SHELLY GARCIA
Messaging Solutions
Powerful Strategies. Engaging Content.
About Me
It’s been said that writing is easy; you just pound out your thoughts and hope someone gets it.
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Don’t believe it. Really. Don’t. There’s too much information out there. You’ve got about the time it takes to blink just to be heard, let alone understood and remembered. Nope. Writing that gets your message across is not easy. It takes a dedicated professional with a passion for getting it right like…well, like me.
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Grabbing attention, crafting a clear message and sending it out to the world (or at least your target market) in a way that resonates is where I live. The writing has to be first-rate, but my job is really about making the audience pay attention and remember.
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I listen. I ask a lot of questions. I get a solid understanding of the characteristics of the target market and the company’s unique style, and I take on a voice that fits. Then I tell your story.
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After all, writing at its best is storytelling. I learned storytelling well as a journalist and editor for many years, and I used it just as often as a director of marketing. My stories turn product information into valuable benefits, achievements into examples of smart problem-solving, skills into competitive advantages and missions into brands.
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Some clients know exactly what their story is, some don’t. They may bring a product or an accomplishment they’d like to promote or a problem they want to solve. Some bring nothing more than a collection of thoughts. I’m good at digging in and finding the story even when my clients aren’t.
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Stories come in many forms: social media, ads, brochures, newsletters, blogs, press releases, market reports and ghost-written articles. My experience includes them all. I’m a stickler for details and accuracy and, of course, meeting deadlines. I prefer being proactive (Who wants to play catch up?) and at my best juggling several projects at once. I’m a creative thinker but I can also follow direction when it’s called for. I like to collaborate but will happily work independently. The one thing I won’t do is pound out just anything and hope it sticks.
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That’s my story. Let me tell yours. I'm just a call or email away.
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What I Do
Skills & Expertise
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Content Development for SEO and Conversion
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Social Media
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Internal & External Communications
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B2B Marketing
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Advertising & Promotion
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Proofreading & Editing
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Public & Media Relations
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Project Management
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Branding
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Event Planning & Management
Owner & Chief Storyteller
Messaging Solutions
2020 - present
I formed Messaging Solutions to deliver personalized writing, marketing, and communications services to small and mid-sized businesses. I can help you to build awareness, secure new business, and communicate with customers, vendors, and business partners using strategies customized for your unique objectives.
Director of Marketing
Lee & Associates-LA North/Ventura
2007-2020
Provide marketing, media relations, advertising and promotion support for 50 agents as one-woman department of mid-sized commercial real estate brokerage. Develop marketing campaigns for new business development, product launches and sales. Collaborate and liason with graphics team and research department for management of projects and deliverables.
Senior Reporter
Los Angeles Business Journal
San Fernando Valley Business Journal
1998-2007
Research, write and edit news, features, opinion columns and special reports. Develop enterprise stories covering real estate, banking, finance, marketing, retailing, accounting and law. Collaborate with photographers and graphic designers to illustrate stories.
Senior Editor
Adweek, Eastern Edition
1994-1996
Research, write and edit news, features, opinion columns and special reports. Develop enterprise stories covering real estate, banking, finance, marketing, retailing, accounting and law. Collaborate with photographers, photo librarian and graphics department to develop concepts for artwork.
Regional Editor
Adweek, Western Edition
1988-1994
Began as Senior Editor, reporting on ad agencies in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Promoted to Regional Editor with responsibility for managing a staff of four reporters, developing story ideas, writing and editing copy and headlines and developing and editing special sections.
Managing Editor
Home Fashions Magazine
(a div. of Fairchild Publications)
1984-1988
Developed and wrote features including trend stories, personality pieces, news analyses and market profiles for monthly magazine targeting retailers and manufacturers of home goods. Worked closely with copy editor and art department to develop story headlines and photography/illustrations. Sourced and edited freelance writers.
Education & Awards
State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY
B.A. cum laude, Sociology