Business writing encompasses all the types of writing you do in professional settings, from reports and emails to slides in Powerpoint presentations to resumes and cover letters. Regardless of where you work, and whether you are a high-level executive or applying for your first job, having strong business writing and communication skills is important for getting your ideas across effectively and achieving your professional goals.

Learning about business writing in English is essential for native English speakers as well as those speaking English as a second language. If you aren’t fluent in English, using proper spelling, grammar and word choice in your professional communication will ensure you are properly understood and make a strong impression. But even native English speakers can benefit from improving their business writing, as being able to write more concisely and persuasively can help you stand out from the competition and open new career opportunities.

Business writing skills can help advance careers in almost any field. Even if the only writing you do at your job is emails or presentation slides, strong business writing skills help you get your point across, convey a business-appropriate tone, and leave a good impression. Business writing skills are particularly important in the context of a job search, where a polished, professional resume and cover letter can go a long way towards helping you stand out from other applicants.

If you have truly superior business writing skills, you can pursue a number of careers as a full-time writer. Copywriters and copyeditors, for example, are typically responsible for writing short but tremendously impactful copy for advertisements, brand messaging, and other channels. Similarly, content writers help companies find audiences on the web by writing engaging and helpful long-form articles to reach customers looking for information. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional writers earned a median annual salary of $63,200 in 2019, and may work for companies like advertising agencies and publications or as freelancers.

Yes! Whether you’re a native English speaker or learning English as a second language, you can find great opportunities to improve your business writing skills on Coursera. You can take individual courses or Specializations spanning multiple courses about business writing from top-ranked schools like University of Colorado Boulder, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Washington, and University of Maryland College Park. And, because Coursera lets you learn remotely on a flexible schedule, you can pick up these valuable business writing skills while continuing your existing work or family life.