I have worked as a content writer and editor in various marketing roles since 2005 with the following companies and organizations.
The Renew Co., LLC, Franklin, TN, 2016 – Present
As a Senior Editor and a Content Writer Specialist, I work in the Content Marketing Department, writing custom content for two e-commerce stores, including Magazines.com and NaturalHealthyConcepts.com on a wide variety of requests.
Responsibilities:
– Blogging (via WordPress, following SEO best practices) about natural health and entertainment
– Using a content management system (CMS)
– Tracking SEO keywords via Ahrefs, Moz, and Google Trends
– Contributing to and scheduling monthly editorial assignments
– Managing social media campaigns
– Writing and posting regular social media content via Hootsuite to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn
– Writing email marketing content
– Writing product and brand descriptions
– Other content writing and editing as needed
Accomplishments:
– Promoted to Senior Editor, 2018
– Received Certification as a Customer Value Optimization Specialist via the Conversion Funnel Mastery Course with Digital Marketer, 2017
– Contributed to company sales through awareness campaigns
– Helped establish good reputation for company and its products
– Grew social media followers
– Increased SEO natural search rankings on Google
ASI, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2010 – 2013
I was the main media and public relations coordinator for this $61M architecture and engineering firm.
Responsibilities:
– Crafting Marketing Messages/Tactics
– Competitor Research
– Marketing Initiatives Writing/Editing (brochures, technical abstracts, advertising copy)
– Newsletter Management, Writing/Editing
– Blogging
– Award Writing
– PR Coordination/Writing
– Social Media Marketing
– Proofing proposals, reports, letters, bios, project pages, ads, and direct mail postcards
– Processed check requests and purchase orders for awards submittals
Accomplishments:
– More than 500 media mentions in print, TV, radio (high pick-up rate of press releases)
– Secured national TV coverage on the ION Network promoting two projects
– Over 32 Awards Won for Firm (narrative writing), including Project of the Year and Public Service of the Year Award for Mayor James Brainard of the City of Carmel, Indiana
– Wrote LOI that named our client a finalist for the 2013 Stellar Communities Pilot Program ($20M grant)
– Promoted from Marketing Communications Coordinator to Public Relations Specialist/Copywriter during my first year with the company
Marketing & Branding, Freelance Consultant, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2012 – 2016
As a freelance consultant, I have provided services such as marketing/branding and designing the website, web banners, ads, business cards, lanyards, one-sheets, and more for clients, including Jason Reed Milner, for his personal website and photography prototype website. I also wrote news releases for the Indiana Media Production Alliance (IMPA), supporting independent filmmaking in Indiana.
The Sweetest Condition, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2012 – 2016
The Sweetest Condition is an original electronic/industrial/synth rock band founded in 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana, by singer-songwriter Leslie I. Benson and pianist/composer Jason Reed Milner. Debut EP, “Truth & Light,” released April 30, 2013 on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and Google Play, followed by full-length albums “Edge of the World” (2015) and “We Defy Oblivion” (2015), both available on Bandcamp and CD Baby.
Responsibilities:
– Independent Artist Management
– Music Promotions
– PR/Media Relations Coordination
– Website Design and Content Production (art, photos, and text) for TheSweetestCondition.com
– Leading Branding Initiatives
– Writing and Executing a Marketing Plan, including social media campaigns and social networking
– Writing and Distributing News Releases and Press Kits, which lead to media coverage and tour opportunities
– Designing Artwork and Editing Photography for website/social media sites, ads, posters/handbills, stickers, buttons, and CD artwork
– Booking Gigs and Negotiating with Venues
– Promoting Events, News, and Music to the Press and Public
– Managing and Producing Content for Band’s Mailing List
– Interacting with and Engaging Fans
Accomplishments:
– Secured first radio interview on the Indy In-Tune podcast radio show (indyintune.com); debuted with three original songs in the Top 20 on the charts, August 2012
– Wrote a press release that landed the band’s first interview, published as the cover story of Current in Fishers newspaper (before ever performing our first live show), August 2012
– Released “Truth & Light” (debut 5-song EP) ℗ © 2013 The Sweetest Condition, April 30, 2013; launched independent social media marketing and promotional campaign for the CD
– Tripled the band’s social media following on Facebook in less than one week to more than 1,100 fans; over the next month I doubled that number to over 2,200 fans, May 2013
– Held a spot among the Top 50 U.S. electronica bands and the Top 100 global electronica bands on the ReverbNation.com charts for consecutive weeks, May 2013
– Just 3 weeks after releasing the band’s debut “Truth and Light” EP, my marketing campaign increased The Sweetest Condition’s online rankings to No. 1 on the local Indianapolis, IN, electronica charts for ReverbNation.com (holding the spot for over three months); No. 15 in Indianapolis charts for all genres of music; No. 31 nationally in the U.S. for electronica; and No. 85 globally for electronica, Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Links:
Official Website
Soundcloud
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Email
Irene & Reed, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2009 – 2012
Irene & Reed was an original indie rock/dark-tinged Americana band founded in 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana, by singer-songwriter Leslie I. Benson and pianist/composer Jason Reed Milner.
