Advanced Writing Certificate Course

Advanced Writing
Certificate Course

Unleash your words. Master your impact.
Virtual Training
9/12, 9/19, 9/26 1-3 p.m. ET
(three consecutive sessions)

Register for this immersive three-part certificate series to become a better, more inclusive writer and enhance your writing skills with AI.

Corporate Communications • Internal Communications • Executive Communications • HR Communications • Corporate Culture • Employee Engagement • Human Resources

This writing course will address the ongoing challenges you face as a communicator by equipping you with advanced techniques, inclusive storytelling skills, and the knowledge to leverage AI. You'll gain the ability to craft impactful, persuasive content that resonates with diverse audiences and helps you achieve your communication goals.

Get ready to embark on a transformative journey that will help you unlock the power of words and master advanced writing techniques, register now.

CLASSROOM MATERIALS

  • Reading List for Strategic Communications Writers
  • Clear and Concise Technical Writing Guide
  • Why and How to Create an In-House Style Guide
  • Inclusive Language Checklist
  • The Art of Storytelling
  • Checklist: Apps and Tools to Help Writers
EXCLUSIVE FOR ATTENDEES

CLASSROOM MATERIALS (Exclusive for Attendees):

  • The Ultimate Guide to AI Marketing
  • The AI Terms Cheat Sheet for Marketers and Communicators
  • AI for Content Marketing: The Blueprint
  • AI Trends in Marketing Communications: The Complete Evolution
  • How AI Advances Affect Email Tactics

AGENDA

Week 1: Advanced Writing Techniques
Sept. 12, 1-3 p.m. ET
Write and Think Like a Reporter to Craft Impactful Communication

The ability to craft impactful messages is more crucial than ever. Unfortunately, many strategies fall short due to unclear and poorly written communications. In this advanced session, we'll unveil the power of thinking like a reporter in delivering information effectively. By adopting a reporter’s mindset, you'll learn how to craft content that captivates your audience right from the very first sentence. You’ll learn:

  • Fundamentals Refresh:
    • Overlooked techniques to write simpler, more direct sentences that propel readers.
    • Smart, quick and impactful ways to gather and structure information.
  • Writing with Impact: Dive into the heart of effective communication as we teach you to craft messages that resonate deeply with your audience.
  • Thinking Like a Reporter: Unlock the secrets of thinking like a reporter to ensure your content captivates from the very first sentence.
  • Crafting Compelling Content: Learn how to engage your audience with storytelling techniques that make your content unforgettable.
  • From Questions to Answers: Tips to turn vague responses into valuable insights that enhance your storytelling.
  • Bridging the Gap: Discover how to seamlessly integrate your newfound skills into your communication strategy, ensuring your message achieves the desired results.
Co-Founder and Senior Partner
RCG
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Week 2: Storytelling with an Inclusive Lens
Sept. 19, 1-3 p.m. ET
The Art and Science of Crafting More Convincing, Creative and Inclusive Copy

This session tackles the ongoing challenge you face in writing copy that not only authentically represents diverse perspectives and fosters inclusivity but also ensures effective communication and connection with a wide range of audiences. We’ll delve into tactics for crafting content that captivates readers, equipping you with the skills to apply these techniques to various common communication documents.

You’ll learn:

  • The Power of Inclusive Storytelling: Explore how inclusive storytelling enhances the effectiveness of communication and connects with diverse audiences on a deeper level.
  • How to Craft Authentic and Inclusive Narratives: Learn techniques to represent diverse perspectives, experiences, and cultures in your storytelling, which fosters inclusivity and resonates with a wide range of readers.
  • Captivate Readers through Creative Writing: Discover creative writing techniques that captivate and engage readers, allowing your content to leave a lasting impact and create meaningful connections.
  • Monitor Language and Tone for Inclusivity: Explore the use of inclusive language, tone, and messaging to create a welcoming and inclusive environment within your written communication.
  • Applying Inclusive Techniques to Common Communication Documents: Gain practical skills in applying inclusive storytelling techniques to various communication documents.

Light Homework:

  • List three different audiences you commonly engage through your writing. For each, describe what they most need, want, and value from your copy.
Teaching Professor of Writing
University of Denver
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Director of Product Marketing
Cohere Health
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U.S. Communications Director
Takeda
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Week 3: Mastering AI Writing
Sept. 26, 1-3 p.m. ET
AI Writing Fundamentals and Optimizing Content Creation

In this session, you’ll acquire a solid foundation in using AI tools to optimize your writing and creative process as well as build strategies for the dynamic digital communication landscape. Here you will also learn how to use AI to build impactful communication and marketing to reach and grow your audience. Designed to equip you with actionable knowledge and skills in harnessing the power of AI, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of the present and future of AI in media and other fields. Some of what we will cover include:

  • Fundamental AI Writing Concepts and Principles: Best practices for using AI to enhance productivity, efficiency, and creativity in your writing workflow.
  • AI-Powered Prompt Optimization Genius: Create the best, most targeted prompts Discover the power of AI for prompt writing to generate creative, efficient, and engaging content.
  • Aligning AI Across Audiences: How to use AI in personalized and targeted communication, enabling you to tailor your message to specific audiences.
  • Ethical Considerations: Awareness of guardrails and restrictions of using when using AI in content creation. writing and ensuring responsible and unbiased content generation.
  • Editing Hacks: Explore AI-powered editing and proofreading tools to improve the quality and accuracy of your written content.
Senior Creative Strategist
CNN
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Teaching Professor of Writing
University of Denver
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TRAINERS

Samantha Rideout

Director of Product MarketingCohere Health

Samantha Rideout is a strategic marketing leader passionate about telling the story of influential and emerging brands. Her years of marketing leadership span Fortune 500, Inc. 5000 fastest-growing, national media, and innovative tech brands. She is currently the product marketing lead at a Series B health tech startup, Cohere Health. Rideout has a master’s in public relations and has been published by PR Daily, MarketingProfs, PR News, the University of Edinburgh Press, the American Marketing Association, and more.

