American Writers & Artists Inc. Publishes Definitive Program on How Freelancers Can Make a Living Using Social Media Expertise

In an industry filled with a lot of noise, AWAI Members are now on the leading edge of social media marketing with a brand new training program: How to Make Money as a Social Media Expert, which teaches them how to help businesses effectively use social media to build their business and market their products and services.

Delray Beach, FL – January 25, 2011 – American Writers & Artists Inc. (AWAI), www.awaionline.com, today announced a brand new program: How to Make Money as a Social Media Expert, developed by the well-respected web copywriting expert Nick Usborne. “Social Media is changing everything about how business works online: customer service, sales, marketing, and advertising … the rules are all being rewritten and the customer is driving much of the communication,” said Usborne recently. He stands behind his teaching by using the same strategies each and every day in his own successful businesses.

Forrester Research predicts that companies will spend $935 million on social media marketing this year, more than $1.5 billion by 2012, and a whopping $3 billion by 2014. And McKinsey Quarterly in its December 2010 report suggests that companies using social media or “collaborative Web 2.0 technologies” are consistently achieving higher profits.

“The market trends and statistics say it all,” says Rebecca Matter, Co-Managing Partner of AWAI, and Founder of its Wealthy Web Writer Division (www.wealthywebwriter.com). “Social media is now mainstream, and it's growing fast. It's where the action is, where the money is flowing, and most definitely where the future lies.”

This presents a huge opportunity for people who complete the program and are qualified and ready to guide their clients through social media marketing strategies; How to Make Money as a Social Media Expert will equip them with all the information and skills that they need.

As soon as participants have completed the program, they will become highly sought out for their skills. Not only will they have knowledge of the history and development of social media and know how to write for this genre, but they will understand:

• Proven best practices in the use of social media;
• Which social media programs to choose for which specific businesses;
• The four ways to build a business with social media … and much more.

AWAI member Cyndee Davis, a copywriter from Houston, told us: “I'm so excited about this new program! There is no question that social media is the primary form of communication for 15-35 year-olds and beyond (including seniors) … I can see that skills in this area will multiply companies’ marketing exposure exponentially!”

And New Jersey copywriter Janet Grosshandler is so excited about the opportunity that she immediately made a video blog for her website to tell her readers that businesses must get into social media or be left behind. “Nick is at the head of the pack and way ahead of many of us; he will pull us along with him until we catch up, and when we do, we will be ahead of the crowd, on the cutting edge of this avalanche of opportunity. It's a win-win for all of us!”

Katie Yeakle, Executive Director of AWAI, is confident: “At AWAI we watch the trends and turn what we see into opportunities; this program represents a massive prospect for our members to support their clients as well as find new ones. Businesses are beginning to realize the power of marketing through social media and that they can’t afford to be left behind.”

To learn more about How to Make Money as a Social Media Expert and the resources available to start a new career, or to find skilled copywriters, travel writers, photographers and graphic designers, please visit www.awaionline.com or call 1-866-879-2924.