Your Story
You're a marketing, communications or content manager. Or maybe an agency creative director. You want your work to make an impact for your clean energy or cleantech clients. And you know it takes a skilled, experienced writer on your team to translate your goals into words that move the audience to act.
I’m a Portland, Oregon, copywriter who helps you tell stories—stories that change minds, touch hearts, inspire change and motivate action. I'm passionate about helping my clients transform the clean energy economy.
My Story
In January 1996, I pulled a Thelma and Louise. Or, if you prefer, a Butch and Sundance: Trading a salary for a dream, I drove (or dove) off a cliff, leaving behind my corporate communications job at an electric utility to return to my first love of writing. It was the craziest, best decision I ever made. (Not so sure how it turned out for the Hollywood heroes.)
Stuff about me:
• I was born in da Bronx and grew up on Staten Island.
• I’m the grandson of Irish immigrants, the son of a NYC cop and a mom who loved to read.
• I’m writing my second novel – and (still) looking for an agent for the first one.
• I play guitar in a couple of bands.
• I fly-fish when I can with my fish-on-the-brain younger son.
• I still surf, not very well, with my sons.
• I believe we can – and have to – live and do business sustainably.
• And like a good little Portlander, I go by bike.
EVERYONE HAS A STORY. LET’S FIND YOURS, SPREAD THE NEWS AND HAVE SOME FUN.
What makes me different?
What makes me different?
What makes me different?
What makes me different?
STORY
I started my career as a journalist. And now I'm writing novels. So I bring a deep understanding of story principles and how to apply them to your brand. That matters because story increases people’s sense of involvement, commitment, ownership and belonging.
TECHNOLOGY
I bring substantial technology chops in computer product and software marketing both to consumers and businesses. I'm an un-tech tech writer: I make technology understandable to people who care more about what it does for them than how it works.
STRATEGY
Who are your customers and what do they care about? What is the marketing problem, and how does this communication solve it? Answering these and other questions elevates your communication from the tactical to the strategic. I make sure the copy and concepts align with your company’s broader communication objectives and brand. And I will work with you to develop your strategy and brand story.
ENERGY
Energy is my strong suit. I got to know the business from the inside of an electric utility (including deep within the bowels of generating plants), where I wrote, edited and managed newsletters, annual reports, news releases, brochures, executive communications and more for internal, customer, trade and investor audiences. Now I focus on helping customers in renewables like solar and wind, energy efficiency, grid-edge and energy-management technology transition to a clean energy future.
NO HANDHOLDING
I'm a highly professional copywriter who gets up to speed fast on your market, your company’s brand and the strategy behind the assignment. I turn out on-the-nose copy without handholding.
Process
PROCESS
Research + Plan + Create + Revise + Build
Process
PROCESS
Research + Plan + Create + Revise + Build
RESEARCH
I bring a reporter’s instinct for asking why and a storyteller’s eye for gathering telling details. I work hard to understand what makes your product, service, company or idea tick. Most importantly, I want to know what your customer thinks, wants, needs and values.
PLAN
A building needs a blueprint. And every communication tactic needs a strategy. The creative brief explains who we’re engaging, why and how.
CREATE
This is the tangible and (for me, at least) fun part. I deliver the most creative, spot-on execution of the strategy. On time and on budget.
REVISE
Sure, I aim for perfection every time. But, hey, this is a collaborative process. Sometimes you don’t know what you really want until you see it.
BUILD
I'm not a one-off kind of guy. I'm in it for the long haul. I get to know you and your business well, so I can do a better job of telling your story.
Services
Services
Services
Services
Writing
I work in many media and forms, from short and snappy headlines to highly organized booklets and reports, from print to Web to interactive. As a former reporter, I’m an expert interviewer, knowing how to get not only the facts but also the emotions. That reporting experience helps me get up to speed fast on numerous businesses, industries and technologies.
Editing
Perhaps you’ve outlined a website or you’ve taken a first crack at a brochure, but it still needs the fresh perspective of an outsider. I can make that out-of-tune voice sing, that disjointed skeleton dance and that puddle of mud flow.
Communication Strategy
I work with you to develop a clear, compelling story about your product, service or organization. Then I create a guide to help you get your story out consistently, with impact, to the right audiences. This can take the form of a simple creative brief or a more robust strategic message platform.
Creative Direction
A creative concept is a way to frame a communication. It links your message to a bigger idea, often using verbal and visual metaphors and stories to help your customer make a deeper emotional connection. My creative concepts will make your communication get noticed and your goal achieved.
What I Produce
form and function
What I Produce
form and function
What I Produce
First and foremost: results
Ads
Annual reports
Articles
Blogs
Brand guidelines
Brochures
Case studies
Communication strategies
Content marketing
Creative concepts
Employee communications
Marketing communications
Media kits
Messaging platforms
Mission and positioning statements
News releases
Newsletters and e-news
Profiles
Websites
White papers