Summary: A reliable, professional travel writer and editor who has worked in online and print publishing for over a decade. I have written for BootsnAll, CNN Travel, Culinary Travel, Destination Hyatt, Lonely Planet, Matador Abroad, Mabuhay Magazine, Skies Magazine, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, and Tiger Tales, among others, and also write a weekly travel feature for the blog side of the award-winning online travel magazine Perceptive Travel. In addition to my writing pursuits, I also take on on high-level copyediting and copywriting projects for a variety of clients specializing in travel and lifestyle.
CURRENT PROJECTS
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Freelance Travel Writer – Singapore
• Topics of recent features include craft beer trends in Asia, expat life in Bangkok, safaris in Sri Lanka and Africa, budget tourism in Singapore, and live music in New York
• Published works have appeared on BootsnAll, CNN Travel, Destination Hyatt, DRAFT Magazine, Lonely Planet, Mabuhay Magazine, Matador Abroad, Skies Magazine, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Tiger Tales, and others
Perceptive Travel – New York, NY
Travel Features Writer
• Write weekly features, reviews, and long-form travel narratives for blog side of award-winning online travel magazine (WordPress)
The Rundown – Los Angeles, CA
Copywriter
• Research and pitch coverage of noteworthy food, beer, music, and arts events
• Write concise copy for weekend edition of The Rundown LA newsletter
PAST PROJECTS + PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
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About.com – New York, NY (2008 – 2012)
Travel Editor
• Managed editorial strategy for over 70 full-time travel writers based around the world
• Established successful track record for hiring and retaining writers and editors
• Grew monthly page views by average of 10% year-over-year during 16-month period
• Wrote, line edited, and copyedited daily and weekly lifestyle newsletters
• Programmed and promoted content on homepages and social media outlets
• Trained freelancers and staff members on wide range of content best practices, including
• SEO, Web-friendly formatting, photo usage, tone/voice, and writing effective leads
• Analyzed metrics to grow page views, help improve reader experience, identify gaps in content coverage, and inform channel taxonomy opportunities
• Developed processes to manage content quality reviews
• Created monthly editorial calendars for focused content promotion
• Pitched and successfully launched new topics, including Thailand Travel, Culinary Travel, Luxury Travel, Peru Travel, and Asia Travel
• Helped lead direction of custom editorial packages for clients such as Walt Disney
• Company, Home Away, and others, and worked across teams (sales, product, marketing) to ensure target metrics and goals reached
• Worked with senior management to develop new editorial products and strategies
• Independently launched thematic editorial packages
• Helped shape social media strategies and curated About.com Travel Twitter feed
• Planned and promoted successful discussion panel at New York Times Travel Show
• Group recipient of New York Times Punch Business Award in 2009 for $2 million custom
destination site for Walt Disney Company
MusicGremlin, Inc. – New York, NY (May 2006 – May 2008)
Head of Content
• Produced, edited, and directed all editorial content on MusicGremlin.com
• Hired and managed network of freelance designers and music programmers
• Undertook research and sourcing of music content for thematic subscription playlists
• Programmed and promoted content on homepage and in weekly newsletters
IgoUgo.com – New York, NY (September 2002 – May 2006)
Managing Editor
• Hired, managed, and trained in-house editorial staff as well as large network of freelance travel writers and editors
• Collaborated with members of product, sales, technology, and business development teams on planning and execution of new editorial products
• Developed client and B2B partnerships with The Travel Channel, Swiss Tourism Board, RCI, Rough Guides, and others
• Functioned as lead editorial contact and content planner for blue-chip dream vacation sweepstakes on Live with Regis and Kelly television program
• Helped launch and design company’s first weekly travel deals newsletter
Paper Magazine – New York, NY (October 2001 – September 2002)
Editorial Intern
• Contributed cultural event coverage and music, film, and arts reviews to Papermag.com and Paper Magazine
• Assisted Managing Editor on various research, editing, and writing projects
EDUCATION
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Middle Tennessee State University – Murfreesboro, TN
B.S., Music Business (May 2001)
• Music Business Major
• Double Minor in Film Studies and Mass Communications