WORDS BY JEN is a full-service graphic design and creative services company located in Branford, Connecticut. For the past 20 years, we have worked hand-in-hand with local businesses and organizations to develop effective communications, both in print and online.
Since 1993, our philosophy has remained the same: marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right words, a consistent message, and good design, you’ll get the results you want from your promotional efforts.
We're excited to present our new website — please come in and take a look around!
Bringing together all of her experiences, Jen Payne began Words by Jen in order to provide a comprehensive service to businesses, organizations and individuals. With a degree in English and Journalism and close to 25 years of industry experience, her frame of reference includes copy writing and editing, public relations, newspaper editing and production, book design, graphic design, brand development, printing, and website design.
Jen currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Branford Land Trust, and is a co-editor and contributor for its quarterly newsletter. She is Vice President, Director of Production and Marketing for Bick Publishing House in Branford, CT.
She has been a member of the Branford Chamber of Commerce since 1994 and served on its Board of Directors for a number of years. She volunteers for the Branford Historical Society, the Community Dining Room, and the Women & Family Life Center in Guilford.
In her spare time, Jen is a writer, artist, and author of the blog Random Acts of Writing. She is a member of the Guilford Arts Center and the Story Circle Network.
Words by Jen has provided full-service graphic design & creative services since 1993, including:
• Graphic Design
• Copy Writing & Editorial Services
• Full-Service Printing
• Web Design & Internet Marketing
• Book Design & Publishing Coordination
• Marketing & Creative Consultations
Graphic Design
Advertising
Book Design
Brochures
Business Cards
Catalogs
Flyers
Newsletters
Postcards
Promotional Materials
Stationery
Copy Writing & Editorial Services
Content Development
Copy Editing
Copy Writing
Proofreading
Full-Service Printing
Affordable Four-Color Printing
Traditional Off-set Printing
Variable Data Printing
Thermography
Web Design & Internet Marketing
Blog & Enewsletter Design
Content Development
Email Marketing
Online Advertising Design
SEO Coordination
Website Design & Development
Website Maintenance
Book Design & Publishing Coordination
Content Development
Editorial Consultations
Copy Editing & Proofreading
Graphic Design & Interior Page Design
Cover Design
Printing Coordination
Marketing & Advertising Assistance
Marketing & Creative Consultations
Brainstorming Sessions
Brand Development
Marketing Consultations
Writing Assistance/Editorial Reviews
Professional Recognition
- Branford Chamber of Commerce Val Karlawish Service to the Chamber Award, 2006
- "Forty Under 40," New Haven Business Times, 2003
- Branford Chamber of Commerce Company of the Year, 2001
- Sam Walton Community Leader of the Year, 1999
- Branford Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year, 1999
- Branford Land Trust Volunteer Recognition, 1996
Award-Winning Projects
- Addiction: The Brain Disease, Independent Publisher Book Award
- Are You Human Or What?, ForeWord Book of the Year
- Cosmic Calendar The Big Bang to Your Consciousness, (Graphic Novel), Independent Publisher Book Award
- In And Out Of Your Mind, Teen Science: Human Bites, New York Public Library Best Books, International Book of the Month Club
- Land Trust Service Bureau Communication Award, Branford Land Trust Newsletter and Website, 2004
- Stop The Pain: Teen Meditations, New York Public Library Best Books
- Talk: Teen Art of Communication, ForeWord Book of the Year
- The Teen Brain Book: Who and What Are You?, ForeWord Bronze Book of the Year
- Where’s Your Head? Psychology for Teenagers, New York Public Library Best Books
- Who Said What? Philosophy Quotes for Teens, VOYA Honor Book, YALSA Quickpicks for Teens
Testimonials
"My graphics person, Jen Payne, can get this together because she is AWESOME and can do anything including leap tall buildings in a single bound." – Attorney
"You have been such a huge help. Thanks for making it feel like I have extra hours in my day!" – Nonprofit Program Coordinator
"Perfect example of giving Jen a bunch of words, and they come out looking like art!" – Nonprofit Board Member
"I knew when I asked for your editing help that you would make the words sing. What I didn't know was that you would also make them dance! But then again, why am I surprised? That's one of the many things I've always liked about working with you—your way of seeing words as well as hearing them!" – Author, Marketing & Public Relations Specialist
"Folks like you who can whip out something beautiful are a godsend!" – Organization Executive Director
"We planted the seeds and you made it bloom." – Nonprofit Book Committee
"This is a top notch publication and I enjoyed it very much. I am impressed!"– National Organization President
"It is one of the best websites I have ever seen. Just some random, unsolicited props from a total stranger." – Total Stranger, Ohio
"Thanks for your time, your help, your tolerance and your outright good service." – Longtime Client
"You have been so nice to work with, so helpful, so much value added to your service." – Nonprofit Executive Director
"I absolutely LOVE your stuff. I don't know how I got along this far without you." – Number One Fan
"Fabulous Fabulous!! The whole thing sings in harmony—5 stars for this website and for your work." – Shoreline Artist
WONDERING WHY “WORDS”?
Have you ever wondered why we’re called “Words by Jen”?
The “Jen” part is easy—that’s me.
The “Words” part is about the essence of what we do—communicate.
Every service we offer is about helping YOU communicate your message to your audience…with words.
We write words.
We design words.
We print words.
We put words on the world wide web.
The “Words” part also speaks to the fact that I am, first and foremost, a writer.
A writer who likes to tell stories.
A writer who likes to help you tell your story effectively—in writing, in print, online and more!
THERE'S A HAT FOR THAT
My friend Mary and I are putting the finishing touches on her new book, Life Is Full of Sweet Spots, which will be printed this spring. In her Acknowledgements, she writes:
“To Jen Payne, friend of many hats, words, encouragements, red ink, hugs and cheers: my incalculable gratitude, not only for sharing your love for words and images, but for using your design and editing skills to coax the best out of me and all that appears on these pages.”
I've always loved the concept of "wearer of many hats." It's been a cornerstone of Words by Jen's philosophy since 1993—to offer comprehensive services for our clients. And Mary should know. In the past eight years, she and I have worked together on a number of projects including catalogs, marketing materials, and websites!
It does occur to me that some folks are only familiar with one or two of our hats. For some, Words by Jen just provides editorial services, or only creates websites. For others, we just do graphic design or simply offer printing. In truth—we wear lots of hats: Consultant, Assistant, Writer, Editor, Graphic Designer, Printer, Web Designer, Book Designer, Publisher, Artist
If in doubt about how we can help you and your business, remember, there’s a hat for that!
(Click here for more about Mary's book Life Is Full of Sweet Spots.)
AN ANNIVERSARY
My dear friend DeLinda and I first met at a copy shop in New Haven where we both worked in the early 90s. We spent our lunch hours imagining what we would do next; she was returning to her home in Texas to become a therapist, and I was contemplating starting my own business.
"You can do this," she said, often. As further encouragement, that Christmas she gave me a basket full of office supplies and a handmade business card that read "Words by Jen."
It was the name we came up with over coffee at the Copper Kitchen in New Haven back in 1992. I finished a flyer for my first client, a rock band called The Gravel Pit, in 1993--20 years ago this spring!
Some of you may remember those early days of Words by Jen--I'm blessed to still be working with a number of my very first clients.
Some of you have worked with us since the last century, before you owned your own computer, used email or searched the internet!
I think we can all agree that we live in a much different world today than we did 20 years ago! But some things have not changed. Words by Jen's first "mission statement" read:
We are dedicated to providing personal, professional service with a creative flair. And, we take pride in the relationships we develop with our clients.
We take pride--I take pride--in the relationship you and I have developed over the years. And I thank you for trusting "Words by Jen" to be a partner in the success of your business. You have certainly been a huge part of mine!
Photo: Jen and DeLinda at The Copper Kitchen, circa 2005.
SHORELINE ARTSTRAIL?
Words by Jen is a proud sponsor of the 2012 Shoreline ArtsTrail.
MEET ME AT THE FAIR...
The 2012 Guilford Fair gives folks a chance to catch the first glimpse of the new book Voices from North Guilford. These are the stories of North Guilford as told to the Dudley Farm North Guilford Book Committee from 2004 to 2011. As part of this seven-year project, committee members recorded fascinating oral histories, culled through thousands of archived documents and photographs, and journeyed on numerous field trips to record for safe-keeping the Voices from North Guilford. Words by Jen had the privilege to work with the committee - almost from the very start - as consultant, graphic designer, and huge fan!
WORDS BY JEN GOES HOLLYWOOD?
Watch closely and you’ll spot this Women & Family Life Center poster, designed by Words by Jen, in the movie Hope Springs. Filmed in Connecticut during the fall of 2011, the movie includes a number of familiar sights, including the Stonington Lighthouse, Guilford Food Center and Breakwater Books. Watch for the poster in the book-buying scene with the magical Meryl Streep.
STAR BLOGGER
In August, Jen's blog Random Acts of Writing was selected as a Star Blog by the Story Circle Network. The Story Circle Network is a national organization dedicated to helping women share the stories of their lives and to raising public awareness of the importance of women's personal histories.
WORDS BY JEN
P.O. Box 453
Branford, CT 06405
Phone: (203) 483-5353
Fax: (203) 481-4554
Email: wordsbyjen @ comcast.net
Click here to sign up for our Enewsletter.
Our office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Please call if you would like to set up an appointment, (203) 483-5353.
Words by Jen(sm) is a registered service mark. All content on this website is copyrighted ©2012.
The Words by Jen logo is a collaborative effort between local artists Martha Link Walsh and Pamela LaRegina.
Other artwork and photography on the site is copyrighted by Jen Payne, unless otherwise noted.
