What will I learn?

As journalism and writing platforms increasingly move into the digital sphere, you need to adapt your writing skills to keep up in this new space. These three web writing virtuosos will show you the tricks of the trade to get your writing noticed in the limitless online world. Through this in-depth course, they’ll provide practical knowledge to improve your online storytelling and increase your readership.

Throughout the day we’ll explore some background theory about effective web writing, while learning take-home skills including:

• how web design affects readers’ interest in your work
• how to write for your readers and for SEO
• how to effectively use search engines for research
• how to craft your online persona and become an expert in your particular niche
• how to develop an effective social media strategy to promote your writing and online persona

The session will end with a highly relevant case study from the Tyee’s own David Beers, using this independent media outlet as an example of how to write killer display copy. You’ll also learn about how your particular tone online can convey your values and generate an emotional connection from your readers resulting in a loyal audience.

You'll be given a range of exercises to use with your own work, and access to a course website full of resources. Participants can also sign up to receive one hour of one-to-one coaching with the instructor of your choice, taking your learning well beyond the scope of the one-day class.

Who's it for?

Anyone who is doing any form of writing online, from journalists to marketers and publicists to content strategists, to small businesses, social enterprises, NGOs & associations.

Who is Zoe?

Zoe Grams is a Communications Specialist who works with progressive, socially-conscious organizations to spread their message and further their work.

With a background in trend marketing and magazine editing from the UK, Zoe has provided copywriting, PR and online strategy services to organizations on both sides of the Atlantic, including UNICEF, The Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation, The BC Aboriginal Childcare Society, GUSRC, and D&M Publishers.

Her articles have appeared in publications including The Tyee, GUM Magazine, The Vancouver Sun, and Back of the Book. Zoe teaches Writing for the Web at Capilano University, and enjoys facilitating writing and social media workshops for not-for-profits throughout BC. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret and The KidSafe Project Society.

When she’s not working with inspiring people, Zoe explores new cities and short fiction with equal gusto.

Who is Crawford?

Crawford Kilian has been writing for The Tyee since 2003, and serving as a contributing editor since 2008. He has published 21 books, both fiction and nonfiction, and hundreds of articles and columns in newspapers and magazines. His book Writing for the Web is now in its fourth edition; he has taught workshops in webwriting from Vancouver to Windsor to São Paulo, Brazil. Crawford taught at Capilano College (now University) from 1968 to 2008. He taught in China in 1983-84. Born in New York City, he grew up in Los Angeles and Mexico City. He has lived in Vancouver since 1967.

Who is David?

Tyee founding editor David Beers has the best job in journalism, as far as he is concerned. He’s had a few to compare. Beers was a senior editor at The Vancouver Sun, Mother Jones and the San Francisco Examiner, and he’s won national honours for his writing and editing in Canada and the U.S. He is also the co-founder of The Tyee Solutions Society, a non-profit that seeks philanthropic support for journalism in the public interest, reporting projects made available to be published by other publications as well as The Tyee. He is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and author of a memoir: Blue Sky Dream. He lives in Vancouver with his partner and two children.