Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa James.
Hi Melissa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Honestly, I’ve gone so much further in my career than I ever planned or dreamed! When I was working on my advertising degree in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication at UNC-Chapel Hill, I endeavored to become an ad copywriter at some big agency. But when my high school sweetheart and I wed after college graduation in 2001, he entered the Air Force—which promptly whisked us to a remote city in West Texas. No big agencies to be found! But I did snag a copy editing job at the local newspaper, The San Angelo Standard-Times. I had previously edited for our college newspaper as a hobby, since I was a natural grammarian and headline-writer. This experience, combined with the mandatory newswriting classes in journalism school, positioned me well for success.
Our next station was Spokane, Washington. I was hired ast a copywriter for a jewelry-supplies catalog and moonlighted as a copy editor at the local newspaper, The Spokesman-Review. When the military moved us for a final time, to the Virginia Peninsula in 2005, I became managing editor of the products division for Colonial Williamsburg—writing ads, product hangtags, catalogs and even DVD scripts! I loved combining my passions for history and decorating. But our division was decimated by the 2008 recession, and the very day I was laid off, I landed a new job… as marketing director for my infant son’s childcare program. I was close friends with the development director there, and she had just been approved to create the new marketing position when I called her in tears. I would work there for the next seven years. It was a large nonprofit child development center with three locations, and I began learning graphic design and nonprofit development as part of my new role. I also commenced classes toward my eventual Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the Academy for Nonprofit Excellence (Tidewater Community College).
After building nonprofit expertise and many community connections, I left the job in 2014 to become marketing director for The Curtis Group, a prestigious nonprofit consulting firm. This part-time job allowed me the freedom to take on more freelance clients, after doing occasional projects over the previous seven years under the name Creative Copy & Design. By 2018, my freelance work had grown to such a volume that I could no longer balance both, and so I departed the job to focus fully on my business, now a full-fledged LLC.
I never would have seen myself as a business leader, but I found myself increasingly in the spotlight as I got involved in the business community.
• “Women in Business” Achievement Award Winner – Inside Business Magazine, 2022
• “Top Forty Under 40” Award Winner – Inside Business Magazine, 2018
• Board president, Peninsula READS, 2022-23
• Quoted in book “How to be a Nonprofit Rock Star,” 2010
• Silver Award Winner – MultiChannel Merchant – WILLIAMSBURG Catalog, Copywriter, 2008
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s actually been quite smooth overall! Though I experienced a layoff seven years into my career, I found a new job that same day! Sure, I had some unpleasant bosses and I’ve dealt with some difficult clients—and even had to “fire” a handful of them—but 95% of my work experiences today are amazing. That’s what I enjoy most about being an entrepreneur—it’s my choice with whom I spend my professional time. I get to help causes I’m passionate about, elevate new and small businesses, swim in the big pond with large clients, and learn something new with each one.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I own a small marketing agency, Creative Copy & Design, which includes three other people on my team (all contractors): a marketing specialist, a graphic designer and a copywriter. I was originally a sole proprietor, but word-of-mouth was generous to me and I had to start hiring help. I still oversee and have final approval on every project, and I accomplish many start-to-finish myself, but having a team of amazing ladies has been a godsend. Everyone who works for me is smart, deadline-oriented, creative, reliable and a skilled problem-solver. Our brainstorming sessions are incredible!
Our project scope is pretty broad, but everything comes down to some form of persuasive communication. That can include:
• Websites
• Newsletters/e-blasts
• Magazines & annual reports
• Ads
• Booklets & brochures
• Banners & signs
• Articles
• Press releases
• Infographics
• Direct mail
• Flyers
• Fundraising letters
• Event marketing
Our main areas of expertise are in business/economic development, the home industry (remodeling, real estate, neighborhoods), early childhood, higher ed, and nonprofits. For me personally, I excel at taking a “hot mess” and organizing it into something cohesive, clear and action-oriented. Many clients will dump dozens of disparate files and images into my inbox, and I find a way to sort them, pull out salient details, and structure a communication that’s targeted at the right audience, visually appealing, strategic to the goal and written in language that audience understands (most companies fall into using jargon and “us” language instead of “you” language). I make a concerted effort to explain my choices and changes to the client so I can educate them for their future projects. If they need me less and less, that’s perfectly fine. I want every client to succeed.
