Summary
* Versatile wordsmith; Exceptional storyteller & content developer; Expert interviewer.
* Skilled reporter with extensive experience writing about business, technology, art, and other topics.
* Ability to gain expertise on new subjects quickly and write about them effectively & engagingly.
* Editorial Director: Strategic thinker with solid track record initiating & revitalizing print/online publications.
Background
I have years of experience as a journalist, creative writer, and marketing communications professional. I spent more than seven years as the Director of Communications for several organizations, including two business start-ups and the School of Visual Arts in New York, a major art institution.
Copywriting, PR, and editorial direction were major responsibilities at these positions, where I created/upgraded and managed both print and online content, including Web copy, newsletters, social media content, brochures, annual reports, books, Fortune advertorial sections, press releases, pitch letters, and more. As a freelancer, on countless short- and long-term assignments, I have continued to build on my work in these areas, while gaining experience with additional writing formats.
I received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pittsburgh and studied writing at the New School in New York. Words have been a constant in my life: I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember; and have pursued both commercial and creative writing projects since I first saw my name in print, as a freshman in college.
Some Things I Believe
It’s more important than ever to engage your customers/prospects—that’s the best way to amplify your distinction. But you have to do it right, with effective communications, which means good writing . . . Good writing is good marketing.
An effective communications strategy is distinguished by:
* Content. Creating content for your audience—a newsletter, blog, social media, etc.—draws them deeper into your business. Content takes your marketing to another dimension.
* Specificity. It’s not enough just to tell people how great you are—you have to show them. Case
studies are one way to present concrete examples of what you offer and why it works.
* Creativity & Substance. Style, expressiveness, immediacy—these are the elements of all good
writing. You do not have to “dumb it down” to engage people.
* Integration. You need to speak with one voice—a powerful, consistent voice. That means all your communications work in concert to support business goals.
The passion and quality that you bring to your work should be reflected in the language used to represent it.
