• Creative. Consistent. Collaborative.

    Jessica Cates | Senior Freelance Content Creator, Curator, and Strategist

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    Hi, I'm Jessica.


    I'm a marketer and storyteller with 15 years of experience.

     

    Serving as a leader on lean startup teams taught me to be autonomous, adventurous, and resourceful.

     

    As a content creator, I'm a relationship builder who knows how to engage people. I dig into nuanced things that make people tick and always prioritize education and helpful content over sales.

     

    Why? Because that's how trust is born.

     

    If I sound like the kind of creative thinker you need to help tell your personal or brand story, I'd love to talk.

     

    Send me a message or connect with me on LinkedIn!

     

     

  • Portfolio

    Diverse examples of my work.

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    2024 Content Study

    TOF B2B SaaS |compliant digital engagement, financial services

    Annual report written for Hearsay Systems that highlights industry social selling performance trends and line of business analysis.

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    Corporate Event Recap [Blog]

    TOF B2B SaaS | compliant digital engagement, financial services

    First in a series of four blog posts highlighting top takeaways and memorable moments from our flagship customer summit.

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    Corporate Thought Leadership

    TOF B2B SaaS | compliant digital engagement, financial services

    Collaborated with members of senior leadership to develop 'Ask the expert' blogs highlighting subject matter expertise.

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    Inman News Article

    Self-Published | personal project

    A piece I wrote detailing how real estate agents can take advantage of content marketing methodologies.

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    Sponsored Content - Inman

    MOF B2B SaaS | multi-client highlight illustrating momentum

    Article that highlights top-producing agent-owned teams making a name for themselves up and down the West coast.

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    Client Blog Post

    TOF B2B SaaS|sales tax software for small business owners

    Ghostwritten for the company CEO, worked together on content. Published on Square's Town Square blog.

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    Homepage Download

    TOF B2C PaaS | FSBO real estate service for home sellers

    Written and designed for the prior employer; showcased on their homepage and lead-gated to capture inbound traffic.

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    HuffPost Articles

    Self-published | personal project

    HuffPost Contributor articles published on a variety of topics; from real estate market trends to wedding planning.

    Product Explainer Video

    BOF B2B SaaS | real estate marketing software for agents

    Wrote, edited, and produced for prior employer.

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    Highly Visual eBook

    TOF B2C PaaS | FSBO real estate service for home sellers

    Designed for home sellers debating FSBO; potential client niche.

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    Fun Blog Post

    TOF B2B SaaS | real estate marketing software for agents

    Wrote, edited, and produced for a prior employer.

    Product Explainer Video

    BOF B2B SaaS | real estate marketing software for agents

    Wrote, edited, and produced for prior employer.

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    Sponsored Content - Inman

    MOF B2B SaaS | different real estate business model

    Educational client feature that highlights the benefits gained by an agent who went from indie broker to business owner.

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    Sales Collateral eBook

    MOF B2C | FSBO real estate service for home sellers

    Promotional content for home sellers in Florida.

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    Sponsored Content - Inman

    TOF B2B SaaS | real estate brokerage technology

    Educational content designed to highlight which technology tools have the biggest impact on productivity for high-volume agents.

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    Client Download (eBook)

    TOF B2B SaaS | sales tax software for small business owners

    I wrote the copy and came up with the initial design concept before handing it off to our in-house graphic designer.

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    Sponsored Content - Real Deal

    MOF B2B SaaS | real estate brokerage recruiting service

    Agent-focused 'what's in it for me' piece that illustrates the value of having recruiting support when you're looking to grow a team.

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    Who's Who Long Form Post

    TOF B2B SaaS | collaboration software for production companies

    A keyword-packed SEO masterpiece created for a company that provides collaboration software for film and tv crews.

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    Sponsored Content - Inman

    MOF B2B SaaS | different real estate business model

    Industry publication article that explains how agents can own a real estate business without having to operate a brokerage.

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    Client Blog Post

    TOF B2B SaaS | remote collaboration software

    An article that explains what's contributing to our collective inability to focus, why it's happening, and how to fix it.

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    Client Blog Post

    TOF B2B SaaS | production payroll management software

    Interview-based employee spotlight of the company's EVP of residuals.

