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Business Communication & Persuasion: Messages That Work

Name: Business Communication & Persuasion: Messages That Work
Rating: 4.5 (3 reviews)

Create clear, natural, audience-focused messages that build trust, influence decisions, and drive action at work

Created byRebecca Brizi

Last updated 8/2026

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Identify the communication barriers that cause business messages to be misunderstood
Adapt your message for clients, employees, colleagues, managers, and prospects
Replace buzzwords and jargon with clear, specific language that people can understand and act on
Write concise, audience-focused business messages with a clear purpose and next step
Apply listening psychology to anticipate how different people may interpret your words
Use active listening techniques to check understanding and respond to real concerns
Deliver spoken messages in a natural, professional style without sounding scripted

Course content

10 sections • 64 lectures • 2h 24m total length

When good words go bad2:39
Welcome to this class about bad words for business.
In this class, you're going to learn about all of these words that we use every single day to talk about our business without realizing that they're actually damaging our business, that they are harming our relationship with clients and making it more difficult for them to relate to us.
This lesson will help you understand what the course is about and why communication can make or break a business message.
What You Will Learn In This Course2:14
Find out, in succinct terms, what this course will teach you and how it will improve your work.
Who Is The Course For2:44
Find out who the intended audience is and when you recognize yourself, make a note of what you want to learn and change.
About Me1:33
A brief word about why I am teaching this course

What Is Your Business Really Saying?0:26
Our brief pre game section is a sort of warm up act, if you will, reminding you why this course is important.
With this section you will understand how every business communicates, even when no one is speaking directly.
What Good Messaging Can Do for You1:08
Learn about the benefits of strong messaging and see how clear messaging can improve trust, engagement, and business results.
Why Business Messaging Gets Hard1:59
Learn about common communication challenges, and identify the main reasons business messaging becomes confusing or ineffective.

The words you don't notice that you are using0:46
In this section, we will review the everyday words that you're using in business conversations and that are damaging your business communication.
Prepare for a few surprises...
Why you don't want to "help" people2:53
Yes, helping people is good.
No, talking about it is not.
Your work isn't "good quality"2:44
Of course your work is high quality.
The problem is: so is everybody else's.
Don't try to be "better"1:54
The problem with better is... better than what?
You don't "think" that really2:25
Don't think... Know!
Nobody is "perfect", not even you2:33
Don't be perfect. Be valuable.
Please don't sell to "everyone"2:48
Think of that client experience that made you want to pull your hair out.
You don't want more of that client.
You do not offer "Peace of mind"1:55
Ok... but how?
Your "failure" really isn't... a failure2:40
It's not a failure, it's a good catch.
Auditing & Replacing Unprofessional Language2:30
Why are these words a problem?

The use of jargon is a distortion of words0:24
Some of the earful words you are using are jargon and buzzwords. And sometimes, we forget that that is what they are.
Why "leverage" when you can just use?1:10
Just use the word... use
The "synergy" of collaboration1:14
... is just collaboration.
In business we don't "touch base"1:05
When and how.
How hard is it to "See the big picture"1:25
Make it smaller.
No. You aren't being "Disruptive"1:28
It's about being different, not difficult.
Stop giving "110%"1:16
There is no such thing.
You don't want to "Get to the next level"1:03
Which level is that?
You are not as "Strategic" as you think1:20
What to use instead?
"Blue sky thinking" puts your head in the clouds1:23
Bring it back down to earth.
Life isn't about what is "Outside the box"2:07
Much like blue sky thinking...
Don’t “circle back”, go straight to the point1:32
When? And how?
Look beyond ”work hard, play hard” for work life balance1:51
There is no worksheet for this one. Because you want to just not do it.
Why “hopping on a call” doesn’t work1:51
People are busy.
You can’t fix it if you “table it”1:32
Don't circle back either...
Break the chains of “alignment” with actual collaboration2:24
Just say it in English
Auditing & Replacing Unprofessional Language0:54
Audit and replace unprofessional language across externally facing content and internal documentation, then create a comprehensive style guide covering everyday language and business jargon.

Replace Harmful Words with Clearer Language0:33
Flipping weak language around: understand how to rewrite common phrases into clearer business language.
Message for Your Clients, Not Yourself2:44
Leading with client needs. Learn how to shape your message around what your audience cares about most.
The So What Test assignment
A Simple Exercise to Remove Jargon1:45
Practice editing communication: in this lesson you will learn a practical exercise to improve your own messaging.
One Sentence, Strong Message1:58
Learn how to boil your whole message down into a clear, concise sentence.
Why an Elevator Pitch Isn’t Enough1:41
This is not quite an elevator pitch. This is a full business message.
Tell a client's story

The Point of Communication0:49
Understand why communication works best when the listener clearly gets the message.
Speak with Confidence in Any Business Setting6:45
Learn how to speak effectively: to communicate clearly and confidently in professional conversations.
Listen Better To Speak Better3:28
Learn the connection between speaking and listening, and how listening styles affect the way you should speak.
Communication that Converts: Beyond Sales to Value3:15
All communication in one way or another wants to convince somebody of something. Communication in business is about one thing. And no, it's not sales.
Communication in business is about conversion.
Conversion is not the same as sales.
How People Hear Your Message4:15
Learn how to adjust your message based on place and person.
Match Your Message to the Moment1:58
Choose the right tone, pace, and level of detail for different situations.

