In 2019, clients expect publicists to handle much more than writing press releases and boilerplates. Social media marketing, designing infographics, editing websites and SEO are only a few skills publicists need a basic understanding of. That’s where public relations online courses come in handy.
The Muse published a list of 43 Classes You Can Take Right Now to Advance Your Career (and They’re Free!). We’ve gone through the list and pulled out the courses that address tasks our agency handles on a regular basis.
Here are 18 free classes you can use to increase your value as a publicist.
DESIGN
1. Get Started with Photoshop, Adobe
Get Started with Photoshop tutorials teach you the basic tools and techniques of Adobe Photoshop CC. This tutorial introduces you to the Photoshop work area and shows you how to open and save your images, zoom in and out, and undo mistakes.
Level: Beginner
2. Introduction to Graphic Design, Udemy
Graphic design goes beyond Photoshop. Learn the basics of design theory to become a real graphic design master.
Level: Beginner
Ratings: 8,192 / 4.1 Stars
Duration: 1 Hour / 12 Lessons
3. Adobe Photoshop CS6 Essential Tools, ALISON
Want to learn how to use Adobe Photoshop CS6? This free course will guide you through its essential tools.
Level: Beginner
Duration: 2 Hours / 8 Lessons
ONLINE MARKETING
4. 25 Expert Social Media Growth Strategies: Social Media101, Buffer
This email course is packed with the latest tips and strategies to help take your social media marketing to the next level — 25daily lessons complete with video tutorials, data, examples, exercises, and more!
Level: Beginner
Duration: 14 Minutes / 7 Lessons
5. Diploma in Social Media Marketing, ALISON
Gain a good knowledge of website design and successfully publish your website.
Level: Beginner
Duration: 10-15 Hours / 21 Lessons
6. Advanced SEO: Tactics and Strategy, Udemy
Learn quick SEO tactics and dive into SEO concepts and integration of SEO with overall marketing strategy
Level: All Levels
Ratings: 2,120 / 4.1 Stars
Duration: 1 Hour / 7 Lessons
Related Post: 3 Simple Ways to Boost Your SEO Strategy
7. Internet Marketing for Smart People, Copyblogger
These 16 high-impact ebooks plus their 20-installment email course deliver the techniques and strategies you need to know to become a much smarter marketer online.
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 20 Lessons
8. Marketing in a Digital World, Coursera
This course examines how digital tools, such as the Internet, smartphones, and 3D printing, are revolutionizing the world of marketing by shifting the balance of power from firms to consumers.
Level: Beginner
Ratings: 4,736 / 4.6 Stars
Duration: 32 Hours / 24 Lessons
9. Getting Started with Google Analytics, Udemy
This Google Analytics training course will help you master the basics and see what it takes to turbocharge your website performance.
Level: Beginner
Ratings: 828 / 3.9 Stars
Duration: 1.5 Hours / 3 Lessons
COMMUNICATION
10. Introduction to Public Speaking, edX
This class studies the principles of public speaking, and critically examines our own and others’ speeches through interactive practice.
Level: All Levels
Duration: 30-50 Hours / 10 Lessons
11. Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills, Coursera
In the course, you’ll learn about and practice the four steps to a successful negotiation: (1) Prepare: Plan Your Negotiation Strategy (2)Negotiate: Use Key Tactics for Success (3) Close: Create a Contract (4) Perform and Evaluate: The End Game.
Level: All Levels
Reviews: 1,205 / 4.7 Stars
Duration: 8.5 Hours / 6 Lessons
12. Communicating Strategically, edX
This five-week refresher is geared toward experts(scientists, engineers, and other technical professionals) and will help them effectively communicate with non-scientists, usually management, to inform organizational decision-making. The class is free, but you can add a PurdueXVerified Certificate for $50.
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 20-30 Hours / 5 Lessons
Related Post: 5 of Our Favorite Tools for Public Relations and Marketing Professionals
13. Speechwriting 101, Global Speechwriter
Learn how to write better speeches with professional speechwriting Brent Kerrigan.
Level: All Levels
Duration: 10 Lessons
WRITING
14. Writing for the Web, OPEN2STUDY
Explore how writing style, web design and structure can grab the attention of and engage online readers.
Level: All Levels
Ratings: 4,064 / 4.5 Stars
Duration: 16 Hours / 4 Lessons
15. High-ImpactBusiness Writing, Coursera
Learn how to articulate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner that will allow your ideas to be better understood by your readers. Improve your business writing skill by learning to select and use appropriate formats for your audience, use the correct medium and adjust your writing style accordingly, as well as identify your objective and communicate it clearly.
Level: All Levels
Reviews: 216 / 4.3 Stars
Duration: 4-8 Hours / 4 Lessons
16. Secret Sauce of Great Writing, Udemy
Slick tips from a top editor to improve your business writing, blogs, PR and copywriting skills.
Level: Beginner
Ratings: 6,275 / 4.3 Stars
Duration: 2 Hours / 10 Lessons
17. Writing on Contemporary Issues: Culture Shock! Writing, Editing, and Publishing in Cyberspace, MIT OpenCourseWare
This course is an introduction to writing prose for a public audience—specifically, prose that is both critical and personal, that features your ideas, your perspective, and your voice to engage readers.
Level: Beginner
Duration: 32 Hours / 21 Lessons
18. Becoming Digital: Writing About Media Change, MIT OpenCourseWare
“Becoming Digital” traces the change in practice, theory and possibility as mechanical and chemical media are augmented or supplanted by digital media.
Level: Beginner
Duration: 32 Hours / 21 Lessons