Michelle Messenger Garrett

I founded and host a weekly chat on Twitter for freelancers, #FreelanceChat. The goal of the chat is to support freelancers as they try to manage and grow their businesses. Topics include how to find clients, how to manage client relationships, financials, legal issues, marketing your freelance business, juggling your work/life balance as a freelancer and more. Join us every Thursday at noon Eastern by using the hashtag #FreelanceChat.

I work with clients worldwide on writing, PR, content marketing and social media projects. I write/ghostwrite content from blog posts to contributed articles to press releases to newsletters and more. I create and curate social media content. On the PR side, I plan and conduct media relations and thought leadership programs, and provide planning, strategy and counsel. I help clients earn media coverage and then leverage that publicity to promote their businesses. My business is EDGE and WBE certified. I founded and host the weekly #FreelanceChat on Twitter. I was named a Top Digital PR Leader in 2020. In addition, my blog was named a Top 25 Must-Read Public Relations Blog. Unlike a larger agency, I specialize in helping B2B companies, small businesses, nonprofits and startups who may not be able to budget a large monthly amount but can afford some writing, PR or social media assistance and like to work with someone who’s flexible enough to be available when needed and scale up or down according to their budgets. My background in journalism combined with my experience in PR and social media is an ideal blend for companies looking to work with someone who brings a mix of communication skills and experience to projects. I enjoy watching how the industry is evolving and how disciplines are merging. Trends I follow include the gig economy (I was freelancing before it was en vogue) and the integration of PR, content and social media.

Served as account manager on Adobe graphics/software product division and HP enterprise storage server and high performance server divisions. Managed three full-time associates, as well as multiple contractors and administrative support, up to a total of nine people at any given time. Managed annual budget of more than $1million and monthly budget ranging from $60,000-$90,000. Managed multiple concurrent product launches. Developed relationships with key press and analysts through media relations and press tours. Provided strategic counsel to client contacts, including product managers, directors and general managers. Developed reviews program approach and managed four concurrent reviews programs with overwhelmingly positive results. Secured briefings with more than 300 contacts at 182 publications and analyst firms in a six-month period. Secured more than 280 placements for Adobe graphics products in a six-month period. Developed press releases, reports, plans and Q&A documents.

Developed relationships with key trade press editors and industry analysts, with a focus on those in the manufacturing, CAD, automotive, aerospace/government, AEC, and printing and publishing industries. Created, pursued and prioritized opportunities for coverage of software and hardware products and technologies, including application programming interfaces (APIs) such as OpenGL and complex data management (CDM) solutions. Planned, wrote, edited and coordinated production of press releases and technical white papers; qualified and placed customer application stories. Managed outside public relations agency relationships and public relations associate. Planned and supported industry trade show efforts, events and conferences.

Managed projects, including coordination and integration of information and long-range planning and design. Wrote, edited, designed and produced publications including brochures, newsletters, ads, and case studies for print and electronic media; formulated production schedules and set deadlines. Developed and launched successful public relations program, including developing press releases and placing articles, to generate publicity and increase visibility. Created and executed publicity plan to promote international conference, resulting in a 25 percent increase in attendance. Planned special events including Vice President's Al Gore's visit, as well as tradeshows, seminars, receptions and employee functions.