“It doesn't have any friction with the real world. It doesn't have the contact with the real world that we do, you know, to like immerse ourselves in experience.”

That’s how Emily Aborn describes the difference between AI and human writers — and it perfectly sets the tone for this conversation.

If you’ve been wondering how freelance writers (or anyone who uses their words to make a living) can continue finding clients in today’s economy, this episode is for you. We talk about what’s actually working right now — from collaborations and in-person networking to brand cohesion and creating a client experience people can’t stop talking about.

This isn’t hype. It’s practical strategy grounded in lived experience.

Emily Aborn has been running her copywriting business since 2018, though writing has always been the undercurrent of her life. She works with entrepreneurs and small businesses to create clear, compelling messaging that reflects who they truly are. Beyond writing, she’s deeply focused on community, collaboration, and building long-term business relationships that lead to sustainable growth.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
Why collaboration is one of the most powerful (and underused) growth strategies for service providers
How in-person connections can lead to unexpected opportunities and referrals
The importance of cohesion between your online presence and your real-world personality
How Pinterest can become a long-term traffic driver when used strategically
Why your client experience is your most reliable marketing asset
The role AI can play — and where it still falls short

If you’re building a business using your expertise, your creativity, and your words — this conversation will give you practical ways to strengthen your visibility and client pipeline.

Tune in to hear the full discussion.

Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:
https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Emily Aborn’s podcast: Small Business Casual
Pinterest (as a long-term content strategy platform)
LinkedIn (for conversations and professional visibility)

My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

&ldquo;It doesn't have any friction with the real world. It doesn't have the contact with the real world that we do, you know, to like immerse ourselves in experience.&rdquo;
That&rsquo;s how Emily Aborn describes the difference between AI and human writers &mdash; and it perfectly sets the tone for this conversation.
If you&rsquo;ve been wondering how freelance writers (or anyone who uses their words to make a living) can continue finding clients in today&rsquo;s economy, this episode is for you. We talk about what&rsquo;s actually working right now &mdash; from collaborations and in-person networking to brand cohesion and creating a client experience people can&rsquo;t stop talking about.
This isn&rsquo;t hype. It&rsquo;s practical strategy grounded in lived experience.
Emily Aborn has been running her copywriting business since 2018, though writing has always been the undercurrent of her life. She works with entrepreneurs and small businesses to create clear, compelling messaging that reflects who they truly are. Beyond writing, she&rsquo;s deeply focused on community, collaboration, and building long-term business relationships that lead to sustainable growth.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why collaboration is one of the most powerful (and underused) growth strategies for service providers</li>
<li aria-level="1">How in-person connections can lead to unexpected opportunities and referrals</li>
<li aria-level="1">The importance of cohesion between your online presence and your real-world personality</li>
<li aria-level="1">How Pinterest can become a long-term traffic driver when used strategically</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why your client experience is your most reliable marketing asset</li>
<li aria-level="1">The role AI can play &mdash; and where it still falls short</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;re building a business using your expertise, your creativity, and your words &mdash; this conversation will give you practical ways to strengthen your visibility and client pipeline.
Tune in to hear the full discussion.
Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Emily Aborn&rsquo;s podcast: <a href="https://emilyaborn.com/content-creationpodcast/">Small Business Casual</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Pinterest (as a long-term content strategy platform)</li>
<li aria-level="1">LinkedIn (for conversations and professional visibility)</li>
</ul>
My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

The Online Business Launchpad podcast shares tips, techniques and stories from small business owners who have solved problems and challenges like the ones you face.  This podcast is for you if you want to increase revenue and profits without burning out so that you can have more time for yourself and your family and more choices in how you live your life.

The Online Business Launchpad podcast shares tips, techniques and stories from small business owners who have solved problems and challenges like the ones you face.  This podcast is for you if you want to increase revenue and profits without burning out so that you can have more time for yourself and your family and more choices in how you live your life.

Finding Clients as a Writer in the Age of AI with Emily Aborn

Neil Shoney’s origin story is the kind that makes you sit up straight: six months into launching a major fitness exhibition, he had sold less than 50 tickets, while already committed to over 200,000 pounds of outgoings at 21 years old. Facebook ads were a last-ditch roll of the dice, but after spending around 110 pounds and seeing ticket sales come in, everything clicked. “So if I keep putting that money back in. I can almost choose how many people I want to to be at the show.” This episode is a practical, confidence-building look at ads that actually lead somewhere.

Neil Shoney is a Facebook and Instagram ads strategist who has worked with just short of 3000 service-based businesses. He focuses on building repeatable ad frameworks that get people into a system designed to turn a click into a client, rather than chasing vanity metrics.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
Why the most important part of ads is where you send people after they click, and whether your system can convert that click into a client.
Neil’s standard for a system: he is not interested if it cannot take a stranger to a client in under seven days.
Why small businesses do not need to spend money on brand awareness like major consumer brands.
Using lead magnets to collect name, email address, and phone number, with the goal of getting clients and also growing the list as a by-product.
The thank-you page approach that can convert between 23% and 26% into booked calls.
Why clear offer naming and simple messaging tends to outperform complex wording and puns on Facebook and Instagram.
Using Facebook lead forms to reduce friction, and why you do not need a fancy landing page to start.
A follower campaign approach: boost a simple direct-ask video, then message new followers with a short yes-or-no question to open a conversation.

