Emelie Sanders

Speaker, strategist, and Head Honcho of Pass the Queso

(And sure, a speaker page should be written in third person, but f-it! We all know I’m the one writing it anyway.)

Let’s collab →

Now booking in-person speaking events 2026

I've had internet fights over this one…

(Lies, I’ve had lots of internet fights)

You've been fed myths through a feeding tube since your business was born: Go wider! Bigger! LOUDER! Hit 100k followers. Triple your list size!

I built Pass the Queso on the opposite strategy: high conversion, high retention, and lots of personality.

Create a sales plan to sell all your shit, all year-round – launch or nah.

Obviously, it worked!

→ I keep waitlists a mile long
→ My programs pre-fill themselves with fewer than 1,000 subscribers
→ Our lifetime customer value is 2x the industry standard

And not to brag, but uh… our margins would make ya cream your pants.

Through PTQ, I’ve built programs, products and workshops that help folks sell with words they wrote, skills they own, and copy they don’t have to keep paying for.

RETENTION > REACH

CONVERSION > VOLUME

Now, I show founders how to build brands that convert better, retain longer, and sell like popsicles at the gates of hell.

Keynotes

All talks are customized to your event or initiative.

Let’s make some noise →

Topics they beg me to never shut up about…

Copywriters and Their Meatsuits

When copywriters plateau, they’re told to shift into courses while the problem lies within the foundational premise of building a brand whose sole job is to become the meatsuit of your clients. So what would it look like to be hired for your own identity?

Growing out of popularity and into leadership

Getting publicly dogpiled has a way of turning tons of non-paying followers into haters, shoving you into a forceful invitation to grow your leadership. Every move impacts both your bottom line and public perception, so what’s your move?

You’re the best person to write your own copy

Most folks outsource copy first to avoid leading themselves through decisions, opinions, and direction. Writing your own copy isn’t about becoming a copywriter, but reclaiming authority over your brand before you outsource yourself out of it.

Virtual Workshops

Bring me into your mastermind, membership, or program to lead a hands-on training. Custom workshops are also available – just give a holler.

From Expert to Understood: Messaging that Converts

If you feel like people don't GET what you're selling, it’s because you're focused on being understood. But good marketing is about empathy, not accuracy.

In this training, we’ll unpack ~The Curse of Knowledge~ and close the gap between what you KNOW your audience needs vs what they THINK they need.

Skipping Freebies with Productized Newsletters

If you have a lot of freebies, it’s because you don’t have ONE that works well. A good freebie takes a lot of time and tons of reps before getting it right.

In this training, you'll learn how to treat your newsletter like a product and grow your audience without freebie-bribing. Nobody wants to join your newsletter for "tips & tricks" – but I'll show you what they DO want...

Be Different, Not Better

Nobody will remember you by your offer promises, case studies, or results.

You have to be different, not better than your competition. Leaning into getting results as your differentiator is a race to the bottom.

Ditch the hot takes and figure out what you uniquely have to say, why the fuck it matters, and how to package that up for a stronger brand – not just a louder one.