Point Of The Story (Sara Noel)

So you’re stuck in a slowwwww AF season? You check your inbox — crickets. You refresh your DMs — nothing. You start wondering if it’s time to start selling essential oils. And unless you’re passionate about lavender, my response is ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Slow seasons happen, but that doesn’t mean you have to just sit around waiting for clients to magically appear. In this episode, I’m walking you through six things you can do when business feels slow — things that actually work, things that I’ve done myself, things I tell my clients to do all the time, and things that make you feel like you're taking control instead of waiting for the universe to drop money in your lap.

So if you're side-eyeing your Stripe dashboard like it owes you an explanation, grab your notebook and hit play.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— The six strategies I swear by for getting more business, even in a slow season

— What to do when your dream clients are too busy lounging on the beach, eating watermelon salsa, and devouring smutty romance novels to think about hiring you

— Why people are still spending money (even when the world is crashing down, and it feels like they aren’t)

— The sneaky Facebook group strategy that’s landed me so many clients

— What the “lipstick effect” has to do with your offers

— The number one reason your marketing might not be working (and how to fix it)

POINT OF THE STORY

Stop waiting, start selling. You can either sit around and stress about a slow season, or you can take action and bring in business!

GIVEAWAYS

Tag @btlcopy in your stories for a chance to win your next bean water on me!

If you leave a review on Apple Podcasts, take a screenshot, and sent it to me via DMs for a present.

And remember, if you're the first to DM me how many times I said the F-word in this episode, you win a special prize.

Love you, mean it. 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— My 28 Days Sales Challenge and its related Instagram post

— Pinterest blogging masterclass with Sarah Burk

— Book a website copy audit with me

— Sales Series - my mini sales page course

— Blog post: “How To Write A Minimal Services Page”

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— Join Vix Meldrew’s new membership VOLUME

— Sarah Kleist- Showit website designer

— Lindsay Clarke - Mariko Studio

— Tori Sprankel - Eldest Daughter Studio

— Katie Campbell - Social media strategist

— The Curious Collective - Therapists with ADHD

— Rachael Shepard-Ohta - Hey Sleepy Baby

— Facebook groups: Create and Cultivate + Women in Marketing

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

04:07 Rekindle an Old Collaboration Flame

07:10 Recreate Your Last ‘Ideal Client’ Project

12:31 Put Your Name Out There!

18:08 Blog More, Pinterest More

20:11 Tell Your Biz Friends You’re Open for Work

21:10 Make Sure Your Services Page is Ready for New Leads

25:23 Point of the Story

Okay, picture this: it’s 9am, you’re in a full face of makeup and red leather pants belting RENT at an audition — and by 2pm, you’re back home in sweatpants designing someone’s dream website.

That’s just a Tuesday in the life of Sarah Kleist.

She’s a New York-based actor and Showit website designer, and also one of my real-life best friends, my longest-running creative collaborator, and the most organized Notion girlie you’ve ever met.

In this episode, we’re talking all about living a double life as a multi-passionate human, why “simple” websites aren’t always the move, and how to make a template look like a million bucks. Plus, we share the behind-the-scenes of what it’s like to collaborate on all the dreamy copy/design projects we’ve done together (and why we absolutely refuse to share a contract system. Ever.).

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— Why template websites aren’t a cop-out (and how to make them look custom!)

— The very specific power of red leather pants and a good walkout song

— Why you need more website pages than you think

— The Notion obsession that will either inspire you or make your brain short-circuit

— A highly emotional tangent about seltzer, energy drinks, and being short in real life

— A mini lesson on the real difference between being outgoing and being an extrovert

— The exact moment we went from TikTok mutuals to real-life besties

— How our copy/design collabs actually work

POINT OF THE STORY

A solid website template and smart UX will take you far. (A fresh Notion hub wouldn’t hurt either.)

GIVEAWAY

Want a free order of bean water on me? Tag me @btlcopy and Sarah Kleist @kleistcreative on your Instagram story while you’re listening, and one lucky winner will get TWO caffeine fixes on me!

AND — count how many times we drop the F-bomb in this episode. DM me the number, and you could win a prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

KLEIST LINKS

— Follow Kleist on Instagram

— Check out her obviously kickass website

— Download Kleist’s viral freebie: The To-Done List

— BTL Copy x Kleist Creative - hire us together!

— Kleist’s walkout song

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— The book that inspired Kleist to reach out to me and the group we both joined as a result

— What I asked you to search up on TikTok

— Websites mentioned: Madden Made Events (designed with the Manhattan template by Tonic Site Shop), The Legalzine, Kat Wolff Creates, Frances House, Ashley Flowers, Monocle Productions, Katherine Marchand

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:23 Meet Sarah Kleist, The Best Showit Website Designer

06:03 Rapid-Fire Squirrel Brain Questions

18:02 The Truth About Templates, UX, and Doing Too Much

22:57 The To-Done List and Tracking Your Entire Life

28:17 What It’s Like to Work with Sarah + Sara

38:32 Favorite Projects We’ve Done Together

42:31 What We’re Actually Like in Real Life

48:21 Closing

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

Not to be dramatic, but this might be the only cold pitch I’ve ever liked. And trust me — I’ve seen a lot of cold pitches. Most of them = instant delete, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

But today, I’m joined by Eva Couto of Flying Colors Creative — one of the very few people in the world who has ever successfully cold-pitched me. (A rare honor. A high calling. A feat so impressive I had to have her on the pod.)

