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Content Creation in a Post-Truth Era: Navigating the Challenges of Misinformation and Authenticity

Content Creation in a Post-Truth Era: Navigating the Challenges of Misinformation and Authenticity

Though many of us thoroughly enjoy and benefit from the conveniences provided by the technological developments we’ve witnessed in our modern era, the information age is fraught with its own unique brand of complications.

Today, the average person with access to a basic computer and ethernet or even a budget-friendly smartphone can tap into the sum total of publicly available human knowledge.

Like characters in “The Jetsons,” we can even video conference with friends, family, and colleagues either nearby or on the opposite side of the globe with the push of just a few virtual buttons. But these electronic wonders arrived in our lives with a hidden cost unpayable in dollars: the veracity of the information they convey.

In today’s digital landscape, where facts, rumors, and even maliciously placed falsehoods can spread at the speed of light, individuals and companies alike face a sizeable responsibility: ensuring the content they create is not only engaging but also authentic.

Now that the rise of misinformation, fake news, and biased narratives has made authenticity a critical concern, how can creators navigate these challenges and maintain credibility?

Know What You’re Up Against

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While online, the average content creator likely considers themself more of a peaceful civilian than a soldier on a mission, but an unfortunate side effect of the highly politicized era we’re living through is that the internet has turned into a warzone with many fronts.

If you are at all concerned with preventing your published content from generating any negative backlash, those in the know would advise you to engage with the internet according to its own terms, at least for the foreseeable future.

In the U.S. and around the world, warring ideological factions are relentlessly at odds with one another, hyper-vigilant, and perpetually online.

While it may seem that individuals and special interest groups are more sensitive to a wider range of issues than ever before, the numerous social media outlets available today have also expanded their visibility and reach.

As a result, content even gently referencing almost any nuanced subject—from sex to gender to race, class, ethnicity, criminal justice, politics, or the economy—has the potential of going mega-viral in the wrong direction if you’re not careful.

The societal upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that even the traditionally hard-nosed realm of science doesn’t seem to offer as firm a footing as it once did.

Today, credible authorities engaged in various scientific and medical debates publicly and passionately claim their opponents are dead wrong about one thing or another, and it’s getting harder and harder for the layperson to decide with whom to side or whom to trust.

Whether you’re covering topics as predictably spicy as state-mandated experimental vaccines or as seemingly mundane as dieting tips for the middle-aged, you could unintentionally kick over a metaphorical hornet’s nest, sending a swarm of idealogues on a mission to attack your company’s reputation, angrily buzzing all over social media along the way.

Whether you intend to publish just a single work or numerous content campaigns that you hope will cast off a few sparks and grab some attention, it’s best to make sure they don’t ignite a firestorm that burns down your company’s Google reviews or Yelp profile in the process.

Your content is your credibility.

If the information backing up the content you’re putting out in writing, on video, or in any other format didn’t originate from reputable sources, your critics will pounce all over it.

If you as an individual or your company as an organization can’t assertively defend the claims made in your content or “bring the receipts” as they say in modern internet parlance, your authenticity will take a hit and you’ll likely reverse any positive exposure you’ve built up.

However, there are ways to protect yourself and your company.

Before suiting up to defend your content in this fight against falsehoods, it’s important to first gain situational awareness of the different types of informational land mines that exist out there on the digital battlefield.

The Real Scoop on Fake News

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Flat-out hoaxes are as old as language itself and sensationalism in journalism evolved right alongside the newspaper, but that’s not exactly what’s meant by “fake news.”

Though it sure sounds like it should, the term also doesn’t refer to the obviously fabricated stories of alien babies and human-animal hybrids splashed across the front pages of the various tabloids for sale in the supermarket checkout aisle.

Fake news generally refers to stories that incorporate one or more of the following types of informational traps that can sneak past you and poison your content if you fail to remain diligent when researching a topic:

Misinformation

Misinformation refers to unintentional errors introduced by the writer of a particular piece that the publisher might have even corrected in a later edition.

Although, by definition, misinformation spreads without malice, if you fail to carefully vet the data you’ve collected before propagating it, you’ll only add to any damage it already caused if it’s erroneous.

