Free online courses on communication topics from the Loeb School

MANCHESTER — Registration is now open for classes at the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications. 

The school is partnering with experts who have won awards to offer classes on topics like social media, writing, advocacy, artificial intelligence in fundraising, public records law and more at no cost.

The courses are four weeks long and offered online. 

Gathering String: A Course on Collecting Your Writing with Kimberly Marlowe Hartnett is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m., Jan. 29, Feb. 5, 12 and 19. The class will teach individuals useful exercises and provide guidance to expand a collection of written work. 

A Social Media Kickstarter class with Victoria Carrington Chavez is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24. The class is for individuals who aren’t sure where to begin with social media and want to learn simple steps. Participants will learn how to choose the right platform, understand their audience and use social media as part of a communications strategy. They’ll cover what content to post to spark engagement, how to turn interest into conversations, paid versus organic content, how to understand analytics and more. 

There are also a host of single-session online courses available.  

Anna Brown and Mike Dunbar will teach Speak Up, NH: Tools for Driving Change in State Government from 12 to 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 28. That course will include a dive into New Hampshire’s “citizen Legislature” and show how an individual can have influence. Participants will learn how to follow legislation, craft public testimony and to work with legislators to draft a new law.

Jack Segal will teach Demystifying and Harnessing AI for Nonprofit Fundraising from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The course will show examples of the use of artificial intelligence and provide hands-on experience using AI tools. Participants will explore ways to integrate AI into daily work and practice with a few tools to supercharge fundraising and donor engagement.

Attorney Gregory V. Sullivan will teach Update: NH Public Record Laws later that day, 6-7:30 p.m. on Feb. 4. Class members will learn how their state’s public records laws have changed during the last four years, and what developments may be on the horizon when it comes to accessing government records. 

And Kyle Chumas will teach Email Marketing: Trips & Tricks for Success from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3. Students will learn strategies to boost open rates, increase engagement and drive conversations through email marketing. It's “perfect for nonprofits, small business owners, and anyone looking to learn more about actionable email techniques.”

Pre-registration is required at loebschool.org/classes-workshops-and-events-registration.