How SEO Leaders Are Giving Back To Their Staff and Community During Testing Times

In this article, Christina Mautz, CMO, Moz, talks about how different digital marketing leaders fought through the pandemic’s challenging period and are giving back to the community and teams.

With so many life-changing events having occurred in 2020 outside of the pandemic itself, like west-coast fires, the Black Lives Matter movement, and a contentious election, running a business has been anything but “as usual.”

Alongside juggling the day-to-day tasks, business leaders have needed to prioritize their staff’s health and wellness more than ever before.

Moz is no different; our team and community have faced real challenges, but we have remained as empathetic as we have been agile. For us, that means we have also provided our staff with extra days of paid time off by closing the office intermittently for “breather days.” We have reminded Mozzers of our Employee Assistance Program that provides mental health benefits for those in need.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we have publicly addressed social justice issues and concernsOpens a new window and made sure our employees know they can openly speak with HR and leadership. For our broader community, we have emphasized making more of our educational content free and highly accessible. People are struggling right now, and if we can help them upskill, that is one less worry for them.

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Thankfully, we are not alone in this effort. The digital marketing community has worked diligently to support each other.

Here is how other leaders are supporting their staff and communities.

Encouraging Disconnection From the Online Space

 “The health and well-being of our team have always been a priority. Being located in the upper midwest, summer is a short period, and two years ago, we deployed the concept of “flex Fridays.” Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, our team works half days every Friday, with one of those days being completely off each month.

This is a benefit that does not go against their personal time, and nobody is expected to make that time up. It is our way of encouraging others to check out, disconnect from the online space, and go enjoy the beauty that we have here in Michigan with their families.”

– Jason Dodge, founder of BlackTruck Media and Marketing

Donating To Area Nonprofits in Need

“Every year, together with two other companies in the marketing space, we donate our services to Chicago-area nonprofits in need. For us, this means donating a new website and digital strategy. Others donate content strategy services, SEO, social media marketing, video, PR, and branding.

Over the past ten years, we have helped 43 organizations across every category (human services, animal rights, arts, environment, education, etc.) by providing over $600,000 in free services. Our goal is to strengthen and service Chicago nonprofits so they can continue to do great things in the city we love.”

– Andy Crestodina, co-founder and chief marketing officer, Orbit Media Studios

An Emphasis on Mindfulness

 “Path Interactive has taken many steps to try to address the mental and emotional well-being of its employees during this difficult year. To start, Path has implemented weekly virtual mindfulness sessions – half-hour escapes led by professional yoga instructors, who conduct guided meditation and breathing exercises.

Path has also maintained its tradition of holding “Path Fit” classes in 2020. We previously had the option to work out together at one of the many amazing boutique fitness studios in New York City or Nashville every week. But in 2020, Path shifted Path Fit to allow employees to participate in the many wonderful virtual fitness classes being offered by various gyms.”

– Lily Ray, director, SEO, Path Interactive

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Making Space for Candid Conversations

“Above all else, we asked for our team to be patient – with each other and themselves, our clients, and other partners. Once we all embraced the idea that there was no one right way to react to a global pandemic and that it was okay to grieve for the things we were missing, we focused on how we can stay as healthy and happy as possible.

We also started actively working on our anti-racism efforts in 2020. Together we chose three organizations to make monthly donations to, purchased several anti-racism courses for our team to work through, and started an anti-racist book club. Committing to doing this learning and unlearning together has been unifying and incredibly worthwhile for our team.

Perhaps the biggest support we offer is simply delivered by asking questions like “do you have everything you need to do your job the way you want to do it?” and “what do you want to learn, or do more of, or do way less of in 2021?” And “how do you rate your work current work/life balance, and how can we help improve that if needed?” And then, you know, actually helping people get what they want and need from their roles!”

– Dana DiTomaso, president and partner, Kick Point