Disinformation

Disinformation is both false and intended to cause harm. It’s perhaps the most in-your-face brand of fake news that one might stumble across when preparing to produce content on a topic. Those who distribute disinformation intentionally usually do so to channel money their way through false claims or to negatively influence the public’s opinion of a competitor.

Disinformation regarding a subject is often crafted to be close enough to the truth so that it’s believable but intriguing enough to ensure that it spreads.

If you want your content to avoid the appearance of alignment with those who would profit from a certain instance of disinformation, it’s important to recognize disinformation when you encounter it and filter it from your sources.

Malinformation

Malinformation is perhaps even more devious than disinformation in that it is also deployed to cause harm or chaos in general, but it takes verifiable facts and presents them in an unfair light or without essential context.

Common examples of malinformation in popular media include deceptively edited videos of politicians or celebrities saying or doing something that most would consider offensive. Much of the time these offenses are reduced to non-issues when the rest of the video is revealed.

Malinformation also arises in reporting when the context is purposefully withheld to further an agenda.

For example, when, say, it is reported that an already polarizing public figure injured a stray dog and brought it to the vet, his detractors become incensed and use this verifiable fact to denounce him. However, if it were reported that said public figure accidentally injured the stray while rescuing it from a burning building at great personal risk, the act would be received in quite a different light.

In recent years, fake news in all its forms, especially regarding U.S. border security, election interference, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, became so prevalent that the United States Department of Homeland Security established the Disinformation Governance Board in April 2022 to combat it.

The board was disbanded amidst public backlash only four months later for numerous reasons, including constitutional issues, and, ironically, its failure to address accusations of disinformation during its rollout.

Despite its short tenure, the Disinformation Governance Board serves as a testament to just how much of a problem fake news has become for more than just content creators.

When setting out to produce valuable content for your audience, to avoid the many pitfalls along your path that are just waiting to dupe you and diminish your credibility, it’s best to arm yourself with a strategy before getting underway.

Strategies for Success in Turbulent Times

There are numerous methods for ensuring the infallibility of the information you’re repurposing or the data you’re making more widely available to the public through your content.

By employing the following protocols, you’ll protect your brand from criticism, reduce the risk of any legal ramifications, and boost the value of your content for your audience.

1. Verify (and multiply) your sources.

Before incorporating any information into your content, verify its source. Then, cross-check that information across multiple sources. Make sure your data point or statement of fact has been published by more than just one reputable site. If a claim appears in multiple credible places, it’s likely accurate.

If you’re borrowing a quote or an idea attributed to an individual, double-check that it has appeared in multiple publications. Conversely, even if it’s irresistibly juicy or incredibly apropos for your content, if your only source for a specific claim is a single forum post on some murky backwater of the dark web, it’s probably best to cut it from whatever you’re producing.

2. Use peer-reviewed research.

For scientific, medical, or technical content, cite peer-reviewed studies or scholarly journals. Before publication, these documents undergo rigorous scrutiny by experts, and the authors often remain anonymous during the process to make certain their content stands up on its merit alone rather than just getting a pass due to the impressive name on the byline.

3. Sniff out bias and intent.

Develop a conscientious nose for bias.

Be open with yourself. Admit to your own biases and do your best to determine those of your sources.

Biased content can distort facts. Seek diverse perspectives.

If you are producing content on some contentious issue that you are personally passionate about, take a step back and have an honest look at the big picture.

Consider the stances of your opponents on this matter. Have respect for the facts that they have on their side and acknowledge them before explaining why your stance is better. Your audience will thank you for your sincerity and reward your fairness.

Be relentlessly critical! Question every motive behind your source material. Consider why the author would choose to highlight certain information. Are they just trying to inform their readers or viewers, or are they trying to persuade, manipulate, or even deceive them?

4. Cite authoritative sources.

Make sure the content supporting yours has a clear author or organization behind it.

Even though anonymous or pseudonymous sources are quite common, widely influential, and even well-respected in this era of social media and citizen journalism, citing them or at least solely relying on them will undoubtedly raise red flags for your audience.

Stick to content created by publicly recognized subject matter experts. Their credentials lend credibility.

5. Be careful with data and stats.

Many a journalist has gotten themselves into hot water for “cherry picking” actual data but using it to craft a story that aligns with their agenda.

Don’t rely on the interpretations of others. Whenever possible, use data directly from original research or official reports and present it in context.

