Are Online Writing Courses Worth It? (Read This)

There are a plethora of writing courses available online. The question is whether these courses are worth your time.

If you are someone who is interested in polishing your writing and simply, wish to become a better writer then investing your time in such courses is worth it. 

Given that there are so many courses offering to make you a better writer, you must check out the ones that work best for you.

With a simple google click, you can check out various writing courses but it will be tough to settle on anyone online writing course. There are so many reviews ranging from good to bad. Everyone has their own opinions, after all.

At times, you might even see only ‘good reviews’ listed out which are manipulated by the creators of the course to trick you into signing up for it.

With this said, I’m going to walk you through some really helpful information that will let you determine whether these online writing courses are worth your time.

I will also share some more insight about the online writing courses out there which will surely help you make the right decision. So without wasting time let’s dive into it!

Are Online Writing Courses Worth It?

Lately, I was wondering about online writing courses and whether they are any good. So, here’s what I have found out.

The topic itself has caused much debate. Some people claim that the art of writing cannot be taught. It comes naturally.

The other side firmly believes that with the right amount of training, exposure and practice, a person can improve their writing skills. To each their own, I guess.

So let’s come down to it. Is it really worth taking such a course? Well, here’s your answer:

If you are someone who wishes to hone your writing skills then enrolling in an online writing course is certainly worth it. The mentors will provide you with regular feedback on your work. Since these course designers are experts in certain writing niches, their insight can be extremely valuable for you as a budding writer.

Yet keep in mind that while these online writing courses are worth investing in, it depends on you whether you can make something out of it. The course is designed to train you in developing your writing skills but ultimately, it all comes down to the efforts and skills you put into it.

So, as long as you purchase the right course, it should serve the purpose and help you in becoming a better writer.

Now that I have cleared this out for you but there’s still a lot more to talk about. So, let’s get to it.

Reasons To Buy An Online Writing Course

Whether you are a blog writer looking for ways to make your content viral or a creative writer seeking to engage your readers better by retaining their interests, an online writing course can help you in a variety of ways.

I have listed the reasons for you to consider buying an online writing course. 

Exposure to Variety

A writing course can expose you to a variety of niches. It can teach you the various techniques and conventions you need to adhere to do justice to a particular niche of writing.

If you are a travel writer, the writing course will help you to pick a niche for a particular type of travel such as culinary travel, adventure travel, or budget travel. It’s better to target a particular audience and hone your skills in one direction.

Learn from Anywhere, Anytime

The best part about enrolling in these online writing courses is that you can do it remotely. You can be sitting in the comfort of your home and learning from the industry expert of your content niche. All you need is a decent internet connection and you are good to go.

You don’t have to worry about cross-checking your schedule. You can learn and practice on your own time.

Feedback For Improvement

Only a mentor can give you valuable guidance. Through their teachings, you can analyze your shortcomings. As you go through their feedback and implement those changes in your writing, your writing skills will change for the better.

These mentors will constantly push and encourage you. The constructive criticism that you will get from them will build your foundation and make you conscious of the ways in which you can engage your readers better.

Community and After-course Support

Being a part of such an online writing course will help you in becoming part of the writer’s community. You will meet budding and established writers.

These interactions will stimulate you. Once you find your tribe, you will feel like you have a support system.

Now that I’ve covered the various reasons for which you can consider enrolling in an online writing course, there is something essential that needs to be conveyed as well.

Keep reading to find out what I mean. Trust me, you don’t want to make this mistake. 

When To Avoid An Online Writing Course? 

While all online writing courses make the claim of helping you in refining your writing skills, there is no guarantee that all the courses out there on the web will provide ample material. 

Some of them might just scam you and cause a hole in your pocket without giving you any results.

I don’t want you to fall for courses that are all talk and have no substance. So, here are some things that you need to watch out for before enrolling in an online writing course.

When Pricing Is Too High

There are a lot of online writing courses out there with great content. You have the option of selecting a paid or free course depending on your preference.

Rather than going for a course that is extremely priced and heavy in your pocket, it’s best to go for one that will not cause a hole in your pocket.

Since there is no guarantee that you will become a better writer through the tips and tricks shared in the course, you should not invest so much of your money.

After all, with the plethora of courses out there on the web, it is easy for you to find one that covers all the topics that you are interested in without having to pay a great amount of money for it. 

When Creators Sell ‘Results’ Instead Of ‘Skills’

This one’s a telltale sign and a major giveaway. I recommend you to stay clear of such courses in which the mentors are making drastic claims about how you will cross the threshold of 6 figures and skyrocket your income. Such claims are simple click baits or better yet tricks.

I advise you not to fall for such tricks and stay clear of such courses. The course creator should emphasize what you will learn and the ways in which you can hone your skills.

Not how much you will earn after taking their course. If you come across such courses, then be wary of such statements.

When There Aren’t Enough Trustworthy Reviews

A lot of course sellers manipulate the reviews. If you see only positive reviews with five stars then make sure you go over the course details carefully.

Usually, reviews are the ways through which you can make a neat judgment. Yet, don’t take these testimonials at face value.

If the reviews seem dubious or too exaggerated, then it’s best to avoid signing up for such a course.

Now that you have understood when exactly you need to avoid an online writing course, there’s something more that I found helpful which can be insightful for you. 

Pros Of Online Writing Courses

There are three main pros that are associated with taking up an online writing course.

To concise it up – an online writing course can help you gain the ability to explain yourself better, enhance your communication skills and improve your overall knowledge as well as creativity.

1. Ability to Explain Yourself 

Writing is an excellent tool for teaching, informing, entertaining, and educating oneself. If you take a course to develop this skill further, it will help you in all areas of life whether professional or personal. The ability to express yourself and to express yourself well is highly valuable.

So whether you are a writer who wants to develop your skills of employing descriptive and figurative language further or a corporate worker who wants to craft better emails, then a writing course will help you get there depending on the level of enhancement you are aiming for. 

2. Enhance Your Communication Skills 

Over a period of time, if you are consistent then you will see an overall improvement in your communication abilities.

Going ahead with the writing course will transform your day-to-day interactions. It will be way more than just switching up your vocabulary game.

3. Knowledge, Creativity, and Imagination

The writing course will diversify your existing knowledge and sharpen your creativity by challenging it.

Your mentor’s feedback will prove to be constructive criticism that can shape your imagination to new heights. Being creative is something that will help you to see out of the box. 

Cons Of Online Writing Courses

Now that I’ve discussed the pros that an online writing course can offer you, let’s discuss the cons.

1. Easier to Procrastinate

The flexible schedule might not be enough to motivate you. As a result, your performance can be sub-par and you might just procrastinate. At this rate, you won’t be able to see any difference in your writing.

After all, a mentor can only guide you. Unless and until you implement the changes, do your best to execute and stand true to the task, the course will do you no good.

If you are someone who lacks motivation and discipline then it’s better not to opt for an online writing course. In-person training might work out better for you if that is so.

2. Time Management

Managing your time effectively is something you need to work out. After the lessons, you will need time to do the tasks. If you do not manage your time well, you will not be able to keep up with the pace of the lessons.

Working at a very slow rate won’t fare well if the stipulated course duration isn’t particularly long.

Your mentor can only give you detailed feedback if you submit your work on time and too regularly.

3. Communication Gap with The Mentor

If you are unable to grasp the mentor’s feedback and the information that is being laid out by him/her at the end of each lesson, this will impact your learning a lot.

At times, even if you try your best chances are that your style might clash with the mentor’s teaching style.

If you are unable to see eye to eye then a difference of interest can lead to conflict.

Communicating effectively in online lessons is more difficult so you might not be able to resolve the issue. In such a scenario, you will feel that taking up the course was an utter mistake.

With this, I have covered all that I meant to. So let’s wrap it up, shall we?

In Conclusion

Now that you have reached the end of the article, let’s conclude every single thing I’ve discussed so far. If you are a writer who is looking to hone your writing skills and take it a notch higher then online writing courses can help you get there.

Of course, it all comes down to your efforts at the end of the day. The course will only train you and the mentors can only guide you. The rest is all up to you. 

There are both paid and free writing courses available online. The paid course comes with more benefits because you will get a proper certification with one on one feedback from the mentor.

Be cautious though, do not fall for online writing courses that seem dubious. Don’t go for a very expensive course or one that is claiming to skyrocket your income.

I’ve tried to cover the various angles of online writing courses from pros to cons to answer all possible queries you might have on the subject. I hope you found this article helpful. 

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