Writer’s Websites :: Why you need one and how to get it done

An encore class for writers and getting their websites and blogs started. Read more about it on The Writing Salon website and below.

Saturday, August 20, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Berkeley
$85 members/$95 non-members

Here’s a sample of the table of contents from the class:

1. WHY HAVE A WEBSITE?
1.1. MARKETING :: MY NAME IS BRADLEY AND I AM A WRITER.
– You the Company :: Your website is your brochure, your front desk, your business card, your secretary, your sales force �
– Beyond Text :: Audio clips, video shorts, Podcasting, etc.
– Book and product sales
1.2. UPDATING :: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?
– Readings, Events, News, What Else?
– A Column :: AKA Blog
1.3. NETWORKING :: OH, REALLY? I WROTE AN ARTICLE ABOUT THAT LAST MONTH.
– Blog and Blog Commenting
– Forum :: She said that he said that you said �
– Send This To A Friend
– Mailing lists / Newsletters
– Signup forms
2. HOW TO GET IT DONE
2.1. DO IT YOURSELF :: GOT TIME?
– Your Toolbox
– A little help
– Blogs
2.2. HIRE A PRO :: GOT DOUGH?
2.3. HIRE A PRO TO HELP YOU DO IT YOURSELF
2.4. CONTENT :: SO I HAVE A SITE. NOW WHAT?
– Active pages
– Static pages
2.5. DESIGN :: STARK, DARK, OR SPARK?
2.6. THE SETUP BASICS :: DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR WEBSITE LIVES?
– Domain Names :: firstnamelastname.com
– Hosting :: Where your site “lives”
– Email :: not kittylove@aol.com, but jackie@jackieswanson.com
– ISP :: Interim Slalom Parchment
– Search Engines :: If you build it, will they come?
2.7. MONEY :: SPEND SOME, SAVE SOME
– Costs
– Savings
3. WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?
3.1. BUSINESS CARDS
3.2. POST CARDS

You wrote your novel, got a six-figure advance, hired a New York publicist and the royalty checks are now pouring through your mailbox. Right? Great, done. Next! Probably not. �Today writers have to do more and more to promote their own work � even established writers,� says instructor Bradley Charbonneau. �If you want to sell more of your work, you have to become your own little PR company. Editors, publishers, and even (gulp) fans want to see the work you�ve already done, where you�ve been published, where you�ve been reading, and what you�re doing next. How are they going to get that information? Your website.�

In this class, you�ll talk about your options in creating a website: from doing it yourself to hiring a pro. You�ll also discuss costs, domain names, web hosting, mailing lists, search engine optimization, blogs, shopping carts � and any other questions you may have.

When Bradley Charbonneau created his own website as a “writing resume” to help promote his own writing, other writers took notice. Two years down the road, he�s done dozens and dozens of writers� websites. In fact, he currently spends more of his time promoting other writers than promoting his own work � or even writing. But when he does write, he writes about travel, love, and the love of travel. Of course, he doesn�t travel much anymore now that he has a new baby boy; thus was born the Urban Travel Guide San Francisco, published in July 2004.

:: Feedback ::

Hi Jane,

Just wanted to say that I took this class, and glad that I did. Bradley Charbonneau is a terrific teacher, well prepared, and has a clear way of communicating technical concepts and translating jargon into language non-geeks can understand. He’s also very personable, which made for an enjoyable, as well as instructive, day.

C.W.
San Francisco

* * *

Hey Jane,

Just a quick note to say I really enjoyed Bradley Charbonneau’s class on Saturday. He’s really nice and had a lot of great information to impart. I also found it highly motivating to get my website done. I’m sure this has occurred to you before, but I think it would make a great permanent addition to the Salon’s offerings.

Seeya,
M.