For many writers, social media can be overwhelming because we’re too focused on likes, retweets, follows, engagement and other metrics we barely understand. But what if we used social media as a tool that actually nurtured our writing life, instead of sapping the energy out of it?
In this workshop, writer Ines Bellina will show you tools and tricks that can help you use social media platforms to: a) build a supportive online community, b) elevate your profile WITHOUT chasing numbers and c) find actual, legit, professional writing opportunities including calls for submission, requests for pitches, and information on contests, fellowships, scholarships, and more.
The class will guide students through the Major Three – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram — and receive a crash course on how best to use each platform’s tools, optimize the positive aspects of each, and ignore or prevent the negative ones. At the end of the workshop, students will be able to leave with an idea of what platform best fits their needs and resources on how to start a social media strategy that works for them.
This is NOT a session about creating or growing author platforms. It is however a session about using social media for your own goals, regardless of whether you have 5 Facebook friends or 5,000.
Ines Bellina is a writer, storyteller, and bon vivant. Her writing has appeared in Wine Enthusiast, Chicago Magazine, The A.V. Club, The Takeout, and more. She has also performed all over town in shows like You're Being Ridiculous, The Skewer, Miss Spoken, Story Club, the Chicago Women's Funny Festival, and other shows around town. Ines also works with advertising and personal brand agencies as a copywriter and social media content creator, using her writing skills to help their clients find their unique voice. She is currently working on a YA novel.
9-9:30 Registration and Socializing
9:30-12 Program
