We were lucky to catch up with Emily Ledbetter recently and have shared our conversation below.
Emily, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?
When I get a hate comment online, pushback on an idea I believe in, or overall cynicism about my goals, I remind myself of Aristotle’s famous saying, “The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” If you look at the most successful people in life, they have just as many (if not more) haters as they do adoring supporters. There’s no way around it: stepping boldly in faith is undoubtedly going to be met with opposition. Especially when your work is being done to glorify the Lord, you best believe the devil will order all hell to break loose on your plans. I try my best to keep all of this in mind, especially when the opposing voices sound and feel extra loud (and personal). But nobody should navigate life, business, or big dreams alone. I’ve formed an inner circle of go-to, trusted people who always provide honest council and course-correct me if I’ve gone totally off the rails. So, as long as my steps align with God’s voice and have the support of my closest people, I take any negative energy coming my way as a sign that I’m actually on track.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At Ledbetter Marketing, we create authentic, data-driven social media, podcast, and website content for small businesses who want to show up online with confidence and clarity. Our heart is to help entrepreneurs stop guessing, start connecting, and actually see results from the content they’re pouring so much time into.
What makes our work exciting is the mix of strategy and soul. Yes, we love analytics, systems, and building content frameworks that drive real traffic and engagement. But we’re equally passionate about telling stories that feel human, honest, and true to the business behind them. When a client says, “This finally feels like me,” that’s when we know we’ve done our job.
A few things that make Ledbetter Marketing special:
• We specialize in content that sounds like you. No generic templates or forced trends.
• We build long-form content ecosystems—podcasts, blogs, and social media—that work together to grow your brand.
• And at the end of the day, our mission is about more than content: we want to support business owners in pursuing purpose, not pressure.
Whether you’re a podcaster, local service provider, or entrepreneur ready to take your brand to the next level, our goal is simple: to make content creation easier, more effective, and a whole lot more fun.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are faith, boldness, and a deep love for creating.
1. Faith that God goes before me.
My business has grown in ways I could have never strategized on my own. The biggest shifts happened when I stopped trying to muscle my way forward and instead asked, “Lord, where are You leading?” That posture has opened more doors than any marketing plan ever could.
Advice: Build the habit of bringing your work to God daily. Pray over decisions. Pay attention to what brings peace. Trust that He will supernaturally open the right opportunities at the right time.
2. Be bold even when it feels uncomfortable.
Some of the most pivotal moments in my business came from choosing to be bold: posting something honest, reaching out to someone I admired, raising my prices, or saying no when something wasn’t aligned. Boldness isn’t about confidence; it’s about obedience and courage in the moment.
Advice: Start practicing small bold moves. Hit publish on the idea you’re overthinking. Introduce yourself. Ask the question. Over time, boldness becomes a muscle you rely on, not a moment you have to hype yourself up for.
3. A genuine love for creating.
I’ve always loved making things — content, stories, podcasts, visuals. That love has been my engine. Business can feel heavy if it’s all pressure and no joy, so I try to stay connected to the part of me that simply loves to create with God, not just produce for clients.
Advice: Protect your creativity. Make space to create things that don’t “perform.” Follow inspiration even when it doesn’t feel practical. The more you nurture your creativity, the more overflow you have for your actual work.
You don’t have to force it. You just have to be faithful, brave, and willing to create with what’s already in your hands. God will take care of the rest.
How would you describe your ideal client?
The ideal client for Ledbetter Marketing is a faith-driven, purpose-led business owner who cares just as much about integrity as they do about growth. They’re authentic, honest, and deeply committed to serving people well, both online and in real life.
They’re not looking for shortcuts, vanity metrics, or a bunch of surface-level trends. They want content that feels true to who they are, builds genuine trust, and actually moves their business forward. They love collaboration, they communicate openly, and they value mutual respect throughout the entire creative process.
Most importantly, they’re game to try new things. Whether that’s launching a podcast, stepping into more long-form storytelling, showing their face on camera, or experimenting with a bold strategy they’ve never considered, they’re willing to stretch themselves for the sake of impact.
They understand that great content takes consistency, clarity, and a willingness to grow and they’re excited to partner with someone who will push them, support them, and help them show up online with confidence.
Our ideal client isn’t just hiring a service. They’re looking for a relationship, a creative teammate, and a strategy rooted in authenticity and aligned with their values. They’re ready to build something meaningful and they want content that reflects the truth of who they are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ledbettermarketing.com/
- Instagram: @ledbettermarketing
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ledbetter-marketing/
Image Credits
Intrigued by Light Photography
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