If you think your research has led you to a viable conclusion, deliver it, but remain humble.

Let your audience decide for themselves if they agree with you. After all, asking them for rebuttals is a surefire way to boost engagement.

6. Engage in transparency and disclosure.

Unless you’re fine with a conflict of interest coming back to bite you down the road long after your content has been published and released into the wild, be transparent upfront where it counts the most.

Disclose any affiliations or sponsorships at the start so your audience is aware of any financial interest that you might have in endorsing a particular product or service.

Honesty builds trust, and modern audiences want to trust the creators that receive their attention. And they’re okay with subjective content. They realize that everyone needs to make a living and have likely tuned into your content because they’re interested in whatever it is you’re selling.

If you truly like the company sponsoring you and really are a fan of its products or services, that will shine through for your audience, and they’ll feel informed when deciding to take you up on any offers you’re extending.

The modern consumer is also likely to believe your enthusiastic claims about how great a new product is because they’re experienced; there’s a lot of great new stuff on the market, and a lot of those claims are often true!

But today’s consumers are also very discerning and want to see the research for themselves, so be sure to share any hyperlinks or cite the sources that back up your claims.

7. Actively fact-check.

It should go without saying that you’ll want to get your facts straight before putting them out into the world, but unless you have a system in place beforehand, misinformation has a better chance of finding its way into your content.

Establish and follow a fact-checking process. Subject every last bit of content you produce to it. Consult with subject matter experts to confirm the validity of your content before it’s published.

If you’re part of a large organization regularly producing content, you may want to contract the services of an independent fact-checking organization.

If you’re on your own, there are sources you can check to confirm that you’re getting it right:

  • Newsguardtech.com offers reliability ratings for news outlets to help you decide whether a source is trustworthy or not.
  • Factcheck.org monitors the factual accuracy of statements made by political players in an effort to reduce deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
  • Politifact.com is another site that rates the accuracy of political leaders’ statements and offers a visual “Truth-O-Meter” that ranges from True to Pants On Fire!
  • Snopes.com is a fact-checking site that defines itself as “The definitive Internet reference source for researching urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.” Although many Snopes determinations have been disputed, the service does offer further insight into newsworthy controversies.

8. Establish employee and team training.

Lastly, if you are part of a team or managing a group of employees, train them in media literacy. Inspire them to critically assess the sources they research and teach them to recognize the red flags of bias in reporting.

If they learn to vet their sources properly, the work they produce will be more credible before they bring it to the table, and your organization will be able to put out quality content on a much faster timeline.

If you think your team would benefit from an outside perspective, consider a collaboration with a B2B content marketing company on your next campaign.

The Authenticity Imperative in Content Creation

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In the Post-Truth Era, authenticity matters, and honesty is at a premium.

Consumers are seeking genuine connections with the brands for which they feel an affinity, and they want those brands to produce content that reflects the company’s values. It doesn’t matter if you sell glass cleaner, surfboards, or financial advice, your customers are seeking an education and a dialogue.

Sure, your customers appreciate your helpful tips, but they’re also interested in what interests you. Quite often, your concerns are theirs as well. If you’re having trouble coming up with new content marketing ideas, what’s stopping you from covering these topics for your audience?

Of course, you should share in the joy and excitement of whatever lifestyle your brand promotes, but what about embracing your vulnerabilities? Next time you see a problem on the horizon, try offering a community forum to your customer base to brainstorm ways of addressing it together.

By opening up to your customers through your content and handling matters of truth responsibly, your message will resonate with them, and you’ll deliver an authentic experience they’ve likely been yearning for.

To some extent, the era we are currently enduring is characterized by political, corporate, and institutional deceit.

Following these best practices in content marketing will make your content stand out against this otherwise disappointing landscape. To the consumer, your brand will come across as very real at a predominantly inauthentic time.

Not only will adhering to these principles contribute to a more informed and engaged society, but the practice will also up your five-star ratings and earn your company more favorable reviews.

In time, through a reaffirming loop of customer satisfaction, feedback, and gratitude, your reputation will become a rock-solid foundation of trust upon which you’ll be able to build a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with your audience.

If you’re interested in partnering with a top content marketing agency on your next content campaign, reach out for a quote today!

