Writing is dead?!

[The Writer’ s Life]( October 6, 2017 Hi {NAME}, Ann Handley is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Keynote Speaker, and the world's first Chief Content Officer. Also cited in Forbes as the most influential woman in social media … it's pretty fair to say that Ann Handley knows her stuff when it comes to content. So when a key Facebook employee was quoted saying video is better than content when it comes to conveying stories, Ann stepped up to the plate to set the record straight. Today, she'll prove why content is a huge opportunity for writers in the age of video. And will be for a very long time. This year, Ann will take the stage for her first time at Bootcamp, as our closing Keynote Speaker. To say I'm thrilled to learn from her firsthand and in person is an understatement … I'll be in the front row. ;) And remember, until midnight ET tonight, you can sign up to join me with our Virtual Bootcamp "Access Pass." [Go here for all the details.]( Just remember, tomorrow the price goes up $1,000. So don't wait on this one … [claim your spot now](. And then come back so Ann can show you what's what when it comes to content and social media. To your success, Rebecca Matter President, AWAI --------------------------------------------------------------- Facebook Says Writing Is Dead. I Call B.S. By Ann Handley [Desk with work items including open laptop displaying the word Facebook] Facebook is predicting the end of the written word on its platform. And perhaps suggesting that words more broadly are doomed. "The best way to tell stories in this world, where so much information is coming at us, actually is video," said Nicola Mendelsohn, who leads Facebook's operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. "It conveys so much more information in a much quicker period. So actually, the trend helps us to digest much more information." In five years' time, she added, Facebook "will be definitely mobile, it will be probably all video." Stats show that the written word is becoming obsolete, replaced by hipper, accessible images and video. She did throw writers a bone: Words are disappearing — save for the fact "you'll have to write for video." Did you catch that? "Have to." Have. To. Our words are like the last triceratops wandering an increasingly balmy earth. In search of a book group. Or a direct mail meetup. Or whatever local bar might serve a prehistoric tipple in which to sink their sorrows. Or so Facebook suggests. I get it. In a Trump era, polarizing sells. But is that really … responsible? Or is it even true? NOPE. In fact, I'd serve up a triple-scoop Nope-cone. I debated whether to comment on this issue, because I don't want to be defensive. I wrote a best-selling book about writing. And I do happen to believe that we are all writers. So just to check my biases at the door to the Internet: Is my reaction to this merely self-preservation? Are we writers actually Neanderthals wearing shaggy animal hides, charring a bison thigh over the fire? (Fire we invented, thank you very much.) Meanwhile, the smell of plank-roasted salmon with baby bok choy wafts over from the next camp. Is it that we writers had a good run … but now it's time to go? Let's scoop up that Nope-cone. Scoop 1 of the Nope-cone: Binary (either/or) thinking usually occurs when someone is selling a specific worldview or agenda. Have you noticed a massive number of video posts in your Facebook feed of late? That's likely because Facebook has been algorithmically favoring video posts. The company says user preferences are driving the shift away from text. Okay … maybe. But consider that Facebook is all-in on its live video service, Facebook Live. And consider that Facebook Live is content that is hosted and consumed via Facebook — rather than YouTube, for example. Not to mention all that money coming from Facebook video ads. And then draw your own conclusions. Scoop 2 of the Nope-cone: Long-form content is still a thing. The truth is that we do read long-form content. Long-form news articles get roughly the same number of mobile visitors as short-form articles, but they garner twice as much engaged time, according to data from the Pew Research Center. Scoop 3 of the Nope-cone: Sometimes you want sprinkles. Sometimes you don't. Liraz Margalit, a web psychologist at ClickTale, wrote that watching video and reading writing are different "cognitive functions." Reading demands one's cognitive system do more heavy-lifting and requires committed engagement, she said. Watching video is largely passive and is quicker to make an emotional connection, added Phil Rosenthal, writing in the Chicago Tribune. The bottom line: Our world supports both kinds of content for different purposes. Video is useful for some tasks and appeals to some people. Writing is suited to some efforts and appeals to other kinds of people. Great video gives life and a pulse to a story. It conveys how products live in the real world. It conveys anger disguised as edgy humor. Videos are powerful. Great writing gives life and a pulse to a story. It helps you differentiate. It forces a deeper clarity of thinking. Great writing is powerful (and hilarious). One is not inherently superior to the other as a storytelling medium. Both have strengths. And both are flawed. Writing can be augmented with killer video, and video is strengthened by stronger writing. And not just because we "have to" write. (That one still chaps my khakis.) Bonus Scoop of the Nope-cone: Live video can be tedious. You can't skim video. You can't skip the boring part at the beginning when that friend in your Facebook feed takes a running start rather than getting right to the point. Sometimes I find myself in the midst of a meandering video, and I'll wish I could just scroll down a bit to the next paragraph right then and there. Because I'm busy. I've got stuff to do. Like groom my shaggy animal hide. Editorial Note: Ann Handley is the Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs and this fall's closing Keynote Speaker at our 2017 FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp and Job Fair. [Go here now and learn how you can join her live from the comfort of your own home.]