Copywriter and Copy Editor

JEFFREY SMITH

*** ***** ******, **** *******, Illinois 60185

630-***-**** cell • 630-***-**** home • ********@*****.***

LinkedIn Profile • Online Portfolio • Editorial Services Website

I have served as a copywriter, content and copy editor, editorial manager and proofreader with an in-

house creative agency, marketing and corporate communications departments, newspapers, websites and

magazines for 24 years. I offer expertise and proven skills in a broad range of mediums and styles,

including marketing, the web, social media content and strategy, PR, e-blasts, magazine articles, sports

writing, newspapers, blogs, brochures, ads, executive ghostwriting, annual reports, catalogs and books.

Areas of Expertise

Journalism Copywriting Copy Editing Social Media Marketing Communications

Sportswriting E-blasts Web Content Proofreading Corporate Communications

PR Blogging Storytelling Magazines Donor Communications

Freelance Copywriter and Editor, Home-Based Office

Write for Your Cause 2013 to Present

Owner of Freelance Writing and Editing Services

Operate a freelance editorial service meeting the copy-editing, copywriting and communication

consulting needs of one-time and ongoing clients. Examples include writing donor e-blasts and product

descriptions and editing a small-group curriculum book for Walk in the Word, creating a 75th-anniversary

brochure and donor appeals for Pioneer Clubs, editing e-books for Joy Legacy LLC, writing websites for

Steward Financial Services, creating copy for Faith Christian Academy’s student recruitment campaign,

writing prep sports articles for the Daily Herald, penning a parenting blog for Examiner.com, developing

instructional articles for Demand Media, writing a history book and executive ghostwriting for Wayside

Cross and editing and writing press releases, brochures and e-newsletters for Midwest Sports Academy.

Remote Editor, Scribendi Professional Editing Services, Hamilton, Ontario 2014 to Present

Provide substantive editing, copy editing and proofreading for a variety of clients at www.scribendi.com.

Assignments range from editing journal articles and doctoral dissertations to business proposals,

marketing e-blasts, website content and research papers.

Awana Clubs International, Streamwood, Illinois 1998 to 2013

A non-profit organization providing educational programs for children and youth, including training and

support to volunteers and church leadership.

Editorial Manager, Marketing Communications 2008 to 2013

Reported to Director of Messaging. Chief conceptual copywriter, consultant and editor of marketing

communications for Awana. Stewarded brand message, developed content across all channels of

distribution, primarily online, and led and mentored the editorial team.

• Developed and maintained marketing and PR content that reached millions of families and

volunteers through campaigns, the Web, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, email and other channels.

• Participated in writing projects for social media, web, email, magazine, print and video.

• Managed content production process.

• Coordinated the peer review process of content developers and reviewed all communications

projects to ensure editorial, branding and quality control standards.

• Worked with other team leaders to develop editorial strategy and process within Awana.

Editorial Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communications 2005

to 2008

Reported to the Director of Corporate Communications.

• Led, planned, developed and contributed to content strategies for web, marketing collateral, PR,

email communications, print, sales, annual reports, church acquisition, catalogs and intranet.

• Wrote, shaped and edited copy across web, print and email channels and for president.

• Served as managing editor of internal publication distributed internationally.

• Developed and managed communications strategies, plans and editorial personnel.

Editorial Supervisor 2001 to 2005

Reported to the Director of Creative Services.

• Developed content strategies for web, marketing materials, press releases, media packets, e-

communications, sales pieces, annual reports, donor materials and catalogs.

• Created content for marketing inquiry packet for prospective customers.

• Wrote, proofed and edited copy for web, print, email channels and office of president.

Editorial Copywriter 1998 to 2001

Reported to the Director of Creative Services.

• Wrote articles, promotional ads, brochures, press releases and other materials for magazine plus

websites, marketing, PR, donor appeals, annual reports, catalogs and internal communications.

• Wrote curriculum for new preschool and elementary-school programs.

• Edited books and proofread marketing and PR materials.

Press-Republican Newspapers, St. Charles, Illinois 1990 to 1998

Chain of seven weekly newspapers encompassing Chicago’s western suburbs.

Sports Editor:

Reported to Editor in Chief. Responsible for planning, writing and editing stories for sports sections.

• Designed and copy-edited pages and wrote, edited and proofread articles and stories.

• Planned content of three sports sections.

• Managed and supervised a team of reporters.

Faith Christian Academy, Geneva, Illinois 1998 to Present

Head Volleyball and Basketball Coach:

Own a 721-366 career record as Faith’s girls volleyball, girls basketball and boys basketball coach.

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Crucial Conversations Conflict Management Training Skill Path Leadership Communication Seminar

Discrimination and Harassment Awareness Training Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit

Group Publishing Children’s Ministry Conference Orange Conference (Children's Ministry)

Christianity Today Email Marketing Conference Skill Path Written Communications

Seminar

Gerry McGovern Web Content Strategy Conference Brand ManageCamp Conference

Ragan Communications Content Strategy Conference Ragan Communications Social Media Summit

Evangelical Press Association Convention Ragan Internal Communications Conference

Ragan Communications Crisis Communications Summit

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