Hire the Best Strategy & Planning Freelancers in Illinois

Entrepreneur (0-IPO:NASDAQ), proven innovator (64 patents) and charismatic leader (CEO/CTO) who has founded venture backed companies in SaaS software and systems, telecommunications, Fintech, high speed electronics devices and energy harvesting. I specialize in helping early stage companies move from surviving to thriving. You have a good idea, a 1.0 product and your company is making progress but it is not clear how to get from where you are today to enough revenue to pay bills, hire the people you need and ramp growth. Ugh. Here are some recent wins: * I worked with a founder and CEO of a social media marketing company to triple revenue in 2025. * I helped the CEO of a startup fintech company get their mobile App from a lost cause to complete and launched in the market. * I prepared a consumer fintech App company for $1.5m series A funding, solving operations issues, providing proof points of customer acquisition costs and consumer demand in the App. I'm here to help. I have CEO and CTO experience and judgement in startups and will work closely with you to get organized, formulate a plan and execute successfully. I have walked in your shoes and know the business and emotional struggles. I have raised venture capital and took one of my companies public. I guarantee my work or you don't have to pay. We'll do what needs to be done to be successful: align your product with the market, establish key partnerships to bring in new revenue streams, prepare yourself for funding, locate funding partners and close on a round of investment, add discipline to the sales process and start meeting sales goals. I've earned my experience by founding companies, recruiting talent, raising capital, building products and exiting through IPO or sale. I'll help you manage any area of your business or transform it. I'm proven by my experience and will help you with everything from Agile delivery and technology issues to the company itself. I can advise you or you can put me in a problem location and we'll get it resolved. As a freelancer, I can work as an individual contributor and not only will I accomplish the mission, you'll get my good judgement, communication, positive attitude and leadership as a bonus. I know funds are tight but you need my kind of expertise. I will meet you where you are at and work out a way for you to afford my skills. bests, Pat Member of Upwork's elite "Expert-Vetted" top 1% team. ------------- Summary I am an experienced leader and innovator with a strong background in business revitalization, technology, and strategic growth. I specialize in aligning products and technology with market demands, driving business transformation, and establishing strategic partnerships. My expertise spans business strategy, software and hardware technology, investor relations, fund raising and intellectual property management. Key Roles and Achievements Businesses * Veteran Crowd Rewards, LLC: As a CTO/CISO, I led business strategy and product management, enhancing the company's valuation and securing $1.5M in funding. * RedWave Energy, Inc.: As CTO/Founder, I raised $20M+, led groundbreaking R&D, and built a valuable IP portfolio. * Apropos Technology: Founded the company, CEO/CTO, raised $25m in VC funding, leading it to a successful IPO and substantial growth (NASDAQ:APRS). Consulting * Unmatched Marketing: I worked closely with the CEO to expand and refocus product content tripling revenue. * Money Match App: Moving company to successful product launch and series A funding. Salvaged a struggling App development, shored up operations and brought on key talent. * Strategic Alliance Consulting, Inc.: I helped the CEO focus the company on cybersecurity, and transforming to a software company driving revenue growth and helping raise pre-seed funding round. * Trifin Labs: As a vSenior Project Manager, I revitalized distressed projects, leading to successful software delivery and business growth. Organizations Juna Amagara Ministries: Co-founder and Chairman of an organization to support AIDS orphans in Uganda, growing it to $450k/year recurring donations. Skills * Expert in software and tech company development, project management, product management, CEO and CTO leadership, and innovation (over 65 patents). * Proficient in sales, business analysis, intellectual property strategy, talent recruiting, fund raising and contract negotiations. Boards * Buttery AI - early stage AI platform innovation company. * Renmind - AI UI/UX innovation. * Harmoniq Insights - AI driven quant trading technology firm. Education * Master's in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Northwestern University. * Bachelor's in Astronomy from the University of Illinois. * PMP Certification Awards * Distinguished Award of Technical Merit - Bell Laboratories * R&D 100 Award 2018 * RedHerring Global 100 Award Winner 2018 * 65 Patents References: Available upon request.

