About

You were created to have an impact.

However, LinkedIn takes time and energy to figure out — time and energy busy executives, companies and teams simply don’t have. Leading is a full-time job. Exhaustively figuring out how your company and/or your team can leverage the power of LinkedIn? Well…

That shouldn't be.

After a nearly 20-year career as an award-winning editor, writer, director and leader, I have a knack for not only understanding what it takes to leverage thought leadership content in a digital world — but also what it takes to work with impactful leaders and teams as well. This truly sets Happy Words apart as it allows me to both appreciate and serve busy executives with the desire to influence others through their content and professional presence on LinkedIn.

Executives and teams — just like you and yours.

After years in strategic leadership and communications positions, I know firsthand the weight of leadership duties and personal ambition executives carry with daily.

Don’t leave your professional reputation or your company’s brand and image online to chance.

You were made to lead. Not exhaustively create content.

Expand your influence. Grow your reputation. Ignite your Opportunities. And do it all with Happy Words LinkedIn Workshops and Ghostwriting.

Hi, I’m Tara Horstmeyer, Founder of Happy Words.

Hi, there. I’m Tara — just your y’all-saying, hip hop-loving, Southern gal who loves working with teams and execs. Don’t let my outgoing personality fool you, though. Not only am I a former award-winning editor and journalist, but I’ve spent the last 20 years honing my skills in publishing, leadership development, sales development, marketing and partnership director roles.

Everything changed in 2020 when I combined my love of leadership and writing on LinkedIn. After growing my brand to 25K followers in 2 years and driving more than 6-figures of revenue solely from my personal brand as a highly sought-after LinkedIn Ghostwriter, my passion has expanded from writing as a side-hustle to a director role to a full-fledged consulting, speaking and training business.

I’ve been featured in Business Insider, Vox and Morning Brew as a LinkedIn Ghostwriting industry expert and have spoken at events and workshops while appearing on dozens of podcasts.

My unique background in people leadership and professional writing has firmly cemented my reputation as the obvious choice for top-tier companies and their teams.

You need both a trusted social strategist and experienced media expert to help you build on LinkedIn. Let’s make it happen!

Awards & Accomplishments

  • TAG Leader of the Year Nominee

    The TAG Sales Leadership Awards recognizes high-performing sales leaders who embody the ideals of servant-oriented leadership and innovation. Community leaders come together annually to celebrate and recognize individual excellence in metro Atlanta’s sales leadership. Recognized as one of 6 top sales leaders in the region in the category of TAG Inside Sales Leader 2020.

  • Gravy MVP

    Honored as the “Most Valuable Player,” a.k.a., most valuable Gravy team member of the year. Each year, Gravy awards its highest honor to the team member who lives out the core values while contributing to the overall growth and success of the company as a whole.

    Received top honors as the inaugural award honoree during Gravy’s Annual Summit in Nashville, Tenn.

  • Naylor, LLC, Editor of the Year

    Each year, Naylor, LLC awards various honors to its team members across the United States and Canada. Received the top honors as Editor of the Year out of the entire editorial staff across its international teams. The honor noted the outstanding and comprehensive service to clients externally and team members internally while serving as editor on 50+ publications annually.