Danielle Manello

Take a big step forward in embracing accessibility and inclusion best practices by making your PDFs accessible using this actionable 8-step guide!

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Email marketing suggestion: About the dreaded unsubscribe. People's interest levels change. Their priorities change. Unsubscribes happen. So how do you use that to your advantage, and leave a space for those customers to come back at a later date? Many companies issue a brief poll, asking why the recipient unsubscribed. These polls can give you valuable information sometimes. So by all means--have one if it feels useful. *DON'T*, however, then send an email to the un-subscriber, confirming they've been unsubscribed. They didn't want to get any more emails, remember? So let them go, and keep refining your strategy. Just my two cents 😊 #emailmarketingtips #freelancewriter

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Wahnt halp editting you’re cahpy? Writer's tip: change the font in the document you're reviewing and enlarge the font size - your brain will view/review the copy as new and any mistakes will be more obvious. 

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If your copywriter asks lots of questions, this is a good thing. It means they're very much interested in your project/brief. They're not trying to be annoying. They just want to get to the bottom of exactly what the request is, who it's targeting, and why (what do you want that audience to do?). It's when your copywriter goes quiet or becomes blasé that you should worry. If they just say 'yes' to everything, without asking questions, it's likely they've become disengaged... from the process, from the workplace, from stakeholders etc.

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My fellow writers and content strategists, I'm at a point in my career where I'm comfortable coming clean: I have ZERO opinions on what makes a good message map. I've created tons over the years but always as amalgams of immediate client needs and deliverables, with just a smattering of whatever marketing buzzword was making the rounds that week. (Authenticity! Narrative! Brand story telling, etc.) To be fair, this approach has always served me and my clients well, as I get entrenched in the project and make it work for their specific needs. But these days I have a team of writers who deserve a structure for tackling their own messaging projects, and thus far my search for quality formats has turned up a lot of AI-generated drivel. Does anyone I know on here have a messaging framework or method they swear by? Or even one they just like? Not looking for a paint-by-numbers template, simply a POV from a real writer about what message map format they like and why. Thanks!

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A big mistake I made at the start of my editing career: (And something I still see a lot of editors doing.) Looking to a client's or employer's *old* content to answer questions about how to edit their *new* content. For example: You're editing a blog post for a client. You have a question about the way they like to discuss a particular subject. So you do a "site:" search and find a piece of their old content that discusses that topic. That's all fine. This is where the mistake happens: You use the old content as guidance for the new content. Why is this a problem? Because they hired YOU to make their content better. (Hopefully.) It's (very) likely that they don't like some or all of their old content. And they may not even have a full picture of everything they have floating around on their site. There's no guarantee that they want it done the same way they did it a year or more ago. Don't rely on that. What do you do instead? If you can't answer the question with your editing instincts, style guide, onboarding materials, etc., there's a really simple solution: Ask. Just ask the question. Don't be embarrassed or scared. Good clients will be glad you asked. #Editing #EditingTips #Editors

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Writers work magic. “Successful communication transforms your thoughts, will, and desire into action. It moves people. It transforms the thoughts, will and desires of others. What better word for this process than magic?” Jack Griffin, author from How to Say it at Work

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Day 6 of bragging about the great people I've worked with, an idea "taxed" from Bret Holmes. Today's special human is Ben Gilbert. I feel like I'm starting to repeat myself, which might indicate that the qualities of an excellent co-worker are universal - mirroring the Anna Karenina principle that "all happy families are alike." I've mentioned before that you know someone is a pleasant co-worker when you can't remember a time you dreaded meeting or talking with them (Sam McCoy.) I also talked about the importance of a leader who treats you like a peer (Franklin Canterbury) and knowing that the work you pass onto someone is in good hands (Jess Trites.) Ben, and others I've mentioned, certainly have these traits, and more. Anyone who has worked on a team with Ben knows he never puts himself first. He personified the Simon Sinek leadership ethic of "Leaders Eat Last" long before the concept became popularized. It's always "we/us" never "I/me" with Ben. Ben has forgotten more about search, data tracking and related fields than most people will ever know, and even though I haven't worked with him for close to a decade, he still takes time to answer my questions whenever I shoot him an email. I'd be thrilled for a chance to work with him again, even if was digging ditches. I know he'd put together the best ditch-digging strategy that matched the abilities of our team and we'd for sure have fun while we were doing it. Good to know you Ben.

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If you thought you could do away with all your content and SEO people now that Google is offering AI generated responses, think again. Unless you're ok with AI telling people to "jump off the Golden Gate Bridge" if they're depressed, "add non toxic glue" to their cooking, "run with scissors" for cardio exercise, and "smoke 3-4 cigarettes a day when pregnant" - I'm not kidding, check out other examples in this article: https://lnkd.in/gWT_vw6T I've spent almost 15 years working in content in some form. It's much more complex than many people think. But I don't need AI to create content, I need it to help solve critical, complex world issues, and I need it to replace the mundane manual labour that humans don't want to do. Leave art to the humans. Art is human connection. And, content is human connection at the core.

