Kari Matthews & Her Work
Where I’ve Come From, How I Got Here
When this city mouse decided to marry a farmer in central Illinois, the part I didn’t think through was my career. You really limit employment opportunities when everything is at least an hour drive (and more like 2 or 3) in every direction.
What do you do when you can’t work at a Fortune 500 company?
Funny thing, there is a related question when you have babies with said farmer: Where are these kids going to go to school? I didn’t love the public or private options.
The answer to both questions, for me anyway, was to stay home and invent your own solutions. My husband had a small IT consulting business that was about 20 years old, so between his tutelage and my research, I learned to do small business server and network management.
Of course, at the time, if you were “good with computers,” that was tantamount to being good with software. (That’s back when we called it software. Cue Archie and Edith: Those were the days.) I had requests from our tech clients for websites, flyers, brochures, and all other manner of Cold Fusion and MS Publisher outputs.
Then, I discovered copywriting.
My husband and I had what was essentially agricultural Mayberry: We both worked from home, had the IT business, and educated our kids in both academics and the gentle art of running a farm. I launched a small content marketing agency, where I produced copy and content for well over 20 years.
It’s no exaggeration, though, that many websites were completed at 2 a.m., and I took a baby or two to a lot of break/fix IT crisis calls. It was a lot of hard work and long hours, but I got to give myself a second education, this time classical (including Latin); I also learned on the job about email marketing, writing landing pages, how to create an offer, SEO, web analytics, and both web and print design.
Back to the story.
In about 2018, I started building my own framework for excellent content. I called it Resonance Theory™, and it’s the basis for any writing success I’ve had in any area of communication, from teaching and tutoring to grant writing. It even extends to hypnosis (more on that in a moment). As I continued the cycle of honing and applying my Resonance Theory™ principles, I was heartened to see that it works when done correctly. Now, I apply Resonance Theory™ to all my ghosting and fractional communications projects. Soon, I’ll be launching Resonance Theory™ workshops to train other marketers, writers, and DIYers.
In 2023, I tilted away from content marketing in favor of ghostwriting, fractional communications, and thought leadership. My sweet spot is mission-driven businesses. By that, I mean non-profits, foundations, educational institutions, and for-profit organizations that care about impact as much as profit.
Earlier this year, I put out my first quasi-ghosted collaboration with Dr. John Coin called Guilty of Innocence. This project was so enjoyable, I hope to collaborate with other mission-minded leaders on their book ideas in the future.
If you are trying to put good out into the world, I may very well be for you. Let’s talk.
Credentials
- Ghostwriter and content marketer for over 25 years
- Published as a co-writer (similar to a ghost): Guilty of Innocence by Dr. John Coin
- Successful grant writer and development writer (e.g. donor letters, annual reports)
- Creator of Resonance Theory™
- Certified to teach chemistry and math at the high school level
- Taught math at the college level for 15 years as an adjunct instructor
- Certified hypnosis practitioner (for the purposes of learning how words affect our thoughts and feelings; I do not currently offer hypnosis services)
I don’t share specifics about big wins because (1) NDAs, and (2) people exaggerate their accomplishments anyway, so it’s all rather silly. I have secured well over $2 million in grant funding and have an almost 100% track record on getting funded. I’ve also doubled donations over past years with holiday donor letters.
Can I show you my grant packages? No, I sure cannot. Can I talk you through how I build a strategy for a grant you’re interested in competing for? Definitely.
The point: Resonance Theory™ really works.
Past Projects & Success Stories
Guilty of Innocence
John Coin’s story is my inaugural ghostwriting project. It tells two stories at once: the first is Dr. Coin’s story about a false accusation that nearly destroyed his career while volunteering at a human trafficking rescue center; the second is a composite, fictional depiction of the scourge of human trafficking in America. As Dr. Coin is a minister and pastor, the story is written in his voice and geared for his church audience.
Co-written with Dr. John Coin. Available on Amazon ↗
I’ve written for non-profits, inventors, chiropractors, business coaches, teachers, religious leaders, and personal trainers.
The Work I Do
Annual & impact reports
Turn program updates and evidence into a report your supporters can understand.
Discuss your report →
Endorsements
“Words cannot adequately express the professionalism and expertise Kari Matthews brings to the table. While working on Guilty of Innocence, she interviewed multiple people, did her own research, and developed a fictional character based upon the interviews, research, and personal creativity in order to create a more engaging and thorough narrative. Ms. Matthews went all-in regarding making the co-authored project her own. It is without any hesitation Kari Matthews would be recommended to anyone to write, cooperate with, or head up any authoring project. Kari is a creative force and a gifted storyteller.”
“Kari is a master of messaging and will help anyone who is privileged to work with her.”
“What many people would hire an army for, Kari just gets it done.”
“I utilized Kari for a speech writing project and she was excellent.”
“The most surprising thing about working with you was how personally invested you were in the process.”
“You couldn’t have been more thorough.”
Connect with Me
If you’re curious what working with me would look like, you can read more at my agency website and read my Substack. You can also contact me here. I’m definitely non-pressure, easy-going, chill, whatever else the kids say these days. Shoot me a message. I love making new friends.
Outside of Work
Hello, I’m Kari, and I’m a certified nerd. As such, I like to read. I’m a Lay Dominican (a Catholic lay association of people who think reading challenging texts is fun). I am also working on an MA in The Great Books, which is a hybrid program melding philosophy, political science, and classical literature. Why would I get a degree I’ll never use? For fun.
I’m also fascinated with color theory, personality, neuroscience, and tech. They can pry my gadgets from my cold, dead hands.
Finally, I’m also co-writing a book with my son, who endured a life-altering injury in 2024 and has done nothing but win, win, win in his very long, arduous recovery. It’s a story I am looking forward to sharing. It does seem the world can feel short on hope, and his story is like hope-prednisone. IYKYK.
About this Website
What are the art genres represented here?
- Home page: Surrealist (M.C. Escher) style
- About page: Baroque/Rococo
- Resonance Theory™: Futurist style
- Speaking: Midcentury Modern
- Contact: American Regionalism
Why so many different styles?
This is actually a reflection of a Resonance Theory™ principle: We all are incredibly multifaceted. What we want, how we feel, what we prioritize, and the way we choose to show ourselves to the world can change from day to day (and sometimes minute to minute). You can bring all the different characteristics of your personality to me, and we will honor all of them in a way that has coherence and depth. (And that process is a lot of fun.)
What’s with the shells?
Is there a better symbol of resonance? There’s the Fibonacci association, and also the sound you hear when you listen to it. You are like this shell. What do people hear when they listen carefully?
(Also, they’re pretty.)