If you have pondered becoming a content writer, you may have considered taking an online content writing course in order to get a grasp of what content writing involves. The good news? There are free online courses specifically for content writing you can start today.
These courses are not just for new content writers. Most are suitable for experienced content writers.
It never hurts to take refresher courses. It’s always a good idea to “level up” your knowledge and writing skills in order to stay ahead of the game.
Why should you take an online content writing course? Consider these factors:
- The world of content writing is always changing
- There are always new things to learn to improve your skills
- New features and tools can be hard to understand
- The growing demand for content may spread to other forms of technology
- A writer new to content writing can get a better understanding of just what kind of writing they must provide
Online content writing courses can help you achieve these goals. Such courses can absolutely make a good content writer better.
Once you understand the realities of content writing, taking an online course can help you navigate your journey.
Taking a course on content writing will help today’s content writers meet tomorrow’s demands and changing landscape.
How Content Writing Differs from Other Writing Formats
Content writers must write according to the needs of a brand. One way of doing this is by using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) writing in their work. SEO writing will enable their content to attract the kind of readers brands hopes to find.
Another facet of good content writing is using keywords. Keywords are specific words or phrases (called “long-tail keywords”) which boost the chances of content showing up in search engines such as Google.
Content writing also uses a lot of white space. Short paragraphs and short sentences will keep readers interested.
If you want to ensure you are meeting these needs and producing good content, consider taking a free content writing course.
This article offers six of the free top online courses to help you get started.
Top Content Writing Courses
These courses listed below provide a step up in your writing career. Many free content writing courses for beginners can still provide good information for experienced content writers.
There are content writing courses with certification that will help you stand out. Get started today and improve your skill as a content writer.
1. SkillShare: Online Content Writing Classes
Following the free trial, SkillShare is a paid online learning service that charges an annual fee. Use this time taking any one of their content creation courses, which include courses on content writing as well as content marketing. Some of the courses focus on how to use links to your advantage, how to create and use appealing videos, and mastering SEO writing.
Their “Complete Web Content Writing Masterclass” covers what you need to know about writing content for the homepage. The “Hands-On Content Writing” course is immensely helpful and more in-depth for a better understanding of content writing. It also shows you how to use helpful tools and provides methods for generating ideas. The videos for the courses do not have captioning. However, transcripts are provided.
2. Udemy: Essentials of Writing Content
Udemy courses are available as videos, and you can select the option for captioning videos. One free online course that you may find useful is called “Essentials of Writing Content.” It includes the traits and skills of a good content writer and how you can write content specifically for your audience.
3. Semrush Content Marketing Toolkit Course
Semrush offers a free online course on content marketing called “The Content Marketing Toolkit.” They also have tons of free material about SEO and content writing available to read, learn and use for anyone interested in learning and improving their craft. They even offer a free Topic Research Tool to assist in generating ideas.
4. Udemy: SEO Training
Udemy also provides an SEO Tutorial that gives the lowdown on SEO writing. The “SEO Training” course will serve as a great tool for brushing up on your SEO writing skills. This course offers examples of important factors such as anchor links, inbound links, and page ranking.
5. HubSpot: Content Creation Courses
HubSpot’s course in “Content Writing Strategy” offers comprehensive information to help boost your writing skills. Once you complete a lesson, the site will provide a selection of recommended courses to take next.
6. Alison: Content Writer Certification Courses
Alison’s content writer certification courses are available for anyone who wants to learn or improve their skills in content writing. From an introductory course to a course on how to optimize videos in content creation, you can apply for any and all courses that meet your needs. Use the search feature to find a specific course so you can get started. One free course which may be particularly helpful is their “Content Writer” course. Some of the courses are available as a video. However, they do not yet provide captioning or subtitles on their videos. A note in their FAQs stated they are working on adding captions.
Long-term Benefits of Taking Free Content Writing Courses
After you take one or several free online content writing courses, you can walk away with the knowledge of how to be a better content writer. This will put you one step ahead of the average content writer who’s convinced they are good at what they do without the need to take a course.
By taking a course, you can present yourself as the kind of writer who:
- Takes your work seriously
- Prioritizes improving your skills
- Produces better work than the average, untrained content writer
Whether you are a seasoned content writer or just starting out in the field, taking online content writing courses and receiving certification positions you as a competent writer.
The nDash content creation platform offers content writers the opportunity to showcase the skill and talents they have learned. You can put your knowledge to the test and see just how it can help your work stand out.
Your work through nDash will show just how knowledgeable you are about good content writing, thanks to the courses you have taken. This will let brands know you are the kind of content writer that will give them exactly what they want and need.
FAQ
How can I learn content writing for free?
The Internet offers various types of free content writing courses. These courses are conducted by leading writers and marketers with years of experience in their field.
Which certification is best for content writing?
If you are interested in receiving certification in content writing, make sure you use a well-respected service in the field. Such companies include Alison, Skillshare, and Udemy. To find the best kind of certification, one which stands out is the Master Class provided by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI).
How do I become a content writer with no experience?
One way for a writer with no experience to get started in content writing is to create your own blog. With practice in writing blog posts, you can learn how to write effectively and the basics of using SEO. From there, you can move on to writing content for E-zines, newsletters, and online articles. Consider offering guest posts on other blogs or posting work on Medium.
As you gather clips, create your writing portfolio, which will show your best work to prospective clients. Consider joining a content creation platform such as nDash, which will provide you with the opportunity to gain experience in content creation and improve your writing skills.
About the author
This post is by nDash community member Dawn Colclasure, who considers herself a “writer of all trades.” You can learn more about her, her experience, and her background here or by visiting her profile.
