WHAT Conference & Workshop

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Copy Editing.

DETAILS

Remember sixth grade English class? We don't either.

Get a grammar refresher and learn the rules that matter and those you can break. This course will help you navigate best grammar and style practices to produce clear, concise and engaging copy for editorial, business, or creative writing.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Understand the various parts of speech
• Make sure your subjects, verbs, and objects agree
• Ensure that punctuation serves the sentence
• Craft a perfect sentence
• Define exactly what style is and why it differs from style guide to style guide

By the end of class, you will have:
Training in the fundamentals of grammar to improve your current and future writing projects.

DETAILS

• Lessons: Learn new skills through video-based lessons
• Discussions: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

DETAILS

Working copy editors know there are exceptions to almost every rule, but do you know what they are? This class aims to examine the finer points of copy editing, with an emphasis on trickier grammar and punctuation examples. We will also discuss issues in the marketplace including freelance v. staff considerations, titles, duties, and the murky waters of office politics. This class is for junior copy editors, writers, editors, or anyone with some background in copy editing who wishes to discuss the realities of working in this profession.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Understand finer points of grammar, including rules on danglers, collective nouns, and misplaced modifiers
• Apply advanced punctuation rules, including proper comma and hyphen usage
• Create and update your own in-house style guide
• Be aware of issues in the marketplace: copy editing online, navigating office politics, job titles and responsibilities of the advanced copy editor, and when you've overstepped your bounds 
• Use resources for the advanced copy editor

By the end of class, you will have:
Advanced skills to update in-house style guides and get work as a copy editor.

Admission Requirements:
At least one year copyediting experience, or the equivalent. Apply with a note to explain your interest in this topic and a brief work history with details about your copyediting experience.

The online classroom has several components:

• Lessons: Learn new skills through written lessons
• Discussion: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

DETAILS

• Lessons: Learn new skills through video-based lessons
• Discussions: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

DETAILS

• Lessons: Learn new skills through video-based lessons
• Discussions: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Social Media Marketing.

DETAILS

This class, designed for marketers, bloggers, community managers, and anyone wanting to learn the ins and outs of social media measurement, will show you how to set up tools to measure your social media activity and make sense of the data you collect.

You'll learn how to sift through web analytics, Facebook Insights, and Twitter mentions in order to develop a comprehensive reporting and tracking system. We'll look at free and paid tools so no matter what your budget, you will have a strategy to measure results.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Know which metrics matter to your brand
• Use web analytics to measure social media efforts
• Make use of the latest tools for measuring Twitter and Facebook
• Use shortcuts to measure and monitor your online activity
• Develop a social media measurement report

By the end of class, you will have:
A social media measurement report of your online activity and a comprehensive strategy to monitor and measure your social media efforts.

Admission Requirements:
Students should have access to web analytics and at least one social media presence.

The online classroom has several components:

• Lessons: Learn new skills through video-based lessons
• Discussion: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Digital Project Management.

DETAILS

Finding the right literary agent is more important than ever. If you’re working on a nonfiction book proposal or a fiction manuscript, now’s the time to start doing some research and drafting your queries. In this two-week workshop, expert literary agent Jeff Kleinman will teach you how to find the right agent for your book, how to sell your idea and manuscript, and how to work with an agent once you’ve made the right match. 

In this class, you will learn how to: 

• Define your book project and assess its potential audience
• Find agents who are looking for projects like yours
• Write and submit query letters and accompanying materials
• Understand standard author/agent agreement terms

By the end of class, you will have:
A list of agents to submit your work to and a completed query letter package.

The online classroom has several components:

• Lessons: Learn new skills through video-based lessons
• Discussion: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

DETAILS

Live, multi-user video chat is one of the coolest features of Google+. Using the platform, you can get together privately with friends, co-workers, and collaborators to share ideas and work on projects.  You can also share your thoughts with the world by broadcasting your Hangout and archiving it as a YouTube video.

In this one-hour webcast, Google+ expert Lynette Young will take you through the best practices, tips, and tricks you need to make sure that your Hangouts reach the right audience. Together, we'll explore how to set up and run a Google+ Hangout including security settings and Hangout Apps. We will also discuss ways to use the Hangout on Air feature that allows you to broadcast to the world and record on YouTube. 

