My short piece about missing the West Coast of Canada from Amsterdam appears in the latest issue of SAD Magazine.
Category Archives: Writing samples
For Hootsuite: How to Build a Buyer Persona
A well-crafted buyer persona (or customer persona, audience persona, or marketing persona) allows you to personalize your marketing on a large scale by humanizing core target groups of your customer base.
From crafting the right message for the right consumers to targeting your social ads effectively, personalization is simply a must in the social media world.
Read the rest on the Hootsuite blog
For World Footprints: Shooting Stars and Shay in Jordan
Lying on stacked cushions on the roof of a lodge in Jordan's Dana Biosphere Reserve, I watch a beam of green light shoot into the sky as our guide circles a constellation with the most powerful laser pointer I've ever seen. "That orange star, that's the womanizer,†Ali says. "He's always chasing the seven sisters.â€
This is the Arab legend of the triangle in the east, Ali tells us: the seven sisters, the womanizer, and the bodyguard, forever chasing each other across the night sky.
Read the rest at WorldFootprints.com
For Canadian Traveller: Deep in the Heart of Jordan
My feature story “Deep in the Heart of Jordan” appears in the fall issue of Canadian Traveller Magazine.
For BCBusiness: 5 must-visit Oliver Osoyoos wineries for foodies
Best known as a wine destination in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley, Oliver has plenty to offer foodies too. Local vineyards are getting creative with their cuisine, showcasing the abundance of the area's farms and fields in addition to award-winning grapes. From a quick lunch break to world-class dining, these wineries combine acclaimed wines with uncommonly delicious food, each in a vineyard setting that provides a feast for the eyes…
Read the rest at BCBusiness
For Hootsuite: How to Conduct a Social Media Audit
Conducting a social media audit is a key part of developing—or updating—an effective social media marketing plan. Before you can think strategically about your social media use, you need to document and evaluate your existing efforts.
This allows you to determine what's working and what's not, while also identifying impostor accounts, outdated profiles, and new opportunities for social engagement.
Put all that learning together and you'll be well equipped to make the most of your social budget and maximize ROI. We've laid the process out for you step-by-step, complete with a template to make sure you keep track of all the important details…
Read the rest on the Hootsuite blog
For Hootsuite: 8 Social Media Security Tips to Mitigate Risks
There's no doubt social has made the world a more connected place. In most cases, that's a good thing. But all those connections also create unprecedented access to people's and business' information. And that can be a very bad thing when hackers and scammers get involved.
Giving up social media is not a reasonable option. But neither is it reasonable to carry on as if social networks are always safe and secure. You need to take steps to protect your company against some of the most common social media security threats. Here's where to start…
Read the rest on the Hootsuite blog
For the Ensemble Travel E-zine: Mexico: Beyond the Big Resorts
With spectacular beaches, incredible food, and great travel deals, Mexico is a favorite destination for families. The big resort cities of Cancun and Puerto Vallarta have plenty to recommend them, but head just a few kilometers out of town and you'll find smaller communities with a completely different feel…
Read the rest in the Ensemble Travel E-zine
For the Ensemble Travel E-zine: 10 Exceptional Mexican Experiences for Families
Mexico offers something for every family, from parents with young tots in tow to multi-generational travel with adult children. Whether you want to cut yourself off from the world to relax, or dive into the beating heart of a vibrant city, you'll find the vacation you crave…
Read the rest in the Ensemble Travel E-zine
For the Ensemble Travel E-zine: Three Mexican Festivals You Won't Want to Miss
Festivals in Mexico offer a unique way to connect to the culture. These colorful celebrations are a whirlwind of activity, and it's easy for visitors to participate. Ask your travel agent for advice on a guided trip to experience the festivities through the eyes of a local guide, or just stroll the streets and soak it all in…
Read the rest in the Ensemble Travel E-zine