( Countdown to Bootcamp – 12 Days to Go! [Attendees sitting in an AWAI copywriting Bootcamp session] When technology and Bootcamp meet, great things happen … like being able to see every presentation, from hello to the good-bye after Ann's closing Keynote Speech — all without leaving your home. In addition to seeing what's happening on the stage via live stream, Virtual Bootcamp attendees get behind-the-scenes videos of hotspots like Job Fair, plus exclusive interviews with speakers and marketers. Throughout the live streaming of Bootcamp, Circle of Success member Christina Gillick will lead a special team of AWAI members, staff, and experts in Delray Beach who will interact with attendees on a private Facebook group. During our first-ever live stream last year, the Virtual Bootcamp attendees created accountability groups, and interacted continually throughout the entire event. It was a very active group! Virtual attendees also participate in their own virtual Job Fair, complete with Spec Assignments which can lead to paying projects. Becky Tumidolsky attended the first-ever Virtual Bootcamp, watching live from her laptop at home. ("The program was so good, I felt it in my gut. I knew my career was about to take an exciting turn.") She learned a technique taught by Ilise Benun that motivated her to throw out her standard writing rates and get twice her regular rate on her very next job! Teresa Hoon shared the news that she landed her FIRST writing job — a huge $50,000 writing retainer — after attending Bootcamp via live stream. "In the past two years, I've enrolled in several programs. I found all the programs helpful and especially enjoyed the Virtual Bootcamp," says Teresa. "Seeing the experts on stage and hearing their widely differing life stories really inspired me to knuckle down and really give this writing life a chance. I hope to attend a Bootcamp soon and be another example of how to do it!" If you want to be a part of Bootcamp — from the comfort of home — join us via our Virtual Bootcamp 2017. You'll enjoy the benefits of Bootcamp and camaraderie of fellow AWAI members without having to travel. You don't need to be in the Ballroom to completely change your life. [Sign up for Virtual Bootcamp now — the offer closes at midnight ET!]( The October Issue of Barefoot Writer is Out! We just released this month’s issue, which kicks off with uplifting stories from Wendy Strain and Warren Latham, both of whom capitalized on the versatility within copywriting and the freedom it brings — but in vastly different ways. For Warren, copywriting literally gave him a new lease on life. Not only that, but once he subscribed to Barefoot Writer, he was ready to take his writing career to the next level. And now he’s done just that — across international borders! And Wendy took her writing skills and created a niche for herself that fits right in line with her dream lifestyle. She explains the attitude that helped her get to that point, and shares how to move forward when the occasional doubt surfaces. We also share the charming story of master copywriter Nick Laight, who experienced two life-changing events the day he went for his first copywriting interview. He details how everything started going right after that day, and gives us a peek into his relaxed world of incredible productivity — from the specific writing tools that help his ideas flow to the reason copywriting has made him immune to the fear of failure. Plus, you’ll learn about one of the easiest niches to get into if you’re keen on setting up predictable writing income, as well as which clients are likely to pay you the most (and how to approach them!). Combine all that with profound advice from our working writers on how to be a better freelancer, work more efficiently, and use music to your creative advantage … and you’re bound to fly through the month of October with renewed writing enthusiasm. If you’re a Barefoot Writer subscriber, you can [access the issue here](. And if you’re not yet a member, [go here to see how Barefoot Writer can help you achieve financial freedom through well-paid writing](. *** What We're Recommending this Week *** HUGE Savings! 50% Off Virtual Bootcamp 2017 Only Until October 6th at Midnight Participate in AWAI's FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp (in real time) from the comfort of your own home! For three incredible days (October 18-21, 2017), tune in and experience each Bootcamp session LIVE as it unfolds … You'll learn fantastic "real-world" copywriting techniques from legendary copywriters and marketers like Clayton Makepeace, Nick Usborne, Carline Anglade-Cole, John Forde, Ilise Benun, Steve Slaunwhite, Mike Palmer, and so many more … Get a "behind-the-scenes" look at today's most in-demand niches … asking your questions … receiving immediate feedback … and connecting with other writers … You'll even get an all-access to actual Spec Assignments from real companies looking to hire writers like you … no resume, cover letter, or experience required … The bottom line is, as a virtual attendee, you won't miss out on anything … [Claim Your Livestream Ticket Now and Save 50%]( Get Paid Writing Projects in the Next 30 Days Follow our simple 30-day roadmap when you join Wealthy Web Writer and you can land paying projects THIS month. 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