Eva is a brand designer and ringleader. She’s all about helping people create unconventional, standout brands that feel like them.

We get into why most cold pitches suck (and how to actually do it right), why freaks always find each other, and how your branding might be quietly holding you back in ways you don’t even realize.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— Why most cold pitches make me want to call the cops

— The real reason branding is a business essential, not a luxury

— Why Eva stalks people on LinkedIn of all places??? (Still not over it.)

— The branding mistake that makes people forget you exist

— Why bad branding gives “took his hat off and ruined it” energy

— My high school crush and the deeply unserious reason I logged into my personal Instagram for the first time in years

POINT OF THE STORY

A forgettable brand is an expensive problem. If people don’t remember you, they’re not going to hire you. Your brand should be more than just a pretty Pinterest mood board — it should actually help you make money and attract the right people.

GIVEAWAY

Want a free order of bean water on me? Tag me @btlcopy and Eva @flyingcolourscreative on your Instagram story while you’re listening, and one lucky winner will get TWO caffeine fixes on me!

AND — count how many times we drop the F-bomb in this episode. DM me the number, and you could win a prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

EVA LINKS

— Follow Eva on Instagram

— Check out the Flying Colours Creative website

— Listen to The Freak Show on Apple or Spotify

— The Extravaganza - your complete brand & website transformation

— Eva’s walkout song

BTL LINKS

— Download my FREE Cold Pitching Guide

— Watch my cold pitching Tiktok videos in this playlist

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— My accountant - Peach Perfect Financials

— Contract templates - The Boutique Lawyer

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:24 Meet Eva Couto, Brand Designer and Cold Pitching Expert

04:14 Rapid-Fire Squirrel Brain Questions

16:17 A Forgettable Brand is an Expensive Problem

21:37 When Should You Actually Invest in Branding?

23:54 Ideal Clients and Red Flags

30:43 The Best Brand is One You’ll Actually Use

42:58 Why Bad Branding Gives “Took His Hat Off and Ruined It” Energy

49:15 Eva’s Everything Branding & Website Package (It Really is an Extravaganza)

51:26 Closing

Okay, listen. I timed myself making a single carousel post, and it took me 55 minutes and 53 seconds. (I have Toggl receipts.) So when Gemma Watts said you could run a whole social media strategy in just 15 minutes a day, I was like… girl, be serious.

But turns out… she was!

Gemma — aka The Social Cottage, aka the queen of cozy social media strategy — is a former teacher turned content strategist who helps business owners market themselves without letting social media devour their entire life.

This might be the most get-your-life-together episode of season 2 — Gemma gives you a full, step-by-step system to make your content take less time, feel more fun, and actually do something for your business. There’s even homework at the end, so grab your notebook!

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— Why your content is taking too long to make

— Gemma’s 15-minute strategy for showing up consistently on social media

— The “stories, skills, symptoms, shifting objections” content system and how to use it

— The ADHD struggle of putting laundry in but never taking it out

— Why motherhood doesn’t have to be your only source of fulfillment

— How to grow an Instagram account from zero with no welcome post

POINT OF THE STORY

You don’t need to post daily Canva masterpieces. You just need a system that works with your brain (and 15 minutes a day).

GIVEAWAY

Want a free order of bean water on me? Tag me @btlcopy and Gemma Watts @thissocialcottage on your Instagram story while you’re listening, and one lucky winner will get TWO caffeine fixes on me!

AND — count how many times we drop the F-bomb in this episode. DM me the number, and you could win a prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

GEMMA LINKS

— Follow Gemma on Instagram

— Check out her website

— Follow her on Substack

— Get Gemma’s prompts in your inbox

— Get her FREE Caption Creator

— Get her 15-Minute Growth Guide

— Gemma’s walkout song

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— The girl who talks to her baby on Tiktok

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:24 Meet Gemma, the Cozy Strategy Queen

01:41 Rapid-Fire Squirrel Brain Questions

18:57 The 15-Minute Social Media Strategy

26:12 Why Your Captions Take Forever

28:29 The Only Planning System You Need

34:28 "Expert" Social Media Advice That Makes Gemma Cringe

38:51 How to Not Hate Social Media

45:01 What to Post and How Often

52:40 Starting From Zero: Gemma's 3-Step Plan

55:17 Closing

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

Welcome back, squirrels! Season 2 of Point of the Story is here, and this time, we’re switching things up. Instead of solo episodes, this season is all about guest interviews — 20 of them, to be exact. I’m talking to experts, entrepreneurs, and industry insiders to uncover what they wish everyone knew about their field (plus plenty of tangents, obviously).