Tired of running Facebook & Instagram ads that spend money—but don’t drive real results? Hello! My name is Erik aka Facebook Yoda, I am 4X-certified by Meta and I help businesses and agencies turn underperforming campaigns into predictable lead and sales systems. /// Meta Certified Digital Marketer /// Meta Certified Media Buying Professional /// Meta Certified Creative Strategy Professional /// Meta Certified Media Planning Professional /// Facebook & Instagram Ads Expert | Business Growth Strategist /// Campaign Optimization, Analytics & Lead Generation Specialist /// Ad Copy, Creative Strategy & Landing Page Optimization With 10,000+ hours of hands-on experience, I help businesses scale profitably through data-driven Facebook & Instagram advertising. Whether you need done-for-you campaign management or strategic one-on-one coaching, I provide clear direction, execution, and optimization backed by real-world results. I’ve trained extensively in digital marketing, media buying, social media strategy, and performance analytics—so you can be confident your ad spend is in expert hands. How I can help: ++ Facebook & Instagram Ads Consulting ++ Full Ad Account & Campaign Audits ++ Campaign Setup, Scaling & Ongoing Management ++ Landing Page & Funnel Optimization ++ Advanced Audience Targeting & Retargeting ++ Performance Analytics & Reporting ++ White Label Ads Management ⭐ 5.0 Star Client Rating Clients consistently highlight my structured approach, deep platform knowledge, and ability to explain complex strategies in a clear, actionable way. Here’s what my clients say: Rating is 5.0 out of 5. 5 Stars Mar 17, 2025 - Apr 8, 2025 "Erik Continues to be a major asset to our business. We are so lucky to have him as a freelancer for our Facebook/Instagram Ads! Rating is 5.0 out of 5. 5 Stars Apr 28, 2025 - May 5, 2025 "Erik really knows his stuff and is excellent at walking you through various processes related to running FB ads." Rating is 5.0 out of 5. 5 Stars Mar 4, 2025 - Mar 6, 2025 "Erik has a structured approach to setting up ad campaigns in Facebook and Instagram, supported by his experience. He helped me a lot with wrapping my head around what to do, provided detailed guidance on setting up the campaigns, and answered all questions I had." Rating is 5 out of 5. 5 Stars May 9, 2024 - May 16, 2024 "EXCEPTIONAL! I didn't stop taking notes because of ALL the wisdom Erik was sharing until he told me about all the resources he would be sending after our call. I am very grateful we found Erik and have access to his knowledge. If you're looking for guidance on Facebook Ads, this guy is a total expert!" Rating is 5 out of 5. 5 Stars Jan 12, 2025 - Jan 13, 2025 "Erik was fantastic to work with. I came to the call with a broad understanding of what I was trying to achieve and Erik helped me expertly craft a multi-faceted campaign to both test my creative assets and promote my product. 10/10 Highly recommend." If your Facebook or Instagram ads aren’t delivering the results you expect, let’s fix that. Message me today and let’s optimize your campaigns for growth. Available Monday–Saturday Erik G. | 4X-Certified by Meta PST: facebook ads, facebook marketing, facebook ads expert, facebook advertising, facebook marketing expert, facebook ads specialist, facebook advertising expert, facebook ads manager, facebook instagram ads, instagram ads, instagram advertising, instagram ad campaign, instagram ads expert, facebook and instagram ads, creative design, creative designer, facebook advertiser, facebook advert, facebook advertisement, facebook marketing advertising, facebook marketing digital, instagram marketing, instagram marketing specialist, instagram marketing expert, instagram, facebook, digital marketing, digital marketing expert, digital marketing manager, digital marketing consultant, marketing consultant, digital marketing strategist, digital marketing strategy, social media marketing, social media ads, social media ad, facebook consultant, facebook marketing consultant, social media marketing consultant, facebook ads consultant

Hey there, I'm Amanda! I'm a GenX/Millennial mix (hello, best of both worlds!) and a UGC fashion and beauty creator who knows how to keep things real, relatable, and results-driven. I create female-focused UGC video ads that don't just blend in, they stand out and convert. Portfolio here: ugcamandawilburn.com Where my content shines: TikTok Ads Instagram Reels Facebook Ads Amazon Listings YouTube Shorts What its like to work with me: Effortless, natural delivery Fast communication (I'm on it!) Professional vibes with a friendly twist Obsessed with the details so you don't have to be Need more than one video? I've got bundle deals that'll save you some coin when you order 3 or more. If you're ready for UGC that actually grabs attention (and keeps it), hit that message button and lets make something amazing for your brand!

I’m a digital analytics expert with over 6 years of experience helping businesses and agencies implement reliable, scalable tracking systems across platforms like Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google Tag Manager (GTM), and Adobe Analytics. As a Top-Rated Upwork freelancer, I’ve worked with everyone from Fortune 500 brands to high-growth startups, ensuring their data is clean, actionable, and aligned with business goals. What I Do: 📊 GA4 Setup, Migration & Audits From account architecture to enhanced event tracking, I ensure your GA4 setup delivers insight—not noise. 🧩 Google Tag Manager Strategy & Implementation I clean up bloated containers, deploy new tags, and structure your GTM workspace for performance and scale. 📈 Adobe Analytics Support Whether you're maintaining a legacy Adobe implementation or optimizing report suites and processing rules, I help you get the most from your setup. 🧪 Measurement Planning Need to unify marketing, product, and business KPIs? I’ll help you create a tagging and reporting plan that drives decisions. 💡 Data Quality Checks Using tools like debug extensions, network analysis, and BigQuery exports, I validate that your data is accurate from tag to report. Why Work With Me? ✔️ Trusted by national brands, agencies, and startups ✔️ Top-Rated with consistent 5-star feedback ✔️ Deep technical knowledge + strategic thinking ✔️ Fast communication and proactive project leadership Let’s turn your analytics into an asset. Message me to discuss how I can help.

