Copywriting Essentials Course | Australian Writers' Centre

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Learn copywriting skills that AI can’t replace.

Copywriting Essentials is ideal for writers who would like to open up a new and rewarding income stream.

You’ll learn how to:
Write copy that connects with real people
Identify what makes different audiences tick
Craft headlines, emails, web copy and ads that perform
Edit and refine your writing for clarity and impact
Understand tone, calls to action and buyer psychology
Use SEO to maximise web copy

“I loved the breakdown on how to write great copy, from headlines to creative brief to SEO, and then combining it all by writing long copy in the last module. Video lessons were easy to follow, and handouts were very informative. I learnt more relevant info in the SEO copywriting module than I ever did in my three-year marketing and PR course at uni!”
– David Giangiordano, Copywriting Essentials graduate

See more reviews

Key information
Key information:

Write copy that connects, converts — and keeps your skills relevant in an AI-driven world.

Whether you’re a writer branching into new territory, an aspiring copywriter ready to launch your career, or a marketing professional wanting sharper tools – this course will change the way you write forever.

Copywriting Essentials is your complete foundation in professional copywriting. You’ll learn how to write with clarity, purpose and persuasion – for websites, emails, brochures, social media and more. And in a world where anyone can generate bland generic bland with AI, your words need to work harder than ever.

This inspirational, hugely popular Copywriting Essentials course gets results – teaching you how to get started without any prior experience. Created by copywriting dynamo Bernadette Schwerdt, the course has kick-started the careers of some of Australia’s most successful copywriters – even training the ones that go on to train other copywriters!

ENROL NOW and you’ll also receive free access to your BONUS COURSE designed to help you navigate the evolving world of AI in copywriting

This isn’t about replacing your creativity — it’s about enhancing your workflow and future-proofing your skills.

You’ll discover:

What tools like ChatGPT can (and can’t) do
Where AI is helpful – and where it can fall flat
How to experiment with prompts, outlines and rewrites – without losing your voice
Smart ways to use AI as a tool, not a crutch

This bonus course is ideal for anyone curious about AI and ready to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting landscape. It’s not about being replaced. It’s about becoming irreplaceable.

Who is this course for?

Aspiring copywriters who want a clear, professional foundation
Writers looking to diversify their skills and earn more income
Marketing professionals who want to sharpen their messaging
Creative writers who would like to open up a new and rewarding income stream
Anyone who wants to write more persuasively in their work

More than copywriting

It’s not just about copywriting either. It’s about marketing and how to promote a business. Many of our students studied marketing at university (or have been working in marketing for decades) and say they wish they’d done this course instead of investing three years at school. It is jam packed with practical strategies, systems, templates and structures that take the guesswork out of marketing and make the process of promoting a business easy and understandable. Yes, it’s a copywriting course but you’ll get a bonus education in marketing too. That’s a lot of bang for your buck.

For those who crave variety, have a huge sense of curiosity about the world they live in, and love to work with a wide range of different products and services, the world of copywriting is for you.

Not only will you get the inside secrets of how to become a world-class copywriter, you’ll also get to connect with other like-minded students who are all doing the course at the same time.

Check out the feedback this course generates and discover why so many students love Copywriting Essentials – and why you will too.

Reviews of Copywriting Essentials

“This course is absolutely unrivalled for quality, cost, time and ease of access. I learned many new skills that I put to use immediately and have relied upon in a variety of contexts since. AND, I so enjoyed it! Thank you AWC, Bernadette and Mark!”

Amy Dewhurst

“I really enjoyed learning the seven steps to selling and also about search engine optimisation. It was all a really great insight. I honestly don't think that there is anything more that Bernadette could do to improve this course. It's perfect.”

Nick Burdeu

“Mark was very friendly, approachable, and eager to share his insights. From the get-go I realised that he knows the industry inside and out. Overall, this amazing course has given me confidence to seriously pursue copywriting as a side career. “

Lorylene Anne Tayler

“The course provided a complete toolkit to enter the workforce as a copywriter. It was super practical, the information was generous and well-delivered, and left me at the end feeling like I could make the step into paid work.”

Megan Ralfe

What you’ll learn

Copywriting isn’t about being clever or creative for the sake of it – it’s about writing with purpose. This course gives you the step-by-step foundations to craft copy that informs, persuades and sells. You'll learn practical strategies you can use immediately, whether you're writing for clients, employers or your own brand.

You’ll discover:

The principles of persuasive writing
Learn what copywriting actually is – and what sets it apart from other forms of writing. You’ll discover the psychology behind why people take action, how to write with intent, and the key principles that guide all effective copy.
How to understand your audience
Great copy doesn’t start with words – it starts with research. You’ll learn how to get inside your reader’s head, identify what they really need, and position your product or message as the solution.
Proven copywriting formulas
You’ll be guided through frameworks – powerful formulas used by professional copywriters to structure persuasive content. These are tools you’ll return to again and again.
How to write across multiple formats
From website homepages and product pages to eDMs, flyers and social media copy – you’ll learn how to apply copywriting skills across a range of platforms, with practical examples and templates to guide you.
The craft of writing compelling headlines
The headline is your first (and sometimes only) chance to get attention. You’ll discover techniques to create clear, clickable, benefit-driven headlines – without resorting to hype or gimmicks. You’ll be equipped with over 20 tried, tested and proven formulas just waiting for you to use. And the Top 20 ‘Power Words’ that make people buy.
Editing techniques to make your copy shine
Learn how to self-edit your work with a critical eye, tightening every sentence for clarity, energy and impact. You’ll pick up the habits of strong professional writers – and learn what to leave out.
How to shape tone and voice

Whether you're writing for a corporate brand, a small business or your own creative projects, you'll learn how to match the voice to the audience write with warmth, authority or urgency as needed.

Enjoy the benefits of your online classroom

This course gives you access to your own online classroom, where you’ll be able to connect with other classmates and share your stories with each other in a supportive environment – with people who share your passion!
Your class also has its own online tutor – on hand and online for any questions you may have and to provide personal feedback on your work. Our tutors are experienced experts with years of knowledge to draw on. They’re your secret weapon!
Each Monday we’ll release a new learning module in the form of video lessons, along with handouts and other resources. You can choose to save the audio and listen to it later – perhaps during your favourite walk or in the commute in the car. It’s up to you!
A fan of 9am starts? Easy. 2pm before the kids get home? Sure. 10pm? 5am? You choose the time and place that best suits your schedule. A practical weekly assignment (assessed by your tutor) will help you stay on track and gauge your progress along the way.

BONUS MODULE: How to start your copywriting business

Discover what you need to do to get started and find clients. You’ll learn how to build the right foundation as a freelance copywriter so that you can thrive. This bonus module will give you the confidence and framework in your new venture.

BONUS BOOTCAMP: Your 30-day Copywriting Essentials Bootcamp

Upon completing the course, each participant will receive privileged access to our Copywriting Essentials Bootcamp, a 30-day program that will help you take what you've learnt and apply it to fast track your copywriting goals.

Every day, for 30 days, you’ll receive a Daily Action Tip via email that, if applied, will see your dream of becoming a paid copywriter turn into reality. Created by the course writer and tutor Bernadette Schwerdt, it’s a ‘companion piece’ to the course and will give you step-by-step instructions for building a successful copywriting business. These bite-size goals are designed to be ‘diarised’ so that you know exactly what you have to do each day.

Valued at $297, this Bootcamp is FREE for graduates of Copywriting Essentials – perfect for those who love learning and want extra support once the course is over.

BONUS COURSE: Introduction to AI for Copywriters

Future-proof your writing and work smarter — not blander.
Included FREE when you enrol in Copywriting Essentials, this bonus course will change the way you think about AI.

Forget the fearmongering – this isn’t about being replaced. It’s about understanding how to use AI as your assistant, your brainstorm partner, your draft generator — without ever losing your human edge. To get the most out of it, you need to understand the core principles of copywriting, which you’ll learn in the main course.

In this practical, eye-opening BONUS COURSE, you’ll discover:

What AI can (and can’t) do
You’ll cut through the hype and understand what tools like ChatGPT are really good at – and where they fall apart without human insight, originality and strategy.
How to use AI to boost your creative process
Learn how to turn AI into your secret weapon – helping you ideate faster, structure better, and generate smarter first drafts (without sounding robotic).
How to brief AI like a pro
Discover how to train AI on your tone, prompts and strategy – and why the quality of your output depends entirely on the quality of your input.
Business-ready shortcuts
From writing emails, invoices and proposals to editing client follow-ups and fine-tuning SEO – you’ll see just how much time you can save with the right approach.
Real-world demos you can replicate
Watch AI create blog posts, landing pages, ebooks, webinar promos and more – all using materials you’ll learn to build in the main course.
The ethics, risks and realities
Get honest insight into where AI goes wrong (including “hallucinations” and copyright concerns), when you should disclose its use, and how to always deliver high-quality, fact-checked work.
How to stay visible in the age of AI
You’ll also explore how to get your copy, content or website cited in AI-generated search results – and why this is a new frontier in SEO and digital visibility.Even if you’re brand new to AI, this course will meet you where you’re at and help you get up to speed – with clarity, creativity and confidence.

