To learn more about my new independent consultancy, Crosstown Digital Communications, visit the Crosstown website.

Since I was little, I’ve told stories. Some of my early efforts ranged from a fictionalized account of David Bowie’s “Major Tom” to a series about a crime-fighting ninja cat. When I went to journalism school, I refined my skills in storytelling and put them in a broader communications context. Fewer ninja cats, perhaps, but still fun.

Over the years, I’ve realized that everything is a story, whether it’s a song, a personal work of nonfiction, a newspaper article or a digital marketing campaign. (Here’s a secret: When people talk about brands and branding, they are really talking about stories.) We tell stories because they help us connect at a personal level and explain things in ways that would otherwise escape us.

On the web, stories are especially powerful and necessary, and we have a range of media through which to tell them. But now more than ever, with thousands of tools at our disposal, it’s critical not to get distracted by the shiny object. Whether we’re tweeting or chiseling on stone tablets, stories are always paramount.

As an experienced storyteller and online communications professional with nearly 10 years of experience, I would like to help you figure out the best way to tell your story on the web.

All of these discussions begin the same way: Who are you trying to reach, and what do you want to achieve by reaching them? Once those goals are in place, we can create a plan that aligns with them. In short, we’ll turn your cat into a ninja.

My services include:

Content Development and Strategy – I can help you with web copywriting, blogging, press releases, news articles and interviews, biographies, ebooks and newsletters. We can also do a closer evaluation of your content, inventorying existing assets and identifying what’s missing. We can establish a plan around future content creation and develop a system for categorizing and distributing your content effectively.

Blogging - Yes, it gets its own bullet! Are you an individual or organization wondering what blogging is all about and if it is right for you? We can talk through whether or not a blog makes sense as a platform to help you achieve your goals, and I can help get you started.

Social Media Strategy and Execution – What can social media do for you? It all depends what you can do for social media — and if it’s the correct tool, to begin with. We can discuss how to use social media to listen to, engage with and learn from your audiences. I’ll help you get started and, if need be, assist with maintaining your presence in the space.

Overall Digital Strategy – Do you want to use the internet build a community around your product or idea? Do you want to find more ways to distribute your content online? Are you concerned about brand awareness and “findability”? Are you curious about the merits of audio or video content for communicating your message? There’s a lot of big questions out there. Let’s figure out the answers.

My Approach

I approach consulting projects collaboratively. I have a lot to learn from you, and you have a lot to learn from me. I don’t intend to swoop in, deliver an hour-long lecture and a PDF, and call it a day. I want to understand what you are hoping to accomplish and tailor my efforts to fit those goals.

While I have expertise and interest in education, music/entertainment, religion, nonprofits, small business and the Boston/New England region, I can tackle any topic.

My Rates

I am currently available for freelance content consulting on a part-time basis. Rates vary by project, though I offer discounted rates for nonprofits and small businesses based in Somerville, Mass. Please contact me if you are interested in working together.