Suburban Media Group

After working as a content creator for over two decades, I established Suburban Media Group, a small media shop that helps creators and brands with their content and digital marketing needs, and guides them through their publishing journey.

I offer localized services that range from content creation to social media strategies translation, marketing, writing, blogging, and ghostwriting. 

Clients include:

Tahaluf
MENA Leadership Center
New Arab
International Center for Journalists
Step
Wishbox Media
Story Terrace
Better Business
Media Plus

Storyteller

Self Employed

I provide translation and interpretation services from English to Arabic and vice versa.

I worked with a number of clients and translation companies including:

Glyph Language Services
Echo translation
Linguasoft
AdAstra

Contact me for your language support needs.

Arabic Interpreter

PBG Consulting LLC

-Lead the design, development, deployment, upgrade, and maintenance of new and existing NIH-owned websites at the National Cancer Institute.

- Provide a creative vision and offer suggestions about search engine optimization, effective website structure, ways to best display content, and provide quality creative solutions to the required design and implementation elements of all websites.

Senior Project Manager/National Institute of Health (NIH)

IFC - International Finance Corporation

Working as the social media lead for the International Finance Corporation (part of the World Bank Group), I was responsible for:
- Driving the corporate social media strategy for the organization.
- Developing senior leadership social media strategies.
- Leading on social media risk and mitigation.
- Providing guidance to regional social media editors on best social media practices.
- Leading on analytics reporting and producing reports for senior management.
- Leading on social media innovation by introducing new digital tools for storytelling.

Social Media Lead 

Tynes Media Group LLC

Building on more than a decade of extensive experience in journalism and media development, I established Tynes Media Group where I provide media services in my capacity as an independent bilingual journalist, media development professional, and Middle East expert. I provide the following  services:

- I advice organizations on training programs related to journalists and citizen journalists around the world. Clients include: The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), Search for Common Ground (SFCG), German Marshall Fund (GMF).

- I write pieces on media, latest tech trends for journalists, Middle East developments, parenting, among others for a number of media outlets including the Huffington Post, IJNet.org, Esquire Weekend.

- I provide language support where I translate and edit documents from English to Arabic, and vice versa. Clients: Glyph Language Services, ICFJ, Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL).

- I provide analysis on the latest development in the Middle East.

- I help organizations recruit participants and speakers for their media conferences.

President/Founder

CGAP

Working as an Arabic migration editor for CGAP (Part of the World Bank Group),  I was responsible for overseeing the migration of the Arabic content of CGAP's Microfinance Gateway into a new Drupal platform. Following the successful migration of this award winning site, I was tasked with the following: 
- Editing and writing content on microfinance for the Microfinance Gateway 
(http://www.microfinancegateway.org/).
-Translating technical terms into Arabic.
- Assisting on the design and functionality of the new Drupal site. 
- Editing and conducting quality assurance on hundreds of documents on 
microfinance.
- Assisting in developing marketing and social media strategies for the 
Microfinance Gateway.

Online Editor 

International Center for Journalists

Key responsibilities:
-Managing ICFJ’s training programs for journalists in the Middle East, which entails recruiting faculty, designing programs, managing six-figure budgets, assigning tasks to program officers, and overseeing monitoring and evaluation.

-Managing ICFJ’s e-learning programs and marketing them through social media.
-Managing a group of consultants and trainers in the field.
 Overseeing the work of program officers assigned to programs.
- Writing quarterly reports to funders
 -Work alongside development director to develop proposals for programs in the Middle East

Highlights:
-Bringing new sources of funding for the organization via a number of programs in the Middle East – including programs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. New funders include: Qatar News Agency, Saudi Media Institute, and the United Nations’ Alliance of Civilizations.

-Branding and developing ICFJ’s online courses via the creation of an independent website for ICFJ’s distance learning programs (ICFJAnywhere).

Arabic editor (March, 2007- August, 2008)

Key responsibilities:
- Writing news items in Arabic and in English for the International Journalists Network (http://www.ijnet.org).
- Translating material from English to Arabic and vice versa.
- Editing the content of the Arabic website.

Program Director

General Dynamics

Key responsibilities:
- Writing and editing news items for a Middle Eastern portal.
- Translating Arabic articles into English.
- Writing original material in English and Arabic.
- Producing a weekly survey column with round-ups and summaries of the Arab blogosphere.

Editor

Al Jazeera

Key responsibilities: 
- Writing original material and packaging stories from newswires. 
- Editing regional correspondents and selecting and captioning website photos. 
-Translating Aljazeera Arabic television news bulletins for the English website (english.aljazeera.net). 

Highlights: 
-Covering the March 2004 Arab Summit in Tunisia. 
-Interviewing late Hamas leader Abd Al -Aziz Al-Rantisi

Online editor

The Jordan Times

Responsible for reporting on a broad range of news beats, including politics, business, sports, and culture. Highlight: Reporting from Jordan’s Iraq border at the onset of the war on Iraq.

Reporter

With over 20 years of experience in journalism and media development, I am a storyteller who helps creators and brands with their content and digital marketing needs. I founded Suburban Media Group, a small media shop that offers localized services ranging from content creation to social media strategies, translation, writing, blogging, and ghostwriting. 

