The Creative Bodega | Content Marketing and Instagram Growth for Solopreneurs

Em Connors

Welcome to The Creative Bodega, a podcast about content marketing, Instagram growth, and personal branding designed specifically for female service-based solopreneurs.  Here, we believe you can confidently create engaging content, connect authentically with your audience, and convert followers into loyal customers — all without the burnout. Each week, host Em Connors shares actionable tips and expert advice to help YOU grow your business without letting it take over your life.  From how to spend less time on content creation and more time being strategic to overcoming the overwhelm of navigating tech updates and ever-changing trends, Em answers your toughest questions so you can serve your clients and show up as your best self. Life happens, so Em doesn’t hold back from sharing the unfiltered truth of what it’s like to run a multi-six-figure business and raise a family. In addition to sharing proven strategies straight from her own business, Em spotlights other successful female service providers to find out how they balance family and run a business while staying sane and prioritizing themselves in this crazy season of life.  If you’re ready to turn your content into clients alongside a community of women who understand the struggle, you’re in the right place. 

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    13 Things I Did to Sell Out My Program in 24 Hours — Without a Funnel or Paid Ads

    f you’ve ever wondered how some entrepreneurs launch effortlessly while juggling all the things—this episode is for you. I didn’t have a funnel. I didn’t run ads. I barely posted on launch day. But I still sold out my program in 26 hours and made over $41K. Inside this episode, I’m breaking down the real reason it worked—and it has everything to do with consistent content, a warm email list, and showing up before the pitch. To read the full show notes, [CLICK HERE]. Here’s what we cover:  ✨ The pre-launch moves that made the actual launch feel easy  📬 How I used my email list (not social) to drive 90% of conversions  📦 Why reusing what I already had (offers, bonuses, SOPs) saved my sanity  🎯 The exact strategy I used to warm up my waitlist  💬 The mindset shift that made this my least stressful launch ever This isn’t about a magic formula. It’s about building trust, staying consistent, and launching from a place of clarity—not chaos. 💬 Your challenge this week: Take inventory of your pre-launch runway. Where can you build connection before you ever pitch? Tools & Resources:  📥 Join the Messaging Edit 2026 Waitlist  📥 Join The Brand Edit (formerly Insta x Canva Collective) 2026 Waitlist 🎧 Listen: From Idea to Launch: How I Built My New Program with ChatGPT 🎧 Listen: Why Your Message Isn’t Landing (and How to Fix It) Connect with me: 🫶🏼 Follow me on Instagram for daily insights 🫶🏼 Join my 321 Create Newsletter for weekly content tips 🫶🏼 Check out The Content Coven Membership Be sure to hit "Subscribe" or "Follow" so you never miss an episode!

    23 min
  2. 6 OCT

    My Launch Day Playbook: How I Used Ethical Urgency to Sell 50% of My Course in 6 Hours

    Ever wondered how to build real momentum before your launch goes live? In this episode, I’m breaking down how I grew a 450-person waitlist in 2 weeks, converted 50% of those sales within 6 hours—and did it all during back-to-school chaos and my husband’s birthday. If you’re launching soon and want it to feel exciting, not exhausting, this episode is your behind-the-scenes blueprint. To read the full show notes, CLICK HERE. Things I cover inside the episode:  ✨ How I warmed up my waitlist without sounding salesy  ✨ The pre-launch emails I actually send (and what I skip)  ✨ How I handle last-minute launch-day tech + timing  ✨ What I track during launch week (and what I ignore)  ✨ The “early access” energy that gets people to buy fast  ✨ The mindset shift that helped me stop panicking on Day 1 🔗 Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 33: How I Built and Launched My Online Program Using ChatGPT (Plus My Exact Waitlist Strategy) 50% off your first year of Flodesk before unlimited pricing disappears! Insta Stories that Sell Masterclass Hop on the waitlist for the next round of The Messaging Edit Hilary Krueger's Instagram Page (Who I ran Course Creation Camp with) Connect with me: 🫶🏼 Follow me on Instagram for daily insights 🫶🏼 Join my 321 Create Newsletter for weekly content tips 🫶🏼 Check out The Content Coven Membership Be sure to hit "Subscribe" or "Follow" so you never miss an episode!

