Examining Online Media for Writers:

How to build your audience

BEFORE your book is sold!

By Pat Hauldren

 

Upcoming 2012 classes:

• 01/05–01/29 —  Low Country RWA

• 02/06-03/04 — From the Heart Romance Writers  Workshop (RWA)

  06/04-06/17 — Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal Romance Writers (RWA)

SELL YOUR BOOK BEFORE IT IS EVEN PUBLISHED.

Just a few facts writers should consider:

• The web is an always-on promotional tool for writers
• 16% of all online time was spent on Facebook in Q3
• 34% of all online ad impressions happen on Facebook (Q3)
• Facebook has 750 MILLION users and growing by the minute

So… where ya wanna be *seen*?

On the internet, online, on social media sites. And everyone who’s anyone is writing about how to build an author’s platform. Check out Writer’s Digest article:  50 SIMPLE WAYS TO BUILD YOUR PLATFORM IN 5 MINUTES A DAY. Everyone is getting on the platform bandwagon, and you can, too, but without the stress and hype.

However, you might say …

• I do not know, or know very little, or really get the squeebies when I even think about social media
• I tend to get lost on social media, waste time on social media, and/or think it is just for kids
• I do not want this activity to take up my entire life! I gotta write sometime.

Of course, we are writers, not full-time advertising agencies.

This class will help writers understand the importance of an online presence and social media, how to use social media and the web and use it wisely, and get your started on your global campaign to

SELL YOUR BOOK BEFORE IT IS EVEN PUBLISHED.

You are writing a book.

Whether it is your first or your umpteenth novel, you always need more readers.

"I can’t say often or vehemently enough that
all writers need platforms regardless of genre
and that the best time to start the
development process is now," says Christina Katz
who has a new book The Writer’s Workout.

How do we grow an audience?

With the seeds of our writing across the internet, around the world. Learn how to sprinkle those writing seeds to grow your audience and keep it growing throughout your writing career.

This class will examine how to write for online media, including online sites such as Examiner, Demand Studios, Suite 101, eHow, etc., as well as other online sites, and social media like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and others, to build a writer’s platform to help the author get published. We will examine the benefits for writers, especially for those who write fiction, what skills are needed, where to find the media, and how to get started.

This class is both a live and online class and can be a one day live seminar or a 1, 2, or 4 week online class.

Who Should Attend?

• Writers who want to develop a platform so they can be more attractive to publishers and secure a book deal
• Writers who wish to sell more books – now and in the future
• Writers who want to learn new, creative ways to showcase their work and build an audience
• Writers who want to deliver an impactful reading or speech to promote themselves
• Anyone who is currently writing and doesn’t have a website, blog, or a web presence
• Writers who want to gain visibility for their work
• Writers who need to learn the “dos” and “don’ts” of self-promotion.

Class outline:

• Benefits of writing for online media
• Skills needed for online media
• What’s out there?
• How to start
• Article writing
• The ABCs of SEO
• Writing venues: speaking, teaching, writing, guest blogging
• Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogging, vlogging, podcasting, your website
• Smart Scheduling
• Business $ense