When organizations communicate with clarity and purpose, they grow with confidence.
I’m Terri Poindexter Smith — a writer, strategist, and communicator who helps modern organizations define their voices, strengthen their brands, and win the opportunities that move them forward.
I’ve partnered with tech startups, global companies, and mission-driven leaders to build the foundations that fuel growth: smart messaging, scalable content systems, proposal engines, and AI-enabled workflows that turn complexity into confidence.
My work lives where storytelling meets strategy. I help clients express who they are, what they do, and why it matters, creating repeatable content that drives revenue, reputation, and trust.
My mission: Open the gate between strategy and story, helping organizations turn ideas into narratives that connect, resonate, and deliver results.
Win More.
Work Smarter.
Scale Faster.
My Services
Marketing
(Ad Hoc)
Best for startups seeking project-based support on demand
Deliverables may include:
• Brand and message development
• Marketing strategy and campaign planning
• Content creation for web, email, or thought leadership
• AI-enhanced marketing and automation setup
• Sales enablement materials and pitch support
• Website and collateral refinement
• Flexible ad hoc; scope tailored to client needs
Hourly rate
Proposal Audits & Strategy Roadmaps
Best for startups new to RFPs or scaling into larger contracts
Deliverables may include:
• Comprehensive review of your current proposal process, content, and tools
• Gap analysis of compliance, messaging, and operational workflows
• Custom roadmap with prioritized recommendations for improvement
• 2–3 strategy sessions with the leadership team; timeline of 4-6 weeks
Fixed project fee
Fractional Head
of Proposals
Ongoing leadership without the cost of a full-time hire
Deliverables may include:
• Lead or augment proposal operations on a part-time basis (10–30 hrs/week)
• Manage RFP, RFI, and finalist presentations from intake to submission
• Build scalable content libraries to increase consistency and win rates
• Train and coach internal staff on proposal best practices and automation and/or enterprise AI tools
• Serve as a strategic partner in leadership meetings and planning sessions
Monthly retainer or hourly rate
AI-enabled Proposal Transformation
For organizations ready to modernize and scale
Deliverables may include:
• Implement automation platforms (Responsive/RFPio, Loopio, etc.)
• Develop AI-driven workflows for faster, more compliant responses
• Create structured content libraries to improve collaboration and content reuse
• Configure dashboards and analytics for win-rate tracking and performance insights
• Ensure secure access, governance, and integration with existing systems
Fixed project fee
Strategic Growth
Partnership
For organizations seeking a deeper, integrated, and year-long partnership
Deliverables may include:
• 0–30 hours/week of leadership support at an agreed-upon hourly consulting rate
• Strategic title (e.g., Head of Proposal Operations, Director of Response Strategy)
• Participation in leadership calls and roadmap planning
• 2 industry conferences/year for market visibility and professional development
• 2 in-person strategy meetings per year
6- or 12-month retainer; travel expenses
What I Do...
I provide consultative support for startups that need immediate expertise without the cost or ramp-up of a full-time hire. My core competencies include AI implementation, adoption of automation tools, content libraries, strategic planning, integrated marketing communications, media strategies, RFP processes, training, and project management.
ai-enabled proposal operations
I can help you choose and implement automation tools like Responsive (RFPio) and Loopio, ensuring your well-written, scalable content libraries deliver faster, smarter response cycles for your team. Everyone, from marketing to sales, will be on the same page in delivering responses.
AI
Why Me ... and Not Just AI?
For the foreseeable future, AI will complement writers, not replace them. The need for human creativity, judgment, and strategic thinking ensures that writers remain indispensable in content creation and communication.
AI is unlikely to fully replace human writers, at least for the foreseeable future. Here's why:
1. AI lacks genuine creativity
AI generates content based on patterns in existing data, but it doesn’t innovate or create new ideas independently. Writers bring originality, nuanced storytelling, and emotional depth that AI cannot replicate. For example, AI can draft or edit a press release, but crafting a compelling, brand-specific narrative remains a human strength.
2. The human touch matters
Excellent writing connects with audiences on a deeply personal level. It requires understanding culture, empathy, and tone in ways that resonate. While AI can mimic these to some extent, it doesn’t truly "understand" the content or the audience, making it harder to establish trust or foster genuine emotional responses.
3. Complex and strategic thinking
Writers often engage in broader, strategic roles, such as developing communication frameworks, aligning content with business goals, or crafting thought leadership pieces. These tasks require understanding context, human psychology, and long-term objectives—areas where AI still falls short.
4. Ethical and responsible content creation
If not carefully monitored, AI can generate biased, inaccurate, or inappropriate content. Writers ensure the ethical use of language, contextual relevance, and adherence to brand values—qualities that organizations prioritize.
5. Evolving audience expectations
Audiences often distinguish between human-authored and AI-generated content, particularly in creative or emotionally charged pieces. People may value authenticity and human insight more as awareness grows, maintaining the demand for skilled writers.
6. Collaboration over replacement
AI is best seen as an assistant rather than a replacement. It speeds up repetitive tasks like drafting, editing, and research, allowing writers to focus on the higher-order work of ideation and refinement. Writers who embrace AI to enhance their productivity and creativity will likely thrive.
Source: Partially from Open AI ChatGPT in answer to the prompt, "How do we know that AI won't replace writers, at least for the foreseeable future?"
