by Leo Wiles
08 April 2015
Here’s a question for Ask Us Wednesday – sorry if it has already been addressed! I am keen to do short courses in copywriting, writing press releases and writing for the web and was wondering if there were any particular you recommend. RMIT have some one-day courses but at $500+ a pop I’d like to get a recommendation first before booking. Nic
Despite being a short course, diploma and degree veteran (with the HECS debt to prove it), I can’t vouch for any one online or in-class short course. Namely because it’s going to be a very personal choice – would you prefer the hands on practicalities of TAFE, the theoretical slant of the universities, the niche teachings of groups like the Writer’s Centre or prefer Coursera’s online material from all over the world?
Finances, as you point out, are also a paramount concern. A concern that will only grow as the Liberal party continue to slash education funding, charge for courses that were once free, remove the education supplement and charge up to 6 percent interest to HECS debt. No doubt this is why RMIT are now charging between $540 and $560 for two-day-courses such as Clear Writing for Effective Communication and Writing for the Web. [And yes for the purposes of disclosure I am a card carrying Labor supporter.]
So, you’ll definitely have to weigh up the cost and the potential return. Will it secure you more work, better paying work, open you up to a new round of clientele and/or make you more confident in pursuing those fields? (Don’t forget you can also claim it as a tax deduction.)
Below are a handful of reputable organisations with courses similar to what you’re after:
PRIA Given your interest in what are largely PR and marketing tools, I rang to find out what the Public Relations Institute of Australia has to offer non-members. The good news is, it offers evening courses for $25 that give an introductory overview of areas such as social media (led by an expert) over cheese and wine. For more in-depth courses, however, PRIA spokeswoman Sarah says fees start at $500-600 per day.
Australian Writers Centre Operations manager Rah Gardiner told me that the Centre offers a range of publishing courses that help you find an agent, write an e-book, self publish etc. They also offer members and non members alike online and in-class courses in each State, with a range of writing courses specifically aimed at enhancing online writing and copywriting. Prices begin at $495. (You could also google the Writers Centre in your state – unaffiliated to the Australian Writers Centre – to check out local courses.)
ADMA The Association for Data-driven marketing & Advertising bills themselves as the biggest marketing body in Australia, with a database of courses to match. “We currently have 20 short courses and offer three certificates twice a year in each State, all based around marketing and new marketing techniques – as well as niche courses that deal with areas such as mobile marketing and SEO,” says Client Liaison Executive Catherine Farrar. The downside is the price – fees start at $898 for an online or a one-day-course.
MAANZ The Marketing Association for Australia and NZ launched their distance training/education program in April 2006. There are now over 400 marketing and management courses available. Whereby a training package, consisting of a set of notes in PDF format and PowerPoint presentation can be $35-75 depending on which one you choose.
Don’t forget to also check some online sources such as Poynter News University, which has a range of online courses for journalists, and Copyblogger, which has a heap of free tools and ebooks and member-only webinars and courses for freelancers and copywriters edging more into digital. Bluewire Media also holds online courses including a web marketing course ($297) and the Social Media Online Academy ($19/month). The Walkley Foundation also holds Future Fridays and other courses for journalists.
As always we would love to hear from a member who has recent short course experience and is happy to endorse it. We have also mentioned in this column before that Rachel’s List may create online courses for freelancers in future – so watch this space.