Some of my clients include Tahaluf, MENA Leadership Center, New Arab, International Center for Journalists, Step, Wishbox Media, Story Terrace, Better Business, and Media Plus. I also provide translation and interpretation services from English to Arabic and vice versa, working with various clients and companies. Additionally, I am a published author, a public speaker, and a social media maven with expertise in the Middle East. I am passionate about creating innovative and engaging content that elevates your brand and connects with your audience. Let's chat.

I'm so happy to have my story "The Agency" included in this beautiful anthology alongside top Arab-American writers.

Published by CITY LIGHTS BOOKS, INC and edited by the amazing Jordan Elgrably from The Markaz Review

Special thanks to Rana Asfour for reaching out and asking me to submit.

It takes a village.

The link to ordering the book is in the first comment.

Natasha Tynes

I was contacted by a producer from Dr Phill show the other day.

They asked me if I would be interested in appearing on their show to discuss how friendships are shifting amidst the division in the political narrative in the US nowadays.

According to the producer, they picked me as a potential candidate because they read one of my articles on Medium, in which I discussed this subject.

I hopped on the phone and had a nice conversation with the producer. Eventually, we both agreed that we had different visions of how the interview should be conducted. I wanted more of a discussion with experts, and they wanted more of a confrontational style. We agreed that what I had in mind was not a good fit for the show. We exchanged pleasantries and we decided to stay in touch

The moral of the story is not a flex, but rather to highlight one major point.

They found me on Medium

The article they referred to was one I wrote almost two years ago, so I was pleasantly surprised that it is still being read and had caught the attention of a major TV show.

This was a confirmation for me of the importance of writing online and putting yourself out there. You never know who will read your material, even years and years after you write.

This reminds me of something writing expert David Perell Peril mentioned.

"When you create and share an idea, you put your ideas onto the internet, which means that little robots can basically carry your ideas… and they go all around the world. There are people sitting from Malaysia to Mauritius to Algeria who are scrolling the internet and want to learn about whatever you have written or created a video about. When you’re sleeping, playing tennis with your friends, or on a walk by the river, you pay no charge.

Those robots are like little carrier pigeons that deliver your ideas to people all over the world. What’s amazing is you can make something once, and the robots will work for you for the rest of your life. As they deliver your ideas to people, serendipity happens — you meet new people, they reach out to you, they want to give you money, they want to help you, they have a consulting project that they need your help with — anything, whatever it is."


So, yeah, my little robots are working in full swing. They directed me towards Dr. Phil.

Don’t underestimate the power of sharing your ideas online; you never know what messages the robots will deliver.


********************************************************************
If you found my content useful, you might want to check out my newsletter, The Storyteller's Quest: https://lnkd.in/g58rYgNp

Or you might want to check out my online cohort "How to monetize your writing," which is starting in a couple of weeks:

https://lnkd.in/eqaKfDM4
 

Look what arrived in the mail.

So happy to have my story “The Agency” included in this beautiful anthology of stories from the Middle East published by City Lights Publishers and edited by the amazing Jordan Elgrably.

Last year, ghostwriting made up 80% of my income.

Interested in ghostwriting?

You can check out my self-led course, 'Make Income from Ghostwriting, ' in which I share my tips and tricks for finding clients.

https://lnkd.in/e-PpmJ8N

A few days ago, I got a rejection from a publisher on the manuscript for my second novel.

Had this happened a few years ago, this rejection would have crushed me. This time, though, I got sad for five minutes and then moved on.

Why?

Maybe I have a thicker skin, but I'm also aware that there are many other options besides traditional publishing.

I have had a good experience with self-publishing my first novel, and I will probably end up self-publishing the second and the third and many others.

I understand that gatekeepers are there for a reason, but the fact that I can bypass them is empowering and encouraging, to say the least.

"Reject the tyranny of being picked. Pick yourself" - Seth Godin.


Love her or hate her, Taylor Swift is a great writer. There is no question about that.

I'm not a big fan of her songs; the music is just too poppy for my taste, but the lyrics, oh, the lyrics, are so good.

For example, check out these two lines from her new song, "I can do it with a broken heart," from her album The Tortured Poets Department. (How cool is this album title?)

"I cry a lot but I am so productive, it's an art
You know you're good when you can even do it
With a broken heart"

I wonder whether productivity expert Ali Abdaal agrees that you can still be productive with a broken heart.

P.S.: She always has a new song called "Manuscript". As a writer, how can you not love Taylor Swfit?

So, go ahead, be productive, even with a broken heart.

Ever dreamed of ditching your desk job and pursuing your passions across the globe?

Kristen Van Nest, an author, actor, and comedian, did just that.
I talked with Kristen on my podcast “Read and Write with Natasha”.

Her story is a testament to the fearless pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment, detailed humorously in her memoir “Where to Nest.”

In a world that often equates success with a linear career path, Kristen's narrative proves that the road less traveled can make all the difference.
Below is a snippet from our conversation.

