Writing Certificate Course


May 6, 13 & 20 1-3 p.m. ET
Two consecutive modules and office hours

Learn how to write for attention, discovery and trust in an AI-powered world.

Channels are multiplying, AI is reshaping how content is produced, and media is shifting underfoot. The one constant, whether you’re an internal communicator, a PR maven, or a senior executive: writing. Knowing how to write effectively and authentically for the right audience is the universal skill that determines whether messages are seen, trusted and believed.

Ragan’s three-part writing certificate course is built for communicators navigating today’s challenges: how to stand out in a sea of content, write for GEO discovery and short attention spans, and how to use AI as a strategic partner without losing voice or credibility.

Join us where you’ll learn how to structure messages so they surface in feeds and search, write clearly for skimming audiences and sharpen your metaphorical pen. You’ll follow along with two modules paired with real-world case studies and our third module will allow you to put your training into practice with live feedback from experts. 

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You’ll learn how to:

  • Craft clear, credible messages that hold up during change, uncertainty and crisis.
  • Advance your brand storytelling in a noisy, fragmented environment.
  • Write concise, high-impact copy that works across newsletters, social, internal updates, executive communications and AI-surfaced content.
  • Work with AI to develop a voice that scales across channels without losing human authenticity.
  • Engage audiences quickly with messaging designed for short attention spans and algorithm-driven discovery.
  • Build confidence, visibility and career momentum by strengthening one of the most in-demand skills in communications.

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:
May 6, 1-3 p.m. ET
Writing for the Algorithm and Busy Audiences

In a world of feeds, generative search and hyper-targeted audiences, strong ideas fail if they aren’t written clearly and concisely. In this module, you’ll learn how to write messages that work for both humans and AI algorithms so content lands fast, ranks well and scales across channels. The focus is on structuring and framing ideas for moments when audiences see only a subject line, pull quote or snippet before deciding to engage. You’ll learn how to:

  • Design for Discovery: How to organize content so the main point is obvious at a glance, easy to skim, and easy for search tools and AI to surface and reuse.
  • Write for Skimmers: Use short sentences, plain language, strong leads, bullets and white space to reduce cognitive load and make complex ideas feel simple and usable.
  • LLM-Friendly Prose: The formats and venues that AI prefers, and how to seed your stories using press releases on LLM-friendly platforms.
  • Build a POV that Travels: Ways to define a distinct point of view and use repeatable story frameworks that adapt cleanly across PR, internal communications, social and executive platforms.
  • Equip Leaders as Editors-in-Chief: The executives language guides that work, including review workflows.
  • Light Homework: Rewrite one real piece of content (email, post, announcement or memo) using a scannable structure. 
GUEST PRESENTER
Corporate Communications Director
CBRE
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GUEST PRESENTER
Professor in Strategic Communications
The University of Louisville
Read bio
Week 2:
May 13, 1-3 p.m. ET
Writing With AI Without Losing Your Voice

AI can generate words in seconds, but credibility, clarity and judgment still belong to humans. Communicators stand out by shaping AI output into messages that sound like real leaders, reflect lived experience and hold up under scrutiny. In this module, you’ll learn how to turn AI from a generic content engine into a strategic co-writer while protecting voice, trust and accountability. You’ll learn how to:

  • Build Smarter AI Workflows: How to create prompt templates and review checkpoints so drafts are accurate, on brand and ready for real-world use.
  • Inject Human Voice and POV: Ways to layer in lived experience, narrative judgment and brand tone so content naturally sounds like your organization, not a chatbot.
  • Guard against Machine-Speed Mistakes: Tips to spot common AI risks, verify facts and set clear red lines where human review is required.
  • Thought Leadership That Works: How to inject authenticity into every communication, even if you’re ghostwriting the blog post or opt-ed.  
  • Town Hall Script Redo: The prompts to use to improve a town hall script – plus a before-and-after example. 
  • Write with Transparency and Trust: Learn how to craft clear, confidence-building messages that explain how AI is used and where human accountability lives.
  • Brand Storytelling Case Study: How one organization reimagined their internal newsletter by thinking purpose-first – and the four elements they focused on to craft impactful company narratives.
  • Light Homework: Create one reusable AI prompt template for a common task. We’ll review together in the final module.
GUEST PRESENTER
External Communications Manager
Cisco
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Dr. Karen Lindsey
GUEST PRESENTER
Assistant Professor of Strategic Communications
Elon University
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GUEST PRESENTER
Professor in Strategic Communications
The University of Louisville
Read bio
Week 3:
May 20, 1-3 p.m. ET
Office Hours: Live Feedback and Q&A

In this final module, join the office hours session for a chance to connect, ask questions and get hands-on support from the instructor, applying what you learned in the previous weeks. Come prepared with your homework from weeks one and two, or bring real examples, rough drafts or AI-assisted content. We’ll offer breakout groups for feedback, troubleshooting and guidance. During office hours, you’ll receive:

  • Live Feedback and Coaching: Bring your homework from the previous two sessions, or other drafts and prompts. You can obtain help refining structure, clarity, voice and AI workflows.
  • Ask Real-World Questions: Troubleshoot challenges, pressure-test ideas and learn how peers are adapting these skills across channels and teams.
GUEST PRESENTER
Professor in Strategic Communications
The University of Louisville
Read bio

BONUS MATERIALS

  • Clear and Concise Writing Guide
  • Concise Writing Guide
  • Compelling Writing Checklist

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PRESENTERS

GUEST PRESENTER
Corporate Communications Director
CBRE
Read bio
Dr. Karen Lindsey
GUEST PRESENTER
Assistant Professor of Strategic Communications
Elon University
Read bio
GUEST PRESENTER
Professor in Strategic Communications
The University of Louisville
Read bio
GUEST PRESENTER
External Communications Manager
Cisco
Read bio

Course Moderator: Isis Simpson-Mersha, Reporter/Conference Producer, Ragan Communications READ BIO

Top skills you’ll master:

  • Strategic Brevity: Tips to craft impactful short-form writing for a decreasing attention span world - without sacrificing substance.
  • Prompt and Workflow Design: How to build reusable AI prompts and review checkpoints that improve speed without sacrificing accuracy, tone or brand integrity.
  • Trust-centered Writing in an AI era: Write transparent, credible messages that explain AI use, manage risk and reinforce accountability when audiences are skeptical.
  • GEO Search FAQ: How to prep content for AI search, and the formats and sources each LLM model prefers.
  • Scannable Writing: What audiences actually read today, and how to write for it: skimmable subject lines, snippets and bullets.
  • Write Like a Journalist: Powerful techniques for crafting credible, yet compelling headlines, subject lines, teasers and leads.
  • AI-Driven Creativity: How to masterfully use AI to help generate ideas and use it as an editing tool.
  • Channel-adaptive Storytelling: Shape one core message so it works cleanly across PR, internal communications, social, executive platforms and emerging channels.
  • 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!

Early Bird Regular Rate
Certificate Course Registration $1,499 $1,699
Ragan Insider $1,399 $1,599
Nonprofit/Gov/Edu $1,349 $1,549

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:

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WONDERING IF YOU SHOULD ATTEND?

Here’s what past attendees say about the Writing Certificate Course!

Writing Certificate Course Certificate

Get Recognized!

This three-part writing certificate course will help you craft clear, credible messages that stand out in today’s AI-driven, fast-moving media landscape. You’ll learn to write concise, high-impact content for discovery, trust and short attention spans—while using AI strategically without losing your authentic voice. Complete the program and earn your Certificate of Completion!

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HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?