credibility catalyst™
A nine-week program for experts who want to increase their income, expand their influence, and magnify their impact by writing articles for high-visibility publications.
It's time to make a name for yourself.
You built your career and reputation on your hard-earned knowledge and experience. Your colleagues and clients seek out your opinions and respect your insights. You love your work, but you’re ready to step onto a larger stage and make a bigger impact.
Unfortunately, being great at what you do is not the same as being well-known for what you do.
Publishing high-quality articles in third-party media outlets grows your audience, increases your authority, and opens the doors to coveted speaking engagements. It helps you test your idea in the marketplace, where your audience can evaluate it, and you can refine it to make it more robust and resonant. It creates a body of work that demonstrates your expertise, expands your influence, and magnifies your impact.
Building your reputation as an expert takes time and a consistent, focused effort. It is a step-by-step process that starts with identifying your BIG idea — your bold, insightful, and galvanizing idea. But it doesn't stop there. You have to share your idea publicly to demonstrate your credibility.
Building your reputation as an expert takes time and a consistent, focused effort. It is a step-by-step process that starts with identifying your BIG idea — your bold, insightful, and galvanizing idea. But it doesn't stop there. You have to share your idea publicly to demonstrate your credibility.
MY CLIENTS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN HIGH-VISIBILITY MEDIA OUTLETS INCLUDING
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A step-by-step process.
If you’ve ever considered writing for high-visibility publications, you know how frustrating the process can be. It’s not always easy to figure out which publications accept contributed content, and every publication has different guidelines. That is, of course, if they even have guidelines. It’s also hard to know if your idea is the right idea for that publication — or if it’s even worthy of being published.
With more than 15 years of experience in the magazine world as a contributing writer and editor, I am intimately familiar with the publishing process and all of its quirks. I know what editors are looking for and how to stand out and catch their attention when you pitch your idea. And as convoluted as it may seem, there is a logic to it.
Credibility Catalyst is a nine-week program that guides you and a small cohort of up to 10 people through the publishing process and gives you the tools you need so you can confidently pitch your idea to high-visibility media outlets. I will share my PEACEFUL Publishing Method™ and walk you step-by-step process that helped my private clients break into publications like Inc., Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Thrive Global, and EHS Today.
With more than 15 years of experience in the magazine world as a contributing writer and editor, I am intimately familiar with the publishing process and all of its quirks. I know what editors are looking for and how to stand out and catch their attention when you pitch your idea. And as convoluted as it may seem, there is a logic to it.
Credibility Catalyst is a nine-week program that guides you and a small cohort of up to 10 people through the publishing process and gives you the tools you need so you can confidently pitch your idea to high-visibility media outlets. I will share my PEACEFUL Publishing Method™ and walk you step-by-step process that helped my private clients break into publications like Inc., Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Thrive Global, and EHS Today.
WRITING FOR HIGH-VISIBILITY PUBLICATIONS:
Increases Your Income
As your reputation grows, you attract more right-fit clients. |
Expands Your Influence
By reaching a broader audience, you attract new business opportunities. |
Magnifies Your Impact
Sharing your ideas creates a ripple effect of change. |
Is Credibility Catalyst right for you?
Credibility Catalyst is for aspiring thought leaders ready to take their brand and business to the next level. Those who get the most from this program:
Credibility Catalyst requires you to commit to your goals and your cohort. I ask that you attend as many mastermind sessions as possible. These gatherings hold each of us accountable to ourselves and one another and provide us with an opportunity to give and receive feedback.
- Excel at what they do.
- Engage in ongoing professional development.
- Share their ideas, wisdom, and experiences generously.
- Seek to become stronger writers and deeper thinkers.
- Desire to be known as leading experts in their fields.
- Value the insights and experiences of like-minded experts.
Credibility Catalyst requires you to commit to your goals and your cohort. I ask that you attend as many mastermind sessions as possible. These gatherings hold each of us accountable to ourselves and one another and provide us with an opportunity to give and receive feedback.
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"A trusted advisor at every step."
"I am grateful to work with Erica as an editor and a consultant. Publishing a regular column on Inc.com has increased my credibility, and Erica has been a trusted advisor at every step. She understands how the publishing world works and gets the nuances that most people miss. Her intelligence, organizational skills, and enthusiasm shine through whether explaining proper grammar, strategizing, or interpreting an editor’s comments. But importantly, she is authentically and unapologetically herself.” ~ Debra Roberts, LCSW, Interpersonal Communications Expert
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How is the program structured?
Credibility Catalyst is a nine-week program for a small cohort of ten participants. To help you gain traction and build momentum, we meet every week. Two flex weeks are built into the program to accommodate holidays and unanticipated schedule changes.