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Wintress Odom - Owner / Editor-in-chief

Wintress founded The Writers For Hire in 2003 after freelancing for several years as a copywriter and editor. She has overseen, edited, proofread, or written copy for over 100 clients and is happy to have maintained long-term relationships with many of her first customers. Wintress is an exceptional proofreader and editor and has a gift for organizing large projects, including large technical manuals and manuscripts. Her educational background includes graduating cum laude from Rice University in 2000, studying at Cologne Gymnasium in Germany, and graduating valedictorian from The Science Academy of South Texas in 1994.

Kathleen Kimm-Rinchiuso - Office Manager

Unofficially, Kathy is known around the office as “the other half of Wintress’ brain”: In her capacity as office admin, she helps Wintress keep track of projects and meetings; reminds her of upcoming deadlines; and serves as the point of communication between Wintress and the rest of the TWFH team. In her more official role of office administrator and project manager, she keeps tabs on all current projects, from drafting proposals and project timelines to working directly with writers and editors to keep projects on track. Kathy is particularly awesome at making sure that all of our website projects run smoothly, and she’s got a gift for translating potentially confusing web development jargon into plain English, so our website clients always know exactly what’s happening and why. When she’s not at work, Kathy loves singing along to musicals with her two daughters.

Brittany Hardy - Project Coordinator

Brittany is our resident Project Coordinator and serves as the liaison between writer and client. She also helps assign the team for each project, create project timelines, gather resources and information, schedule meetings, ensure each project stays on budget and within scope, and guarantee client satisfaction. Oh, and she does all of this at lightning speed with a smile on her face, without ever dropping a ball. Brittany developed many of her management and leadership skills working as an office manager for a lawn care company and as an assistant manager for an apartment community. But she attributes her superhuman organizational abilities to the years of practice she’s had managing 4 kids, 11 piglets, 3 dogs, and a dozen chickens.

Dayna Bargas - Accounts Manager

Since joining The Writers For Hire in 2022, Dayna has seamlessly stepped into the role of Accounts Manager, overseeing functions such as Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, collections, billing, and all tasks in between. With a keen eye for detail and strong communication skills, she efficiently manages all aspects of financial operations for TWFH. Dayna takes pride in her ability to navigate with a smile, displaying strong professional skills and fostering a positive work environment. Beyond her role with TWFH, she enjoys entertaining, traveling, and (most importantly!) spending time with her family.

Stephanie Hashagen - Senior Editor

Stephanie’s expertise in English and writing spans over a decade in freelancing and teaching. Stephanie worked as a staff writer and editor for The Houstonian, contributed to The Huntsville Item, freelanced for The Houston Chronicle and spent four years teaching English and reading at the junior high and high school level. She has a Master’s Degree in English from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Sam Houston State University. Stephanie has also ghost-authored several non-fiction and fiction manuscripts, numerous fashion and travel articles, and countless press releases, pitch letters, taglines, and print ads. Her copywriting and journalism experience includes technical copy for Tyco Flow Control and customer communications copy for a major American credit card company. Stephanie has also worked on copy and campaigns for Hilton and Carpet One Floor & Home, North America’s largest floor covering retailer. At The Writers For Hire, she has overseen, edited, proofread, or written copy for over 50 clients. Stephanie is an exceptional proofreader, writer, and editor and has a gift for adding a creative flair to projects while keeping copy professional and concise.

Barbara Adams - Copywriter

Barb Adams is an award-winning writer with more than 30 years of B2B and technical writing experience. She understands and closely follows the changing dynamics of the oil and gas industry – E&P, midstream, and upstream – and therefore needs minimum ramp up for any new O&G copywriting endeavor. Her portfolio includes hundreds of white papers, case studies, trade articles, op-eds, books, and brochures. Adams has also held positions as staff writer for a Houston agency, public relations manager for a Houston-based retail franchisor, and the advertising and promotions coordinator for a Minnesota-based hospitality company. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism.

