Content Marketing

Whenever I attend an event for The Listening, Inc. I collect names of people who we can profile for artist interviews. Similar organizations send out surveys — a list of creative interview questions that they want the artist to fill out. They ask questions like “What inspires you?” and the answers sound like, well, exactly the answers you expect. To put together my questions, I start by researching the artist’s body of work. Often, I notice themes that the artist has been unintentionally exploring for some time. These conversations also leave room for smart follow-up questions. They give me a [...]

Stepping through the front door of Phyllis Hart’s home, you feel like you entered a light-filled art gallery.

I expect this isn’t the last I’ll be hearing about Najee.  Interviewing artist Najee Koncept gave me a chance to see his dedication to rising up the charts. Same-Day Screenshot When I put together articles, social media is a crapshoot. Sometimes, the publication and the subject are savvy — sharing the story with their own audiences and adding layers of relevance or meaning. Others do nothing — or put together a post that is worse than nothing. Najee gets it. Those hard-hitting discussions (suicide, authenticity, Billie Eilish’s scandal) produce quotes that make people look up and say something. Artist Interview: [...]

Although the Heilmans had recently moved into the townhomes on Ivy Lake on Ivy Hill Golf Course, we walked through Lynchburg history. They had lived in the area for several years before they moved away — only to move back. For me, it was a stressful situation. The COVID-19 shutdown regulations were constantly changing so, I wore a facemask during the interview for everyone’s comfort. I found the cloth distracting and claustrophobic. Thankfully, the mood didn’t translate into my images from the day. Meet Your Neighbors: Jerry and Rose Heilman  Originally Published in Life in the Ivy Jerry and [...]

As the second in a series of Virginia stories for Life in the Ivy, I uncovered more about Ivy Hill community during my interview with Ann Hite. Although she wanted to keep her official age off-the-record, she shared stories about Central Virginia dating back to the 1970s. For these articles, Mary Garner, the publisher uses both my articles and my photography to complete the magazine spread.  Meet Your Neighbor: Ann Hite Originally published at Life in the Ivy Ann Hite laughs and smiles generously, especially when she tells stories from her time in Ivy Hills. She treasures those stories from celebrity [...]

    Headlines matter. Not only do they provide you with page visits from post previews, but they also impact your site’s reputation. If you want to improve your traffic and gain conversions, you need to start by considering how an eye-catching headline can bring your more visitors.  Readers Skim Headlines Most websites generate traffic from content-rich sources including, social media, SEO, email marketing, and backlinks. Each of these mediums requires a strong statement to compel readers to click. Understanding how each medium drives traffic to your website can help you craft attractive phrases.  Social Media When users post links [...]

This comes from a robust blogging plan that integrates with your marketing initiatives.

I felt a little rushed when I showed up for this interview with the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center. I had just left a photoshoot and the equipment was rattling around my car as I wound through the HumanKind campus. I had the number for the building but, I also knew that the facilities sprawled into several areas. When I showed up at the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center‘s Lynchburg facilities, the setting was much different than I expected. Visiting the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center When you first walk into the building, it feels like you stepped [...]

As a volunteer with The Listening, I contributed several artist interview articles that help promote the local Virginia music community. It’s one of the many projects I’ve enjoyed as a writer in Lynchburg, Virginia. After Sara Edwards performed at the Listening’s “Where It Hurts” event, I met with her to discuss the passion behind her music. Below the article, I wrote for the Talk That Talk blog. Artist Interview: Sara Edward’s Sound Cuts Through Noise Pollution Originally published at The Listening’s Talk That Talk When Sara and I met for this interview at Speakertree, the winter twilight had already faded into darkness. We both [...]

When my articles cover impactful events, I’m conscious of the details. Recently, I spoke with an established member of the Ivy Hill Community about her experience with Bob Hope’s visit to Lynchburg. Although her memory was extremely reliable, I cross-checked the facts for two key reasons. First, I didn’t want to bog down the interview with follow-up questions. Second, I value accuracy in reporting, even for a lifestyle magazine. It's an important writing tip for any project. Feature Article for Life in the Ivy Magazine I interviewed Ann Hite for a series of articles for Life in the Ivy. Another [...]