We were lucky to catch up with Christine Fitzgerald recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Christine, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I like to joke that I accumulated a lot of name tags and lanyards to get to where I am today, but it really was a long journey to find where I fit in perfectly. I feel like all of my previous endeavors have contributed to my success in one way or another. Working in the tourism industry in college (and in my early twenties) taught me how to be a good “people person.” Working in television helped me effectively deal with stressful situations, as I was in the control room during breaking news events. Taking improv and comedy classes improved my writing and gave me the ability to think outside of the box. I don’t discount any of my past experiences or roles as they helped me become a fully fleshed-out professional.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have been a copywriter for over 15 years. I have had the pleasure of working for a variety of clients and created work that not only makes me proud but gets results. Among my clients are a university, a country club, and a lifestyle brand and I have also lent my talents to companies including Transamerica, Gray Television and (currently) The Home Depot. While I love working in an agency environment, I spent many years as a freelance copywriter, which gave me the freedom to write all sorts of content, including emails, social media posts, online ads, direct mail pieces, SMS and web content. I love to establish brand voice and style and also work within existing brand guidelines to create effective, relevant content that engages audiences.
In addition to my copywriting duties, I am also the features editor for Socialite Life, a role I have had since 2006. I enjoy chatting with personalities from the music and comedy worlds as well as drag performers, podcasters and other creators. I have had the chance to speak with interesting people with unique experiences – from RuPaul to Belinda Carlisle. Keeping up with pop culture also informs my day job, so I feel like there’s a great synergy between my writing career and my personal passions.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
They say reading is fundamental and that certainly holds true for me. I try to read as much as I can in my spare time so I can not only improve my vocabulary but stay on top of literary trends that can help me in my writing. Having a good sense of humor is also important and greatly helps my writing. Creating something as a “goof” when I may be battling with writer’s block often leads to great content that I may not have thought of in the first place. I also believe keeping up with my industry is vital to my success. With advances like AI slowly entering my field, I believe it’s important to stay on top of this technology and learn how it can benefit me as a creator.
How would you describe your ideal client?
An ideal client is one who knows what they want but isn’t afraid to try something new (or at least be open to discussing new ways of looking at things.) I enjoy a collaborative environment when working with a client. Honest feedback is important to me, as it helps me best learn how to create the perfect content for a client. Constant communication is also something I look for in a potential client relationship as I think both parties “staying in the loop” makes for strong and effective output.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.makethewritechoice.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarsmak/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinefitz/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SugarSmak
- Other: https://socialitelife.com/
Image Credits
Lola Scott
