About Craft Your Content

You and I both know that writing is a craft. It’s a craft we spend all our time researching, perfecting, and creating...yet it still somehow never feels finished.

The thing I found was missing in the world of writing was the camaraderie. It was the “You & I” part, that I mentioned above.

While we know there are other writers out there, doing the same things and dealing with the same endless cycles, it can sometimes feel like you’re all alone.

Our Story

I’m Elisa Doucette, Founder and Executive Editor of Craft Your Content. I’m a lover of language, always interested in where words come from and what history is behind them. I spent years (okay, almost two decades) writing my own articles and posts, working in the world of content marketing before it was a world we all knew about. As the rough and tumble world of bloggers transformed into a motley crew of professional writers and creatives, the mission to improve began.

Enter the elusive “editor.” Enter the rules I didn’t want to follow. Enter the misguided help that resulted in changing my words and opinions into theirs.

I created Craft Your Content because, well, I was over this narrative.

I was tired of hearing frustrated writers at all levels, feeling like they were in this alone. I wanted the teamwork and I wanted to go beyond just being fellow writers. I wanted to build a community, create a safe space (where you may hear the occasional cuss word, just warning you), and help give writers the confidence to finally feel that “ah-ha” moment.

To feel like your time, research, and the perfection of your craft was worth every single moment spent behind your keyboard. I’m taking away the mysterious editors and replacing them with partners instead.

What We Do

In a world that is every-(wo)man-for-(her)himself, writing doesn’t have to be.

Our team knows those thoughts swirling around in your head because we’ve been there, too. We know what it’s like to second guess your work, to wonder if it’s all really worth it, and to feel the surge of anxiety every time you press that “Publish” button.

The thing that Craft Your Content does differently than other editors is that we partner with you.

We hope you see us as your creative collaborators along the journey to crafting content that works for you, is high quality, and lets you release tension rather than live with it. Our team offers empathy and banter in place of cold-editing and impersonal communication. We offer two-way conversation, not just critiques.

We work with you, not against you.

As a trusted partner in your writing and creative endeavors, we provide two different levels of support to professional writers and entrepreneurs who have a goal of rising above the noise of online content and make their own words, their own craft, even better.

Our first level of support is offered through:

Courses and Community where you can work alone or in groups to improve your writing and get the results you crave.

Want a more one-on-one approach? We offer that too. Our second level of support offers:

Proofreading, Content Editing, and Writing Coaching for those who are looking to achieve their maximum performance, go beyond superficial successes, and dig deep with our team of witty yet talented individuals.

Meet the CYC Team

An agency like this does not run on the power of any individual. We have an accomplished team of writing experts and business pros who are at the ready to work with members and clients to make their words exceptional.

Elisa Doucette

Founder and Executive Editor

Erika Rasso

Director of Development, Marketing, and Production

Giselle Sproule

Content Manager

Arnela Gonzales

Content Producer and Graphic Designer

Chris Angelis

Content Editor

Joaquin Roman

Copy Editor

Julia Hess

Podcast Editor

Nathan Winfrey

Content Editor and Social Media Manager

Melissa Lewis Grimm

Senior Copy Editor

Melody Boggs

Content Editor

Sarah Ramsey

Content Writer

What We’re Passionate About

We help writers who are just starting out, are in the process of creating a brand, or are wanting to promote a business. We love entrepreneurs, seasoned professionals, and anyone who is trying to move up a level in their writing game.

We work with writers who want to focus on the quality and authority of their writing. We don’t offer generic instructions and don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. At the heart of it all, we care about you as a human being.

Our team recognizes that you need to be your most genuine and authentic self, and we are firm believers in helping you do that. Rather than changing your voice or sacrificing your ideas in favor of perfect prose or correct grammar, we help make you (and your words) even better.

You can read more about our promise to our clients in our Editor’s Creed. While of course SEO and other “fun” details are important, we believe that they are all secondary when you are able to craft content that is good.

