Sarah Loughry on Launching Em Dash Blogging to Improve SEO Optimization

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

I’m the founder of Em Dash Blogging. We partner with small to mid-size businesses and help them grow through organic traffic–more specifically, we create a content strategy for SEO (blogs, case studies, etc). I believe that content should be more than just SEO. It should help businesses establish themselves as thought leaders in their space–where quality meets optimization.

What excites you about being an Entreprenista League member?

Connecting with other badass women who saw a gap and said, “I’ll just do it myself.”

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

Any business should have quality, optimized content on its site. It helps with SEO and gives founders/CEOs/managers credibility in their space. But, I noticed there weren’t solid, middle-of-the-road options. They are often forced to pay more for a full-stack agency or try to do it themselves. So, I created Em Dash Blogging–an end-to-end, affordable solution for optimized content. We strategize, research, write, and will even post it to the site.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I’ve been a writer and an editor for over 7 years. My most recent role was working for a boutique digital marketing agency.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

YES! I was just waiting for the right moment.

Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out, and did it go as planned?

It’s been all about networking. Connecting with other entrepreneurs or businesses. Not just for business, I really like to help people too and at least lead them in the right direction in terms of content.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way and what did you learn from it?

Learning when to say no. I’m so invested in my clients and when they ask me to help with something–I’m terrible at saying that we can’t. Most of the time, I just make it work.

What is the accomplishment you are the proudest of to date?

Any time a client starts ranking on page 1 of Google, it’s a parade for me. Any time a client has a big win and Em Dash contributed, it’s a parade for me. Their wins are my wins every time. That probably sounds cheesy but it couldn’t be more true.

Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?

1000% Work/life balance is everything. Or you’ll burn out. My husband always says, “20 years from now do you think you’ll regret not working more or not spending enough time together?” With that said, I have a hard time reminding myself of that because I’m so passionate about what I do. My biggest tip: choose a time or a block of time when your phone and computer are in another room. Don’t look. Don’t touch.

What’s a piece of advice you can share that you wish you’d known when you first started your Entreprenista journey?

Connect with everyone. Even if you don’t think it’s relevant to what you’re doing. It’s so great to get well-rounded advice and just lean on other entrepreneurs who are experiencing the same thing.

What have you achieved recently that you’d like to celebrate with our community?

I finally made the official leap–leaving my other job for my company. And hired my first full-time employee (who is incredible).

What’s next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I’m going to continue to help businesses with content. I want to stick to being transparent and affordable.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!