The makings of a (content) man

There's significant breadth to my experience, but my background has always been anchored by creativity and the communication of ideas.

I've spent my career channeling my creative energy into content: first through video production, writing stories and scripts; next through marketing, building inbound and digital marketing programs; and now through content strategy, creating messaging guidelines, building content production processes, and implementing CMS platforms,

I've also successfully designed marketing programs, driving business objectives through social media, email marketing, content programs, and sales support.

“At Music Dealers, I had the great opportunity of working with Christopher on many marketing/tech initiatives, from microsite development, to analytics tracking and improving the search platform. Christopher is the real deal—marketer extraordinaire. His drive for success is unmatched and enthusiasm unparalleled. ...he has serious marketing chops, and would be a great asset to any team.”
— Colin Hoernig, Software Engineer @ Tendril

Education

  • B.A, English - University of Michigan

  • User Experience Design Fundamentals - Udemy.com

  • Information Architecture Fundamentals - Udemy.com

  • UX Writing Fundamentals - UX Writer’s Collective

  • Copywriting Secrets - Udemy.com

  • Intro to Writing for TV & Film - The Second City

  • Screenwriting 101, Mastering the Art of Story - TheGreatCourses.com

Skillset

CONTENT STRATEGY

I push brands forward using words, content, and stories. I’m adept at defining content strategy, aligning business goals with successful content programs, through which I create brand narratives, define tone and messaging standards, and develop a strong editorial voice.

  • Research, discovery, and auditing

  • IA development

  • Content design

  • CMS development and implementation

  • Content governance

MARKETING

Copywriting began the spark which drove me into inbound marketing. I founded and led the Music Dealers marketing department, owning marketing strategy, KPI development, and the tactical efforts of the brand’s inbound, digital, and product marketing efforts.

  • Led marketing team for a million-dollar startup agency

  • Skilled in driving business goals through inbound, digital, and product marketing

  • Positioned content as the driving marketing engine (blog, social, email marketing)

WRITING

A logophile and grammarian, I’m a trained writer and published author. I've served as a web-editor-in-chief, crafting digital copy (email marketing, site, social), microcopy (product, FAQ, onboarding), and long-form content (thought-leadership, articles, blog content). I'm a little obsessed with words. 

  • Published at: MusicDealers.com, CokeJourney, The Drum, MusicWeek, Thrive Global, and Blavity

  • Self-published author of 70,000-word nonfiction manuscript

  • Skilled across content, copy, and UX writing

COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT

I have extensive experience working with global digital communities, numbering in the tens of thousands. I’ve owned strategy, content management and production, community management, customer service, and user growth.

  • Community managed two global creative communities w/ 15,000 users/members

  • Developed content creation and messaging strategy

  • Shaped and enforced community standards and ensured positive, constructive experience

OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT

After 7+ years of surviving in startup land, I've worn many hats and have been forced many times to "figure it out." In that spirit, I've built departments, hired talent, defined ROI, trained talent, and defined strategy. I've led teams small and large, consisting of writers, designers, marketers, developers, and creatives.

  • Led marketing teams and interdepartmental initiatives

  • Build department structure, goals, KPIs

  • Managed training and hiring programs

“I managed Chris and he is a superb content, product, and email marketer, in addition to being one of the most personable and collaborative co-workers you’ll ever meet. Creating great content is his passion but he’s also very driven and knowledgeable about the tech-savvy data-driven side of digital marketing. With his skills and passion, he helped create Music Dealers’ first-ever marketing department in 2014 (I couldn’t have done it without him). Because of his stellar writing, blog readership increased by 12%. And together, our email marketing efforts increased new user traffic to our website by 432%!”
— David Szostak, former Director of Marketing, Music Dealers