Kathy Smith, Freelance Writer Tel: (250) 361-3121 Email: kathy@smithsecretarial.com
	About Me: I am an 18-year freelance writer who excels at writing copy for a variety of print publications and Internet applications on business, health, and more. I can quickly absorb information and turn it into copy that reflects the client's voice and resonates with the target audience. I have experience writing for government departments, non-profit societies, newspapers, magazines, Internet marketers, entrepreneurs, coaches, authors, and speakers. I bring my intuitive nature to each job, know the right questions to ask, and can provide quick turn-around for reasonable timelines. I can work from a blank canvas, or create copy based on your bullet points or an interview. I am also an excellent editor and can re-work pieces that come to me in any condition and edit for clarity, grammar, and sentence structure, and I can re-purpose work efficiently and effectively. My Writing Experience Includes... -articles for print publications as well as Internet-based businesses -newsletters (print and online) -flyers (print and online) -advertorials -press releases -website copy (understand using SEO keywords; can write copy for typical website pages as well as sales pages and squeeze pages) -autoresponder copy -affiliate program copy -speaker kits -media kits -bios/profiles (individuals and organizations) -write/ghostwrite/edit e-books and print books I am also under contract to write my first non-fiction book. Samples of Web Copy I wrote the homepage copy for one of Pam's websites. Pam is a leader in the Virtual Assistant industry. www.mycreativeassistant.com I wrote this press release for Pam for her new company, REVA Insitute (Real Estate Virtual Assistant Institute) with no direction from Pam and just by studying a couple of pages on the site. "Kathy's writing skills are outstanding. She is very adept at writing for the coaching industry but is also very versatile and can write on any subject for any kind of audience. I've had her write for several of my clients and the results are always top-notch. Her work rarely needs editing and is always presented in a professional and timely manner. That's why she's now my head writer!" ~ Pam Ivey, My Creative Assistant I wrote descriptions for Marilyn's audio products without interviewing her, and by quickly listening to about five minutes of each recording. I also transcribed, copy-edited and co-coordinated the self-publishing process of Marilyn's e-book: What Do You Want Your Business To Do For You www.lighthouseorganizers.com/products.html I wrote the copy for these two squeeze pages for Marilyn without any direction from her. www.lighthouseorganizers.com www.harborlightcoaching.com "I was just telling a friend that you write just like I would. I'm having an out-of-body experience!" ~Marilyn Ellis, America's Organizer Coach I wrote Dorene's affiliate program landing page and corresponding autoresponders just by studying her sales landing page. www.businesspartnershipsolutions.com/affiliateprogram.html I wrote this teleclass landing page after studying Kay’s website (and getting the relevant logistics for the call). www.kaykotan.com/teleclass-9tips.html I wrote this initial blog post for Gord after a short interview with him. "Working with Kathy is an absolute pleasure. She quickly captures information and prepares drafts for me that are 90% ready to fly. All we do is a few tweaks and we're done and onto the next project. She always presents in a professional manner and her work always surpasses my expectations. She genuinely knows how to write in my voice and convey what I want to say, all the while, working with high integrity, flexibility and a superb can-do attitude. I almost didn’t write this as it reminds me of telling a bunch of people about a great restaurant find. The next thing you know, you can’t get a reservation. She is really that good." ~Gord McDougall, CEO of youPlus Coaching Maritime-related Writing I have a keen interest in writing for the maritime industry. See details here. "We have juggled a variety of requirements for books, articles and reports intended for scholarly and popular publication, as well as for the Internet. I could not have done it all, or on time, without Kathy's eagle eye, keen skills, and supportive and on-time style." ~James P. Delgado, President, Institute of Nautical Archaeology I wrote this media kit for Dr. Delgado. "Working with Kathy on a manuscript allowed me to focus on the story while she perfected the flow and mechanics. Her participation in all my writing, including web pages and promotional flyers, has significantly elevated the level of my work." ~ Vincent J. Capone, President, Black Laser Learning Published Articles The list below includes articles published in several health and business-related publications. Click on selected links to read samples. I was a monthly mental health columnist for Health Care News (Vancouver publication) for 1 ½ years, a copywriting stringer for the Business Examiner (Victoria) for 1 ½ years, and a quarterly columnist with Looking Great magazine (Winnipeg). I am also past editor for the Canadian VA Network (CVAN) newsletter, and the Periodical