Join my upcoming author platform course

Back in April, I set up a colorful booth for Aware Copywriting at the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. In addition to business cards and pamphlets about my services, I had a giant poster, shimmery stickers, and marketing postcards for my upcoming podcast EPIC Carteret. The hoopla generated some interest among the media people in attendance, and I even managed to interview a couple of them for the podcast.

A week or so later, I had an invitation from WNCT’s Ciara Sutherland to appear on the weekday lifestyle show Hello ENC! to talk about EPIC. While I couldn’t have predicted that particular windfall, I was planning for it by showing up ready to impress. That’s what building your author platform is all about: putting your best self in the direct path of opportunities.

There are lots of ways to build a successful author platform, but I’m a big proponent of starting locally and in-person. While digital is easier and doesn’t require changing out of your PJs (I know this to be a big perk among creatives), it’s a lot harder to gain traction when you’re one of a million dispersed writers trying to push your work to the virtual forefront. More importantly, we tend to care more about people we actually know. We’re more invested in their success.

When I started my copywriting business in 2013, I didn’t know the first thing about marketing, copywriting, or even running a business. So if you’re a writer who wants to build a platform, but you don’t know where to start, I know where you’re coming from (and maybe I can help you get where you’re going). I’m a decade in now, and I’ve got hundreds of hours of studying and doing marketing and copywriting under my belt. I haven’t just used what I’ve learned to build my clients’ businesses and brands. I’ve also used it as a creative writer to cultivate my own author brand, to develop marketing campaigns for my Perilous and Sparks series, and to help revive the style of our local Carteret Writers network.

In August, I’ll be sharing the insights I’ve gained with other local writers during a four-class course on building an impactful author platform at Carteret Community College. I’ll be pulling in strategies that I use with my marketing copywriting clients to help you get a better understanding of how to connect with your desired audience, expand your reach, and establish your authorial brand in the digital market and in your local community. More importantly, you’ll leave every class with tangible tools for building your own platform.

We’ll cover:

• the value of building an author platform in today’s publishing landscape,
• effective strategies for developing an engaging online presence through social media, websites, and email newsletters,
• techniques for finding and engaging with your target audience online,
• the value of building in-person connections, finding your community, and developing local networks;
• collaborating with other writers and professionals to mutually enhance author platforms; and
• practical skills to manage and maintain your online and in-person presence effectively.

Course format and schedule

The course consists of four dynamic, hands-on classes held on Monday evenings from 6pm – 8pm throughout the month of August. Each session will be packed with discussions, hands-on activities, and real-life examples to ensure that you gain both the knowledge and practical skills you need to succeed. So go ahead and mark your calendars for Monday, August 7, 2023, our first planning session together.

Who should attend?

This course is ideal for authors, aspiring writers, and anyone interested in establishing a strong author platform. Whether you’re just starting your writing journey or have already published your work, From Virtual to Vibrant will provide valuable insights and strategies to maximize your online reach and local engagement.

Registration details

The price for the four classes is $58, and you can register using Instant Enrollment online, by calling CCC’s Life Enrichment department at 252-222-6200, or by emailing Heather Boney, the director of CCC Life Enrichment, at boneyh@carteret.edu. The class will be held in the Wayne West building; Heather will notify you of the room closer to the date.

P.S. If there are specific topics and questions you’d like me to address, feel free to add them in the Comments section below or email me at holler@autumnthewriter.com.