One orientation session
A one-hour gathering on Zoom to provide an overview of the program, address any questions you have, and allow us to get to know one another.
Eight Training modules
Each of the carefully crafted training modules includes five actionable lessons. These lessons typically have recorded training videos and downloadable resources such as frameworks, templates, worksheets, and checklists. The lessons are designed to make each step of the process as easy as possible so you can gain traction each week.
Eight Mastermind Meetings
Starting the week after the first training module drops, we will come together on Zoom every week for eight weeks. Each one-hour mastermind meeting is an opportunity to ask questions, get personalized feedback, and tap into the genius of the cohort. These calls provide you with the support and accountability you need to succeed.
Bonus: one Private strategy session
You determine the goal of your 45-minute strategy session, which you can schedule during the 30 days following our last mastermind meeting. Sessions might focus on reviewing your shortlist of publications, providing feedback on your writing, brainstorming article ideas, developing outlines, or figuring out your next steps.
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"A thought partner and editor."
"Erica provides that unique and powerful combination of a thought partner and an editor. She shares her input, then pushes back and forth with you to wrestle down an idea until it's crystal clear. She's also a word nerd ruthless about slashing out any darlings and unnecessary fluff with refreshing bluntness. My ability to communicate my thoughts simply has improved by working with her. She's A-team material.” ~ Katie Burkhart, Purpose-Driven Business Consultant
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You've got questions. I've got answers.
what's the time commitment for this program?
We will meet as a group every week for nine weeks, with two flex weeks to accommodate holidays and unanticipated schedule changes.
Each self-directed training module has about one hour of training material and typically requires two to four hours for implementation.
Every writer writes at a different pace — so your time commitment may increase. I will, however, provide tips to help you write better faster.
Each self-directed training module has about one hour of training material and typically requires two to four hours for implementation.
Every writer writes at a different pace — so your time commitment may increase. I will, however, provide tips to help you write better faster.
What if I can't attend the live sessions?
All mastermind calls will be recorded and uploaded to the course platform within 24 hours.
how long do i have access to the course materials?
I'll provide multiple ways to download and save all the materials during the course. At the end of the program, I'll give you a link that has all the materials in one easy-to-download location so you can refer back to them forever.
what if i don't know what to write about?
This program will help you think through your areas of expertise strategically to discover compelling and pitch-worthy article ideas.
what if i'm not a strong writer?
All writers struggle sometimes, but writing is a skill you can learn and improve upon. If you find writing stressful or anxiety-provoking, but you’d like to become a better and faster writer, this program can help.
what if i tried to write for publications but was rejected?
You’re not alone. Every freelance writer has pitched ideas that have been rejected. (I could wallpaper a room or two with the rejections I've received!) Of course, that doesn’t make it any easier. Writing for high-visibility publications requires perseverance and resilience. Just because your article was rejected doesn’t mean that your ideas aren’t worthy of being published.
what if i'm already published?
Congratulations! If this course resonates with you, I encourage you to join us. Every writer benefits from a bit of continuing education!
Am I guaranteed placement in a prominent media outlet?
No. This program will teach you techniques for creating great articles and pitching your ideas to publications. I cannot guarantee that your work will be published. That decision lies with the publication’s editorial team. What I will do is give you the skills and support you need to create and pitch work that is worthy of being published in high-visibility media outlets.
are there any other costs i need to know about?
While most publications don’t require you to pay for the privilege of writing for their platform, more and more do, and those fees vary greatly. Some publications charge a per-piece rate of $50 to $100, while others charge an annual membership fee of $1,000 to $3,000. These fees are often earmarked to pay the publication’s editorial team.
the timing doesn't work! Will you run the program again?
Yes! A new cohort launches every quarter. The January and October cohorts meet Thursdays, 4 — 5 PM Eastern. The April and July cohorts meet Tuesdays, 2:30 — 3:30 PM Eastern.
what if life happens and i can't complete the program?
You will have access to the course platform for a year and can download all of the program materials, so even if life happens, you still get the full value of the program. If the disruption in your life is significant, please contact me. I’ll work with you to ensure you get what you need!
how do i choose between this program and pathway to publication™?
Pathway to Publication is a six-month program that is focused on implementation. It gives you the tools you need to write for high-visibility publications and additional time and support to help you implement what you learn. It includes the training modules, 12 mastermind meetings, two private strategy sessions, eight co-working sessions, and three bonus workshops. Participants in this program will pitch their ideas to at least one publication by the end of the program. My hope is that participants in this program will also be published by the end of the six months.
