Marleena Garris
Copywriter / Digital Storyteller / Social Media Marketer
Greater St. Louis, MO / Remote
www.marleenawrites.carrd.co
instagram @marleenawrites
linkedin @marleenawrites
youtube @marleenawrites
Q What do you do?
“I’m a word-savvy multi-hyphenate with a passion for creativity and performance art. ”
People don’t put acting and copy together, but everyone wants to tell a sort of story, no matter the brand. I found that I excel at placing creativity front and center when it’s time to tell a brand story while being as out-of-the-box as possible. If you’re looking for something traditional, I can do that too. The dream would be to work with an agency or house that values the storytelling process, the unconventional, and my awful jokes.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
When I said I wanted to do an Acting/Digital Marketing combo in college, people raised a lot of eyebrows. But I knew that storytelling is as much as a business as it is getting to throw paint at the wall every day. While I got my BFA in acting, I also worked on freelance writing and digital media projects to continue my love of writing and collaboration into the worlds of administration, copy and of course… theatre!
Q How do you stand out in your field?
In copy, I asked everyone about what they needed. I know that applications say you need to be curious - but I ask a LOT of questions. It always aids in my momentum. I worked with my office to make the conversation tangible to our target audiences. Worked with nonprofits to make both $$ and a difference. It worked. We sold out shows, told stories and the clients I got to collaborate with walk away with a huge lift off their hearts. It’s rewarding work. It’s specific work. I adore it.
With acting, I look for open doors around every corner, if a door isn’t open, I apply pressure. I’ve been lucky enough to tell amazing stories with groups of actors and technicians alongside gifted writer/directors. The cool thing about acting is the carried skills that people don't realize go into writing copy with a team: collaboration, creativity, lateral thinking and unconventional problem solving. This makes me less afraid of odd campaigns, outside-the-box thinking, and challenging a status quo.
Q What are you working on right now?
I always work on video, copy, and writing projects from imaginary briefs, potential employers, or to document my journey. I recently came up with a spec work campaign for Google after I typed a botched version of the search engine's name for the 999999th time into my search bar.
Q What’s your style?
TOUGH ONE. My style is mostly a focus on authentic storytelling, but I love puzzles! My social work for Dead Man's Cell Phone is a great example of work that takes this and shares a narrative - found at www.marleenawrites.carrd.co
Enigmatology is a massive interest of mine, and my favorite projects are often the ones that have people think outside the box or subvert expectations. If I had to pick a personal style it would lean more into something like a rebus or a puzzle that would lead the user to a website or result. Interactive and fourth-wall breaking copy is a fave of mine too. A lot of my projects that have imaginative briefs sometimes focus on that, and brands I love that use this subversion of expectations or different ways of thinking include Oatly, Baikoh (Mum Not Proud), and Vitamin Water.
I love the copy written by Prose (haircare) and Sonder. This style of personal, authentic storytelling is my type of dream team - I often look for brands and projects that resonate with me in this way.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Acting is a no-brainer. The nature of the job is competitive, but some of my favorite projects I’m missing out on due to other factors like location or finances. I won’t throw in the towel though, I’m much too stubborn for that. This is why I am working on my youtube channel, to create my own opps!
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Connection in this lightning-fast sphere! The right copy project and collab is just around the corner. I can smell it. The constant drowning out of voices and noise makes the whole thing difficult to sift through, alongside the constant judging based on my age or journey. If I could meet everyone I submit for in person, I know at least half my problems might be solved.
(Also. Meet me in person!)
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Find the gigs/tapes/submission calls FOR ME! Of course, I’m prepped and ready to be my own detective, it comes with the job. A lot of headaches or at least ready-time could be placed somewhere else. I would love you and love you and LOVE YOU.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
If I could sit down with baby Marleena, maybe 15 years ago…I’d tell her to stop looking and looking for someone to be. When I was younger, I started my hyperfixation on investigation. I needed to know “why” all the time. I never stopped looking. Never stopped asking questions. I never ONCE thought that I could ever be the answer. I’d tell her the person you are going to be is all the superhero you need! You think 2nd grade is hard? Wait till you find out that you survived that and THEN some. I am so proud of you. I love you so much. You are enough.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I would love to talk to Sasheer Zamata about everything. I just want to know how she does it. Living, creating, and making time for the things she still loves to do. I love her style and would love to chat about preserving authenticity.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Full-time copywriting and writing opps. Ideally working with a company that values humanity, creativity, culture and a love of language! Bonus points if you love investigation as much as me!
TRIPLE points for a hilarious job description. Lemme write one of those.
Any acting projects that will allow me to travel (or otherwise)
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
An ideal experience would be with a group that values creativity and getting *excited* about the work. I love getting pumped up about what we’re about to do. I love a challenge that everyone can get on board with (NOT leaving-me-out-to-dry) situations. Let’s motivate and poke fun at the reader. Let’s make that lightbulb go off when they turn the page. Whatever it takes, I want to be in on it!
Q What is your rate?
In order for me to have a liveable wage, I would ideally start at 50-60/hr. I’m open to communication on my site or Contra!
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Send me a message on www.marleenawrites.carrd.co and send me something hilarious on my website. Add your favorite gif that describes you in your intro. Be creative!
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Valissa Tate is an excellent drone videographer looking to get into the entertainment industry. Specially creative director roles in commercial and video. She loves to capture a great story.
Peyton Eliot is what I’d like to call a chameleon of an actor. She does a fantastic job of bringing stories to life in anything she does, plus, she does stunts and is a black belt in Krav Maga!
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Whodunits. Howcatchems. Word puzzles. Chai!
This member profile was originally published in April 2024