Social Media

Portfolio

@dmregister

At The Des Moines Register, I launched and led the Social Media Producer role, building strong presences on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels to engage new audiences. I developed strategies for high-impact events, including the Iowa State Fair, celebrity coverage, national and local elections, the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), Iowa Caucuses, weather coverage, and city council updates — driving a 300% reach increase across platforms. My efforts resulted in a 36% Instagram follower increase, over 19,000 new TikTok followers, and 30 million brand views, earning me a "Rookie of the Year" nomination for innovation and impact in the 2023 Gannett Greatest Awards.

Social Media Portfolio

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Social Media Portfolio 〰️

TikTok and Reels

Here are a couple of my favorite clips I have done for the Register.

You can view my most updated clips here.

Your Voting Guide for the Iowa Elections

Meet the ‘Legendary Pizza Ranch Guest’

DSM Flea market vibes

Des Moines Court Avenue mural gets replaced

Social Graphics

Here are a couple of my favorite graphics I have done for the Register (all clips are linked).

Social Media Portfolio

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Social Media Portfolio 〰️

Community Management

For me, community management is all about building genuine connections and fostering trust. It wasn’t just replying to comments; it was about creating a space where people felt heard, valued, and engaged.

By focusing on meaningful interactions, I helped brands strengthen their relationships with followers, increase engagement, and turn casual users into loyal advocates. Through real-time conversations and feedback, I grew vibrant, supportive communities that drove brand success.

One example of this was when I managed a post about teens discovering rare jellyfish. The comment section was flooded with questions about how these jellyfish arrived and whether they were invasive. I provided clarity and engaged the community, crafting a thoughtful response. That reply ended up gaining over 3,000 likes, showing how impactful timely and informative interactions can be. By addressing questions and starting conversations, I was able to strengthen the relationship between the brand and its audience while boosting engagement.

Social Media Portfolio

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Social Media Portfolio 〰️

@northerniowan

At The Northern Iowan, I established the foundation of the social media team, implementing strategies that significantly increased audience engagement, including a 371.5% boost in Facebook reach and 230% more digital page views. I created a Spanish column to expand our cultural relevance and reach new audiences in the Cedar Falls and Waterloo community, while leading editorial efforts to produce 20 articles per week. My contributions earned us first place for Best Use of Social Media by the Iowa College Media Association, the Fearless Speech Award, and recognition as the 2023 Student Organization of the Year, with personal nominations as a finalist for the Pat Pisarik Student Journalist of the Year.