Emma Airey - JDM Impressions

Working remotely, like we do at JDM, doesn’t mean being disconnected from colleagues. As part of our culture-building initiative, and to introduce the digital marketing world to our awesome team members, we regularly peel back the curtain on the lives of JDMers. This week, we’ll get to know SEO Specialist Emma Airey!

Name: Emma Airey
Position: SEO Specialist
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

When did you begin working at JDM?
May of 2023.

How did you know JDM was the right fit for you?
From the very first step of the hiring process, I felt comfortable and could tell JDM was a company that truly valued both employees and clients. 

What’s your favorite part of the workday?
My favorite part of the workday is my day-of schedule walk-through. I love lists, to-do lists especially, so getting organized first thing in the morning always makes the rest of the day breeze by and I’m never worried I forgot something important.

What’s the most gratifying part of working with your clients?
Nothing beats the oohs and ahhs before a “Now I get it” revelation from a client. Providing great services that return results is fantastic, but I think helping someone and actually teaching them to understand how something works is a very gratifying win-win experience.

In a remote company, how do you stay connected with your team?
Constant communication for work projects keeps us all connected in the day-to-day, but adding in personal comments and keeping the communication light and casual gives room for comfort and helps build real connections with coworkers.

What three words would you use to describe the JDM culture?
Light, collaborative, transparent.

What's something you love about JDM?
My team at JDM is made up of amazing and uplifting professionals that I learn from every day. I love brainstorming and making conversation with coworkers as everyone is extremely intelligent and has a great sense of humor.

Can you recall a time when JDM challenged you, and how we supported you through that time?
During the onboarding and training process, I was learning a lot of new information and techniques at once. If it ever got overwhelming or confusing, my entire team was there to answer quick questions or set up meetings for detailed walkthroughs. At JDM, there’s always someone willing to listen and help.

What’s the best thing you’ve done with your unlimited PTO?
This year I took PTO to visit a friend in Denver, Colorado. I was able to go on so many beautiful hikes and even caught Game 2 of the Nuggets vs. Lakers playoff series!

What's something you love about the marketing industry?
I love how the marketing industry is always evolving. Every day, new ideas and new technology change the industry – it really keeps you on your toes!

What do you think has been the most interesting change in the marketing industry or in your channel this year?
I have a huge interest in AI. Although I think that people should use AI with caution, especially when dealing with creative work, it's an amazing tool that I find new uses for every day with work and in my personal life.

What digital marketing platform, technology, or skill do you see gaining the most traction in the next 1-2 years, and why?
Short-form video content has been and will stay all the rage. The easily digestible pieces of content are perfect for a population with dwindling attention spans.

What are the names and ages of your kids (or furbabies)?
I have a three-legged black rescue kitten who loves the beach! His name is Trey, and even with an odd number of limbs he's able to get into all kinds of trouble. 

What's something you've implemented or tested, and what was the outcome?
I’m currently creating a report on the difference between AI generated content versus human written content. It’s still ongoing, but the metrics are showing that content written by humans still holds a higher value to readers.

What’s a project that you’ve worked on that you’ve really enjoyed?
I’ve really enjoyed working on SEO for podcasts with several clients. I get to listen to podcasts I probably would never taken the time to listen to if not for working with them. Listening to insights and hearing the passion a client has for their company/work really helps me gain a better  understanding of their wants and goals.