Here at Performance Driven Marketing, we pride ourselves in taking the time to still do business with a handshake and to sit down with our clients and our employees in order to discuss how everything is going. Our communication, honesty, and real results have led us to become one of the top marketing agencies in the state of Utah. Our highly skilled marketing agency consists of marketing specialists, web developers, SEO experts, graphic designers, content writers, and more.
Each month, we’d like to spotlight some of our specialists or one of our clients so that you can get to know us a bit better. We’ll kick off this PDM Spotlight series with our content writers! The content writers are responsible for writing the content on webpages, blogs, city pages, recent projects, and more.
The Writing Team
Sarah Masek
Sarah Masek studied sociology and criminology at the University of Utah. She’s always liked writing and editing and has worked as an alpha reader and a beta reader for casual writers and published authors alike. After an internship with the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, she learned that she liked coming up with content for campaigns. That, combined with writing articles in her university years, led her to discover content writing as a career path.
Outside of work, she writes futuristic fantasy books and spends time with her horse. She also draws, paints, reads tons of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance novels, and goes to the gym.
Marisa Nelson
She is a recent graduate of Weber State University with a Bachelor’s in Communication. She didn’t think that she would end up as a writer; her dream was always to do something creative. She thinks when she found Journalism and Communication, it was the perfect mix of writing, listening, and creativity that she needed. She currently lives in Brigham City with her husband, Taylor. She loves writing, reading, watercolor painting, traveling, and spending time with family.
Rebecca Gonzales
Rebecca has always loved writing. While earning a Bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in journalism from Weber State University, she completed a marketing internship and enjoyed working on a variety of different projects, from web content to social media to branding, and decided marketing was a good fit for her. Outside of working at PDM, Rebecca teaches dance classes, sews, reads, and hangs out with her pets.
Molly Parr
Molly likes to think of herself as a lifelong learner. She’s loved writing since she was a child, and after graduating from Weber State University with a degree in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising, she wanted a job that would allow her to pursue this passion while continuing to learn and grow. Now, working at PDM, Molly enjoys that every day is a little different from the last. She appreciates that every client has something new to teach her.
When Molly isn’t writing, she’s checking another book off of her ever-growing reading list, spending time with her friends and family in the beautiful Utah sunshine, or traveling and experiencing the beauty of unique cultures and people.
Elizabeth Robinson
Elizabeth has a passion for learning and loves a good challenge. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from BYU in Communications (Public Relations) and Entrepreneurship. While she was studying, she took several marketing classes and had marketing internships that eventually led her to pursue it as her chosen career. Whether it’s through writing, music, video creation, business startups, or other things, she loves being creative. When she’s not writing, Elizabeth loves to ski, rock climb, go boating with her family, watch a good Netflix show, and do it all with her husband.
Meet The Writers
1) What inspired you to pursue a career as a writer?
SARAH: I’ve always loved writing, ever since I was a kid hand-writing stories in notebooks, then writing fanfiction online, to then writing articles during university and working on my own books to get published. It’s fun, I’m good at it, and I love being able to learn with everything we do here.
MARISA: Having social anxiety for a majority of my life, writing my thoughts and dreams down was a way to express myself. I honestly never thought I would pursue writing as a career, but now there is nowhere else I would rather be. I have loved getting to talk with people and make connections through writing so I think that is the main reason I choose to pursue it.
REBECCA: I’ve always been good at writing, and it’s something I enjoy. Words can be powerful tools!
MOLLY: Much like every other writer who answers this question, I have always really enjoyed writing. I worked as a writer while I was in school, and when I graduated, I knew I wanted to continue writing full-time, so I looked pretty exclusively for writing positions.
ELIZABETH: I’ve always enjoyed writing and I developed an interest in marketing in college. I ended up getting a job being an SEO specialist with a small marketing agency and I especially enjoyed the SEO writing.
2) What is your favorite part of this job?