If you’re nosy and love learning how things actually work, you’re in for a treat.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN SEASON 2

— Guest interviews only (but don’t worry, a surprise solo episode may be coming)

— Six rapid-fire squirrel brain questions to start every episode

— Deep dives into what people get wrong about different industries

— A Spotify playlist featuring every guest’s walkout song (because of course)

THE RAPID-FIRE QUESTIONS

I want you to answer these, too! Head to my Instagram and drop your answers in the comments of my latest post, where I will be answering them myself!

1. What’s your nut? (What do you hoard like squirrels hoard nuts?)

2. If your brain had a pop-up ad, what would it be selling you right now?

3. If your life had a warning label, what would it say?

4. What’s something you’d win an Olympic gold medal in?5.

5. What’s something you thought you’d have figured out by now, but absolutely don’t?

6. What’s your walkout song?

Love you, mean it. 🖤

Today, I’m sharing my ambitious, audacious, slightly terrifying goal for 2025: I’m making $1 million in course sales this year. No "hope to," no "maybe" — I WILL.

And no, I haven’t joined a pyramid scheme. I’m just a girl, standing in front of a podcast mic, refusing to gatekeep her millionaire dreams. Let’s get into it.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— Why talking about money is so damn difficult, but we should do it anyway

— A rant on MLM girl bosses

— My Millionaire Moment Substack: real revenue breakdowns + behind-the-scenes tea

— Why passive income is the biggest Internet scam on Planet Earth

— My 2025 goal: 1,334 website copywriting course sales and how I plan to get there

— What I learned from affiliate marketing (and how I made over $10K from a single blog post)

— Why I’m obsessed with workshops — and what’s coming next

POINT OF THE STORY

I'm becoming a millionaire this year. I invite you to do the same.

GIVEAWAY

How many times did I say the F-word in this episode? First person to DM me the correct number on Instagram wins a prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint. And listen all the way to the end for a special bonus offer!

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack (All of the offers mentioned in the episode will be linked there!)

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— Tonic Site Shop (code: "BTLCOPY" for 15% off everything always)

— Dubsado

— Flodesk (code: “BTLCOPY” for 50% off your first year)

— Showit

— Thrivecart

— Tori Sprankel’s Showit Templates at Eldest Daughter (code: “btlcopy”)

— Fran’s Dubsado Templates

— The Boutique Lawyer

— Lethal Legal

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

---

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro 01:20 Some Disclaimers 04:52 Millionaire Moment Newsletter 05:28 How I'm Going To Make $1 Million 10:04 All The Ways I Make Money Right Now 21:46 Initial Strategies 26:34 Point of the Story

This episode is THE reason this podcast exists. After getting hit with the same Substack questions on repeat, I realized: why not make one epic, tell-all episode to answer them all? So get ready because we’re doing an absolute deep dive into all things Substack — what it is, what it’s not, and why everyone and their favorite influencer seems obsessed with it. We’ll cut through the hype and get real about how to use it without turning your marketing strategy into a hot mess.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— Why Substack is not the magical marketing unicorn you’ve been dreaming of

— A wild bachelorette party recap (and the reason I sound like a frog in this episode)

— The ultimate breakdown: Substack vs. blogging vs. email newsletters (spoiler: know your lanes)

— My controversial opinion that Substack is not social media, but also...kind of is?

— Paid Substacks: Are they worth it and who should start one?

— Growing on Substack when all you’re getting is radio silence

— Plus, SO much more juicy insights you didn’t know you needed

POINT OF THE STORY

Substack is not an email marketing service provider and it is not a substitute for your blog.

GIVEAWAY

Guess how many times I said the F-word in this episode and DM me the number on Instagram for a chance to win a free subscription to Millionaire Moment on Substack!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— Flodesk (code: “BTLCOPY” for 50% off your first year)

— Follow Xanthe on Instagram and Substack and check out Life of the Party

— Follow Kelsey on Instagram and check out Launch Your Own Way

— Some Substacks I follow: Lo Bosworth, Dianna Cohen, Sophia Amoruso

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro 05:00 Understanding Substack: What It Is and Isn't 10:05 The Misconceptions Around Substack 13:48 Who Should Use Substack? 16:03 Email Marketing vs. Substack 37:08 Blogging vs. Substack 51:11 Monetizing Substack 57:06 Is Substack a Social Media Platform? 59:01 How to Grow on Substack 01:03:22 Q&A

Buckle up because today's episode is one part tough love and one part warm hug. I’m giving you my exact recipe for getting a fucking grip, and there are muffins involved… just trust me.

