A freelance writer never gives up

February 16, 2015 by diannaobrien

As a freelance writer, I never let anything keep me from completing an assignment — not even a 10 1/2-hour time difference for one source or an unreliable internet connection for another source.

For this piece, I interviewed one person via email, because her training schedule in Pune, India, kept her from making our appointments to talk via Skype. I interviewed a source in Rwanda via Skype text messages because her internet wasn’t fast enough to touch base by Skype.

No matter. I got the story — and my client the International Center at the University of Missouri got the news they wanted for their website.

Read the piece below:

Study abroad paves the way for post-graduation opportunities — The way to Dubai, a master’s degree and a position as news director at Rwanda’s first private television station started with study-abroad programs for these three University of Missouri graduates.

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Surprising case studies

July 25, 2014 by diannaobrien

Case studies tell an in-depth story about a particular item or approach. Here are two case studies which tell the stories of two different kinds of package redesign, taking you behind the scenes to learn why and how a company decides to put time, effort and money into a new look for their product. Each case study includes insights from the entire team on the redesign, including company officials and the artists involved.

Fresh Story — The Honest Kitchen embarked on a redesign to let the package tell the story of the fresh, raw dehydrated pet food designed to nourish pets and appeal to consumers. The illustrations of Natalya Zahn explain the what and how of this trending type of pet food.

Modern, Vintage, Hip — Kellogg’s wanted to make sure the retro packaging they created for design-savvy retailer Target communicated that the packages were special, and not just old, forgotten boxes of cereal. Using hand drawn art, the packaging for Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies and Froot Loops rekindled nostalgic feelings and reinvigorated consumer interest.

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A new look at international study

June 27, 2014 by diannaobrien

As a freelance writer, I’m learning all the time. For this article, I needed to study up on art, academic success backlash and dairy cow reproduction. The result is an article that highlights the benefits of scholars going to abroad for the scholars themselves , their students and the University of Missouri.

I also learned that Fulbright scholars are open to a wide range of study, literally from the fields of Ireland to ancient cities. The use of the amazing photographs and several subheads make the article super accessible on the website of the International Center of the University of Missouri. Take a peek at the article: Bringing it back to MU.

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Kellogg’s case study reveals how to make retro work

February 26, 2014 by diannaobrien

This case study about Kellogg’s 2013 Target special summer promotion highlights how this cereal giant made vintage designs work. The dangers are many – will consumers think it’s old packaging and old cereal? Will a redesign be effective and reinvigorate consumer interest? Or will it just look old.

The answers are in this case study, which Editor Linda Casey of Package Design called beautifully written. I think the story, “Modern, Vintage, Hip,” also highlights the benefits of team work.

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Travel essay reveals secret

February 6, 2014 by diannaobrien

Looking for humor and a revelation? In this travel essay about Moroccan cooking classes, I reveal the truth about travel: It’s not what you do on a trip but what you learn.

This package on cooking classes included two short sidebars on others who have taken cooking classes in the United States and nationally, and recipes.

 

 

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Freelance writer spotlights business training challenges

December 6, 2013 by diannaobrien

As a freelance writer, I tackle challenging topics for business-to-business magazines, making even the toughest issue interesting and informative.

For this article, I talked to top executives to get their take on how they decide what kind of training to offer, electronic, in person, team building, leadership training among an amazing array of options. Take a look at the article in Training Magazine‘s November issue.

I’ve been writing for business-to-business magazines for nearly a decade, covering everything from creating a pizza empire to credit unions. So if you’re looking for a writer who loves to research new topics, uncover the unusual and decode the tough side of business issues, you’ve found her.

As a former newspaper reporter, I know how to hit the deadline, fact check and deliver professional copy that won’t need any heavy editing. But if you do edit, I won’t squawk. I’m not a diva; I’m just a good reporter and writer who makes an editor’s job a little easier.

Here’s what Sarah Redohl, an editor at the Columbia Business Times, said about me:

“When I assign something to Dianna I know it will get done on time, and there won’t be extensive edits or fact-checks that don’t fare well. Furthermore, she will not cower in the face of a challenging story. Instead she does whatever is needed to get the story done and frequently digs up additional dirt in the process.”

So if you’re looking for someone to write top-notch articles, blog posts or case studies, contact me at dobrien387@gmail.com or 573.424.5749.

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Tips on how to do corporate social responsibility

October 22, 2013 by diannaobrien

Business articles need to deliver the goods — information on how to do business better. That’s what this feature does through exploring various practices of Corporate Social Responsibility messages from spotlighting a firm’s religious message to a store’s fair trade focus.

This feature article, In God We Trust explains why and how businesses put CSR into practice and includes tips from an expert on how to do it right.

In business writing, it’s not enough to say something is happening, an article needs to explain how your firm can leverage this trend right here, right now.

 

 

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Women in landscaping digging into new opportunities

July 18, 2013 by diannaobrien

Katharina Hoffman of Hoffman Commercial Landscaping and other women in the landscaping business are finding new, burgeoning business opportunities with the help of the Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certificate. It’s a lot of paperwork, but Hoffman says she’s found it is also the ticket to a different kind of landscaping work, work for cities, counties and other governmental agencies.

This Landscape Management article outlines what a WBE is, how to get it and how it can help a woman-owned business thrive.

Here’s a link to the article, I want my WBE.

 

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Agent App, tips on using Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com

July 12, 2013 by diannaobrien

Every day, real estate apps such as Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com grow in popularity. So are these new tools replacing real estate agents? Turns out they’re not and instead are making the home buying process even better for both buyers and agents.

In this article, Agent App, I outline what apps every agent — and buyer — should have on their smart phone or laptop when they enter the market.

 

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Updating history at the Hansel and Gretel house at 121 West Boulevard

May 30, 2013 by diannaobrien

As a freelance writer, I love writing about historic homes and even more, I love making new discoveries. Combine the two and you’ve got this article about the historic home at 121 West Boulevard in Columbia, Missouri.

For years, newspaper and magazine articles have proclaimed this house was built by Arch McHarg from oaks on the lot. And each update of changes in ownership repeated that information. But when I started to do the research, I found that information couldn’t actually be proved. I researched the records for the property and found that Arch and his wife Blanche didn’t own the house or the lot until 1935, long after the log cabin had been built in 1911, making the possibility that Arch had brandished an ax to build the log cabin unlikely. However, the records indicate the McHargs were responsible for transforming the humble log cabin into the present stone and wood siding cottage.

I also learned that while Herb and Betty Brown owned the house for decades, prior to their ownership, a fellow journalist lived there, Nadine Coleman, and she’s the origins of the gardens the Browns kept so immaculate and fresh.

Interested in reading more? Click on this link: The Hansel and Gretel House, often called the fairy-tale cottage or the Gingerbread house is surrounded by gardens, making it a cozy sight. But inside the house is a log cabin, making it a touch stone to Columbia’s pioneer past. This article was published in Missouri Life magazine.

Have you written any articles that disproved any often repeated facts? Are there any historic homes that you know harbor hidden history? I’d love to hear your take on updating history.

 

 

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