Laurie Dunlop
Social Media and Content Marketing Manager

Laurie Dunlop joined NetStrategies as the Web Content Writer after she relocated to Northern Virginia in fall 2008. Now, as an integral part of the Internet marketing team, Laurie generates fresh content for the company website, spearheads our social media efforts, and writes original content for customer sites, too.

Laurie earned her B.A. in Communications from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. and M.P.A. from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga. Her status as military spouse allowed her to relocate numerous times over the past 20 years and to practice public relations/public affairs for a variety of organizations in the U.S., Germany, and Italy.

Her resume includes PR work for two school districts in New York state, ProMoter Communications in Louisville, Ky., marketing and editor for Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation in Germany, media relations for the American Cancer Society Heartland Div. in Kansas City, Mo., public affairs officer at Winn Army Community Hospital on Fort Stewart, Ga., and various volunteer jobs, including newsletter editor for the International School of Sedriano, Italy, and Family Readiness Group advisor for 3-8 Cavalry in Fort Hood, TX.

How do you blend your public relations experience with your role as Web Content Writer?

Writing is the cornerstone of any public relations position. I created news releases, newsletters, brochures, website copy, and much more during my tenure in traditional public relations. I still write, but now my creative efforts are directed toward deliverables for the Internet.

Why should organizations spend time and effort in social media if they already have a successful website?

I cannot think of any business that says, "We do not want or need new customers." Even a mom and pop corner store hopes to attract new homeowners and drive-by customers. Social media is one more way a business can accomplish a number of things. Social media gets your company name out to new and existing clients. It helps you position yourself as an expert in your field. It also allows you to monitor and react to what people are saying about your product and market segment. Finally, it can help you draw prospects to your website where hopefully you can close the deal.

Do you recommend any good books on Web Content or Social Media?

The two best books I've read so far for my role at NetStrategies are "Get Content. Get Customers." by Joe Pulizzi and Newt Barrett and "The New Rules of Marketing and PR" by David Meerman Scott. There are a million online resources including blogs, white papers, eNewsletters, and websites that I use as solid resources.