GRANT SHELLEN
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I’m a content strategist, writer, editor, musician, and amateur sandwich maker. I'm also quite skilled at loading the dishwasher. I’m at my best when I’m creating, as well as coaching and mentoring others. I enjoy being able to work both independently and with teams. I keep an open mind but am not afraid to take a stand. I generally have a good sense of humor about things. Unless you take my sandwich. Then all bets are off.

Feel free to get in touch.

What I've done

Sr. UX writer (March. '20–present)
     Credit Karma, Oakland, Calif.
  • Develop strategy and messaging for financial health products
  • Led design & content of new COVID-19 financial relief surface
Content strategist (Sept. '19.–March '20)
Content strategy manager (March '17–Sept. '19)
Content strategist (Aug. '15–March '17)
     Facebook, Menlo Park, Calif.
  • Developed strategy and messaging for identity products on Facebook
  • Supported team of UX content strategists on Facebook Ads
  • Developed mission and vision for product teams
  • Wrote industry-leading content explaining ad targeting to consumers
  • Developed content strategy and UX copy for Facebook ad products
  • Wrote consumer-facing content about Facebook's ad system
Sr. content strategist (Aug. '13–July '15)
     Google, Mountain View, Calif.
  • Developed content strategy and support materials for Google ad products
  • Wrote UX copy for AdWords
  • Developed internal training materials
  • Managed online marketing course's transition to internal CMS and localization
Marketing/copywriting consultant (June '12–present)
     freelance, San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.
  • Developed content for major tech company's social media accounts
  • Managed production of videos for major tech company
  • Wrote and designed prototype email newsletter for social networking startup
  • Wrote blog posts for social networking startup
  • Wrote content for property investment firm's website
Sr. product marketing manager (Sept. ’10–April ’12)
     AOL (acquired Thing Labs), San Francisco, Calif.
  • Developed external and internal marketing campaigns for AIM and about.me
  • Wrote, edited, and maintained site and product copy
  • Co-wrote and developed AIM video ad campaign
  • Led AIM rebranding effort
  • Worked closely with AIM product team to rebuild product
  • Managed social media and community for AIM
Product marketing & community manager, editor-in-chief (Oct. ’08–Sept. ’10)
     Thing Labs, San Francisco, Calif.
  • Managed social media accounts for Brizzly and Plinky
  • Created marketing materials such as videos, press guides, and T-shirts
  • Edited, moderated and wrote trend explanations for Brizzly Guide
  • Wrote and edited site copy
  • Communicated with users through Twitter, Get Satisfaction, and other social media channels
Training specialist (April ’06–Oct. ‘08)
Customer service representative (June ‘05–April ’06)
     Google, Mountain View, Calif.
  • Managed department-wide professional development education program
  • Created and maintained curriculum for professional skills courses
  • Delivered training and facilitated interactive workshops
  • Wrote internal website content and blog posts
  • Resolved issues for current and prospective AdSense publishers
Assistant editor (Feb. ‘04–May ‘05)
     Los Gatos Weekly-Times & Saratoga News, Los Gatos, Calif.
  • Reported community news, civic activity and events
  • Wrote news and feature cover stories
  • Edited stories and proofread pages
Freelance writer (Dec. ’03–Nov. ’09)
Editorial intern (Sept. '03–Dec. '03)
     Paste magazine / Paste Media Group, Decatur, Ga.
  • Wrote humor column, album reviews, short features and news articles for print and web
  • Conducted editorial research
  • Assisted in editing and proofreading magazine and website

Education and interests

I earned a B.S. in Journalism from California Polytechnic State University in beautiful San Luis Obispo, Calif. in 2003. I’ve learned a lot since then, too.

I play guitar and bass, and sing and write songs. I gig with an instrumental surf-rock band.

I love photography, and these days shoot mostly with my iPhone. I also dabble in video and audio production.