May Nel

At a loss for words? Not to worry – together, we'll fill in the blanks. With over 11 years of experience in the media and marketing industry, I've honed my skills as a wordsmith and developed well-rounded expertise in writing and editing. My passion is crafting copy into crisp, compelling, and informative content. Let's elevate your brand to new heights.

Copywriter / Quality Assurance / Proofreader at CBR Marketing (2024-10 – Present)

• Craft long- and short-form copy for high-profile national brands (Sorbet, Bidvest Group, Cubbi, DEKRA), executing concepts across mailers, digital, and OOH formats, and campaigns.
• Quality assurance and final proofreading for a diverse range of marketing materials, ensuring 100% accuracy and brand integrity.
• Collaborate with design, traffic, CSM teams, and creative and art director/s to streamline workflows and ensure timely, high-quality project delivery.
• Notable projects include major brand campaign development for Sorbet's Oh My Gel launch and Cubbi's Pre-owned. Redefined.
• Enforcement of strict brand compliance, ensuring all final assets adhere to CI guidelines and campaign specifications.

Proofreader / Translator / Sub-editor at Lowveld Media (2024-06 – 2024-09)

• Edit and proofread print and digital content for Get It Lowveld and Innibos festival publications.
• Translate content between English and Afrikaans with linguistic accuracy.
• Create headlines and teasers to boost reader engagement.

Copywriter at Capital Legacy (2023-03 – 2024-02)

• Develop comprehensive multichannel copy, from website content and landing pages to email campaigns, social media, and print collateral, driving engagement across the customer journey.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Product, Leadership) to translate complex product features and audience insights into digestible and strategic messaging for all campaigns.
• Execute targeted content strategies for diverse audiences, adjusting tone for B2B or B2C.
• Fact-check corporate communications for critical business events, including the Sanlam Trust acquisition, ensuring precision, compliance, and professional integrity.
• Translate key marketing and client-facing materials between English and Afrikaans, preserving nuance and legal accuracy.
• Built foundational educational resources, compiling and creating FAQs, blog articles, and product guides to demystify wills, estates, trusts, and financial products for clients.
• Review design, edit advertorials, and ensure alignment with brand and client standards.
• Fact-check content and ensure compliance with the South African Press Code.
• Collaborate with editorial teams to meet deadlines and maintain quality.

Copywriting / Editing / Translating at Freelance (2019-09 – Present)

• Oversee language use and grammar to ensure all content is clear and aligned with client specifications and brand voice.
• Verify all sources and fact-check details to ensure accuracy.
• Translate content between Afrikaans and English while preserving tone and nuance.
• Collaborate closely with clients to understand their goals and deliver tailored content.
• Compile and create blog articles, product and store descriptions, and promotional content to enhance brand visibility and audience engagement.

Proofreader / Translator / Sub-editor at Plaas Media (2021-01 – 2023-02)

• Sub-edit, proofread, and translate technical agricultural content for print and digital platforms, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
• Review magazine layouts in Adobe to improve readability and ensure alignment with in-house style guidelines.
• Edit advertorials to meet editorial standards and client expectations.
• Write summaries and social media teasers to engage readers.
• Create targeted marketing letters for magazine campaigns.
• Translate content between English and Afrikaans while preserving tone and meaning.
• Apply quality-control checks to ensure consistency and accuracy across all content.

Proofreader / Translator / Sub-editor / Content Creator at Lowveld Media (2012-10 – 2020-12)

• Edit and proofread content for Get It Lowveld, SANParks Times, Lowvelder, and Innibos festival publications.
• Manage and publish digital content across WordPress, Facebook, and Twitter to maintain brand consistency and engagement.
• Translate content between English and Afrikaans, preserving tone and meaning.
• Write features, headlines, teasers, and marketing letters tailored to various audiences.
• Ensure timely updates of online breaking news and meet tight deadlines across formats.
• Collaborate with editorial and design teams and contribute to ongoing content improvements.
• Notable projects include editing Dungeons & Dragons' Naturalist's Guide to Eberron, a self-published book titled Dad, and content creation for iLEAD et al.

National Senior Certificate – Hoërskool Nelspruit (2010)

Advanced Digital Marketing in Digital Marketing – Digital School of Marketing