Until 2004, I did most of my consulting work under the Cowpoke Productions imprint. Originally named for business partner Susan Kaup and myself (”Kaup” + “Okey” = Cowpoke), Cowpoke provided event planning assistance, online marketing strategy, business development, and a number of auxiliary services in partnership with other independent talent. Susan continues to provide event planning services in the Boston area; if you’re interested, click here.
Consulting vs. “contracting”
These two words are really synonymous. In essence, you’re paying for a service you or your existing staff cannot accommodate, but need to have in-house or for a client’s use on a short- to medium-term basis. I can provide everything from writing and editing to public relations expertise and online business development / marketing strategy.
Corporate communications
Press releases, PowerPoint presentations, manuals and more. Does it need to be engaging, descriptive and evoke your organization’s style? I can do it. I have hands-on experience in a newswire/agency environment, reworking dozens of press releases per day. I’ve seen what works, and I know what doesn’t.
Software documentation & training materials
While my user documentation writing background is primarily in the technology-related fields, I have experience developing training and learning materials for academic audiences as well. During my time as a graduate teaching assistant, I taught classes for college students of all subject matter-knowledge levels.
Past clients and projects
- Writing / editing press releases for an innovative Cleveland-focused, citywide technology initiative.
- Writing direct mail copy for a Maryland-based marketing company’s client, repurposing content for multiple verticals.
- Editing and rewriting promotional materials for a Washington D.C. public relations firm’s client targeting government technology procurement specialists.
- German language translation and technological market research project for a San Francisco-based consulting firm. After determining the project parameters, I utilized advanced online research techniques to find data most applicable to their project goals.
- Marketing strategy development for a small online retailer: assessed, selected and implemented appropriate software technology to power a new website in concert with their development team. Increased vendors over 300% within one quarter, designed and prepared promotional materials, and researched appropriate advertising venues to fit site’s unique demographic.
- Press releases for Cowpoke Productions clients, Webgrrls Cleveland events, and Ohio University Cleveland alumni chapter events.
- Financial presentations for local womens’ groups, Salomon Smith Barney
- International retail POS (point of sale software) rollout documentation, Datavantage Corporation
- Clinical drug trial testing EDC (electronic data capture) training documentation, Datatrak International
You can also see my freelancer profile page at Media Bistro here, as well as an interview Media Bistro’s Claire Zulkey did with me here.