The Herron Group specializes in contract project management for digital marketing and business development. With a strong emphasis on strategy and efficiency, Sarah brings extensive experience to each project, optimizing workflows and driving successful outcomes. She leverages a referral network of talented digital marketing professionals to provide additional resources and expertise as needed, ensuring comprehensive support for every project. (Not currently taking new clients.)

The first woman ever elected to Maryville City Council.

- Develop and execute a strategic communications plan that aligns with the organization's goals and mission.- Utilize a range of communication tools, including e-newsletters, social media, blogs, news releases, media opportunities, videos, and the website, to reach and engage a broad audience.- Develop and maintain communications calendar for web, email and social media.- Drive strategy to increase daily engagement on social media accounts.- Conduct targeted media outreach efforts regionally and nationally to increase awareness and grow the donor base.- Monitor, report and present on online engagement analytics (web, email, social media, earned media)- Leverage key engagement metrics across platforms to optimize content, messaging and distributions.- Manage all digital marketing assets and communications. Oversees the website, which includes providing content updates, overseeing new development and additional features, troubleshooting, maintenance and monitoring. - Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to expand the reach of communications efforts.- Produce printed materials such as annual report content, in-park signage, campaign folios, and one-sheets to effectively convey messages to potential donors, stakeholders, and Board members.- Ensure consistency in branding and messaging across all materials.- Assist the CEO with internal communications for staff and Board members to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.- Facilitate transparent and effective communication channels within the organization.- Serve as an active, supportive member of the team by providing leadership and/or participation at events, presentations, partnership activities, community activities and park programs as needed.

I provided overarching client support, collaboration and project management with a commitment to innovative, best-in-class results. My role included:- Mapping out and executing high-impact digital strategies that support and extend marketing initiatives across multiple platforms- Synthesizing market data and online analytics to develop and implement standards, systems, best practices, realtime production and ongoing strategy- Building and managing communities on social media outreach with an analytical approach and a focus on compelling content- Bringing brand stories to life and developing copy to meet the unique creative and technical needs of each client, ensuring quality as it relates to grammar, messaging, writing, and style- Crafting compelling on-brand content, optimized for search and user experience across channels, including online evergreen, blogs, social media, email marketing and video storytelling - Serving as a growth hacker through online analytics, persuasive copywriting, A/B testing, SEO and viral strategies with the purpose of increasing the conversion rate - Overseeing the development and deployment of technology systems, online platforms and tools to achieve client goals

I dedicated a year to helping develop and launch Alliance for Better Nonprofits (ABN), a startup resource and training center with the capacity to serve organizations across 25 counties. I translated the alliance’s mission, programs and services with consistent messaging to educate nonprofits and equip internal stakeholders. I led the development and deployment of ABN’s technology operations, marketing tools, social media platforms and website, which serves as the operational command center. The site includes branded evergreen content and blogs, ecommerce tools, registration portal, online library, donations forum, nonprofit job board and an integrated backend database. I also served as a peer reviewer for the nationally-renowned Standards for Excellence® accreditation program. After ABN launched in the fall of 2015, I was named as one of the Top 5 Outstanding Young Professionals of Knoxville, receiving an inaugural YPK Community Impact Award.

I led the daily operations for GACTV.com and developed digital experiences for the network audience throughout the site and other burgeoning outlets, including syndication and social media outreach. As part of the team evolving the Great American Country brand, I repositioned digital content to support on-air initiatives, which had a direct impact on ratings growth. As managing editor of the GAC blog, I implemented optimization strategies that yielded a 63% increase in SEO traffic. I also directed digital production for key projects including: CMA Awards Red Carpet, Wrangler National Rodeo Finals, ACM Awards and CMA Fest. My social media strategies accelerated the brand’s Facebook reach to 1.2 million followers, a 40% increase YOY.

I served on the HGTV.com Core Team where I programmed digital content and developed strategies for SEO, sponsorships, email marketing, user experience and social media. I was also a contributor to HGTV’s Design Happens, winner of the 2013 CableFax 'Best of Web' Blog award.I managed the HGTV Pinterest brand page and helped accelerate the platform as the leading source of social media referral traffic, surpassing Facebook and Twitter. In December, Huffington Post named the HGTV Pinterest brand page as one of seven "Pinterest Pinners to Follow."In 2012, I coordinated the online conversion of the new HGTV Magazine with platform strategies that generated millions of page views. In October 2012, Ad Age awarded HGTV Magazine with the title “Launch of the Year.”

I authored more than 70 interactive digital packages and tracked cultural trends for product development. I also contributed to a best-selling game and wrote the leaders guide for a video series.

At Blount Today, I served as an assistant editor, community reporter and humor columnist.I collaborated with the Blount Today team to create a niche print and digital product for moms. The quarterly publication was the largest circulated magazine in Blount County at the time. The digital product included a community calendar, blogs from multiple contributors, integrated content advertising and original video.

I wrote business features and co-authored a weekly couponing column, which spurred a successful subscription campaign at the height of the recession