Craft Your Content provides accountability, expertise, and gives you our dedication. All that we ask for in return is that you give us your dedication, too.

Welcome to the CYC family. We’re glad you’re here.

As a bonus for reading all about us, we want to share one of our most helpful starter resources with you. If you find yourself struggling to find your voice and vision, we’re here to show you how.

Our FREE 10-Day Course helps you define what you want to say, and how you want to say it. Like building up a personal resume of the “why” behind your craft.

You’ll also receive our fortnightly newsletter, filled with tips on how to write content that captures your voice.
We may be biased, but this is one you’re not going to want to miss.

Disclaimer: We do make money when you click various links and offers, through their affiliate programs, including Amazon Service LLC Associates. There is NO increased cost for you, and sometimes we're even able to swing some sweet affiliate deals for our audience. It is important you know, we'd promote these resources even if we didn't make money from them. Which is why you can choose to purchase and show us some love, or just do business on your own. No hard feelings.

Elisa Doucette - Founder and Executive Editor

Elisa has worked for over a decade creating compelling content and writing for various businesses and publications. A frequent contributing writer, podcast guest, and event speaker, her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Forbes, Yahoo! Small Business, The Shine Network, The Huffington Post, and Brazen Careerist among others. She spends most of her time consuming unnatural amounts of coffee, tea, red wine, microbrews, bourbon…pretty much anything liquid and delicious. With no home base, she travels the planet looking for great stories to live, interesting tales to share, and new ways to make words sexy. When she’s not drinking her way around the world, she is likely curled up with her Kindle, devouring a new book.

I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: Great writing must be your foundation for popular and authority-building content. Marketing tricks and tactics can get eyes on your site, and you can optimize and analyze for every button and metric – and you should absolutely consider them if you want to be serious about writing online or for an audience. But if what you have to say and how you say it are not well-thought out and presented, your audience will not care.

Location: Aberdeen, Scotland

Most Read Book: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon and The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Favorite Story to Tell: Up to the age of 30, I had never lived outside the state of Maine or traveled further than Canada. Then, I landed a gig that put me on a one-way flight, with a shiny new passport, to live for six months in Bali, Indonesia. In my first three weeks living abroad, I got into a fight at a club, held hostage in a taxi, was robbed, and finally thrown off the back of a motorbike when we were hit head-on – ending in three surgeries on my knee. I managed to power through and have some badass scars to prove it. Been traveling ever since. This is either extreme confidence or complete idiocy. The jury is still out.

If you want to connect, it is usually easiest to catch me on Twitter or GoodReads.

Erika Rasso - Director of Development, Marketing, and Production

Erika Rasso graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.A. in English and marketing. She has worked as a writing consultant, an editor for a literary journal, and an editor for an academic journal. She’s currently located in sunny Los Angeles pursuing an MFA in Screenwriting at UCLA. She is a cat and dog person, because why should we have to choose? And she spends most of her time pouring over television scripts, either the ones she's written or the ones she hopes to learn from.

I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: Even though I love grammar and the strategic ways it is used to convey ideas, I don’t believe that your writing has to be mechanically perfect to be exceptional. If we look back on Nathaniel Hawthorne and James Joyce, their works are filled with run on sentences and misused punctuation, and they are still regarded as literary masters! Besides, grammar is always evolving. A mistake you’ve made in one article may no longer be a mistake a month or two later.

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

Most Read Book: The Harry Potter series

Favorite Story to Tell: When I was in Paris with my parents, we were taking a bike tour and I was lagging behind. We were crossing a busy street and a bus turned the corner and hit me! I was completely okay, the bus was going really slow, but I was very mad that the bus didn’t wait for me!