On the day of recording this, I woke up in peak Sad Girl mode, and after getting kicked by my child all night, I knew it was the perfect day to talk about how to get it together when you feel like absolute trash.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— Why you should treat your days like recipes

— The difference between de-stressing and removing stress (game-changing, I swear)

— A confession related to my Sephora birthday gift[s]

— Why waiting until Monday to get your life together is a scam

— Habit stacking and how it’s more effective than a complete overhaul of your life

— Doing what works for YOU instead of blindly following other people’s advice

— What it means to swallow a frog (apparently it’s not as common a saying as I thought)

— BONUS: Two proven strategies for getting a fucking grip after a break up

POINT OF THE STORY

You CAN get a fucking grip. It won't be easy, but if you focus on getting a little bit closer each day and doing what works for you, you definitely will.

GIVEAWAYS

How many times did I say the F-word in this episode? DM me your guess on Instagram @pointofthestorypod, and you might win a cute little prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— Follow @xanthe.appleyard, @cominguproses.co, and @kleistcreative on Instagram.

— I said “down bad” so many times I might as well link the song.

— Book Recommendation: The Wedding People

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro 02:12 It's Time To Get a Fucking Grip 06:07 Create Your Unique Recipe 10:43 Make Your Recipe Bite Sized 12:37 Don't Wait for Monday 14:27 Don't Try To Do It All 16:04 Don't Focus on the Numbers 22:05 Your Journey is Not Linear 25:18 Pay Attention to What Works 29:28 Bonus: Breakup Tips 33:34 Point of the Story

Welcome to the first ever official episode of Point of the Story! I’m your host, Sara Noel — website copywriter, marketing mentor, unapologetic squirrel, and girl who absolutely will not keep an episode under 30 minutes (except maybe this one).

In this episode, I’m diving into what this podcast is, who it’s for (spoiler: you), and why I’m so freaking pumped to yap with you every week.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— My third-time’s-the-charm podcast journey (and why the first two flopped)

— My dad’s annual Christmas rant about me talking too fast

— What you can expect: lots of swearing, random tangents, but I promise — we’ll always get back to the point (eventually).

— The four-seasons-a-year format (but also, ADHD means I reserve the right to switch things up whenever I want)

— Substack suggestion box for episode feedback and requests

— Our very own Slack channel for the Point of the Story community!

POINT OF THE STORY

I’m excited you’re here.

GIVEAWAY

Tag me in your story while you’re listening, and you could win a Starbucks gift card for your nasty bean water fix.

Follow the pod on Instagram @pointofthestorypod and me @btlcopy (not the sandwich — although I do love a good BLT).

Love u, mean it. 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletter Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

---

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Welcome! 01:43 Who This Podcast Is For 03:38 What I'm Talking About 05:00 How I'm Structuring This Thing (Or Not) 07:39 Join Us On Slack! 09:24 Giveaway and Conclusion

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked for my origin story, I could retire. Okay, maybe not retire, but at least empty the shelves of an entire chocolate shop (my dream).

So here it is — the full story of how I went from having a degree in everything but business to running Between the Lines Copy. And, because I can’t tell this story without mentioning it, how my divorce and my business are forever intertwined. (Spoiler alert: one survived, the other did not. And honestly, zero regrets.)

If you’ve ever wondered how I became Website Girl, Newsletter Girl, Business Mentor Girl, and Squirrel Girl, press play!

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— The pancake theory of first marriages

— The absolute randomness of how I landed on copywritin

— Cold-pitching my way into my first paying clients

— Why my first website was a disaster (RIP GoDaddy era)

— My philosophy degree, which is essentially a degree in reading between the lines

— That one website project that traumatized me for life

— The full-circle moment of working with Showit, Tonic, and Squarespace after resisting them for so long

— How I went from just writing websites to teaching literally everything

— And, of course, what I’d do differently if I were starting over today

POINT OF THE STORY

Your origin story may or may not matter, and that’s up to you. Don’t feel pressured to share yours if it’s not relevant, or not something you want to revisit. But I DO want you to know that, no matter what your story holds, I DO think you should embrace it — even if you had a proverbial pancake flop.

GIVEAWAY

Remember to follow the pod on Instagram @pointofthestorypod and Sara @btlcopy and tag me in your stories for a chance to win your next bean water on me! Bonus entries if you rate the podcast or leave me a review. And remember, if you're the first to DM me how many times I said the F-word in this episode, you win a special prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— The only podcast I’ve been a guest on that didn’t ask about my origin story: “You’re Watering Down Your Message & it’s Hurting Your Business, with Sara Noel, Website Copywriter” from the Curiously Guided podcast by Mariah Magazine

— Read the OG origin story newsletter: “TOC #185: The first pancake's always a flop”

— Tonic Site Shop (code: "BTLCOPY" for 15% off everything always)

— Showit

— The blog post that pays my Showit bill: “Showit vs Squarespace: Which Should You Choose in 2024?”

— The Millionaire Moment newsletter where I talk about my money privilege: “Whatever the opposite of gatekeeping is, THIS is that”

— The blog post where I talk about not buying the Tonic template: “Are Tonic Site Shop’s Showit Website Templates Really Worth It In 2024?”

