Way back in 1999 in the middle seat of a church van, a teen named Earl Whitney made that offhand comment—which I still count among the best and truest compliments I've ever received. (You probably already figured this out since you know that as recently as 1999 I knew a teenager named Earl, but now seems as good a time as any to let you know that I grew up in rural east Tennessee.)
Earl, wherever you are now: thank you for noticing early on what I most value about myself and deeming it notable enough to let the world know. No skill has been more beneficial to me as a friend and partner, or served me better as a writer, editor, and consultant.
Being observant.
It sounds passive, but in practice (if you do it right), it's active.
It's really listening to what you say, not just waiting until you stop talking to tell you what I think.
It's asking thoughtful questions that help you clarify what you want to communicate and uncover the story that's yours alone to tell.
It's the ability to quickly make authentic connections between ideas.
It's a finished piece that doesn't just reflect what I heard, but captures your voice.
I've been a professional writer for 13 years now, and in that time, I've worked in many different places and done a lot of different types of writing.
And whether I was working in advertising—and then internal communications—for Fortune 500 companies at a top 20 B2B Experiential Agency and an Addy award-winning agency, as a long-time communications consultant to nonprofit organizations, or as a music journalist, this has been my process every single time.
The process works: I have, as they say, the range.
My own work has won awards—most recently, a CASE Circle of Excellence Gold award for long video.
You can find my writing in the book Vinyl Me, Please: 100 Albums You Need in Your Collection (Abrams Image, 2017)—Esquire tells me you should buy it for your dad.
And in my career highlight reel, you'd find everything from writing Behind the Music parodies starring Fortune 500 executives, to providing communications counsel to some of the nation's most prominent nonprofits, to discussing astronomy with John Prine and ironing Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s dashikis.
“Susannah is a creative professional of unparalleled originality, depth, and empathy. She is the partner that mission-centric organizations want and need to elevate their message and build a movement. During my time as her colleague, I witnessed her clients achieving record fundraising success as a clear result of her creative work.”
So what can I do for you?
I can help you define that big idea, whether it's naming a communications campaign, branding your organization, writing your vision statement—or just helping you get that thing out of your head into the world in the right words.
I can express the heart of your organization's mission, describe the unique value of a product, or capture this moment for your company.
I can write your presentation, brochure, speech, video script, or web copy—or work with you as an editor to bring them to life.
I can creative direct, working closely with designers and videographers to show and tell your story.
I can manage the project efficiently and smoothly, as a #rare organized creative.
I can help you communicate in ways that truly connect, because I'm willing to take the time to truly connect.
“Whatever Susannah’s secret sauce is, it’s outstandingly sweet and savory. She’s lyrical yet sharp, hyper-organized yet easy-going, and has a brilliant mind that jumps easily from messaging to strategy. She is absolutely the creative you need to cook up something fresh, unexpected, and moving with whatever challenges and ideas you’ve got in the fridge.”