This interview is with Jenn Greenleaf, Managing Editor at nDash.

Jenn Greenleaf, Managing Editor, nDash

Photo by Serpstat on Pexels

Jenn, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a digital marketing expert?

I launched my career as a freelance writer in 1999, creating content for various industries, which gave me a solid foundation in understanding audience needs and crafting impactful messages. I also learned (the hard way) that, in order to be a successful freelancer, you have to market yourself (A LOT). Over time, I noticed how digital platforms were transforming how people consume content, and I became fascinated with the intersection of creativity and analytics.

My role as the managing editor at nDash.com has been instrumental in shaping my expertise. Here, I oversee a team of talented writers and collaborate with brands to develop content strategies that drive results. Every project deepens my understanding of SEO, content marketing trends, and planning for shifts in strategies.

What truly excites me is finding innovative ways to connect brands with their audiences while maintaining authenticity. This combination of strategic thinking and creative execution is what makes digital marketing such a rewarding field for me.

What are some key experiences or milestones that have shaped your perspective on digital marketing?

Boy, where do I start? Early in my career, I worked closely with publishing teams—online and in print—which taught me the value of precision and audience-first content. Throughout the years, as I transitioned away from print and to primarily digital content, I saw how even small adjustments in strategy—like refining SEO tactics or leveraging data analytics—can significantly impact engagement and conversions.

As the managing editor at nDash.com, I’ve had the opportunity to focus on creating content for content marketing managers—an audience that demands informative, actionable, and data-driven materials. This role has sharpened my ability to address pain points, uncover opportunities, and deliver content that drives measurable results.

You've previously highlighted the effectiveness of LinkedIn for reaching content marketing managers. Can you elaborate on a specific campaign or strategy where you saw significant success on this platform, and what made it stand out?

LinkedIn has been a key platform for connecting with content marketing managers, and one of our most impactful strategies at nDash has been the launch of a newsletter specifically designed to help our audience find their next role or job opportunity.

This newsletter, tailored to marketing professionals, features curated job listings, salary ranges, and brief descriptions.

We also launched a weekly newsletter that features posts our audience might have missed on our blog, content-marketing tips, and industry-news links.

Another component that has elevated our LinkedIn presence is the use of animated graphics in our feed posts. Each post features a dynamic visual that highlights a specific problem content marketing managers face, paired with a clear solution drawn from the content we're sharing.

This approach not only captures attention in a crowded feed but also provides immediate value, encouraging clicks and engagement.

Together, the newsletters and the animated-post strategy have allowed us to provide practical, actionable resources while positioning nDash as a trusted partner in the content marketing space.

The combination of valuable content and visually engaging posts has driven meaningful interactions and strengthened our connection with the LinkedIn community.

Many marketers talk about the importance of data-driven decisions. Can you share an instance where you had to balance data insights with your intuition to make a crucial digital marketing decision? What was the outcome?

We’re currently in the early stages of a campaign centered around our newly published guide, Agency or Freelancers? An Enterprise Marketer’s Guide to Scaling Content in 2025.

This 90-page white paper dives into a major pain point we frequently hear from brands: should they work with agencies, freelance writers, or a hybrid approach? The guide is packed with actionable insights, including how to maximize ROI, streamline workflows, and scale production without sacrificing quality.

While we don’t yet have solid outcomes to share—since we’re just rolling out the campaign—we plan to leverage the guide as the foundation for an integrated content strategy. We’ll create blog posts and social media content that link back to the guide, ensuring its key takeaways reach the right audience. This decision to focus on this topic stems from the belief of nDash’s co-founders that this is a critical question for modern marketers.

By addressing it head-on, we aim to provide clarity and practical solutions to help brands navigate this decision. Although the data on its success is forthcoming, we’re confident that aligning content with audience pain points will drive meaningful engagement and value.

How do you stay updated with the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing trends and algorithm updates while maintaining a focus on long-term strategies?

I follow industry experts on LinkedIn, subscribe to authoritative newsletters, and actively participate in webinars and industry events to stay ahead of the curve. I also leverage data from trusted sources like Google Analytics and industry reports to monitor shifting patterns and consumer behavior.

