Derek Nolan Strum
1203 South 6th Street
St. Charles, IL 60174
PHONE: 979.599.6262
E-MAIL: dereknolanstrum [at] gmail [dot] com
EXPERIENCE
2019 – Present
Senior Web Copywriter
SERP Matrix
Houston, TX
Researched and wrote content for websites, newsletters and blogs of law firms across the country.Utilized SEO to improve natural and organic rankings of clients’ websites.
2014 – 2018
Senior Web Copywriter
Internet LAVA
Houston, TX
- Researched and wrote content for websites, newsletters and blogs of law firms across the country.
- Utilized SEO to improve natural and organic rankings of clients’ websites.
2013 – Present
Freelance Writer
WritersDomain
Orem, UT (Telecommute)
- Wrote articles, blog posts and website content for clients nationwide relating to topics such as health, technology, law and social media.
2013 – Present
Freelance Writer
Textbroker International
New York, NY (Telecommute)
- Wrote articles, blog posts and website content for clients nationwide relating to topics such as medicine, law, sports, and automotives.
2013 – Present
Freelance Writer
WriterAccess
Boston, MA (Telecommute)
- Wrote articles, blog posts and website content for clients nationwide relating to topics such as news, sports, finance and entertainment.
2013 – 2014
Document Specialist
LegalZoom
Austin, TX
- Reviewed and formatted wide variety of legal documents for customers across the nation.
- Identified errors and assisted in quickly resolving order processing problems.
2011 – 2013
Associate Editor
Attorneys Online Inc.
Austin, TX
- Researched and wrote content for websites, newsletters and blogs of law firms across the country.
- Edited content of fellow writers, with position requiring knowledge of AP Style.
- Utilized SEO to improve natural and organic rankings of clients’ websites.
- Position required interaction on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter.
2010 – 2012
Contributing Writer
Art Department Weekly
Brooklyn, NY
- Wrote feature stories about various topics including film, books, and sports.
2008 – 2009
Contributing Writer
LOL, Douchebags
Naperville, IL
- Wrote weekly humor column for blog with 20,000+ pageviews.
2007 – 2009
Contributing Writer
The Doings Weekly
Hinsdale, IL
- Covered various high school sports events
- Compiled schedules of all local high school athletic teams
- Researched and wrote updates on college athletic careers of local high school graduates
- Edited press releases of various youth sports programs in the area
- Wrote seasonal previews, game coverage for high school athletic teams
2005 – 2006
Commentary Editor
The Columbia Chronicle
Chicago, IL
- Worked with senior editors on selecting, researching, writing, and editing the editorials of an award-winning weekly newspaper for an audience of more than 10,000 students, faculty, and staff
- Coordinated and edited other section editors’ opinion pieces
- Supervised and trained an assistant for the position
- Contributed news and feature stories to other sections
- Position required ability to use Microsoft Word, Quark Express, and Microsoft Excel
2001 – 2002, 1997-1998
Features Editor
Elgin Community College Observer
Elgin, IL
- Selected topics for section and assigned stories to staff writers
- Wrote arts & entertainment reviews and previews relating to the college’s audience and events around campus
2000-2001
Contributor
CampusNut.com
Cambridge, MA
- Covered events on a weekly television program
- Wrote film reviews and other related pieces
1998-1999
Movie Critic
The Northern Star
DeKalb, IL
- Selected most recent film releases and wrote weekly reviews
EDUCATION
2004 – 2006
Columbia College Chicago
- Bachelor of Arts, Journalism – News Reporting & Writing
- 3.6 Grade Point Average (on a 4-point scale)
- Dean’s List Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 semesters
- Named a “Top Prospect” by the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund
2001 – 2002, 1996-1998
Elgin Community College
1998-1999
Northern Illinois University