People often know what they want to say but aren't always certain how to say it. Or they have an image in their mind but can't always bring it into focus. If you have an idea that could make a difference in your or someone else's life, personally or professionally, my job - my passion - is to help give it wings so that it can fly to its proper destination.
I will show you that, unlike when you were told as a child not to play with your food, playing with your thoughts can lead to exciting discoveries of expression - in words and in images.
Who I’ve served
Agency Financial Services: CI-Group, Optima Group, Quattro
Agency Healthcare and Hospitality: Benchworks
Education: Rutgers University
Financial Services: Athene Annuities, Capital Group, Clark Capital Management, Goldman Sachs, Grace Wealth Partners, Janney Montgomery Scott, Merrill Lynch, New Penn Financial, Pershing, PHH Mortgage, Resource Real Estate, Ryan Beck & Co., TradingFront, Truist
Nonprofit: Boheme Opera NJ, Central Jersey Choral Society, Congregation Beth Chaim
SEO: NetElixir
Writing and Editorial
Idea-driven writer and detail-oriented editor bringing your ideas to life - and polishing them once they’re here
Writing is both my avocation and vocation - my passion and my purpose. For thirty years, I have helped individuals, companies and not for profits each find their unique voices.
What I write depends on your need: I can polish existing or develop original content; pull content from discussions with you and your team or do my own research. I serve as a sounding board to help draw out the ideas you didn’t think you and turn them into words that tell your story, loud and clear. When you have the words but worry that your grammar is getting in the way, I’ll polish them with some help from the Associated Press, Chicago Manual of Style or your own in-house guidelines. Don’t have your own standards? I can help you design them.
If you’re an author, I serve as something more than simply an editor - I serve as a guide, mentor and advisor. I’ll make suggestions that you might not have thought of because of your closeness to the material. I’m not here to change your words but to help you make them better - and “you” are the key because no one knows your ideas better than you.
Graphic Design
Imaginative and creative graphic designer with an insightful visual eye for bringing ideas to life
To me, writing is about making others see the world through your eyes. My goal of writing being transformed into images in a reader's mind finds similar expression in my graphic design. As a writer who designs, I recognize that images and words are like performers in a play: sometimes one is the star and other times a supporting character - and they must work together to properly and fully express the playwright's intentions.
What is the tale you are trying to tell? What is the picture you have of yourself, your business, your organization that you want to share with others? I can help you find the images that inspire, combine them with the words that impel and put it all together in an impactful form
Web Design
Thoughtful web designer with a passion for marrying words, images and brands
Every leap forward in written communication - from cave drawings to heiroglyphics, from the printing press to the internet - has opened new vistas in how we express ourselves to the many, the few and the individual. At the same time, the biggest boon - and burden - presented by today's highly connected world is the speed with which our ideas can be produced and distributed. Never before in our history has the expression "You only have one chance to make a good first impression" rung as true as it does now. When it comes to your presence on the web - your website, social media and more - it needs to be more than a trite, tired expression: it needs to be your mantra, because your first impression will be a lasting one. Everything on the web lives forever.
Brand development and execution
Insightful branding professional with a holistic approach that starts with you
Branding brings together all of the component content pieces to tell your story in a memorable, actionable way - and consistency is the key to success. My goal is to ensure that your brand’s voice is the same across every medium with which your audience interacts with you, from a 200-character tweet or a 20-second video to a 200,000 word website.
And it begins with you talking and me listening (and me doing some talking to get you thinking) - which will always be how our relationship works.
If you’re just getting started, I’ll help you develop a powerful mission statement that forms your brand’s foundation. We’ll discuss your products, services, target audience and more to build a content story and strategy. Only then will we get down to work on thought-out, purpose-driven the words, visuals and vehicles.
The same talking-listening-consistency approach applies to how I can help you with refining, re-targeting or re-imagining your brand and related strategy.
People and project management
Consummate team player and manager who leads people - and projects to completion - by example
The best manager I’ve ever had was my father, who ran his own painting and decorating business for almost 50 years. I project manage, lead and team by his example.
Have a project and day-to-day punch list. When I work with you, I develop an overall plan with tasks and sub-tasks - and set a work, delivery and implementation schedule.
Build a plan that’s an offense and a defense. Knowing what needs to be done and when also gives us a clear idea of how to pivot if life throws a curveball.
Know your team. I take the time to get to know your internal players and external partners, vendors and others. I want to know how they work - and how I can help make their lives easier and more productive.
Know when to lead, listen and follow. While I’ve led large-scale, end-to-end projects and the team members involved - never expecting anyone to do what I wouldn’t do - I’ve also listened to the team, walked off the mound and handed the ball to a lights-out closer.