I am an Irish citizen who has worked in England and the U.S. and traveled extensively. I am currently married to a Filipina and living in the Philippine Islands. I am very organized and am used to getting important things in my life done right away. I have a high-speed land-line internet connection, and have installed on my computer a variety of software programs that make completing projects easier. Over my career I worked in marketing and sales as a self starter. The companies I have worked for are in the NE U.S. My marketing experience includes creating magazine ads, writing articles, blogging, managing trade shows, creating seminars (including acquiring paying attendees), and setting up educational conferences (including sourcing presenters). I am used to managing multiple projects and deadlines, and dealing with all types of clients in both technical and business positions. My most demanding position was marketing manager in the DC area for a US based international trade association. In this position, I had to satisfy the many business needs of key executives, presidents, and staff of association member businesses. I was "on the road" traveling by car and plane quite a bit.
I have also been active in freelance writing for a number of trade publications spread throughout the U.S. Several years ago I researched, created, and published my own technical 12-page monthly IT news letter which I sold mainly to company libraries. That was a great “hands-on” learning experience.
A big influence on my content writing has been Adele Revella, CEO and founder of Buyer Persona Institute. Adele discusses in detail the 5 Rings of Buying Insight – Priority Initiatives, Success Factors, Perceived Barriers, Buyer’s Journey, and Decision Criteria. She says that these insights from the mouth of the customer about his needs are the real drivers of sales and marketing today, NOT vendor created features and benefits. Her company teaches how to get closer to customers. She says "the seller’s success requires “content” grounded in “deep insight” about the buyer’s decision to choose you- the seller, a competitor, or maybe do nothing at all. How do you get the insight? You need to interview customers using an agenda (not a questionnaire) focused on the five insights. This is the focus of her training. This is where results oriented content writing starts.
I have a BA in English from the University of Buffalo, NY, and an MA in Corporate Communications from Fairfield University, CT.