SAMANTHA RENFRO
Vancouver
Summary
I am a passionate, attentive, and sharp writer and editor eager to take on new and challenging tasks. Writing has always been a part of my life, from creating fictional stories at a young age, voicing my thoughts and arguments in academic essays, and producing top-tier articles at a PR Agency. My passion for writing helped me overcome cancer, diagnosed at the age of 14, and fuelled me to publish a children's novel to share my story with the hope of helping others. Since graduating from the University of British Columbia in 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature, I have grown my writing career and currently hold the position of Chief Editor with placements in major publications including Inc., Daily Mail, Wealth Insider, USA Today, and more.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Editor
Mindful Agency
10.2024 - Current
- Oversaw, trained, and developed writers to optimize production and quality of work.
- Enhanced publication quality by implementing rigorous editing and proofreading processes.
- Minimized procedural problems and publication errors with stringent fact-checking.
- Organized editorial calendars for efficient scheduling of articles.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations among team members for continuous improvement opportunities.
- Collaborated with writers to refine article ideas, resulting in engaging and relevant content.
- Wrote and created content for various topics.
- Collaborated with Account Managers, Sales Reps, and publishers to streamline processes and update work platforms.
- Interviewed clients to gain insight into their background, story, goals, and vision for articles.
- Delegated article angles based on client interviews and ensured each piece adhered to the client roadmap.
- Attended client meetings to build relationships and meet/exceed client expectations.
Associate Editor & Senior Content Writer
Mindful Agency
05.2022 - 10.2024
- Interviewed clients to gain an in-depth understanding of their background, goals, vision, and overall story to assist in article production.
- Placed in top-tier publications including Inc., LA Weekly, Women in Business, Wealth Insider, Maxim, Daily Mail, USA Today, and more
- Reviewed articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, accuracy, and compliance with quality standards.
- Determined readiness of written pieces, made changes, and approved final versions for publication.
- Communicated directly with writers to collaboratively assess work and guide editorial improvements.
- Checked reference sources to verify dates, facts, and statistics.
- Pitched article angles that aligned with the client.
- Provided constructive feedback to writers, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and professional growth.
- Served as a liaison between editorial staff and other departments, such as marketing or sales, to meet client expectations and relay updates.
Editorial Writer
Mindful Agency
05.2022 - 03.2023
- Gained extensive knowledge of diverse subjects through continuous learning while covering various beats in depth.
- Kept up-to-date with industry best practices and emerging trends in journalism to maintain cutting-edge expertise as an Editorial Writer.
- Improved overall content quality with thorough proofreading and editing skills, ensuring error-free articles before submission.
- Collaborated with editors and fellow writers for cohesive storytelling and consistent editorial voice.
- Wrote for major publications, including Wealth Insider, Daily Mail, USA Today, Inc., and more.
Real Estate Newsletter Writer
RE/MAX
11.2021 - 12.2022
- Wrote informative and promotional articles, blogs, and social media captions for clients while maintaining the client's tone and voice.
- Utilized exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills to produce engaging and error-free content.
- Optimized content for search engine rankings following SEO best practices.
- Met strict deadlines and worked on multiple articles a day.
- Promoted as a Permanent Contract Writer after two months.
Market Research Intern, Proofreader
Bunzl Canada
05.2021 - 10.2022
- Chosen amongst hundreds of applicants to update Bunzl Canada's product descriptions on its website.
- Researched products and entered data into an Excel sheet including short and long descriptions, titles, keywords, units of measure, etc.
- Completed research, compiled data, and assisted in timely reporting.
- Performed SEO best practices for product titles and product descriptions.
- Met strict deadlines and expectations every week to complete 100+ products while maintaining the correct data entry format.
- Promoted to proofread my fellow interns' work as I excelled and went above and beyond with my work production.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature, Minor in Art History
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC05.2021
Skills
- SEO
- Copywriting
- Editorial management
- Editing and proofreading
- Excel Data Entry
- Article Writing
- Interviewing skills
- Collaborative mindset
- Content development
- Creative direction
- Fact-checking
- Delegating assignments
Volunteer Experience
- Fundraising Volunteer, Balding for Dollars, 05/17 - 05/2023
- Fundraising Volunteer, Canadian Cancer Society, 03/20 - 02/21
- Fundraising Volunteer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, 04/19 - 04/19
Publications
My Battle with Cancer is a children's illustration book about the process of chemotherapy to help kids and their parents through such a challenging journey. Told from my personal experience battling cancer at the age of 14 and published in 2017 at Kids Books in Vancouver, B.C. I attended Balding for Dollars' Main Event every year from 2017-2023 and sold my book to help raise funds for the organization.
Awards
- Defensive Player Of The Year Award Women's Soccer, Metro Vancouver Women's Soccer League, Division 2, 2023
- All-Star Award Women's Soccer, Metro Vancouver Women's Soccer League, Division 2, 2022
- Keg Host Award, Recognized as the most reliable and hard-working host at my location, 2019
- Dean's Honour Roll, Langara College, 2019
- MVP Defence Women's Soccer, Metro Vancouver Women's Soccer League, Division 1, 2018
- Honours High School Grades 10-12, Maintained an 80+ average throughout high school, 2014 - 2016
References
References Upon Request
Timeline
Chief Editor
Mindful Agency
10.2024 - Current
Editorial Writer
Mindful Agency
05.2022 - 03.2023
Associate Editor & Senior Content Writer
Mindful Agency
05.2022 - 10.2024
Real Estate Newsletter Writer
RE/MAX
11.2021 - 12.2022
Market Research Intern, Proofreader
Bunzl Canada
05.2021 - 10.2022
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature, Minor in Art History
University of British Columbia
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