Shayla Brown

• Developed and edited story pitches for major national publications.
• Conducted social media outreach to identify and engage story sources.
• Researched extensively to enhance effectiveness of story pitches.
• Crafted character-driven narratives through compelling storytelling techniques.

• Leveraged social media, local community members and organizations to find story sources
• Conducted interviews with subject matter experts to drive the story's message.
• Performed extensive research before crafting a story pitch
• Drummed up interest and story anticipation by crafting social media preview content across platform enhancing audience engagement and growing mission-driven following
• Collaborated with editors and designers to Coordinated source photography for the featured issue

• Identified storytelling opportunities aligned with Essence brand objectives through current events analysis.
• Proofread content to ensure accuracy in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax.
• Delivered completed op-ed within one week, requiring minimal revisions.

Pitched original story ideas and authored articles on African American parenting.

• Incorporated storytelling into media roundups and expert-sourced content.
• Secured 20% salary increase within three months through successful pitching and writing.
• Submitted initial drafts to associate editor for copyediting via SkyWord.

Collaborated with associate editor to finalize print drafts using Google Docs suggestion mode.

• Structured SEO-optimized, socially relevant articles tailored to target audience.
• Accepted editor-assigned writing projects utilizing Gmail and SkyWord.

Researched and interviewed expert sources while identifying credible hyperlinks.

• Pitched original story ideas focused on African American culture in Arizona Valley.
• Wrote compelling articles highlighting interests and experiences of African Americans.
• Secured a featured centerspread lifestyle story to enhance publication visibility.

• Authored lifestyle articles for Signature Magazine, Lamar Times, and Petal News newspapers.
• Crafted news articles for theLamar Times and thePetal News to inform local communities.
• Conducted interviews with locals to capture and narrate compelling stories.
• Secured a prominent centerspread feature on lifestyle topics.