Annette Overton-McGrath

​

Freelance Writer and Editor, 1990-present

• Published book author, “Lady Arabella’s Guide to Elegant Brunch,” © 2024, on Amazon in ebook, paperback and hardback editions.

• Web content creation: marketing copy and blogs via end-to-end platforms WordPress and Wix.

• Social media copywriting on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Blogging on Substack.

• Business writing including a manufacturing executive’s LinkedIn profile and a new business plan for investor proposal launching a Manhattan dance studio.

• Book editing and writing services including rush order ghostwriter for a published memoir, consulting editor for a first novel and ghostwriter for book proposal for non-fiction book by two renowned experts.

• 20+ years journalism experience editing and writing news and features for newspaper and regional magazines in business and lifestyle categories. Articles from 300 to 3000 words, on assignment and by proposal, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia Business, Richmond Magazine, STYLE Weekly.

​

Fitness Coach / Small Business Owner, 2015-present

Richmond, VA. Philadelphia, PA. Metairie, LA.

• Designed, wrote and managed business website’s client recruitment on Wix platform, a cloud-based Content Management System.

• Researched, tested and wrote 150 healthy recipes, marketed via email campaign. Funneled site visitors from free offer through 5-month series, increasing site traffic, driving email enrollment, ultimately upselling clients to private coaching in nutrition and fitness.

• Wrote brand image and sales content for social media posts and blogs appearing in Facebook and Instagram.

• Converted from local, in-person training to 100% Zoom training in 2021, doubling client base and expanding reach worldwide.

• Built client relationships and referral network via excellent customer service and results-oriented fitness training across the United States and in Europe.

• Created 30 hours of video content for yoga trainings via YouTube Channel.

• Certifications earned include:

*Master yoga teacher designation with over 500 hours of professional training and eight years of teaching, RYT-500 via Yoga Alliance

*Trainer of professional yoga teachers, E-RYT 200 via Yoga Alliance

*Course creator, YACEP via Yoga Alliance

*Certified personal trainer, WITS.

​

Technical Editor, Dec. 2006 - Jan. 2008

Capital One, Richmond, VA.

• Edited direct mail marketing on deadline for accuracy, clarity, unassailability and

• compliance for federal credit regulations on the financial services industry.

• Worked on a team in a LEAN production cycle and Agile groups.

• Communicated necessary changes with Brand, Marketing and Analysis,

• Compliance, Legal and Creative Production departments.

• Certification earned: Project Management Associate’s Certificate via Capital One University.

​​

Assistant Editor & Contributing Editor, 1993-1994

STYLE Weekly, Richmond, VA. 

• Developed creative and timely story concepts. Edited copy for clarity, accuracy, tone and voice.

• Edited with AP Style manual.

• Multi-tasking in strict deadline environment. Edited multiple special sections. Launched and edited monthly, stand-alone publication, LifeSTYLE.

• Supervised team of seven to 12 writers (independent contractors, staff and interns), organizing and enforcing deadlines as well as overseeing section budgets.

 

Staff Writer, 1993-1994

Highlander Publications, Media General, City of Industry, CA. 

• Wrote on-assignment and proposed new story concepts.

• Researched and wrote news articles about local government and school board for three communities: Covina, San Dimas and LaVerne.

• Delivered creative human-interest stories.

​

Junior Account Executive, 1986-87

McKinney & Silver Advertising, Raleigh, NC.

• Acted as liaison between account management, creative and production departments within agency for development and execution of ad campaigns.

• Presented work to national clients, J.P. Stevens Carpets and Del Monte Fruits.

• Reviewed and organized presentation materials.

 

Director of Communications, 1985-1986

North Carolina Textile Manufacturers Association, Raleigh, NC.

• Developed, supervised and executed statewide events featuring seminars promoting a Buy American public relations campaign. Wrote campaign materials, partnered with regional committees of plant and public relations managers, facilitating successful execution of events.

• Wrote internal and external communications about trade association’s mission, accomplishments and activities, including newsletters, brochures and press releases for print and broadcast media.

• Acted as spokesperson in print and broadcast interviews.

• Led meetings of association’s communications committee.

​

EDUCATION

Duke University, Durham, N.C.

Graduate coursework toward Master’s degree in Liberal Studies, an inter-disciplinary

humanities major.

​

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Morehead-Cain Scholar

Bachelor of Arts, English.