Independent Banker magazine and podcast

2x TRENDY Award Winner - Gold

in the trade association magazine category

From compliance and regulatory considerations to banking and lending, the publication covers a wide breadth of subject matter that I have familiarized myself with over the course of four years. Every month, I go through 20–30 articles, keeping the magazine in check from front to back.

Additionally, I helped produce its accompanying Independent Banker: A Community Banking Podcast, during its time live. Currently, it is on hiatus at the client’s request.

Year
2021–present

Client
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)

My Role

Every monthly issue starts with a brainstorm meeting, where we curate a selection of pitches based on a content calendar, then we send off ideas for client approval.
Following approval, we assign out both freelancer and internal writing assignments. I take on one or two articles each issue.
Once all drafts are completed, I review and edit 20–30 articles, ranging from 300 to 2400 words on various subject matters.
At any given time, the team is working on two to three magazine issues.
Publishing a magazine on behalf of a client means that we must communicate thoroughly, touch on talking points and align with client values throughout the production process. I have facilitated client review of articles, passing articles along to client contacts and subject matter experts who were interviewed for each article. Adjacently, I help communicate with the client on pitch approval and specialty articles related to the awards the client distributes.
We also work with freelancers each month to produce quality articles on niche topics. I send assignment letters, provide direction and help resolve any pain points during the writing stage.
Internally, I schedule brainstorms, communicate with the art team on any magazine edits or feedback, and facilitate discussion among the editorial team. During the proofing process prior to going to press, I also distribute proofing files.
Before going to press, we must thoroughly proofread each issue. Page count ranges but reaches 80-plus pages for certain issues. Along with my colleagues, I help go through page by page, finding any errors or providing tweaks to page layout. Then, I communicate the necessary edits to our art team and review final layouts one more time following the changes.