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Writing Online: Write Your Dreams To Reality
Writing Online is more than a writing book. It's a road map to show you how to make a great living from writing.
Writing Online teaches you not only how to write copy that sells, but also marketing, blogging, social media, SEO, list building, and how to build a strong reader or fan base.
This is the book I wish I'd read when I first started writing for a living. A book that would have saved me lots of wasted time and money and made me realize my dreams a bit earlier.
Writing Online teaches you not only how to write copy that sells, but also marketing, blogging, social media, SEO, list building, and how to build a strong reader or fan base.
This is the book I wish I'd read when I first started writing for a living. A book that would have saved me lots of wasted time and money and made me realize my dreams a bit earlier.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
322 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 27, 2025
Man, did I pick the wrong time to read this book!
That probably needs some explanation. On a normal day, I get up at 3:00 in the morning and write for 90 minutes to 2 hours before I go to work, but recently the powers that be in Corporate America decided it would be a good idea if we did 10 hour days starting 2 hours early every day, which has completely eliminated my early morning writing time. And here I am reading a book about writing. I mean, all it does is make me want to sit at my desk, open up my laptop, and WRITE.
And that’s what any good writing book should do.
Sean Platt’s WRITING ONLINE … I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started it, but I don’t know if it was this. The bulk of the book talks about SEO articles and writing for clients, two things I have no interest in at all, but the heart of it is all about writing, which is one of my absolute favorite things to do in the world.
This book contains a whopping 91 chapters with Platt covering things like “The Truth About Being a Writer” and “Ways to Make Money Writing” (which is further broken up into sections: Magazine Writing, Professional Blogger, Web Content Writers, Books, and Corporate Work), “Coming Up With Topics”, “Social Media Etiquette”, “Building Your List Without Being Obnoxious”, “Work Habits”, “Planning and Setting Goals”, “Marketing” (Master the Sales Letter, Build Your Crowd, Overdeliver, Testimonials, etc.), wrapping up with “My Best Advice”.
Just a quick scan of the chapters when I got the book (a print copy) spoke to the writer in me and said come on in, it’s comfortable in here. And it is. When I’m not writing, I’m probably reading, and one of my favorite genres is books about writing, so WRITING ONLINE was just the thing for me.
Platt’s style is easygoing and conversational, as expected (anyone who’s watched or listened to even one episode of The Self-Publishing Podcast knows Sean Platt loves to talk), and the pages of this book just fly by. And because the topic is writing ONLINE, he’s not going to go over the stuff we should already know at this point. There’s not a grammar lesson to be seen, nothing about structure or plot or character or setting or theme, and thank God for that; I have those books already lining my shelves. But to be online at all is a social event, and as one who is anything BUT social, a book about how to BE social online and get people to not only pay attention but to CARE what you’re saying, that’s valuable stuff. If only I hadn’t been reading it at a time when I literally have NO time to write, because every chapter here makes me want to run to my computer and put these lessons to good use.
If I had to find a negative, and I guess I don’t HAVE to, but I want to be honest in my assessment of this book, it would only be one: this book was published in 2013 and I’m reading it in 2025. A lot of this book talks about blogs and guest posts and SEO and it makes me wonder are blogs even a thing people still pay attention to in 2025? I read a lot of author newsletters, but I think there are only one or two blogs I even still visit on a semi-regular basis anymore. I just wonder how much of this book is still relevant over a decade later.
And then there’s the SEO article stuff. I know for a while, Platt made his living writing SEO articles at like 20 a day, but that’s not something I could ever see myself wanting to do, so those parts didn’t necessarily resonate with me as much.
But, again, the heart of this book is about WRITING, and that’s what got my attention initially.
The subtitle is “Every Lesson Learned and Mistake Made Before I Wrote and Published More than 5 Million Words”. I mean, how does that not grab your attention? This book has a very niche audience, but that audience will gain some valuable knowledge. WRITING ONLINE is definitely worth your time.
That probably needs some explanation. On a normal day, I get up at 3:00 in the morning and write for 90 minutes to 2 hours before I go to work, but recently the powers that be in Corporate America decided it would be a good idea if we did 10 hour days starting 2 hours early every day, which has completely eliminated my early morning writing time. And here I am reading a book about writing. I mean, all it does is make me want to sit at my desk, open up my laptop, and WRITE.
And that’s what any good writing book should do.
Sean Platt’s WRITING ONLINE … I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started it, but I don’t know if it was this. The bulk of the book talks about SEO articles and writing for clients, two things I have no interest in at all, but the heart of it is all about writing, which is one of my absolute favorite things to do in the world.
This book contains a whopping 91 chapters with Platt covering things like “The Truth About Being a Writer” and “Ways to Make Money Writing” (which is further broken up into sections: Magazine Writing, Professional Blogger, Web Content Writers, Books, and Corporate Work), “Coming Up With Topics”, “Social Media Etiquette”, “Building Your List Without Being Obnoxious”, “Work Habits”, “Planning and Setting Goals”, “Marketing” (Master the Sales Letter, Build Your Crowd, Overdeliver, Testimonials, etc.), wrapping up with “My Best Advice”.
Just a quick scan of the chapters when I got the book (a print copy) spoke to the writer in me and said come on in, it’s comfortable in here. And it is. When I’m not writing, I’m probably reading, and one of my favorite genres is books about writing, so WRITING ONLINE was just the thing for me.
