Before enrolling on this or any other copy writing course, we recommend that you check out what other courses are available. Here are some points to consider:
1. Is the course you're considering comprehensive? In other words, does it cover topics like press releases and TV commercials? Too many courses on the internet focus solely on direct mail, or are written by dot.com people whose only experience is writing for computer and internet companies.
2. Will your studies be supported by a tutor? Research shows that people succeed much better on courses that include a personal tutor.
3. Is it interactive? That is, do the course materials regularly make you stop and think, and do exercises? Too many courses consist of page after page of boring lecture notes.
4. Does it teach you about setting up your own business? Many Internet courses are reasonably good at this, while college courses are often weak on this point.
5. Is it accredited?
6. Can you get a refund if you don't like the course? It's hard to know what a course is like until you actually get it.
7. Are there real books and manuals? Some courses exist only as e-mailed files. But a course that lacks books some how feels insubstantial. With a paper-based course, you can pull out sheets and read them in the bath, and you can scribble in the margin. In addition, the course should provide web-based support, such as a students' common room.
So, how can you find out about other courses?
1. See if any courses are available at your local college or nearby university.
2. Scour the Internet But beware: hundreds of dot.com entrepreneurs think they can teach copywriting.
3. See if you can contact a careers advisor. Careers advisors know nothing about copywriting, as they would be the first to admit. The careers books they consult will probably suggest getting a degree in English. Which may (or may not) be a good thing, but it isn't an option for most of our students, many of whom already have a degree.
Next steps
If after this, you decide to enrol on our course, we'd welcome you. Go to the online enrolment form here: http://www.inst.org/copy/enrol.htm and sign up.
1. Is the course you're considering comprehensive? In other words, does it cover topics like press releases and TV commercials? Too many courses on the internet focus solely on direct mail, or are written by dot.com people whose only experience is writing for computer and internet companies.
2. Will your studies be supported by a tutor? Research shows that people succeed much better on courses that include a personal tutor.
3. Is it interactive? That is, do the course materials regularly make you stop and think, and do exercises? Too many courses consist of page after page of boring lecture notes.
4. Does it teach you about setting up your own business? Many Internet courses are reasonably good at this, while college courses are often weak on this point.
5. Is it accredited?
6. Can you get a refund if you don't like the course? It's hard to know what a course is like until you actually get it.
7. Are there real books and manuals? Some courses exist only as e-mailed files. But a course that lacks books some how feels insubstantial. With a paper-based course, you can pull out sheets and read them in the bath, and you can scribble in the margin. In addition, the course should provide web-based support, such as a students' common room.
So, how can you find out about other courses?
1. See if any courses are available at your local college or nearby university.
2. Scour the Internet But beware: hundreds of dot.com entrepreneurs think they can teach copywriting.
3. See if you can contact a careers advisor. Careers advisors know nothing about copywriting, as they would be the first to admit. The careers books they consult will probably suggest getting a degree in English. Which may (or may not) be a good thing, but it isn't an option for most of our students, many of whom already have a degree.
Next steps
If after this, you decide to enrol on our course, we'd welcome you. Go to the online enrolment form here: http://www.inst.org/copy/enrol.htm and sign up.