If you have been avoiding ads because they feel risky or confusing, this episode will give you a simpler way to think about them: build the path first, then amplify it.

Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Neil on Instagram: Neil Shoney Mac
Neil’s course/workshop recordings: adsandfunnels.com/course

My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

Neil Shoney&rsquo;s origin story is the kind that makes you sit up straight: six months into launching a major fitness exhibition, he had sold less than 50 tickets, while already committed to over 200,000 pounds of outgoings at 21 years old. Facebook ads were a last-ditch roll of the dice, but after spending around 110 pounds and seeing ticket sales come in, everything clicked. &ldquo;So if I keep putting that money back in. I can almost choose how many people I want to to be at the show.&rdquo; This episode is a practical, confidence-building look at ads that actually lead somewhere.
Neil Shoney is a Facebook and Instagram ads strategist who has worked with just short of 3000 service-based businesses. He focuses on building repeatable ad frameworks that get people into a system designed to turn a click into a client, rather than chasing vanity metrics.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why the most important part of ads is where you send people after they click, and whether your system can convert that click into a client.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Neil&rsquo;s standard for a system: he is not interested if it cannot take a stranger to a client in under seven days.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why small businesses do not need to spend money on brand awareness like major consumer brands.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Using lead magnets to collect name, email address, and phone number, with the goal of getting clients and also growing the list as a by-product.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The thank-you page approach that can convert between 23% and 26% into booked calls.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why clear offer naming and simple messaging tends to outperform complex wording and puns on Facebook and Instagram.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Using Facebook lead forms to reduce friction, and why you do not need a fancy landing page to start.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A follower campaign approach: boost a simple direct-ask video, then message new followers with a short yes-or-no question to open a conversation.</li>
</ul>
If you have been avoiding ads because they feel risky or confusing, this episode will give you a simpler way to think about them: build the path first, then amplify it.
Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Neil on Instagram: Neil Shoney Mac</li>
<li aria-level="1">Neil&rsquo;s course/workshop recordings: adsandfunnels.com/course</li>
</ul>
My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>

Turn Facebook Clicks Into Clients Faster with Neil Shoney

“Like there’s this weird thing of the disappearing lawn guy… he shows up two or three times and then just drops off the face of the earth.”

If you’ve ever hired a service provider who mysteriously vanished, you’ll appreciate this episode. Bryan Clayton took that exact frustration and turned it into a multi-city marketplace now used by 300,000 people every week. But this isn’t just about lawn care. It’s about systems, scale, simplicity — and why this might actually be the best time in 30 years to start a business.

Bryan Clayton is the CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, the largest lawn care marketplace in the United States. Before launching GreenPal, he built a landscaping company from the ground up to $8–9 million in annual revenue and 150 employees before selling it to a national firm. He combines deep operational experience with tech-driven innovation.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
Why reliability matters more than price when building a service-based business
The power of niching down to one core use case instead of trying to do everything
How to manage a two-sided marketplace (customers and service providers)
Why cancellation policies must balance fairness on both sides
The difference between starting in an established industry vs. inventing something new
Why Bryan believes this is the best time in decades to start a business
How AI acts as “middle-to-middle” acceleration rather than end-to-end replacement
Why founders should personally handle customer support — even years into the business

If you’re building a service business — or even thinking about starting one — this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

Tune in to hear how Bryan built two businesses in completely different ways — and why simplicity, customer feedback and systems thinking made all the difference.

And if you want to stay updated on future episodes:

Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:
https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

RESOURCES MENTIONED
GreenPal – https://www.greenpal.com/
Bryan Clayton on LinkedIn 

My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

&ldquo;Like there&rsquo;s this weird thing of the disappearing lawn guy&hellip; he shows up two or three times and then just drops off the face of the earth.&rdquo;
If you&rsquo;ve ever hired a service provider who mysteriously vanished, you&rsquo;ll appreciate this episode. Bryan Clayton took that exact frustration and turned it into a multi-city marketplace now used by 300,000 people every week. But this isn&rsquo;t just about lawn care. It&rsquo;s about systems, scale, simplicity &mdash; and why this might actually be the best time in 30 years to start a business.
Bryan Clayton is the CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, the largest lawn care marketplace in the United States. Before launching GreenPal, he built a landscaping company from the ground up to $8&ndash;9 million in annual revenue and 150 employees before selling it to a national firm. He combines deep operational experience with tech-driven innovation.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why reliability matters more than price when building a service-based business</li>
<li aria-level="1">The power of niching down to one core use case instead of trying to do everything</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to manage a two-sided marketplace (customers and service providers)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why cancellation policies must balance fairness on both sides</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between starting in an established industry vs. inventing something new</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Bryan believes this is the best time in decades to start a business</li>
<li aria-level="1">How AI acts as &ldquo;middle-to-middle&rdquo; acceleration rather than end-to-end replacement</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why founders should personally handle customer support &mdash; even years into the business</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;re building a service business &mdash; or even thinking about starting one &mdash; this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.
Tune in to hear how Bryan built two businesses in completely different ways &mdash; and why simplicity, customer feedback and systems thinking made all the difference.
And if you want to stay updated on future episodes:
Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">GreenPal &ndash;<a href="https://www.greenpal.com/"> https://www.greenpal.com/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Bryan Clayton on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-clayton-a96b33214/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>

From Mowing Lawns to $8M Founder with Bryan Clayton

Jared Bauman didn’t expect to compete for his own name online.