Responsibilities:
– Independent Artist Management
– Music Promotions
– PR/Media Relations Coordination
– Website Design and Content Production (art, photos, and text) for IreneandReed.com
– Leading Branding Initiatives
– Writing and Executing a Marketing Plan, including social media campaigns and social networking
– Writing and Distributing News Releases and Press Kits, which lead to media coverage and tour opportunities
– Designing Artwork and Editing Photography for website/social media sites, ads, posters/handbills, stickers, buttons, and CD artwork
– Booking Gigs and Negotiating with Venues
– Promoting Events, News, and Music to the Press and Public
– Managing and Producing Content for Band’s Mailing List
– Interacting with and Engaging Fans
Accomplishments:
– Named No. 1 Top Singer/Songwriter in Indianapolis, IN, on ReverbNation.com charts, 2011-2012
– Performed more than 22 live concerts during first tour, 2010-2011
– Played 10th Anniversary of ORANJE, 2011
– Headlined 5th Anniversary of the Broad Ripple Music Festival’s Showcase at Indy CD & Vinyl, 2011
– Opened 100th Year Anniversary Indy Parks Original Music Showcase, Broad Ripple Park, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2011
– Headlined Chateau de Pique Annual WineFest in Seymour, Indiana, 2011
– Performed regularly at Scholar’s Inn Gourmet Café and Wine Bar, Bloomington, Indiana, 2011
– Received radio play on WFHB Bloomington’s “Local Live” Show and on the Indy Music Show on 91.9 FM WITT in Zionsville, Indiana, 2010-2012
– Garnered more than 14,400 views on IreneandReed.com, 2010-2013
– Wrote and recorded 2 CDs of original music
Links:
Official Website
Soundcloud
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Email
Debut album, Closer to Home (2010) available on Bandcamp.
Circle City Socialites, USA Roller Sports, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2009 – 2010
Responsibilities:
– Oversaw media and public relations for the Circle City Socialites (now the Circle City Derby Girls), members of USA Roller Sports, during their second season from 2009-2010
– Wrote news releases on behalf of the team and distributed them to the media
– Skated as Kerosene Irene, No. 23
– Volunteered at the merch booth during roller derby bouts
Accomplishments:
– My press releases on the Circle City Socialites’ cookbook launch and fundraising event were published in The Indianapolis Star and Nuvo Newsweekly
Learn more about roller derby: Click here
Echo Immortalis Magazine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2005 – 2007
Echo Immortalis was an original Midwest-based music magazine that I founded, wrote, edited, designed, and published, with help from freelancers and staff. I also sold and distributed the publication to subscribers.
Responsibilities:
– Created a business plan and marketing kit (branding)
– Managed up to 25 freelance writers, models, and photographers
– Served as the liaison between the publication and printing company
– Assigned all editorial packages and photography
– Copy edited content
– Produced all graphic design for the publication
– Created and updated the website
– Managed contact database and mailing lists
– Promoted the magazine through advertising and public relations
– Organized fundraising and promotional events
– Oversaw media relations
Accomplishments:
– Attracted loyal advertisers and readers across the Midwest, including major musicians in the scene
– Fundraised to sustain nearly three years of publication
– Published three 56-page full color issues while still a full time graduate student and employee
– Distributed news releases and received media coverage in InTake (The Indianapolis Star)
Read more about Echo Immortalis magazine: Click here
University Communications, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 2005
This was my first marketing job, which I held while studying full time as a graduate student.
Responsibilities:
– Wrote arts and theatre-related news releases to update local media and the community on university news
– Created a monthly arts calendar
The Art of Storytelling by Leslie I. Benson 