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Social media. Platform. Building readership.

Too often, these feel like a distraction from our writing work, or like we’re shouting into a void. But Twitter, Instagram, blogging and newsletters are each a different literary form. Using these forms deliberately, not as “content creators” but as writers, allows us to practice specific elements of craft that we can incorporate into our regular writing practice, as well as bringing joy to our day and momentum to our career.

In this 75-minute live class, you’ll gain tools and skills for using social media purposefully and meaningfully to improve your writing and sharpen your ability to see stories in the world. Allison K Williams, social media editor for Brevity Magazine and host of The Writers Bridge platform series, will show how to transform Instagram captions, Twitter threads, LinkedIn posts, blogs and newsletters into publishable material while reaching the readers who need your words.

This workshop will cover:

• Specific elements on social platforms that will grow your writing craft
• Setting your own boundaries for privacy and safety while sharing meaningful words
• How brilliant literary work is created on social media (Twitter’s a sonnet, Instagram a flash essay)
• Key techniques to engage subscribers to a newsletter, Substack or blog (hint: structure a post just like a whole book!)
• Writing with focus and structuring your time online
• Special guest appearance from Jane Friedman on using LinkedIn
• Four categories of effective Tweets—and what to do when you’re ignored on Twitter
• The simple technique to ALWAYS know “what to write”
• Discovering what medium suits your words—and feels like fun!
• How the Three Rs (Repurpose, Reshare, Repost) make one piece of writing into five posts on different platforms, painlessly
• Transforming short social writing into article pitches, essays, and even books

You’ll also receive a bonus guide to how to spend your social media and platform-building time.

Who should take this class

• Anyone who wants to spend time daily improving their writing craft in small, manageable bites
• Writers who want to build audience without wasting time or feeling fake
• Book coaches and editors helping writers build platform
• Novelists seeking literary community
• Essayists needing more ideas to pitch for publication
• Anyone who wants to be able to write “on demand,” instead of waiting for inspiration
• Authors building platform and unsure of how much to share on social media

Who should NOT take this class

• Writers who hate social media and/or are opposed to using social media, whatever the reason. This class is not meant to convince you or cajole you into using something you’re opposed to. It’s for writers already using social media or open to using it on a regular basis, as an ongoing part of their career.
• Writers who would prefer to find or hire assistants to do their social media for them.
• Writers look for step-by-step technical walkthroughs or tech guidance; this is not a tech tutorial.

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, April 5, 2023
• Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Eastern / 10:00 a.m. Pacific
• Registration fee: $25

The webinar is broadcast 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.

Testimonials

All students receive the following

• Access to the 75-minute live class. After roughly 60 minutes, Allison will take questions using in-class chat/text. The class will end after roughly 75 minutes. If we can’t get to all of the questions live, Allison will answer them in writing and you’ll receive the answers with the recording.
• 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 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.
• Bonus guide: You’ll also receive a bonus guide to how to spend your social media and platform-building time.

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.