Decode Client Communication: Speak Clearly, Win Trust1:07
Introducing client communication and what makes it unique
From 'It Depends' to Done Deals: Be Specific4:00
Learn how to turn vague answers into specific, actionable responses.
Say More with Less: Simplify Your Message3:05
Speak in clear, simple terms that clients easily understand.
Speak for Their Priorities, Not Yours2:10
Tailor your communication to what clients want and need to hear, not just what you want to say.
Sell the Benefit: It Is More Than Time4:39
Expressing product or service benefits clients actually value. It's not the time saved, it's what time is worth.
Make It Memorable: 5 Ways to Elevate Client Conversations3:40
Apply five practical techniques to make your conversations stand out.
Visual Aids That Work: Show, Don’t Tell5:28
Know which visual aids to use—and when—to strengthen understanding.
Own the Message: Take Responsibility for Clarity2:24
Adapting when communication fails so your meaning gets through

Build Strong Teams Through Communication1:01
Understand how internal communication builds team trust and collaboration.
Write Job Posts That Attract, Not Confuse1:55
Write job postings that draw interest and reduce candidate ghosting.
Why Internal Communication Drives Engagement3:18
Alignment, engagement, and the purpose behind internal communication
Avoid These Internal Communication Pitfalls4:48
Spot communication traps early and know how to steer clear.
Build Your Internal Communications Handbook4:16
Setting team standards and documenting communication principles

Balance Give and Take in Every Conversation0:51
Why good communication is a conversation, not a monologue
Ask Smart Questions That Sell Ideas3:21
How to use questions strategically in conversation
Repeat Without Repeating: The Art of Reframing3:19
Emphasize key ideas so they stick—without sounding redundant.
Mirror for Connection: Reflect What You Hear1:12
Because we're talking about communication and connection I want to address the issue of mirroring behavior. And how to mirror without monkeying. Using mirroring to build rapport and show understanding
Follow Up That Works: From Leads to Loyal Clients3:34
Always be the person who reconnects and keeps the conversation moving forward.

Requirements

None other than owning or working in a business

Description

Business communication is not about saying more. It is about making sure the right person understands your message, remembers what matters, and knows what to do next.

Tired of losing clients who don't understand your message? Tired of feeling misaligned with your employees?

In this practical course, you will learn the essential principles of clear, persuasive business communication—then learn how to use them without sounding scripted, overly polished, or unlike yourself. You will strengthen your own natural communication style while becoming more intentional about the words, tone, examples, and level of detail you use.

This course helps you ditch the jargon and speak directly to your ideal client's needs. You'll learn to:

Identify hidden language barriers: Discover how everyday words and overused buzzwords can push clients away.
Craft clear, compelling messaging: Learn to write persuasively without sacrificing simplicity.
Speak directly to your audience: Tailor your communication for maximum impact.

You will also explore the psychology of listening: why people hear the same message differently, how assumptions and attention affect understanding, and how to adjust your communication based on the person in front of you, whether you are speaking with clients, employees, colleagues, managers, partners, or prospects.

A central part of the course focuses on eliminating buzzwords, jargon, and vague business language. When you replace a buzzword, you must decide what you actually mean. That forces you to become more attentive, specific, and precise—making your message clearer, more credible, and more useful to the person receiving it.

Every day, your audience is surrounded by messages, requests, presentations, emails, and marketing. Clear communication stands out because it respects people’s time and gives them something they can understand and use.

By the end of this course, you will have practical tools to create clear, specific, audience-aware messages that sound natural to you—and that help others understand, trust, and act on what you say.

What students are saying:

Barbara M.: "This was excellent! Well delivered and lots to learn and reflect on as well as apply to the organization Thanks'

Paul B.: "Loved the way course was broken into small Digestible pieces . Great presentation"

Michael C.: "Very interesting and informative especially the annoying corporate speak!"

Thelma L.: "This very informative course significantly helps with business language and client communication. I would definitely share this with my SLT team and subordinates"

Who this course is for:

Business owners, consultants, and service professionals who want to describe their work and offering clearly
Professionals who need to write client-focused messages that build trust and encourage action
Managers and team leaders who want to write clearer emails, instructions, updates, and feedback for employees and colleagues
Sales, customer-service, account-management, and marketing professionals who want to tailor written communication to their audience and make messages more persuasive
Professionals who want to eliminate buzzwords, jargon, vague language, and overly formal writing from emails, proposals, web copy, and internal communications
Early-career professionals who want to develop a clear, credible, and natural professional style
Anyone seeking practical business-writing skills—not grammar lessons or academic-writing instruction.

Business Communication & Persuasion: Messages That Work

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to Business Communication4 lectures • 9min

Pre-Game: Communication Basics3 lectures • 4min

Words That Weaken Your Message10 lectures • 23min

Cut the Jargon17 lectures • 24min

Say It Clearly5 lectures • 9min

How People Listen and Respond6 lectures • 21min

Communicate with Clients with Confidence8 lectures • 27min

Communicating with Colleagues and Employees5 lectures • 15min

Confident Conversations: Mastering Questions, Repetition & Follow-Up5 lectures • 12min

Conclusion1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: