Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published March 25, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published March 25, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
New month, new Mediabistro roles.
Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
2 min read • Originally published March 25, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
2 min read • Originally published March 25, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Have you felt stuck in a rut lately and like you’ve needed to boost your creativity? This is common, especially with writers who want to practice their craft but struggle to find something to write about.
Writing prompts are a great way to get out of such ruts, forcing one to write about things out of their comfort zone or about things that typically wouldn’t cross their brain. Every writer needs to broaden their horizon with writing prompts occasionally. These are perfect for finding inspiration to write a novel, short story, essay, or simply journal. However you decide to use them, these writing prompts are an excellent motivator to become a better writer:
What is your favorite color and what feeling does it evoke?
What do you think the world will look like in 20 years?
Imagine a state you’ve never been to and write about what you think it’s like.
Write about a time you’ve moved (jobs, houses, cities).
Recall one of your most vivid dreams and add elements that weren’t in it.
Recall one of your teachers in your middle or high school years. What do you think their life was like?
Write about something kind that a stranger has done for you.
What is a hobby you’ve been wanting to try and why?
Come up with an imaginary place. What is it like and what are the rules there?
If you could time travel, which period of time would you go to?
What was the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen happen in public?
Write about what you would do if you won the lottery.
Only using dialogue, write a story about the reunion of two friends.
Find a sentence in a letter or book and start your story with it.
Choose an ancestor or a person from the past to write about or to.
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
3 min read • Originally published April 1, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
3 min read • Originally published April 1, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Freelancers, whether they’re established or just starting out, are familiar with the term “pitching.” In fact, odds are that they mainly rely on pitching ideas to editors in order to get their stories picked up. There are different elements that go into a pitch email: a catchy subject line, a hook, and a strong case for why the piece would be relevant both for that outlet and during this moment in time. With that being said, writers who are still figuring out how to create the perfect pitch can run into errors and mistakes are common. It takes both practice and patience. Whether you’re pitching to an editor you’ve worked with before or are pitching someone for the first time, here are some common pitching mistakes to avoid.
Not having a focus
The more specific your pitch is, the better. Why are you pitching to that outlet in the first place? You not only need a strong case for why the article is relevant in the current moment in time but also should provide a case as to why the outlet needs to be producing content on the topic.
2. Not putting pitch in the subject line
How will your pitch stand out in an editor’s inbox? Odds are that the editor you’re pitching to has to manage many pitches daily. Make sure your email doesn’t get lost in the sea of unread messages by including “pitch” in the subject line. Also, be sure to double-check the outlet’s pitch guide for specifics, as outlets typically include these somewhere on their website. Not only will this help the odds of your pitch getting picked up, but it will show the editor you have done your research before contacting them.
3. Pitching last-minute content
How relevant is the pitch at this moment in time? Depending on the type of outlet you’re pitching to (and how quickly they turn content around), be sure you’re not pitching a topic that has passed the zeitgeist at the time. If the outlet is news-related and moves quickly, keep that in mind.
4. Being too wordy
When it comes to pitching to editors, there’s a fine line between providing a strong case for your article and providing too much information (that could later be used within the actual piece). Be sure that your piece is concise. If an editor sees that you have a novel of an email, it may dissuade them from picking up your piece.
5. Pitching a story that’s already on the outlet’s site
This one seems like common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many writers pitch content before double-checking that it hasn’t already been written about on the website. Do your research! A simple google search with the outlet name and topic should inform you if you should move forward.
6. Not providing sources/cites
Back to the topic of relevance: are any other outlets talking about this topic? If so, link to other articles in your pitch to help the editor gain familiarity with the topic. Once again, you need to make the experience as uncomplicated as possible for them.
7. Not proofreading
Last but certainly not least, read and re-read your email for spelling and grammar errors. The chance of an editor picking up your work is likely to decrease once they spot any errors.
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published April 1, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published April 1, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
New month, new Mediabistro roles.
Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
3 min read • Originally published April 4, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
3 min read • Originally published April 4, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Can you briefly describe your job?
I am a national lifestyle correspondent known for providing TV appearances full of engaging content and innovative products. I have collaborated with more than 200 brands and businesses in the past 6 years.
Plus, I use my social media following and blog as a go-to resource for my segments and to give brands a wider audience reach. I believe what sets me apart is that I only work with brands that I believe in and that I know I can represent well. I also go above and beyond when preparing for my TV segments. I put hours into learning and memorizing talking points so that I deliver the brand’s message correctly.
Lastly, I manage several clients’ social media accounts. I create marketing plans and content for social media with actionable steps for my clients.
2. How did you start working in this industry?
I majored in broadcast journalism at the University of Northern Colorado, and started at the NBC affiliate in Amarillo, Texas as a lifestyle correspond and associate producer. A couple unintended curves in my career path led me to my “hybrid” job today. I am grateful that I get to combine several different forms of media in my correspondent/social media role.
3. What does your day-to-day look like?
No two days look the same for me. One day I could be getting ready for a TV segment, and then the next I could be holding a reporting call with my client, or shooting new content for my personal social accounts. That’s what I love about what I do. I love that my schedule is flexible and always changing.
4. What is your advice to anyone wanting to work within broadcast journalism?
My advice is to start early when it comes to building your reel and your connections. I hate to say it, but so much of it is not what you know, but who you know. Get ready to build relationships and work your connections. It’s a very competitive field but it can also be very rewarding.
5. Do you think this landscape has changed within the past few years? If so, how?
I definitely think the landscape of broadcast journalism has changed the past few years. We consume so much media from our phones now. Plus, streaming services are taking over the world. That’s why I’m grateful for the role that I have created for myself – knowing that I can take my content and produce it for all platforms (TV, blog and social).
7. Anything else you’d like to add:
My career path was anything but “straight and smooth.” It’s definitely had it’s bumps and turns. With that being said, I want people to know that it’s ok to get frustrated, but to not give up on what you truly want. Hard work and dedication will get you where you want to go. Never be afraid to try something new, but I must tell you, get ready to be uncomfortable. But I’ll be worth it.
Kayla Zadel is a TV Host/Lifestyle Correspondent known for engaging segments with innovative products in fashion, lifestyle & travel.
Interested in a similar gig? We have some open jobs for you!
Frankie Wallace is a freelance content writer covering technology, sustainability, and business trends, with a background in journalism from the University of Montana.
4 min read • Originally published April 5, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Frankie Wallace is a freelance content writer covering technology, sustainability, and business trends, with a background in journalism from the University of Montana.
4 min read • Originally published April 5, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
If you’ve done any kind of content marketing or creative promotion in the past, you’ve probably heard the phrase “content is king.”
It’s an idea that still holds a lot of value, but perhaps for different reasons. While content creation was once heavily focused on keywords and formatting, it’s now more important to showcase your personality in everything you publish.
The average person is inundated with thousands of advertisements each day. The last thing you want is for your website, social media posts, or even your marketing efforts to feel cold and gimmicky. No matter what type of creative outlet you use, showing off your personality and connecting with your readers will make a big difference.
But, how can you be personal, casual, and professional all at once? What can you do to make sure your content is effective while still connecting with your target audience?
Look at the data from your content
If you’ve already been producing content for a while, it’s always a good idea to check out your data. Looking at analytics will give you a better idea of things like
Who is looking at your content
Where people are seeing most of your work
Age ranges of your target audience
What bits and pieces have seen the most success
Looking at your data can help you decide where you should post more personal content, and where you should keep things professional. For example, your last TikTok video that showed off a bit more of your personality and fun side might have been more successful than the same video you published on Instagram. It’s all about understanding your audience and knowing what content should be shared across different platforms.
While you’re analyzing your data, however, don’t let it control you. Don’t get so wrapped up in data that you don’t come up with fresh, creative ideas. Overloading yourself with information can lead to data analysis paralysis, and could end up stifling your creative process and making it harder to insert a fun, casual personality into your content.
Share your stories
Consumers want different things from brands today than in the past. According to one study, 64% of consumers want brands to connect with them. You’re never going to achieve that connection unless you’re willing to peel back the curtain and show your audience who you really are.
One effective way to do that is to share stories that connect with people. That could include backgrou
nd stories about some of your workers, behind-the-scenes videos, photos, and blog posts about volunteer efforts you’re involved in, or even a history of your brand and why you got started.
Humanizing your business through stories will not only make you seem more personable, but it can play to people’s emotions. The more you can evoke certain emotions from your audience (especially positive ones!), the more likely they are to trust you and listen to what you have to say.
Revealing more of yourself through personal stories about your brand might seem intimidating, at first. But, it can be your secret weapon to stand out against competition that is more closed off. When consumers see you as a trusted friend, they’re more likely to choose you over another business – and more likely to tell their inner circles about you.
