About Me
Choosing the right words – and then using them in the right way can be a challenge for any business, project, organisation or brand. But it’s absolutely crucial if you want to succeed.
You can have a world-changing product or a life-saving idea, but if you’re unable to connect with your audience and you can’t get your message across, it’s game over.
With over 20 years’ experience in multi sector roles providing effective and practical marketing & communications support I can help you create the right messages and deliver them to the people that you need to hear them.
With your company ethos and values in mind, I will work with you to identify audiences and work out the best way for you to reach them.
My personalised approach means you'll get something that is right for you. All solutions will be tailored to suit your brand, your people and your resource.
I work with small, medium and large businesses and organisations throughout Cumbria and the rest of the UK, providing marketing and communications services. This includes advice and planning, content creation for online channels and printed products, copywriting, proofreading, press releases, staff mentoring and more!
Creative, passionate and dedicated, I work flexibly to really understand your organisation and bring value to all interactions.
A proud member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, I work to a set of industry standards and am committed to continal professional development. I am currently studying for a Level 7 Dilpoma in Public Relations.
Based in West Cumbria, I work closely with businesses and organisations from a variety of sectors. My practice is increasingly focused on third sector organisations and businesses / projects with social value and social impact at their core. I am particularly interested in using my skills and experience to engage communities, influence behaviours and effect lasting change to people's lives.
See my case studies for recent projects, results and feedback from my clients. Or have a browse through my blog posts to get a feel for the style and tone of my writing and read more about the life of a marketing & communications professional living and working in Cumbria.
Ready to take the next steps? If you’d like to find out more, please visit my FAQ page or drop me a line at [email protected]
Prefer to talk about your requirements? Please call me on 07715 487 774. I look forward to hearing from you.
Background
I studied English Literature and Language at Manchester University and spent a lot of time working out how to combine my love of travel with my love for words. After graduation and numerous worldwide adventures, I struck lucky with a screen test for a BBC documentary called Foot in the Door. The programme took me to Jordan with a film crew where I had to write a sample chapter for a Lonely Planet guide and compete against two other travel writer wannabes. I was thrilled to be offered the job and ended up doing several commissions for the London-based travel publisher. Meanwhile, to support my writing, I took a job in the LP office and worked in the unique talk2us department, providing travel advice and research for other authors, editors, readers and travellers. During my time there I answered travel queries in the Observer, TNT magazine and other worldwide publications. I then moved to Newcastle and took a job in Newspaper Sales and Promotions for NCJMedia where I created campaigns for The Journal, a regional morning title in their portfolio. The role included copywriting, publicity stunts, concept development, radio scripts, outdoor media and persuading editors to have their faces pasted on the sides of double decker buses. I then spent several years creating, managing and developing the award-winning Journal Culture Club, an audience development tool that promoted culture in the North East working with a wide range of high profile partners and venues including the Arts Council, local authorities, Universities, One NorthEast, NGI, the BALTIC and Sage Gateshead (amongst others).
Returning to Cumbria in 2007 I worked in the marketing department at Theatre by the Lake undertaking a wide range of marketing and PR duties including copywriting for brochures, programmes, promotional print and press releases as well as launching several successful audience development schemes including the Arts Council A Night Less Ordinary Free Theatre Scheme for U26s, an award-winning dementia friendly programme, the national Relaxed Performance initiative and various Family Arts Activities and festivals.
I launched Words by Rachel in 2012 and work regularly with a wide range of clients from different sectors.
I have worked with a huge variety of clients and work with them all differently – understanding their needs, identifying key messages and finding the best ways to engage their audiences, whether that is a member of staff, a potential customer, a journalist, a long-term client or a judge on an awards panel! Increasingly, I have been drawn to the third sector where I can use my skills to engage audiences, influence behaviours and help to effect lasting change by improving quality of life for individuals and communities.
Throughout my career I have been lucky enough to gain experience in many types and styles of writing. I have written content for many publications from local freesheets right through to international travel guides and newspaper titles, as well as many websites and digital products. I have written, produced and published two children’s books www.howardandemily.com which have been sold to support local charities and promote reading within families and schools. I've also written blogs, newsletters, speeches, theatre reviews, direct mailers, programmes, instruction manuals, award entries and scripts.
The right choice of words, delivered in the right way is central to everything I do. I take pride in creating useful, interesting, accurate and engaging content and shape it so that it meets the needs of both the client and their audience.
If you’d like to know more about my previous experience or see samples of my work, please visit my profile on Linked In or contact me for details.