I love a great writers conference, don’t you?. Y’all know that I write about pet-centric topics in both my nonfiction and fiction, so the Cat Writers Association events are one of my favs–and I’ve not missed a single conference. Hey, don’t laugh—it’s not the cats that write (although they do tickle the computer keyboards at time)!

Cat Writers Association? What’s that?!

CWA is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting good writing – really all kinds of communication — about and for the benefit of cats. We’re hosting our annual CWA Writers Conference June 7-9, in Houston, Texas, and YOU are invited!

Full disclosure: I’m one of the founders. You see, back in 1992 when we formed, there were no formal mentoring outlets for writers, especially not for people just sticking a furry toe into publishing. So we created an organization open to both professionals and talented newcomers interested in sharing their furry passion, celebrating each other’s success, and dedicated to mentoring each other.

Some of our PAW-some CWA Conference Speakers…more to come!

Good Writing is Good Writing

Whether your passion is cats, dogs, historical fiction, or sky diving with umbrellas, the same writer-icity nuts and bolts apply. That’s why our annual CWA Writers Conference welcomes anyone interested in writing and publishing with great how-to information. Hey, many of us publish in a variety of genres beyond kitty-centric topics. We’ve even had (shhhhh!) DAWGS attend the event!

This year we’re hosting the CWA Writers Conference alongside a regional CFA cat show, so that attendees taking breaks can get their kitty fix admiring the pedigree cats or even adopt a shelter rescue. By the way—cat shows have the BEST jewelry. And I should know! In addition, there will be book signing opportunities at the show. Don’t delay, the early bird price goes up after April 30, so REGISTER HERE NOW!

CWA Writing Conference: Collaborate, Educate & Celebrate!

Part of the conference events celebrates the results of the annual CWA Writers Conference, because we are ALL about giving kudos to colleagues. It’s an annual gala banquet with opportunity to schmooze with pet products companies and sponsors, your favorite cat writers and maybe share a beverage with an agent or editor you hope to impress.

The CWA Writers Conference is one of the most economical I’ve ever attended. But to help out on the $$$ front, we’re even holding a drawing for a free registration to the conference! That includes all the seminar sessions, banquet event, Keynote, entry to cat show and more. . . KEEP READING or your chance to win.

Event Promotion 101

Of course, we want to get the word out to everyone about our conference event. It’s no fun promoting you—and mentoring with great content—if nobody knows about the CWA Writers Conference! And it occurred to me that what could help CWA would also help you promote your events.

See—even before you attend, we’re sharing some added value. Here are some tips on how you can promote your next event online. After all, once you’ve heard about all the terrific speakers and events, you’ll be MEOWING this to the rooftops!

5 Ways to Elevate Event Excitement!

1. Create a Facebook Event

Facebook events are a super easy way to spread the word about your conference and encourage potential attendees to sign up! Be sure to make the event public so that people beyond your immediate friends or page followers will be able to access it. In addition, ask your conference speakers to promote the event to their own social followings to reach a bigger audience!

Here’s the FaceBook Event for Cat Writers Conference.  We’d appreciate it if you’d PAW it forward and share. *s*

2. Make it Easy for People to RSVP

Use a simple online tool to sell tickets and manage your attendees. For example, Eventbrite’s online registration platform lets you track ticket sales, reach new audiences, and even integrates with your social platforms (see step 1)! An online ticketing platform is also a great idea if people are traveling to your event because they can purchase their tickets ahead of time.

3. Set Up A Give Away

Generate excitement and encourage folks to share information about your event before it happens by creating a give away. Come up with clever items to offer that help brand your organization–autographed books, or monogrammed/branded items like key chains, coffee mugs–even cat toys or mouse pads might work. These could be items provided by sponsors of your event, so that the give away also promotes their generosity, and makes them more likely to help spread the word.

Of course, you must ship physical prizes, so you may also think about “virtual” or other types of prizes. For our CWA Conference Event, we’re giving away one (1) free registration to the event (that’s a $159 value!).

ENTER THE CWA SWEEPSTAKES HERE!

 4. Develop a Catchy Hashtag

Encourage your event attendees to share photos or experiences from the conference using your event hashtag. You can generate a buzz online before the event as well! The positive sentiment shared with the event hashtag is great collateral to use to promote the conference next year. Plus, through the hashtag you can find your conference-goers and encourage them to engage with your Facebook page! If you’re psyched about the 2018 CWA Writers Conference, we’d love to see your posts with the hashtags #CWA2018 and #WillWrite4Cats

5. Create A Great Piece of Content

If you’re visiting my site, you’re likely interested in writing, too! What better way to promote your event than to write a teaser piece to get your audience excited about attending. Highlight your speakers, provide an exclusive sneak-peek, and let your readers know why it is worth their time to attend. (Hint: that’s exactly what I’m doing with this post!) Take a look below at the outstanding things we have planned for the 2018 CWA Writers Conference, and then check out our event to register.

CWA Writers Conference: Have We Got Speakers for You!

We typically offer a mix of prescriptive writing and publishing and promotion sessions, with somecat-specific topics, and the 2018 CWA Writers Conference is no different. We’re still clawing down a few more sessions, but I couldn’t wait to share these confirmed sessions.

This year, our keynote speaker has done it all—books, TV, radio, columns—and uses his experience creating Fear Free to inspire attendees with tips on how to “brand” themselves for success. Check out more about our keynote speaker Dr. Marty Becker at this link.

CWA Writers Conference Speakers

Adventure Cats and Cat Training: What Cat Writers Need to Know, Presented by Janiss Garza

Research: First, Last, and Always Panel, Presentation by Amy Shojai, Arden Moore & others TBA

Cat Photography Made Simple, Presented by Rick Reichenbach

The Hybrid Author: Publishing Print, Ebooks & Audio, Presented by Amy Shojai

Changing the World Through Fiction: 7 (plus 1) techniques to effectively promote your point of view, Presented by Mollie Hunt

Here’s the link to the speaker page–check back, as more will be added.

CWA Writers Conference, Something for Everyone

Today, CWA boasts an international membership who collectively use their various platforms to blog, write newspaper and online columns, host radio shows, publish photos and illustrations, produce nonfiction books, novels and newsletters, and even working public relations and promotions. We are pet “parents” and shelter workers, rescue advocates and cat show exhibitors, veterinarians and behaviorists, media personalities and your next-door-neighbor.

And we all love helping to educate the world about proper care and celebration of cats. Meee-wow! Join our furry throng, and attend the 2018 CWA Writers Conference.

So…are you coming? You KNOW you want to!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? NOTE: Some links to books or other products may be to affiliates, from which I may earn a small percentage of sales, but I do not recommend anything unless I feel it would benefit readers. Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!