Stacy Clifford - Copywriter

Stacy Clifford is a wearer of many hats, both literally and figuratively. Having earned a B.S. in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1996, his career has covered environmental cleanup, software testing, web development, technical support, copy editing and proofreading, and martial arts instruction. He has been proofreading since 3rd grade English with Mrs. Barry, corrected every stripe of web copy for over 15 years, copy edited both fiction and non-fiction books, and written on subjects as diverse as volcanology, sword fighting, and space colonization. A fixer by nature, Stacy is a stickler for structure and form and enjoys a good challenge whipping a document into shape. When not tackling the worlds problems or teaching people how to stab each other, Stacy enjoys pencil drawing and hiking in the national parks.

Flori Meeks - Copywriter

Flori, who has more than 25 years of writing experience, began her career in suburban Detroit as a community newspaper reporter. She has worked as a neighborhood news editor for the Houston Chronicle and as a copywriter for Powell Public Relations. During more than 10 years as a freelance writer, her projects included newspaper and magazine articles, press releases, brochure and website copy, Request for Proposal (RFP) responses, and grant applications. Her clients have included Galveston Monthly magazine, Weddings in Houston magazine, Judy Nichols & Associates (public relations) and NCIC Phone Services, along with nonprofit organizations, Lifeway International and Newspring. Since joining The Writers For Hire, Flori has assisted with social media campaigns and written blog posts, articles, press releases, brochures, and web copy.

Flori has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Oakland University.

Jessica Stautberg - Lead Copywriter

Jessica joined The Writers for Hire after several years of technical writing for two Department of Defense contractors, where she created software documentation and online help, as well as material for the company websites and newsletters. Since joining The Writers for Hire, Jessica has become the company’s resident “Wiki guru,” and manages most of the Wikipedia projects. She also manages social media campaigns for several local businesses, provides copy and layout options for website projects, writes blog posts on topics that include the oil and gas industry, web hosting, and fashion, and writes articles, brochures, books, and press releases. Jessica has a Master’s in Technical Communication from Texas State, where she also edited and proofread articles for Center of the Study of the Southwest’s academic journals while working as a ghostwriter for Infobooks.com. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Southwestern University.

Jennifer Rizzo - Copywriter / Genealogist

Jennifer, also known as "Rizzo," is a Denver-based writer and genealogist with a passion for history, travel, and languages. She studied Spanish at the University of Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico and also lived and studied in Ancona, Italy. She also holds a certification for International Tour Management through the International Guide Academy, as well as a Genealogy certification from IAP Career College. Since joining The Writers For Hire, Jennifer has tackled a vast array of projects—from RPFs and SOPs to memoirs and company history books— and has done many in-depth genealogical research and family tree projects. She has also worked as Project Manager for various client projects, including family history books, websites, RFPs, blogs, autobiographies, and SOPs. Jennifer is our resident historian and genealogist, and can often be found examining 200-year-old books in various archive sites around the globe. She enjoys working closely with clients, and loves any opportunity that allows her to indulge her creative side.

Peter Albrecht - Copywriter

After putting in enough time as a busboy, a cheesesteak artist, a medical courier, and a nightclub bouncer, Peter took the logical next step—securing a position at a bicycle shop. While serving as a mechanic and a salesman, his incriminating degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona got him assigned to every additional duty that had anything to do with words. Between all the wrenching and selling, Peter wrote website copy, emails, blogs, digital and print ads, press releases, articles, advertorials, and scripts for radio and television commercials. What started as a summer job evolved into an 18-year career in the cycling industry, gaining him experience in corporate communications, public relations, social media management, event planning, marketing, and retail advertising. Since joining The Writers for Hire, Peter has branched into ghostwriting, op-eds, RFPs, SOPs, and producing work for aerospace and engineering firms, public utilities, oil and gas companies, real estate developers, and the entertainment industry. At his home base in New Jersey, Peter spends his free time souping up cheap vintage guitars, admiring his dog, and talking about moving to the Adirondacks.

Arielle Emmett - Copywriter

Arielle Emmett joined The Writers for Hire after a 30-year career in science, technology, and international journalism education. Early in her career, during the Watergate era, Arielle was selected as a journalism intern for The New York Times columnist William Safire, and she was a correspondent for Newsweek. She has worked as an editor for Science Digest, as a reporter and features staff writer for the Detroit Free Press, and as a columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer and The American Journalism Review. She also has held senior editor and editor-in-chief positions at leading technical magazines and was a 10-year contributing editor at The Scientist. Arielle’s work has been published in Parents, Ms., OMNI, and Toronto Globe & Mail, among other publications. In 2011 she completed her doctoral dissertation in visual media and iconic photography at the University of Maryland. Since then, Arielle has taught science communications and online journalism at Temple and Drexel Universities, International College Beijing, and University of Hong Kong.

