While content writing for Terminix, I helped to create this Termite ID one sheet. It includes useful tips for homeowners, as well as keywords and phrases.

For the Terminix blog in 2016, I researched and wrote this one sheet on wasp nest removal and identification. It includes SEO keywords and phrases, as well as helpful information.

As both an Intern and a Fellow, I was able to report on some big stories, and cover important issues for North Texas. The editors, reporters and photographers I was able to work with irrevocably shaped the type of writer I am today and taught me innumerable things about the craft of storytelling. I’ll be adding additional clips from my DMN days in the weeks to come.

One of the best parts of being a section editor for neighborsgo was my weekly editor’s column. Over the nearly 3 years I ran the section, I evolved from a writer who struggled to speak in first person, to someone who loved using those inches to share what I loved about the community I still call home. For the series, I used my editor’s notes to guide the readers to the series, and explain some of the behind-the-scenes work that went into its creation.

In 2014 I spent several months doing additional reporting on an area I came to call “The Garland Road Corridor.” In a neighborsgo first, I was able to dive deeply into covering the efforts of the city and local community to revitalize the area in a 3-part series that ran in December. It’s one of the projects I am most proud of, because I got to show the community how deeply I cared about reporting on big issues. It was my last big project before leaving the Dallas Morning News. Working with talented editors and photographers, I outlined the story, conducted interviews for 2 months, scheduled aerial and on-ground photography (as well as taking some of the smaller head shots myself), and built out a timeline of the area. It was a massive undertaking on top of my regular duties. It was worth it. Part 1 covers Garland Road and East Dallas.

The resulting story ended up being so lengthy, that when graphics and images were added, each part spanned 2.5 pages of tabloid-sized newsprint. This is the conclusion of Part 1.

I reported on, and wrote, a feature article about husband-and-wife team Rodrigo Salas and Leticia Castellano for Al Dia. They started a company that makes authentic Mexican cooking sauces. The story was also translated into English for a feature in the White Rock | East Dallas neighborsgo a few months later.

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Informé y escribí un artículo sobre la pareja marida Rodrigo Salas y Leticia Castellano para Al Dia. Comenzaron una empresa que hace auténticas salsas mexicana para cocinar. La historia también fue traducida al inglés para una articulo de White Rock | East Dallas neighborsgo algunos meses después.

I helped add SEO terms to the content for the home page and other landing pages on the site. This improved the SERPs for the museum and also helped boost its visibility in the community.

I helped nest content under the appropriate drop-down menus. This improved site navigation and also ensured that content linked appropriately across channels for a smoother UX.

I helped nest content under the appropriate drop-down menus. This improved site navigation and also ensured that content linked appropriately across channels for a smoother UX.

I helped nest content under the appropriate drop-down menus. This improved site navigation and also ensured that content linked appropriately across channels for a smoother UX.

I helped nest content under the appropriate drop-down menus. This improved site navigation and also ensured that content linked appropriately across channels for a smoother UX.

I help select images for the articles, and format them for digital publication. Sometimes this is as simple as choosing the right stock photography, but other times it requires compiling images into collages or graphics to help illustrate an article’s theme.

Subscribers can choose the frequency of their emails. I schedule 4 weekly email blasts in Mail Chimp using fresh content from the website. This requires keeping track of what’s new, and writing attention-grabbing copy blurbs to encourage click-through. Each email will have between 4 and 5 new pieces of content, plus a custom advertisement. Once a week, a long email goes out with 12 pieces of content.

For each article, I read through twice for copy edits. Then I select images that relate to the topic and help to illustrate the author’s message. I identify opportunities for affiliate links and input those, along with any related site content that should be included. I also check and add tags and double check the SEO and SEO snippets.