Digital advising for the messy, emotional, human reality of digital.

Services to help you engage audiences, exceed your goals, and step confidently and compassionately through the surprisingly human world of digital business.

Plan your site.

Action plans, self-service and expert collaborative session options for:

New Site
Redesign
Digital Transformation
Content Projects

Network and learn.

Learning community membership for anytime, continual support & resources includes:

Digital Advisor Library
Member Discussion Channels
Exclusive Classes & Events

Book a talk.

Inspire your group to make informed, compassionate human decisions in digital:

Keynote Presentations
Workshops
Corporate Events + Trainings

Hi I’m Words First founder and digital strategy advisor, Bailey Lewis!

For more than 15 years, I've been championing a more human approach to the digital world.

My mission? To help organizations and digital leaders like you create compassionate, strategic online content experiences that engage their audiences and drive success for digital business.

My unique approach, which clients praise as “revolutionary,” transforms the digital playing field for who work with me—including Fortune 500 companies and other organizations you would know by name.

If you’re ready for expert guidance to make informed, people-first decisions about your digital endeavors, let’s connect! One of my self-service products or collaborative advising options might be just what you need to set you on the path toward the digital success you’re looking for.

Facts about me:

  • 15+ years in digital + content leadership

  • User experience (UX, UI) professional

  • Content strategy and information design expert

  • Work across industries and org structures

  • MFA, creative writing

  • Love travel, books, the sea

After the 2008 recession, I was the technical content lead for multiple literary magazines migrating their publications online for the first time to reduce rising costs and extend their reach. Ask me about figuring out how to put a poem online without destroying its line breaks…

One interesting thing about my career:

Actionable strategies for effective, human-focused digital business.

Lean on my experience from thousands of case studies across industries, digital products, and audience-centric solutions to action plan and strategize your way to a site that makes a big splash for your audience and your bottom line.

Create digital experiences that treat humans like humans.

Being a human online is actually really tough. We’ll combine the principles of UX, digital storytelling, and emotional intelligence to support your audience members with digital decision-making that prioritizes their well-being as much as their pocketbooks.

Harness the true power of your content as the heart of your digital strategy.

Content is more than words and images. It's a foundational strategic tool for your business impact online—and one that everyone else overlooks. My in-depth expertise in content’s role as the blueprint for the overall success of your site will help you define digital solutions that swap headaches for handshakes, on both sides of the screen.

Your digital project. Your goals. Your audience.
Your action plan, tailored for your success.

B2B websites | B2C websites | Intranets and internal sites
Web apps | Portals and dashboards | Directories
Blogs and publications | Social and visibility
Knowledge bases and support content
Digital transformation | Digital accessibility
Ethical AI content + emerging technology
Governance and long-term planning
Content metrics and measurement

Not sure where you’re at with your digital direction?

Complete the Content Compass Questionnaire

Cover page for the Content Compass with text that says Welcome to your digital strategy Content Compass from Words First with a graphic of a gold compass and the Words First logol.
A sample question from the Content Compass questionnaire asking about how well you feel you understand your target audience's needs, expectations, and emotional responses to your digital content on a scale from 1 to 10.

This 8-question self-evaluation tool helps you pinpoint your current position so you can chart your course forward to human-centered content optimization and digital strategy success.

Get Your Content Compass

Let’s collaborate.

For one-on-one advising services, our collaboration begins with a free 30-minute fit call to discuss your needs and determine which services may be the best fit.

You should complete a Content Compass Questionnaire before scheduling your fit call to ensure our time together is as productive as possible.

What to Expect During Your Fit Call

Most importantly, this is not a sales call. Many factors will determine if we're meant to work together. During the call, we’ll discuss your vision, needs, and goals for your digital experience and I’ll share about my process and services.

We'll determine from there if we're ready to move forward together or part ways for now.

When you work with me, you will:

✓ Cultivate Meaningful Online Engagement

Understand and be understood by audiences beyond the data for enhanced business online, balancing empathy and compassion with your business goals and expectations.

✓ Inspire Action with Supportive, Strategic Decision-Making

Content isn’t something people read, it’s something people do. Guide customers to the end of their buying journey seamlessly to that final action: purchase, pay, register, apply, or the conversion that aligns with your project goals.

✓ Make Digital Processes More Human

Use your content as the blueprint that outlines the best path forward as it relates to your specific audience, with none of the wasted work and sub-optimal decision-making that often comes with other planning and creation approaches.

✓ Proceed with Confidence

Transform uncertainty into assurance with a proven, empathetic approach that empowers you and your team to make informed decisions while carrying out your content strategy with zero guesswork.

✓ Future-Proof Your Digital Landscape

Create human experiences that stand the test of time and trends, allowing you to remain relevant and competitive amidst emerging technologies and individuals’ evolving expectations for doing business with your brand online.

✓ Become the Gold Standard in Your Field

Navigate content challenges with ease while building stronger relationships, distinguishing yourself from competitors, and establishing your brand as an intentional, compassionate, and forward-thinking leader in your market.

High Praise from Clients

  • Head shot of Melissa S

    "If you're seeking a digital and team communications expert who will inspire and educate beyond expectation, look no further than Bailey."

    “Bailey is an exceptional expert, educator, and speaker who has been instrumental in moving the needle on many mission-critical projects for the University of South Carolina. Not only that, her ability to train teams on her mindset and approach has been invaluable for us to keep progressing as a leader in the higher education field. We couldn’t have done what we did without her.

    If you’re seeking a digital and team communications expert who will inspire and educate beyond expectation, look no further than Bailey. Not only is she deeply knowledgeable, but she’s also a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend her for any project you have in mind.”

    —Melissa S, Director of Strategic Projects, University of South Carolina

  • Headshot of Nick H

    "I would highly recommend Bailey to anyone in need of a skilled content strategist who can help take their business to the next level."

    “Bailey has demonstrated a deep understanding of our values and goals over the years. Her approach to content strategy is not only effective but also creative, ensuring that your message is communicated in a clear and engaging way.

    One of the things that impressed us most about working with Bailey was the level of dedication and professionalism that was consistently shown throughout our projects. Bailey is an excellent communicator, always responsive to any questions or concerns that arose.

    Overall, Bailey's work has been nothing short of exceptional. I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of a skilled and experienced content strategist who can help take their business to the next level.”

    —Nick H, Senior Web Producer, Lexington Medical Center

  • “I sincerely cringe when I think about the content choices I made before meeting Bailey Lewis. For me, as a developer and designer, words were almost always an afterthought. I learned so much from Bailey and you will too!”

    —Bekah R, Senior UX Developer & Designer, truematter

  • “Bailey, I ❤️ your teaching style. I'm sure you've already heard that a bunch, but you are clear, concise, entertaining... I laughed a lot during Lesson 1 of the Words First Course & Community—totally enjoyable. I got to the end of the lesson and thought, ‘Wow, that was WAY better than any webinar or podcast I've been on in years... and I actually felt like I learned something!’”

    — Amanda C, Marketing Director, Reinvestment Partners

  • “The Words First approach to digital content and process is revolutionary. Why isn’t everybody doing it this way? And having a roadmap in the form of content strategy makes design and development phases so much easier. It brings the fun back!"

    Bryce B, Design + Development Lead, The Bigger Design

  • “We LOVED the feedback from our Words First Content Strategy expert review.”

    —Davis L, Vice President, CADMore

  • “How did I learn content strategy? Enter Bailey Lewis. Bailey is an amazing content strategist and taught me so many invaluable lessons about how to talk clearly, concisely, and like a HUMAN online.”

    —Isabelle C, Social Media Manager, ConstructConnect

  • “Bailey is making a real difference for us.”

    — Anne M, CEO, Carroll Emmott Foundation

  • “Bailey and the Words First Team are world class content strategists. We try to integrate their talents into every client project we can.”

    — Greg H, Founder & Project Lead, Period Three

  • “Working with Bailey at Words First was a great experience. We partnered up on a large content heavy project that required a level of project leadership as well as eye for detail when it came to execution. She (and her team) delivered flawlessly on the proposed approach and stuck with it all the way through (even when things got tricky on the project). You can trust her and her team to deliver when and how you need it.”

    — Gene C, Principal, Period Three

  • “Part of being a creator is communicating your ideas and stories to your readers. When you come to the realization that you need to learn how to grow as a communicator, Bailey Lewis is the best. I can’t recommend her enough.”

    —Kris B, Senior UX Product Designer, truematter

  • “Not only was Bailey a pleasure to work with, she taught me so much about effective digital content in just a few weeks. As a writer, her words first approach is refreshing. And it helps me have more confidence in my work. I’ve been able to take what I’ve learned from Bailey and apply it to other projects.”

    —Ben Culbreth, Founder, Culbreth Copywriting

  • "The first thing I thought when I met Bailey was, ‘Dang, this lady knows her stuff." While I believe in specialization, so much of what I do as a copywriter/content creator is informed by and works best with a solid content strategy. The more I know about tangential processes in marketing, the better I can serve my clients and eventually take over the world, reducing my competitors to dust."

    —Sara R, Founder, Lessons in Concrete

  • “Content strategy is essential for effective communication, engagement, and relationship building. Bailey and her Words First Course & Community are bringing together real world experiences and like-minded professionals to support each other in this critical work every day.”

    —Amanda C, Marketing Director, Reinvestment Partners

  • “After being an accomplished writer, editor and designer in newspapers for many years, I am looking to expand my skill set. My hope with joining Words First is to benefit from the knowledge of experienced industry experts and become a more well-rounded content provider.”

    —Jared M, Editor & Designer, McClatchy

  • “Bailey truly is the content QUEEN!”

    —Event Organizer Team, International Association of Business Communicators

  • Digital content strategy is something that is so essential, yet not deeply and broadly understood by product teams (even at a company as progressive as we are at Google!) I appreciate the efforts Bailey puts forward to educate and elevate the level of stakeholder understanding and appreciation for the field.”

    —Google Attendee, UXPA International

  • “Walking away from Bailey’s workshop set everyone up for success. She was able to do that for our team and for that we are greatly appreciative. I hope we make her proud!!”

    Kim C, Administrative Executive Assistant, United States Senate Staff

  • “The feedback from the attendees was amazing—we all loved Bailey’s presentations! On the top of it all, she was a real delight to work with.”

    —Event Organizer, Booking Manager Summit

  • Head shot of Laurie B

    "I always love working with Bailey, and I recommend her to anyone who is seeking a digital communications speaker, educator, and partner to work with her as well."

    “Bailey’s expertise in digital and team communications has helped the university so much through the many projects we’ve worked on together. She’s taught teams across the university her approach to consistent, effective user experience content strategy and digital communications, which has been indispensable to projects like our multi-year website redesign, self-service communications training creation, and the development of our systemwide digital accessibility program.

    I always love working with Bailey, and I recommend anyone who is seeking a digital communications speaker, educator, and partner to work with her as well.”

    —Laurie B, Associate Director of Digital Strategy, University of South Carolina