Melinda Burris

**** ********** *****

Raleigh, NC 27613

adj8rr@r.postjobfree.com

704-***-****

COMMUNICATIONS & PR/MARKETING SPECIALIST

●Published, seasoned freelance writer, editor and trained AP proofreader.

●Experienced copywriter and SEO content writer.

●Fluent in numerous citation and formatting styles including AP, CMS, Turabian, MLA, APA, Harvard, et al.

●Extensive background in conducting original, detailed research.

●In-depth, comprehensive, interviewer.

●Excellent interpersonal communication and team building skills.

●Demonstrated success in all phases of project management: conception to design, development/implementation, and follow-up/analyzation of results.

FREELANCE WRITER/EDITOR & PROOFREADER

●Qualified expert who has spent two decades researching, developing, and authoring informative content for traditional print and digital distribution.

●Specializing in investigative research reporting for academic journals, original feature length articles for magazines, creative web content, SEO blog posts, print/digital ad copy, biographies/resumes and full portfolio creation for artists, and press releases.

●Strong technical command of the English language.

●Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.

●Thorough researcher, interviewer, and reporter with a demonstrated commitment to excellence.

●Dedication to meeting deadlines.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Digital Media Specialist

Jawfish Digital

Raleigh, NC (Remote)

January 2020 – Present

●Manage client relationships and engage with clients on a routine basis (via meetings/video conferences) to discuss strategy, goals, deliverables, and performance.

●Manage a wide range of marketing clients throughout different industries.

●Ensure client satisfaction, retention, and growth.

●Assign content to team writers, maintain editorial calendars, review and edit content to ensure high quality and customer satisfaction.

●Conduct keyword research to identify target opportunities for client content.

Freelance Writer

South Charlotte Lifestyle Magazine Charlotte, NC

June 2018 – Present

Compose original profiles of community leaders, businesses, and public interest initiatives as assigned by the editor through interviews with featured subjects and independent research.

Freelance Writer: Health & Fitness Expert

Hurdles First Magazine

Raleigh, NC

January 2017 – Present

As the health and fitness expert, pitch article ideas and research and write two original feature length articles per month.

Owner

Art Tech Publishing, Inc. Charlotte & Raleigh, NC

May 2006 - Present

•Creation of original articles, press releases (print and web based), resumes/biographies, print-ready advertisements, and professional artist portfolios featuring original photographs and high-resolution imagery to market artists' work, including press releases to announce and cover exhibit openings and generate a larger client base. Offering full-service communications and marketing services to increase sales for artists, galleries, independent authors, and other clients.

•Design and production of personalized template driven websites, complete with customized content with SEO keywords. Creation and submission of complete portfolios customized for artists seeking to heighten their professional profiles regionally or nationally, to gain additional gallery representation and increase retail sales, as well as to create an informational website for entering award shows and competitions sponsored by various arts organizations.

•Complete writing, proofreading, and editing services for web-based SEO content, item descriptions, personal and business blogs, and a full range of editing services for artists, businesses, and self-publishing authors.

Director of Marketing & Public Relations

Providence Gallery Charlotte, NC

January 2008 - Present

•Created gallery website layout and continue to maintain current events, exhibition schedule, and updates to artists' biography pages and individual artist's galleries with fresh, original SEO copy (revised biographies, artist's statements, resumes, etc., and new images by editing and posting new artwork files using the CMS provided by host site).

•Prepare, design, and submit all gallery press releases, print-ready advertisements, and event listings to print and online media outlets.

•Design and schedule release of e-invitations with images and original copy to advertise exhibit openings and publish event reminders using templates provided through Constant Contact®.

•Write, edit, and illustrate original blog entries for publication on gallery website. Update and maintain gallery's preferred client email database (approximately 2,500 members currently).

•Submit gallery event information and images to social media sites and online directories—local, regional, and national.

Freelance Writer

The Better Foundation, LLC.

