Recently I signed up for the Google Digital Marketing and E-Commerce Professional Certificate through Coursera. My library had scholarships available, and I’ve been wondering how much of the content would be useful to me, a freelance writer. I need to be visible online. I want people to find my work especially that I am now preparing to self-publish.
I’ve just completed the first course, Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-Commerce. I didn’t learn a lot that was brand new to me in this introductory class but I'm taking that as good news. This was just the introduction and there is overlap with my knowledge as a writer. I don't remember where as a writer I heard about marketing funnels. That's the path potential customers go through from the beginning when they learn about you and what you are offering to the end where they engage.
But another area of overlap that was especially interesting. Elle Duncan, a Google vice president, discussed building the confidence needed to go on the job search. Though I’m not planning on looking for a job in digital marketing, free lancers are frequently searching for opportunities and sales. So this is information I'm going to need especially if I do apply for a job.
In her session, Duncan mentioned two groups of people job seekers need in their lives. She called these people cheer leaders and practice buddies.
The first group is somewhat obvious. Cheerleaders cheer us on. For a writer these might be the people who talk you through rejections. They lift you up when you are dealing with imposter syndrome. They tell you that no matter what your cousin twice removed said, your book does not need to be one of Reese Witherspoon’s book club selections for you to be a successful writer.
Practice buddies may require a bit more thought before you see how it relates to your writing. They are the people who help you get the practice needed to perfect your craft. When I heard this term, I immediately thought of my critique group and my accountability group. These are the people who read my work and help me make it better. They recommend books on writing like Reimagining Your Nonfiction Picture Book: A Step-by-Step Guide by Kirsten W. Larson. They nudge you to sign up for classes that you've been talking about but not taken action. That's what Ang did when I talked and talked about Self-Publish Your Masterpiece with Barbara Noe Kennedy (an excellent class). These women are definitely my buddies.
We writers definitely need a community. Whether you write something like picture books for young readers or essays about being a caretaker, you need your fellow writers. These are people you will get to know. That way when you spot a call for manuscripts, you'll remember that someone in your group is working on something appropriate. Together you will celebrate wins and mourn losses.
They are practice buddies and so much more.
If you don’t have an accountability group or a critique group and would like to connect with fellow Muffin readers, post below. Let people know what you write and what you are looking for. Do you need a critique buddy? Are you interested in assembling a group? This is how the accountability group that I’m in assembled here on the Muffin.
And if you want to know about this certificate when I have completed it, let me know. One class down and six more to go.
--SueBE
- To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog, One Writer's Journey.
- Click here to find her newsletter.
Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 60 books for young readers.
She is also the instructor for 3 WOW classes which begin on the first Monday of every month. She teaches:
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