Erin Larson - Copywriter

With a Bachelor of Science in Language Arts from Georgetown University and 20 years of editorial experience, Erin brings a passion for words and well-crafted writing to every project. As a writer, she revels in the opportunity to create vibrant original copy and rejuvenate tired text. She has written on a range of topics, in a variety of styles, and for an array of platforms. As an editor, proofreader, translator, and trusted second set of eyes, she has helped clients from around the world enhance their writing. A self-proclaimed editorial perfectionist, Erin once canceled a credit card because of a grammatically incorrect form letter, which she edited and promptly sent back to the company. (Incidentally, she wasn’t surprised to receive no response.)

Devin Lawrence - Copywriter

Devin is a writer from Richmond, Virginia. He’s been an avid fan of fiction literature ever since he was young, and spent most of his adolescence pouring over one book series after another. Some of his favorites from back in the day include Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Ender’s Game, Ender’s Shadow, and The Edge Chronicles. He began pursuing creative writing when he was twelve, hoping to someday emulate his favorite authors. He has since spent more than ten years continuing to hone and expand the skills of his craft, graduating from Old Dominion University with a degree in Professional Writing in 2022. He has written on topics ranging from technology trends, to criminal justice, homeland security, self-defense, hiking and camping, workplace operational analysis, the challenges of eldercare, and data privacy. Creative by nature, Devin also dabbles as a graphic designer with particular interest in infographics and flowcharts.

Chris DeLange - Copywriter

Chris is a London-based writer with a strong background in HR/Learning & Development. He has held senior positions at large corporations in London as both Talent Development Business Partner and Head of Learning and Development. Chris graduated top of his class when he completed his MSc in Industrial Psychology at the University of Leicester in England. He also holds a TEFL/TESOL qualification in teaching English as a Second Language from Global Language Training. Chris is a big foody and is always exploring new dishes and creating new recipes. He became a qualified Chef in 2012 when he studied Culinary Arts at the International Centre For Culinary Arts in Dubai. He is very passionate about writing and is working on multiple team projects. Chris joined The Writers For Hire in 2022 and is settling in very well.

Morgan Pinales - Copywriter

Morgan has worked in marketing and communications for more than eight years, with a primary focus on copywriting and content creation. Throughout her years of experience, she has written and edited almost every kind of copy imaginable – magazine articles, blog posts, website copy, brochures, press releases, nonfiction books, newsletter articles, brand guidelines, and more – for both B2B and B2C audiences in a wide array of industries, including energy, technology, finance, healthcare, education, travel, retail, and more. In addition to her creative skills, Morgan has technical expertise in HTML coding and utilizing content management systems (e.g. WordPress) and email platforms, such as MailChimp, ExactTarget, and Constant Contact. With a lifelong interest in language, it is not surprising that Morgan has a bachelor’s degree in German and Linguistics from Rice University, where she studied more than eight languages. In 2011, she received her master’s degree in Advertising from The University of Texas, where she was accepted into the elite Texas Creative Program for her copywriting skills. In her free time, Morgan enjoys writing personalized picture books for friends and family.

Shelley Harrison Carpenter - Copywriter

Shelley’s love of words began in first grade, composing poems for her dear teacher and mentor, Mrs. Blanchard. Her writing career began with several years as a county newspaper reporter, where she developed a love for interviewing all sorts of people. Besides feature writing, her news beats included city government, education, and nonprofits of every stripe. As a determined “adult student,” Shelley graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2010 where she also wrote profiles of outstanding adult students for a “Web Weekly” newsletter and edited a grant proposal for a campus office. After college, she wrote English instructional materials, website copy, product copy, and blogs before joining two construction and development ezines as a staff writer, happy to be conducting interviews for each assignment. Several years of intervening employment in corporate merchandising and HR deepened Shelley’s understanding of the workings of larger companies and the written content they require. She now loves being part of the writing teams at The Writers for Hire. When not at a keyboard, she can be seen jogging in her Southern neighborhood or found holed up with a biography, a vegetarian cookbook, or a vintage TV show.