Vanessa Charles

U.S. Communications Director Takeda

Vanessa Charles is a storyteller, trusted strategic communications advisor and global employee campaign whisperer. She is the director of U.S. regional communications for Takeda, a Japan-based biopharmaceutical company. As communications director for the U.S. region, Charles leads several of the company's core strategic communications efforts including Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and social justice. A former crime reporter, Charles is a seasoned content strategist and has held various communications roles in organizations across industries that include energy, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and government (cabinet-level state and Native American tribal). She holds a bachelor's in journalism and a master's in mass communications.

Jim Ylisela

Co-Founder and Senior PartnerRCG

Jim Ylisela is co-founder and senior partner of RCG. He is an award-winning veteran Chicago journalist and a former publisher of Ragan.com. He brings more than 30 years of experience in writing, editing, communications research and consulting. Ylisela has designed and organized newsrooms for many companies and organizations, including Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where he served as a faculty member and co-director of Medill News Service from 1988 to 2001. He works with communicators to create brand journalism news sites, organize and train writers and editors and restore reporting (and creative storytelling) to internal and external communications.

Heather Martin

Teaching Professor of WritingUniversity of Denver

As a writer, professor, and coach, Dr. Heather Martin has spent the last two decades helping individuals harness the power of writing to advance their careers and live more intentional lives. Martin teaches writing, directs the First-Year Seminar Program, and leads faculty mentoring initiatives at the University of Denver. In addition to her work at the University, Martin offers writing consultations, talks, and workshops to organizations across sectors including the Colorado Career Development Association, the Society for Human Resource Management, Adamantine Energy, and the National Groundwater Association, among many others.

Erik Rhey

Senior Creative Strategist CNN

Erik Rhey is a journalist, editor, and senior creative strategist for CNN’s Courageous Studios (part of Warner Bros. Discovery). He develops sponsored short-form documentaries, articles, digital interactives, and podcasts for global distribution across WBD’s networks. Rhey also leads a team of writers and strategists who bring hundreds of ideas and pitches to life each year, most of them based on extensive research and real-life stories. He has developed curriculum and taught writing and digital journalism at NYU, Hunter College, and UCLA. 

 


COURSE MODERATOR

Isis Simpson-Mersha

Reporter/Conference ProducerRagan Communications

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer and reporter at Ragan Communications where she writes content for Ragan.com and PR Daily.com. She also produces conferences (live and virtual), workshops, boot camps and webinars with strategic content. Before joining the Ragan team, Simpson-Mersha worked for MLive as a digital and newspaper journalist, reporting on communities and businesses and other topics in mid-Michigan. She also worked as a radio news producer and host at NPR member station, WCMU Public Radio during her time at Central Michigan University.

Top skills you’ll master upon completion:

  • Effective Communication Solutions: Strategies to overcome common communication challenges and gain practical solutions to enhance your effectiveness.
  • AI-Driven Creativity: How to masterfully use AI to help generate ideas and better writing prompts to write quicker and create engaging content.
  • Authentic Inclusive Narratives: Ways to craft authentic and inclusive narratives that represent diverse perspectives and experiences.
  • Precision Enhancement Tactics: Tactics to enhance the precision and clarity of your writing, ensuring messages are easily understood.
  • Editing Hacks: Explore AI-powered editing and proofreading tools to improve the quality and accuracy of your written content.
  • Captivating Storytelling: How to capture your audience with storytelling to create a lasting connection through the power of words and emotions.
  • Inspiring Action through Impactful Communication: How to create impactful communication that resonates and inspires action.
  • Sensitive Subjects Mastery: Strategies for writing and communicating about sensitive subjects, such as change management, mental health and wellbeing, and CSR.

 

Top reasons to attend this virtual course

  • You’ll listen to the nation’s top writing experts and instructors.
  • You’ll receive a certificate of completion, all presentations and handouts.
  • You’re guaranteed extensive, how-to instruction you can use immediately.

Secure your seat today for this renowned writing course offered by Ragan and PR Daily, and become the writing expert you have dreamed of being!

Regular Rate
$1099

Ragan Insider Member
$999

(Not an Insider? You can become one when registering!)

Nonprofit/Gov
$949

REGISTER NOW

Phone registrations and group pricing: For group orders please contact our customer service team at 800-878-5331 or cservice@ragan.com

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If you can’t attend one or more of the sessions live, you will receive the on-demand versions to complete the course.
Advanced Writing Certificate Course Unleash your words. Master your impact. Certificate

Get Recognized!

This advanced writer’s course is designed to help you enhance your writing skills (your skills … not ChatGPT) 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!

REGISTER NOW

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

PRESENTED BY

CONTACT

REGISTRATION

For questions related to event registrations, please contact:
Shallon Blackburn
Customer Service & Sales Manager

 

SPONSORSHIP

Want to become a sponsor? Get in touch with our team to discuss sponsorship opportunities. Let's Partner!

 

PROGRAM

For information on programming and speakers, please contact:
Joyceann Garippa
Head of Content