Hire the Best Journalists in Chicago, IL

I have a background in 2D art, which has cultivated my eye for visual design. I enjoy drawing portraits, organic modeling, digital illustrations, and large canvas painting. I also historically work in the newsroom as a producer, journalist, and digital manager, which has caused me a love of creativity and a hunger for information. I am open to research and writing opportunities on a freelance basis due to my extensive background in journalism experience.

Most recently, I finished a two-year contract as a Multimedia Journalist at a CBS-affiliate T.V. News team in the South Bend Market, WSBT-TV. In this role I arranged interviews with elected state and local officials, local non-profits, educators and local activists in order to write informed stories relevant to the Northern Indiana community. I pitched, wrote, interviewed and presented full package reports every day during our live morning broadcast, a four-hour show. I delivered on stories around local changes in higher education and k-12 school changes. I also presented feature stories of local inventors finding national success, small businesses adjusting to a fluctuating economy, and community service organizations working to resolve food insecurity. I have developed video treatments and production strategies for universities, non-profit organizations, businesses, and independent content creators. From helping you write your ideas in video format to capturing the vision on camera and editing everything in post-production, I am a creative, diligent choice. Whether you have an exact vision for what you want, or you need help formatting your ideas for visual storytelling, I can be your partner the whole way through. I can help with interviews, personal narratives, product marketing, video updates that update your audience, comedy sketches, voice-over production, and promotional video writing, directing, editing, and producing. I am also a content writer for speeches, letters, and video content. I was the opinions editor for a university journal in which I operated a monthly column entitled Words for the Weary. I am looking forward to seeing how my partnership can support your project. Be well.

I'm an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and accomplished editor, marketer, and editorial advisor. The last two books I edited both reached #1 on Amazon, as did my own book, released June 2023. I've been successfully advising founders and CEOs on their public writing and thought leadership for years. I've reported from around the world for the New York Times, The Guardian, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Monocle and other top outlets. I served as communications editor for the World Bank's private sector arm, IFC, for more than six years, examining an array of business and financial issues. I worked as a lead editor for several major media sites and have hosted multiple podcasts and ghostwritten several books.

I am a Communications Professional with a decade of experience in journalism and media relations. I have served as a journalist and television producer for the last ten years, working for cable news networks and local television stations as a lead news writer, line producer, executive producer, and more. Additionally, I work as a freelance writer and media relations consultant for businesses and nonprofits, where I help develop content for their brands. My services include blog writing, press release writing, media pitch creation, social media content, email newsletter writing, strategic media/press plans for company events, and media training. I would love the opportunity to work on behalf of your brand.

Social media is all about connection. People don’t just want a product—they want to know why your brand deserves their attention. That’s where I come in. I'm the girl who turns casual viewers into loyal, returning customers through engaging, authentic, and on-brand content. I’m a creative, ambitious, and hard-working content curator with a passion for storytelling through social media. With over 3 years of experience in UGC (user-generated content), social media marketing, content curation, and multimedia journalism, I’ve worked with startups, music companies, cafes, and local publications to help them grow and thrive online. Here’s what I bring to the table:
 ↳ Strong skills in video/photo editing, social strategy, and graphic design
 ↳ Proficient in Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and other creative tools
 ↳ Equipped with my own camera, phone, and tripod to create high-quality content anytime, anywhere
 ↳ Proven results like growing a local Chicago publication’s TikTok by 156%, Instagram by 311%, and Twitter/X by 84% through consistent posting and creative engagement I also curated a barista-run TikTok account that quickly gained a following by showcasing the fun, relatable personalities of the café staff. This not only built a loyal online audience but also increased in-person visits. I’m super personable, love a good laugh, and value honest, open communication. I’ll help your brand stand out through my unique POV and creativity ✨

Nice to meet you. I'm RJ, an experienced freelance writer with a sharp voice and proven track record in storytelling, cultural commentary, and satirical humor. I've published 500+ articles on a variety of subjects across multiple media- from independent print magazines to Substack to YouTube video scripts. I've written extensively on music history, local events, witty takes on current events. My research is in-depth and organized, and my tone is punchy, energetic, and most importantly, funny. Comfortable with WordPress, SEO-friendly content, engaging blog posts, opinion pieces, and creative nonfiction. I deliver clean, deadline-driven work with a hardened edge. I'm available now for writing, editing, ghostwriting, researching, or outline creation. Let's collaborate on some content that stands out!