    23 min
  3. 29 SEPT

    Mom Guilt + Launching a Live Program: My Unfiltered, Messy BTS Reality

    If you’ve ever launched something and felt like your personal life caught on fire at the exact same time… this episode is for you. Let’s be real — launching a program isn’t just spreadsheets and sales pages. It’s emotional. It’s chaotic. And if you’re a mom or solopreneur (or both), it will absolutely spill over into your everyday life. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing what really went down the week before my launch — the messy mom moments, the anxiety spirals, and the behind-the-scenes systems that kept me somewhat sane when everything felt like too much. To read the full show notes, [CLICK HERE]. Here’s what we cover: ✨ The moment I realized I was giving launch advice but not taking care of me 📦 How support systems (home + biz) are the real MVPs behind any successful launch 😩 A very real mom meltdown that reminded me: energy > productivity 🧠 Why I plan my business around my energy — not some color-coded calendar 💬 How open communication (with my husband, my kids, my team) keeps everything running This isn’t an episode about time-blocking or hustle culture. It’s about what it actually looks like to run a business while managing real life, real emotions, and real responsibilities — without burning out in the process. 💬 Your challenge this week: Audit your support system. Where are you carrying too much alone? Where could you ask for help — and how would that change your energy? Tools & Resources 🧘🏻‍♀️ 20% OFF KLS Studio Workout App 🧖🏼‍♀️ My Sunlighten Sauna 🎧 Listen: Organized AF (Made Simple): The Systems + Energy Flow That Keep Me Productive 🎧 Listen: Marriage, Money & Entrepreneurship: A Real Talk with My Husband My Amazing TeamBrianna (Virtual Assistant)Nicole (Community Manager + Graphic Design)Steph (Brand Strategist) Connect with me: 🫶🏼 Follow me on Instagram for daily insights 🫶🏼 Join my 321 Create Newsletter for weekly content tips 🫶🏼 Check out The Content Coven Membership Be sure to hit "Subscribe" or "Follow" so you never miss an episode!

    24 min
  4. 22 SEPT

    The Backend Systems That Made My 5-Figure Live Program Launch Run Smoothly (For Solopreneurs)

    Feeling overwhelmed by everything that needs to happen before your launch? In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m breaking down the exact systems, tools, and workflows I use to prep behind the scenes of a live program. From folder structure to Flodesk workflows and automating with Zapier, I’m giving you a real look at how I keep things organized, simple, and stress-free—even when I’m building from scratch. Whether you're launching your first offer or your fifth, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas to streamline the process. To read the full show notes, CLICK HERE. Things I cover inside the episode:  ✨ How I organize Google Drive, docs, and forms  ✨ The structure of my “launch Bible” doc  ✨ My favorite tools: Zapier, Flodesk, Podia, Zoom  ✨ How I automate onboarding + segment emails  ✨ Why accountability pods + Q&A forms matter  ✨ My SOP system (and why it saves me) 🔗 Helpful Links & Resources Try Flodesk for 50% off, unlimited pricing DISAPPEARS at the end of Nov '25 - don't miss out on this email marketing deal!Check out Podia for hosting your website, creating a course, selling products, and moreConnect your platforms and make automations easy with ZapierConnect with me: 🫶🏼 Follow me on Instagram for daily insights 🫶🏼 Join my 321 Create Newsletter for weekly content tips 🫶🏼 Check out The Content Coven Membership Be sure to hit "Subscribe" or "Follow" so you never miss an episode!

    19 min
  5. 8 SEPT

    The Crucial Missing Piece Between Clear Messaging & Real Engagement for Personal Brands on Instagram

    📣 UPDATE: THE MESSAGING EDIT SOLD OUT IN 26 HOURS! BE SURE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR THE NEXT ROUND! We're still keeping all the info about the current round in this blog post for your reference 😉 Struggling to find the perfect message before you show up online? In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m sharing why clarity comes from action—not overthinking—and how you can start showing up with confidence today. I’ll walk you through the mindset shift that helped me (and my clients) ditch perfectionism, plus the five-part Magnet Method I created to help solopreneurs clarify their message, connect with the right audience, and create content that actually works. If you’ve been holding back because you don’t feel “ready,” this conversation will help you take that first bold step. To see the full show notes for this episode, click HERE! Things I cover inside the episode: ✨ Why messy action beats waiting for perfect clarity ✨ The real reason your content isn’t converting (it’s not your offer!) ✨ What confidence has to do with your messaging ✨ The five steps of my Magnet Method ✨ How to know if this season is your moment to grow Next Steps to Nail Your Messaging If you’re nodding along thinking, “This is me”, here’s what to do: Join the 5-Day Social Refresh Challenge — actionable, bite-sized steps to sharpen your messaging.Get on The Messaging Edit waitlist for the next round of my small-group messaging program — for female entrepreneurs with personal brands who want to nail their brand foundation, clarify messaging, and grow an engaged community.Connect with me: 🫶🏼 Follow me on Instagram for daily insights 🫶🏼 Join my 321 Create Newsletter for weekly content tips 🫶🏼 Check out The Content Coven Membership Be sure to hit "Subscribe" or "Follow" so you never miss an episode!

