I'm a journalist and communications specialist, based in Australia and Taiwan.
My craft is helping people amplify their story and brand, by way of words and personal engagement.
How I can help
Writing
& Editing
Words are important, but delivering intent is indispensable. Whatever the brief, I write to evoke something in my readers. I've written to illuminate or inform (news copy); to inspire (travel writing, storytelling); or to influence and entice (SEO, advertising copy).
My portfolio includes freelance work for various topics over print, and online platforms, including: Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Kyoto Journal, Insider Guides and The Serenade Files.
Public
Relations
Over 10 years of service in PR and Communications. That's something to celebrate and share with the world.
I've helped carry out end-to-end design and implementation of: communication campaigns, content strategy, events management, internal and stakeholder communications, and website and social media management to boot.
Hardy experienes in a ministerial secretariat means I'm more than adept in government and outreach plans as well as media relations.
Community
Engagement
I have always been focused on community-centred dialogue and involvement. I've been fortunate to have worked on community-based programs - from working with young people in the Vietnamese Community in Australia, to organising a whole-of-industry launch event for homelessness, to driving engagement in local and sustainable tourism.
Engaging with members of the community leave me the deepest impressions and I am particularly motivated to tell their stories.
Experience is Everything
Insider Guides
Writer, since May 2019
This is one of my strong suits: writing about places, promoting their nuances, and providing 'why' these places are worthy of more than a visitor's gaze. I continued my travel writing expertise with Insider Guides, a print and online publication brand that promotes Australian tourism, as well as lifestyle and well-being to international students. I am especially happy to have worked on the 2020 Victoria Guide which is distributed online and in print onshore and offshore to several different countries including China, Malaysia, and Viet Nam.
Ketagalan Media
Foreign Correspondent, since Aug 2016
Working for this independent news source gave me the freedom to pursue and shape my own stories. The trust the Editor-in-Chief had in me spurred my confidence to interview highly compelling sources for major features, including KM's sole coverage of the Human Rights Foundation's Oslo Freedom Forum. Managing these articles from pitch-to-published nurtured my sense of persistence, and further rounded my professionalism as a journalist.
Unison
Quality Officer, April 2017 - Oct 2018
This contract further pushed me to think and communicate strategically. I facilitated the continual improvement of Unison's funded services, and much of my work was internal communications: refining, documenting and systemising information. Being exposed to members of the community was a humbling experience. From supporting a number of managers and executives, I understood just how effective empathetic leadership could be.
Travel in Taiwan Magazine & Taiwan Tourism Bureau
Freelance travel writer and SEO copywriter, Oct 2016 - Oct 2017
I was lucky to progress my writing with a federal bureau, least of all to promote a country's tourism by means of hands-on, real life experiences. I once jumped off a cliff for a story (a paragliding feature). These incredible opportunities opened up a whole new world, and peaked my interest for a profession born from creativity. Working in English and Mandarin helped me overcome language barriers and expand my comfort zones. The feedback I received was what laid the foundations of my career, and I use it to continually progress my flair for writing to this day.
Deepblu
Community Associate Editor, June 2016 - Dec 2016
Working for this company was a right of passage into the editorial world. Our team was responsible for the entire content of Deepblu's social platform - both on the app and its website - it was also a crash course in effective use of digital marketing, analytics, and facilitating user experience to boot. Deepblu's rapid brand development and entrepreneurial culture pushed me well beyond the limits I thought I knew about influencing readership. Everyday was an opportunity to upskill.
British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei
Public Relations and Communications Intern, March 2016 - June 2016
This spring was a chance to advance my PR acumen into Taipei's corporate sphere. I assisted on events and doing trade research for the Chamber and the British Office in Taipei - eventually solely managing communication across all online channels for the Chamber. Major events I've worked on include Queen Elizabeth's 90th Birthday, Britain is Great trade shows, Women in Business functions, and plenty more. I fostered relationships with inspiring peers who were at exciting stages in their careers. It provided me with a wealth of expertise, and I found more footing as a professional in a different country, and doing business with a different culture.
COAG Energy Council
Public Relations Project Officer, Feb 2012 - Sep 2015
This role has had the biggest influence on my professionalism, and continues to inspire me to this day. It taught me to surround myself with people who work with tenacity and intelligence; to communicate with tact; to be an influencer in my own way; to be ridiculously organised. I managed a Council of Australian Government (COAG) working group and a panel of consultants - whilst also facilitating the work plan and communications of the Council. It was full-on; time spent wisely.
Department of Human Services (Formerly Department for Communities and Social Inclusion)
Program and Communications Officer, Feb 2011 - Feb 2012
Despite working for a government department, I worked amongst community leaders, local service providers, and young influencers doing their bid for social change. Building rapport with communities in need, particularly within indigenous communities was one of the most eye-opening and fulfilling work I've done to date. I managed the official launch event of Homeless to Home: South Australia’s Homelessness Strategy 2009-2013, and facilitated communications, including training and development, throughout the division and the sector.
Let's Connect
© copyright 2019 Quyen Tran | all rights reserved.
Feature photo courtesy of Guang-Hui Chuan, with background mural from George Rose X Australian Childhood Foundation. Help children raise their voices. #DefendChildhood
Made in Australia
I bounce from land to sea
All questions (and delicious bribes) are welcome
