Jenn Greenleaf, Managing Editor, nDash
Digital Marketing Interviews
This interview is with Jenn Greenleaf, Managing Editor at nDash.
Jenn Greenleaf, Managing Editor, nDash
1. Jenn, welcome to Digital Marketing Interviews! Could you tell our readers a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming an expert in digital marketing?
I'm Jenn Greenleaf, a managing editor at nDash.com, where I help shape content strategies, oversee editorial excellence, and support a community of talented writers. At nDash, my role is all about fostering connections—between brands and writers, ideas and execution, and content goals and measurable results.
As managing editor, I’m responsible for ensuring that every piece of content that crosses my desk meets the highest standards of clarity, accuracy, and strategic intent. I guide content from ideation to completion, offering constructive feedback, refining messaging, and ensuring that every article, blog post, and campaign aligns with the unique voice and goals of each client. A big part of my work at nDash involves thought leadership.
I help craft and promote insightful pieces that establish nDash as a go-to resource for content marketing managers. From exploring concepts like "content debt" to highlighting the transformative impact of AI on the industry, I aim to position nDash as a leader in the content marketing space. Beyond editorial work, I’m passionate about process improvement. I collaborate with our writers, content creators, and clients to streamline workflows, boost efficiency, and ensure that every project runs smoothly.
I’m also focused on helping nDash's platform evolve, ensuring that it continues to meet the needs of brands looking to scale their content creation. My role requires a balance of creativity, strategic thinking, and a sharp editorial eye. Whether I’m helping clients define their voice, guiding a writer to produce their best work, or ideating new content opportunities, I’m always focused on delivering value. At the heart of everything I do is a simple goal: to create content that informs, inspires, and drives action.
2. Your career trajectory is truly inspiring! Could you share a pivotal moment or decision that solidified your path in the digital marketing world?
A pivotal moment that solidified my path in the digital-marketing world was when I transitioned from being a freelance writer to a managing editor at nDash.com. This shift wasn’t just a change in title—it was a shift in mindset.
As a freelancer, I was focused on executing assignments and meeting deadlines. But stepping into an editorial leadership role required me to think bigger, act strategically, and take ownership of content outcomes on a much larger scale. One defining decision during this transition was embracing the opportunity to shape nDash’s thought-leadership strategy. Instead of simply editing content, I began spearheading initiatives like conceptualizing pieces on "content debt" and "reverse ROI," two themes that resonate deeply with content marketing managers.
This shift allowed me to influence how nDash positioned itself in the market and how we contributed to the broader industry conversation. Another key moment came when I realized the power of process improvement. I began rethinking how we guide writers, support clients, and ensure each piece of content not only meets editorial standards but also drives real business results.
By collaborating with my team, I helped refine workflows that made production more efficient while maintaining the creative integrity of the content. These moments taught me that digital marketing isn't just about words on a page—it’s about strategy, systems, and storytelling working together. It also reinforced the idea that the best content isn't created in isolation. It’s a team effort, one that requires clarity of vision, open communication, and a constant push to do better.
3. Can you describe a campaign you spearheaded where you had to adapt your digital marketing strategy due to unforeseen circumstances? What did you learn from that experience?
One campaign that stands out is a content-strategy initiative I spearheaded at nDash.com. The goal was to increase engagement with our target audience—content marketing managers—through thought-leadership pieces that tackle timely industry challenges.
We shifted our editorial focus to address the industry’s most pressing questions: How do human writers coexist with AI? What role will 'HumanRank' play in Google's search algorithm? And how can brands maintain authenticity?
This pivot led to the development of timely content like "Generative AI and Employment: What Content Marketing Managers Need to Know" and "How the NaNoWriMo AI Debate is Shaping Professional Content Creation." These pieces addressed the questions and concerns that were at the top of our audience's minds.
The biggest lesson I took away from this experience was the importance of agility. Marketing strategies need to be flexible, especially when industry-shifting events—like the rise of generative AI—create new pain points for your audience.
