The Creative Bodega | Content Marketing and Instagram Growth for Solopreneurs

The Creative Bodega | Content Marketing and Instagram Growth for Solopreneurs

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.

Episodes

July 14, 2025 16 mins

Feeling stuck in email list slow-growth mode? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Creative Bodega, Em shares 3 unexpected (but wildly effective) ways she’s grown her list to over 15K—without funnels, ads, or burnout. These are quick-win strategies you can test this week to finally get momentum: from spontaneous freebies and smart Reels to newsletters people actually love reading. If you’re ready to grow a list of dream clients...

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Feeling like you need to post more educational tips to grow on Instagram? Think again. In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m breaking down the real reason your audience connects—and it’s not your perfectly curated content. It’s your storytelling.

You’ll learn how to show up like a human (not just a business), say the things your audience is thinking but not saying, and repurpose your content without burning out. If you’re read...

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Feeling the pressure to “do it all” as a solopreneur—especially when your energy’s low and your schedule feels full before the day even begins? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m walking you through the simple planning system that keeps my content flowing and my business running—without burnout. You’ll learn how to align your week with your energy, ditch rigid time blocks, and focus on what actually matte...

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I’m pulling back the curtain on what’s really going on in the online space right now—and why trust is the new currency in this noisy, oversaturated market. If Instagram feels quieter, sales feel slower, and you're wondering why you’re still showing up, this is the honest pep talk you didn’t know you needed.

We’re unpacking the real reasons behind declining engagement, what’s shifted in buyer behavior, and how to evolve your con...

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Ever had a piece of content blow up... and then question if it was actually a good thing? In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m pulling back the curtain on the Canva reel that went viral—like, 25K comments, almost 9K new followers, and 5.5K new email subscribers kind of viral. It sounds like a dream, right? But what if I told you I’ve thought about deleting it almost every day since?

We’re talking about the upside and the unex...

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Feeling awkward in front of the camera or unsure how to prep for a brand photo shoot? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m sharing exactly how I plan and prep for a brand shoot so you walk away with a ton of content that actually feels like you. You’ll learn how to build a Pinterest vision board, choose outfits that reflect your brand, pick the right location, and pack the perfect prop bag. If you’re cravin...

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Feeling the pressure to “do it all” this summer while your routine gets flipped upside down? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m sharing my exact summer strategy for staying visible in your business—without the burnout. You’ll learn how to scale back without ghosting your audience, build a lighter content rhythm that still works, and prep for fall (without last-minute chaos). If you’re craving more white s...

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From ditching the “perfect” reel trends to setting solid boundaries around my time (and sanity), I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes peek at the real shifts I made in my business to escape the content chaos and finally create in a way that feels aligned.

If you’re constantly second-guessing yourself, stuck in comparison loops, or just tired of feeling like you’re not doing enough—this is your permission slip to quit what’s not servin...

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Feeling overwhelmed trying to juggle content on every platform? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m walking you through my exact system—my content trifecta—for turning one podcast episode into a blog post, newsletter, and Instagram carousel without starting from scratch every week. Learn how to streamline your process, repurpose smarter (not harder), and use AI to support your content strategy without losi...

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Feel guilty for not batching your content a month in advance? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m opening up about why I stopped batching 30 days of content—and how I’ve found a more flexible, aligned system that still keeps me consistent. Learn how your content creation process can evolve with your season of life, why strict routines might be holding you back, and how to build a workflow that actually wor...

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Ever wonder why you feel like a content queen one week, then completely drained and questioning your entire business the next? You’re not broken—you're just not syncing your business with your cycle (yet!). In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m breaking down how cycle syncing can completely transform the way you plan, batch, and show up for your content.

You’ll learn how to align your energy with your marketing tasks so y...

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In this episode of The Creative Bodega, we’re getting personal. I invited my very first guest (drumroll, please... it’s my husband, Rob!) to have a candid conversation about what it’s really like to build a business when your spouse is along for the ride—financially, emotionally, and logistically.

We’re sharing the behind-the-scenes of how we navigated launching our CrossFit gym together, what it looked like when I became the primar...

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Still wondering what to post on Instagram? You might be missing this one crucial step. 

In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m breaking down the exact process I use (and teach!) to define your content pillars — aka the foundation that will simplify your content creation and bring consistency, clarity, and connection to your brand.

No more guessing games or posting random tips that don’t lead to sales. When your pillars are locke...

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In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m sharing a real-time peek into my thought process around building offers—and why bigger isn’t always better. If you’ve ever felt pressure to launch a huge course or membership before you’re ready, this episode will help you breathe easier.

I’m breaking down why starting small is powerful, how to price your offers with confidence, and what to listen for in your audience to create aligned, pr...

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Why No One Is Seeing Your Content (And What to Do About It)

Feeling like you're posting into the void lately? You're not alone—and you're definitely not doing it wrong. In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m breaking down the real reasons your content isn’t getting seen and the exact steps to fix it—without pouring money into ads.

From outdated growth strategies to algorithm shifts (yep, Reels are showing up to mo...

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Feeling overwhelmed by email marketing? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m breaking down the real reasons solopreneurs avoid starting an email list—and how to finally take action without the tech headache. You’ll learn why email marketing is not as scary as it sounds, how to build a list that actually grows your business, and simple systems that make hitting “send” feel second nature.

I’m also sharing my o...

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Struggling with imposter syndrome? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m diving into why self-doubt holds so many solopreneurs back and how you can finally break free from it. Learn how to reframe negative thoughts, build confidence through action, and start showing up as the expert you already are—even if you don’t feel like one yet. I’m also sharing my personal journey with imposter syndrome; the mindset s...

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Are You Tracking Your Instagram Analytics the Right Way?

Obsessing over Instagram analytics? Or maybe you’re avoiding them altogether? In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m breaking down a simple, stress-free way to track your Instagram performance—without getting lost in the numbers. Learn which key metrics actually matter, how to repurpose top-performing content, and why checking analytics too often can do more harm than goo...

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AI Won’t Replace You—But It Can Be Your Best Sidekick

Feeling overwhelmed by just the thought of using AI? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m diving into how AI—especially ChatGPT—can become your ultimate business sidekick. From brainstorming Instagram post ideas to writing captions, emails, and even blog posts, AI can help you save time, spark creativity, and stay consistent—without losing your unique voi...

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Struggling to show up on Instagram Stories? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m diving into why Stories are the secret weapon for nurturing your audience, building trust, and increasing sales—without feeling salesy. Learn how to increase story views, create engaging content that resonates, and show up confidently (even if it feels awkward at first). Plus, I’m sharing the biggest mistakes to avoid and how t...

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