You'll learn how to:

• Set up and host a Google Hangout
• Use Hangouts to build community and buzz around a product or service 
• Broadcast via Hangouts On Air and archive on YouTube
• Use Hangout Apps to customize and maximize your experience

• You'll participate in a live video discussion with an expert speaker who will provide insights, case studies, and real-world examples of strategies that have worked
• You'll have the chance to ask questions and get advice from the speaker in real time
• You'll receive a copy of the speaker's presentation slides and access to a recording of the presentation
• If you can't make it to the live presentation, you can watch the recording for one week after the live broadcast

DETAILS

You've taken your essay as far as you can, but when it comes to getting it published in your dream publication or website, you haven't gotten a "yes" from an editor yet. This workshop is for writers seeking to do a serious revision that will make a good story great and dramatically increase your chances of publication. 

In this intensive workshop, Paula Derrow, former articles director at Self and Modern Love author, will edit and critique your essay. You'll learn how to turn the red pen on your own work and look at it from an editor's point of view. Paula will help you navigate the market for personal essays, tell you the most effective way to pitch, and recommend the best venues for your work. 

By the end of class, you will have:
A polished personal essay and a roadmap for how to get it published. 

Admission Requirements:
Students should have a completed essay (no more than 1,200-words) ready to workshop. Apply with a note to explain your interest in this topic and the essay you would like to workshop.

Students who have taken this class have had essays published in:
The New York Times, Salon, Redbook, Glamour, Self, Marie Claire, and Newsweek.

The online classroom has several components:

• Discussion: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

DETAILS

This class will teach you how to create and edit entire pages in Adobe InDesign, the industry-standard page layout program for magazines, newspapers, and print content publishers.

Through lessons and assignments, you'll gain hands-on experience and practice. Weekly discussions include live video presentations and demos through our webcast platform. After this class, you'll be able to confidently add "skilled in Adobe InDesign" to your resume.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Use the toolbar and palettes
• Create and edit style sheets
• Import images, add colors, and change colors
• Change and edit the built-in spell check
• Customize your hyphenations

By the end of class, you will have:
Knowledge of Adobe InDesign for editing projects.

Admission Requirements:
You will need access to Adobe InDesign software and can download a free 30-day trial of CS5 at adobe.com. Students can complete assignments using any version of InDesign.

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Public Relations.

DETAILS

Over the last decade, we've seen an unprecedented surge of interest in public relations that is creating an incredible abundance of PR jobs in firms, corporations, non-profits, and consulting.

In this course, learn how to break into PR, enhance your skills, and develop PR programs. You'll also find out everything you need know to get that all-important first job.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Develop a targeted, tactical PR plan that generates results
• Write dynamic biographies for yourself, your clients, and your associates
• Execute a targeted media outreach program geared to the needs of your client
• Draft attention-getting media pitch letters
• Distribute a news release

By the end of class, you will have:
A tactical public relations plan, a corporate biography, and a news release you can use in job interviews.

• Lessons: Learn new skills through video-based lessons
• Discussion: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Public Relations.

DETAILS

In this course, you'll learn how to create successful events from conception to completion. You'll discover how to think, plan, problem solve, and produce like a professional event planner.

Through weekly assignments, you'll write essential event documents including production reports and timelines, proposals for strategic collaborations and partnerships, and new business presentations. This class will follow the process of planning an event from beginning to end.

In this class you'll learn how to:

• Create production documents including production reports, timelines, budgets, and event recaps
• Develop invitations, advertisements, calendar listings, and media alerts 
• Create and manage an event budget
• Write effective sponsorship decks
• Think creatively to build strategic collaborations

By the end of class, you will have:
The skills to create successful events for a brand, business, or client.

DETAILS

In this intensive course, join fellow editors, writers, and bloggers to learn how to implement SEO writing techniques immediately to ensure your content reaches your intended audience. We'll cover how to improve your organic page ranking to drive traffic to your website, the anatomy of a search engine, and link-building techniques to maximize the visibility of your content.

Students will conduct keyword research to analyze their audience and develop a search strategy for increasing page views.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Identify your audience and conduct keyword research accordingly
• Use Google Trends and the Google Keyword Tool to understand keyword densities
• Use social networking sites to distribute your work and build your authority for search engine ranking
• Apply techniques for effective tagging
• Navigate through the ever-changing landscape of Search to maintain visibility

By the end of class, you will have:
The skills to use keyword research and analysis to drive traffic to your blog or website.

