Nicola Balkind

Freelance Writer & Content Specialist

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Work

I work with businesses and organisations in the creative industries and beyond to tell their story and build their online communities.

Welcome to my online portfolio. Read on to learn more about how I collaborate with organisations like the BBC, Channel 4, Edinburgh International Film Festival, and Yelp.

Current role

Community Manager, Yelp.com (2016–Present)Yelp

Yelp.com connects people with great local businesses. I was promoted from Community Ambassador to Community Manager in January 2021.

My role:

  • Offline, I host events, partner with exciting local events and organisations.
  • Online, I act as the online moderator and voice of Yelp in my community. I create content on Yelp, through email newsletters, and on social media. I also support and grow the local Elite Squad.

Regular clients

Copywriter & Consultant, Third Sector Lab (2011 – Present)tsl

Third Sector Lab is a digital agency specialising in building conversations for social enterprises, community groups, charities, and the public sector.

My role:

  • Writing and consulting on website development projects
  • Assisting with implementing digital marketing campaigns, including social media and outreach
  • Clients have included Glasgow Disability Alliance, Bazooka Arts, Relationships Scotland, Drink Wise Age Well, and Relationships Matter.

Previous clients

Head of Content, Small is Beautiful (2014 – 2016)Small is Beautiful

Small is Beautiful was an annual inspirational conference for the microbusiness community in Glasgow, Scotland.

I worked as the head of marketing, which involved digital content strategy, copywriting, community management, and email marketing.

Freelance Community Manager, Paved With Gold (2013–2016)

Paved With Gold

Paved With Gold specialises in product launches and growing online communities. I have worked with co-founder Kaye Symington on projects for clients like Egmont Publishing.

Copywriter, Russwood (2016–2017)

russwood

Russwood Ltd is a Scottish supplier of high-quality, sustainable timber flooring, cladding and decking products.

I acted as copywriter for Russwood Profile, the company’s outgoing newsletter and case studies.

Copywriter, Guildhall School of Music & Drama (2016)
guildhall
The Guildhall School of Music & Drama is one of the world’s leading conservatoires and drama schools.

I was the copywriter for Guildhall’s PLAY Alumni Magazine, which involved conducting interviews with alum, copywriting, and copyediting.

Copywriter, RPS Assist (2016)rpsassist

RPS Assist is a simple guide to the Redundancy Payments Service (RPS) which helps employees who are made redundant through no fault of their own when their employer’s business closes due to insolvency.

My role:

  • Copywriting from the ground up: content strategy, tone of voice guidance, and writing, optimising, and editing all content for the website.
  • This was a unique project as it aims to speak directly to those who need information and guidance. It aims to demystify the process of navigating the Redundancy Payments Service offered by the UK Government: a large audience with only one thing in common.
Copywriter & Editor, Telstra (2015)Telstra

Telstra is Australia’s largest telecommunications and media company. I wrote, edited and proofread customer-facing content across Telstra offerings.

Head of Content, Aconite Productions (2014)

aconite-logo

Aconite Productions is a Scottish based production company that specialises in the production of quality feature documentaries for theatrical audiences and broadcast.

I was their head of online marketing, which involved digital content strategy, copywriting, community management, and email marketing.

Writing & Broadcasting

big-issue
Books Columnist: The Big Issue Magazine (2015–2018)

bbc-radio-scotland
Regular Film Critic: BBC Radio Scotland (May 2011 – 2016)

the-list
Contributor: The List Magazine (2011–2016)

2009–2014

Web Editor 2010–2014 Acting Head of Community, Yomego (now Psona) Social Media & Content Manager, SERPS Invaders & Clients Content Strategist, Shareflow
Community Manager, Caorunn Gin Community Manager, Vintage Festival Web Editor, Northern Lights feature documentary Content Writer, Forth Metrics & Inkybee
Digital Strategist, Scottish Album of the Year Award Copywriter, Relationships Matter Community Manager, Purplefeather / PurpleContent Web Editor, Quotables & Mint Digital
Community & Outreach Manager: Channel 4's New Year Revolution for Mint Digital, 2012 Community & Outreach Manager: Channel 4's Sexperience 1000 for Mint Digital, 2011 Scout, Yelp.com

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Email: nicola@nicolabalkind.com
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Testimonials

Nicola is an experienced creative copywriter, with a great ability to produce quality pieces quickly and at short-notice. She has a great knowledge of social platforms and ability to apply this knowledge. Nicola is an absolute pleasure to work with and brings her creativity and personality to everything she does.
Kaye SymingtonMint Digital & Stickygram
Nicola and I worked together across several projects in the Yomgeo community management team. Nicola is great to work with, her attitude towards projects is always amazing and she is incredibly efficient, Her work is always of the highest quality, and I’ve learned a lot from working with her.
Catherine CarriganYomego
Nicola helped transform EIFF’s web vision at a time of change. She is assured and confident with her tactics in an ever-evolving industry and, more importantly, generates great content with results. Allied to Nicola’s strategic savvy, it’s a winning combination.
Colan MehaffeyEdinburgh International Film Festival
Nicola was an important member of the Edinburgh International Film Festival Marketing Department and was key in the communication delivery of the Festival. In such a dynamic and demanding environment, Nicola delivered great content and was dependable throughout, an invaluable asset to the Festival.
Ross PerthEdinburgh International Film Festival
Nicola is crazy talented, knowledgeable and efficient when it comes to Social Media and Copywriting. I had the pleasure to work with Nicola on several online marketing projects over the course of almost two years. Not only is she a fountain of knowledge regarding latest trends and best practices for both Social Media and online writing – she is also able to put abstract ideas into action. Any team looking to improve their online presence would be lucky to get their hands on Nicola.
Eva MartinSERPS Invaders
We’ve employed Nicola’s services several times at Yomego and every time she has been absolutely fantastic in both outputs and attitude. Supporting our community management team, Nicola has added invaluable expertise in creating customer focused strategies for our clients and helping to draft truly compelling content plans. I have absolutely no hesitations in recommending Nicola’s services for anyone that places important on ensuring outputs are consistently exemplary.
Sam Macleod
Nicola was a pleasure to work with. She managed a number of our clients social media and content strategy with a brilliant flair to adapt her creative skills for each of their brands guidelines. She also provided social media training which was highly informative and engaging. Nicola is highly knowledgeable and is constantly in touch with the forefront of all social media developments. She provides all her work in a professional and timely manner. Nicola is comfortable presenting and talking to clients. I would have no hesitation in recommending Nicola. Great person to work with!
Lorraine WaddellSERPS Invaders
Nicola’s contributions to our projects for Channel 4 were invaluable: her huge knowledge of social media developments and online trends, together with her editorial flair and excellent writing skills made her invaluable in roles that encompassed community management, social media marketing, content strategy and product development. Her dedication, creativity, forward-thinking and attention to detail made her a major factor in the success of these projects. It was a pleasure to work with her, and I hope to work with her again!
Laura GraceMint Digital
Nicola has worked with Purplefeather on various social media and copywriting campaigns. She is creative, reliable and professional and can be completely trusted with the voice of your brand – rare qualities indeed!
Andrea GardnerPurplefeather
Nicola has been my number one go-to for freelance community management and social media… She is incredibly efficient, she is clear with costs, time estimates and invoicing and completely reliable. She is a breath of fresh air in an industry which is plagued by self-promoting “social media gurus”: her range of skills and experience is broad and authentic. I really appreciate the way Nicola is uncomplicated to work with: she asks quick, straightforward questions about what’s required then sits down and gets the job done without fuss. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Nicola and would certainly work with her again.
Annie MacfarlaneTOMS Europe

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