Where Can I Learn Writing? 10 Best Free Online Writing Courses for New Writers

Before you can become an expert writer in your niche you need to get the relevant writing skills. Thanks to the digital age, you can now learn writing online in a weekend with the many available free online writing courses even if you are a beginner.

There is an ever increasing demand for written content and this is the best time to improve your skills. Furthermore, you don’t have to only rely on writing jobs, but you can write books, write on your blog or scripts for your YouTube channel. Thing is writing is the basic form of any form of content on the internet and the skills is still necessary despite the advent of AI.

Writing is broad and refers to any form of written work ranging from blog posts, social media post, ad copy, books and white papers. Before you enroll in an online writing course you need to choose the type of writing you want to learn and whether your clients will need certification.

So, if you are ready to boost your writing skills, here are the 10 best free online writing courses for new writers that you can consider.

10 Best Free Online Writing Courses for New Writers

There are many online writing courses that you can chose from. You need to know how much time you can invest in your learning and the exact type of writing you want to learn.

Some of the common topics include creative writing, email writing, novel writing, storytelling, content marketing, academic writing and book writing. Here are the 10 best free online writing courses for new writers.

1. Secret Sauce of Great Writing on Udemy

Learn the four secrets sauce of great writing with this free online writing course created by Shani Raja, a renowned ex-wall street journal editor. You will learn the four ingredients of good writing, how to create a powerful prose, make your writing stand out and identify mistakes in your writing.

This free writing course has over 250,000 enrolled students and is 41 minutes long. You will get lifetime access to the course, but will not get a completion certificate.

2. Creative Writing Specialization on Coursera

Creative writing specialization by Wesleyan University is one of the best free online writing courses for new writers. The 5 course series covers three major genres of creative writing namely shorty stories, memoir and narrative essay. It will help you master the techniques of writing short stories and novels and refine your writing.

The course is self-paced and you can learn at your own schedule. It has over 123,000 enrolled students with a rating of 4.7 out of 5.

3. Diploma in Effective Writing Skills on Alison

Learn how to improve your writing skills with this free online writing course on Alison. You will learn how to express your ideas effectively and write with clarity. You will also learn different techniques for essay writing and business writing.

The free online writing course 10 hours long and has over 26,000 enrolled learners.

4. Creative Writing: Crafting Personal Essays with Impact on Skillshare

Learn how to transform your life story into a bestselling masterpiece with this creative writing course by Roxanne. The master class will help you use your story for impact in the world around you. You will learn how to tell your story with simple writing techniques, create your first draft, edit and submit your work for publication.

The free online writing course is 1 hour long and has over 45,000 enrolled students. Sign up for a free trial on Skillshare to get the course for free.

5. Essay Essentials: Improve Your Academic Writing on Udemy

Learn academic writing with this free online writing course on Udemy by Andrew Sippie. You will learn practical academic writing skills to help you write organized and error free academic essays.

You will also learn the entire essay writing process and how to structure the paragraphs, intros and conclusions and develop a well written essay. The free online writing course is 1 hour and 14 minutes long and has over 46,000 enrolled students.

6. Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization on Coursera

Learn the mechanics of writing and editing with one of the best free online courses for new writers by University of Michigan in partnership with Coursera. You will learn how to use syntax, punctuation skills, word order, sentence structure, creating your first draft and revising it.

The free online writing course has 12 sections and has over 164,000 enrolled students.

7. Grant Writing for Non-Profits on Alison

Grant writing is a top sought after writing skill which is less competitive compared to other types of writing. Learn the how to write great grant proposals to help your clients get funding with this free grant writing course on Alison.

You will learn different types of grants and strategies to build strong proposals that will stand out. The course has over 800 enrolled students and is about 3 hours long.

8. Make Your Writing Stand Out in Eight Easy Steps on Udemy

Learn how to make your writing stand out with this free online writing course by Rachel Leroy who’s a professional writing coach. You will learn how write effectively and use correct word order and sentence structure.

You will also learn how to write intros, conclusion and create effective writing habits to improve your writing quality. The course is 1 hour long and has over 96,000 enrolled students.

9. Starting to write creative writing course on Udemy

If you are interested in learning creative writing then this course will teach you proven strategies and techniques you can use to get started with writing as a beginner. It is ideal for people who want to try creative writing such as poetry and writing fiction.

You will learn how to create your first draft and develop the writing habit. The free online writing course is 45 minutes long and has over 62,000 enrolled students.

10. Content Marketing Certification Course from Hubspot

This list of best free online writing courses for new writers will not be complete without this content marketing certification course from Hubspot. The course is ideal for writers who want to learn content marketing strategies and advance in their writing career.

You will learn how to create a content strategy and improve organic reach through writing SEO optimized blog posts. The course has 12 lessons, and is 8 hours long. The best part is you get a free certificate that you can use to get a job as a content writer and marketer.

FAQs

• How can I learn to write for free?

There are several online course platforms where you can learn to write for free such as Skillshare, Udemy, Alison and LinkedIn Learning. However, you also need to practice our writing skills and get a coach to give you feedback to help you improve.

• How can I teach myself to be a writer?

To teach yourself to become a better writer you need to read more, write every day and enroll in an online writing course. Also, join writing forums where you can get constructive feedback on your writing.

• How do I become a writer with no experience?

You can become a writer with no experience if you are willing to improve your skills and pitch to clients. To get started, write every day on social media or on your blog and use these as samples of your writing. Enroll in content writing and SEO online courses to improve your knowledge.

• Can I be a writer without an English degree?

Yes. You don’t need an English degree to get writing jobs. There are plenty of free online writing courses for beginners. Get the required skills, create five samples and then pitch to writing agencies and clients.

Final Thoughts

The best way to get started as a new writer with no experience is by enrolling in free online writing courses for new writers. These courses will teach you different types of writing to enhance your skills and get high paying clients. If you are just starting out, chose one course listed above and get started today. Don’t be stuck at the analysis paralysis stage.

Which free online writing course will you start with? Let us know in the comments below.

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