4. In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, what do you believe is the most valuable skill for a marketer to possess and why?
The most valuable skill for a marketer to possess in today's digital landscape is strategic adaptability. With algorithms, platforms, and consumer behaviors constantly shifting, the ability to pivot quickly and make data-driven decisions is critical. Adaptability isn’t just about reacting to change—it’s about anticipating it.
For example, when generative AI tools became a hot topic among content marketers, understanding what they could do wasn't enough. The real value came from understanding how they would impact content production, SEO, and brand voice. Strategic adaptability requires a combination of curiosity, analytical thinking, and the willingness to challenge assumptions.
It’s about knowing when to double-down on a strategy and when to pivot. With trends moving fast, marketers who can balance agility with strategy are better equipped to stay ahead of industry shifts, deliver valuable content, and drive long-term impact.
5. You've emphasized the importance of structured schedules and deep work in previous responses. How do you integrate these practices into your digital marketing workflow to maximize creativity and productivity?
Integrating structured schedules and deep work into my digital-marketing workflow is essential for maintaining creativity, focus, and productivity—especially in a role like Managing Editor at nDash.com, where juggling multiple deadlines, content reviews, and strategic planning is the norm.
Here’s my process:
1. Time blocking for deep work: I carve out dedicated blocks of time each day for deep, focused work. During these blocks—typically in the morning when my energy and attention are highest—I tackle high-priority tasks like content strategy development, editorial reviews, and conceptualizing thought-leadership pieces. These blocks are non-negotiable, meaning no meetings, emails, or Slack notifications can interrupt them. This uninterrupted time allows for more creative problem-solving and higher-quality output.
2. Micro-goals and prioritization: Every morning, I set two or three goals for the day. Instead of a long, overwhelming to-do list, I focus on just a few high-impact tasks that move larger projects forward. For instance, if I’m working on a piece like "Content Debt: The Growing Problem No One Talks About," my daily goals might include finalizing the outline, gathering supporting research, and drafting the introduction. By the end of the day, I have measurable wins, which keeps momentum high.
3. Guarding creative energy: Creativity doesn’t thrive in chaos. I protect my creative energy by limiting unnecessary meetings and automating routine tasks whenever possible. If a recurring issue can be addressed with a standardized process or template, I make it happen. This ensures that my mental energy is reserved for big-picture thinking and creative work.
4. Reflection and adjustment: Every week, I reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Did I have enough deep-work time? Did unexpected issues pull me away from creative tasks? This reflection allows me to adjust my schedule and workload to be more productive the following week. It’s an ongoing process, but one that keeps me in control of my time instead of feeling controlled by it.
Why my process works for me (and could for you, too): Creativity requires space, and structure creates that space. When taking control of my schedule and building deep work into my workflow, I am able to manage brands effectively, deliver thoughtful content, guide strategic initiatives, and maintain the mental clarity required for creative problem-solving.
6. Many marketers struggle with demonstrating the ROI of their digital campaigns. What advice would you give to someone looking to showcase the tangible value of their digital marketing efforts?
It requires a shift from tracking vanity metrics to focusing on business outcomes. Start by aligning campaign goals with measurable business objectives, like lead generation or revenue growth, rather than clicks or impressions.
For example, we prioritize metrics like client sign-ups and active-writer engagement because they directly impact business growth. Next, track campaign-specific KPIs and use attribution models to show how multiple touchpoints contribute to conversions.
By showcasing short-term wins (like traffic spikes from new content) alongside long-term impact (like SEO-driven evergreen content), you provide a holistic view of campaign success. Visual tools like Google Data Studio help turn complex data into clear, compelling charts that highlight ROI at a glance.
Finally, connect marketing results to revenue by using a simple ROI formula: (Revenue Gained - Campaign Cost) / Campaign Cost x 100. Show stakeholders the direct financial return on marketing investments, and don’t overlook the power of storytelling.