Boulder, CO

November 2018 – March 2019

Conduct scholarly research to produce original, informative SEO website content concerning nutrients, vitamins, and supplements.

Gallery Manager Shain Gallery Charlotte, NC 2003 – 2006

•Responsible for yearly calendar of monthly show exhibits with dates, original titles, and descriptions of artwork.

•Prepared and distributed press releases and advertisements customized for multiple print and digital listings.

•Solely responsible for entering client and artists' payment information into QuickBooks program.

•Updated website with original copy, new images, and current event listings.

•Designed complete copy and visual layouts for show postcards and exhibition advertisements.

Proofreader RR Donnelley Charlotte, NC

June 2003 - December 2003

•Received training in the use of standard AP proofreader marks.

•Responsible for the accurate and timely proofing of confidential, high-level, financial documents for Fortune 500 companies and national banking institutions.

SKILLS USED

Included accuracy and prompt turnaround times for proofing documents that had to be checked meticulously. My eye for detail in detecting grammatical and other mistakes such as mixed fonts and additional formatting errors proved invaluable.

EDUCATION

B.A. in Art History

Queens University of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)

Art History Student of the Year Queens University, Charlotte, NC American Foundations Program

Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

SKILLS

Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat DC, Photoshop, PowerPoint, Data Entry, Google Docs, Creative Writing, Copywriting, Content Creation, SEO, Editing, Proofreading, Interviewing, Investigative/Internet Research, Marketing (print and online advertisements), Social Media, Blogging, Email Marketing, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Project Management, and fluency in numerous writing and formatting styles including AP and Chicago.

SELECT PUBLICATIONS

“Women Helping Women”

September 2018

South Charlotte Lifestyle Magazine - Profile based on one-on-one interview with humanitarian Farah Usmani. http://www.southcharlottelifestylepubs.com/2018/08/29/women- helping-women/

“The Real Value of Sports Drinks . . . and Which Ones are the

Best”

February 2017

Hurdles First Magazine - Investigation into the nutritional value of sports drinks and identification of the beverages that are best suited for supplementing your workout and replacing the nutrients lost to keep you hydrated. https://www.dropbox.com/s/91bhkydcxamx41f/The%20Real%20Value%20of%20S ports%20Drinks%20.%20.%20.%20And%20Which%20Ones%20Are%20the%20Be st%20-%20Hurdles%20First.pdf?dl=0

"Translating Tradition: The Pottery of Ben Owen III"

July 2013

The Studio Potter, Vol. 41, No. 2Summer/Fall 2013: 66-73. In-depth feature article for The Studio Potter's special "Indigenous" issue. Based on a series of interviews with Ben Owen III.

“Queen’s Cup Steeplechase”

June 2012

Charlotte n’Focus Magazine

https://www.nfocusnashville.com/events/media-gallery/13002289/queens-cup- steeplechase

“Room to Bloom, Mint Museum Auxiliary”

June 2012

Charlotte n’Focus Magazine

https://www.nfocusnashville.com/events/media-gallery/13002291/room-to-bloom- mint-museum- auxiliary

“My Heart . . . My Hand: The Wood Engravings of Clare Leighton”

January 2011

The Print Journal of the World, Vol.34, No. 1: 3.

“Common Things Done Uncommonly Well”

June 2008

Style 1900, Summer 2008: 64 -69.

“The Art of Gallery Restaurant”

July 2007

Ballantyne Magazine, Summer 2007: 33-42.

“Portraits of a Community”

April 2007 Contributing Writer

Ballantyne Magazine, Spring 2007: 35-44.

“A Practical Spirituality: Merchandising Mountain Handicraft”

January 1999

Style 1900: The Quarterly Journal of the Arts & Crafts Movement, Vol. 12. No. 1, Winter/Spring 1999: 61-66.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Portfolio: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xxtuidzdrheju1t/AACpNhCajaZ9UTuz- aqSX_92a?dl=0

LinkedIn Profile:

www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-willms-9a540035

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