SARAH: Being able to learn and the diversity of the projects we do. Everything has its appeal, from webpages to city pages to blogs. The environment here is wonderful too. Everyone works together and helps each other out.
MARISA: My favorite part (so far) is the variety of topics and clients that I get to write about! As well as all the people who have been so encouraging and helpful to me as I am learning.
REBECCA: I love being able to learn about many different industries and writing about a wide range of subjects.
MOLLY: I think, more than anything, I really enjoy getting to do research. It’s a lot of reading and shuffling through information, but it can be incredibly rewarding to watch your research turn into something more substantial, like a blog or webpage.
ELIZABETH: I really enjoy the relaxed work environment and learning about different industries.
3) What are your hobbies? What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
SARAH: I love spending time with my horse, working on my books, drawing, painting, reading, and going to the gym. I don’t do them much, but I also love kickboxing, ballet, and archery.
MARISA: I love to read and paint with watercolor! I also am addicted to sweets and love to make soda or ice cream runs with my husband or sister.
REBECCA: I like reading, sewing, playing the piano, and dancing. I also teach ballet and tap classes in the evenings and on the weekends.
MOLLY: When I’m not at work, I really enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, and traveling. I love getting to learn and explore new places and new things.
ELIZABETH: I love being outside! I love skiing, rock climbing, swimming, hiking, and camping. I also enjoy playing the piano, going on bike rides with my husband, and playing sports (especially volleyball).
4) Have you read any books or seen any movies/shows lately that you’d recommend?
SARAH: I recently finished The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah, which was such a fun adventure with fantastic character dynamics. Sense8 on Netflix is an incredible show with beautiful cinematography and a unique storyline.
MARISA: Pivot Point by Kasie West was a book I finished recently that was way better than I expected! I also just finished Emily In Paris on Netflix and can’t wait for the next season.
REBECCA: I’ve recently been rewatching one of my favorite shows, Chuck. It’s about a regular guy who accidentally downloads a bunch of government secrets into his brain and has to balance a life of spying and espionage while still working his regular job at an electronics store. It’s criminally underrated, and everyone should go watch it!
MOLLY: I’ve just recently finished watching Only Murders in the Building after my mom recommended it to me about a million. I’m not normally all that interested in television shows, but there is something about this one that is so addicting.
ELIZABETH: Top Gun: Maverick is the best movie I’ve seen in a long time!
5) What are your favorite productivity hacks? How do you stay focused?
SARAH: Getting the hard/time-consuming things out of the way in the morning, so that by the end of the day when your brain is fried, you can bust out easier tasks. I like competing with myself and seeing if I can beat my own personal times for things. As a perfectionist, there’s nothing like a ticking timer to get your brain to focus on the job at hand and get ‘er done.
MARISA: This is a great question! I like to have things outside of work (hobbies, vacations, dates, etc.) that keep me balanced. I also find that staying organized and making a to-do list is helpful for me because I feel better when I can cross things off my list.
REBECCA: I like to sit on an exercise ball while I work. Moving around helps me stay focused. I also like to make to-do lists to keep myself on task.
MOLLY: When I was in college, I listened to the same Pride & Prejudice-inspired playlist on YouTube while doing homework and studying. I don’t know what it was about this specific playlist, but it kept my mind focused. Even now, I find myself drawn back to this same playlist over and over when I’m feeling unfocused.
ELIZABETH: One of my favorite things to do is make a checklist for the day. This helps me know exactly what needs to get done and plan my day accordingly.
6) How do you get energized for work?
SARAH: Energy drinks. I’ve been healthier lately, though, and turning more to green tea and smoothies with fruits that help boost energy, like apples, bananas, raspberries, etc. But the caffeine addiction is real, and I despise coffee with a burning passion. So, energy drinks and tea it is.
MARISA: Thinking about new ideas on what to write helps! I have a fear of getting too comfortable and complacent with life, because I have before. So, challenging myself to find something new and try to work on my writing style each day is important to me.