Hello and welcome! I’m Kiefer Otto, a dynamic and results-driven freelancer with expertise in project management, executive assistance, operations, digital marketing, quality assurance, customer service, and video production. I specialize in helping businesses streamline operations, optimize workflows, and enhance their digital presence—all while ensuring smooth communication and collaboration. How I Can Support You: 📌 Project Management & Process Optimization -Building & maintaining project management systems (Asana, Monday.com, Airtable, etc.) -Ensuring projects run smoothly with clear deadlines & communication -Leading team meetings & streamlining collaboration -Creating & improving SOPs to enhance workflow efficiency -Analyzing & implementing process improvements to boost productivity 📌 Digital Marketing & Customer Engagement -Social media strategy & content creation (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok) -Email marketing campaigns (Mailchimp, Flodesk, ActiveCampaign) -CRM management & customer outreach -Website updates & optimization (Squarespace, WIX) -SEO research & implementation -Paid ad campaign management (Facebook Ads, Google Ads) 📌 Executive Assistance & Operations -Inbox, phone & calendar management -Travel coordination & agenda planning -Client communication (reminders, meeting agendas, follow-ups) -Organizing tasks, responsibilities & workflows -Attending & recording meeting minutes -Managing & creating content for social media platforms 📌 Video Production & Content Creation Storyboarding & vision planning for digital content Video shooting, editing & post-production (Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro) Creating engaging promotional content for brands & businesses Publishing & optimizing videos for online platforms 📌 Customer Support & Experience -Delivering top-notch service via email, calls & ticketing systems -Enhancing customer retention through engagement strategies -CRM navigation, data tracking & reporting -Identifying and implementing cost-effective solutions to improve service delivery Why Work With Me? I thrive in collaborative environments and love helping business owners focus on their zone of genius by handling the behind-the-scenes work. My approach is proactive, strategic, and detail-oriented, ensuring every project is completed efficiently and effectively. A Bit About Me! Outside of work, I’m a music lover who enjoys concerts, dancing, and a fun night out with great food, good friends, and a killer cocktail. My favorite singer? Robyn. Want to win me over? Just be loyal, kind, and fun! If you’re looking for a dedicated professional who can bring structure, creativity, and efficiency to your business, let’s connect! I’d love to chat about how I can support your goals. Let’s make things happen!

Hi, I'm Kulsoom Kousar (KK), based in Chicago, Illinois. I have 9 years of experience helping startups, agencies, eCommerce brands, and growing businesses streamline operations, improve customer experiences, automate workflows, and build scalable digital solutions. My background spans AI Automation, Quality Assurance (QA), Full-Stack Development, Digital Marketing, Content Creation, Video Editing, CRM Management, and Virtual Assistance, allowing me to support projects from planning and strategy through execution and growth. Top Rated freelancer with $50K+ in earnings, a 100% Job Success Score, and 42 successfully completed projects on Upwork. Many of my clients appreciate having one dependable professional who can handle both technical and business needs without the hassle of coordinating multiple freelancers. 🟢 Core Business Services 🟢 AI Automation & Workflow Automation 🟢 Virtual Assistance & Administrative Support 🟢 CRM Setup, Management & Automation 🟢 Project Management & Team Coordination 🟢 Lead Generation & Market Research 🟢 Business Operations Support 🟢 Data Management & Reporting 🔵 Development & Technical Expertise 🔵 Full-Stack Development 🔵 WordPress Development & Customization 🔵 Shopify Development & Store Management 🔵 WooCommerce Development 🔵 Website Design & Landing Pages 🔵 CMS Development & Customization 🔵 Back-End Development 🔵 Third-Party System Integrations 🔵 Website Maintenance & Performance Optimization 🔵 Database Management 🔵 Mobile & Web Application Support 🟢 Quality Assurance & Testing 🟢 Manual Testing 🟢 Automation Testing 🟢 Functional Testing 🟢 Regression Testing 🟢 Cross-Browser Testing 🟢 Mobile Application Testing 🟢 Website Testing 🟢 Test Case Creation & Execution 🟢 Bug Tracking & Reporting 🟡 Marketing, Content & Creative Services 🟡 Digital Marketing Strategy 🟡 Social Media Management 🟡 Content Creation 🟡 Content Marketing 🟡 Video Editing 🟡 SEO Optimization 🟡 Blog Management 🟡 Short-Form Content Creation 🟡 Brand Growth & Audience Engagement 🟡 Marketing Automation I have worked with businesses across a wide range of industries, helping them improve efficiency, strengthen their online presence, optimize business processes, and deliver better customer experiences. Whether you need an AI Automation Specialist, QA Engineer, Full-Stack Developer, Digital Marketing Expert, Content Creator, CRM Administrator, Video Editor, or a reliable Virtual Assistant, I bring a practical, results-driven approach and a strong commitment to quality. In a nutshell, I combine technical expertise, business operations, marketing knowledge, and creative problem-solving to help businesses grow, automate, and scale more efficiently. I'm always open to long-term collaborations and projects where I can contribute both strategically and technically to help businesses grow.