Lancer

  Professional
Proven talent in writing and editing, 20+ years
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Keywords

writing
editing
technical
creative
web
Username: sabolich
Minimum Hourly Rate: $20/hr
Location: United States, Deer Park

Summary

Diamonds or rhinestones? Writer or someone who writes? Do you want someone who can describe a box, or someone who can make everybody who reads about it want to open it?

I love to write. It's what I do. I love doing the best job I can on any project whatever. I could bore you with a list of my bonafides, but I'd rather let my work speak for itself. Give me a subject. How many words do you want? Did you want that aimed at a corporate audience or teens? Need some humor? No problem. Did I mention that I've published both fantasy and science fiction as well as non-fiction on a variety of subjects? That I'm a former Army officer? That I've traveled over half the world? Oh, and did I tell you that I had two formidable old ladies for grammar teachers? And that I have over 20 years' experience writing marketing collateral of every type, technical writing, software documentation, and creative writing for the web and print? Under crazy deadlines?

I am a writer. Let me prove it.

Experience

Skills

Self-rated
Tested More Info
Elance Admission Test
Passed
More Info
Technical Writing Skills
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Creative Writing - Non-fiction (U.S. Version)
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Creative Writing- Fiction (U.S. Version)
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English Vocabulary (U.S. Version)
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English Spelling (U.S. Version)
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English Proofreading Skills - Chicago Style (U.S. Version)
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English Basic Skills (U.S. Version)
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English Grammar (U.S. Version)
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English Sentence Structure (U.S. Version)
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Employment

Lancer Designs
2008-Present - Owner
Freelance writing and editing, including:

SEO-optimized content
Blogs
Articles on a wide variety of subjects
Sales letters
Marketing copy
Proposals
Instructional manuals
Travel guides
White papers
Historical research and essays
Help files
Ebooks
Creative fiction
Creating writing (non-fiction)
Technical manuals
PowerPoint presentations


Ambassadors Group (People to People)
2006-2008 - Writer/Editor
- Created compelling, audience-appropriate marketing materials for adults and children ages 8-18
- Created standards for editing, proofing, and writing marketing materialsand curriculum
- Wrote marketing collateral and curriculum
- Created new materials for a European program that resulted in sales 70% over program capacity

Getronics
2003-2006 - Marketing Specialist
- Upgraded presentation and marketing graphics for Getronics North America
- Edited all sales materials for tonality, branding, and consistency as well as proper grammar and spelling
- Pioneered branding still in use; pushed the Marketing Communications messaging to new levels of professionalism and aesthetics
- Designated a High-Potential Employee in December 2004
- Go-to person for writing press releases, case studies, standards and guidelines

Interface Computer School
1999-2003 - Instructor, Web Design
- Lead instructor for the web design program; rewrote and taught curriculum for the existing web courses and developed curriculum for a new advanced web program
- Achieved 87.5% retention of all students taught in the first year and 88.9% placement in training-related jobs, earning the school's Outstanding Performance Award for 2000, and again in 2002
- Consistently received student evaluations in the superior range

Courses taught:

- HTML
- dHTML
- JavaScript
- Flash
- Front Page
- Dreamweaver
- Photoshop
- E-commerce development
- Project management
- Team development
- Server administration
Insights International
1998-1999 - Project Director
Managed operations for a high-end commercial web development firm:

- Directed four departments (design, development, sales, and web marketing)
- Liaison between development teams and the client
- Wrote sales proposals and marketing materials
- Ensured client vision was met
- Ensured projects were brought in on time and on budget
Consolidated Electronics
1993-1998 - Technical Writer/Project Coordinator
Master Scheduler/Systems Coordinator
- Resolved customer issues
- Served as interdepartmental coordinator to facilitate communications and process flow
- Coordinated JIT materials acquisition and product delivery

Project Manager
- Jump-started stalled new product development and brought it to a successful conclusion
- Developed project plan, instituted spending controls, prioritized completion of documentation for five product models
- Wrote test procedure for redesigned unit and coordinated field testing

Technical Writer

- Production and sales documentation
- Production work instructions
- Product literature
- User and Technical Manuals
- Provided technical illustration and developed sales presentations using drawing applications.
- Assisted in R&D of new products through on-site testing of beta software and developing technical manuals

About Me

Profile Type: Individual
Number of Employees: 1
I have been a soldier, a teacher, a technical writer, and a marketing specialist. I have worked for a global IT company and a start-up web firm. I have taught web design and sat side-by-side with assemblers to write work instructions. I enjoyed every job I ever had and learned an incredible number of things about many industries, but it is writing that draws me and gets me excited every day. My writing has earned me awe and praise from every employer I ever worked for, and I want to continue to apply my skills in this capacity.

I am creative and able to think outside the box, and I was blessed with two formidable old teachers who drummed proper grammar into my head at an early age. Yes, and I can spell, too!


Payment Terms

Payment terms are generally 1/2 up front, 1/2 on delivery, dependent upon length and complexity of the project. I will give an estimate of how completion time prior to project start and bill only for hours spent unless a flat rate has been agreed upon beforehand.

Detailed Service Description

Lancer Designs offers writing and editing services of all types in addition to web design, content creation, SEO optimization, and illustration.

Credentials

References
Joann Noble - Personal Reference - 2008
Noble Associates, President
Developed presentations and reports for the banking industry and the City of Boston to Noble Associates' requirements
Education
Eastern Washington University, BA History
1975 - 1978
My Elance URL
 
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Member Since:
Feb 2009
Last Sign-In:
Nov 20, 2009
Last Feedback:
Nov 06, 2009
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