Products
The process of designing a communications program or of writing and editing yields a wide variety of products. Here are just a few of the kinds of projects I’ve managed and pieces I’ve written and edited.
Download my portfolio (PDF, 2M)
Writing for the web is different from writing for print. It’s faster and shorter because of the magic of hyperlinks—so knowing when and where to link (and when not to) is a vital part of web writing and content management. I managed redesigns and developed pages for two content-rich nonprofit sites, www.ODNetwork.org and www.lacnyc.org -but those are now maintained by others. The site I'm still writing for currently is www.stpauljerseycity.org.
E-mail is so inexpensive that it just makes sense to use it to stay in touch with constituents, even if you maintain print newsletters or journals as well. Again, the magic of hyperlinks makes brevity both necessary and possible. I’ll write your content or work from "bullets" or interviews with subject-matter experts. Here are some samples: Ginger Donnan Events or OD Network Briefs (PDF). 
Do your logo and tagline reflect the importance of the work you do? Rebranding takes a team. My part is, obviously, the words that go with your emerging image. Equally important is maintaining your brand across all your communications.
Every brand needs a manual where you outline how you present yourself both graphically and in words. Consistency in your nomenclature is key to maintaining your identity. I also keep style manuals for publications I edit, so that the publications are consistent with things like web page, Web page, or webpage.
Sorry, I can’t show you samples of branding guidelines—they are the confidential property of the clients for whom I developed them.
A brochure that explains what you do and why and how is an important part of your package for funders, donors, potential members, and the public. In addition to writing your brochure, I’ll work with your designer or mine to ensure a professional presentation consistent with your brand identity.
If you seek outside funding, an annual report is indispensable. If you’ve got the budget for it, you want to combine really compelling words with equally compelling images in a high-class print production. If you don’t have much to spend—and especially if you’re going to present your report only online—then the words become all the more vital!
View annual report sample [PDF]
Supporters want to know what you accomplished with their money, but they don’t want to dig through all the details to get to the meat. The secret is how you organize a large amount of information for easy access. I’ll put your raw materials in order with lots of headings for ease of reading—and write an executive summary that will get your point across even to those who don’t bother to read the full report!
View project report sample [PDF]
How to distill a complex project or issue into something busy policymakers or funders can digest without becoming experts in your subject? I can make your most pressing issues and most impressive accomplishments accessible in executive summaries or one-pagers. I’m proud of this sample because I designed as well as wrote it.
View sample funder brief [PDF]
You want to get the word out about the good work you do, and the press is an important ally. Even if you don’t make a lot of news the media folks think worth publishing, you still need a media program. You put out release after release explaining what you do and make friends with reporters so that when an outlet is doing a story on your field, they know to contact you as the resident expert.
View sample media release [PDF]
I’ll set and keep the schedule, manage the peer review process, work with authors, edit, and work with your designer or mine for attractive presentation. Probably the most important part of this process is developmental editing—working with the authors to hone their ideas. I have been known to ghostwrite for authors who had great ideas but couldn’t put them into readable prose.
View sample of developmental
editing for a journal [PDF]
Let’s face it, your biggest newsletter challenge is getting it out on time. No one has time to write, much less edit and manage production. Let me help! I set a schedule and keep everyone working to it. If your executive director doesn’t have time to write the introduction, I’ll interview her for 10 minutes and then write the article.
Where would we be without donors? How would we attract donors without direct mail? Of course there are many ways to build relationships with donors, but direct mail has to part of the toolkit of any organization that depends on individual donations. I’ll write you a compelling letter that clearly lays out the needs and the solution your organization provides, as well as the other pieces that go into the packet. I’ll work with my designer or yours to devise an eye-catching but cost-effective presentation.
View sample donor brochure [PDF]
View sample donor letter [PDF]
I can work with your subject matter experts or do the research myself to develop a complete curriculum package—participant materials, trainer guide (including script, if that's what you need), presentation slides, pre- and post-tests, and more.
View sample trainer guide and participant workbook pages [PDF]