— Check out my copywriting collection on Tiktok

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro + The Pancake Theory 03:07 The Origin Story 08:36 Why I Didn't Spend $1,000 on a Tonic Template 14:15 Where I Got The Idea for Between the Lines Copy 17:48 The First Website I Ever Wrote 21:26 Point of the Story

This is it. The episode where I reflect on three whole decades of wins, fails, and lessons — ranging from life-changing truths to random, hilarious realizations that hit me like a truck. If you’re a fellow overachiever, procrastinator, or someone just trying to get a grip (same), this one’s for you.

Spoiler: This episode is not 30 minutes, and you knew it wouldn’t be.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— My YouTube lifestyle girlie era and how it inspired this list

— Why your body can’t tell the difference between nerves and excitement (because science)

— The life-changing power of “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no”

— How I would easily create a whole business around pubic hair design

— “Reach-out” vs. “reached-out-to” friends (you need to know which one you are!)

— Why rejection is just redirection (and why I’ve chosen to make lemonade out of bruised lemons)

— Why eating cheese when you get COVID is the most vile activity on Earth

— There are sooooo many more lessons in this episode — get cozy because it’s packed!

POINT OF THE STORY

What you’re not changing, you’re choosing. We have so much time, and you’re the one holding the pen — you get to choose how your story goes, even when life hands you bruised lemons.

GIVEAWAY

Remember to follow the pod on Instagram @pointofthestorypod and Sara @btlcopy and tag me in your stories for a chance to win your next bean water on me!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— Fable reading app

— Sarah Kleist’s To-Done List

— Xanthe Appleyard’s Leisure Ethic

— Book Recommendation: You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

— Newsletter about the time I figured out the person about to wax my butthole was one of my best friends in middle school

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

---

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Welcome Back Twice! 04:29 Nerves vs. Excitement 06:30 If You Don't Ask... 09:10 You Can't Force People 10:50 Someone Else's Opinion... 14:40 You're Allowed to Change 16:04 Ditch the Extremes 19:44 You Can Choose Your Mood 22:09 Do What Works For You 24:54 Your Money Mindset Matters 25:58 Tiny Tasks 27:40 If You Think You Can... 28:27 Expensive With Inexpensive 29:11 Swallow the Frog 30:10 Bruised Lemons and Pubic Hair Design 33:18 Boundaries Are Important 35:21 Don't Drink the Poison 37:18 Availability is Not Capacity 39:35 You Don't Always Get Context 40:30 People Aren't Thinking About You 40:51 Nothing is Cringe 41:03 Don't Wait for Monday 42:01 Changed Plans 43:15 You Can't Expect... 44:07 You Can't Date for Potential 45:10 Losing Friends 46:21 Two Types of Friends 48:44 Always Have Snacks 50:24 Rejection is Redirection 51:26 What You're Not Changing... 52:15 Point of the Story

Welcome to Point of the Story — the only podcast you won’t need to listen to on 2x speed!

I’m Sara — website copywriter, marketing mentor, unapologetic squirrel, and now, the host of what will hopefully become your new favorite podcast.

Point of the Story is for the online business girlies trying to market and grow their brands, the ADHD brains that never shut off, the moms juggling business, babies and bullshit, and everyone in between.

We’re talking all things marketing, motherhood, confidence, productivity — and, of course, managing life as a 30-something squirrel brain, trying to figure out how to do it all (or, at the very least, how to not feel bad about not doing it all).

New episodes drop every Thursday — so, if you want to laugh, learn, and commiserate with someone who truly GETS IT — follow along @pointofthestorypod.

It’s about to get real squirrel up in here.

---

Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

Subscribe to my newsletter Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week.

Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

Listen, if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that managing ADHD while running a business is not for the faint of heart. (Think: trying to focus while a squirrel does cartwheels in your brain.)

Today we’re tackling the beautiful chaos of ADHD and how to work with it instead of fighting against it. This episode has it all — real-life tips you can put into practice today, personal stories (obviously), so many tangents I lost count, and even a blooper reel at the end. And since this one is for my fellow squirrels, I swore I’d keep it short — spoiler: I absolutely did not.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— Why my brain feels like a squirrel on an espresso bender

— Tiny Tasks 'Til 10: The method that keeps me sane

— Why my phone’s always “in a ditch” (and yours should be too)

— Sticky notes, color-coded calendars, and other ADHD-friendly hacks

— What not to do when managing ADHD

— A Canadian iPhone saga — yes, it’s relevant (kinda)

— The one productivity trick you’ve probably never tried: working with your shoes on

— Plus, a whole lot more squirrel-friendly advice

POINT OF THE STORY

ADHD can make life and business chaotic, but with the right strategies (and a little grace), you can make it your secret weapon.