Valued at $297, this bonus course is invaluable. And you'll get access to it for FREE when you enrol. Think of AI as your incredibly smart intern. It can help you draft anything. But only you can shape the strategy, tone and meaning.

How does the online course work?

When you enrol:

You’ll receive login details to access your online course
Your course contains five weekly modules, each with audio lessons and handouts
Each week, you can submit a small assignment and receive feedback from your tutor
There are no set class times – complete each module when it suits you during the week
We suggest allowing 3-4 hours per week to complete each module and assignment
You can post questions and comments in the classroom and get to know your classmates
You’ll be able to enjoy access to the course for a full year – plenty of time to revisit your lessons and refresh your knowledge whenever you need.

Even if you don’t want to become a full-time copywriter, just having the skills to write great copy will give you the freedom to earn money while writing your novel, screenplay or blog. Some of the world’s top novelists and screenwriters started their careers as copywriters – Fay Weldon, Peter Carey, Philip Adams, Di Morrissey, Salman Rushdie, Don DeLillo, Dorothy Sayers, to name just a few.

You will also learn some handy writing tips along the way that will help you in your other work, including how to overcome procrastination, dealing with fear, using deadlines effectively and using copy to promote your other creative work.

Featured in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and on Radio National’s Life Matters, this bestselling course is widely regarded to be one of Australia’s most successful copywriting courses for those seeking practical, real-world training that generates paid work.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Who is this course for?
A: This introductory course is really for anyone looking to dip their toe into these waters and see if this life suits. More specifically, it is brilliant for creative writers who want to earn some regular income from their writing. Also journalists and freelance writers looking to add copywriting to their suite of corporate services. It’s also really useful for entrepreneurs and business owners – to control their message and communicate it strongly.

Q: Can I make good money?
A: This is one of the few writing areas where we can quite confidently say that it’s possible to make good money being a copywriter. (Well, being a good copywriter.) As your confidence grows, you can charge your clients top dollar for the work you create.

Q: I see you also offer another course called How to Build a Successful Freelance Copywriting Business. Which should I do first?
A: Good question! If you’re doing both, it doesn’t matter which you do first, as there is almost no overlap – just try to do them within a year of each other. Both are created by Bernadette Schwerdt.

Q: I'm interested in the SEO Copywriting course too. When should I do that?
A: You’ll get the most from the SEO Copywriting course if you’ve done the Copywriting Essentials course first. Even if you’re an established copywriter, we still recommend you complete Copywriting Essentials first as it will give you the fundamentals that the SEO Copywriting course is based on.

Q: What's the difference between the Copywriting Essentials, How to Build a Successful Freelance Copywriting Business and SEO Copywriting courses?
A: Copywriting Essentials (that’s this one) gives you the skills to write great copy, while How to Build a Successful Freelance Copywriting Business will help you get lots of clients and make money! SEO Copywriting will provide you with the tools and techniques to take your copywriting to the next level, offer clients a valuable service they’ll pay extra for and give you a point of difference that will see you become the copywriter of choice.

All courses run multiple times through the year, so check the course dates for each.

You can complete Bernadette Schwerdt's online copywriting courses in any order. They are designed to complement each other and doing all three will make you a copywriting superstar!

Enjoy exclusive access to our AWC Graduates’ Club

Want to know where all the cool kids hang out? The Graduates’ Club of course! Now, calm down – there are no cigars, leather armchairs or loud ticking grandfather clocks here. But it IS exclusive invitation only (on completion of a course) and it’s free! Meet other writers online and share successes, seek help or just get something off your chest. Many students believe this ‘legacy learning’ is one of the most valuable things about our AWC community, and who are we to argue? So if you want to receive feedback, support and a heads-up on opportunities … join the Club!

We are Australia’s leading provider of short writing courses. Our world-class presenters are actively working in business and will ensure your training is relevant, up to date and fun! GET PAID FOR YOUR WORDS with Copywriting Essentials.

Key information
Key information:
This is an online course Duration 1 This is an online course Opens: Monday 21 July 2025 Start any time during the week Opens: Monday 21 July 2025 Start any time during the week Duration: 5 weeks Allow 3–4 hours per week Duration: 5 weeks Allow 3–4 hours per week Feedback: Weekly Feedback: Weekly With: Mark Farrelly With: Mark Farrelly $600 Can’t make this one? Just fill out this form and we’ll be in touch when there’s a course date that suits you.