About Me

 

AN BACKGROUND in the Literary Arts

I earned my MFA in Writing from New York University in 2017, where I developed the editorial rigor and storytelling skills that anchor my work today. I was also a 2023-24 Writing Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

When I take on a project, I bring the care, research, and narrative craft it deserves — whether that's an insurance explainer or a technical deep-dive for SaaS audiences.

A real-world education in personal finance

While I studied finance as an undergrad, I learned how money actually works as a Registered Broker on Manhattan's Upper West Side. I partnered with financial planners and investment advisors to serve clients navigating some of life's biggest decisions.

The range of situations I encountered was staggering:

  • Retirees with solid savings but no plan for what came next

  • Parents paralyzed by life insurance and college savings decisions

  • First-time homebuyers, landlords, and real estate investors weighing their options

  • Couples facing a spouse's serious illness—and the financial instability that followed

  • Career-changers trying to maximize 401(k) rollovers

You can view my broker history, under my full name Jessica Jo Starr, over at FINRA’s Broker Check — it’s spotless. 😇

Why This Matters for Your Content

Financial topics are deeply personal. They're tied to people's hopes, fears, and sense of security. Understanding that emotional landscape — not just the technical details — is what makes content resonate.

I don't just explain products and features. I meet readers where they are: confused, overwhelmed, trying to make the right call. I give them clarity, confidence, and a path forward.

How I Approach Content in 2025

The search landscape has fundamentally changed. Content now needs to perform across Google, AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity, featured snippets, and voice search—not just traditional SERPs.

I structure every piece so it’s:

  • Snippet-friendly – Clear answers, tight paragraphs, semantic headings that machines can extract and quote

  • E-E-A-T-driven – Backed by credible sources, SME input, and real-world experience

  • People-centered – I steer clear of robotic SEO speak. Every article reads like a conversation with someone who genuinely understands.

I don’t help brands chase keywords. I help them build topical authority that earns trust, consistently ranks, and is cited by AI systems as a reliable source.

Whether it's breaking down insurance options with YMYL consequences, explaining SaaS metrics for finance teams, or walking first-time homebuyers through co-op purchases, my goal is the same: simplify complexity so readers can act with confidence.