Editor’s Note:
This week we welcomed nine new ‘Keeters to our growing Terakeet nest. The vast majority of these new ‘Keeters are joining us in the digital outreach department. We also brought on two new members of the content department! We are so excited to be able to welcome such a talented and multifaceted class of new teammates during such a unique time.
Since moving to a remote work environment in March of 2020, we have strived to make sure all of our new hires have a smooth, virtual onboarding experience, similar to our comprehensive, in-person onboarding every ‘Keeter receives in their first weeks with us. Our recruiting, I.T., and human resource teams are in frequent contact with new hires and they are always looking for ways to improve the onboarding experience for every ‘Keeter.
We sat down (virtually) with Jordan Arnold, our Director of Digital Outreach, and Amy Hatch, our Director of Content, to talk about all things digital outreach and content. They were kind enough to answer all of our questions about what these positions entail, what makes content and digital outreach special at Terakeet, and what it’s been like to onboard new hires during such an unprecedented time. Here’s what they had to say:
Jordan Arnold, Sr. Director of Outreach
What is the digital outreach position, and what kind of work does it encompass?
Outreach is important for SEO because we want to build a really robust backlink profile for our customers that Google will recognize. We want to make sure that websites that are authoritative and relevant to our customers are linking back to them and referencing them in the right ways.
So there are a lot of different ways we build placements … the position itself is pretty dynamic. There are [many] parts that go into it, and every DOS’ day is structured differently because of the many aspects of the job. For example, some people might come in and start their day off by writing articles whereas others might want to come in and answer questions in their email inbox first. We really let everyone structure their own day because we find that people are more productive when they can choose which task they want to work on first.
How is the digital outreach position important to the culture of Terakeet?
Outreach is really … the first thing that Terakeet did. That was the [first] big focus and it’s our longest-standing department! It’s a well-oiled machine. [Through our proprietary technology, Chorus] we have been able to take away the more tedious parts of what outreach typically looks like in other companies, so a Terakeet digital outreach specialist can focus on things like developing relationships with publishers and creating great content.
We like to see people who come from writing backgrounds, or marketing backgrounds, communications, [and] really we run the gamut in the department in terms of the degrees and work experience people have had. (One of our new hires today, Matthew went to school for Geography and Economics)
How is the new virtual onboarding process going?
This is our first hiring class since we’ve been remote! People are really excited and I think we’ve put a lot of thought into how to foster the same culture that they would get in an office environment. So normally the class of new hires would always just get lunch together and get to know each other [in a regular office onboarding]. So, we made sure to set up lunches with them and some other people throughout the week. So, even though it will be on Zoom, it’ll help make sure they get that time to chat together about stuff that may not be work-related.
Amy Hatch, Sr. Director of Content
How is content important to Terakeet?
Terakeet is growing by leaps and bounds, and we need strong and resilient content team members who can support our growth, and help us get to the next phase of our evolution. To that end, we are bringing in people with a lot of diverse and interesting backgrounds, in order to make sure we can innovate and build on the success we’ve already had. It’s a very exciting time to be a ‘Keeter!
Can you tell us a little bit about the senior digital content strategist and the digital content manager role?
When it comes to a senior digital content strategist, these are people who can tell a great story. The Fortune 1000 brands we work with need partners who can connect the red thread of their goals and business strategy through the interplay of SEO and content. Being able to express that in engaging customer-facing narratives and formats is essential! And, it’s fun to be creative in your daily work.
In our team, the digital content manager is a great conductor, and they also have an instinct for creating journeys and experiences with content, building on the question people ask when they type a search term into Google. They bring together the work our senior digital strategists do, and make beautiful music out of it. This is also a role for people who get energized by meeting a lot of new folks — they spend a lot of time with our customers.
How is the new virtual onboarding process going?
I onboarded during the pandemic and I will say of all the companies that I have worked for, Terakeet has absolutely the best, warmest, most personable onboarding experience that I have had.
Everybody has been so welcoming through Slack, [and] we have such a great training program. Sarah Wilson, from the HR department, and our Chief People Officer, Lynn Fraas have done such an amazing job. It’s such a focus of concern; they are so sincere in their desire for everybody to feel a part of the team. Efforts like our company-wide weekly meetings and the content team buddy program we are developing to spread peer-to-peer support so [nobody] feels uncomfortable asking questions are hugely beneficial. So, even though we are remote, I feel like we get a lot of face time.
The team is just so warm and so open that I have felt very little difference in how we are together vs. how we are in a digital environment.
We are very grateful these two directors could give us a glimpse into what these roles mean to Terakeet and what it’s like to step into these roles during a pandemic.
And we are very excited to introduce you to the newest members of the Tera-team! Without further ado, here they are!
Rocco Leone, Digital Outreach Specialist
What is your all-time favorite song?
This is such a tough question … I’ll go with My Side by Drake for now.
Recent great read?
“Ideas That Matter” by A.C. Grayling.
What kind of road trip companion are you? (shotgun navigation, music controller, driver, etc).
I am the Aux Cord Connoisseur.
Colin Stafford, Digital Outreach Specialist
What’s your favorite local spot (coffee, lunch, dinner)?
Darwin on Clinton.
If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
Japan for the food, Greece for the scenery.
What is your all-time favorite song?
SWEET by Brockhampton.
Jackson Andrews, Digital Outreach Specialist
Favorite sports teams?
Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Heat, Syracuse Basketball and Ole Miss Football.
If you were on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring with you and why?
Generator, tent, a Phone. I’ll want to go home eventually (haha).
If you had to pick one day to live over again, what would you pick?
The day I met my girlfriend.
Matthew Froelich, Digital Outreach Specialist
Someone you’d like to meet and why?
Bob Iger. I read his autobiography this year and was fascinated by how he worked his way up at Disney. He has so many impressive qualities that I would love to emulate.
Recent great read?
When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanith.
What was the worst style choice you ever made?
I rocked a bowl cut from 5th grade to 8th grade.
Rebecca Shepard, Digital Outreach Specialist
What song best describes your life?
Landslide – Stevie Nicks / The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert.
If you were on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring with you and why?
Sunscreen, soap because I need to bathe (duh), and the book Light on Yoga.
What restaurant are you dying to eat at?
Anywhere vegan, literally anywhere.
Jessica Silolahti, Digital Outreach Specialist
What is something you’ve done that no one would expect?
Walked the runway at New York Fashion Week.
If you could pick your last meal, what would you eat?
Good tacos and spicy margaritas.
What was the worst style choice you ever made?
Leg warmers.
Morgan Rowe. Digital Outreach Specialist
Someone you’d like to meet and why?
I would love to meet the Queen of England because I think she is fascinating and I’m sure she has some amazing stories to tell.
Recent great read?
I am currently reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins.
What’s your favorite snack or candy?
My favorite candy is sour patch kids and my favorite snack is popcorn.
Ashley Timms, Digital Content Manager
What restaurant are you dying to eat at?
Any French, Michelin-star [restaurant].
What was the worst style choice you ever made?
All orange plastic-y pants with an orange t-shirt and a faux leather vest. The zipper on the vest broke so I had to go without, meaning I was wearing 100% bright pumpkin orange. It was a dreadful time, being 12.
Favorite sports team?
The Patriots.
Josh Maday, Senior Digital Content Specialist
Someone you’d like to meet and why?
Kierkegaard. To talk about his work because I’m a philosophy geek.
Recent great read?
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution” by Klaus Schwab.
The first and the last concert you attended?
Metallica; Nine Inch Nails.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know our newest ‘Keeters! Check out our openings page to explore what career opportunities at Terakeet are right for you!