Emma Segrest

Emma is a graduate from the University of Cincinnati studying Journalism and Creative Writing. She currently works as a freelance writer and Audience Development specialist for Static Media. She has previously completed internships with Women of Cincy, VMSD Magazine and Movers & Makers Magazine. She is passionate about the ways that stories and ideas can be used to influence the thoughts of others and promote a greater sense of empathy. 

Emma Segrest

Chicago, IL / emmasegrest@gmail.com / (334) 329-9630

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Audience Development Specialist, Static Media May 2024- Current date

  • Conducted 5 weekly keyword and competitor reports to seek out breaking news and audience aligned content for various food publications.
  • Pitched 20 daily stories across company brands for freelance pool, with a focus on food, and commerce.
  • Consistently achieved 100,000+ hits on story pitches and writing.
  • Wrote SEO optimized food and commerce content across brands to grow audiences.

Freelance Journalist, Self Employed May 2023- Current date

  • Exceeds deadlines with 60+ original reported news and feature stories for publications such as Le Mile, Women.com, ArtRKL, Citybeat Cincinnati, Whitehot Magazine, and Tasting Table.
  • Pitch and write original features, profiles, and breaking news stories for audiences of over 45 million.
  • Covered The Inspired Home Show Convention for Tasting Table, writing 15 commerce stories across 3 days.
  • Captured and edited 20+ photos for social media and publications using Adobe Photoshop.

Features Editor, The News Record, Cincinnati August 2021- May 2022

  • Wrote articles for the features section aimed at a college-aged audience of 40,000, with special attention to the narrative, SEO compatibility and fact-checking process of writing stories.
  • Pitched 5 weekly stories that fit the audience and interests of the paper with clarity and attention to detail.
  • Drove website traffic up 20% with compelling news stories in a culture-focused beat.
  • Lead a team of 10+ freelancers to facilitate content and serve as a point of contact.

Editorial Intern, VMSD Magazine, Cincinnati August 2021- Dec. 2021

  • Wrote 5 weekly news briefs for the “Headlines” section of the website, with emphasis on developments in retail news and merchandise.
  • Produced content for social media and captions for photo galleries on the website focused on description and design process. Interviewed merchandise and display designers from Tommy Hilfiger, Dior, GAP, and Coach about their work and efforts to create a narrative through design.

Editorial Intern, Women of Cincy, Cincinnati August 2020- May 2021

  • Provided first edits for 4 weekly articles for fact checking, grammar and AP style, researched potential story ideas, contacted sources as needed.
  • Wrote original content for the weekly newsletter highlighting recent stories, company accomplishments, and building audience connection.
  • Analyzed web analytics of newsletters to implement improved marketing strategies.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Journalism and English, University of Cincinnati

  • Minor in Political Science, Certificate in Literary Journalism, GPA 3.67
  • Relevant Coursework: Magazine Writing, Feature Writing, Creative Nonfiction, Visual Reporting

HONORS, AWARDS, AND SELECTIONS

  • Top honors at Asheville Fringe Festival
  • Recipient of Cincinnatus Scholarship
  • Stewart and Anna Morgan scholarship for outstanding student in English.

SKILLS: SEO optimization, Adobe Photoshop, Copyediting, Canva, WordPress, Breaking News, Mailchimp

Emma Segrest

Chicago, IL / emmasegrest@gmail.com  / (334) 329-9630 

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, English and Journalism, University of Cincinnati, May 2022                                                                           

  • GPA 3.67/4.0
  • Relevant Coursework: Copyediting and Publishing, Rhetoric and Professional writing, Feature Writing, In Depth Reporting, Creative Nonfiction, Visual Reporting and Storytelling

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE 

Freelance Journalist, Various publications                                                   May 2023- Current date

  • Wrote 20+ original news and feature stories for publications such as Le Mile, Women.com, ArtRKL and Citybeat Cincinnati.
  • Published trending stories to audiences of over 100,000 readers, with special mind to style and reporting.
  • Practiced SEO optimization strategies and established a fashion, entertainment, culture and art beat for respective publications.

Script Writer, Rabbit Foot Puppetry, Chicago                                                   July 2022- Current date

  • Produced and wrote 4 unique, expansive scripts for puppetry focused performance to establish company branding.
  • Created and taught cohesive storytelling principles to guide company in engaging performances.

Features Editor, The News Record, Cincinnati                                                   August 2021- May 2022

  • Wrote articles for features section aimed at a college-aged audience of 40,000, with special attention to the narrative, SEO compatibility and fact-checking process of writing stories. 
  • Pitched 5 weekly stories that fit the audience and interests of the paper with clarity and attention to detail.
  • Drove website traffic up 6% with compelling news stories in a culture focused beat. 

Editorial Intern, VMSD Magazine, Cincinnati                                                  August 2021- Dec. 2021

  • Wrote 5 weekly news briefs for the “Headlines” section of the website, focusing on developments in retail news and merchandise .                                    
  • Produced content for social media and captions for photo galleries on website focusing on description and design process. Interviewed merchandise and display designers about their work and efforts to create narrative through design.

Editorial Intern, Women of Cincy, Cincinnati                                                       August 2020- May 2021

  • Provided first edits for 4 weekly articles for fact checking, grammar and AP style in addition to researching potential story ideas and contacting sources as needed. 
  • Wrote original content for the website to help emphasize the nonprofits missions and goals. 

HONORS, AWARDS, AND SELECTIONS

  • Top honors at Asheville Fringe Festival 
  • Recipient of Cincinnatus Scholarship 
  • Stewart and Anna Morgan scholarship for outstanding student in English.

SKILLS: SEO optimization, Adobe photoshop, Copyediting, Canva, WordPress, Microsoft Office