Writing & Technology Workshops
With a decade’s worth of experience as an author, five years of experience in public relations on a nonprofit’s shoestring budget, and more than 25 years of knowledge garnered in the fields of computer science and information science, I’m amply qualified to provide seminars and workshops on topics of special interest to both new and well-established journalists.
I’ve served as a faculty member and director for the Society of American Travel Writers Institute for Travel Writing and Photography, presenting information on marketing, websites, and New Media to participants at this annual intensive weekend seminar, and continue to make presentations at writing conferences around the world.
My workshop topics include:
* Book Publishing
* Guidebook Writing
* Marketing in the Internet Age
* Nonfiction Book Proposals
* New Media for Writers
* Wowing ‘Em on the Web
Contact me to discuss your needs and I’ll work with you to tailor the depth and length of presentation to your audience. See the Appearances section for my upcoming seminars, workshops, school visits, and talks about hiking. I have presented writing and marketing workshops for both writers’ groups and nonprofit organizations.
SAMPLE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Make New Media Work for You
Work smarter and expand your business using the power of the Internet by understanding the shift occurring from “old media” to new. Why is it happening? Where is it happening? How have our perceptions subtly changed? We’ll discuss the effect of “citizen journalism,” how and why marketing has shifted to social media, the many New Media tools available to you—and how best to use them.
Cashing in on New Media
Learn techniques for making money with your New Media skills. Creativity is well-rewarded in this brave new world of New Media if you know a few simple strategies and how to implement them. We’ll discuss where the money comes from, how you can pursue it, and go over case studies of others who have used these strategies in our field to great success.
Put the “Social” in Social Networking
What’s the point of Facebook? Is Twitter a time suck? Are you LinkedIn? Why should you follow the crowd…or will the crowd follow you? Learn techniques to manage your time with these New Media tools to make social networking pay off for you. Expand your network of business contacts in an organized fashion; use your networks to build a buzz for you; and rally your audience around your cause. We’ll pick apart the top social networking tools and discuss what works and what doesn’t, with specific strategies you can implement.
Wowing ‘Em on the Web
A step-by-step action plan of how to build your Internet presence from scratch. If you have no website, I’ll get you up and running. If you have a website and you’re paying too much for someone else to maintain it, I’ll show you how to launch a quick, classy website of your own. Students should bring laptops with them. We’ll walk through both the how and why to research and reserve a domain name, choose the right web host, decide between software-as-a-service and open source software, and how to use a Control Panel to set up your email addresses, install free software, and upload files. We’ll discuss details on website usability, what makes a good website, and how to plan your project before you start.
MY BACKGROUND as it pertains to teaching writing and technology skills
or, what a lot of people wouldn’t suspect about this Florida hiker
Recovering techie turned travel writer, author Sandra Friend graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1992 with training in the emerging field of Information Science. After 13 years as a programmer, systems analyst, and software designer, she turned her attention to the Internet and writing and started building websites in 1995. While writing 21 books for major publishers in the past decade – applying her technical writing background to turn projects around at lightning speed – Sandra has monitored the growth of New Media and spun ideas into practice to grow her audience, market her books, and generate freelance income. Sandra is a member of SATW, ASJA, SCBWI, and FOWA and has served as the director of the SATW Institute of Travel Writing and Photography. She is currently the Chair of the Freelance Council of the Society of American Travel Writers.