Q&A with Founder of Content by Christa, Christa M. Thomas

Interview conducted by: Zachary Mongold and Omar Odom

Christa M. Thomas, a self-proclaimed “word nerd,” is a Content Writer, Marketing Advisor, and Founder of her very own business Content by Christa. With over 5 years under her belt — and no shortage of happy customers — it’s no exaggeration to say that she loves what she does and is exceptional at it, too. 

As her undergraduate Fall interns through the English program at Arcadia University, we decided to ask about her experiences and opinions on her field of work to get a better idea of what it’s like — and how one might follow in her footsteps. 

Here’s what she had to say:

Q: How did you get involved in this industry?

A: I fell into marketing after completing my graduate program in English at Arcadia. I had been writing and editing for many years after getting my undergraduate degree but shortly after completing my Master's, I was hired into a very temporary position as a Web Content Editor at a global asset management firm in Center City. 

They ended up creating a new position for me and I stayed there for 8 years learning a lot about digital content marketing. I left as the manager of a team focused on designing end-to-end marketing campaigns. I wanted to support more businesses across industries, get back to my editorial roots, and be my own boss. It's been a thrilling 5 years at Content by Christa and I look forward to many, many more!!

Q: What is the impact of content writing for businesses and organizations?

A: Content writing builds brand awareness, elicits engagement, builds relationships, and nurtures customer relationships that often lead to increased sales and revenue. 

Q: Is this a competitive field to work in?

A: Yes, it is competitive in that the value of content marketing and copywriting is heavily based on data and analytics these days. So professionals in this field need to have a skill set that includes an understanding of key performance indicators and metrics that yield returns as well as being able to write in-brand, engaging content that builds credibility and converts customers. 

Q: What are the most challenging aspects of your work?

A: Shifting from one client’s work to the next given that I am responsible for developing or owning the brand voice/style and writing accurately in terms of subject matter and for specific personas for each. These variables are very different across industries, niches, business sizes, marketing and business goals, and target market segments. 

Q: How helpful was your college education for this position?

A: My undergraduate degree was in Sociology and helped me realize that I love to understand people, motivations, society, and how we are interconnected despite our differences. I’ve been able to pair that experience with my interest and evolving talents in writing/editing to appeal to people who seek out solutions to unique problems or issues through copywriting. 

Q: How much of this field do you think is “learn by doing”? 

A: A lot. Trial and error. Strategies in motion. Playing with best practices and making them your own.

Q: How helpful are people-skills in your field? 

A: I think a lot of my success is thanks to my expertise, but I would be nowhere without people skills. I make it easy to work with me while confidently positioning myself as a valued resource for educating my clients, on top of delivering industry-standard output. 

Q: What do you enjoy the most about your job? 

A: Autonomy, doing what I love everyday/all day, working on so many different types of projects, and pleasing my clients rather than my boss or peers.

Q: Who would be a good fit to work in this industry? Where should they start?

A: Creative minds who are also interested in business. It's not enough to love writing and other editorial work, but it’s essential to get excited about how words and language can inform, educate, engage, and convert which, in turn, can have a transformative  impact on a company’s bottom line. 

Q: What's one tip you'd want anyone interested in this field to know before starting? 

A: No one can do any of this for you. Be honest about what you want, what you're willing to do to get it, and what's going to be important along the way. I always want to be helpful and add value. I know what I'm capable of, so my potential contributions guide me, excite me, and motivate me. Make sure you feel the same way and let nothing stand in your way. 

A big thanks to Christa for her time and comments! As you can see, Digital Marketing/Content is an industry full of creative minds like hers. And with the way things are looking, this line of work is a viable path for those who love using the power of the written word to improve and change lives. 

In working with Content by Christa to build or optimize your online content and business profile, you are investing in professional, top-rated services. Contact Christa today to learn how she can help you grow your business with SEO website content, social media marketing, or ongoing blogs or infographics.