Employee Spotlight: Amy Overgaard
Employee Spotlight:
Amy Overgaard
Role with Creatis: Copywriter
Amy joined the Creatis team earlier this winter as a copywriter. Amy brings a wealth of print and digital writing experience including blogging, brand development and marketing strategy.
Creatis works best with creative marketers who not only offer multifaceted skillsets, but also those who embody the service-focused, team-first core values we were founded upon — all of which Amy possesses in spades. It makes our job easier when we're working with flexible and keyed-in professionals who just "get it" and can make an immediate difference for our clients.
Forming unique connections plays a significant role in the Creatis life-cycle as well. And as fate would have it, Creatis Marketing Specialist Seth Conover and Amy attended college together (years ago) and were peers in some of the same theatrical productions. Another little deposit in the "it's a small world after all" account.
Seth chatted with Amy to discuss her professional background, current role with Creatis and some of her hidden talents.
What's your professional background?
I got a degree in journalism and have spent the last eight years in a variety of writing, editing and communications roles—some freelance, some in-house contracts, some full-time jobs. The areas I've worked the most in are editorial writing/blogging/journalism, digital copywriting, non-profit communications and proofing.
What brought you to Creatis? How did you get connected with our team?
I've been freelancing on the side for years, and this fall I started freelancing full time. While I was working with a number of clients on my own, many of those projects are smaller. A friend had told me about Creatis, so I thought it was worth connecting with you guys and seeing if you had any projects/clients that piqued my interest. I met and interviewed with Creatis in October, and I got the contract with Strayer in December.
What makes Creatis a great career fit for you at this time?
I'm working a 20-hour/week contract, which is giving me some great structure in my schedule and consistency in my workload. But it's also allowing me to maintain some of my other clients that I have on my own, which was important to me. I like that with an agency like Creatis, I can work with clients at larger organizations, which are projects that are more difficult to land—if not downright impossible—when you're looking for projects on your own.
What kind of writing are you doing for Strayer as a Creatis employee?
I'm on a team of writers who are working on new web content for Strayer University's website. We're updating the copy to fit within their voice and updated brand guidelines, to be SEO-optimized and me more search-friendly, and to help users have a better journey and experience throughout the website.
Do you have a favorite part of this role?
It's getting me out of the house and giving me a bit of a routine, which I think is really important for my mental health this time of the year. And with that, it's nice to be working with (or at least nearby) other people for half of each week, after just working from home by myself for the last four months before this contract started! [Amy recently started working remotely given the current situation] Basically, it's a good change of pace. And it's just a good challenge to write clear, concise, clean copy that meets their requirements and will improve their website!
Now that you're working from home (as all Creatis employees are), what are some of the challenges you've faced?
It can be challenging to concentrate at times. There's always something to clean or do around the house when you're at home! So it can be easy to get distracted. But it's helped to set up a dedicated workspace and "office hours" for myself to help with focus and just mentally get myself in the work zone.
Do you have any hidden talents, hobbies or goals you'd like to share with the world?
Dream? To write a book. Working on that...
Hobby: I just started adult figure skating lessons! I've always loved skating, never took lessons growing up, and I've only ever known the basics of staying upright. So, last month I decided to sign up for lessons and learn how to twirl!
Hidden talent: I can do an amazing loon call. And I make a killer apple pie.
Apply to Creatis today and get started an flexible, exciting career with some of the best marketers and creatives in the Twin Cities.