GIVEAWAYS

Tag me in your IG stories while listening for a chance to win your nasty bean water on me! Bonus entries if you rate the podcast or leave me a review. And remember, if you're the first to DM me how many times I said the f-word in this episode, you win a special prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— Follow Aspyn Ovard on Youtube

— The IG post that inspired this episode

— Squirrel glass from Anthropologie

— Vintage Retriever (store where I get my notepads)

— Fran’s Thread on ADHD tips

— Toggl

— Boutique Lawyer’s Legalzine

— Toby (tab management tool for your browser)

— Google Calendar

— Blog post: Every Tool I Use To Run My Freelance Copywriting Business

— Blog post: How I Manage ADHD As A Business Owner

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro 01:41 My Experience with ADHD 06:36 BTL-isms for ADHD 15:03 The Time I Lost My iPhone in Canada 18:52 Daily Life Tips 28:44 Business Tips 43:59 Tech Tools 53:47 ADHD Hacks (What Keeps Me Sane) 58:25 "Rapid-Fire" Reminders 01:05:47 Point of the Story 01:07:32 Unhinged Blooper Reel

Surprise! It’s the first-ever Point of the Story minisode! That means a quick episode packed with value — and zero fluff. (Except for the part where I lovingly call you out, of course. And an occasional tangent because if not, would it even be my podcast?)

In this gem of a tiny episode, we're talking about four common phrases that are quietly sabotaging your confidence. These sneaky little fillers make you sound less credible, less powerful, and frankly, less like the badass business owner you are. So, I’m here to help you ditch them. (And yes, “if that makes sense” is on the list — sorry, but not sorry.)

POINT OF THE STORY

The words you use influence how others perceive you. When you cut out these weak phrases, you instantly sound more confident, capable, and self-assured. And isn’t that exactly what we want?

I hope you loved this minisode! I’ll be dropping more short and snappy episodes like this at random, so stay tuned. And in the meantime — don’t you dare apologize for a damn thing you didn’t do.

Love you, if that makes sense. Bye! 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course,Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community onSlack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in ourSuggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow onInstagram andSubstack.

— Follow me onInstagram,Threads, andSubstack.

— Subscribe to my newslettersTuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week andMillionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my websitebetweenthelinescopy.com.

This episode was edited byAdrienne Cruz.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro + a Rant on Filler Words01:11 "This Might Be a Dumb Question, But..."03:47 "Just"04:36 "If That Makes Sense"06:37 "Sorry"08:01 Point of the Story

Okay, be honest: have you ever heard someone talk about “quantum leaping” in their business and thought, “What in the Girl Boss is going on here?”

Same.

So in this episode, I brought in the one person I trust to de-mystify the energetic, the esoteric, the whole woo of it all and make it actually make sense.

Today’s guest is my best friend once removed (we made it official mid-recording), Kaitlyn Kessler. She’s an energetics and business coach who helps high-achieving visionaries trust themselves more deeply, pivot with purpose, and create success that doesn’t feel like a cortisol-inducing hellstorm.

We talk about why self-trust is the real secret to momentum, how “quantum leaps” actually happen, and why rest might just be the most rebellious thing you can do.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— Why quantum leaps don’t happen overnight (even if the internet says you can make $3K while getting your hair done

— How to build actual self-trust and stop lying to yourself about going to the gym at 5 AM

— Kaitlyn’s best advice for the woo-curious

— A deeply important tangent about plane strangers trauma dumping and squirrels holding mushrooms

— Why “I’m hot no matter what” is a valid business mindset

— What in the world is “energetics” anyways?

POINT OF THE STORY

Quantum leaps are made in the micro moments, when you trust yourself enough to show up differently.

GIVEAWAY

Want a free order of bean water on me? Tag me @btlcopy and Kaitlyn @kaitlynskessler on your Instagram story while you’re listening, and one lucky winner will get TWO caffeine fixes on me!

AND — count how many times we drop the F-bomb in this episode. DM me the number, and you could win a prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

KAITLYN LINKS

— Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram

— Check out Kaitlyn’s website

— Listen to Spacious Podcast

— Follow Kaitlyn on Substack

— Kaitlyn’s walkout song

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:29 Meet Kaitlyn Kessler, Energetics Coach and Best Friend Once Removed

03:10 Rapid-Fire Squirrel Brain Questions

15:49 Self-Trust is Everything

23:03 When Shoulds and Have-To’s Are Running the Show

28:16 Rest as Rebellion and Fuck the Man

31:49 What Even Is a Quantum Leap?

38:05 What Energetics Have to Do With Business Strategy

43:20 Did Anyone Say “Journal Prompts”?!?

48:57 Woo-Curious? Let’s Talk About It

54:23 Closing

So listen, I’m your mommy now. Yeah, you heard me. Today, I am mothering YOU because no one else is mothering you, and you are out here doing all the mothering yourself.

Yes, you might have cringed at the title “productivity hacks.” I know you don’t need Karen from Pilates telling you to “wake up earlier” when you don’t even have a backup parent to help. So this is real-life, actually-doable advice from someone who’s living what you are living.

