Writing education and training programs can enhance your writing skills. If you or anyone else in your business needs to convey information in written form, taking writing training courses or programs can help.

Online writing courses can offer you a simple grammar review, which will help you to identify basic comma errors and many other common mistakes. If you want to communicate effectively with customers and clients, writing courses can also assist you in clarifying your thoughts, enabling you to translate them into well-written e-mails, memos, business letters and marketing pitches.

When considering writing education and training courses, be sure that they provide the following important information:

1. A course outline, explaining whether you will be receiving general writing training, business writing training or technical writing training.
2. A list that clearly delineates all fees and required supplies involved in taking the writing training course.
3. The approximate number of hours the course will take per week and how long the online writing classes will last.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take a general writing training class or a writing and communication course

A general online writing class, available from many community colleges and universities, can help you quickly brush up on your basic writing skills. A combined writing and communication course may also provide the additional training you need.

I recommend: If you are interested in taking a course for possible college credit, eLearners.com can link you to many online writing programs, including The University of Phoenix's "Communication Skills for Career Growth," which covers oral and written communication. Universal Class offers "How to Write an Essay, 101," which teaches its students how to write essays, and also provides a general grammar review. Columbia Southern University offers many writing courses, including several English composition classes. The American Management Association periodically holds a "Listening and Writing" seminar, which is specifically geared towards business professionals.

Enroll in a course specifically offering education and training in writing for business

A business writing training course will assist you with proper grammar skills and how to best focus your thoughts, as well as discuss the many nuances involved in writing for various business purposes.

I recommend: The Writing Workshop offers business writing education in the form of workshops for both you and your employees. Winghill Writing School specializes in a business writing course you can take completely online.

Consider a technical writing training course

If you will be reading and writing manuals or how-to brochures, consider taking a technical writing training course.

I recommend: For a free course with international participants, try the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. For a well-structured technical writing course, try Online-learning.com, which offers an in-depth, 12-week online course. UC Berkeley Extension also offers courses in technical communication, writing and editing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some online writing training courses are self-paced while others require you to follow a rigorous schedule. Before enrolling, make sure the class you are taking serves your needs.