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    Client Blog Post

    TOF B2B SaaS | review management software

    Thought-leadership article that explains the benefits of proactive SUT compliance management to accounting practice owners.

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    Client Blog Post

    TOF B2B SaaS | remote collaboration software

    Thought-leadership post that explains how companies can use employee journey mapping to improve service, increase customer loyalty, and boost profits.

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    Client Blog Post

    TOF B2B SaaS | production payroll management software

    Worked with the VP of Payroll Tax to develop a post featuring actionable end-of-year cleanup advice for productions.

  • Experience

    Background + Skills | what I've done and what I can do for you

    The Big Picture

    • 15 years in B2B SaaS and real estate
    • Proven content creator, writer, and editor
    • Creative demand generation strategist
    • Trusted team and project lead
    • Data-driven big picture thinker

    Accomplishments + Fun Fact

    • Helped a SaaS startup reach unicorn status  🦄
    • Operated a successful freelance business for 4+ years  👩🏻‍💻
    • Currently drafting my first book 📚 

    Senior Writer

    Experienced prose pro.

    • Write engaging blogs (thousands published!), marketing emails (drip and one-off), and more 
    • Create clear, concise web copy, sales collateral, eBooks, whitepapers, articles, and press releases
    • Work across a variety of industries, including real estate, SaaS, healthcare, small business, and technology

    Senior Copyeditor

    Thorough proofreader.

    • Edit long and short-form blog posts, articles, PR, web copy, email copy, white papers, slide decks, sales collateral pieces, sales scripts, inter-company comms
    • Have a keen eye for detail and clarity
    • Focus on readability and formatting to optimal content performance

    High-Level Strategy Guide

    Big picture thinker.

    • Create detailed buyer personas that can be used to influence content efforts
    • Strategically develop content topics that will resonate with those personas at each stage of the buyer's journey
    • Identify keyword opportunities to pursue
    • Build robust editorial schedules to keep everyone organized 
    • Help companies develop a brand voice, tone, and style

    Detailed Content Analyst

    Content auditor.

    • Review web copy, email campaigns, social pages, and other marketing content - and define how to optimize it
    • Provide actionable ways to repurpose existing assets via a content plan
    • Help businesses get more leverage out of each asset
    • Strategically define when and how to best utilize existing assets vs. when to create new ones; identify content gaps and areas of opportunity

    Creative Project Lead

    Masterful manager.

    • Expertly navigate all the unique moving parts involved in content creation
    • Effectively and efficiently collaborate with writers, editors, designers, third-party publishers, producers, and PR agencies
    • Lead projects; keep stakeholders informed, creatives on-task, approval grantors in the loop, and deliverables on track

    Content Refresh Strategist

    Clever asset optimizer.

    • Freshen up existing content to generate consistent site traffic growth
    • Review existing assets; identify areas of opportunity to increase site visitors and put a plan in place to make it happen
    • Help marketers understand how to fully leverage each content piece
    • Provide guidance on how to increase domain authority

    Social Media Manager

    Strategy demystifier.

    • Help companies sidestep common social mistakes by developing a strategic marketing plan designed to meet lead engagement and company goals
    • Provide platform-specific content best practices and asset guidance 
    • Help leaders respond to not-so-flattering social comments in a way that will protect their brand reputation and help them earn trust

    Demand Generation Specialist

    Full lead lifecycle content developer.

    • Explain the differences between top, middle, and bottom of funnel content
    • Map every buyer's journey and detail what type of content assets best support the buyer at each stage 
    • Identify nuanced pivot points throughout the journey and provide strategic guidance on how to most effectively connect with (and ultimate, convert) each target persona

    Top 5 Skills

    Things that set me apart.

    1. HuffPost + Inman Contributor
    2. Unreasonably attached to content I create
    3. Know my way around some HTML + CSS
    4. Basic design layout skills (Canva, Acrobat)
    5. Experience with multiple CMS platforms

    Top 5 Clifton Strengths

    A peek into my (charming) personality.

    1. Responsible
    2. Strategic
    3. Communication
    4. Connectedness
    5. Relator
  • Get in Touch

    Questions? Ready for a quote? Need some 'Dear Abby' style advice? I'm all ears.