REBECCA: I don’t, haha. I’m always tired.
MOLLY: Coffee. So much coffee. I also like to drive with my windows rolled down on my way into the office. If it’s cool enough, it gives me a good jolt of energy before I start working.
ELIZABETH: Spending a little bit of time every morning talking with my husband helps me wake up and get excited for the day. A good Dr. Pepper at some point in the day also helps 🙂
7) Do you like writing with music or shows in the background or do you need quiet? If you listen to something while you write, what’s your favorite thing to listen to?
SARAH: I used to need silence, but now I listen to playlists. I usually listen to movie soundtracks and character playlists from my stories. If I’m working on posting content, I’ll put on an audiobook instead. Right now, I’m working my way through Sarah J. Maas’s Throne Of Glass series.
MARISA: It depends on the day, but I usually listen to or watch something. I am currently rewatching New Girl for the fifth time while I work or I watch crime documentaries as I write, lol.
REBECCA: I always have a show on while I work for background noise. It’s usually something I’ve seen a bunch of times before and don’t have to pay a lot of attention to, like Psych or Parks and Recreation.
MOLLY: I always have something playing in the background while I’m writing. If I’m watching a show, I try to turn on something I’ve seen before so I don’t get too distracted. Otherwise, I’m listening to something on Spotify. Right now, I’m bouncing between Harry Styles, Noah Kahan, and Taylor Swift.
ELIZABETH: I generally work best with instrumental music playing in the background that is upbeat and energetic.
8) What’s something that made you smile recently?
SARAH: My horse always nickers and comes right over as soon as she sees me, no matter where she is. It never gets old.
MARISA: My niece just started crawling and she has the cutest giggle. We love getting to see her often and she makes us laugh.
REBECCA: My pets! My family has two dogs and two cats. They are constantly making me laugh!
MOLLY: Definitely my cat. Generally, he’s pretty independent, but sometimes he’s in a really cuddly mood. He likes to sit on my shoulder and purr while I pet him, and it always makes me so happy.
ELIZABETH: My twin nephews just turned 5 and they had a cow-themed birthday party. They are the cutest!
9) What is your best piece of advice?
SARAH: No matter what you do, there’s someone who’s going to have an issue with it, so you may as well do what you love.
MARISA: Find the things that make you happy and do them. Don’t let people’s opinions or expectations stop you from living a joyful life. If you want to post videos on TikTok because it’s fun? Do it! Want to start a fitness page on Instagram? Do it! Want to sit at home and watch cartoons with a blanket? Do it! Life is too short to worry about the opinions of others.
REBECCA: I don’t think I have any. I’m mostly the one who needs the advice, haha.
MOLLY: I think the best advice I can give is to trust that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes, when you’re so zoomed in on something, it’s hard to see the bigger picture. But when you take a step back, you get a chance to see things a little clearer.
ELIZABETH: I’m not much of an advice giver, but I would say enjoy the little things in life.
10) Got any favorite quotes?
SARAH: “Day One or one day: you decide.” – Paulo Coelho
“There are two kinds of people. Those who think, ‘I don’t want anyone to suffer like I did.’ And those who think, ‘I suffered; why shouldn’t they?’ Be the former.”
MARISA: “Life isn’t perfect but your outfit can be.”
“Turbulent times are often opportunities to thrive.”
REBECCA: Not really any serious ones. My family and I are always quoting our favorite TV shows, though. I’m particularly fond of “I can’t help it, Shawn. My body craves buttery goodness.” (from Psych)
MOLLY: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
ELIZABETH: One of my favorites is, “Whatever you do, do it well.” – Walt Disney
Do You Need Professional Content Writing Services?
If your website has low-quality or copied content or if you’re looking to start a site for your business, we here at Performance Driven Marketing can write compelling content that helps your site get noticed. To learn more about our content writing services or about any of our other marketing services, please don’t hesitate to contact Performance Driven Marketing today.
