Brand Yourself

How to market yourself and your project for maximum results

Brand Yourself
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WHEN 4 weeks, June 11 - July 9
Online chats Wednesdays, 9-10 pm ET

WHERE Online. Click here for more information.

LEVEL Intro

PRICE
$350 ($325 for )
more info

Course Details

In today's extremely competitive marketplace -- whether you are pitching an idea for a novel, short story, TV show, film, stand-up comedy act, or internet-based web show -- you need to make an impression and stand out. The clearest, quickest way to do that is to create your own brand.

What kind of impression do you give as you present yourself and your work in a cold calling situation, through email, or as you walk into a pitch meeting? What do people remember most about you after they've met you? What element of your personality will separate you from your competition? How do you want to be known? What is your energy? How will you and your art be perceived? What is your own personal brand?

Answer these questions and you'll be a success. This class will explore the success of popular personal brands (think Rachael Ray, Oprah, and JK Rowling.) Through lectures, exercises, and chats, you will develop a complete brand portfolio.

In this course you will learn:

  • The complete definition of branding
  • How to understand the marketplace you'll be pitching within
  • How to adjust your brand for a variety of media and cultural situations
  • How to find the right brand energy for you and your work
  • What you need for a complete brand package, from business cards to web presence

By the end of this class, you will have:
A complete portfolio displaying your own brilliant, unique brand


To Apply
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history).

The online classroom has several interactive components:
  • Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
  • Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
  • Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
  • Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

Related Courses

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Instructor Bio

Laurie Scheer's Courses

Brand Yourself – (Class starts June 11)
Developing Online Videos – Los Angeles (Seminar on June 5)
How to Write for (and Pitch to) Women's TV Networks – Los Angeles (Seminar on June 4)
TV Writing: Spec Script – (Class starts June 3)
Writing Scripts for Online Video – (Class starts July 15)

Laurie Scheer
Laurie Scheer is a former vice president of programming for WE: Women's Entertainment and is currently teaching at Yale University. She has worked as an assistant, d-girl, and producer for some of the most powerful media conglomerates in the world, including ABC, Viacom, Showtime, and AMC-Cablevision. She has been a professor at numerous universities across the US and considers herself a media goddess, helping creative professionals realize their goals of working and improving 21st century media. Her book Creative Careers In Hollywood: From Extra Girls to Errand Boys (Allworth Press, 2002) chronicles and celebrates all of the movies ever made that feature women working in Hollywood. She also has a DVD, How to Pitch and Sell Your Screenplay.


Testimonials


Laurie Scheer has boundless enthusiasm and offers nothing less than the opportunity to succeed in arenas where you have previously only dreamt of succeeding. I never realized that such friendship, such encouragement, such genuine goodwill and such human connection could be capable between people who have only met through a computer until I took this wonderful class. --Paul Hagen

"Laurie's seminar was by far the best class I have ever taken in my entire life! Not only was she enjoyable, clear, and relevant, she's the most knowledgeable instructor I've ever had. She is excellent on every level, and I can't say enough how much I got out of attending. Honestly, this is why I've gone to mediabistro events since 1999. You're better than anyone else out here!" -- Jamila Bey

"Laurie's seminar was the best money I've ever spent! I learned more about how television programming works in 3 hours than I picked up in a lifetime as a television news reporter. I look forward to spreading the word about Laurie's vast knowledge, practical teaching style, and terrific personality." -- Brigette Polmar

"Laurie's class provided invaluable tips on how to break into and master the murky world of television writing and production. She's also one of the coolest instructors I've ever had, which gave her class the breeziness of summer camp. I would heartily recommend her classes to anyone interested in learning more about writing for film and television and anyone who wants to have fun doing it." -- Imani Dawson

"Laurie Scheer's generous advice about television writing helped give me the confidence I needed to negotiate the contract process. Because of her seasoned knowledge and her willingness to share it, I'll always remember that "if you are a professional, you're worth it," even when you're just starting out." -- Gina Laurie

"Laurie Scheer's classes are musts for anyone wanting to progress in the television industry. After bumping around TV jobs for a few years, I took Laurie's class, and it gave me the flashlight I needed to see the whole landscape of opportunities available. It is quite unusual to have someone offer to share their experiences, and even more unusual for them to truly want you to succeed. If you need to be convinced that you are capable of writing or creating a show, take Laurie's class." -- Tamara Federici, writer & former associate producer, Chappelle's Show

"Laurie Scheer is a professional who generously shares with her students her love and first-hand knowledge of the complex TV industry. She has a wonderful knack of encouraging writers, instilling confidence and still showing them where they have taken a wrong turn." -- Nancy West

"Ms. Scheer was informative, funny, and extremely knowledgeable about the business. I found myself riveted and wanting to know more after sitting still for 3 hours at the end of a long work day! If anyone is thinking of a career in television writing, this course and the instructor is your starting point." -Inger Slade
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