by Marie E. Cecchini
“Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” Sound familiar? The statement implies that teachers can’t actually do what they can teach others to do, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, by adding teaching to your résumé, you can add to your income, and who better to teach others how to write and get published than a published writer?
Whatever you write, be it short stories, nonfiction, poetry, or greeting cards, consider offering an Internet course in the subject. As a published writer, you can not only teach others to write, but you can also give them inside tips on getting published. However, there are several steps you need to embrace for your course to be effective, efficient, and sought out.
Be Prepared
Nothing succeeds without a plan.
- Define your key message. Decide exactly what it is that you will be teaching.
- What will be the best way to convey your information? Remember, we learn best by “doing”, so an interactive format will benefit your students the most.
- You can’t teach what you don’t know, so you must have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips. This can be what you already know, or at the very least can easily find out. Students will have questions. You’ll need to have the answers.
Recruit
Increase your enrollment with an effective advertising campaign.
- Advertising on your website can be very effective. Prospective students can find out about the course, as well as your credentials for teaching it.
- Tell readers of every article you write about the course by listing it in your bio.
- Post an ad on several internet newsletters for writers.
- If you are a blogger, be sure to mention the course and update readers on your progress with planning and teaching.
- Please your students. Nothing works better than “word of mouth” advertising. If former students are pleased with the course, you can bet word will get around.
Presentation
Plan your format to be efficient for you and effective for your students.
- Start the class by introducing yourself and giving your background. Provide the students with a course outline so they will know what is expected of them and what they can hope to achieve.
- Each lesson should be in the form of an informational “handout” the students can use as a guide for the present and as a reference for the future. Information should be stated step-by-step in simple terms. It is also helpful if you provide examples that students can use to guide them as they work on assignments.
- Make yourself available for student questions and provide them with feedback on each of their assignments. They need to know you want them to succeed. Make the final assignment one that encompasses several of the major points stressed in previous lessons.
- At the end of the class provide the students with a resource listing of publishers the students can consider for submissions.
Feedback
- Provide students with the opportunity to evaluate your course. It will help you evaluate the effectiveness of your present course outline and allow you to make any necessary changes.
Finally, encourage your students to keep in touch with you regarding their progress and their successes. Success stories will be a boost to your reputation as a teacher and will encourage others to take advantage of your class offerings, which of course will increase your bottom line.
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Marie E. Cecchini is a former teacher, the author of five books, and has created award-winning children’s crafts. She also writes children’s poetry, as well as articles for parents, teachers, and writers. She can be reached at MarieE2049 at sbcglobal dot net.
Tags: freelance writing blog, freelance writing, freelance, writing, advice for freelance writers, getting started as a speaker, teaching classes, how to plan a speaking engagement, speaking engagement, teaching engagement, guest lecture, marie cecchini, kristen king, inkthinker
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