Graduate Spotlight: Local Author Gains Savvy Social Media Skills

As an accomplished author, J.W. Webb is always looking for new ways to promote his work. 

Born in England, Webb has a vivid imagination and a deep fascination with the Middle Ages. 

“Growing up so close to that scene of ancient carnage awarded me a fascination for all things Dark Age,” said Webb. “I’d fallen victim to a weird and random imagination, resulting in a love of epic stories and epic storytelling.” 

He is the author of over a dozen fantasy books, including audio books and box sets, which are all available on Amazon. 

While Webb devotes a considerable amount of time to writing and research, he did not initially enjoy social media. However, he knew it was essential to growing his business. Having already completed the Web Design Certificate at the College of Graduate and Professional Education (CGPE), he decided to enroll in the Social Media Marketing Certificate. 

“I moved to the U.S. eight years ago and people I met through the Etowah Valley Historical Society spoke highly of the college (CGPE) and its programs,” said Webb. “I started with the Web Design course and was impressed with how professional KSU was. So I looked into the Social Media course and found that it was easy to work into my schedule.” 

The Social Media Marketing Certificate was a perfect match for Webb’s business needs. 

“What I learned in the course, I now use every day,” said Webb.  “I’m constantly marketing my novels, which comes from the knowledge I gained in this course. I learned about what platform was best to accomplish my goals and I’m even diving into TikTok. #BookTok is great for writers, and I’m dabbling in that. This course gave me the confidence to use these sites and get the most out of them (without dancing!). 

Webb has helpful advice for anyone thinking about taking the four week course. 

Definitely go for it,” said Webb. Even if you shy away from social media personally, you need this skill to grow your business. I recently met some business writers that I would never have met had it not been for a Facebook group I found. The course was a joy and I got a lot out of it.”