Successfully Communicating Your Message
| Course code: | 26-SS-211 |
|---|---|
| Dates: | April 6 - May 1, 2026 Alternate Course Dates |
| Location: | Online |
| Instructor: | William Draves |
| Fee: | $195.00 |
Description
By taking your business writing to the next level, you’ll gain the confidence and skills to influence discussions, contribute more effectively to business decisions, and stand out as a persuasive communicator in the workplace.
By the end of this course, you’ll gain confidence in writing professional news pieces that effectively promote your organization, event, or message.
Course Outcomes
- Apply emotional and logical appeals together to strengthen your business writing.
- Use persuasive writing techniques to influence and engage your audience.
- Edit your writing through multiple drafts to improve clarity and impact.
- Incorporate testimonials, charts, and visuals to increase credibility and acceptance of your message.
- Marketing, PR, and communications professionals who need to craft persuasive messages and media content
- Business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to promote their brand and influence stakeholders
- Managers, team leads, and professionals who want to strengthen their written communication in workplace decision-making
- Journalists, nonprofit staff, and government professionals aiming to increase public engagement through clear, credible writing
- Anyone responsible for writing messages that inform, influence, or persuade in a professional setting
Notes
Registration Deadline: Participants can register up to 5 days after the course begins.Course Access: Offered in partnership with LERN. Log in 24/7—no live meetings.
Course Format: Weekly units include readings, audio-slide lectures, self-quizzes, and discussion forums.
Tips for Success: Log in 2–3 times a week and contribute 2–3 thoughtful posts per unit for the best experience.
Recognized Credentials: Earn nationally recognized CEUs from the Learning Resources Network (LERN), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association—perfect for meeting professional development goals or licensure requirements.
Cancellation/Refund Policy: VCU Continuing and Professional Education offers this class/certificate in partnership with LERN. Therefore, you may cancel your registration up until you receive your login and password from LERN and receive a full refund minus any credit card processing fees. Cancellations must be received via email at ocpe@vcu.edu
In the unlikely event that this program is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including change or cancellation charges to include but not limited to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organizations.
Online courses offered with the Learning Resources Network (LERN) continue to run, as scheduled during inclement weather. If there are changes to meeting status, you will receive an email at the address you provided upon registration informing you of the cancelation.
*exempt-this offering is ineligible for waiver use
Student/Participant Conduct:
Participants are subject to all university policies applicable to students, unless a specific university or VCU Continuing and Professional Education policy explicitly states otherwise. University policies governing students are available at https://vcu.public.doctract.com including:
Student Code of Conduct
Honor System and Standards of Academic Conduct
Preventing and Responding to Discrimination
Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy-Interim
Sex-Based Misconduct Policy-Interim
For Academic Accommodations, please visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/courses/policies.html#accommodations
There are still openings remaining at this time.