Requirements:
Students must bring their own Mac or PC laptop to class.

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Digital Journalism.

DETAILS

You’ve mastered writing and editing for publications. But can you crop and resize photos, navigate a content management system, or understand what makes a great user experience?

Thanks to improvements in computer software and content management systems, you don’t have to be a web developer or tech person to create dynamic digital content. Through assignments and discussions, you will learn how to think past the written word and create content that is multi-dimensional and editorially relevant, uses the web to its full potential, create stories that have social media campaigns built in, and increases your value as an employee.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Navigate and create content in a basic Content Management System, such as WordPress
• Crop, resize, and optimize photos, create graphics, and enhance static text through basic HTML/CSS
• Understand what makes a user-friendly website and how to create UGC contests that maximize and enhance your social presence
• Know which web technologies to follow and which to ignore
• Measure effectiveness and revenue potential through traffic and user engagement analytics

By the end of class, you will have:
A thorough understanding of how to conceptualize, articulate, and execute digital content that enhances your site’s editorial mission and is technologically sound.

The online classroom has several components:

• Lessons: Learn new skills through video-based lessons
• Discussion: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

DETAILS

DETAILS

What's more influential in shaping opinions than Twitter and more important in shaping purchasing decisions than Facebook? Blogs and digital influencers have quickly become a programming powerhouse for brands interested in building ROI and social media engagement. Through creative collaboration, marketing activations, and important ambassadorships, digital influencers are changing the way companies think about celebrity spokespeople and the role they play in selling products.

Summer Krecke, director of content strategy at Digital Brand Architects, will outline the key elements that define successful digital influencers and why partnering with them can help generate sales and major prestige.  You'll also hear from a digital influencer who will share her perspective on collaborative partnerships and how its impacted her own brand-building goals.

You'll learn how to:

• Identify influencers who are appropriate for your target audience 
• Define goals for a successful partnership
• Drive sales and traffic to your website
• Gain followers on social media accounts
• Spark conversations around your brand on the web

How this works:

• You'll participate in a live video discussion with an expert speaker who will provide insights, case studies, and real-world examples of strategies that have worked
• You'll have the chance to ask questions and get advice from the speaker in real time
• You'll receive a copy of the speaker's presentation slides and access to a recording of the presentation
• If you can't make it to the live presentation, you can watch the recording for one week after the live broadcast

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Digital Marketing. 

DETAILS

With the proliferation of smart mobile devices, marketers have more access to consumers than ever.

In this course, you'll learn how to conceive, implement, and manage a mobile marketing strategy. We'll examine the growth of the mobile marketplace, from text messages to apps to the rise of HTML5 as the next web standard. We'll also cover how to use analytics to determine where to focus your mobile efforts to maximize engagement with your branded content.
 
In this class, you will learn how to:

• Optimize content and email marketing efforts for mobile devices
• Use analytics to determine where to focus mobile efforts
• Understand the anatomy of a mobile landing page
• Know when to use text message (SMS) and multimedia message (MMS) campaigns
• Audit a multi-faceted mobile strategy

By the end of class, you will have:
A thorough understanding of mobile marketing and a campaign strategy.

DETAILS

DETAILS

As television changes, so does audience and consumer behavior. Over 60 million Americans use their phone or tablet daily while watching TV. With more ways to watch recorded programming and skip over commercials, second screen television technologies are seeing a surge as brands and networks look for new ways to connect with viewers.

In this one-hour webcast, Kevin Arrix, chief revenue officer for Viggle, will talk about how to engage an audience and become part of the viewing experience. He'll explain how Viggle operates as a free second-screen media platform and how you can take advantage of second screen options to increase your brand's exposure. He'll also show you how to make your own TV time more fun.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand your viewers and how they watch TV now
  
• Use chat, games, rewards, and other interactive Viggle features
  
• Keep an audience engaged across multiple screens
  
• Make a second screen experience into social TV

How this works:

• You'll participate in a live video discussion with an expert speaker who will provide insights, case studies, and real-world examples of strategies that have worked
• You'll have the chance to ask questions and get advice from the speaker in real time
• You'll receive a copy of the speaker's presentation slides and access to a recording of the presentation
• If you can't make it to the live presentation, you can watch the recording for one week after the live broadcast