While adapting to trends is essential, I balance this by anchoring my work in long-term strategies that align with brand goals. For instance, I prioritize evergreen content that delivers sustained value while incorporating timely updates that resonate with current audiences.

This approach ensures I'm both responsive to changes and committed to the overarching vision of the brands I work with. It's about creating a synergy between adaptability and consistency so my strategies remain impactful regardless of algorithm shifts.

You mentioned the importance of 'human-centric personalization at scale.' Can you provide a practical example of how you've implemented this approach in your work, and what advice would you give to others looking to achieve this balance?

At nDash, we prioritize content written by humans, for humans—this focus inherently defines our approach as "human-centric." For us, personalization isn’t about keyword stuffing or chasing algorithms; it’s about addressing the real challenges that our clients’ audiences face. A great example is how we develop thought-leadership content. Instead of producing generic, surface-level pieces, we work closely with brands to understand their unique voice, audience pain points, and goals.

For instance, when a client wanted to build trust with decision-makers in a technical industry, we crafted content that answered pressing questions, provided actionable insights, and resonated emotionally. Because we leverage freelance writers who specialize in specific industries, we ensured the content was authentic, authoritative, and genuinely useful to the audience—ultimately solving real problems, not just ticking SEO boxes.

For others looking to achieve this balance, my advice is to always start with the audience. Write for people, not algorithms. Use tools to support creativity and efficiency, but never let automation replace the human touch. Personalization flows naturally when you focus on connecting with readers in a meaningful, problem-solving way.

In your experience, what are some common misconceptions or pitfalls that businesses often encounter when trying to leverage AI in their digital marketing efforts?

We aren't 100% against using AI—so long as the final draft isn't client-facing. For example, we use AI for ideation, brainstorming, assisting with research, and creating the "bones" of an outline. A common misconception is that AI can create high-quality, engaging, and correct content.

For example, a cybersecurity company may find articles covering a recent breach and decide to use AI to summarize it for their social media. They must read the article first to ensure the summary is correct because, unfortunately, it might get the details wrong. The bottom line? Avoid using AI for content creation as often as possible.

Authenticity is often cited as a key factor in content marketing success. How do you ensure authenticity in your content, especially when working with a team or using AI tools for support?

We ensure authenticity by working with expert writers who deeply understand the industries they’re writing for and the audiences they’re addressing. For example, when developing content for a brand focusing on healthcare topics, we collaborated with writers who had first-hand experience in the field, ensuring the content reflected real-world expertise and empathy.

Even when we use AI tools to streamline processes—like identifying trends or optimizing headlines—the final product is always crafted and refined by humans. Our writers ensure every piece of content has a unique voice, aligns with the client’s brand, and genuinely addresses the needs of the target audience. My advice to others is to focus on the human element at every stage of content creation.

Invest in writers who understand your audience and use AI tools as an assistant, not a replacement. Authenticity shines through when the content speaks directly to the audience’s challenges, not just to search engine algorithms.

Looking ahead to the future of digital marketing, what are you most excited about, and what advice would you give to aspiring marketers looking to make their mark in this field?

Looking ahead to the future of digital marketing, I’m most excited about how brands can harness technology to amplify—not replace—the human voice in marketing. Tools are getting smarter, and personalization is becoming more intuitive, which creates incredible opportunities for content to feel genuinely tailored to audiences.

However, the challenge—and opportunity—lies in ensuring that this innovation doesn’t lead to a loss of trust or authenticity. For aspiring marketers, my advice is to focus on honing your ability to think strategically.

While tools and platforms continue to present new features, the fundamentals of good marketing—understanding your audience, crafting clear messages, and delivering value—don’t change. Learn how to evaluate trends critically. Most importantly, stay curious. Marketing is as much about learning and adapting as it is about execution.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my insights. If there’s one final thought I’d like to leave with aspiring marketers, it’s this: don’t underestimate the power of collaboration. Whether it’s working with your team or brands, or even leveraging platforms like nDash to connect with talented freelancers, great marketing happens when diverse perspectives come together. Stay open, stay curious, and never stop learning from the people around you.