Résumé

Crystal O’Gorman
(704) 813-3624 | crystalogormanwrites@gmail.com

Experienced Freelance Copywriter
Fast Growing Trees| 02/2017 – Present

• Research in-depth information on trees, shrubs, and flowers, including unusual and rare varieties.
• Write sales-focused product descriptions on each plant.
• Develop content that is focused on direct sales and SEO marketing strategies.

Experienced Communications Manager & Copywriter
SPAN Enterprises| 08/2016 – 11/2016

• Managed all external communications with the media and other businesses, including cross promotions with partners.
• Coordinated publishing a dozen local, regional and national stories on the company.
• Worked with sales and marketing teams to create unified communication message for products.
• Increased social media presence by 300 percent for company and founder.
• Designed new website layout and coordinated rebranding efforts with tech and marketing team
• Developed content calendar with subjects in adherence with best SEO practices.
• Edited and wrote content for company website, blogs, press releases, newsletters, scripts, sales letters, and internal communications.

Experienced Volunteer Coordinator
Safe Passage, Inc. | 12/2015 – 8/1/2016

• Developed new volunteer management plan, which outlined new recruitment, management and communication strategies to enhance current program.
• Edited volunteer management process and documentation for better efficiency and usability.
• Conducted 38 interviews of potential volunteers and interns.
• Recruited 32 new volunteers and interns within six months and facilitated over 200 hours of training.
• Created social media campaign for Safe Passage, in general, as well as privately for volunteers.
• Cultivated relationships with community partners in nonprofit, business, education and legal and law enforcement sectors.
• Managing over 50 volunteers that have generated over 5000 volunteer hours since December.
• Created and implemented new volunteer teams and jobs which support direct and indirect client work.
• Developed first DV Mentor program in nation and currently piloting program.
• Developed volunteer recruitment strategies that focus on advertising roles and recruiting from local colleges, universities, faith groups, civic organizations and retirement populations.
• Developed communications strategies for organization such as: helped develop new logo and revise mission statement, create new brochures, lead and support planning of awareness events and connected with the media to draw awareness to our causes.
• Developed and executed local Say No More to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault campaign with two outreach events and an online fundraising platform that generated over $1,000 for agency.
• Represented Safe Passage as member of collaborative nonprofit group York County Interagency Coalition, as member of state-wide victims of violent crimes nonprofit with South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and founding York County collaborative member of York County Child Advocacy Network.
• Planned and executed York County Child Advocacy Network’s first county-wide pinwheel coloring contest as well as working with team to plan and host York County’s Annual Child Abuse Awareness Ceremony this past April.
• Taught self-care skills to recovering addicts at Keystone as part of nonprofit affiliate facilitator program.
• Certified victim service provider; providing direct client work through crisis calls and sexual assault hospital accompaniment.

Experienced News Reporter
Carolina Weekly Newspapers | 02/2015 – 06/2015

• Wrote seven to 10 weekly stories covering government and town news, as well as covering features, faith, education and arts.
• Built relationships with elected and staff town officials in Weddington, Waxhaw and Stallings – covering council meetings and being the community liaison for Union County Weekly.
• Worked with a team of editors to produce hyper local content, edit copy and structure three weekly and one monthly paper.
• Attended and photographed local events.
• Researched and developed Faith and Arts notes across three weekly papers, as well as writing arts reviews.
• Consistently producing front page stories and leading the team on current social issues.

Experienced Freelance Journalist
Correspondent | The Charlotte Observer | 09/2011- 1/2016

• Regular contributing journalist for community news: City, South Charlotte, Lake Norman, University, Gaston/Catawba and Steele Creek/York news.
• Experienced in covering philanthropy, education, government, human interest and lifestyle features.
• Republished work across multiple sections, including republishing in Regionals and Section A.
• Cultivated relationships with community leaders and always maintained a positive professional relationship with sources/interviewees.
• Generated own leads, as well as wrote, edited and photographed all stories independently.

Correspondent | Lancaster News | 08/2015- 8/2016

• Reported on education and human interest stories in Indian Land and Lancaster, SC.
• Photographed events and interviewed high-level FBI officials and school leaders.
• Cultivated relationships with community leaders and always maintained a positive professional relationship with sources/interviewees.
• Generated own leads, as well as writes, edits and photographs all stories independently.

Feature Writer| Lake Norman Magazine | 06/2014 – 2015

Feature Writer| Charlotte Parent Magazine | 12/2014 – 1/2015

• Experience writing cover stories grossing over 5,000 online shares.
• Able to generate enough diverse leads to fill calendar year.
• Interviewed celebrities and professionals

Experienced Copywriter
Freelance Brand Journalist| 02/2010 – 12/2014

• Wrote feature, news and how-to articles and blogs for businesses representing healthcare, law, real estate, GPS/tracking, personal assistant/childcare, storage and plumbing.
• Created story ideas relevant to the business and its customers (business-to-business and business-to-customers).
• Researched and developed content that includes current news, valuable information related to the business-customer relationship and relevant current events and pop culture – all within the context of usability of said information as it relates to the represented business.
• Proficient in managing content within WordPress platform and similar customized content management systems.

Experienced News Researcher
Research Assistant| Sports Business Journal | 05/2009 – 12/2009 (Contract work in 2011)

• Researched sports professionals, businesses, organizations and leagues.
• Surveyed and interviewed sports and sports business professionals.
• Worked with team of researchers to meet section deadlines.
• Copyedited and proofread content for Sports Business Journal’s Resource Guide and Factbook.

 Summary of Additional Qualifications & Experiences

• Former Editor over Modern Parent, local parenting e-magazine, 26 columnists with half a million website views.
• Eight years of writing and editing experience (news and brand journalism (copywriting), as well as ghostwriting, book editing, editing academic papers and editing and writing website content).
• Published over 280 times in the Charlotte Observer and over 200 times in Carolina Weekly Newspapers.
• Expert online researcher
• Expert interviewing skills and public relations.
• Expert at adapting writing and editing skills over various mediums and client and business needs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, WordPress, social media platforms, photography, and photo editing.
• Proficient in SEO principles and social media.
• Quick learner and dedicated professional.
• Open-minded and empathetic

Education
Bachelors of Arts | 05/2009 | University of North Carolina Charlotte

• Major: English, Concentration: Technical and Professional Writing.
• Related coursework: Argumentative Writing, Editing, Expository Writing, Design and Technical Writing.

Volunteerism

• International House (2009) writing internship: wrote press releases, newsletters, brochures and grant proposals; edited marketing materials, volunteer guide; researched and developed immigrant and refugee guide to living in Charlotte; worked as community liaison with incoming immigrants, refugees and traveling students and professionals.
• United Way of Gaston County (2009-2010) writing internship: wrote brochures and website content; edited marketing campaign materials, press releases and articles; aggregated nonprofit grant funding and created spreadsheets to explain statistics; photographed fundraisers and community events such as Power of the Purse and Taste of Gaston.
• St Francis Care Foundation (2013) developed “Run for the Children: Miles for Money” campaign and raised over $1000 for South African home for abused and abandoned children as well as hosting a Christmas Eve lunch party and gift giving celebration.
• Safe Passage (2015-2016) social media manager and sexual assault advocate.
• Indian Land Elementary School (present) school volunteer and PTO member.