Melanie Green - Copywriter

Melanie Green is a Tampa-based writer and editor, with a focus on digital marketing content. She has more than 15 years of experience writing professionally, including time spent as a full-time employee of McKinsey & Company, Nielsen, and The Business Observer. She loves to write blog posts, website pages, press releases, RFPs, and whitepapers for companies of all sizes in the United States. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with a concentration in screenwriting from National University in La Jolla, California, and her Bachelor of Arts in Writing from the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. 

Carol Kim - Copywriter

Carol Kim is a versatile freelance copywriter who specializes in content marketing, blog posts, website content, and email marketing for business clients. She especially enjoys diving into research and discovering what makes every company unique. Carol holds a bachelor’s degree from Pomona College and a Master’s in Public Affairs from the LBJ School at the University of Texas at Austin.

Carol is also a children’s book author, having written several fiction and nonfiction books for the educational market. She especially loves helping kids learn about the environment and social sciences. Her first nonfiction picture book from a trade publisher is due to be released in fall 2021. 

Martha Scott - Copywriter

Martha Scott’s technical writing career began on a contract at Houston’s Johnson Space Center. She edited papers for scientific journal publication, documents for departments across the site, and a book about a proposed crew escape vehicle. She produced a yearly booklet describing Shuttle contract cost-saving measures, the mission managers’ Flight Data Pack, and a 45-page booklet called Charting a Course to the Year 2000 and Beyond describing plans to develop additional space vehicles and prepare for manned Mars explorations. At Invesco, Martha edited and contributed to two company newsletters (online and hardcopy). She wrote software user manuals, Help files, Training and Benefits department documents, and, finally, shareholder reports. She returned to aerospace for the Shuttle Program’s last 5 years where she attended and produced detailed descriptions of presentations and subsequent discussions at the Orbiter Configuration Control Board’s weekly meetings. She also documented crew debriefings for 17 flights. Martha’s most recent experience was on Jacobs Engineering’s contract with a Texas City refinery for which she wrote and edited Engineering, Safety, Inspection, and Information Systems documents.

Suzanne Kearns - Copywriter

Suzanne knew she wanted to be a writer at the age of ten when she wrote her first story, and has spent the past 2 decades writing blog posts, magazine articles, nonfiction and fiction books, sales letters, white papers, press releases, website copy, and anything else that can be put in written form. She has written for Intuit, Avalara, NerdWallet, GoPayment, and as a ghostwriter for a few well-known CEO’s. Her work has appeared all around the internet, including on sites like World News and Reports, Entrepreneur.com, and Forbes. She loves nothing more than being presented with a bunch of data and asked to break it down into digestible content for readers. Most days you’ll find her sitting on her porch with her laptop, writing to the sound of the ocean, and marveling that life can be this stinking good.

Jennifer DeLay - Copywriter

Jennifer has a background in journalism and Russian area studies. She holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MSFS from Georgetown University. While in graduate school in the mid-1990s, she developed an interest in the oil and gas industry of the former Soviet Union and launched a free newsletter covering the subject. She then spent more than 20 years researching, analyzing and writing about related topics, working for multiple weekly publications and a private consulting firm. Her areas of professional interest also include energy and power in China, Iran and the Eastern Mediterranean, and for fun she researches linguistics, neuroscience and disability-related issues. She has experience in copy-editing and has frequently worked with both native and non-native English speakers, helping them to produce clear, easily understandable articles on complex political, economic, legal and technical topics. Additionally, she has managed many time-sensitive typesetting projects for community institutions. Jennifer enjoys writing personal essays and lives in Atlanta with her family.

Dana Robinson - Copywriter

Dana Robinson has been writing and editing professionally for 10 years, publishing her first article in 2007. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of a local online magazine and is a contributor to various Houston print publications. She honed her experience writing newsletters and managing social media for small businesses and non-profits before moving on to e-books, magazines, and non-fiction books for print. She also enjoys teaching creative writing workshops for children. Dana received her formal education at the University of Houston–Downtown, where she majored in professional writing, minored in creative writing, and was the recipient of the Upper Division Writing award for best essay. She completed internships with Writers In The Schools and The Bayou Review.

