Every business is affected by public perception. Does the company have a positive reputation? Or are most potential customers wary of the product or brand? This is why public relations (PR) is an important area for any business. When executed well, a PR plan can help you create a positive image of your company or brand, and also combat criticism or destructive information.
Whether you know very little about PR or just want to grow in that area, online courses are a great way to improve. If you run a business and have employees on your team, it may also be a good idea to have them take some of these classes, as PR skills can be useful for every role.
List of Free Online PR Classes
Get started in the exciting world of public relations by trying out some of the free courses below:
1. Reputation Management in a Digital World
Available on: edX.org
Price: Free
This free course will teach you how to develop, maintain, and even protect your organization’s reputation especially on online platforms like social media giants Facebook and Twitter. It will also teach you the importance of building a strong culture, and how to manage issues on social media based on real-life case studies.
2. Integrated Marketing Communications: Advertising, Public Relations, Digital Marketing and More
Available on: Coursera
Price: Free
Through this online course, you will learn more about marketing communications strategies and how to implement them. Using theories, models, and practical information, you will learn how to make more effective decisions surround your marketing communications.
3. Public Relations (Short Course)
Available on: Oxford Home Study Centre
Price: Free
This free online course will help you learn the differences between advertising, publicity, and public relations, as well as acquire tools and an understanding of public relations in a contemporary setting. You will also get a look at the challenging but rewarding profession of public relations.
4. Content, Advertising & Social IMC
Available on: Coursera
Price: Free
This course will help you lean how to navigate today’s social media landscape. It will also help you understand the importance of developing content that engages your audience using an integrated approach to grow your presence in the market.
5. Introduction to Public Relations
Available on: Alison
Price: Free
This free online course will equip you with an overview of public relations basics, using real-life models from PR management. Learn how to shape and maintain a favorable image of your company or organization.
6. PR Academy Introduction to PR
Available on: PR Academy
Price: Free
This short course will give you a solid introduction to the world of public relations. Learn what PR is, the different practices of PR, and even consider how you might thrive in the challenging world of PR.
List of Paid Online PR Classes
Alternatively, you may also opt for these online classes with minimal fees.
7. The Ultimate Public Relations Masterclass
Available on: Udemy
Price: $22.99
This online course will teach you everything you need to know about public relations, especially in a digital world. It starts off by teaching you how to build a strategy for PR that generates leads and helps you attract customers and build a community.
8. Modern PR—How to Get Press Coverage for Your Business
Available on: Udemy
Price: $19.99
In this course, you will learn how to get press coverage for your product or company, starting with leveraging relationships with journalists. You will also learn how to craft a narrative around your brand to tell your story accurately and succinctly. The great thing is that this course does not require any prior experience with PR.
9. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations for Branding
Available on: Udemy
Price: $18.99
This course will teach you to reach hundreds of thousands of potential clients, using PR strategies that help you get your brand out there. It will also teach you how to get press attention and pitch journalists in ways that are effective.
10. How to Write a Feature Article Story About Someone
Available on: Udemy
Price: $18.99
In this online course, you will learn how to interview someone successfully so that you can turn the information into a feature story that will delight your readers. You will also discover the kind of questions that will get your interviewees talking the most.
11. Startup PR: Getting Press on a Tight Budget
Available on: Udemy
Price: $18.99
Who says you need a big budget to get press coverage? In this online course, tech journalist Erica Swallow teaches you her strategies for getting press coverage for your startup, staring with how to perfect your pitch so that you can communicate effectively with the press. Discover the tools and skills you need to grab the attention of the journalists you want to reach.
12. Copywriting Public Relations—Master PR Publicity Skills
Available on: Udemy
Price: $18.99
This course will teach you how to become an authority, a trusted voice in your chosen industry, so that you can reach influencers, bloggers, journalists, and editors. It includes training for crafting a professional media plan so you can get quality coverage, both online and off.
13. Startup Attention and PR101
Available on: Udemy
Price: $18.99
This beginners’ course will teach you the basic skills you need for marketing and public relations, including how to launch your product successfully and how to work effectively with the press. You will learn how to catch the attention of a journalist or even an investor so you can successfully launch your startup.
14. Public Relations Fundamentals Masterclass 2020
Available on: Udemy
Price: $18.99
In this course, you will get a deep introduction to using strategy and tactics in public relation for your personal branding and business communications. You will also learn the basics and the importance of developing your message, creating your positioning statement, and crafting a press release.
Learning About Public Relations
Understanding of public relations is important to the success of your business. How does the public see your company or brand? How does the social media landscape treat your company or brand? After all, the way that people view you or your company will definitely affect whether they want to do business with you or not.
Because of that, it’s always a good thing for you and your company to grow in this ever-important skill of PR, especially in this highly-digital world where social media influences the opinions of many.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
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Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
I guess this is best platform for learning.
I hope you find some of the online courses helpful! :)