So if your mental load is heavier than a Costco-sized box of literally anything, grab your AirPods and hit play.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— My real-life hacks for making life easier as a single mom (that actually work, because I live this every day)

— The one thing that finally made me stop being angry about doing it all alone

— Why your kid should absolutely be bored sometimes (and why I’m “purposely frustrating” mine)

— How I went from working 60 hours a week to 24 and still made more money than ever

— The morning bin strategy that stops me from losing my mind before 8 AM

— The magic of Siri reminders and why I set them for literally everything

— Why you need to unfollow certain moms on Instagram immediately

— How to stop feeling guilty about screen time (and exactly how much my kid actually gets)

— What the “reward jar” method is and why my kid just earned himself a Build-A-Bear

POINT OF THE STORY

A child is only as happy as their mom — so take care of you, too. Drop the guilt, stop comparing yourself to people who don’t live your life, and do what actually works for you and your kid.

GIVEAWAYS

Single moms, this one’s for you: DM me a pic of you and your little one, and your next bean water is on me.

And remember, if you're the first to DM me how many times I said the F-word in this episode, you win a special prize.

Love you, mean it. 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— Follow Dr. Becky!

— This is THE ikea cabinet

— Reward jar options

— Brain Quest

— Lingokids

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

14:25 The Morning Bin

17:21 Screen Time is OK

20:39 Make Everything a Thing

23:27 Always Outline the Plan

24:20 Stick to a Routine

25:21 Siri Reminders

26:17 Have a Place for Everything

28:36 Don't Put it Down, Put it Away

29:09 Ten-Minute Tidy

30:32 Don't Follow Moms with Partners

37:31 Get Creative With Work Times and Places

38:45 Purposefully Frustrate Your Child

40:43 Reward Jar

42:35 Point of the Story

Be honest. When was the last time you said you were gonna launch something… and then let your idea sit in a Google Doc because you “just need to finish the sales page” or “should probably finish all this client work first.”

(I’ll go first. It was last month.)

This week on the pod, I brought in one of my faves — and one of yours, too — Kelsey McCormick of Coming Up Roses. Kelsey’s the go-to expert on launching your own way (yes, even if you’re squiggly, squirrel-brained, or about to have your second baby).

And because I know y’all come here for the actual tea, I didn’t ask her the “So, tell us how you got started” questions. No ma’am. I asked the good stuff, like: “What should you do first when you have a cold audience,” “How often should you launch,” and sooooo much more!

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— What “campaign thinking” actually means and how it can chill out your business

— The tragic ADHD guilt of forgetting your kid's snack request

— What to do about the very real urge to avoid your own launches

— Kelsey’s 3-step warm-up strategy for cold audiences

— Our Myspace song eras and why we all peaked with profile music

— The reason your past launches might’ve flopped

— The underrated power of building in public

POINT OF THE STORY

You don’t need to figure it all out before you start launching, but you DEFINITELY need a deadline.

GIVEAWAY

Want a free order of bean water on me? Tag me @btlcopy and Kelsey McCormick @cominguproses.co on your Instagram story while you’re listening, and one lucky winner will get TWO caffeine fixes on me!

AND — count how many times we drop the F-bomb in this episode. DM me the number, and you could win a prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

KELSEY LINKS

— Follow Kelsey on Instagram

— Check out her website

— Kelsey’s famous progam Launch Your Own Way

— Listen to her private podcast The Warm Up

— Kelsey’s walkout song

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— Mentioned by Kelsey: Michelle @byhellolemon and Alyssa @atnndesign

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:25 Meet Kelsey, the Squiggly Launch Queen

02:09 Rapid-Fire Squirrel Brain Questions

19:47 Campaign Thinking 101

22:52 The Inaction Problem No One Wants to Admit

30:21 How to Warm Up a Cold Audience

39:07 Can You Just Copy-Paste a Launch That Worked?

51:11 Closing

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.

Welcome to season two of Point of the Story! We’re coming in HOT with an all-guest lineup — starting with none other than my brilliant, hilarious, famous, cottage-cheese-obsessed bestie, Xanthe Appleyard.

If you don’t already follow Xanthe, you’re missing out on the kind of social media strategy that actually makes sense, one that is based on real connections that turn into real sales. She’s the type of person who could launch anything, and people would buy it just because she made it. And in this episode, she’s spilling all the tea on how to make that kind of magic happen in your own business.

We recorded this episode curled up on her couch in LA, where I was deeply considering squatting indefinitely. Meanwhile, I’m now back in Massachusetts, staring out at the ice and snow, wondering why I ever left.

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— Why social media is a relationship and not just a numbers game

— How to create content that actually connects (instead of just screaming into the void)

— The myth of “niching down” and what to do instead

— What it actually means to be a thought leader — even if you don’t think you are one

— The art of never shutting the hell up about your offer

— The very serious topic of Xanthe’s deep love for cottage cheese

POINT OF THE STORY

Social media works best when it’s human. Lead by showing up, starting real conversations, and making your audience feel seen.