Giselle Sproule - Content Manager

As someone whose childhood was spent having books pried away from her at the dinner table, a future working with words was almost inevitable. Giselle studies English at the University of Calgary, and has worked as a writer/copyeditor for a newspaper, freelance proofreader/editor, and piano teacher. She hopes to one day relocate to Central America, but for now is making the most of snowy Calgary by getting out to the Rocky Mountains as much as she can, and spending cozy nights in learning how to play new instruments.

I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: To channel James Michener, the best writers are really the best revisers. No one’s first draft is perfect, and it’s far more important to get rough ideas down on paper than to be completely happy with your writing on the first try.

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Most Read Book: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Favorite Story to Tell: My sister and I were in Nicaragua last summer, and as we were walking to our hostel using the map they had provided, we realized that the path led through a river. There was no bridge in sight, however, and there was a “No swimming — Crocodiles in river” sign posted on the shore. The hostel had failed to mention that they were located across a crocodile-infested river! We survived, but the few minutes spent wading through the water were nerve-wracking, to say the least.

Arnela Gonzales – Content Producer and Graphic Designer

Arnela Gonzales took up a degree in Computer Engineering at the University of San Carlos, Philippines. She is a travel and food photographer, blogger, and freelance content writer and social media marketer based in Cebu. When she’s not learning web programming, she pursues creative projects and travels as much as she can all across the country – continuously wandering and soaking up herself in new experiences and beautiful scenery.

I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: There is absolutely nothing you can’t do if you dedicate your time and self to mastering your craft. I used to be so bad at many things, finding excuses as to why I can’t do this and that. There are many people who simply defeat the odds while excelling in their own fields. Find your purpose, embrace failures, and grow. Practice as much as you can – like really find a certain time every day to develop your skills. And don’t ever give up!

Location: Cebu, Philippines

Most Read Book: Harry Potter, and most feel-good books like The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

Favorite Story to Tell: I had always been passionate about words and writing ever since I was in grade school. However, when I got into college, I pursued an engineering course instead, even though deep inside I wanted to study Journalism or Mass Communication. When I nearly finished college, I realized that it’s not too late to pursue what I love, right? So I got into blogging, got recognized for my work and skills, and since then it has been just a little bit in between. And I just love it.

Nathan Winfrey - Content Editor and Social Media Manager

Nathan Winfrey graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in journalism and a minor in creative writing. After years navigating a colorful succession of reporting and editing jobs, he took the helm of his hometown newspaper before eventually becoming the copy editor for the largest state agency in Oklahoma.

Nathan spends his free time plunging into the third draft of his novel, systematically exchanging his blood for coffee, bungling through language-learning apps, sitting on sunny patios, secretly binge-reading when nobody’s looking, petting other people’s dogs, and traveling the world with nothing but a backpack and a camera.

I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: Writing is one of few things you can get better at without practicing. How? By reading! Audiobooks are wonderful, but as much as possible, read with your eyes, not your ears. Read deliberately. Google every word you don’t know. Keep a running toolbox of words and phrases you like and want to remember. Pay attention to sentence structure. Spelling. Remember the rules the author breaks and why.

Location: Oklahoma City, USA

Most Read Book: I don’t really re-read books unless it’s for reference or study, but I do find myself going back to certain authors just to return to that familiar voice. I go on Stephen King kicks every few years.

Favorite Story to Tell: I was in Istanbul unexpectedly and needed to explain to some teenage kids at the airport that I wanted to hitch a ride in my friend’s prepaid shuttle and just pay when I got to my hostel. Suddenly, a third kid appeared, holding out for me (in a hand lined with visible dirt) a small blue object the size of a peppercorn. I bravely stupidly popped it in my mouth, and immediately the kid yelled, “Ecstasy!” Startled, I spit it back into my hand. And then he said, “Şeker!” (sugar). Of course it was sugar. I put it back in my mouth. “Ecstasy!” he warned again, laughing, and I spit it out a second time. That probably would have gone on all day, but there comes a point when something’s been spat out enough times that it needs to go in the trash.