Get social
Content creation goes far beyond what you’re posting on your website or blog. Utilizing social media, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok can make a big difference in how your audience sees you. It’s also a much easier way to showcase your personality quickly, rather than revamping your entire website.
Some of the easiest ways to be more personable on social media include
Hosting live Q&A sessions
Livestreaming your business process (behind the scenes)
Posting behind the scenes photos
Asking questions to spark discussion
Responding to users who have their own questions
Joining in on discussions
All of these ideas let your audience know that you’re a real person, not just a big corporation that doesn’t care about their needs. You can prepare yourself for things like live videos by dressing casually – but professionally. Pick a room in your home or office where you feel most comfortable, and consider using different backgrounds to showcase your personality. The background you use for a live chat might be different from a vlog or pre-recorded option. But, choosing a backdrop that shows a bit more about who you are can make it easier for viewers to connect with you and feel comfortable.
Whether you’re just getting started or you know it’s time for a content revamp, don’t be afraid to get personal in whatever you publish. Yes, there’s a fine line between professionalism and personality, so start with what makes you feel comfortable. You’ll quickly see how well your audience responds to it, and you can decide how much more you’re willing to share.
Keep these ideas in mind to showcase your personality in your content, and enjoy yourself while you’re doing it!
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
4 min read • Originally published April 6, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
4 min read • Originally published April 6, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
When one says they are looking for a creative job, it could mean a number of things. Creative jobs can be harder to describe because they can encompass a wide variety of positions, mostly coming down to ones that include the use of imagination and original thinking. While there’s an artistic element to most creative jobs, the umbrella under the term is expansive. With that being said, creative jobs are rapidly growing. In fact, it’s predicted that most future jobs will be creative instead of traditional labor or service.
So whether you’re looking for a job as a Creative Director or Copywriter or Photographer, there are numerous different available creative positions open currently within the job market. Here are our top ten creative jobs that are hiring now.
Creative Director
A Creative Director determines the creative vision of a brand or project and manifests that vision through digital, print, and film installations. The job is to maintain a cohesive look and feel of a project—be it an advertising campaign, fashion line, video game or magazine—by ensuring the visuals, messaging and/or interactive and motion designs are on point. A Creative Director also establishes budgets and timelines and manages client relationships.
Typically, Marketing Directors are responsible for developing and executing strategies to promote brands, products, and services, ultimately aiming to meet business goals. They monitor trends and develop advertising campaigns based on their audience. They also work to build greater brand awareness of the products and services that the company offers. There are many different types of marketing, such as branding, advertising, email, social media, referral, search engines, and more.
There are many different roles within the advertising world. Generally, an Advertising Account Director works on advertising and marketing-related campaigns to raise brand awareness of a client or company and make sure they are meeting its business goals. Think of anything from an ad on social media to a billboard ad to a commercial—all of these are examples of a product that came from an Advertising Account Director and their team.
Public relations refers to the relationship between a company and an individual, so the Public Relations Director has a duty to be the middleman between the company they work for and the public. There are a variety of things they can do to carry this out, from duties like writing press releases, organizing events, and raising funds for programs.
In the ever-growing and evolving world of social media, the role of a Social Media Manager can change by the day. However, in a general sense, they oversee developing and implementing strategies for a company’s social media—whether it’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, or all of the above. Social Media Managers are the creative engines behind a company’s varying social outlets, staying on top of social media trends as well as curating content daily for that brand. They also monitor audience comments and maintain relationships with other companies on social media.
The goal of a Graphic Designer is generally to captivate an audience with aesthetically-pleasing visuals that are in line with the company’s brand. Their job is to visually communicate with both the employees of the company along with clients or potential clients. They can be found across industries and can work on a variety of products depending on the company. With that being said, some may specialize in particular fields such as illustration, digital design, branding, or advertising.
Copywriters are responsible for creating effective and engaging text that is used to promote the products of the company they work for, whether it’s an ad agency or a corporation. Their writing is typically displayed externally on ads, websites, catalogs, videos, and social media. Most of their writing needs to be clear, as it’s used briefly and compellingly. A Copywriter is also usually part of the company’s marketing team, working closely with other team members in the process of brainstorming and executing ideas.
Photographers can be hired to take photographs of a wide variety of things, including personal, commercial, educational, and technical purposes. Photographers also build and manage their clientele, letting them know when photos will be ready and exchanging their photos with them.
