Contact

adhwj0@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/marthavanzyl

(LinkedIn)

syllableinthecity.co.za (Blog)

Top Skills

Editing

Writing

Blogging

Languages

Afrikaans (Native or Bilingual)

English (Native or Bilingual)

Certifications

Marketing Foundations

Write Better Business Emails in 6

Easy Steps

Marketing to Humans

Google Ads Search

Having Difficult Conversations

Honors-Awards

Corporate Community Engagement

Manager of the Year

Martha van Zyl

I write sales and social copy to help brands sell more products and make more money

Johannesburg

Summary

Readers make for the best writers. Listeners are great at telling stories.

I enjoy reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction and I'm an avid podcast and audiobook listener. These things have been invaluable in my career of writing for print and digital, long- and short-form copy. It has also made it easier to relate to people when working as a social media community manager.

As an introvert, I prefer writing over any other communication method. Not only can you do that without actually leaving the house, but it also gives you an opportunity to think through your ideas and messages carefully before sending your words out into the world. Please connect with me if you'd like to find out more about my writing.

Experience

Syllable in the City

Urban Explorer

2010 - Present (10 years)

I offer online PR for those needing a little extra exposure. When I find a place/product I love, I really can't stop talking about how awesome it is. The website is intended to spread the word beyond my circle of friends, effectively informing the world wide web of great things/spots I encounter in my search for happiness.

Syllable, the screen name that after five years, has become part of me, is a great persona to separate the blog me from the work me. Copy Cake

Freelance Writer

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November 2019 - Present (1 year)

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Two of my favourite things to do are writing and eating cake. One is really easy to do and one can only be done well with years of practice. And while I’ve been eating cake for a lot longer, focusing on my writing since 2001 means I can wield a pen almost as effectively as a cake fork. And yes, it’s always a pen and paper for the first draft. I’ve written long- and short-form copy for both traditional and digital media in a variety of industries including, office automation, pharmaceutical, FMCG, and education.

I’m also an SEO specialist who can optimise your web copy for improved Google search results.

I am a member of the South African Freelancers’ Association (Safrea) and my business is BEE Level 4.

Club Med

Search Engine Optimization Specialist

November 2019 - March 2020 (5 months)

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

* Auditing Club Med South Africa's website in terms of SEO

* Optimising headlines, descriptors and content for improved search engine results

* Rewriting blog content for media use

* Creating social media content

* Social media community management

* Training call centre on community management basics Amok Digital

Head of Social Media

December 2018 - November 2019 (1 year)

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Managing a team of community managers and social media managers Creating content

Writing ad copy for LinkedIn and Google Search ad campaigns Reviewing content created

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Proofreading and editing supplied client copy

Briefing media agencies for social media spend on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Creating and presenting reports to clients

Trend research

Creating social media strategies and playbooks for clients Clients included:

Clover

Wits Business School

Wits School of Governance

Identipet

Legacy Pet Crematorium

G&G Digital

4 years 1 month

Head of Social Media

August 2017 - November 2018 (1 year 4 months)

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Managing a team of writers and community managers

Creating briefs for content creation

Creating content

Reviewing content created

Creating and managing Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn ads Writing articles for the agency's blog

Writing articles for clients' content hubs

Providing clients with business intelligence based on insights from monthly reports

Creating and presenting reports to clients

Training social media interns

Trend research

Creating social media playbooks for clients

Participate in MANCO

Clients included:

Nashua LTD

Bayer Animal Health

Cryo-Save

Battery Centre

Subaru Southern Africa

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Valley Macadamia

Doppio Zero

Servest

Janssen Pharmaceutica (Concerta)

Safari Centre

Elliott Mobility

Snowflake

Social Media Community Manager

November 2014 - August 2017 (2 years 10 months)

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Compiling posting plans for clients across various social media platforms Scheduling posts across social media platforms

Live tweeting from client events

Monitoring social platforms on behalf of clients

Engaging with customers and potential customers on behalf of clients Responding to customer queries and complaints via social media platforms on behalf of clients

Compiling and interpreting social media reports

Presenting social media reports to clients

Promoting clients’ Facebook pages and individual posts Managing clients’ Twitter ads

Managing clients’ sponsored content on LinkedIn

Managing clients’ Instagram promotions

Creating briefs for content creators

Reviewing content and design for each client’s social platforms Assisting PR team to compile influencer lists

That's It Communications

1 year 10 months

Copywriter/Social Media Specialist

March 2013 - October 2014 (1 year 8 months)

Copywriting for ATL, BTL, online campaigns

Storyboard scriptwriting

Social media copywriting/campaign planning

Social media stat extraction

Developing concepts

Compiling conversational calendars for clients and That’s It Writing blog posts for That’s It

Scheduling posts on That’s It’s social media platforms Page 4 of 7

Proofreading and subbing

Updating and monitoring the #socialrecruit website Approaching companies to advertise vacancies on #socialrecruit Tweeting vacancies from #socialrecruit

Contributing to the social media course notes developed for That’s It’s internship programme

Twitter Ads

Facebook boosted posts strategy

Clients: Nashua LTD and BetterBond

Social Media Intern

January 2013 - March 2013 (3 months)

Learning more about the ins and outs of social media strategy, ORM, reporting, etc.

Media24 Magazines

Copywriter (Markets - previously known as Central Sales) August 2010 - November 2012 (2 years 4 months)

Sandton

Proofing and subbing strategic proposals

Supplying copy for creative mock-ups.

Conceptualising brand campaigns.

Researching local and international trends.

Assisting in the writing of storyboards for corporate ads. BigDoor

Editor, copywriter, proofreader

August 2009 - July 2010 (1 year)

My responsibilities include translating copy, proofreading, copywriting, article writing and editing.

Dynamic Cyber Education

General Manager

May 2008 - July 2009 (1 year 3 months)

I generally manage everyone :P

Some of my duties involve, but are not limited to: Stock control

Managing cash ups

Human resources - staff leave, disciplinary and grievance procedures, time and attendance

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Logging calls and managing all issues arising from our ten iCentres Style Scoop

Columnist

September 2008 - March 2009 (7 months)

Gadget Girl. Every week I write an article on the latest gadgets/technology on the market that every girl needs to have.

Kabo Tsebo Publishing (Pty) Ltd t/a African Connexion Magazine Deputy Editor

August 2007 - April 2008 (9 months)

Initiating and collecting articles

Liaising with PR agencies for photographic material Editing and proofreading of articles

Overseeing the complete production process

Interviewing

Liaising with website host regarding updates

Review writing

Article writing

ArcelorMittal

Raw materials coordinator

2003 - 2004 (1 year)

Liaise with mines, Transnet and plants to communicate: Material supply

Train movements

Stockpile levels

Request additional trains when necessary

Follow progress of trains between mines and plants Monitor the offloading progress and return of empties to siding at the plant Stay up to date with supply levels at mines

SABMiller

QC Lab Assistant

June 1998 - December 1998 (7 months)

Rosslyn, Pretoria, South Africa

Foam stability analysis

Turbidity analysis

Packaging trials

pH Analysis

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Kieselguhr analysis

Mixing and pouring culture media

Education

Tshwane University of Technology

National Diploma, International Communication · (1999 - 2001) GetSmarter (UCT)

Certificate, Social Media · (2012 - 2012)

Vega The Brand Communications School

Certificate, Writing skills for copywriters · (2010 - 2010) Page 7 of 7

Contact this candidate