Platform Sparkle ✨
1-1 Coaching Course with Rachel Thompson
Build a brilliant online presence—with lots of guidance and support!
Create beautiful visual branding, launch a simple-to-use website, and rally resources to resonate on social media—all in a way that fits you.
Gain confidence, know-how, motivation, and skills to market yourself as a writer!
Building a platform before you publish a book is an unfortunate prerequisite for writers
To Attract an audience you need to stand out, But...
All of that attention-seeking can feel icky!
- It’s especially challenging for introverts (raising my hand here).
- Even when you get started, it can be hard to get results.
- And it’s confusing to figure out all the constantly changing tools.
- Plus, finding a marketing “voice” feels so awkward!
- Not to mention how scary it is to wade into the toxic stream on social media.
After Taking Platform Sparkle…
You Will:
- Find your online platform-building gaining momentum, while being simpler and less time consuming.
- Have built a beautiful, functional, easy-to-use website all of your own that fits you and your goals.
- Feel waaaay less awkward—nay, confident—about marketing yourself online.
- Most importantly, you will have clarity about how to keep going to build and build your unique audience from your new strong platform.
Hi, I'm rachel Thompson
Your Writer-Platform-building guide
I am an author, editor, and former website designer with over a decade of experience here to help you write, publish, and shine!
Here is what students had to say after learning with me:
This is a great course for getting past tech phobia and understanding the principles behind website branding for creatives. Rachel is a knowledgable, generous, and endlessly patient guide who understands the need to mesh image and voice with functionality.
The whole process has made me feel really empowered. I created a beautiful website that perfectly aligns with my goals as a writer. I feel like I now see myself as a serious writer, and I’m ready to start submitting my manuscript.
The course helped me frame my vision of myself and my mission as a writer, which has increased my confidence when I communicate with editors, potential publishers and readers.
I’ve learned about marketing myself, which is something that I’d never considered from a strategic standpoint. I created a website that I think is a perfect reflection of me as a writer. The course was also very introspective and philosophical. Who am I really, at the core, as a writer, person?
Platform Sparkle Showcase
Congratulations to Debra, Justin, and Heidi, who recently completed the Platform Sparkle course! They did amazing work, digging into their writing brand and creating beautiful marketing to reach their unique readers. Beautiful work, everyone!
“I could have hired someone to create a website, but I feel this one is really mine, that it represents me, as I went through the process of creating it. And Rachel was there every step of the way, stepping in when necessary and prodding me to take over when it was time.”
Here are 4️⃣ things I promise you will find in this course:
Clarity
There are so many moving parts and millions of options you can take to build a writing platform. With my guidance, you will find a path that is TRUE to YOU and that will help you reach your goals for your writing.
No matter how confusing and overwhelming platform-building can be…
you will find a path to a platform that fits who you are and your goals.
pleasure
I recognize that this feels like a long shot! I know most writers would rather be writing, and building a platform feels far from a joyful experience, but when you take these steps to build a platform that is truly fitting of you and you begin to connect authentically and shine your unique light in the world to find your unique audience, I promise…
you will find pleasure—and even delight—as you build your sparkling platform.
Connection
You might feel like you’re hitting walls while building a platform because you’re just not cut out for a writing life. But, what you can’t see is how much we all are just figuring it out, too. My course community is full of kind, open-hearted, attuned writers who will help you feel seen, and…
I will be here to guide and support you to build a platform that will help you connect with your readers.
Motivation
We write alone for the most part, but the truth is, writers often need help with motivation—especially when it comes to doing incremental things like building a platform. This course will help clear self-doubt and fear and flip them into self-confidence and action. I structure the course so that you know what to do next and feel motivated to take that next step, and…
You will find the inspiration, tools, and energy you need to do this.
🌟 Included with your 1-1 Coaching course
Weekly Support
The course includes three one-on-one meetings to go over your brand, complete your website, and focus your platform-building efforts. In weekly messages and check-ins with me, I’ll be there to help you refine your vision and hone-in on your sparkling platform.
concierge website setup
I help with your website setup and then teach you how to make updates—so you can to concentrate on your vision and plan to make it sparkle.
