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 mark
• Powerful 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 to
• And more! 

Resources & Links Mentioned

🎙️ New England Podcasters Group

👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES 

About my Guest, Ande Lyons

At 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 Podcast

New England Podcasters Group Website 

Ande Lyons Instagram | NEPG Instagram | DBCBYA Instagram 

Connect with Ande on LinkedIn

Follow 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]
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn

Substack

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 Greene

Teresa 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]

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Substack

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 business
• How to say no without burning bridges
• And more!

Resources & Links Mentioned: 

Heather Maguire (The Unconventional Intuitive) Instagram

Setting Boundaries for Business & Life Episode 

4 Questions to Ask Before Saying Yes Episode

4 Top Takeaways from 53 Podcast Guest Interviews Episode

Say 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]

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Substack

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 notes

Jenny's Website: Jenny B Designs 

Follow Jenny on Instagram 

Other links mentioned: 

JOIN US in the New England Podcaster's Group 

Rebranding Aging 4U

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]

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Substack

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 matters
• 5 Ways to make your next good decision, better
• The field of possibility
• The 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]

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Substack

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 Bigger

Connect 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]

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Substack

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]

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Substack

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 inboxes
• Reviving the ghost of content past
• Smaller, less scary, but still important ghosts to face off with 
• 5 Tips for beginning your business exorcism 
• And more! 

👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES

Want 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]
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn

Substack

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 needs
• Personal experiences and challenges faced during the rebranding process
• Tips for managing timelines, teams, and expectations during a brand overhaul
• Important 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 Podcast

Tuo Studio

Connect with Me, Emily Aborn 

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]
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn

Substack

Connect with Lindsay Dreyer

Founder 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 BIG
• Resources and ideas to start removing these things from your everyday vocab
• And 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 Do

Playing Big by Tara Mohr

"Some um, surprising advice for public speakers" by Mignon Fogarty

Ready 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]
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn

Substack