Platt’s style is easygoing and conversational, as expected (anyone who’s watched or listened to even one episode of The Self-Publishing Podcast knows Sean Platt loves to talk), and the pages of this book just fly by. And because the topic is writing ONLINE, he’s not going to go over the stuff we should already know at this point. There’s not a grammar lesson to be seen, nothing about structure or plot or character or setting or theme, and thank God for that; I have those books already lining my shelves. But to be online at all is a social event, and as one who is anything BUT social, a book about how to BE social online and get people to not only pay attention but to CARE what you’re saying, that’s valuable stuff. If only I hadn’t been reading it at a time when I literally have NO time to write, because every chapter here makes me want to run to my computer and put these lessons to good use.
If I had to find a negative, and I guess I don’t HAVE to, but I want to be honest in my assessment of this book, it would only be one: this book was published in 2013 and I’m reading it in 2025. A lot of this book talks about blogs and guest posts and SEO and it makes me wonder are blogs even a thing people still pay attention to in 2025? I read a lot of author newsletters, but I think there are only one or two blogs I even still visit on a semi-regular basis anymore. I just wonder how much of this book is still relevant over a decade later.
And then there’s the SEO article stuff. I know for a while, Platt made his living writing SEO articles at like 20 a day, but that’s not something I could ever see myself wanting to do, so those parts didn’t necessarily resonate with me as much.
But, again, the heart of this book is about WRITING, and that’s what got my attention initially.
The subtitle is “Every Lesson Learned and Mistake Made Before I Wrote and Published More than 5 Million Words”. I mean, how does that not grab your attention? This book has a very niche audience, but that audience will gain some valuable knowledge. WRITING ONLINE is definitely worth your time.
November 12, 2020
Coming from my own perspective, this book had some useful info to use in regards to the author platform and building your presence and mailing lists, but there was probably about half the book dedicated entirely to copywriting, seo, and blogging especially. I have come to discover for myself that blogging should be done sparingly, as it's a major time sink that could otherwise be put to writing your next book or project.
So in that way, not only did it stop pertaining to me, but some of it I actually disagreed with outright. But that's more than okay. Every writer's journey is different, my path just veered further away from what they talked about here.
Join the RK King readers' list for an exclusive FREE short story, plus inside info, musings, promos and more: RK King Writes
So in that way, not only did it stop pertaining to me, but some of it I actually disagreed with outright. But that's more than okay. Every writer's journey is different, my path just veered further away from what they talked about here.
Join the RK King readers' list for an exclusive FREE short story, plus inside info, musings, promos and more: RK King Writes
May 25, 2018
good read
Helpful, and gave me a lot to thi k about. There is plenty here for both fiction and nonfiction writers.
Helpful, and gave me a lot to thi k about. There is plenty here for both fiction and nonfiction writers.
September 25, 2013
'Writing Online' serves as a worthwhile guide, not only for people thinking about writing for a living, but also those who have already made it their livelihood.
It's written in a conversational style and friendly tone, true to the authors objective of helping others learn from mistakes Sean has made since starting his writing career.
Chapters are dedicated to tips on using social media, SEO, blogging and also on developing effective work habits.
Sean encourages writers to work on writing faster, and how this is best achieved by writing in your own voice, as if you're talking to a close friend.
While much of what is written is common sense, it bears worth repeating, as Sean does on some key points. He emphasizes the need to be authentic and consistent.
If anyone has any doubts about whether they could ever be a good, or even great writer, those plagued with uncertainty will find 'Writing Online' a good source of positive reinforcement - that anyone can be a writer, and this book is a good starting point for making your way.
It's written in a conversational style and friendly tone, true to the authors objective of helping others learn from mistakes Sean has made since starting his writing career.
Chapters are dedicated to tips on using social media, SEO, blogging and also on developing effective work habits.
Sean encourages writers to work on writing faster, and how this is best achieved by writing in your own voice, as if you're talking to a close friend.
While much of what is written is common sense, it bears worth repeating, as Sean does on some key points. He emphasizes the need to be authentic and consistent.
If anyone has any doubts about whether they could ever be a good, or even great writer, those plagued with uncertainty will find 'Writing Online' a good source of positive reinforcement - that anyone can be a writer, and this book is a good starting point for making your way.
December 18, 2013
I love Sean Platt and Johnny Truant and their writing, so I was really excited to read this book and the writer in me was pretty happy that a project about about writing finally happened. This book is very helpful and informative, and nothing is sugar coated or glossed over.
You do have to work hard, and Sean Platt is proof of that. (check out the book Writer Dad for his inspiring story of how he started writing and worked his way to success).
If you want to pursue a writing career, I would highly recommend reading this book. I'm looking forward to future books about writing to come from him, and now that I know he has a self publishing podcast, I'm going to check it out.
You do have to work hard, and Sean Platt is proof of that. (check out the book Writer Dad for his inspiring story of how he started writing and worked his way to success).
If you want to pursue a writing career, I would highly recommend reading this book. I'm looking forward to future books about writing to come from him, and now that I know he has a self publishing podcast, I'm going to check it out.
April 14, 2014
Not to be missed...Platt is the quintessential pro
December 27, 2014
I honestly love anything from the guys at Sterling and Stone.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews