Michelle McAlister
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About
I'm a writer and editor with seven years' experience architecting information and creating responsive content. Most recently, I worked as a UX writer for TurboTax, used by 27 million diverse customers. I have a proven ability to create contextual copy and experiences for a variety of readers, as well as employing hierarchical thinking to provide the best, most relevant messaging for segments of readers. I meet tight deadlines while managing multiple projects at one time, and work well with people of varied nationalities and backgrounds. In my own time, I’m a freelance travel writer and frequent international volunteer. I donate my writing to help advance the campaigns of NGOs in their efforts to preserve and protect threatened habitat for the precious, critically endangered lives that depend on it.
I'm at my best when I'm...
•Writing and editing
•Crafting a user experience
•Envisioning content strategy
•Creating audience-specific tone and language
•Breaking down complex industry jargon into easy-to-absorb copy
•Designing sensical flows for information and communication
•Giving customers and readers reasons to believe
•Branding products, movements or people
•Keeping teams and initiatives on track with tight project management know-how
•Brainstorming and facilitating
•Getting to the heart of the matter -
Education
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Feature Writing WritingUniversity of California, San Diego2009 - 2013Certificate in Feature Writing: -Writer's Art of Interviewing -Feature Writing -Advanced Feature Writing for Print and Online -Research and Fact Checking -Travel Writing I & II -Grant Writing for Nonprofits
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Bachelor's degree French and SpanishMetropolitan State College of Denver1992 - 1996Modern Language degree with concentration in French and Spanish with minor in Russian
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Experience
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Senior UX Content Designer (contract)IntuitAug 2014 - Present (10 years 3 months)•Write user interface copy, help content, messaging and customer emails
•Collaborate with designers, product strategists, developers and visual designers to define new strategic experiences for segments of TurboTax customers
•Champion design-thinking while collaborating with multiple teams for a product that contains over 45,000 screens
•Work in an agile and lean UX environments -
Creative Writing SabbaticalVolunteer SabbaticalOct 2013 - Aug 2014 (10 months)I enjoyed a self-directed, year-long sabbatical in Paris, France to focus on the completion of two creative writing projects. I also participated in writing workshops at many Parisian writing and editing groups with other published British, Indian, Australian and American writers.
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Principal UX Writer and EditorIntuitJun 2013 - Oct 2013 (4 months)Recently promoted to Principal Editor, I was in charge of creating on-point, easy-to-absorb messaging from complex subject matter. I'm a writer who designs customer experiences with persuasion, clarity and conviction. I work with multiple roles to create the voice and tone of TurboTax.
•Collaborated with interaction designers, product strategists, developers and visual designers to create innovative content solutions
•Wrote, edited, researched customer base habits and expectations
•Writer on a new product test flow that grew TurboTax revenue by $12 million
•Wrote copy for several A/B tests that increased new user conversion by 6 points
•Designed personalized, contextual experiences varying in language and tone
•Represented complex technical concepts in a straightforward fashion
•Created headlines, subheads and user instructions in a fast-paced, online environment
•Strong editing, content creation, and content organization
•Worked as member of cross-functional teams throughout product lifecycle
•Contributed to in-house editorial guidelines and procedures
•Worked in an Agile/Lean UX environment
•Conducted usability sessions with potential customers on language efficacy -
Senior Content StrategistIntuitOct 2009 - May 2013 (3 years 7 months)•Responsible for content creation and editing of several areas of TurboTax
•Collaborated with tax pros, privacy, legal and marketing to create voice and tone for TurboTax
•Integrated and applied business analytics to creative output
•Translated business needs into clear, engaging, actionable copy for A/B tests
•Wrote content for web apps in the H3 space for Intuit's New Business Initiatives
•Worked in an Agile/Lean UX environment
•Anticipated, recognized and effectively managed constant trade-offs and/or conflicts
•Defined and articulated what’s critical for team’s focus
•Ensured copy was compliant with published style and legal guidelines
•Coached team members on design thinking using Intuit's Design for Delight (D4D) curriculum -
Freelance Travel Writermichellemcalister.com2006 - Apr 2013 (6 years 5 months)I write about communication, cultures, and creatures. My stories have appeared in San Diego Reader, Yahoo! News Philippines, E/The Environmental Magazine, The Compass, San Francisco Chronicle, Tango Diva, and have garnered Gold, Bronze and Honorable Mentions in Traveler's Tales SOLAS Travel Writing Awards in 2008, 2009 and 2013.
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@michellemcalister, member since 2014
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