Free business writing courses? It’s just an email, you think. These planning documents will be seen by only core employees, you think. I’m no writer anyway. What does it matter?
Today, head Zao525 copywriter, Kelsey, takes over our blog once again this time to share with you two free business writing courses she thinks could transform your internal and external written business communications from so-so to clear, concise and connecting.
Hello again, fellow worker bees! You may already be thinking up reasons for why business writing isn’t your thing.
I’m not a writer. No one expects me to be a writer. I’ll never be good at writing.
I worked as a copy editor at an advertising agency for a few years, and I heard a spectrum of excuses from all walks of people in all types of positions. Some people didn’t think writing was important. Others didn’t understand why some writing rules mattered. Others declared to me that they were not and never would be a good writer.
I’ll tell you what I told them: Everyone is a writer in today’s modern business environment. And writing matters.
Along those same lines, basic writing rules matter too. I know, rules usually stink. I have a nine-month-old infant and already loathe the day when I’ll answer his protests to “Because those are the rules, sweet child!” (Maybe I won’t include the sweet child, but I can dream, right?)
Lucky for you, better business writing has easy-to-follow rules you probably already know — and rules that if implemented will make a difference in how your communications are received and the impact they have on your career, your organization and your goals.
Better business writing can:
- Help you communicate in a clearer, more concise way.
- Better engage your peers, your superiors and your customers.
- Impact your business’ bottom line by spurring others to action or interaction.
- Bring attention to your ideas and intellect — not your errors.
- Connect you to others and invite further communication, not miscommunication.
And the list could go on for pages. Instead of telling you why business writing is so important, I invite you to explore a couple free business writing courses, available online, to improve your skills. After you’ve taken the courses, you’re sure to experience the benefits firsthand.
Basic Business Writing Course
In the modern business world, you’re expected to write countless communications each day, often within a short timeframe. From emails to inquiries and proposals to pitches, your writing skills need to be up to snuff to serve your career and the organization for which you work. This free online business writing course could be your golden ticket to easier, clearer and more-effective writing.
Fundamentals of Business Writing
On Alison, you can spend just two to three hours for a career worth of better business writing. The course outlines the basics of business writing and touches on writing clearer and more effectively, especially for business letters. You’ll come away with the confidence to write an array of business communications.
Advanced Business Writing Course
If you have the basics of business writing down, awesome! Maybe you wish your ideas were better heard, though. Or maybe you wonder why your business pitches always fall through or your emails go unanswered. Explore this next course for techniques for writing with a purpose — and seeing results.
High-Impact Business Writing
From Couresa, this free-for-a-short-time business writing course takes you through a four- to eight-hour program. The sections include “Introduction to Business Writing,” “Spelling, Grammar, Sentence and Paragraphs,” “Document Types and Their Considerations” and “Finalizing Formal Document, Informal Written Communication and Social Media.”
Both of these business writing courses take such a small amount of time out of the overall grand scheme of your career, there are few excuses for passing them up. Whether or not you consider yourself a writer, let’s all push for better business writing!
BONUS BOOK!
It’s not free, but its value is well worth its cost. Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by content marketing aficionado Ann Handley is the perfect resource for anyone and everyone in the business world. As the website states: “Our writing can make us look smart or it can make us look stupid. It can make us seem fun, or warm, or competent, or trustworthy—or it can make us seem humdrum or discombobulated or flat-out boring.” This book helps you, professional writer or not, learn how to craft copy with personality and to connect with your audience.
After you check out the free courses, let us know what you learn on Facebook or Twitter — or better yet, share with us any other free (or paid) business writing courses you’ve found valuable!
Just keep learning!
