Services
We’ll build our engagement from your CoreWork — a discovery process that ensures we're building strategy from your strengths, not just copying everyone else.
Our work can be flexible in scope: from one-off projects to ongoing advice and coaching, to fractional CMO roles.
Let’s start with a free consultation so I can learn more about your needs and where to begin CoreWork.
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This is right for you if:
You're launching or relaunching and aren't sure how to position yourself
You have a brand but it's not attracting the right clients, partners, or funders
You know what you do but struggle to explain it compellingly
What we'll do together:
CoreWork discovery sessions to identify your goals, strengths, and audience
Brand positioning and messaging framework
Audience journey map showing how storytelling drives people to action
What you walk away with: A clear brand strategy document, refined messaging, and a communications roadmap you can actually use.
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This is right for you if:
You have stories to tell and need a thorough, creative storyteller to bring them to life
You appreciate content that grabs the viewer’s attention, is evidence-based, and has a clear point of view
You want support to write the content yourself OR you want someone else to ghost write or take care of the research, shaping, and editing.
What we'll do together:
Develop content in your voice across formats (op eds, case studies, social media, video scripts, web copy)
Build or refresh your brand guide with language and visual direction
Coordinate with designers or developers as needed
What you walk away with: Finished, publish-ready content — and optionally a brand guide so future content stays consistent.
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This is right for you if:
You need a plan for outreach - whether that’s a content calendar, a campaign workplan, or an integrated approach to getting media coverage
You want better systems to capture and follow up with leads
You want to use data to understand what's actually working in your marketing
What we'll do together:
Build a distribution plan across email, social, PR, events, and SEO
Set up or optimize a CRM and lead gen infrastructure
Implement tracking through Google Analytics and Meta tools
What you walk away with: A functioning distribution system and the data to know what's working — not just activity, but measurable reach and growth.
My Approach
I’m not really a consultant. I’m your growth and storytelling coach.
Many people think that marketing is all about creating websites, one pagers, and social media calendars. But without a clear sense of your goals, preferences, and capacity, any effort will be a waste of time.
Here’s what I provide my clients:
Clarity: What to focus on, what to let go
Frameworks/ Experience: Time-tested approaches to storytelling and outreach
Creativity: I love new ideas! Whether that’s in a story or solving a problem.
Structure: Regular meetings, accountability, check-ins, and plans to follow
Momentum: When you start to flag, I’ll be there to point out what’s going well and where we’re going.
Implementation: Need me to write a blog or produce a video? That’s my jam.
Warmth and honesty: You’ll always know I’m in your corner - and I will tell it to you straight.
"Melissa has been a true thought partner on both outward-facing work - including creating a new vision for our video series - and behind the scenes organizational work, like building a clear, actionable Hubspot plan for our team.
What sets her apart is her strategic approach: deeply listening to stakeholder needs, researching best practices, and then turning that into a strong plan she helps execute. Her attention to detail and follow-though made complex work feel focused and doable - meeting our team where we were and supporting us forward. Grateful for the partnership and excited to keep building together."
- Ideal Instruction
Original Video Created by Ideal
Used in teacher professional development (PD)
Updated by Sapwood Comms
Used in teacher professional development (PD) and as sales/ marketing tool
Video Embedded on Webpage
New webpage to serve as one-stop-shop for high-priority content, house the video, and improve SEO
"Sapwood Communications provided my new company with marketing guidance, accountability, and results. Melissa served as a trusted advisor and helped define my company's target audience, outreach strategy, branding, and communications plan.
Together, we developed over 150 marketing touchpoints—including blogs, social media posts, videos, newsletters, and campaigns—that reached over 150,000 impressions. I highly recommend her to entrepreneurs looking for sound strategy development and execution, delivered with a friendly, professional touch."
- Sheldon Maye, Owner, Financial Butlers
New Blog Section
Supported Financial Butlers to create content designed to build authority, test messaging, and improve SEO
Upgraded Social Media
LinkedIn and Meta went from nearly no content to a regular stream of videos and carousels - designed to test messaging, grow audience, and develop a point of view.
DillingerRAD is a non-profit that works with youth-serving organizations to use data more effectively.
“Melissa was instrumental in helping the Dillinger Team think differently about how we communicate our impact and successes!”
- Nick Stellitano, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Dillinger RAD
Previous website
The previous website was warm and thoughtful - however it could use a design refresh and a more clear, engaging description of Dillinger’s work.
Previous website
Case Studies
Dillinger RAD needed clear, compelling case studies to show their impact to prospective clients. I interviewed team members and reviewed artifacts to create several case studies, each with a 1 page and 4-5 page version. Click on each image to read them.
Redesigned Website
I worked with the team to revamp their core messaging, with a focus on their audience’s perspective, and partnered with their in-house designer to create the new site.
Let’s talk
Not sure which service fits? Most clients start with a conversation. Reach out for a free consultation - really, a get-to-know you.