Two new workshops

I'm having a Blogging for Beginners Workshop on Saturday, 25 May and a Writers' Workshop (getting published) on Sunday, 26 May.  Both workshops will be at my home on the Sunshine Coast and run from 10am to 3pm.  Bookings will close 15 May. 

I've been blogging for 12 years now and I'm happy to pass on what I know. We'll cover how to create a blog that works, the importance of good content, dealing with photos and videos, building your audience, how to make a blog header and how to set up your statistics so you can see where your visitors are coming from.

If you have a laptop or tablet, bring it along and you can start creating your blog here. If you get stuck, I'll help you over the hurdles and you should be able to leave with a functioning blog that you can tweak and make a header for when you're at home.

The blogging workshop is in two parts. In part one you'll be creating your blog from scratch or improving an old blog. Part two we'll discuss good content and photos, copyright, how to build your audience, using social media to promote your blog, search engine optimisation, blog schedules and much more.

The cost for the one day course is $175. I'll provide tea, coffee and water all day but bring your own lunch because we'll have a short break at lunchtime.  I'm taking between 6 - 8 people in each course and I'd like you to pay a deposit of $80 when you make your booking.  Please email me if you have any questions about the workshop.

PART ONE - BUILDING YOUR BLOG
Creating your blog
Why blog?
What will your blog be about?
How much time can you give to your blog?
What blogging platform?
How to create a blog on Blogger
Blogger Dashboard - Step-by-step guide to creating your blog

PART TWO - CREATING CONTENT ON YOUR BLOG
Writing your blog
What's your niche?
How to write
What is good content?
A word on copyright
Building your audience
Make a blog header
Using social media with your blog
Search engine optimisation
Keywords and metatags
Writing headlines
Photos and videos
Adding links
Making money with your blog

TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS
I had been blogging haphazardly prior to attending Rhonda Hetzel's blogging workshop and through the course I learned how to solve the behind the scenes issues I was having with blogger. After the course I felt more confident, encouraged and motivated to work harder at my blog. Rhonda taught me how to make my blog more visually appealing and consistent, which has in turn helped me build my readership.

Whether you want to start a blog, or you’re a blogger who wants to learn more, I highly recommend Rhonda’s blogging workshop – you won’t be disappointed!

Emma Christian, NSW

🔎 📚 ✏️

I had the pleasure of attending one of Rhonda’s Blogging workshop in October 2015, it was a lovely relaxed affair, held at her home. I wanted to attend the workshop to gain the knowledge and confidence to go ahead and start blogging. Rhonda was able to impart all the technical information needed to create a blog as well as wise words on how to blog, attract followers and keep them interested. 

For me the single most important thing I took away from the workshop was to be honest and blog about what you know and what you do in your everyday life. That suited me fine and that is exactly what I have continued to do, writing about my simple life and the love of staying home instead.

Fiona Chain, Sunshine Coast

The Writers' Workshop is for writers who have some writing experience and want to know more about writing a book, magazine or online articles.  Before you come along to the workshop, I want you to send me some of your writing, no more than an A4 page, that shows the type of writer you are.

I have been a journalist, a technical writer, a blogger, a bestselling author and a columnist.  All my books are still selling in book shops and the first book, Down to Earth, is still selling well after being publisher by Penguin seven years ago.

This is unlike other writing courses because I will talk about writing and the business of writing - contracts, getting paid, royalties etc.  I have contracts and third pages of my books to show you and I'll tell you the best way to present your work and how to approach publisher and editors with a view to getting published.  Of course, we'll also discuss the discipline of writing, what publishers and agents do, how to submit a manuscript and what to expect after signing your book contract.

The cost for the one day course is $175. I'll provide tea, coffee and water all day but bring your own lunch because we'll have a short break at lunchtime.  I'm talking between 6 - 8 people in each course and you'll pay a deposit of $80 when you make your booking.  Please email me if you have any questions about the workshop.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP

PART ONE 

I am a writer, so are you
How to write
Taking notes
How important is a blog in the publishing process?
Distractions and the discipline of writing
Writing looks easy, but ...
Choosing your subject
Writing a book to be published by a book publisher
What's the best way to approach a publisher?
Do you need an agent?
What does a publisher do
Writing a synopsis
Writing a book proposal
Manuscript submissions

PART TWO
You've signed a contract!
Writing, editing and publishing timelines
Writing for magazines
How to approach a magazine
Getting paid
Writing for the internet
Getting paid
Writers' housekeeping
Creating an author's platform and a portfolio of your work
Keeping your own records
General tips for writers
Summary and document formats

TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS

Rhonda’s workshop has motivated me to write, to take myself seriously as a writer and showed me ways to be eloquently concise. I sold both of my assignment articles to a magazine and her prompts to pitch my work further afield are challenging me to reach beyond my comfort zone. The course format and skype sessions with other participants added layers of awareness and comprehension. Two months ago I was a dreamer, but now I am a writer. 

Sally Fennessy, Angaston, SA

🔎 📚 ✏️

As a budding writer I jumped at the opportunity to attend Rhonda Hetzel’s writers workshop. Rhonda walked us through how to write, the discipline needed to become a writer, subject matter and how to submit our work though a variety of different publication avenues. 

Through the writing assignments I received constructive, practical feedback which was honest, thorough and deeply helpful. After Rhonda’s guidance I successfully submitted my first article to a magazine, along with a proposal for follow up articles.

I’m thankful for the mentoring Rhonda gave me, and I highly recommend her workshop.

Emma Christian, NSW