Writer's Association of Canada (PWAC) newsletter. Currently I am the calendar of events editor for Focus magazine (Victoria). "Kathy Smith has edited our NOW arts calendar for about three years. I send her numerous press releases, all in different formats and levels of information. She recomposes them into our listing style, puts them in order, and makes my life easier! I can rely on her grammatical skills, accuracy and judgement. She does this with a short turnaround time as well." ~Leslie Campbell, President, Campbell Communications Inc. Keeping Change in Proportion Premier Issue, Fall 2004 - Looking Great (Winnipeg) What the heck is Buccaneer TV? May 14, 2003 - Esquimalt News (Victoria) Enduring architectural firm sets sights on diversifying April 2003 - Business Exminer (Victoria) Psychiatric Dis/Abilities Program Spring 2003 - Visions, BC's Mental Health Journal (Vancouver) Chalk It Up Signs chalks one up for business niche April 2003 - Business Examiner A realtor with lasting appeal March 2003 - Business Examiner DMG Financial focuses on people, then product February 2003 - Business Examiner Foster Air Conditioning Ltd. - 75 years and counting February 2003 - Business Examiner A Personal Trainer with a Personal Touch January 2003 - Business Examiner Report paves way for smoke-free teens Winter 2002 - Cross Currents (Ontario) Unity Business Machines takes light approach to advertising but remain serious about customer service September 2002 - Business Examiner Friendly Notaries make clients feel at home August 2002 - Business Examiner A Career with Clarica is Waiting August 2002 - Business Examiner Island Blue - 90 Years Strong July 2002 - Business Examiner Shoal Point Offers Business on Waterfront June 2002 - Business Examiner The Glenshiel June 2002 - Business Examiner Club Phoenix April 2002 - Business Examiner Naturally, it's in the diet January 30, 2002 - Oak Bay News (Victoria) Beginning the New Year Stronger Than Ever January 3, 2002 - Business Examiner Sculpting A New Life November/December 2001 - Active Living Magazine (Ontario) Baywest Home Centre - Building a Loyal Clientele November 19, 2001 - Business Examiner Royal Roads Unique Business Coaching Program August 2001 - Business Examiner Unique Approaches: Women In Victoria's Health Industry August 2001 - Business Examiner Good Diet and Exercise Habits Can Help in the Fight with Schizophrenia July/August 2001 - Schizophrenia Digest (Ontario) They Share a Love for Art, Purely by Accident July 8, 2001 - Victoria Times Colonist, Islander section Common Budgeting Principles Apply to All May/June 2001 - Schizophrenia Digest Coaching Good Remedy for Transitional Changes March 7, 2001 - Oak Bay News New Year, New Hope for Anxiety Sufferers January 17, 2001 - Peninsula News Review (Victoria) High-Tech, Non-Lethal Weapon New Option for Police Sept./Oct. 2000 - Schizophrenia Digest Disturbing Media Images Still Rampant July - 1999 Schizophrenia Digest Springtime in the Canadian Rockies May 1999 - Picture This (Seattle) Porcelain Veneers May 1999 - Picture This Step Up Romance with a Springtime Picnic May 1999 - Picture This Vancouver Island a Sculptors' Haven November 15, 1998 - Victoria Times-Colonist, Islander Section Schizophrenia in the Family Spring 1998 - Schizophrenia Digest Looking to a Positive Future March/April 1998 - Insight Health Magazine (Victoria) Project Inter-Seed, Growing Relationships in Health Care December 1997/January 1998 - Insight Health Magazine The Victoria Citizen Advocacy Society/Friendship Overcoming Disabilities October/November 1997 - Insight Health Magazine Victoria Women's Conference Focuses on Informed Decision-Making June 1995 - Health Care News (Vancouver-now defunct) Education Key to Treating Child Depression Properly June 1995 - Health Care News Options on the Rise for HRA's May 1995 - Health Care News Alternating Darkness and Light April 1995 - Schizophrenia Digest Blenkinsop Project is One Year Old March 1995 - Health Care News Psychiatry in the Community February 1995 - Health Care News Health and Safety in the Workplace February 1995 - Health Care News Alternating Darkness and Light December 1994 - Health Care News Helping to Solve Hearing Problems November 1994 - Health Care News Work and Disability October 1994 - Health Care News Community Nursing - New Perspective October 1994 - Health Care News Sign Brings out Smiles August 1994 - Esquimalt News CMO Gears Up for Major Event July/August 1994 - Health Care News The Yew Tree Family Restaurant June 1994 - Goldstream News Gazette (Victoria) New Directions in Progress June 1994 - Health Care News Boot Scootin' Fever June 1994 - West Coast Country Magazine (Vancouver Island) Seniors Scoot Their Boots June/July 1994 - South Island Seniors Magazine (Victoria) Centre Makes Great Inroads May 1994 - Goldstream News Gazette Emergencies of the Mind May 1994 - Health Care News RN Battles Job Discrimination April 1994 - Health Care News Mental Health - Moving Into the Community March 1994 - Health Care News Time Out for Caregivers February 1994 - Health Care News Partnership in Action January 1994 - Health Care News Boot Scootin' Kicks In January 1994 - Esquimalt News It's Not Just My Nerves May 1993 - Health Care News