Freelance Writer and Editor with Research
Resume:
CRAIG
HLAS
**** * ****** ** • Cedar Rapids, IA *2402
******@*******.***
https:/www.linkedin.com/in/craighlas
Summary Of Experience
AUGUST 2018 TO PRESENT
Freelance Writer and Editor Cedar Rapids, Iowa
With a background in media, journalism, technology, market research, secondary research, and business communications, I bring a diverse set of experiences and skills to my freelance writing and editing.
I provide organizations and individuals with accurate, relevant, and compelling written content to help them reach their target audience in efficient, effective ways.
I help you achieve your goals with customer-focused copy, turning complex topics into understandable and meaningful reports, articles, blog posts, speeches, or any other medium. I enhance that with meticulous research, analysis, and editing along with an original and often humorous touch.
You determine the focus, the style, the voice. I work with that and give you a polished and performance-oriented product.
I have a genuine interest in content writing and copy editing, business writing, website content, reporting and storytelling, fact checking, secondary research, industry trends, ghostwriting, ebook editing (I just edited one of my own), articles, newsletters (even after cranking out thousands of them over more than a decade), and probably more.
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AUGUST 2006 TO AUGUST 2018
Newsletter Editor Magid Marion, Iowa
Manage all aspects of two daily email newsletters for clients and contacts — curating stories, writing original pieces, editing, proofreading, producing, and posting.
One publication reaches more than 600 local television station executives, media company leaders, and others. The other goes out to more than 3,000 entertainment, Internet, telecommunications, cable TV, video game, and venture capital decision-makers, among others. Expanded each newsletter’s scope, reach, and relevance (as measured by client surveys, subscriber retention levels, and open rates far above industry standards).
Specific Duties:
• Wrote, edited, formatted, and posted the Magid Morning Facts and Magid I-Facts email newsletters each weekday, meeting rigid deadlines and adhering to AP style and company format
• Curated stories from a wide variety of sources to determine and prioritize each day’s content
• Conducted interviews with customers, colleagues, and others to produce original articles
• Regularly posted news stories and updated information on company website
• Edited high-profile company documents
• Produced internal company communications, marketing materials, and sales proposals
• Trained other employees to serve as contributors and substitute editors
MAY 1997 TO AUGUST 2006
Research Strategist/Writer Magid Marion, Iowa
• Wrote and edited hundreds of quantitative and qualitative market research summaries for a diverse media-oriented client base, providing data analysis for local television stations, broadcast and cable networks, syndicated programs, Internet startups, financial institutions, insurance companies, retail firms, and others
• Crafted clear and easy-to-understand internal and external reports based on large amounts of primary and secondary research data
• Created marketing materials and proposals to support new products and services
• Wrote and edited a wide range of research and consultation documents (including presentations, letters, and strategic plans with research-based recommendations)
• Produced internal communications (writing, editing, and proofreading copy; working with colleagues to gather support material and facilitate design)
• Wrote and edited website critiques and generated a comprehensive website content inventory that included more than 600 local television station websites
• Contributed content to the company website
• Assessed internal presentation practices and quality of customer project documentation
• Compiled support materials for colleagues and customers (including normative data, internal analysis, and relevant industry news)
JULY 1992 TO MAY 1997
Writer Specialist/Research Technician Magid Marion, Iowa
• Produced summaries of market research data and company insights for a diverse nationwide domestic and international customer base in broadcast, cable, and syndicated television; health care; insurance; banking; and other industries
• Analyzed focus group sessions and created follow-up reports
• Initiated comprehensive normative data projects and wrote instructional materials to improve internal knowledge base
• Wrote and edited internal communications and assisted on sales proposals and client advisories
• Frequently organized and conducted audience measurement research projects (i.e., "dial tests"); traveled extensively in the U.S. (83 markets, many of them multiple times, and internationally); prepared questionnaires, follow-up presentations, written data analysis, and video clips based on research session(s). ***Continued in this particular role periodically through 2012 (along with other duties described above)
Education
Bachelor of Arts, English University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa
• Concentration in English writing, language, and literature
• Served as an editor with the International Writing Program — working with established writers from around the world to turn their experiments with English prose and poetry into better English.
Skills
Writing, journalism, data analysis
Editing for style, consistency, clarity
Research and fact-checking
Microsoft Office suite, other software
Collaboration, communication
Working familiarity with AP Stylebook and Chicago Manual of Style
Newsletter curation, email platforms
Contact this candidate