Resume
SUMMARY
Editor of books, Behnam applies narrative insight to find the story behind the data leading to his organization's next triumph. Engaging an audience is about creativity and leadership, and Behnam aspires to be the best at both in his fields of writing and communications.
EXPERIENCE
FREELANCE, SEATTLE, WA, DENVER, CO & Chicago, IL
Writer & Comms Specialist, 05/2019 to present
Clients included start-ups and established brands, including app developers, pet care services, and influencers.
SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis of primary and secondary data, refined strategies around stakeholder needs for creating new customers or clients and building ROI (return-on-investment).
Wrote copy, press releases, and developed content for B2B & B2C clients.
The Tie Bar, Chicago, IL
Sales Operations & Social Media Specialist, 07/2016 to 05/2019
Managed in-store sales operations and crafted graphics and copy for social media based on engagement metrics.
Consulted on and implemented training and operation manuals. Consulted on online and in-store rebrand to build consistent, stylized messaging and visuals, including store layouts and day-to-day operations.
Organized storytelling presentations and events to build client relationships, demonstrated through bulk and individual sales.
Developed and implemented training and operation manuals.
Chicago Center for Literature and Photography, Chicago, IL
Senior Editor, 01/2014 to 12/2016
Engaged with authors to edit several books, including Ben Tanzer’s New York Stories, Matt Rowan’s Big Venerable, and Joseph Peterson’s Twilight of the Idiots.
Mastered most common professional writing guidelines, including AP and MLA styles.
Engaged with authors to edit several books, including Ben Tanzer’s New York Stories, Matt Rowan’s Big Venerable, and Joseph Peterson’s Twilight of the Idiots.
Grew consumer engagement by publishing weekly online industry magazine.
Prev. experience:
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Chicago, IL
Technical Writer/Assistant Manager, 04/2012 to 04/2016
Criminal Class Press, Chicago, IL
Publicist, 01/2010 to 01/2012
EDUCATION
DePaul University
MA, Public Relations & Advertising
Awards: Admission Award, Graduate Award, runner-up DePaul University Comms Case Study Competition
Columbia College Chicago
BA, Creative Writing
Awards: Diversity Award, Herman Conaway Award, David Rubin Award, Alumni Award, Multi-cultural Affairs Creative Excellence Award.
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES
Adobe, Office, Slack.
Google & social media.
Analytics measurement.
SEO.
Brand voice.
MLA and APA style.
Project management.