nDash.com is a content creation platform that provides brands and agencies with access to the world's top freelance writers.
I'm an experienced content writer, strategist, and consultant. I've been writing longer than I care to think about. (Let's just say that my first "real" writing job involved a computer with green letters on a black screen.) My work has appeared in numerous publications (not many bylines, unfortunately, since all work was for clients), including:
I also served as content strategist on "The Power of Digital Policy," a book by Kristina Podnar (we're friends and colleagues, but not relatives).
The Power of Digital Policy
Today, I'm thrilled to combine that first love with my other passion: business. My priority is to make sure that the content I write accomplishes your goals. If you're not sure what you want your content to accomplish, I help with that, too. That's why, before I start an assignment for you, I may ask what you want people to do, think, or feel after reading it.
Because the fundamentals of business and marketing (creating interest and awareness, solving pain points, creating new customers through education, etc.) hold true for almost all businesses, I'm comfortable writing for many different industries.
Recently, I've been focusing on issues that every business will have to address very soon: AI, privacy, compliance, security, accessibility, etc. The importance of these topics will only increase as artificial intelligence and the metaverse become more intertwined in our business and personal lives. AI, in particular, presents some big challenges (as well as incredible opportunities!). There are a lot of writers who can address the tech side of AI. I'm the one who can write about weighing the risks and opportunities so that you can use AI in a way that benefits both you and your customers (while ensuring no harm to either).
Wondering if you need an industry expert rather than a writing/business expert?
It depends on your audience. If you're writing for people who do, finance, or regulate what you do, you may prefer an industry expert (with the exception of regulating online content -- that's one of my specialities, and I have access to leading experts in the field). If you're writing for people who will (hopefully!) buy what you do, you need an expert in business and marketing. That's also what I do.
Not sure what you need?
Even better! There are plenty of great writers who can write what you tell them to write. I can, too -- but my real strength is on the content strategy side. I can write your blog posts, but I can also help you figure out who your audiences are (and how to avoid the curse of knowledge!), what they need to know, and how to write for their level of knowledge about your product or service. I can also help you stay out of trouble by pointing out compliance issues.
So if you don't know where to start, start with me!
This post describe how practices can inspire and guide future veterinary medicine, starting with community outreach for young students and continuing with internships and/or required volunteer hours for college students.
https://www.provet.cloud/blog/shape-the-future-how-your-practice-can-guide-aspiring-veterinarians
This post offers suggestions on steps any small or medium business can take to make their data more secure..
https://www.provet.cloud/blog/6-easy-ways-to-secure-your-veterinary-practice-data-today
Losing a valued employee is always difficult, but when much of the knowledge that keeps the practice running smoothly resides only in that person's head, it can be catastrophic. Making the digital transition with veterinary practice management software can document information, automate routine tasks, and streamline workflows is the best way to protect your practice from the unexpected departure of that one employee who "knows everything."
Market penetration for pet insurance is extremely low, even though it's now welcomed by almost all veterinarians and could ease some of the most heart-breaking situations, like having to euthanize a pet because the family can't afford treatment. This article offers guidance on using your veterinary practice software to prompt conversations about pet insurance.
Veterinary Information Management Software (VIMS) can help you create efficiencies and workflows to reduce the negative impacts of the veterinary staff shortage.
https://www.provet.cloud/blog/using-your-practice-software-to-help-offset-veterinary-staff-shortages
This post describes how veterinarians can use the features of practice management software to highlight the value of their practices.
https://www.provet.cloud/blog/thinking-of-selling-your-veterinary-practice-in-2024
Like every other industry, the future of veterinary medicine lies in technology. This blog posts covers some of the ways in which practice management software is the foundation that will allow veterinary practices to adopt and integrate emerging technologies.
The ongoing veterinary staff shortage is putting stress on both veterinary professionals and their clients. However, many vet techs are spending a disproportionate amount of their time on tasks below their level of education and certification. By adopting veterinary software to automate and streamline some administrative tasks, vets can put their vet techs where they're supposed to be: working with patients.
https://www.provet.cloud/blog/are-you-underutilizing-your-veterinary-technicians
The history of how palletization revolutionized shipping
https://blog.48forty.com/blog/how-pallets-made-todays-global-economy-possible
Discover how your content production agency is positioned to be the crucial link between modern ESG values and the audiences who prioritize environmental, social, and governance impacts above traditional business metrics.
