Words that Win: Advanced Writing in the AI Age
- Captivating copy
- Superior storytelling
- AI prompt fluency
- AI SEO/GEO
- Faster turnaround
- Streamlined workflows
- Improved creativity
- Higher engagement
- Greater trust
- Measurable ROI
The rules of writing have changed—and stayed the same.
Seventy-six percent of communicators say writing and editing remain a top skill they must sharpen—and nearly 70% expect AI to dramatically transform their roles in the next three years (Ragan, HarrisX).
Meanwhile, 75% of employees worldwide are using AI at work in some capacity (CFO) and 70% are using AI for employee comms efforts (Missouri School of Journalism). Upshot: AI usage is normalized now in the workplace—and if you’re merely churning content as a writer, the robots will outrun you.
REGISTER now for an info-packed afternoon that gives you keys to turning your craft into a strategic superpower that AI can’t match—upgrading you from content pump to trusted advisor with copy that moves hearts, minds and KPIs. Attendees will learn from editors, journalists, comms practitioners and more how to master objective and persuasive storytelling techniques, as well as how to structure narratives for clarity and punch. You’ll walk away with a year-long replay and SCRIBE, our 2026 writing mastery framework to help you turn words into wins.
- Strategy – Shape copy that ladders up to KPIs and business goals.
- Creativity – Spark fresh ideas and beat writer’s block on demand.
- Resonance – Hit emotional hot buttons with audience-first voice and tone.
- Intelligence – Use data + AI to inform decisions, sharpen targeting and prove impact.
- Business Alignment – Earn a seat at the table as a consultative partner, not an order-taker.
- Efficiency – Streamline workflows, edits, approvals to post fast without sacrificing quality.
Agenda
Join us for a fast welcome as we share how the rules of writing have changed—and how a SCRIBE approach to writing will help your teams reskill and stay relevant in the AI age.
Hallucinations, half-truths and headline bait—AI churns out copy at warp speed. But 60% of communicators still spot factual errors in its first drafts (PRSA). The fix? Re-grounding your team in newsroom tenets that never age—principles that also sharpen writing skills. This opener reveals where LLMs miss on accuracy, attribution and nuance—then shows you how to layer journalistic, human rigor on top of AI for authentic copy that captivates and converts. You’ll learn:
- Tenet tune-up: How to apply timeless news values (timeliness, proximity, impact, prominence, novelty, etc.) to everything you write so you captivate busy readers on any channel.
- Fact-first filters: How to build in fast QC loops and AI guardrails that catch errors, hallucinations, stylistic issues and more before you rewrite, iterate or hit “publish.”
- Hot headlines: Proven formulas and new tips to craft irresistible headlines for everything you touch, from articles and blog posts to press releases and emails.
- Bold, blooper-free writing: How to craft clear, concise, colorful prose—and deploy quick tools to spot grammar or style gaffes before your audience does.
- Voice and emotional hooks: How to write in a distinctive voice that aligns with brand tone and taps emotional hot buttons to move hearts, minds and KPIs.
Order takers won’t cut it in 2026. Leaders want copy that advances strategy, answers audience pain points and earns space on their measurement dashboards. This session shows how to decode the numbers behind your organization and then weave them—plus a dash of reader psychology—into crisp, persuasive messages that drive engagement, sales and even policy shifts while proving ROI for your efforts in black and white. You’ll learn:
- Business fluency: How to pinpoint P&L drivers, OKRs and stakeholder priorities so every sentence ladders back up to what your business really measures (and values).
- Metric mapping: How to link headlines, leads and CTAs back to concrete KPIs using simple worksheets your execs can scan in seconds.
- Extracting insights: How to mine dashboards and data for angles that spotlight reader pain points and sharpen narrative focus in everything you write.
- Persuasion psychology: How to apply behavioral triggers and “Smart Brevity” principles to keep your copy tight, credible and action oriented.
- CTAs and beyond: How to craft killer “close the loop copy”—including asks, next steps and compelling CTAs—that drives measurement and makes your impact impossible to miss.
Prompt engineering is yesterday’s buzz phrase—and prompt fluency is today’s upskilling essential. As AI platforms and interfaces evolve weekly, writers who master a WRITE → REVISE → REFINE loop will outpace the bots (and competitors) while keeping brand voice and compliance intact. This session shows how to frame, iterate and safeguard prompts to triple ideation speed, cut polish time and deliver copy that sticks to strategy—all in under 30 minutes. You’ll learn:
- Top prompt frameworks: How to become fluent with CREATE, RACE and other prompting acronyms to steer AI like a seasoned editor.
- Iterative loops: How to apply WRITE → REVISE → REFINE to cut concept-to-can time by up to 70% (we’ll do this together with a quick in-session exercise).
- Voice and style: How to feed brand tone, style and audience cues into your AI so first drafts sound authentically “you.”
- Guardrails vs fails: How to build accuracy checks, source asks and policy filters into every prompt to curb hallucinations, ethics missteps and more.
- Prompt pantry: How to assemble a reusable library mapped to channels, goals and KPIs (and, yes, we’ll swap top prompts with your peers for inspiration!).
Writing isn’t a tactic—it’s the strategic infrastructure that decides whether ideas surface wherever work happens. Take search, for example. Google’s AI Overviews just cut #1 organic clicks from 7.3% to 2.6%, and nearly 70% of Fortune 500 firms already lean on Copilot to answer employee Qs (“Fast Track Blog”). Learn how merging classic SEO with GEO signals lets your copy feed external and internal AI, so your messages steer both customer and employee journeys. We’ll cover:
- GEO content audit: How to pinpoint gaps in SERPs and internal search by scanning schema, duplicate pages and unanswered queries.
- Cluster and entity mapping: How to use GenAI and Search Console to surface question clusters, geo modifiers and key entities—then slot them into your editorial calendar.
- Answer-ready copy: How to craft 35-word TL;DRs, scannable H2s and inline cites that feed AI Overviews—while still enticing humans to click.
- AI boosts: How to tag intranet, SharePoint and even Teams posts so Copilot and Gemini pull them into chat, search and recap transcripts.
- Measurement matters: How to track impressions, clicks and Copilot retrievals to prove your GEO initiatives boost reach, engagement and time saved.
Deadline whiplash is real—Slack pings, exec redlines and same-day publish dates leave writers little room for polish. Yet a single typo can crater your credibility. This quick sprint hands you an easy five-step editing workflow that blends classic self-editing with AI copilots so every memo, blog or even Teams post is spotless—and you scan still clock out on time. You’ll learn how to proof fast, preserve your voice and hardwire quality into every piece of content you touch. We’ll cover:
- Planning checklist: How to quickly run a 5-minute checklist to confirm goal, audience and tone before touching copy.
- AI first pass: How to use AI tools like GrammarlyGO, Microsoft Editor, Claude or ChatGPT to flag grammar gaffes, bias and filler—then quickly curate the fixes.
- Human editing hacks: Practical tips and tricks to tighten verbs, slash fluff and apply plain-language principles for crisp prose that doesn’t sound like a bot.
- Brand style guides: How to verify facts, links and inclusive language against a one-page style matrix so every channel sings the same tune (in the same brand voice).
- Collaborative editing: How to speed signoffs with tracked-changes prompts and chat-based reviews—trimming boss feedback cycles from days to hours.
Did you know that only 40% of marketers have a documented content strategy, according to CMI? No wonder leadership is often left asking, “Where’s the ROI?” That ends here. This sprint session hands you a plug-and-play content strategy blueprint—along with easy audit steps and AI shortcuts—that you can use to gap check engagement and then monetize content across every internal and external touchpoint. You’ll learn:
- Core components: How to quickly nail down goals, personas, brand story, governance and channel mix—the must-haves of any content strategy that scales.
- Content audits: A four-step audit process to surface content gaps inside and out, plus practical fixes to close them fast.
- PESO planner: How to balance Paid, Earned, Shared, Owned so each piece pulls its weight without silo squabbles.
- KPI compass: Examples of one-page dashboards that eliminate spreadsheet sprawl linking topics to traffic, trust and revenue.
- AI accelerators: Quick tips to use tools like ChatGPT, Semrush and even Power BI to speed audits, calendar builds and reporting.
Employees barely read a third of the emails they open and reporters answer only 3% of the 100+ pitches they get weekly—while social feeds just keep scrolling (PoliteMail, eReleases). In this show-and-tell session illustrating how to bring a content strategy to life with specific examples, a comms exec who oversees internal and external comms reveals several before-and-after drafts, rewrites and micro-tweaks that turned “meh” into “must click” copy—and that tied back to KPIs. See (and snag) their best practices to boost your own opens, pickups and shares. They’ll cover:
- Show and tell: A before/after breakdown of winning headlines, subject lines and pitches—annotated with how they fit into a larger strategy, what changed and the numbers they moved.
- Channel comps: How to adapt voice, length and CTAs to various channels—from inboxes and pressrooms to social media feeds—without sacrificing consistency.
- “4 C” copy (clear, colorful, concise, cool): Formulas and examples to help turn any draft into punchy, must-click content across internal and external platforms.
- AI assist: How other comms pros use Copilot, Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude and other AI to brainstorm variations and personalize copy—plus common AI missteps to avoid.
- Scorecards: How to run quick A/B tests and track KPIs that prove copy wins and help you scale the best performers org wide.
Stories stick in our minds 22 times longer than facts alone (Stanford). Yet 56% of communicators say they need training to turn narrative into measurable impact (Ragan Benchmark Report). This session finally demystifies the craft of storytelling and gives you a step-by-step plan to shape stories each audience feels—and acts on. Join us to discover how to touch emotional chords and create lasting connections using the art and science of storytelling. You’ll learn:
- Story diagnostic: A simple litmus test you can use to link every new story to business goals, researched audience pain points (yes, AI can help) and channel fit—in under 10 minutes.
- Narrative frameworks: A quick snapshot of the Hero’s Journey and Data-Drama-Decision arcs—with examples of where each converts best.
