Christoph has lived in Eastern Iowa since 1995 after moving to Iowa City from Germany.
He’s currently United Way of East Central Iowa’s VP of Communications and Innovation.
Before that he was United Way’s marketing manager, worked as a newspaper reporter, produced training videos for banks and credit unions throughout the United States, conducted staff training and developed new products for The Gazette Company in Cedar Rapids.
He lives in Marion with his wife and their daughter.
He’ll be presenting How Businesses, Non-profits, and Bloggers Can Use WordPress.
Interview
Why do you use WordPress?
The ease of use. It’s fairly easy to teach others to update and file content.
When and how did you start using WordPress?
2009 when I launched EasternIowaNews.com.
The idea was to start a local news startup and WordPress made that relatively easy.
It was easy to use and it’s easy to add more functions (for example through plugins) and update designs.
Perhaps, most importantly, it’s very easy for people to file stories and upload other content.
What tips or resources would you recommend to a new WordPress user?
Attend a WordCamp near you. See who else is using WordPress around you and reach out to them.
Just get started. Somebody called this phased functionality. Get your site going, then update as things come up.
What advice would you give someone who’s building a business around WordPress design or development?
See above. Get started.
Try what works. Measure. Do more of what works. Less of what doesn’t.
Define some goals up front, too.
How do you stay informed about WordPress (news, tips, etc.)?
Google Alerts and Twitter.
What’s a cool WordPress-based site you’ve seen recently?
Of course, I’m biased and like UnitedWayofEastCentralIowa.org.
United Way of LA and The Gazette here in Eastern Iowa also run on WordPress and work great.
What do you like most about WordCamps?
The exchange of ideas!
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