Blackstar Communications clients have seen open rates increase by nearly four times, as well as increased blog views by tens of thousands, plus improved writing skills.


My approach

Lindsay Patton,
Blackstar Communications founder
and David Bowie enthusiast


Writing an article headline employs the same strategies as creating a newsletter subject line or optimizing a blog title for SEO—it’s just a different way of packaging things. My journalism training has helped clients better understand their audience and craft content based on what the audience wants to see.

Journalism foundations

Creativity is the key to innovation, and innovation is required for growth. My goal is to make you stand out, not fit in. Creativity and thinking outside the box get us there.

Creative mindset

Reading analytics and knowing how to implement data-based strategies are necessary for digital growth. Analytics inform how I help clients evolve and I love the stories these numbers tell. To foster future growth, you must first understand what audiences want and do not want in their feeds. Analytics give us the answers.

Analytics

You are human first, client second. I understand life throws us curveballs, budgets are limited and we are all doing the best we can. That’s why my services are customizable and structured based on where my client will get the most value.

Empathy focused


Portfolio

Take a moment to browse through past and present client work, which features diverse industries and experiences.

Rutgers Alternate Route

I’ve worked with Rutgers Alternate Route since 2019. In those six years, I’ve worked with the team to grow the program’s digital presence by studying education trends and using quarterly analytics to inform where to pivot and innovate.

  • Grew blog views from 12,500 per quarter to 30,500 views per quarter

  • Increased newsletter open rates from 21% to 50%

  • Launched a Pinterest strategy and grew impressions to 35,500

The stats:

Writing samples:

Entrepreneur

Between 2020 and 2021, I collaborated with FlexTal on its partnership with Entrepreneur. Acting as managing editor, I brainstormed content calendars, managed writers and wrote articles.

The stats:

  • Led a team of eight writers

  • Managed the monthly content calendar

  • Edited, wrote and published 62 articles on Entrepreneur

Writing samples:

Twist Out Cancer

Between 2020 and 2024, I helped the nonprofit organization increase its digital presence and amplify the stories of its participants.

  • Increased newsletter open rates from 12% to 41%

  • Organically grew LinkedIn following from 168 to 870

The stats:

Writing samples:

Voices of Youth

In 2023, I helped launch the Voices of Youth program in Grand Rapids with Rapid Growth publisher Tommy Allen. Serving as Project Lead, I taught in-person journalism lessons to area teens.

  • Worked with more than 30 area teens to improve their writing skills and published articles by 15 teen participants, each one focusing on issues that affect their generation

The stats:

Writing samples: