Prairie Dawn Smallwood
 

I’m a seasoned writer, editor, and leader with a knack for creating clear, concise, and inspiring content, and leading teams who love to do the same. I use words and the impactful stories behind them to evoke connection, emotion, and a strong audience response in everything from simple digital pieces to vast multi-channel campaigns to inspirational long-form articles. My specialty is adapting copy to brand voice in any venue (digital, print, video, social, etc.) while maintaining originality and embracing authentic storytelling.

I’ve led teams and written print and digital campaigns for a leading outdoor retailer, and I’ve done campaign strategy and brand storytelling for marketing agency clients that stay local. I have written organic, SEO-driven copy that gets top search results, but I’ve also spent more than 15 years in the world of print storytelling. I’ve conducted in-depth interviews with business owners, artists, students, families, and professionals — and then translated their experiences into stories that resonate with any audience. I have a deep value in being a part of and helping motivate a team who loves this work and sees purpose and passion within it.

I believe every word, every comma, and every single pause in a sentence has purpose and meaning. I think a good story sticks with you, and it’s the best way to be heard and seen in a noisy world of marketing. I love learning new things, and I love collaborating with creatives to create stunning, impactful content. I was meant to do this, and I do it with my whole self.

 
 
sharon-mccutcheon-eMP4sYPJ9x0-unsplash.jpg

TESTIMONIALS

Prairie is an incredibly skilled writer, with an unmatched ability to produce creative, inspiring, and polished content. Her innovative ideas and strategic thinking consistently elevate her work, helping audiences connect deeply with the journeys she portrays. Prairie’s versatility shines as she works seamlessly across multiple channels — email, print, social media, and web — tailoring her messaging to a variety of audiences. She engages effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, from students to senior leadership, handling differing perspectives and opinions with professionalism.

Her organization, self-motivation, and commitment to continuous improvement are evident in everything she does. Quick to respond, thorough in communication, and always ready to help, Prairie is a dependable team player who takes feedback graciously and uses it to refine her work. I would deeply miss her on my team, but I wholeheartedly support her pursuit of opportunities for her professional and personal growth.
— Cassie Eliasson, Sr. Assistant Director of Digital Strategy, Colorado State University Admissions
Working with Prairie is a delight. She is creative, talented, and professional, and her copywriting skills are excellent. I had the pleasure of working with Prairie as a colleague and as a client to her freelance work. I appreciate her genuine enthusiasm to dive in and explore the subject matter before she begins to craft the messaging. This results in authentic-and-accurate communications in the voice of her client that will capture the audience’s attention. No matter what type of communication is requested – email marketing, catalog copy, digital advertising – Prairie’s skill and flexibility make her a great choice for all projects.
— Christine Campbell, Saylison Marketing Communications Management
Prairie and I worked together for nearly nine years. During that time, we were part of multiple brand evolutions within our retail-driven workplace, which meant adaptability wasn’t just a great quality to have—it was paramount. I loved having Prairie as part of my team because she was never the one to call something “good enough”; she wouldn’t settle (and still doesn’t) until her work was flawlessly done, her every headline sang, and her web-based content all but cast a spell on her readers with the strength of its call to action. If we were working together, I never had to worry; not only would she show up and contribute, she’d be the first one to volunteer to stay late if we needed it, work overtime if the workload demanded it, and bring more than expected to the table, every single time. It’s rare to find a communicator as passionate about her craft and as driven to succeed as Prairie is, and I can’t wait to see where that combination takes her.
— Ashley White, Copywriter, West Edge Collective Ad Agency
Since my first day at Sierra Trading Post, Prairie Smallwood has been a consistent source of inspiration and knowledge. Not only does she have an extensive understanding of all of the products that come through our department, but she is an incredible writer, team leader and creative strategist. Whether it’s a new way to frame an idea to make a particular product stand out or a new approach to increase efficiency in my day-to-day processes, Prairie always sets an example for me and my fellow coworkers to follow.
As the most-knowledgeable member of our team, she always takes the time to answer questions and ensure we understand the answers, even if it means going over it a second or third time. She is always one step ahead of everyone and knows exactly what it takes to get the job done — which greatly helps all of us to meet our daily and weekly goals, and to grow not only as writers but as productive employees. I’m incredibly thankful to have Prairie as a mentor and member of our team!
— Julie Engler, Junior Copywriter at Sierra Trading Post
I got to watch Prairie grow from a creative position to one that took a leadership role, jumping into projects with fervor and passion like no other. Whether she was creating an entire campaign from top to bottom or simply just leading her team to a more-efficient workflow, it was always done with empathy, enthusiasm, and authenticity. Among Prairie’s best qualities are her dedication and work ethic. She has the ability to produce high-quality communications without sacrificing originality or voice. She produces superior work while meeting — and oftentimes exceeding — deadlines, and she always has a positive, can-do attitude and takes immense pride and ownership in her work.
— Tara Rood, Human Resources Talent Acquisition, Cheyenne Regional Hospital
I’ve known Prairie for 15+ years, and throughout that time, I’ve watched her grow and challenge herself endlessly in her career. She is not driven by the typical things; she strives for excellence and authenticity simply because that’s what she expects out of herself and out of others. Prairie does not give up, she gets up. She gets things done. She’s been nothing but passionate for her work and her writing from day one, and she gets actually giddy when she’s written something new. Mostly, I’ve seen her true dedication to her career, and that hasn’t come without struggle. For her, the real struggle comes when she’s not allowed to be excellent. Let her do her thing, and you’ll be blown away.
— Brittany Nuoci, Boulder County Risk Analyst
I’ve known Prairie for over a decade, and in that time she has never wavered from her dedication to a career in writing. At the same time, she has never rested on her laurels. Throughout the years, she has continued to learn new skills that improve her ability to create and manage quality content that works across multiple platforms. She does whatever it takes to be the best in her field, including taking graphic design classes or teaching herself to use website software. As a writer, she sets high standards for herself and then meets or exceeds them, bringing focus, creativity, and an eye to detail to every project. If you are looking for a hardworking, dedicated, and passionate writer to join your team, Prairie Smallwood is the person for you.
— Rene Allen, Swiftsure Timberworks