RESUME - VICTORIA BARBOUR - 709 770 3573
If you're on this page, chances are I've sent you a link because we're thinking of doing some work together. Thanks for stopping by! While my website is dedicated to my fiction career, I have a whole other life as a marketing communications specialist, lead developer and freelance writer/editor/designer/video producer/proofreader.
You see, once upon a time I was a copywriter. I won awards, so I suppose that means I was a pretty good copywriter. I've always been handy with words, and I've consistently broadened my skill set so that I could do more than write. Instead of hiring someone to upload web copy, I learned how to use site builders. Rather than wait on graphic designers, I learned how to use Adobe Creative Suite myself so I could write, design and produce my own materials. I took my journalist training in TV and Radio and used it to make corporate videos and voice overs. And, above all, I’ve kept working toward my lifelong goal of writing novels.
I left the corporate world in 2013, and devoted my time as full-time author. In 2016 I was asked to do some freelance work for Ches’s Famous Fish and Chips, which has developed into a full-time position as Director of Marketing, Communications and Business Development. During the pandemic, I’ve also served as operations manager. This is my family business, and I’ve always been clear that my time with them was for a short duration only. I’m not certain what positions would lure me away, but I know they’re out there, especially if it offers me the chance to take on a challenging new role.
If you're interested in talking, please feel free to contact me. 709 770 3573
Employment History
Ches’s Famous Fish & Chips
Director of Marketing and Communications, Business Development and Operations Management (Freshwater Road) 2016-present
As a family business, the only things at Ches’s I am not a part of are cooking and processing. However, my primary focus is marketing and communications. With tight timelines for deliverables, I produce most content myself, from photography and design to copy and video production. Since the pandemic, I have also been acting as manager for the Freshwater Road location.
USA Today Bestselling Author
Ongoing
Self-published author of romance novels based in Newfoundland. I view my writing career as a small business, where I am responsible for all avenues of success. Marketing, editing, proof reading, design, sales and promotion, accounting and of course, writing.
Freelance work
Ongoing
My clients prefer to remain anonymous, but I write blogs, edit manuscripts, and develop marketing content for a small group of clients that I enjoy working with while focusing on my fiction.
Verafin
Copywriter, 2009 - 2013
Created web copy, brochure copy, marketing emails, presentations, webinars, videos, and other marketing communications materials specific to the following industries and topics: banking, software, artificial intelligence, financial crime detection, fraud schemes, and money laundering. Also worked on lead generation strategies and content designed to move leads through the buying process. Editing and proofreading skills a must.
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Copywriter/Web Editor, 2007 - 2009
Trained users on how to use CMS systems, wrote and posted web copy, and worked as a copywriter for the Marketing Communications department, including award winning copywriting for the annual President's Report, and Research Reports. Also wrote radio ads, print ads, and recruitment ads. Editing and proofreading skills a must.
M5 Marketing Communications
Copywriter, 1999 - 2002
Copywriter for major advertising campaigns including radio, television and print. Clients included Tourism New Brunswick and General Motors. Also proofread English and French ad materials.
NTV
Photojournalist, 1998 - 1999
Television reporter for local news station. Duties included news gathering, writing, filming, and on-air delivery.
VOCM Radio
Reporter, 1992 - 1996
Radio reporter for local news station. Duties included news gathering, writing, filing and on-air delivery.
Education
Simon Fraser University, British Columbia
MA (History) Focus: Nfld 19th Century Gender History. Thesis incomplete.
Memorial University, Newfoundland
BA Hons. (History) Focus: Nfld 19th Century Gender History
Ryerson University,Ontario
Journalism
Relevant Skills
- Social media marketing including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, YouTube, Vine, TikTok
- Graphic design using Adobe Creative Suite and Canva
- Video production using iMovie
- WYSIWYG web development, content and design maintenance, most recently with Squarespace and Wix templates. Examples include: http:// LucyStoyles.com http://victoriabarbour.com and http://chessfishandchips.ca
- Digital epub creation and sales via all major online retailers (Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Nook, etc.)
Volunteerism
- Co-founder of Newfoundland Homes for Syrian Families, a non-for-profit group committed to sponsoring refugees from Syria. We have brought one family to Newfoundland, and are working to bring another.
- Communications support for Lucy Stoyles’ provincial election campaign 2021.
- Former member of the Newfoundland Historical Society