    15 min
  6. 1 SEPT

    The M.A.G.N.E.T Method: My 5-Step Framework for Messaging That Connects and Converts

    Feeling the pressure to “do it all” with your content—and still make sales? You’re not alone. On The Creative Bodega, Em Connors shares unfiltered truths and tangible strategies to help you build a brand that connects, create content that actually converts, and grow your business on Instagram—without burnout. Whether you’re doubting your messaging or tired of posting with no traction, this podcast will help you show up confidently, simplify your strategy, and finally feel proud of your online presence. Check out the full show notes for this episode. Things I cover inside the episode: ✨ How to clarify your message so your content actually connects ✨ The real reason your audience isn’t converting (hint: it’s not your offer) ✨ My 5-step Magnet Method for building trust and engagement ✨ How I plan content that aligns with my business goals—not just trends ✨ What to post if you’re tired, busy, or stuck in overthinking mode Next Steps to Nail Your Messaging If you’re nodding along thinking, “This is me”, here’s what to do: Join the 5-Day Social Refresh Challenge — actionable, bite-sized steps to sharpen your messaging.Get on The Messaging Edit waitlist for my September small-group messaging program — for female entrepreneurs with personal brands who want to nail their brand foundation, clarify messaging, and grow an engaged community.   Connect with me: 🫶🏼 Follow me on Instagram for daily insights 🫶🏼 Join my 321 Create Newsletter for weekly content tips 🫶🏼 Check out The Content Coven Membership Be sure to hit "Subscribe" or "Follow" so you never miss an episode!

    20 min
  7. 25 AUG

    Why Your Ideal Clients Aren’t Connecting With Your Messaging—And How to Fix It

    Are you showing up consistently on social media… but still hearing crickets? You’re not alone — and this episode is for you. This is Part 1 of a 3-part series ALL ABOUT MESSAGING & BRAND CLARITY! Today, Em dives into one of the most common (and frustrating) problems solopreneurs face: your content is out there, but your dream clients just aren’t biting. The real issue? It’s probably not your niche, your offer, or even your consistency. It’s your messaging. For the full show notes, CLICK HERE. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: The 10-second clarity test your bio has to passHow to write “I help” statements that actually stop the scrollWhy vague language is killing your engagementA simple mindset shift to make messaging feel easier (even if you hate writing)Plus, Em shares honest stories from her own brand-building journey — including what still trips her up — and introduces a free 5-day challenge to help you refine your message and boost connection. 🎧 Whether you’re DIY-ing your brand or just tired of talking to no one, this episode will help you go from confusing to clear — and finally start converting Next Steps to Nail Your Messaging If you’re nodding along thinking, “This is me”, here’s what to do: Join the 5-Day Social Refresh Challenge — actionable, bite-sized steps to sharpen your messaging.Get on The Messaging Edit waitlist for my September small-group messaging program — for female entrepreneurs with personal brands who want to nail their brand foundation, clarify messaging, and grow an engaged community.Connect with me: 🫶🏼 Follow me on Instagram for daily insights 🫶🏼 Join my 321 Create Newsletter for weekly content tips 🫶🏼 Check out The Content Coven Membership Be sure to hit "Subscribe" or "Follow" so you never miss an episode!

    16 min

About

Welcome to The Creative Bodega, a podcast about content marketing, Instagram growth, and personal branding designed specifically for female service-based solopreneurs.  Here, we believe you can confidently create engaging content, connect authentically with your audience, and convert followers into loyal customers — all without the burnout. Each week, host Em Connors shares actionable tips and expert advice to help YOU grow your business without letting it take over your life.  From how to spend less time on content creation and more time being strategic to overcoming the overwhelm of navigating tech updates and ever-changing trends, Em answers your toughest questions so you can serve your clients and show up as your best self. Life happens, so Em doesn’t hold back from sharing the unfiltered truth of what it’s like to run a multi-six-figure business and raise a family. In addition to sharing proven strategies straight from her own business, Em spotlights other successful female service providers to find out how they balance family and run a business while staying sane and prioritizing themselves in this crazy season of life.  If you’re ready to turn your content into clients alongside a community of women who understand the struggle, you’re in the right place. 

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