I’ve encountered too many website developers and graphic designers who hold the work hostage so they can force the client to return to them for edits, reprints, etc. By following the golden rule, I’ve ended up with far better client relationships and repeat business because they WANT to hire me again, not because they HAVE to. And if they decide to hire someone different next time, I send them with my blessing and make sure they have all their necessary files.
Websites are personally my favorite and best talent. They pull together all my skills at once: writing, design, organizing information, being strategic for search engines, making a beautiful layout, and directly affecting a company/nonprofit’s visibility. I charge by the hour for them and make good money, yet the total ends up a fraction of what other companies are charging for a far worse product. I do all my websites on Wix.com, which universally my clients have found easy to use once I do the big hand-off, and I’m an official Wix Partner after completing over 150 websites there.
One of my biggest clients is York County Economic & Tourism Development, where I help the county where my business is registered to help other businesses! I write business-feature articles, advice articles and marketing materials about incentives and opportunities to help local businesses grow and succeed.
I’m also different because I have so much expertise in nonprofits. When I write and design for them, I’m just merely executing what they send me, but guiding them on strategy for the message and management of their fundraising efforts and events. I earned my Certificate of Nonprofit Management a decade ago from Tidewater Community College, and I was even quoted in the book How to Be a Nonprofit Rock Star. It’s what lets me offer so much value to nonprofit clients, as I can do much more comprehensive projects for them. My business is unusual in our significant nonprofit discount. When I was on staff with nonprofits in the past, I hated how businesses would only give a 5% or maybe 10% discount to us when we were already on a shoestring budget. So I offer a 20% discount to charities.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Giving back to our community and helping other businesses succeed are a core value for Creative Copy & Design. I volunteer a lot of my professional time, including:
• Presenting marketing advice at business events (every couple of years)
• Serving on pitch panels for middle school and high school entrepreneurship classes (every year)
• Giving mock job interviews with high schoolers taking personal finance classes (every year)
• Teaching high school students website design, branding and positioning (every 1-2 years)
• Teaching all gifted 3rd graders in York County about print advertising each spring
• Serving as a mentor for Start Peninsula (local version of Shark Tank)
• Serving as board president for an adult literacy nonprofit
By working with students, I’m developing our local workforce at an early stage, when bad professional habits have yet to form and best practices can become foundational. By being a thought leader in nonprofit marketing/fundraising, I help the most vulnerable of my community improve their lives, which helps us all. And by teaching fellow small businesses skills on marketing and branding, I’m helping boost the business environment in which I work. It’s perhaps a natural stage to reach as a professional in my late 40s… I’ve figured out how to be successful in my field, and I want to ensure those behind me have a shot at the life I enjoy.
Pricing:
- 110/hour
- My work is offered at a flat rate of $110/hour for all services. Why? An hourly rate allows me to move seamlessly between writing and design and editing, consulting calls and strategy sessions. An MBA once told me I should not use hourly pricing because I should be selling my expertise, not my time. I replied that I am selling hourly increments of my expertise, because my time has value and opportunity cost. I also feel it’s the most fair to my clients. A single project rate is made as an average between past easy and complicated clients…. which means my easy clients would be overpaying and my challenging clients/projects getting a discount. By charging an hourly rate, it gives my clients the power. Do you want to take your own photos and research options, then send them to me? Great. Or do you want me to do these things so you don’t have to? Do you want me to make one round of edits, or eight? Some clients have little time and lots of money, and some are the reverse. It’s fully customized to their needs this way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://creativecopy-design.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cr8vcopy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-james-782b5123/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelblonde
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YlMRFBUoUCyOVyad9XuRE