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Creative friends (specifically writers), a recommendation from a fellow writer: if you're posting art to your feed, please CREDIT YOUR ARTIST. It can come off like you're the one doing the art. As a writer, you're crafting the story - but they're bringing that story to life visually. Don't just say "my artist." Give their name. Link to their profile or portfolio, if you can. And if someone on the team colored their art, credit their name, too. Same goes for letterers. This is your TEAM. And often, the writer on a comic project is like a leader of a team. Leaders don't take all the credit because we didn't do all the work. As a team, you collectively brought this thing to life. You helped manage, orchestrate, and assemble this incredible project - but it was a group effort to bring it into the world. Listing a person's name who's associated with your project is sharing the credit. It's simple, easy, takes very little effort - and can go a long way to advancing their careers, as well as yours. Support your team. That's what LEADERS do. #leader #comics #webtoon #art #writing #team #digitalart #writingcommunity #webcomic #transmedia #manga #anime #videogameart #writer

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Hey freelance writers: What do you do when you have to write about the same topic over and over again? Any tips for finding a fresh perspective or approach?

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In a work environment that prizes initiative, asking for help can feel like admitting weakness. But it doesn’t have to. The key is to ask from a place of confidence, showing that you’re committed to getting things right. Don't tiptoe around asking for advice; start strong, acknowledge their expertise without denigrating your own abilities, and be concise. #PersonalDevelopment #Confidence https://lnkd.in/etwbYA-3

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As a writer who often works with NDAs (non disclosure agreements) in place, MS Word's automated AI-scraping is a real concern. So, I switched it off. If you'd like to do the same, here's how: 🔒 Windows users: File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options > Privacy Settings > Optional Connected Experiences > Uncheck box: “Turn on optional connected experiences” 🔒 Mac users: Word > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Connected Experiences > Uncheck ALL of the boxes Thanks to https://lnkd.in/gdiyGE9q for helping me protect my/my clients' IP.

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I mentioned recently that I tried the "touring musician" thing for a while but decided it wasn't for me. The lack of a lucrative, steady income is a big reason (as much as the artist in me hates to admit it). Besides the challenge of earning income from performances, you also have to pay to play. 💲 Want to record music? That's a hefty price tag. (Recording studio and engineering, instrumentalists, backing vocalists, mastering engineer, etc.) 💲 Want to release music? You have to pay for distribution and promotion. 💲 Want to keep your music live on streaming sites? You might have to pay an annual fee depending on which distributor you go through and what services you need. 💲 Want to release a cover song? You have to pay for and obtain a mechanical license. 💲 Want your social media posts to be seen? You have to pay for ads or Meta won't really show them. 💲 Want to sell merch to recoup a few expenses from the recording process? You have to pay for the products. 💲 Want to play at a larger venue? The venue will probably take a cut of your merch sales (this one was a fun surprise at my first "breakthrough" gig) 💲 Want to get your name out there? You have to play gigs all over, and hopefully your paycheck covers the gas to get there and back. All this to say, it's f***ing expensive to be a musician. So after burning the candle from both ends for nearly a decade, I slowly (almost accidentally) transitioned careers. I found something that pays the bills, is fulfilling, and lets me help people improve the things they're most passionate about. And as an added bonus, I can now afford to start making and releasing music again. So if you're a music-listening person, feel free to pre-save the first single I've released in 5 years: a cover of "Rainbow" by Kacey Musgraves. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by my brilliant husband Daniel Rasmussen. Performed by me on piano and lead vocals, featuring a little snippet of our daughter's first professionally-recorded vocal track. Keeping it in the family helps cut down on the expenses too 😉 Pre-save for free on Spotify here: https://lnkd.in/gGy2ibEx

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If you're an editing nerd, you'll appreciate this little FYI: The AP Stylebook is switching its official dictionary to Merriam-Webster. What does that mean for you? If you use AP and can't find a word in the AP Stylebook, the way Merriam-Webster lists it is officially AP style. The change takes effect on May 29. For decades, the official AP dictionary was Webster's New World College Dictionary. Despite the similar name, the two are distinct dictionaries. #Editing #Editors #APStyle #EditingTips

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One of the things that has always driven me a bit nuts about influencers is that often times, they offer tips or advice without actually explaining the "why" behind them. So I'm starting to unpack some of the reasoning behind the most common sleep tips (like sleeping in a cool room or being on a consistent schedule)... mostly because I'm curious, but also because the more you know, the more you can wrap your head around actually adopting the advice. #sleep #sleeptips #wikisleep

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Exploring the Depths: Why I Use Bible Quotes as Chapter Titles Hello hello, Inconceivable fan and foe! Welcome to today's video where we delve into a topic close to the heart of my content. In this video, I address a question I've been frequently asked: why do I use Bible quotes as chapter titles? Today’s reading is a bit different as we explore the significance behind this choice. "Keep far from a false charge and do not kill the innocent or righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked." (Exodus 23:7) My recently published book touches on sensitive subjects like abortion, mental health, and the darkest aspects of human nature. Just like the Bible, it serves as a reference and guide for billions, regardless of where you stand on these issues. Join me as we unravel the deeper meanings and connections between my work and biblical teachings. I invite you to check out the book for yourself, and the link is provided in the description below! https://lnkd.in/gpEngGP2 https://lnkd.in/ewMfXprU Let's continue this conversation in the comments below. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more thought-provoking content! #inconceivableinsight #BiblicalWisdom #MoralityMatters #bibleverse #abortiondebate #mentalhealthawareness #darkhumannature #BiblicalGuidance

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Don’t write your copy to sell. Write to solve. Most readers aren’t looking to be swindled anyhow. They’re looking to avoid pain or pursue pleasure. Be a pal and help ‘em out. #copywritingtips — 👋 My name is Matt, Director of Copy at Homestead Studio. Follow me for copy strategies, tips and tricks, and industry insights to help you write better words.

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