But when a state representative with the exact same name started appearing everywhere in search results, it forced him to confront something bigger: search engines — and now AI tools — don’t guess who you are. They connect dots.

And if your digital presence isn’t clearly connected, someone else may become the “expert” instead.

In this episode, we take a calm, strategic look at how search is evolving from traditional SEO into what Jared calls “GEO” — Generative Engine Optimization — and what that means for solopreneurs and small business owners who want to remain visible in an AI-first world.

No panic. No hype. Just clarity.

Jared Bauman is the founder of 201 Creative, a marketing agency specializing in SEO and emerging AI search optimization strategies. He’s also the host of the Niche Pursuits podcast and has been an entrepreneur for more than 25 years, building and selling multiple businesses. As AI began reshaping search behavior, Jared studied the data, adapted his agency, and developed practical frameworks to help businesses stay visible and credible.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
Why SEO isn’t dead — it’s evolving.
What “Generative Engine Optimization” (GEO) actually means.
The shift from focusing on keywords to focusing on entities.
Why AI tools care deeply about accuracy, consistency, and freshness.
How inconsistent business information erodes trust with AI systems.
What schema (structured data) is — explained in plain English.
Why third-party mentions and citations matter more than ever.
The danger of “set it and forget it” websites.
What a GEO Snapshot Audit reveals about your visibility gaps.

CALL TO ACTION

If you want your business to be recommended — not overlooked — in an AI-driven search landscape, this episode is essential listening.

Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations that help you grow the online side of your business strategically and sustainably.

Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business
https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

RESOURCES MENTIONED
201 Creative Website - https://201creative.com/ 
GEO Snapshot Audit (free audit discussed in the episode) - https://201creative.com/geo-snapshot/ 
Niche Pursuits Podcast - https://www.nichepursuits.com/category/podcasts/ 
Jared Bauman on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredbauman/ 

My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.:
https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

Jared Bauman didn&rsquo;t expect to compete for his own name online.
But when a state representative with the exact same name started appearing everywhere in search results, it forced him to confront something bigger: search engines &mdash; and now AI tools &mdash; don&rsquo;t guess who you are. They connect dots.
And if your digital presence isn&rsquo;t clearly connected, someone else may become the &ldquo;expert&rdquo; instead.
In this episode, we take a calm, strategic look at how search is evolving from traditional SEO into what Jared calls &ldquo;GEO&rdquo; &mdash; Generative Engine Optimization &mdash; and what that means for solopreneurs and small business owners who want to remain visible in an AI-first world.
No panic. No hype. Just clarity.
Jared Bauman is the founder of 201 Creative, a marketing agency specializing in SEO and emerging AI search optimization strategies. He&rsquo;s also the host of the Niche Pursuits podcast and has been an entrepreneur for more than 25 years, building and selling multiple businesses. As AI began reshaping search behavior, Jared studied the data, adapted his agency, and developed practical frameworks to help businesses stay visible and credible.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why SEO isn&rsquo;t dead &mdash; it&rsquo;s evolving.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What &ldquo;Generative Engine Optimization&rdquo; (GEO) actually means.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The shift from focusing on keywords to focusing on entities.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why AI tools care deeply about accuracy, consistency, and freshness.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How inconsistent business information erodes trust with AI systems.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What schema (structured data) is &mdash; explained in plain English.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why third-party mentions and citations matter more than ever.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The danger of &ldquo;set it and forget it&rdquo; websites.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What a GEO Snapshot Audit reveals about your visibility gaps.</li>
</ul>
CALL TO ACTION
If you want your business to be recommended &mdash; not overlooked &mdash; in an AI-driven search landscape, this episode is essential listening.
Remember to subscribe so you don&rsquo;t miss future conversations that help you grow the online side of your business strategically and sustainably.
Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">201 Creative Website - <a href="https://201creative.com/">https://201creative.com/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">GEO Snapshot Audit (free audit discussed in the episode) - <a href="https://201creative.com/geo-snapshot/">https://201creative.com/geo-snapshot/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Niche Pursuits Podcast - <a href="https://www.nichepursuits.com/category/podcasts/">https://www.nichepursuits.com/category/podcasts/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Jared Bauman on LinkedIn - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredbauman/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredbauman/</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.: <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>

Finding Clients as a Writer in the Age of AI with Emily Aborn

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