nDash.com is a content creation platform that provides brands and agencies with access to the world's top freelance writers.
Who Am I?
I've been writing since 2010, when I first joined my college magazine, the RIT Reporter.
As an entry-level staff-writer, I quickly found my niche in the sports section. I wrote dozens of articles, helping my editor fill the void in what was a sparsely-populated section.
Over time, I earned the respect of the editorial board, and became the go-to resource for post-game articles and athlete profiles.
After two years as a staff writer, I was promoted to sports editor -- a position where I managed a section that had grown to five writers.
In addition to this, I participated in weekly meetings where I, along with the rest of the magazine's section editors, aided the editor-in-chief in making content decisions for issues that were in production -- ultimately providing the magazine's creative direction.
My biggest accomplishments from that time were:
Following that school year, I landed a Communications Internship with Special Olympics IL.
One of my proudest achievements in this internship was contributing to a social media contest that Special Olympics IL was part of, called "100 Cars for Good".
This contest was hosted by Toyota and featured 500 nonprofit agencies each competing to secure a Toyota vehicle that would benefit their programs.
Out of 5,000 applicants, Special Olympics IL was selected by Toyota to become one of the 500 nonprofits.
On June 5, 2012, Special Olympics IL was announced as one of the first 50 winners and would be donating a Toyota Sienna minivan to benefit the Special Olympics IL Young Athletes program.
Post-graduation, I used this experience towards a small-time gig writing for a small community magazine covering local high school sports.
At the same time, I was also a marketing communications intern for a small local nonprofit serving minorities and at-risk youths.
Both of these experiences were valuable, and I couldn't have landed my next writing opportunity as a PR & Social Media Intern for a pro indoor football team.
In this six-month role, I co-managed the team's social platforms for an eight-month offseason, developed a social media content strategy, represented the team at community events, and designed promotional materials with Adobe Creative Suite.
By the conclusion of this internship, I produced a pocket calendar, a "smart" grid outlining season ticket membership benefits, a 16-page corporate sponsorship guide, and a 14-page strategic social media plan for the team's offseason.
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What I can offer nDash clients:
I'm interested in producing written works for sports & nonprofit organizations. This includes:
I look forward to working with you!
I wrote this article on the Rochester Institute of Technology's historic Division III National Championship victory in 2012. In the months following this victory, the women's hockey program was elevated from Division III NCAA Hockey to Division I.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9a81b6_d4e31f8f0696402abab57ad9d92e3220.pdf
I wrote this article detailing green construction projects at RIT, as well as a sustainability pledge to become a carbon-neutral university by the year 2030.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9a81b6_91d7ee34aeb84c689796da6fcd5ebe13.pdf
I wrote this press release recognizing Caterpillar as a Special Olympic Organization of the Year in 2012.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9a81b6_ef48366920a7498ab82666aa7047d995.pdf
I self-designed this 16-page Corporate Sponsorship Guide for the Bloomington Edge professional indoor football team.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9a81b6_da029066a77e4c2e93efa7659dc82032.pdf
I self-created this social media strategic plan for the Bloomington Edge professional indoor football team during what was an eight-month offseason.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9a81b6_0147a05e09354754b37fb09528eb3b3f.pdf
I self-designed this season ticket member benefits grid for the Bloomington Edge indoor football team in anticipation of the 2016 football season.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9a81b6_0113bade155a4239bf7f2ca57bb4fdca.pdf
As a PR & Social Media Intern, I was responsible for carrying out daily public relations tasks over six months, including: • Co-administrating the team's Facebook, Twitter & Instagram accounts. • Creating social media posts for offseason team events for an eight-month offseason. • Designing signage and promotional materials using Adobe Creative Suite for events, including a pocket calendar and a 16-page corporate sponsorship guide.
Company: Bloomington Edge
I worked there from 7/2015 until 1/2016
• Researched and wrote bi-monthly postgame stories and student-athlete profiles for five high schools in the Central Illinois region. • Interviewed area high school student-athletes, coaches, and athletic directors for stories. • Published story content via Squarespace for online blog and posted links to YNIS Facebook page.
Company: You Name It Sports
I worked there from 8/2014 until 3/2015
• Implemented and managed Twitter account to promote events at WACC • Wrote content in fall 2014 newsletter for WACC Board of Directors • Created press release for annual fundraising dinner
Company: Western Avenue Community Center
I worked there from 8/2014 until 10/2014
• Wrote weekly game stories and athletic profiles, including the 2012 women’s hockey team’s NCAA Division III national championship victory. • Researched and wrote human-interest stories about notable RIT alumni, including a deaf wrestler who won three Division III national championships and eventually became a professional fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Company: RIT Reporter
I worked there from 9/2010 until 4/2013
• Promoted to Sports Editor from Writer. • Served on editorial board and participated in semi-weekly meetings with other section editors to manage publication. • Assigned and edited sports stories written by staff, including a story about a student who created and incorporated a blog with his exercise regimen to lose 100 pounds in eight months.
Company: RIT Reporter
I worked there from 1/2012 until 10/2012
• Wrote a feature story about a pair of Special Olympics athletes meeting PGA Tour golfer Davis Love III at a private golf outing hosted by McGladrey accounting firm (now RSM) at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois. • Created press releases for local and statewide media and produced written content for Special Olympics Illinois' statewide newsletter and website. • Helped win a minivan for the Young Athletes program in Toyota’s “100 Cars for Good” social media contest
Company: Special Olympics
I worked there from 5/2012 until 8/2012
Created a portfolio website to showcase my background and experience in public relations and communications. Through this website, I: • Developed and maintained consistent personal branding. • Advanced marketing communications skills through online learning. • Wrote and and edited website content to tell a story about myself. • Implemented a call to action to generate job leads.
Company: jeffmckinzie.me
I worked there from 6/2019 until now