Melissa Zimmerman
Hi, I'm Melissa.
I've spent the last decade strengthening my skills in SEO, digital marketing, writing, editing, and strategy, building up my expertise in the wellness industry (and many others).
I invite you to discover my story and the passion that's driven me to publish over 10 million words online over the last ten years.
My Story
I'm a content strategist and senior SEO writer who helps businesses, brands, and publications reach more of the right-fit clients online. I began my journey into marketing, online writing, and the wellness industry in 2013.
My first digital marketing role was with an e-commerce brand. It was the first time I was paid to write, using my innate writing skill to craft original product descriptions for thousands of supplements, health foods, and non-toxic home and body products.
That was my first exposure to SEO and writing for the web. It was also my induction into the natural health and wellness industry.
I was hooked on both.
When my son was born in 2014, I knew I could take the SEO and writing skills I'd honed and create a freelance opportunity for myself. With freelance writing, I could use my skills and work at home with my new baby, proving that work-life balance —while not easy— is not a myth.
Experience points:
- SEO
- Wellness writing
- Balancing business with baby
Marketing Strategist
I often collaborated with digital marketing agencies that outsourced content creation for their B2B and B2C clients. One of these digital marketing agencies hired me to work full-time as a content specialist in 2016.
In the marketing agency, I received a hands-on education in omnichannel digital marketing tactics to support my clients, such as SEO, email marketing, social media marketing, paid ads (PPC), and, of course, content marketing.
Over time, I moved from a marketing generalist to a marketing strategist specializing in content marketing. One of my superpowers is using content to help brands get found online.
As a content marketing strategist, I simultaneously manage content calendars for up to a dozen clients and projects. I write articles and blogs, edit submissions from junior team members and freelance writers, and collaborate with dev and design teams to ensure timely content production and promotion.
I've spent years growing within the agency and found my way into a leadership role in the marketing department. I mentor junior marketers and writers. I'm a cheerleader, encouraging teammates to find their voices, strengths, passions, and skills within the organization.
Experience points:
- Content and SEO strategy
- Editorial planning
- Writing and editing content submissions
- Experience across multiple industries, B2B and B2C.
- Collaborating with multiple teams to meet deadlines and ensure quality
- Omni channel marketing
- Mentoring junior writers and marketers
Wellness Writer
The wellness industry left a lasting impact on me personally and professionally. I am an avid and enthusiastic "learner" in the wellness space. I stay up-to-date on wellness trends and write wellness articles to explore topics surrounding sleep, nutrition, fitness, natural health, and women's health.
Wellness is one of my heart's passions. I write, edit, and publish wellness articles as my way of giving back and making a small change in the world. I want to help people feel their best, fuel their bodies, and feel energized to give more to their families and communities.
I know how it feels to struggle to cut through all of the fads and BS to find information that is truthful and helpful for optimizing health.
This spirit of empathetic, helpful, science-backed, actionable information is the backbone of my wellness writing.
I wrote my first health-centered piece of content over ten years ago and have since published hundreds of pieces of content helping people live healthier lives.
And I couldn't be prouder of my contribution.
Experience points:
- Wellness writing
- Editing freelance submissions
- Substantiating health claims
- LOHAS audience expert
- Google's EEAT guidelines
- Helping make the world a healthier place
- Harvard Medical School Certification: Creating a Sustainable Nutrition Plan
AS SEEN IN: MATTRESS CLARITY
Where I'm Headed
I've developed two separate yet complementary careers in the past ten years. Along one path, I've carved out a career as a digital marketing strategist and content marketing expert. I can help any business or brand use digital marketing channels to reach their business goals.
Along my second path, I've also continued to deepen my knowledge and expertise in the wellness industry. I've written hundreds of articles and developed specialty experience in natural health, women's health, nutrition, sleep, and more. I'm passionate about this space.
I'm at a space where I want to be intentional about what I create, the audience I serve, and the people and culture I surround myself with.
This desire for intention brings me to search for a wellness-centric company that can utilize my writing and marketing experience, strategy skills, and deep expertise in what helps businesses get found online.
How I Do Stuff
Explain
Adapt
Innovate
Envision
- Kolbe Index: When I tackle a problem, I start problem-solving through brainstorming. I review data, visualize solutions, look for alternative routes, and adapt along the way.
Visionary
Strategic
Positivity
Maximizer
Ideation
- Clifton Strengths Top Five: My top five strengths are "strategy" heavy, complemented by positivity and a maximizer strength, in which I champion others to bring out their strengths.
When I'm Not Working ...
When I'm not "writing the internet," I love spending time with my friends and family, pursuing my hobbies, and reading books. (So many books.)
I've recently added portrait sculpture to my creative skill set. I love to travel with friends and family. I'm a sports mom who shuffles her kid from the basketball court to the soccer field, and mom to a totally crazy French bulldog.
Family, friends, and connection are extremely important to me, and art, books, and travel feed my soul.
- Melissa
PS: If I weren't a writer and online marketer, I think I would've made an amazing Disney Imagineer — coming up with creative and innovative solutions to inspire others through story and art.