Credibility Catalyst is a nine-week, streamlined program designed to give you all the same tools you need to write for high-visibility publications. It includes the training modules, nine mastermind meetings, and one private strategy session.
If you’d like to talk through these two options, please schedule a call with me. I’ll answer your questions and give you some tools to help you decide. I want you to make a decision you feel great about!
Credibility Catalyst is a nine-week, streamlined program designed to give you all the same tools you need to write for high-visibility publications. It includes the training modules, nine mastermind meetings, and one private strategy session.
If you’d like to talk through these two options, please schedule a call with me. I’ll answer your questions and give you some tools to help you decide. I want you to make a decision you feel great about!
what if i'm not sure if this is the next right step?
People committed to a program are more likely to do the work and therefore get better results. So if you’re not sure whether this is a good fit, don’t enroll in the program — at least not yet. First, check in with your body. How does the idea of enrolling in this program feel? If you’re at the intersection of excited and terrified, that’s a good sign!
If you have any questions, please schedule a call with me. I’ll answer your questions and let you know if I think this program would be a good fit. I want you to make a decision you feel great about!
If you have any questions, please schedule a call with me. I’ll answer your questions and let you know if I think this program would be a good fit. I want you to make a decision you feel great about!
Why is this so important to me?
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Quiet brilliance doesn’t earn you a reputation as a leader.
Early in my career, I worked with a brilliant researcher at a non-governmental organization in Washington, D.C. She was smart, insightful, and warm. Her colleagues respected her intellect and relied on her to edit and fact-check articles, reports, and speeches. But she never took the leap and shared her own research. So, when it came time to select the lead researcher for a new project, she was not even considered. This story is all too common. |
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So many brilliant people want just a little more time to refine their ideas, to make sure they are perfect before sharing them publicly. But perfection is an unachievable goal.
And the pursuit of perfection is holding you back.
I’m Erica Holthausen, the founder of Catchline Communications. I’ve worked as a writer and writing instructor, served on editorial boards, and freelanced as an editor for private companies and professional associations for almost two decades. I’ve invested in professional development to improve my craft and received certification from ACES: The Society for Editing and The Poynter Institute.
What I’ve learned working with consultants and business coaches is that a clear roadmap, practical tips, and accountability are a great start, but not always enough. Fears and self-doubt keep even the most brilliant business leaders from getting their ideas out into the world.
And that’s where I come in — the A.J. MacInerney to your Andrew Shepherd. (If you’ve never seen The American President, go watch it.)
I help leaders like you get your ideas out into the world. I give you the tools you need to succeed along with techniques for breaking free of the fear and owning your brilliance. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns — I tell you what you need to hear so you can write and publish articles that are actually worth reading.
And the pursuit of perfection is holding you back.
I’m Erica Holthausen, the founder of Catchline Communications. I’ve worked as a writer and writing instructor, served on editorial boards, and freelanced as an editor for private companies and professional associations for almost two decades. I’ve invested in professional development to improve my craft and received certification from ACES: The Society for Editing and The Poynter Institute.
What I’ve learned working with consultants and business coaches is that a clear roadmap, practical tips, and accountability are a great start, but not always enough. Fears and self-doubt keep even the most brilliant business leaders from getting their ideas out into the world.
And that’s where I come in — the A.J. MacInerney to your Andrew Shepherd. (If you’ve never seen The American President, go watch it.)
I help leaders like you get your ideas out into the world. I give you the tools you need to succeed along with techniques for breaking free of the fear and owning your brilliance. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns — I tell you what you need to hear so you can write and publish articles that are actually worth reading.
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"She helped launch my publication experience."
"Erica helped launch my publication experience in an efficient manner and empowered me with the skills and information to do it on my own. She is incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and funny — which makes working with her valuable and fun. Even after we completed our work together, she continued to celebrate and champion my successes, which went beyond my expectations.” ~ Dr. Robin Buckley, Cognitive Behavioral Coach
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Here's what you'll learn in each module.
Module 1: design your publication roadmap
Choosing the right publication to pitch is a whole lot easier when you have a map. This first module will give you the information you need to develop a publication roadmap tailored to your goals and objectives.
In this module, you’ll:
In this module, you’ll:
- Learn why publications seek consultants and business coaches who are willing to share their expertise as contributing writers and how this benefits the publication.
- Identify and prioritize your goals so you can choose a publication that will help you achieve your business objectives — not just the most familiar publication.
- Get crystal clear about the primary audience you want to connect with by publishing your articles. (It may not be your clients!)
- Determine how broad an audience you want to reach and whether the best way to do so is to write for one or many publications.
- Specify how often you want to write articles for publication and how this new initiative will fit into your existing content marketing strategy.
