Elena Zanone Kunkel
Elena Zanone Kunkel
Freelance Copywriter / Brand Strategist / Social Media Marketer
Los Angeles, CA
www.elenakunkel.com
instagram @elenakunkel
twitter @elenazkunkel
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“By day: I tell fun stories for a living.”
I help brands tell better stories as a copywriter / brand strategist / digital marketing consultant / content creator. Essentially, I help organizations/companies grow their revenue, engagement and/or audiences depending on the goals (it's always nice to have those, huh?!). ;) I also work out brand messaging for refreshes and rebrands.
BY NIGHT: My agent* says I have a face for podcasts so hire your girl for that golden honey voice you need for XYZ.*I do not have an agent, although I do have a cat and a pretty sing-song-y voice.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Saying yes often, so I can say no more today. I’ve touched nearly every aspect of the marketing space —starting in RADIO! Classic, right? If I made the commercial sale, I was able to write the copy for the 30-sec or 60-sec spot and there began my love for adverts and story.
I have a creative agency background where I've had the opportunities to play digital strategist, copywriter, social media manager, community manager, PR specialist, and ultimately went in-house as marketing manager for ban.do.
Brands I’ve worked with: Microsoft (Xbox), SONY (Wheel of Fortune), Mattel, ban.do, Fiesta Dinnerware, and more.
Fun fact: I taught Vanna White how to use Snapchat (when Snapchat was c00L)
How do you stand out in your field?
Compassion. Community. Conviction. I’m in this game because I believe in the products/experiences/causes I market and I respect the consumer (because I am one!) I understand the marketing space from start to finish and I lead with strategy and get results with empathy.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Client wise, I am currently helping a non-profit expand their brand awareness in the U.S. to help end human trafficking once and for all.
Personally, I am trying to perfect my own brand/content strategy and start creating courses for others to do the same!
Oh, all while being a new mama (say hi to Frankie June)
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
GOOD! VIBES! There is a menu of items but I loved the tone of this marketing campaign I led: the objective was to gain 100 new monthly donors for their program called Team Freedom. The campaign centered around misspelling “#RFEEDOM because human trafficking is wrong.” We spelled RFEEDOM wrong until we got our goal right.
ALSO THIS: I helped build this body care brand from the ground up (we were in goop's Ridiculous But Awesome Gift Guide!) We sold recently so the vibe is a bit diff now but here she is.
AND THIS: I would say ban.do is another style I prefer. I was marketing manager there for a brief time before I went full-time FREElance.
Would love to work with more brands like: Maude, shhhowercap, etc
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Rebrands & VO!
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Not being able to treat myself as a client + creating more of my own content (ehhh, those are pretty much the same, huh?!) I have a course I’d like to roll out on Kajabi and it just keeps getting put on the back burner. You know how it is.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
General Assistant / Client Relations / Community Management / Proposal Writing / Ad Management (junior level)
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
IN WORK: Treat yourself as a client! Deadlines included! Write out your why(s) and revisit them often! Do this for every project! Create checklists! Templatize as much as you can!
IN LIFE: Try to avoid finding your worth in what you do; hold everything you receive with open hands; create before you consume. NaMaStE
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
BUSINESS SAVVY.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Copywriting / Brand Refreshes & Rebrands / Content Strategy / VO Work!
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Brands with vision and possibly a give-back component who are ready to go beyond brand loyalty and master brand love. Industries: body care / wellness / lifestyle / food & drink / non-profit
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
Social Audit (this includes an initial content strategy): $100
General Hourly Rate (Copy, etc): $75-$100
Social/Email Management: $3K-$7K per month
Brand Messaging Refresh/Rebrand: $3K-$5K
But of course, always reach out! Your project might be something I really want to get behind and we can figure out a custom price or come to a fun agreement.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Go on with yo bad self and fill out this brand exploration form or email me a brief message with your hopes and dreams!
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Hey, Alexa! Play ambient music! Create before you consume & take long walks!
This member profile was originally published in October 2021.