I’m so happy you are here!
I’m Dawn Damico, an independent travel writer, photographer, content marketing strategist, and editor of Vitabella Magazine.
You’ve probably landed on this page for one of a couple of reasons:
- You’re lost (I hope not, but don’t worry, this is a great place to get lost!)
- You’ve come across my name from somewhere online and clicked a link, or
- You are looking for someone who understands business and marketing AND has the ability to write and capture images that your future customers might like, to add to your team of trusted professionals.
If door number 3 is right about you, then read on…
Known as the “Research Diva” I love the nerdy side of digging deep into a subject to fully understand all angles, the creative side of crafting content with words and pictures, and the business side of marketing.
I use content to bring value to people’s lives and to add profits to your bottom line.
Value always comes first.
“My personal mission is to positively impact as many people as I can. The way I do that is by showing people that life is beautiful and filled with possibilities. We simply need to adjust our lens. Live where you want to live, work in a way that lights you up, and make it a priority to be healthy and happy…and travel!”
What better way to share this message than by writing about and photographing our world?
Getting out of our comfort zone and the day-to-day routine allows each person to recognize joy and vibrancy in life. We can see what is different or unusual as simply another way of being, instead of something negative or scary.
As a lifelong student of health and nutrition, I fully embrace the holistic approach of integrative health, making that mind-body-soul connection with the world around us. This shows up in the work we choose, how we eat, and how we move through and interpret life.
“The purpose of life is to be happy…It’s that simple!”
Generation What?
They say I’m part of Generation “X”….the “lost” generation. However, all who wander are not lost!
Because I’m on the cusp of Gen X and the Boomers, I get to keep one foot in each world, choosing the best of each for my own life and sharing that with others.
Studies reveal that even though Gen X stays out of the spotlight, we tend to have the most buying power and financial freedom of any generation right now. 68% of Gen Xers are the chief shoppers when it comes to travel and activities. According to some statistics, we spend an average $627/day on travel.
How much of that would your company like to capture?
I also identify with the 2018 AARP report of Boomer’s motivation for travel as a way to spend time with family and friends (57%), especially my husband of 30+ years, relax and rejuvenate (49%), and to get away from normal everyday life (47%). And, like many, a solo travel excursion every now and again has a great amount of appeal.
In addition, I seek out active, experiential, historical, and culinary travel. This type of travel adds depth to the travel experience, making it more rewarding. Rather than just “seeing” a place, you can experience a place.
That, as they say, is priceless.
Studies show that whether it’s a bucket list, summer vacation, weekend getaway, multi-generational, romantic, celebration, holiday travel, or solo trip, people are planning to travel!
We want to experience new things and share those experiences with other people, in “real” life and on social media. In fact, for fans of visual social sharing sites like Instagram and Pinterest, the world is simply a blank canvas ready to be filled with images and inspiration for a healthy and happy life.
The value of “stuff” is losing its appeal, as noted in the 2018 findings from Expedia and the Center for Generational Kinetics. They found that 74% of Americans prioritize experiences over things and to back that up, 57% are saving money specifically for travel.
Reaching Your Target Audience
So, how can a company capture their audience, no matter the generation, in a crowded online (and offline) world?
How can you draw those future customers into your world when more and more, online ads are being blocked and the traditional “corporate” messages do not have the influence they once did?
The answer is through content marketing and social media marketing.
That’s where the (enjoyable) work I do comes in!
I love to eat delicious and healthy food, stay active and fit, and travel. That’s my lifestyle and as it turns out, it’s the desired lifestyle of your target audience too. I enjoy sharing those activities through writing and photography with the intent to inspire and motivate other people to take action.
I’m also well-versed in business and real estate as an entrepreneur, an effective copywriter, and content marketer. I understand the connection between inbound marketing, capturing leads, and converting leads into sales. After all, that’s what business is all about, right?
You want to provide a valuable product or service, let your target audience know you exist, and then invite them into your world (your list) where you can build the relationship and convert them to buy.
So, my question for you is this:
How can I help you with your business and your company goals?
Contact me and I’m happy to chat about the possibilities!
Travel Writing
My growing portfolio of articles and photos can be found in places such as:
- Raleigh City Tour Guide (Online – commissioned work)
- Confetti Cafe
- Vitabella Magazine
- Dave’s Corner
Food and Travel Photography
My work has been featured in publications, stock photography, and an online portfolio is located here:
- WCTI-Channel 12, North Carolina
- County Lines: A Literary Journal 2016 Issue, Vol. 3
- Stock Photography (several outlets)
- And more!
Vitabella Magazine
I’m the editor and founder of the online magazine, Vitabella Magazine. It’s here where I showcase helpful information and inspiration in the areas of Food, Health and Travel…the stuff in life that makes it all worth living! The mission of the magazine is to be a quality platform from which experts and enthusiasts in those fields can showcase their work and bring value to the lives of our readers. We do this with articles, videos, photos, and valuable offers.
Health and Nutrition
I’ve written extensively for this industry, often as a ghostwriter of books and articles for top professionals and blogs. Some examples include:
- Food 4 Life Meal Planning Series
- Vitabella Magazine
- And more under a pen name and/or as a ghostwriter
Books
I enjoy writing about subjects that interest me including business, real estate, food, health and travel. You can find these books on Amazon:
- The Health and Wellness Coaches 20/20 Marketing and Business Building Report
- How to Build Your Online Business Empire…One Word at a Time
- The Real Estate Agents 20/20 Marketing and Business Building Report
- Catering Blueprint
- Chocolate [Upcoming Publication]
- And more under a pen name and/or as a ghostwriter
Experience and Companies
I’ve had the pleasure of working with some great clients and companies including:
- Beneficial Mortgage
- Prudential Real Estate
- Encore Education Corp
- North Carolina Community College
- Eastside Catholic High School
- Level 5 Publishing
- James Wedmore
- Military.com
- UrbanBound
- Military Grade Nutritionals
- World-renowned Australian Fitness Model
- Nationally Recognized Fitness Expert for Women
- Keller Williams Real Estate
- PB&G Home Group
- Confetti Cafe
https://viewfinder.expedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Expedia-Generations-on-the-Move.pdf