About Me

Sandra at the Governor's Mansion

Welcome! I’m Sandra Friend. How can I help you today?

With a background in communications, marketing, and digital media, I’m pleased to be able to connect with you and assist with your needs. Feel free to contact me through Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn, or just send me an email from this website.

My skills include graphic design, developing easy-to-maintain websites for small businesses and non-profits, producing newsletters and magazines, screenwriting, podcasting, web videography, technical writing, SEO and usability, workshops and individual training on New Media skills. I can analyze your business situation to suggest the right tools for you to better turn leads into customers who become your raving fans.

Since you stopped by, you might have read one of my books or articles. I’m known as Florida’s hiking expert, thanks to more than 2,500 miles of trekking the Sunshine State and eight books reviewing our trails, plus a popular website for Florida hikers. I’m a leading authority on Florida travel, and have written about history and earth science as well. I have served as  director of the SATW Institute for Travel Writing and Photography, an intensive annual journalism program, and speak regularly at writer’s conferences about how technology is changing journalism.

I write a weekly column on Florida hiking and blog regularly about hiking and outdoor news in Florida, as well as places to explore throughout the Sunshine State.

I’m a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the American Journalists and Authors Association (ASJA), the Florida Outdoor Writers Association (FOWA), and the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and do public speaking.