✨ Create a Beautiful Visual Brand
✨ Launch a Simple-to-Use Website
✨ Get Ready to Resonate on Social Media
✨ Join Me 1-1 for Platform Sparkle ✨
You might be wondering about the cost and comparing it to other options. A template website can be quick but often feels generic, and hiring a designer for as little as $500 might get you a nice site but lack the strategic vision you need. (I used to design websites for $3000+ each, so I understand the value of a personalized approach.)
With this course, you’ll not only create a stunning website with my guidance but also gain the confidence and skills to market yourself effectively. Most importantly, you’ll leave equipped to build a unique audience that grows with you. Here’s what this transformative experience will cost…
Pricing Info
You will be able to choose from the sliding scale option that fits your circumstances. (There is no assessment required.)
Pay in Full
One-time paymentPayment Plan
Four monthly paymentsSliding-Scale Pricing
I offer sliding scale pricing options to provide more access for writers who need this and reconciliation pricing for BIPOC and/or Trans Writers.
Support Tier $900 or $225/mo x4
For recently unemployed writers or writers experiencing reduced income and who do not have access to generational or personal wealth.
Support Tier 2 $800 or $200/mo x4
For writers who are experiencing financial insecurity and who also do not have access to personal or generational wealth and/or savings.
Access Price Details
For writers on disability assistance or who are part of BIPOC and/or trans communities, ensuring equitable access.
$750 or $188/mo x4
What you get...
→ 👩🏫 Six lessons each covering ONE topic that will help you incrementally build your visual design, website, and social media over eight weeks.
→ 📓 Workbooks for each workshop with clear action items and clarifying questions to implement what you’ve learned.
→ 🤩 Weekly check-ins to get my help and ask questions.
→ ☎️ Three hands-on support calls where we’ll go over your visual identity and platform tools.
→ 🥰 The tools, resources, and step-by-step guidance to build a beautiful and simple-to-use website on WordPress (or to enhance a website on another platform if you already have one).
→ 🤳 The tools, resources, and step-by-step guidance to launch your social media strategy on the best platform for you.
Apply Below
⇩
There is no need to be intimidated by the application. You do not need to have any specific skills or be at a specific stage in order to work with me. Once your application has been received, I will reach out to you to let you know if you’ve been accepted to a private course session.
We will then pick a start date and create your eight-week course schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and end?
The course starts when you’re ready. Once your application has been accepted, we will create a start time. We will work together on the course for eight weeks, though we may plan a break during your session as well.
Should I take this course if I have never published?
You don’t need to have a lot of publication credits to benefit from building a platform for your writing, but if you haven’t published anything yet, I suggest waiting a bit. (My Lit Mag Love course teaches writers to publish and shine.)
What if I don't know how to design a website?
I am here to help you every step of the way and will provide highly-detailed steps and support for you to make your website, plus guidance and feedback as we work on each of the design components. I have taught total newbies to do this and I know you can do it, too!
What if I already have a website?
If you already have a website that you’d like to improve and make more true-to-you, then you are still welcome to join the courses. If you’re using WordPress, you will benefit from the visual page builder tool that is included in the course. If you’re on another platform, you will still benefit from the thoughtful custom font, colour, and brand foundations work we do in the course.
How often do we Connect/Meet?
We will be in touch every week via voice and text messaging. During the course we have three 45-minute one-on-one calls. Between the meetings you will send me your assignments for my feedback and support.
How much time will this course take?
The course assignments will range from requiring 2-4 hours per week. Though, it really is up to you how much you want to put in the eight-week course. You can work at your own pace, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be left to your own devices. We will have specific deadlines for each assignment.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes! You can choose to make installment payments rather than pay the full amount at one time. You can see all of the details in the pricing information section above. If you need to pay over a longer period with smaller installments, please mention this in your application.
Do you offer a sliding-scale pricing option?
Yes! All of my courses now have sliding-scale pricing. You can see all of the details in the pricing information section above.
Am I ready to take this course?
You have reached the bottom of this page, so I think you might have answered your own question! So long as you’re ready to do the work and start showing up, I can help you build a platform that will sparkle.