Link to the whole episode in the first comment.

When you walk your dog and you see this in your neighborhood.

Go outdoors, fellow writers and creatives.

This is where the magic happens.

No alternative text description for this image

🎙 This was one of the most fascinating interviews I have ever done. 

Toby Dorr is a former prison librarian who made headlines in 2006 for assisting convicted murderer John Manard in a daring escape from the Lansing Correctional Facility in Kansas.

Toby, who faced legal consequences for her role in the escape, shares her side of the story, shedding light on the events that captivated the nation in her memoir "Living with Conviction"

Don't miss this in-depth conversation with a central figure in one of recent history's most talked-about prison escapes.

🎧 You can listen to the full interview here:
https://lnkd.in/eKYaSGtS 

Or, if you prefer to watch it, here is the link:
https://lnkd.in/ePFyPcyQ


10 k this morning.

Faster than last year’s race with more stamina.

Get 10 per cent better every day, and see the transformation.

I had a discovery call with a potential client the other day who was looking for  a newsletter  ghostwriter, which is one of the services I provide that make the bulk of my business income. 

When I asked him how he stumbled upon my services, he said “ Google”.

He  searched for a “newsletter ghostwriter”and according to him I was “well-placed”.

Don’t underestimate the power of SEO.

Sometimes being discovered can be as simple as a Google search.

Friends, join me and the amazing Jordan Elgrably to read from the anthology "Stories from the center of the world." I will be reading from my short story "The Agency."

I hope to see you there.


Open article: STORIES FROM THE CENTER OF THE WORLD | A Busboys and Poets Presentation by eventbrite.com • 3 min read

STORIES FROM THE CENTER OF THE WORLD | A Busboys and Poets Presentation

Can laughter be the best medicine for aging? Humorist Neil Offen thinks so!

🎙 In my latest episode of "Read and Write with Natasha:, I talk with Offen about his book "Building a Better Boomer" in which he delivers a hilarious and insightful take on the trials and triumphs of boomer life.

Neil shares his satirical wit and offers a refreshingly honest look at aging. 

We also discuss the power of laughter, the evolution of book publishing, and even how to navigate the ever-changing world of social media.

Neil's unique perspective resonates with readers of all ages.

You can listen to the full interview here: 
https://lnkd.in/e5ZmazCR 

The progression of creating presentations:

First, it was PowerPoint
Then came Keynote
Then came Canva
Then came AI-powered Canva.

AI-powered Canva is here to stay.

I really enjoyed listening to Kristina God 's interview below with author Sarah  Fay.

I learned so much about growing a Substack subscription that I ended up being a paid subscriber of both Kristina and Sarah’s publications (I’m a sucker for supporting authors, sue me!).

I loved what Sara said that, as writers, "we have never had anything like Substack before."

This really made me excited about the future of writing and content creation.
I highly recommend subscribing to both of their publications.

P.S if you want to support my writing business and become a free or paid member of my Substack publication, here is the link:

🔗

In this video, I interview bestselling Substack author and award-winning writer Sarah Fay, who teaches creative writing at Northwestern University, about her success with Substack. She tells us her story from beginner to hero with 12,000 subscribers...

Open video: From Beginner to SUBSTACK INSIDER | Interview with Sarah Fay on youtube.com

From Beginner to SUBSTACK INSIDER | Interview with Sarah Fay

I have tried several productivity apps and cutting-edge platforms to create a place to capture my ideas on the go; eventually, I have settled on Apple Notes because it's simple, it’s right there, it's free, and it works.

Through the years, I have developed a system that allows me to post content on various platforms and social media channels daily without wasting time chasing shiny objects and messing with complicated systems like Notion and others.

The way I use Apple Notes is pretty simple. I create folders and capture ideas on the go, mostly when walking my dog.

For example, if I think of an idea that would fit for Substack Notes, I immediately jot it down before it disappears, then tag it to assign it to the relevant folder.

Easy peasy!

The introduction of small folders a few years ago made Apple Notes even more powerful. I try to convert most of my folders into “smart folders” where I can use tags.

This is how it works: whenever I get an idea, let's say for Subsatck notes, I immediately jot it down in Apple in the "Quick Notes" folder, and then I use the tag that I have already assigned to the smart folder that I want it to go to. 
So, while walking my dog, I would get an idea like: "Tools you need for self-publishing." I would jot that down and then insert the already assigned tag #substacknotes.

This will immediately place it in my Substack Notes folder without me looking for the folder and manually moving it there. This saves me time, reduces any necessary friction, and seamlessly links my notes.

Setting up your smart folder might seem like a lot of work, but it is not. You customize your smart folders once; then voila, you are done.
You capture your ideas on the go and have a content-generation machine you can use daily.

You are no longer staring at the screen every day while wondering what you will post about.

So, what's your content creation routine like? Do you have a favorite tool or technique for capturing ideas? Share your experiences in the comments below!

P.S: Speaking of turning inspiration into income, are you interested in learning how to monetize your writing? My online cohort, "How to Monetize Your Writing," starts next week. Grab your spot now. 

https://lnkd.in/eiZuEHX5


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