Framing your ROI report as a narrative—with a clear challenge, action, and measurable outcome—makes it easier for executives to see the value of marketing as a growth driver, not a cost center.
7. With the rise of AI and automation in marketing, what are your thoughts on the future of human connection in the digital space? How can marketers strike a balance between technology and genuine engagement?
I see it as both a challenge and an opportunity for human connection. While AI tools streamline workflows and improve efficiency, they also risk making interactions feel transactional rather than relational. Marketers must recognize that while automation can handle repetitive tasks, it can’t replicate empathy, creativity, or context—the very elements that make human connection meaningful.
The brands that win in this space will be the ones that leverage AI as a tool, not a replacement for genuine human engagement. To strike a balance, marketers should prioritize "human-first" content strategies. This means using AI to support human creativity, not replace it. AI can generate data-driven insights, suggest content ideas, and streamline production, but the human touch is essential for storytelling, tone, and brand voice.
For example, we emphasize the role of human writers in capturing brand POVs and creating thought-leadership content that reflects authentic expertise. This approach maintains trust and relatability—two elements that automation alone can’t achieve. Ultimately, the future of human connection in digital marketing depends on how well brands blend technology with empathy.
AI should augment human efforts, not erase them. Marketers can foster authenticity by using automation to handle technical tasks, freeing up humans to focus on creative problem-solving and relationship-building. This hybrid model ensures that content remains personal, relevant, and emotionally resonant—a winning combination in a world that’s growing more automated every day.
8. What emerging trends in digital marketing are you most excited about, and how do you see them shaping the industry in the coming years?
One of the most exciting emerging trends in digital marketing is the rise of HumanRank—the concept that human expertise, credibility, and authenticity may soon play a larger role in search engine algorithms. Because AI-generated content is flooding the web, there’s a growing demand for content that's backed by human insight and verifiable expertise. For marketers, this means a renewed focus on creating content that showcases human authority.
Another key trend is the use of generative AI as a creative collaborator rather than a creator. Instead of viewing AI as a content-replacement tool, marketers are beginning to see its potential for ideation, outlining, and 'ugly' drafts. This allows human writers and editors to focus on refinement, storytelling, and strategic alignment.
Finally, predictive analytics and customer journey mapping—when analyzing behavioral data in real time—brands can deliver hyper-targeted messaging at every stage of the customer journey. Marketers who leverage this trend can offer consumers timely, relevant content instead of generic promotions.
9. What's one piece of actionable advice you would give to aspiring digital marketers looking to make their mark in this dynamic field?
Learn to think critically and challenge assumptions. It's easy to fall into the trap of following "best practices" without questioning them. However, true innovators are the ones who ask, "Is this the best approach for my audience right now?" Marketing is about people, and people are unpredictable.
If you're willing to challenge conventional wisdom, you'll spot opportunities others miss. Developing this skill involves focusing on data-driven decision-making. Track the performance of your campaigns and be ready to pivot if the results don't align with expectations. Test new strategies, experiment with emerging tools, and seek feedback from peers and mentors.
This iterative approach allows you to stay ahead of industry shifts and position yourself as a marketer who drives results, not just activity. Finally, never stop learning. The best marketers are lifelong learners who stay curious about the "why" behind new trends. Subscribe to industry newsletters, follow marketing thought leaders, and analyze case studies to understand how strategies succeed (or fail) in the real world.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I’d just add that digital marketing is as much about human connection as it is about technology. While tools like AI, automation, and predictive analytics are changing how we work, the most impactful campaigns are still rooted in empathy, creativity, and authentic storytelling. No algorithm can replace the power of a well-told story or a message that truly resonates with its audience.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years as a writer and an editor, it’s that content built on trust wins every time. Whether it’s ensuring that human voices remain central to content strategies or helping brands articulate their unique point of view, the human element is what makes marketing memorable. Trends will come and go, but authenticity never goes out of style.