- Tone and format: How to switch voice, length, visuals and CTAs across email, TikTok, townhalls, intranets and more—without losing brand consistency.
- Emotional hot buttons: Tips for using tools like Plutchik’s Wheel and AI sentiment tests to layer feeling that trigger recall, sharing and action.
- Finding stories: How to uncover, craft and share powerful internal stories that highlight challenges, celebrate wins and reinforce company culture.
Let’s tie up the day with a brain-boosted creativity jam! Neuroscientists say stories light up 7X more brain regions than bullet points—yet most corporate copy still reads like dryer manuals. In this fast-moving panel, an internal comms pro, a PR wordsmith and a brand storyteller share their playful devices, cognitive shortcuts and live onscreen rewrites that turn yawners into “read it, loved it, acted on it” copy—killing TL;DR for good. You’ll learn:
- Brain-primer basics: A three-minute “neuro warmup” that taps creativity, emotion and novelty so readers remember (and re-tell) your message.
- Poet’s palette: Metaphors, contrasts and sensory cues that make strategy decks pop, internet updates stick and even social media posts sing.
- Rhythm n’ flow: Sentence-length and cadence tricks that keep eyes gliding—even through “boring” boilerplates and compliance lines.
- Rewrite roulette live: We’ll ask volunteers to drop in a dull comms update—and our panel will give it a makeover onscreen, explaining each tweak and the psychology behind it.
- Creativity spark kit: You’ll leave with a human-first brainstorm playbook and “AI Spark Sheet”—quick cues to amplify not outsource your team’s creativity.
We’ll share the top tactics and strategies from the virtual conference as you prepare to implement these ideas for your organization.
Speakers
INTERESTED IN SPEAKING?
Please reach out to Director of Event Programming
Alyssa Smith.
Top things you’ll learn at this conference:
- Strategic Writing Fluency: How to tie every draft to C-suite goals, audience pain points and measurable KPIs.
- Prompt Power Moves: How to guide ChatGPT-style tools with context-rich prompts that triple ideation speed while guarding voice and accuracy.
- Journalistic Wordsmithing Techniques: Think like a reporter and let your nose for a story lead you to deep-dive insights and human-centric stories that hit.
- SEO/GEO Mastery: How to future-proof copy for Google’s SGE, voice search and location signals—so it ranks and resonates.
- Lightning-Fast Editing: Tips to apply a five-layer self-edit and AI bias/fact scan to produce and publish crystal-clear copy under crushing deadlines.
- Story and Creativity Hacks: How to turn dry updates into narrative gold with neuroscience tricks, poetic devices and inclusive imagery that spark engagement across internal, external and social channels.
| Early Bird | Regular Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Conference Registration | $1,399 | $1,699 |
| Virtual Conference Ragan Insider Member | $1,249 | $1,549 |
| Nonprofit/Gov Event Registration | $1,299 | $1,599 |
All attendees will receive the recording of the event.
Download this letter to convince your boss you should attend the Writing & Content Strategy Virtual Conference.
Group Discounts
Would you and your team like to attend? Group rates are available for 3 or more - contact customer service for details.
RAGAN COUNCIL MEMBER DISCOUNTS
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Phone registrations and group pricing: For group orders, please contact our customer service team at 800-878-5331 or [email protected]
Register to secure your spot today! Don’t miss this opportunity to:
- Access exclusive content and resources.
- Connect with your peers.
- Get the ideas & tools to stay ahead in today’s rapidly changing world.
Register today. Once registered, you’ll be able to join the private LinkedIn group right away.
- Checklist: The AI Writing Prompt Flowchart
- Top 25+ Writing Prompts for Communicators
- Strunk & White’s Timeless Secrets for Rocket-Powered Writing
- Why and How to Create an In-House Style Guide
- Bias-Free Writing: What’s Preferred and What’s Problematic
- The Art of Storytelling (A Practical Guide)
Sponsors & Partners
Want to become a sponsor? Get in touch with our team to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
Who Should Attend?
You should attend if you spend at least a quarter of your time in any of these areas:
Writing • Editing • Content Strategy • Storytelling • Artificial Intelligence (AI) • Brand Journalism • Internal Communications • Executive Communications • Employee Engagement • Social Media • Public Relations • Digital Marketing • Content Marketing • Community Management • Crisis Communications • Corporate Communications • Strategic Communications • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Communications
Get Recognized!
Each registration comes with a personalized "Writing & Content Strategy Virtual Conference" Certificate of Completion for attending.
WONDERING IF YOU SHOULD ATTEND?
Here’s what past attendees are saying about Ragan and PR Daily Events!
Ragan Communications knows what keeps communicators up at night. Its workshops, topics and speakers get right to the heart of what we need to elevate our work.
Compelling, useful content presented in digestible sessions by a variety of engaging, informative speakers. One of the most useful and interesting virtual conferences I've attended.
It was great to learn about new tips and tools and be reminded of tried-and-true principles.
The Ragan Writing and Content Strategy Virtual Conference is something I always look forward to.
The speakers are knowledgeable and engaging, providing tips that you can put into action immediately and plan for in long-term strategy.
