Become an Enterprising Writer

Aim

Enterprising Writers is a new online community for writers, providing everything you need to get your book done and get it out there.

Everybody has a story to tell - but it isn't easy being a writer

The writing process can be lonely, frustrating and isolating.

Many writers struggle to get started, keep going or finish their book without any help or support - and once a book is published, how on earth do you get people to read it? Not many people enjoy blowing their own trumpet.

There are thousands of talented writers all over the UK who have written some incredible books, which simply aren’t being read. I know this because I have met quite a few of them and they have asked me for help. I don’t have enough hours in the day to travel around helping writers individually – but I can help them by building an online membership community, with training and resources to help them to become more enterprising.

That is why I am making enterprisingwriters.com

My primary goal is to make Enterprising Writers as affordable, accessible and inclusive as possible - a thriving community that empowers writers and enables them to achieve their personal and professional goals.

“Being enterprising doesn’t just relate to the ability to make money. Being enterprising also means feeling good enough about yourself, having enough self-worth to seek advantages and opportunities that will make a difference in your future. By doing so, you will increase your confidence, your courage, your creativity and your self-worth–your enterprising nature.“ 

 - Jim Rohn, Entrepreneur and Author

Enterprising Writers is not just about teaching skills, I want to improve confidence and empower writers by connecting them with a community of like-minded people in a safe online environment.

I will start by asking why you write and what you hope to gain from publishing your work. You might want to sell more copies of your book - or you might simply want people to read it.

We will set some goals to work towards, with online training videos, downloadable workbooks, practical exercises and weekly live Q and A sessions. The site will include a friendly online community where writers can gain feedback from their peers and a comprehensive directory of useful resources including literary events and competitions. I will continually add to the site as it grows to make sure that it always delivers value and responds to writers needs.

The course content will include writing techniques, time management, using tools such as Scrivener, social media marketing, setting up a blog or author website, recording an audiobook, online advertising, podcasting, blog tours and how to use sites like Amazon and BookBub to sell physical copies and e-books. The courses will be easy to follow with content modules that can be tailored to suit individual needs.

Social media is all about storytelling  - and with a good story most writers are half way there – they simply need help to present those words and discover how, when and where to post them. I can help with this.

My name is Ali. I love helping people. I am a professional writer and I live on Exmoor. I have more than 20 years experience in web design and online marketing and a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction. I have overcome significant challenges to be able to run my own business from home whilst raising three children. I am exceptionally driven and passionate about enabling people to become confident in using technology.

I will be developing the website and delivering the digital marketing course content. My previous educational experience includes teaching Masters IT at UWE, Bristol and delivering training seminars for a software company in New York.

I am crowdfunding as part of NatWest’s Bring It 2020 Competition, in order to raise the funds I need to get started. The money will pay for all the equipment I need to record training videos, develop the website, pay for advertising and marketing and hire additional experts to deliver some of the course content.

It is also a perfect opportunity for me to test the concept and gain feedback. All of the courses and features of the site have been created in response to requests from real writers and I will be developing them further based on feedback and interaction from pre-signed up members in the lead up to the launch so that I can solve problems based on what writers need – rather than guessing what is best for them.

Whatever happens, the project will go ahead and the website will launch on 1st October 2020. I set the target at £1,000 but everything I raise here will go into producing the best website that I possibly can, so the more money I raise in advance, the better it will be.

I’m offering a limited number of memberships for 1-6 months as rewards at a discounted price of £9 per month. 

If you sign up at this price and remain a member then the price will remain low for the duration of your membership. This offer price will not be repeated. The actual membership price after launch will be at least £12 per month. 

Memberships are also available as gifts.

With as many writers as possible signed up at the start, I will have a strong community ready to go from day one.

If you’re not a writer, but you enjoy reading books, this is your chance to give something back by enabling me to empower the writing community and help me get my business off to a flying start by making a donation or buying a membership as a gift for someone else. 

You can also follow Enterprising Writers on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Use the hashtag #enterprisingwriters for a follow back and please share this crowdfunding page with anyone you know that might be interested. 

Thank you

If you have any questions about Enterprising Writers or the crowdfunding campaign, just ask. 

1. When does this crowdfunding campaign end?

1pm on 30th March 2020.

2. When does Enterprising Writers Launch?

1pm on 1st October 2020 – that’s just over six months for me to make something amazing. 

3. If I sign up at £9 per month will the price remain low?

Yes I will keep you on a £9 subscription for the remainder of your membership – this may rise by a percentage over the years (e.g. a 10% price increase) but the price will not be increased to match the standard rate and memberships will not be available at this price again. If you sign up for six months @ £50 then decide to continue your membership it will be £9 a month thereafter. 

4. If I leave the membership can I come back again on the £9 rate?

No you will be charged at the standard rate when you re-join.

5. If I sign up for a 1-6 month £9 membership through Crowdfunder, what happens when the initial sign up period ends?

I will contact you to ask if you wish to continue at the £9 rate and ask for your payment information.

6. I’m a writer and I’d love to create a course/content/blog for the site can I help?

Yes there will be paid opportunities for writers and other experts to develop and deliver content for the site. There will also be a public blog and I would love some guest posts from anyone that wants to participate. The blog will be open and free for anyone to read whether they have a membership or not. Please get in touch if you’d like to have a chat about working with me.

7. Is the website shown in the crowdfunding video and project picture the actual Enterprising Writers website? 

No it's just a mock up web page I made for the video, the actual website will look much better. Give me six months :)

This project successfully funded on 30th March 2020