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published April 8, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published April 8, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
New month, new Mediabistro roles.
Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:
Kyle Elliott, MPA, CHES is the founder, career coach, and interview coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com. His goal is simple – to help people find jobs they LOVE. He is an official member of the invitation-only Forbes Coaches Council as well as a member of the Gay Coaches Alliance.
4 min read • Originally published April 11, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Kyle Elliott, MPA, CHES is the founder, career coach, and interview coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com. His goal is simple – to help people find jobs they LOVE. He is an official member of the invitation-only Forbes Coaches Council as well as a member of the Gay Coaches Alliance.
4 min read • Originally published April 11, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Your resume is one of the most important tools in your job search. Yet, you only have a handful of seconds to grab a recruiter’s attention with your resume. Deciding what to include on your resume can feel challenging. What do recruiters look for in a resume? How do you write a resume that recruiters love? What should you include in your resume to increase your chances of landing an interview?
Over my decade as a career coach, I have spoken with thousands of recruiters over the years to learn which resumes grab their attention and which ones end up in the rejection pile. I noticed several trends during my one-to-one conversations with recruiters at nearly every Fortune 100/500 as well as countless hyper-growth startups and VC-backed companies. The following is what I gleaned those recruiters really look for when reviewing your resume and job application.
1. Your previous experience
Your most important assignment as a candidate is to connect the dots between your previous experience and a recruiters’ open role. In other words, you need to learn to quickly communicate how your past successes relate to the job postings you are targeting. Therefore, the better you explain how your experience is relevant, the more likely you are to land a job interview with your dream company.
Subsequently, I am a proponent of using the target job posting as a recipe card that guides your resume creation and customization. If the role calls for “project management” experience, for instance, ensure there are one or more bullet points on your resume that address your project experience and achievements. You can even begin a bullet point with the phrase, “PROJECT MANAGEMENT:” to make your experience pop out to the recruiter as they are quickly scanning through hundreds of resumes and job applications. The key here is to make your experience swiftly digestible for someone who is only spending a handful of seconds reading your resume before moving on to the next one.
2. Your education and professional development
Many companies are moving away from requiring formal education from candidates. However, recruiters often still want to learn where you gained your knowledge as well as if you stay on top of the latest industry trends. Consequently, include a section on your resume with any degrees, certifications, or credentials you hold. Additionally, speak to any mentorship, internship, co-op, or related programs you currently or previously participated in. You can also use this section to reference your attendance at conferences and other professional development engagements.
Importantly, if a job posting asks for a specific degree or credential, such as an MBA or the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, you will want to list this near the top of your resume. You want to avoid the mistake of requiring recruiters to dig through your resume to assess if you meet the minimum job qualifications. Also, if you are making a career change, you will want to list any courses or advanced training you completed in pursuit of the new career path in a space that is easily identifiable to the recruiter.
3. Your unique qualifications for the role
Although recruiters are assessing how your relevant experience and education relate to their vacancies, they are also looking for what makes you special. In other words, they are looking for reasons to invite one candidate in for an interview over another. As a candidate, this means you need to take action to ensure you land in the ‘heck yes’ pile rather than the dreaded middle of the bell curve. There is nothing worse than blending in when looking for a new job.
With this in mind, you want time to call out and draw attention to those experiences, achievements, and skills that brought you success throughout your professional career. Be sure to do this at the beginning of the resume, rather than burying the lede. If you worked across several distinct industries or speak multiple languages, for example, mention this upfront in your resume’s career summary. Then, reinforce this with examples and accomplishments throughout your resume that back up your claims.
4. Your personality and interests
Finally, recruiters are looking to interview humans. They recognize that job seekers are so much more than their professional experience, education, and advanced training. Thus, consider how you can nimbly incorporate your personality into your resume and other career documents. This may look like adding a section for extracurricular activities or hobbies on your resume, mentioning your unique interests, incorporating a splash of color, or including a testimonial from a former colleague or client.
These are just a few of the things recruiters look for when reviewing your resume and job application. At the end of the day, you want to show recruiters that you will add value to the team and the organization. Remember: You will land more interviews if you help recruiters understand how your experience and qualifications relate to their open roles. You’ve got this!
Kyle Elliott, MPA, CHES is the founder and career coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com.
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published April 14, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published April 14, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
New month, new Mediabistro roles.
Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:
