Erin Winker

Writer / Editor / Brand Storyteller
Plain Language Consultant

Meet Wink

Many call me Erin. (Mostly, professionally. Family, too.) But with a last name like Winker, why not go by Wink? (It’s OK if you prefer to stick with Erin — I answer to that name, too.)

When I was a kid, my childhood dog had eight puppies. (Fun fact: We didn’t even know she was pregnant. That’s a whole different story.) After 24 hours, the runt of the litter didn’t make it. I buried him with a love note. 

My grandmother wore a colored piece of feather in her hair, every day. As a teenager, I asked why. “It’s a conversation piece,” she told me. Touché. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in the midst of lockdown, I found my journals from high school and college. Over an outdoor fire — socially distanced of course — I read them aloud to my best friend whose name popped up in a few entries. Sipping wine, we laughed (and maybe shed a few tears), remembering who we once were. 

Why am I telling you this?

I love stories. But what I love most about them is the connections they bring — both to and with people, places and things. And the emotions they evoke. To feeling like you truly know the lead character and sometimes forgetting that you don't. To starting one more episode when you really should go to sleep. To coming home from a great vacation and sharing all the moments experienced with those who couldn't join you.

Stories – no matter how they're told or shared – move people. For a brand, this is truly powerful.

A bit about my experience

For the last 20 years, I’ve had the good fortune of creating content in all formats for brands and agencies.

Notably…

I’ve built online communities and helped tell authentic, emotional stories for a Fortune 500 health insurance company.

Harnessing my passion for plain language, I've developed engaging video content that tackles complex health care terms and makes them simple to understand. (I’ve also trained a global workforce on how to incorporate plain language principles into their writing.)

Through content partnerships, I've showcased amazing local nonprofits whose tireless work has helped so many people and communities lead healthier lives.

By way of good ole’ content marketing, I’ve contributed to an 84% increase YOY in leads generated for a global brand experience agency.

Through panel discussions with industry leaders, I’ve helped a Fortune 500 health company deliver a timely perspective on leading issues (e.g. women’s health, the race to vaccinate, mental health).

And I’ve helped a global PR and communications agency win a slew of awards.

What I do

I’m a seasoned storyteller and writer at heart. An editor, a creator, a marketer, and an all-around inquisitive human.

In corporate speak (and based on trending search terms), I’m a:

  • Content marketer

  • Social strategist 

  • Plain language consultant

  • Editor and Proofreader

  • Writer

Services I offer:

  • Digital content development and strategy 

  • Social media content development and strategy  

  • Writing and copy editing

  • Plain language consulting 

Brands I’ve worked with

My mission

Using plain language and clear communication, Wink Consulting supports businesses by crafting engaging content that resonates with their key audiences. 

I believe that effective marketing in all formats should be accessible to all, fostering genuine connections and driving meaningful results. 

By prioritizing simplicity, I help businesses tell their unique stories with confidence and clarity.

Testimonials

"I've worked with Erin in a few of her different roles at Aetna. Together, we developed Aetna’s Writers’ Center for Excellence — an employee resource for brand copy style, including tips for writing in plain language. We also collaborated on the rewrite of Aetna’s Medicare member Open Enrollment kits. Both projects won plain language awards from the Center for Plain Language. Erin was a key team member to the success of each. She consistently strives for simplicity, and always puts the audience at the center of her work. She is a great collaborator and dependable teammate who knows how to be her authentic self and stay true to her mission: to bring us all great stories that connect and inspire us."

- Vicki Lankarge, Director, Aetna

“Erin Winker has exceptional writing and strategic brand marketing capabilities. Having collaborated with Erin for the past three years, I can confidently say she is a fantastic partner. She consistently delivers high-quality work on time and maintains clear communication throughout every project. Erin’s professionalism and dedication ensure that each assignment progresses smoothly, making her an invaluable asset to any team. If you’re looking for a talented, reliable, strategic-thinking writer, look no further than Erin!"

- Tabitha Dosch, NA Communications Associate Director, Kimberly-Clark

Let’s work together!