Top 10 GWA Member Resources – #7

By Maree Gaetani

Each week for 10 weeks, members of the GWA Communications Committee are sharing creative presentations about some very useful GWA resources that you may not even be aware of. You’ll be able to see these presentations on GWA’s social media channels as well as every Tuesday here on the blog. Be sure to check back each week for a glimpse of a unique take on some of the wonderful resources available to all our members.

Week #7 is a blog about GWA Webinars brought to you by Maree Gaetani of the GWA Communications Committee.

There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder.
— Alfred Austin

This crazy spring all across the U.S. is a lesson in humility for anyone but especially gardeners.  And it’s impossible to be a gardener without being a ‘scholar’ and lifelong learner.

That’s why GWA Webinars are so popular and offer so much to learn with topics that can offer new insights on how to further your career and make money.   If you haven’t tried one yet, here’s what you need to know about what you can learn, what’s next and how to see what you missed.  These webinars are inexpensive way to engage and learn from national experts.

1. THE BAR IS HIGH FOR GWA MEMBERS– This is a tough audience as most members are experienced learners, so if GWA is going to take an hour of one of our member’s time, it better be good.   GWA Webinars do not disappoint as revealed by members below:

Katie Elzer-Peters on what she learned on a recent webinar, “I MUST have the lawyer review my contracts before I sign them and that I don’t HAVE live with certain clauses if I don’t want to.”

Mary Kate Mackey’s webinar was about “The Hero’s Journey and the Garden” looking at the structure of the fictional Hero’s Journey and how it applies in nonfiction garden writing.  Here’s some reviews:

Connie Kingman, freelance writer/photographer and horticultural editor, said the webinar “was full of valuable and useful information for me, which helps me to identify what’s going on as I write. What an epiphany!”

Michele MacKinnon, garden educator and speaker, certified Advanced Master Gardener, and new GWA member, called it, “Time well spent! the story arc will be a great formula for crafting my posts, and for re-writing my garden book.”

Wendy Helfenbaum, journalist and TV producer said, “What a wonderful presentation – thank you so much. I would listen to you read the Yellow Pages — really!”

2. WEBINARS COMING TO A PHONE, TABLET OR COMPUTER NEAR YOU!

These GWA webinars are available from $10 to $15 to members.

 

The Foodscape Revolution with Brie Arthur
Wednesday, April 25 | 2:00PM – 3:00PM ET
Brie encourages everyone to “think outside of the box,” learn how pairing edibles in a traditional ornamental landscape increases bio-diversity.  This is a fast faced, informative presentation that leaves attendees inspired and ready to foodscape.

“Editor of Everybody Gardens” with Doug Oster
Thursday, May 31 | 2:00PM – 3:00PM ET
Emmy Award winner Doug Oster demonstrates how to make fun and engaging videos without breaking the bank and while working solo. Video is a great way to connect with your audience and Oster shows how easy it can be with just a smart phone too.

Make More Money: How to Get Started With Email Marketing​ with Katie Elzer-Peters
Wednesday, June 20 | 2:00PM – 3:00PM ET
Algorithms, lists, views, stories, STRESS!   Social media is a tool, but it’s getting more expensive. You also don’t control it. What can you control? Learn how to get started with email marketing for yourself and how to pitch it to clients so you make more money doing what you love.

3. CAN’T MAKE A LIVE WEBINAR OR DID YOU MISS A WEBINAR YOU’D LIKE TO ATTEND?

And if you aren’t available for an upcoming Webinar and are interested, please register and you’ll be sent a link to the recording.

If you missed a webinar and now want to see it, here’s how to find it:

Visit www.gardenwriters.org , click on Member Resources, Online Store, and type in “Webinar” in the search box, all of the webinars will come up for you to choose from.

4. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK OF YOUR GWA WEBINAR EXPERIENCE

Please keep us posted as to what GWA Webinars you attend and giving reviews are so important!    And please know there are many many more positive reviews of GWA Webinars but we’re only allowed so many words in this blog and I focused on Mary Kate Mackey’s!

Meet the Author

Maree Gaetani is Director of Strategic Initiatives at KidsGardening, a national nonprofit that is dedicated to getting kids learning through the garden.  She also serves on the National Pollinator Garden Network founder’s committee, University of Vermont’s Ag Extension Board, and Vermont’s Wild for Pollinator’s program.   Prior to this position, she was director of good works and garden relations at Gardener’s Supply.  She’s been actively involved promoting gardening as an agent for social, environmental and community change since 2001, the same year she joined GWA.  Available at mareeg@kidsgardening.org