU for being on this journey with me! 🎉
• Why repurposing video content and audio is a unique and important step 
• Ideas to take action on right away to repurpose audio content, video content, workshops, webinars, and even your next conversation/client call! 
• And More! 

Resources Mentioned:
Alesia Galati's Podcast Productivity Power Up: One Episode Endless Content
Content with Character Episode on Repurposing Written Content
👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES
 
More on Content Repurposing:
Repurpose Podcast Content Like Never Before
Repurposing Blogs for Increased Visibility
Repurposing Content for Social Media
How to Repurpose Content for Social Media

About Me:
I'm Emily Aborn, Content Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host of Content with Character and She Built This. Since 2014, I've had experience running brick-and-mortar as well as online businesses. I've worked with 100+ industries as a copywriter, and help my clients write original copy and content they can feel confident in. For fun, I love nerdy word games, reading, listening to podcasts, and hiking in the woods with my husband, Jason, and our dog, Clyde.

Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
She Built This Podcast
Book a Strategy Session with Me