Brenda Hazzard - Copywriter

Brenda Hazzard has over 30 years’ experience working as a writer and editor in the private and public sectors. She spent over 20 years working for the US Government in Washington and abroad, and spent several years working with the CIA during which she managed a team of writers producing internal briefs on international news, events, and politics. She writes on a variety of topics but loves opportunities to work on projects that cater to her keen interest in international affairs. She considers herself to be an empathetic editor, one who improves a draft but lets the spirit of the writer shine through. She has also worked on dissertations, white papers, newspaper articles, and family histories.

Adelia Ritchie - Copywriter

Adelia is a scientist, educator, technical writer and editor, poet, and blogger about her Pura Vida lifestyle in Costa Rica. She has more than 40 years experience writing professionally, including her years at Science Applications International Corp., Bechtel Corporation, Defense Acquisition University, and the Department of Defense. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Organic Chemistry at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Physics from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida.

Carey Miller - Copywriter

Carey brings more than 20 years of writing and editing experience to The Writers for Hire. A lifelong writer and reader, she holds a B.A. in English from UCLA. Her background includes writing and editorial positions with both book and magazine publishers. She has worked as a copy editor and proofreader for major advertising agencies including Ogilvy & Mather and Rubin Postaer. Her experience includes magazine feature writing and editing as well as manuscript development and editing. A former advertising sales executive, she has crafted a wide range of business, sales, and marketing communication for leading magazine publishers including Conde Nast and Hearst. She has worked with major consumer brands including Nike, Visa, Levi’s, General Motors, Microsoft, Charles Schwab, and Neutrogena.

Coralee Bechteler - Copywriter

In the past, Coralee has been an organic farmer, a chicken herder, a zipline administrative assistant, and an ESL teacher for kids. Today, she's living her childhood dream of being a writer. She currently resides in New York with her cat (and muse) Hermes and a miles-long TBR list that gets longer every day. If she's not reading or crafting, you can usually find her pulled over on a country road writing something down or picking wildflowers. Coralee holds a bachelor's degree in English, an associate's degree in Horticulture, and multiple internationally recognized software testing certifications.

Cecile Brule - Copywriter

Cecile enjoys the challenge of discovering each client’s unique strengths and presenting them to a wider audience. Since joining The Writers For Hire, she has worked on blogs, newsletters, RFPs, end-user documentation, email, social media, sales pages, biographies, op-eds, and fiction.

Previously, she taught in Shenzhen, China and obtained an HSK3 (Intermediate Mandarin) certificate. Cecile enjoys gaming, drawing, producing short films, and growing fifteen different varieties of apples with Serenity Orchards.

Rosalind Stanley - Copywriter

Rosalind Stanley grew up on the Coast of Maine and then accidentally spent fifteen years in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, before moving to the Midwest. She graduated from Lynchburg College in 2008 with a B.A. in Creative Writing (and a minor in Theater Performance); ever since, Rosalind has endeavored to make writing a part of her daily life, whether creative or technical, whether as a volunteer or an employee. She has tutored students, taught workshops, edited fiction and non-fiction books, and worked as a beta reader and a legal writer. She also publishes a newsletter on Substack, where she releases her own fiction serially. When not writing, Rosalind is busy homeschooling her four children and raiding the local library for new fiction.

Sean Patrick Hill - Copywriter

Sean has been a professional writer for more than 25 years, and has an M.A. in Writing from Portland State University and an M.F.A. in Poetry from Warren Wilson College. He's the author of five books, and his writing has won him grants and fellowships from the Kentucky Arts Council, the Vermont Studio Center, the Elizabeth George Foundation, and the Regional Arts and Culture Council. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where he also works at his photography.

Wintress Odom - Owner / Editor-in-chief

Wintress founded The Writers For Hire in 2003 after freelancing for several years as a copywriter and editor. She has overseen, edited, proofread, or written copy for over 100 clients and is happy to have maintained long-term relationships with many of her first customers. Wintress is an exceptional proofreader and editor and has a gift for organizing large projects, including large technical manuals and manuscripts. Her educational background includes graduating cum laude from Rice University in 2000, studying at Cologne Gymnasium in Germany, and graduating valedictorian from The Science Academy of South Texas in 1994.
Wintress