https://www.ndash.com/blog/what-your-content-production-agency-needs-to-know-about-esg
nDash blog
http://www.ndash.co/blog/how-freelancers-can-help-your-agency-scale-up-while-staying-agile
Rollex blog
https://www.rollex.com/blog/remodeling-with-the-future-in-mind-aging-in-place/
New privacy regulations require that marketers obtain consent from their audience before sending marketing messages. How do you make the case for consent?
https://www.ndash.co/blog/personalization-vs-privacy-how-to-make-the-case-for-consent
Tips for homeowners
http://foxblocks.com/designing-disaster-protection-storm-proof-homes/
Environmental benefits of ICF blocks
http://foxblocks.com/supporting-green-initiatives-government-icf-construction/
More and more retailers are bringing digital to the sales floor. Whether you're equipping store employees with proprietary devices or asking them to use their own, all the planning in the world won't matter if store employees don't execute properly.
https://www.retailzipline.com/blog/the-importance-of-store-execution-in-rolling-out-new-technology
This post describes the complexity of category management and how all the plans can fail at the store level if employees don't execute.
https://www.retailzipline.com/blog/store-execution-and-its-impact-on-category-management
Kirei blog
https://kireiusa.com/blog/help-me-fix-my-space-open-atriums
What architects and designers can do to help the aging population continue to live in their homes
http://foxblocks.com/designing-homes-aging-place/
Scorebuddy blog
https://blog.scorebuddyqa.com/us/what-quality-assurance-managers-wish-agents-knew-about-monitoring
Tips for coaching employees on improving their performance
https://blog.scorebuddyqa.com/us/how-to-have-difficult-conversations-with-call-center-agents
How architects and designers can maximize elevator safety while minimizing the loss of space
How architects and designers can develop commercial buildings that can serve a variety of future occupants with different needs
https://nydreeflooring.com/2018/07/24/designing-for-longevity-strategies-for-commercial-design
The importance of acoustics in employee satisfaction and performance
https://kireiusa.com/blog/budgeting-for-acoustics-in-your-next-design-project
Encouraging "efficiency by design" by helping clients understand life-cycle costs
https://nydreeflooring.com/2018/06/29/helping-clients-budget-looking-life-cycle-costs
Tips for installing steel siding
https://www.rollex.com/blog/your-roadmap-to-an-easier-faster-steel-siding-installation/
Roof support bases are critical for stability, but the material they're made with can make a big difference. This post covers the pros and cons of the various materials available and how to choose the one that's best for you.
https://www.phpsd.com/blog/comparison-of-the-most-popular-roof-support-bases
Mr. Clean Carwash blog
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/detailing-a-car-wash-on-hyperdrive/
How to design work spaces that can flex with the employers' needs
https://kireiusa.com/blog/flexible-design-ensuring-more-successful-office-spaces
Construction companies are increasingly moving from analog to digital management solutions. This post offers tips for construction companies beginning the transition to digital.
https://www.sparkbusinessworks.com/blog/get-started-with-construction-project-management-software
Construction companies may be a bit behind in the digital revolution, but they're catching up fast. Here are 8 features you should look for when choosing a construction software solution.
https://www.sparkbusinessworks.com/blog/8-construction-software-features-that-your-business-needs
How to tell if your business has outgrown your current construction management software (and what you need instead)
https://www.sparkbusinessworks.com/blog/signs-construction-management-software-not-working
How custom software can help your construction company cut costs and improve profits
https://www.sparkbusinessworks.com/blog/7-benefits-of-custom-construction-management-software
Advice for running a successful contest or giveaway on Facebook, as well as a few precautions.
https://blog.woobox.com/2019/08/how-to-rock-a-facebook-comments-contest-or-giveaway/
Describes how construction management software can help builders and contractors with things like scheduling, automation, etc.
This post offers guidance on choosing a digital communication and task management platform. While it focuses on retail, the lessons could apply to any number of industries.
Technology allows organizations to continue hiring during social distancing. And front-end testing helps increase the diversity of applicants. That's important because it's been shown that the makeup of development teams can create (or prevent) bias in machine learning.
https://www.codility.com/blog/hiring-engineers-during-covid-19-take-it-remote-make-it-equitable/
At the 2019 World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, IKEA's philanthropic wing committed $7.7 million toward the development of an impact bond to provide vocational skills training for Syrian refugees living in Lebanon and Jordan.
