Heather Hudson

Toronto, Canada
Contact

Professional Experience

Like most fearless freelance journalists, I know a little about a whole lot. It's an occupational perk. Lifestyle articles that present solutions to life's little problems? I pitched and wrote hundreds; many received hundreds of thousands of clicks on MSN.ca. For Sweetmama.ca, I helped moms make important parenting decisions. Like where to get your baby a badass bib. And how to get the Mothers Day gift you really want. I also write feature articles for a consortium of trade magazines on topics that include agriculture, construction, northern tourism, human resources and, get this, pile driving. I dig deep (pun absolutely intended) to write provocative and informative pieces carefully tailored to the readership. But I'm not just a diligent journalist. I craft dazzling advertising copy, rehabilitate stale website copy, breathe new life into employee communications and much more. After 16 years, a little has turned into a lot. heatherhudson.ca

Expertise

Copywriter
8 Years
Technical Writer
16 Years
Writer
16 Years

Specialty

Family, Children & Teenagers
10 Years
Lifestyle
16 Years
Health
16 Years

Industries


Magazine - Large Consumer/National magazines
16 Years
Magazine - Trade magazines/publications (B2B)
10 Years
Online/new media
10 Years

Total Media Industry Experience

16 Years

Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Sonic Boom Creative Media (3-5), TC Media (3-5), Rogers Media (10+), Lester Communications Inc. (10+), MSN.ca (10+)

Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (3-5), Ontario government (6-10), Indigo Books & Music (3-5), Toronto Public Library Foundation (3-5), Microsoft Advertising (1-2)

Other Work History

I was a senior writer/editor for 5 years with the Government of Ontario; wrote internal communications and developed a plain language writing class and online curriculum.

Computer Skills

Microsoft Office Suite Google Docs Internal uploading software

Equipment

Mac laptop Digital audio recorder

References

Please see testimonials on my website: http://heatherhudson.ca/testimonials/ I'm happy to offer names/contact information upon request.

Awards

Ontario government award of excellence for a Quality Service Video package (script writer)

Showcase

General

The Blackboard
(Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board 1/1/2010)
I wrote dozens of articles for Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board's employee newspaper.
The tao of stretching
(Adventurous magazine 1/1/2014)
Article on the importance of stretching: and how to do it right.
Lifestyle web articles
(Bing Shopping/MSN 1/1/2010)
I brainstormed, pitched and wrote up to 15 lifestyle articles per month for Bing Shopping. Many of them were featured on the MSN.ca home page where they received hundreds of thousands of clicks.
Website copy
(Applause Catering 1/1/2013)
Writing the copy for this fabulous kosher catering company taught me that food preparation and service is an art unto itself. It also made me hungry.
Living upscale on a low-scale budget
(Private real estate agent blog 1/1/2010)
I wrote a series of blog posts for a Toronto area real estate agent focusing on neighbourhoods and service pieces for a condo-dwelling readership.
Northern Experience articles
(Lester Communications Inc. 1/1/2013)
Since 2005, I've been writing for publishing company Lester Communications' many trade magazines. Northern Experience showcases the natural beauty of northern Manitoba.
PileDriver magazine articles
(Lester Communications Inc. 1/1/2014)
Since 2005, I've been writing for publishing company Lester Communications' many trade magazines. PileDriver is the American Pile Driving Contractors' Association's quarterly publication. This is learning-as-you-go at its finest for me.
Elevate magazine articles
(Elevate 1/1/2010)
Making Room for Baby
(Modern Dog magazine 1/1/2005)
Service article on how to introduce new babies to existing pets.
Get a move on
(Pregnancy magazine 1/1/2009)
Print article about the health benefits of staying active during pregnancy.
Healthy Canadians Facebook posts
(Sonic Boom Creative Media 1/1/2014)
As a copywriter for Sonic Boom Creative media, I was thrilled to be part of the team pitching ideas, researching and writing stand-alone Facebook posts on health and safety for Health Canada.
Canadian Living magazine refresh
(TC Media 1/1/2013)
For TC Media, I was the copywriter on this project that introduced Canadians to Canadian Living magazine's brand new look and feel. This involved writing print and digital ads, employee communications, e-pushes, Facebook posts, Tweets and poster copy for the Photo Fest.
Sniffles, Falls and Fever
(iparenting.com 1/1/2010)
Online article exploring the physical resilience of small children.
Cold Myths
(Savvymom.ca 1/1/2010)
Online article dispelling popular myths about the common cold.
Short, snappy articles for a mom population
(Sweetmama.ca (Rogers Media) 1/1/2010)
I pitched, researched and wrote hundreds of short and snappy articles for a Mom population on popular trends, products, events and attractions, plus a weekly "5 things to do in Toronto" column.
Lifestyle web articles
(Indigo Books & Music 1/1/2012)
In a bid to further promote their lifestyle products, Indigo commissioned me to write a series of Q&As with some of their vendors, including one for a spread on cocktail culture.
Agriculture articles
(The Communicator 1/1/2011)
Since 2005, I've been writing for publishing company Lester Communications' many trade magazines. I've learned a lot about western Canadian agriculture while writing dozens of articles for The Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers' The Communicator.
Start Something With Alesse Facebook posts
(Sonic Boom Creative Media 6/1/2013)
For Sonic Boom Creative Media, I researched inspirational articles for young entrepreneurs for the Start Something With Alesse contest and wrote Facebook copy.
Midwives vs. OBs
(City Parent 1/1/2010)
Print article exploring the differences between midwives and obstetricians.
Groundbreaker magazine articles
(Lester Communications Inc. 1/1/2014)
Since 2005, I've been writing for publishing company Lester Communications' many trade magazines. Groundbreaker is the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association's quarterly magazine. I never know what I'll be assigned, but I always learn something new.
Yoga in the childbearing years
(Active Woman Canada 1/1/2004)
Article on the benefits of yoga before, during and after pregnancy.