Get Connected: Blogging and Social Media for Writers

Course Outline 

Week 1:  Introduction 

Welcome!  This week we’ll explore social media and all that it can offer to writers.  We’ll also determine the best type of social media for your writing career and strategise how to make your chosen social media work for you.  Topics covered this week will include: 

•What is social media? 

•Why do writers need to get involved with social media? 

•How should writers use social media? 

•What do writers need to get started with social media? 

•What kind of social media is right for you?  

Week 2:  Blogging 

Blogging is a tremendously popular way for writers to build up an audience, share information and opinions, connect with editors and agents and get the word out about milestones in their own careers.  This week we’ll investigate blogging and set up or polish our own blogs.  Topics covered this week will include: 

•What is a blog? 

•Why do writers blog? 

•Finding your blogging niche. 

•Setting up a blog. 

•All about blog content. 

•Bells and whistles for blogs. 

•Marketing and promoting blogs. 

•Monetizing blogs. 

•Business blogging. 

Week 3: Microblogging 

Micro blogging, or using brief text and/or multimedia updates to connect with others, has emerged as a popular form of social media for all types of writers.  This week we’ll discuss micro blogging, Twitter and how writers can harness the power of this form of communication to make connections and find more work.  We’ll also set up Twitter accounts and jump into “tweeting” and following others.  Topics covered this week will include: 

•What is a micro blog? 

•Why do writers micro blog? 

•All about Twitter. 

•Twitter for writers. 

Week 4: Social and Business Networking 

Social and business networking can be used by anyone, but there are specific ways in which writers can make the most of these sites to further their careers.  This week we’ll look at popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and MySpace, as well as social networking sites for writers like SheWrites, WriterFace and Inked-In.  We’ll also examine business networking and set up profiles at LinkedIn.  Topics covered this week will include: 

•What is social networking? 

•What is business networking? 

•Why should writers engage in social and business networking? 

•An introduction to social networking for writers. 

•An introduction to business networking for writers. 

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