Targeted to entry-level job-seekers, this post covers some common interview questions and provides guidance on how to answer them.
https://www.careeraddict.com/answer-the-top-10-journalist-interview-questions
Retailers depend on store teams to guide customers through the last few steps of the customer journey: choosing the right product and taking it home with them. When employees don’t execute those last few steps, it’s not because they don’t care. It’s usually because they don’t know enough about the product.
https://getzipline.com/blog/how-product-knowledge-affects-sales-execution/
This post describes how scammers can use the information you provide in these quizzes to guess your password or answers to your security questions.
https://pattipodnar.substack.com/p/stay-calm-and-step-away-from-that
Store communications should be simple, but competing agendas, message overload, and too much background noise often muddy the waters. Fortunately, taking these five steps can help you send clear, actionable messages that make it unscathed from headquarters to the right people on your store teams.
https://getzipline.com/blog/5-steps-to-better-store-communication/
Why roof walkways are important for safety and the four most important places to put them.
https://www.phpsd.com/blog/4-places-to-install-roof-walkways
A list of random, weird things (like hearing your eyeballs click when you blink!) that, taken together, could mean you have Sjogren's Syndrome.
https://pattipodnar.substack.com/p/you-may-have-sjogrens-syndrome-if
This post describes how trucking companies can use integrations to customize their existing trucking management systems.
https://www.withvector.com/resource/how-unique-is-your-trucking-delivery-process/
This post describes how logistics and supply chain organizations can extend the reach of their Transportation Management System by taking it mobile via a custom app.
https://www.withvector.com/resource/how-to-make-your-tms-mobile/
This post describes why a transportation management system is vital in today's digital economy and offers tips on how to choose one that's the best fit for your organization.
https://www.withvector.com/resource/what-is-a-transportation-management-system-tms-explained/
This post describes the tasks involved in fleet management as well as how a Transportation Management System can help.
https://www.withvector.com/resource/what-is-fleet-management-heres-what-you-should-know/
Things you can do to protect your home while you're on vacation.
https://www.rollex.com/blog/protecting-your-home-while-youre-away
Things to consider before getting your car washed: weather forecast, special occasions, conditions where you'll be driving, etc.
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/before-you-search-for-car-wash-near-me-check-your-schedule
The importance of regular oil changes in car maintenance
Information on what transmission fluid does, why it needs to be changed, and how often you should change it.
The primary things that can go wrong during winter travel and what you can do to protect yourself and your family before leaving home.
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/when-car-maintenance-goes-wrong-during-winter-travel
How to care for the towels you use to wash your car (and why it's important)
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/treat-your-towels-with-respect
Tips for getting your car safely through the winter months
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/top-winterization-services-your-car
Why scuffed, dirty headlights are dangerous and how you can save. money be restoring them instead of replacing them
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/auto-detailing-and-safety-restoring-your-headlights
Factors that affect how long a car wax will look fresh
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/how-long-will-my-car-wax-last
Tips for how people who buy a used car can give it a makeover
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/vehicle-maintenance-new-to-you-car-edition
Tips for how automobile owners can clean and condition leather seats
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/how-a-car-detail-can-keep-your-leather-seats-looking-like-new
Different methods of carpet cleaning and why heat extraction works best
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/the-details-of-car-detail-carpet-cleaning
How automobile owners can protect their car's paint by getting regular professional car washes
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/how-a-full-service-car-wash-can-protect-your-cars-paint
What door jambs are, why it's important to keep them clean, and how to do so.
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/car-cleaning-and-what-it-has-to-do-with-door-jambs
Things automobile owners can do to prevent getting scratches on their cars and how professional car detailing can restore that like-new appearance.
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/how-an-automatic-car-wash-can-help-prevent-scratches
Why it's important to use shampoos made specifically for cars
https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/car-shampoo-its-more-than-skin-deep
This post offers caregivers tips on how to protect a child with tree nuts by keeping a list of tree nuts with you, learning how to read labels, and having an emergency action plan in place.
https://www.care.com/c/a-tree-nuts-list-to-help-you-keep-your-allerg/
Content strategy and development across a wide range of verticals
Company: Podnar Consulting, LLC
I worked there from 10/2013 until now
In addition to being extremely thorough with her thought process and research, Patti's ability to create high-quality and timely content is exceptional. She does an outstanding job ensuring she explains the context behind her ideas, fleshing out areas of a piece where additional research is required, and nailing down reputable sources. Highly recommended!
Jenn Greenleaf, nDash
Patti has been a great addition to the nDash community. She's an extremely versatile writer, with experience in a broad range of industries, and is able to quickly break down complex topics into clear, compelling prose. I'm very thankful for her contributions, and would highly recommend her to any brand seeking a professional writer and storyteller.
Michael Brown, nDash.co