Module 2: Create your editorial calendar
One of the most common challenges experts have when writing articles for publication is knowing what to write about next. Some experts have so many ideas that it’s hard to choose one. Others run out of ideas after writing six articles. Regardless of which camp you fit into, having an editorial calendar (with some built-in flexibility) will help.
In this module, you’ll:
In this module, you’ll:
- Define your BIG idea — your bold, insightful, and galvanizing idea — upon which you will build your reputation as an authority.
- Identify the significant themes encapsulated by your BIG idea, and determine how each theme is relevant to your audience.
- Brainstorm questions your audience asks, challenges your audience faces, and actions your audience can take to address each theme.
- Develop 12 article ideas, including a working title and objective.
- Review your editorial calendar and determine the order in which to write the articles.
Module 3: Evaluate third-party publications
Before writing articles for publication, you have to choose a publication. Not every publication will help you achieve your goals, and some may not fit your brand. Every publication has a unique personality and differing requirements for contributed content.
In this module, you’ll:
In this module, you’ll:
- Revisit your publication roadmap and make any updates you feel are necessary before choosing a publication strategy that will help you achieve your goals.
- Select publications from a list of business magazines and conduct additional research to compile a list of publications that will help you achieve your goals.
- Evaluate each publication against your roadmap to prepare a shortlist of options for further consideration.
- Review each publication on your shortlist to determine whether the publication’s style fits you and your brand; select up to 10 target publications.
- Commit to pitching your ideas to one specific publication.
Module 4: Make the case
Gather all of the pieces together and do the research so you can make the case to your first-choice publication that your contributions are valuable. Because every publication has different requirements, you will want to take the time to get to know the publication before presenting your ideas.
In this module, you’ll:
In this module, you’ll:
- Get to know your first-choice publication by reading past issues, subscribing to the publication and its newsletter, and reviewing their contributor guidelines.
- Start updating your editorial calendar based on what you learn.
- Craft multiple versions of your contributor bio, including one tailored to the requirements of your first-choice publication.
- Select three writing samples to provide to your first-choice publication.
- Read as many articles as possible about the areas of your subject-matter expertise so you can identify the gaps in the conversation and explain why you will bring new insights to the publication’s readers.
Module 5: Structure your articles
How should you structure an article for publication? Understanding how articles are structured makes the writing process faster and easier.
In this module, you’ll:
In this module, you’ll:
- Learn how different types of articles are structured and study the structure of articles that appear on the homepage of your selected publication’s website.
- Write compelling headlines that get your readers’ attention — including the editors at the publication.
- Discover how the headline, deck, and lede work together to set the stage for your article.
- Learn how to align your writing to each publication’s voice and style.
- Review your three writing samples and tailor them to your first-choice publication.
Module 6: Write and Edit your articles
Writers write (and edit). If you want to write articles for publication, you need to become a writer. In this module, you will learn why writing is such a powerful practice and how to write and edit articles for publication by actually doing it!
In this module, you’ll:
In this module, you’ll:
- Commit to your writing practice by understanding its power and carving out time to practice every week.
- Discover how to wrestle the writing dragon, so you don’t get into a staring contest with the blank page. (The blank page always wins. Always.)
- Experience why writing the first draft of your article as quickly as possible makes it easier to get your ideas out of your head and onto the page.
- Revise your first draft using our proprietary CORD framework.
- Learn how to become a more effective self-editor.
Module 7: pitch your targeted publication
Learn how to pitch your first-choice publication, when to follow up, and how to move forward — regardless of whether your pitch is accepted or rejected.
In this module, you’ll:
In this module, you’ll:
- Learn why it’s vital that you follow a publication’s pitch guidelines.
- Craft and submit your pitch to your first-choice publication in a way that makes it clear that you are precisely whom the publication’s readers need to hear from next.
- Discover when and how to follow up with the editorial team.
- Decide what steps to take if your pitch is accepted.
- Determine what it means if your pitch is rejected and the steps to take next to get you published.
Module 8: Accelerate Your authority
Your work doesn’t end once your first article is published! In this module, you’ll learn how to make the most of every published piece to open the doors to new opportunities.
In this module, you’ll:
In this module, you’ll:
- Review the goals in your publication roadmap (and update them if necessary), so you can determine how to use your published articles to achieve those goals.
- Learn how to repurpose your articles to maximize the benefits you realize from each piece of writing.
- Discover how to use your articles to foster relationships with your editor, clients, prospective clients, partners, and industry influencers.
- Use the Ladder Up method to create a plan to approach top media outlets with credibility and confidence.
- Develop a set of criteria to evaluate experts who request an introduction to your editor or pitch you to interview them for your column.
