Writing Certificate Course
April 16, 23, & 30 • 1-3 p.m. ET
Three consecutive modules
Register for this dynamic three-part certificate series to refine core writing competencies, unlock critical AI editing skills, and become a faster, more creative and persuasive writer.
The most fundamental skill a communicator can possess is writing. It's the tool we use to craft narratives, shape perceptions, and build bridges between brands and audiences. Whether you're penning a press release, drafting a crisis statement, or composing a LinkedIn post, your ability to wield words with precision and impact can make or break your career. Simply put, exceptional writing skills are not just an asset, they are essential.
In this three-part online course, expert instructors will help you polish your writing skills and prepare you for the next stage of your writing journey. You'll learn how to tailor your writing for different platforms and audiences – and make it more compelling and persuasive. Plus, we'll share a framework for AI-assisted editing, giving you the critical tools you need to polish your work while maintaining your unique voice. Get ready to elevate your writing from good to great.
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You’ll learn how to:
- Articulate authentic and resonant messages in times of change and crisis.
- Compose concise copy for newsletters, blog posts, thought leadership and more.
- Develop a unique voice and storytelling skills.
- Engage and inspire audiences through top-notch messaging.
- Boost confidence and level up your career.
CURRICULUM
Hone your writing skills in just a few short weeks. You’ll receive assignments, a certificate of completion and a writing style guide you can tailor to your organization.
Week 1
April 16, 2025, 1-3 p.m. ET
Writing That Works: Core Fundamentals
Great writing isn't about fancy words - it's about moving people to think, feel, or act. Whether you're crafting internal memos that energize employees, brand guides, marketing copy, or press releases that grab headlines, this session strips away the fluff and focuses on what works now. These are the essentials that make your writing effective, clear, and concise.
- Fundamentals Revisited: Overlooked techniques to choose precise words and write simpler, more direct sentences that propel readers.
- Storytelling Basics: From summaries to dramatic scene narratives, and when to use each.
- Write to Your Audience: How to identify and write to audiences’ needs so you get more eyeballs on your writing, no matter the medium.
- Content that Connects: A mini playbook for developing blog posts, newsletters, social media copy and other critical work.
- Story Surgery: Tips to turn messaging or news announcements into clear, compelling narratives.
- Power Editing: Guidelines to transform corporate jargon into language that moves people.
Light Homework:
- Develop five new rules to add to your personal editing guide.
Week 2
April 23, 2025, 1-3 p.m. ET
Strategic Story Architecture
In this session, we'll crack open how top communicators build narrative frameworks that maintain their power whether they're landing in a journalist's inbox, an executive's speech, or a social campaign. You'll learn the practical tools for building stories that scale, adapt and resonate.
- Core Story Mining: A practical guide to identify the human element that makes tech announcements newsworthy, employee initiatives shareable, and corporate milestones meaningful.
- Narrative Flexibility: Discover how to build a story framework that works across channels - from turning product launches into thought leadership pieces, or corporate news into engaging social content.
- Strategic Hooks: Techniques for identifying multiple entry points for your story. Learn how one sustainability initiative can hook business media, engage employees, attract talent, and build brand love - all while maintaining message consistency.
- Case Study Breakout: Real industry examples to show you how to transform one core narrative into multiple compelling angles.
Light Homework:
- Take your current project. In 5 minutes, write the same story three different ways: a headline for news media, an employee email subject line, and a social post. This exercise will help you see the same story through different lenses.
Week 3
April 30, 2025, 1-3 p.m. ET
AI + You: Writing & Editing for Your Best Copy
AI is changing how we write and edit. For communications teams facing faster deadlines and higher content demands, AI can be either a powerful ally or a creativity killer. In this session, you'll learn how leading brands use ChatGPT and Claude to enhance their writing process, while tools like Grammarly Business ensure your voice stays authentic and strategic.
- Fundamental AI Strategies and Principles: Best practices for implementing AI for productivity, efficiency, and creativity in your writing workflow.
- Speed Without Sacrifice: Maintain message quality while meeting tight deadlines and leverage AI for the final touches like headlines and SEO.
- Protect Your Voice: How to keep authenticity while leveraging AI tools. Tips to craft your own checklist to make sure you’re seamlessly marrying the machine’s mélange and your voice for a perfect production.
- Edit. Edit. Edit: Don't forget the final step of your writing process when using AI. Add the magic back in, which is your original thoughts. We’ll cover cutting out cliches, fluff, tone adjustment and fact-checking.
BONUS MATERIALS
- The inclusive language checklist
- Clear and Concise Technical Writing Guide
- Checklist: Apps and tools to help writers
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PRESENTERS
Speakers will be announced soon.
Course Moderator: Isis Simpson-Mersha, Reporter/Conference Producer, Ragan Communications
READ BIO
Top 8 skills you’ll master:
- Persuasive Writing: How to craft messaging that resonates with readers and inspires action.
- Write Like a Journalist: Powerful techniques for crafting credible, yet compelling headlines, subject lines, teasers and leads.
- Strategic Brevity: Tips to craft impactful short-form writing for a decreasing attention span world - without sacrificing substance.
- AI-Driven Creativity: How to masterfully use AI to help generate ideas and use it as a first draft.
- Multi-Platform Storytelling: Create content that seamlessly adapts across platforms - from LinkedIn thought pieces to TikTok scripts - without losing impact or message integrity.
- Manage Change through Communication: Strategies for creating, controlling, and adapting to change in organizations and groups, and how to deal with transformations through effective communication.
- Executive Voice Architecture: Craft authentic leadership narratives that cut through the noise and establish genuine thought leadership (beyond LinkedIn broetry).
- The Oops Checklist: The biggest grammatical, stylistic and strategic writing mistakes communicators make — and how to avoid them.
Top reasons to attend this virtual course
- You’ll learn from the nation’s top writing experts and instructors.
- You’ll receive a certificate of completion, plus all presentations and handouts.
- You’re guaranteed extensive, how-to instruction you can use immediately.
Secure your seat today for this exclusive writing course offered by Ragan and PR Daily, and become the writing expert you dream of being!
Ragan Insider Member
$1199
Group pricing for 3 or more is available when going through the registration process!
If you can’t attend one or more of the modules live, you will receive the on-demand versions to complete the course.
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WHO ATTENDS
Communications and marketing professionals from these organizations have earned certificates:
WONDERING IF YOU SHOULD ATTEND?
Here’s what past attendees say about the Writing Certificate Course!
I thoroughly enjoyed this three-day course. It went so quickly! Jam-packed with insightful nuggets and useful resources. Great instructors, content packaged in a useful way. Will be back for more courses!
I always make an effort to attend Ragan events and webinars because I know they will be worth the money and time.
It's hard to find good writing workshops. This course was an excellent review of the best business writing concepts and provided lots of good information on how to make your business writing entertaining.
Even after years of writing experience, in print and as a communications professional, I still learned new techniques.
Ragan is committed to bringing the most current best practices to communicators. They fold Generative AI into their workshops seamlessly and tie it back to real-world communications deliverables and storytelling.
The content was very engaging, and the speakers provided valuable insights that I could take from class directly to my work!
Get Recognized!
This writer’s course is designed to help you enhance your writing skills and compose memorable messaging that engages and inspires your audience — so that you get the results and recognition you deserve, along with the Certificate of Completion!
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