GIVEAWAY

Want a free order of bean water on me? Tag me @btlcopy and @xanthe.appleyard on your Instagram story while you’re listening, and one lucky winner will get TWO caffeine fixes on me!

AND — count how many times we drop the F-bomb in this episode. DM me the number, and you could win a free Millionaire Moment subscription.

Love you, mean it. 🖤

XANTHE LINKS

— Follow Xanthe on Instagram

— Check out Oh Sierra’s website

— Listen to Love You to the Core on Apple or Spotify

— Listen to the episode “Love Folliculating All Over Town (Guest Episode with Sara Noel)” on Apple or Spotify

— Listen to the Millionaire Moment private podcast episode with Xanthe on Substack

— Life of the Party - Xanthe’s content strategy program

— Xanthe’s favorite yogurt and cottage cheese

— Xanthe’s walkout song

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course, Site Series Sprint.

— Join the Point of the Story community on Slack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in our Suggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow on Instagram and Substack.

— Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.

— Subscribe to my newsletters Tuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week and Millionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my website betweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— Caitie Cupples Creative - my amazing student!

— Green Chair Stories- copywriting for photographers

This episode was edited by ⁠Adrienne Cruz⁠.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Welcome to Season 2!

00:42 Meet the Famous Xanthe Appleyard

05:10 Rapid-Fire Squirrel Brain Questions

15:44 Social Media is a Relationship

19:52 How to Actually Understand Your Audience

23:14 How to Create Content that Leads to Sales

29:48 “I’m Not a Leader” & Other Lies We Tell Ourselves

38:49 Simple Tweaks That Will Transform Your Content

41:48 Do You Really Need to Niche Down?

47:51 A Life-Changing Tip About Cottage Cheese

49:27 Time is Relevancy

51:00 The Power of Never Shutting the Fuck Up

52:55 Our Content Themes

56:45 Closing

What would I do if I woke up tomorrow with zero clients, zero leads, and had to start my business from scratch? (Other than cry, obviously.) That’s what we’re covering in this episode — exactly how I’d market my brand if I had to do it all over again. So grab a notebook, because I’m laying out the full game plan!

Spoiler: I wouldn’t start with social media. (I know, don’t come for me!) Instead, I’d focus on building a foundation first, so that all my future marketing efforts actually have something solid to stand on. If you’re curious what that looks like, you have to start listening!

TOPICS & TANGENTS

— The exact eight steps I’d follow to grow my business from scratch

— Why your website should come before **social media

— The power of SEO, blogging, and Pinterest for long-term growth

— How my mom risked blindness to read my Apple podcast reviews

— That time I impulsively built my first website on GoDaddy (and immediately regretted it)

— The one quote from this episode that should be tattooed on your forehead

POINT OF THE STORY

Focus on growing your foundation before growing your following.

GIVEAWAY

Tag @btlcopy in your stories for a chance to win your next bean water on me! Bonus entries if you rate the podcast on Spotify or rate and leave me a review in Apple podcasts. And remember, if you're the first to DM me how many times I said the F-word in this episode, you win a special prize!

Love you, mean it. 🖤

BTL LINKS

— Use code "MILLIONAIRE" for $100 off my website copywriting course,Site Series Sprint.

— Join thePoint of the Story community onSlack.

— Leave feedback or episode requests in ourSuggestions Box.

— To stay up to date with all things Point of the Story, follow onInstagram andSubstack.

— Follow me onInstagram,Threads, andSubstack.

— Subscribe to my newslettersTuesday Table of Contents for one marketing tip, once a week andMillionaire Moment for the insider tea on how I plan to make $1 mil in sales by my 31st birthday.

— Check out my websitebetweenthelinescopy.com.

OTHER LINKS

— TheCape Cod Beach Chair I was talking about

— Blog post:“How I’d Market My Business From Scratch If I Had To Start All Over”

— Target Audience and Offer Development Workbooks

— Newsletter about my target audience development workbook:“TOC #215: Only dumbasses assume”

— Blog post:“Showit vs Squarespace: Which Should You Choose in 2024?”

— Sarah Kleist- the BEST website designer

—Showit

—Ubersuggest

—Semrush

—Sarah Burk- Pinterest marketing QUEEN

—Flodesk (code: “BTLCOPY” for 50% off your first year)

—Waitlist for email marketing workshop

—BTL's 28-Day February Sales Challenge

— Private podcast episode:“People will do ANYTHING to sell their offer except TALK about their offer…”

This episode was edited byAdrienne Cruz.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro + Time Travel

07:42 Understand My Target Audience

12:51 Buy My Website Domain and Choose My Website Builder

15:08 Start With a Website, Not Social Media

17:53 Do Keyword Research and Write Website Copy

20:03 Choose My Website Design Option

22:06 Blog Up a Storm

25:17 Take Advantage of Pinterest Marketing

26:35 Set Up My Email Marketing

29:51 Point of the Story

33:04 Bloopers