ONLINE CLASS

I Hate Social Media–Now What?

How to develop word-of-mouth marketing, and get the publicity you want, with or without social media


INSTRUCTOR

Dan Blank

DATE

Live on June 15, 2022, or watch recording

IDEAL FOR

Writers who avoid social media but need to market their books

ACCESSIBILITY

Closed captions by Otter; transcript provided with recording


When it comes to developing your author platform and marketing your books, so many people default to using social media. But what if you don’t want to use social media—for any reason? What other options do you have?

In this course, Dan Blank shares powerful alternatives to sharing your writing with readers without social media.  The marketing tactics covered here have been used to create the network you need to develop word-of-mouth marketing, and get the kind of publicity hits you want for your books. Dan will share specific examples and step-by-step processes for each of the marketing tactics he shares.

This class will cover:

  • The assets you need in order to promote your books outside of social media
  • Why direct outreach via email is the most powerful tool you can use to develop your network and author platform.
  • How to conduct marketplace research to identify where to find your ideal audience
  • How to identify where to pitch your writing, interviews, or promotions that feels authentic to you and your writing
  • How to write a good pitch email and communicate what you do and why in a way that doesn’t feel sales-y
  • The value of creating a community around your writing outside of social media, and channels to do that
  • How to leverage online or offline events such as meetups, workshops, or groups to market your writing and develop your author platform
  • How to develop a direct connection to your ideal readership through email newsletters, and use it to sell your book

What’s more, everything Dan shares in this class can be used with social media, if you are a writer who does want to use social media.

Who should take this class

  • Beginning to experienced writers who want to identify effective ways to reach their ideal audience outside of social media
  • Novelists, nonfiction authors, memoirists, essayists, and any other kind of writer
  • Those pursuing any publishing path, be it traditional, self-publishing, or hybrid
  • Those who have a book launch coming up, or those who may not be launching a book for years
  • Writers who are new or experienced with online marketing

This class isn’t suited for

  • Those who feel that writers should not be responsible for sharing their work
  • Writers who only want publicists to pitch major media outlets for them
  • Someone who is looking for a “secret” method that is quick and easy

What’s included in all of Jane’s classes

How do I attend the live class?

This class uses Zoom webinar technology (see system requirements). You will join through your Internet-connected computer or mobile device. When you register, you will receive information via email on how to join the class. If you don’t receive it within 1 hour of registering, please contact us.

  • When: Wednesday, June 15, 2022
  • Time: 1:00–2:15 p.m. Eastern / 10:00 a.m. Pacific
  • Fee: $25

The webinar is broadcasted via the internet with live audio delivered through your computer or mobile device speakers. The visual presentation is displayed directly from the presenter’s computer to your computer screen. The Q&A is managed through a chat-style submission system with questions read and answered by the presenter for the entire class to hear.

Closed captions are provided during the live class. We use Zoom’s automated closed caption service (powered by Otter), which is about 80%+ accurate. We also use Otter AI to generate an unedited transcript, provided with the recording.

About the instructor

Dan Blank is the founder of WeGrowMedia, where he helps writers develop their author platforms, connect with readers, and launch their books. He is the author of the book Be the Gateway: A Practical Guide to Sharing Your Creative Work and Engaging an Audience.

He has worked with thousands of writers, and amazing organizations who support creative people such as Penguin Random House, Sesame Workshop, Hachette Book Group, Workman Publishing, J. Walter Thompson, Abrams Books, Writers House, The Kenyon Review, Writer’s Digest, Library Journal, and many others.

Dan’s work has been featured by Poets & Writers magazine, the National Endowment for the Arts, Professional Artist magazine, and 99u. You can find Dan on his blog or on Twitter and Instagram (@DanBlank).

Dan blends his years of experience in the publishing industry with a calm and engaging style, helping authors to develop their voice and reach readers more effectively.

Joanna Penn, New York Times bestselling author

Dan Blank is a savvy strategist whose insights really helped me to stay much better connected to my readers and spread the word about my books.

Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author

Dan made connecting with readers—aka marketing—a joy instead of a chore. He changed the way I look at the business side of writing for good.

KJ Dell’Antonia, New York Times bestselling author of The Chicken Sisters

All students receive the following

  • Access to the live class. After roughly 60 minutes, the instructor will take questions during class using in-class chat/text. The class will end after roughly 75 minutes.
  • A recording of the class—audio and video. This is especially helpful if you have a conflict with the class time or something comes up and you can’t make the session. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for 30 days. You do not have to attend the live event to access the recordings.
  • Presentation slides. All participants receive a copy of the slide presentation in PDF form.
  • Rough transcript. We use Otter to create an automated transcript of the entire webinar, which we’ll share with you in addition to the audio and video recording.

Event Attendance & Anti-Harassment Policy

We strive to provide an environment where all present—whether attendee, presenter, or staff—can feel supported. In order to ensure a welcoming event, here is what we expect from all who participate.

  • That the presenter and the presenter’s work be treated with respect by attendees and that all attendees treat each other with respect and a generosity of spirit.
  • That attendees will refrain from harassment of any sort including (but not limited to) comments or questions of a racist, homophobic, sexist/sexual, or threatening nature. This includes actions that disrupt or interfere with anyone’s ability to participate. Offenders will be disconnected from the live event.