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This is a noncredit, online writing class through UW-Madison Continuing Studies.

The Web for Writers

Turn your writing skills into profit by utilizing web-based opportunities.

Three sessions–Writers Marketplace: Understanding Multiplatform Content, How to Write Multiplatform Content, Branding Yourself for Writing on the Web–introduce you to the marketplace, show you how to navigate the web arena, and help you to plan how you will brand yourself as a writer for the web.  Take your existing talents and transfer them to multiplatform arenas to stay relevant within the 21st century writers’ marketplace…and in many cases, writing for the web opens doors to traditional markets (magazines, newspapers, etc.).

Session 1: Writers’ Marketplace: Understanding Multiplatform Content

The first step to writing in this new arena is learning how to navigate the various web-based platforms. Next, the writer needs to know what form of digital content they might want to write.  And finally, you gain an overall market analysis of this “wild, wild West” environment, along with a look at its consumers.

Lesson 1

1. The world of multimedia multiplatforms
2. What is “content”
3. Types of digital content–entertainment and informational based
4. Parts of digital content–websites, blogs, columns, web series, mobile series, and podcasts

Lesson 2

1. Overall market analysis
2. Who are the viewers, users, and players
3. Finding information
4. Examples of writers using websites, apps, twitter, and other multiplatform venues 

Session 2: How To Write Multiplatform Content

Basic storytelling doesn’t stop when writing for the web, however, in this new arena, content is king and stories are told in shorter, more succinct fashion.  Web series, blogs, and one-time virtual videos command the world’s attention.  In this section, learn how to take existing storytelling skills and apply them to the web.

Lesson 1

1. Basics of storytelling for fiction and non-fiction
2. How to tell a story within a multiplatform arena
3. One time postings versus serials (web series and blogs)
4. Examples of multiplatform storytelling

Lesson 2

1. Writing visually
2. Scripted formats
3. Non-fiction formats (narrative and two-column)
4. Multiplatform basics–abbreviations 

Session 3: Branding Yourself for Writing on the Web

Your skills as a writer-a writer in print-are the same as a writer for the web, however, the buyers are different and in order to get past the web threshold guardians you’ll need to brand yourself in such a way that web (and print for that matter) editors remember you and know who to call upon when there’s a writing assignment available.  Branding yourself in this arena is essential and necessary and this course will show you how.

Lesson 1

1. Access your skills–“My life as a writer–so far”
2. Begin to formulate your brand by looking at other brands–products and personalities
3. Transferring your content to a print-alternative platform
4. Is this the next step for you/your writing career?

Lesson 2

1. Finding your web “voice”
2. Perfecting your web voice, brand, and presence on the web
3. Moving your writing career from print to web to mobile
4. Success stories

With your new brand you could be known as a print-to-web-to-mobile writer, in other words, a multiplatform writer adding power to your resume and list of credits. The web-based opportunities continue to grow with new technology.

Take one or all three of these exciting new innovative courses that help you develop web-based strategies–and the confidence you need to become a multiplatform web-based writer.

Your instructor

Laurie Scheer is a published author, her book Creative Careers In Hollywood and her DVD How To Pitch and Sell Your Screenplay have helped mentor the next generation of media professionals for nearly a decade. Laurie has been a professor at universities across the United States and professional speaker. She is currently researching and navigating the landscape of writing for the Web, creating a number of new courses for writers who are migrating from print to web based platforms.

How it works

You can start our workshops anytime, and there are no required hours to log on. It's all done with one-on-one correspondence with the instructor using email. You can read and print course materials in the course Web site, which you can access at your leisure with a password that we will give you. We have writers from around the world participating in our workshops, and we have success stories. A lot of great writing gets accomplished via email. Because of the one-on-one nature of our workshops, you'll find them an excellent "coaching" or mentoring situation that will keep you going. And if you want to just work on your own-hey, that's fine too. Of course you can do the suggested exercises on your own without the feedback if you'd rather do that. We're also here throughout the year if you have questions.
 
Review the current technical requirements for students in Learn@UW online courses.

Costs

Registration is $85 each/$230 for all three sections. You will earn CEUs as follows: 1.0 for Understanding Marketplace; 3.0 for How to Write Multi-platform Content; 1.0 for Branding Yourself. (5.0 CUEs for all three.)
Registration is limited. Register any time.

Contact

Your contact for more information about The Web for Writers is Laurie Scheer, 608-265-3972, lscheer@dcs.wisc.edu.

For more information about online learning contact Lori O'Neill at 608-263-6322 or toll-free 877-336-7836 or email LSAonline@dcs.wisc.edu.

How to register

Online: Register now online with our secure server.

Mail: Print and mail our registration form.

Telephone: Call 608-262-2451 or toll-free 800-725-9692 to register. Our phone is answered M-F, 7:00 am-4:30 pm Central Time. At other times please leave a message, and we will return your call.

 

Also of interest

Explore other online writing classes.

The same writing staff that bring you these great online classes also provide individualized writing critique services. Learn more by visiting our writing critique services web page.

 

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