Writing for Brands
Review

A concise, practical introduction to brand copywriting and freelancing fundamentals for new and aspiring writers

Easy
  • Last updated 22/10/2025
by Brian Maehl

What you'll learn ? Overview

Writing for Brands by Brian Maehl is a compact, 30-minute course on Skillshare that introduces beginners to the fundamentals of brand copywriting and freelance writing. We found this course delivers exactly what it promises, a straightforward introduction to writing marketing copy for brands, without the fluff or unnecessary complexity.

The course comprises 9 focused lessons covering essential topics like content marketing basics, understanding brand voice, crafting effective pitches, and positioning yourself in the freelance market. Brian Maehl, who brings experience from his roles at Contently (including User Growth Manager and Senior Manager of Editorial Services), structures the content to be immediately actionable.

What sets this course apart at its price point? It's the practical approach. Rather than drowning you in theory, Maehl focuses on real-world applications and actionable templates you can use right away. We particularly appreciated how he breaks down complex concepts into digestible chunks, perfect for someone just starting their journey in brand writing.

The course design reflects its target audience perfectly, beginners who need a clear roadmap without overwhelming detail. At just 30 minutes, it respects your time while covering the essentials. You won't find advanced strategies here (and that's intentional), but you will gain a solid foundation to start writing for brands professionally.

Show More

Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

👉

Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Perfect for absolute beginners, aspiring freelance writers, small business owners wanting to improve their copy, marketing students, or anyone seeking a quick introduction to professional brand writing

Instructor

Brian Maehl

Product Operations Leader and Digital Marketing Expert Legitimacy Score: 7/10
Brian Maehl is a seasoned product operations professional with extensive experience in digital marketing and content strategy. Currently serving as the Associate Director of Product Operations at Muck Rack, he has demonstrated expertise in user growth, editorial services, and product management throughout his career. Maehl's journey in the digital landscape showcases a progression from content creation to strategic product leadership.
Maehl's career spans over a decade in the digital marketing and product management sectors. He began as a Campaigns Intern at DoSomething.org in 2013, then joined Contently in 2014, where he held various roles including Customer Success Manager and Sr. Manager of Editorial Services. In 2019, he became User Growth Manager at Contently. Since 2020, Maehl has been with Muck Rack, advancing from Associate Product Manager to his current role as Associate Director of Product Operations.
• Contributed to Contently's growth as a leading content marketing platform
• Played a key role in Muck Rack's product development and operations strategy
• Recognized for expertise in user growth and editorial services management
N/A
Brian Maehl maintains a low-key digital footprint, with limited public social media activity. His professional insights and contributions are primarily shared within his workplace and industry networks, rather than through personal online channels.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration30
  • 📶 DifficultyEasy
  • ⌛ Access Monthly
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

None required, designed for complete beginners


💻 Requirements

Internet connection, device capable of streaming video


💸 Hidden Costs

Only the Skillshare subscription fee, no additional tools or software required


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Limited to Skillshare's general platform support, no direct instructor interaction or dedicated course community

Course content

  • Module 1: Introduction to Content Marketing Landscape
  • Module 2: Understanding Brand Voice and Tone
  • Module 3: Writing Effective Brand Copy
  • Module 4: Crafting Compelling Pitches
  • Module 5: Building Your Freelance Portfolio
  • Module 6: Finding and Landing Clients
  • Module 7: Pricing Your Services
  • Module 8: Managing Client Relationships
  • Module 9: Growing Your Freelance Business

Show More

Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Reviews consistently praise this course as an excellent starting point for beginners, with most learners highlighting its clarity and practical value. The sentiment across Class Central and various course aggregator sites remains notably positive, though experienced writers find it too basic for their needs.

Praised points

  • Clear structure and actionable advice: Students love the well-organized content that provides tangible steps for breaking into freelance brand writing
  • Beginner-friendly approach: The course excels at making complex concepts accessible to those with no prior copywriting experience
  • Practical templates and real-world examples: Learners appreciate the hands-on lessons they can apply immediately to client work

Criticisms

  • Brief runtime: At just 30 minutes, some learners wish for more depth and additional case studies
  • Limited interactivity: As a self-paced Skillshare class, there's no direct instructor support or live feedback
  • Lacks advanced content: Experienced copywriters won't find the in-depth strategies they might be seeking

Testimonials

"Perfect introduction to writing for brands without overwhelming details" - Class Central reviewer



"Great course for beginners looking to understand the basics quickly" - Skillshare student



"Wish it was longer, but the content covered is solid" - Course participant



"Brian breaks things down in a way that finally made sense to me" - New freelancer



"Exactly what I needed to get started with brand copywriting" - Marketing student

Social insights

While specific Reddit or Quora discussions about this exact course are limited, broader conversations about Skillshare copywriting courses echo similar sentiments, praised for accessibility and affordability, but noted for their introductory nature.

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The course promises a practical introduction to brand copywriting for beginners, and based on student feedback, it delivers exactly that. No inflated promises or unrealistic expectations set.

Price History

Pricing remains consistent with Skillshare's subscription model, no course-specific price changes reported.

Upsell Practices

No aggressive upselling detected. Course exists as standalone content within Skillshare's library.

Student Success

While we couldn't verify specific success stories with career changes or high earnings, students consistently report gaining confidence and foundational skills to start their freelance journey.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Skillshare provides a reliable, user-friendly platform with consistent streaming quality and intuitive navigation. The platform works smoothly across devices.

Content Accessibility

Courses stream on-demand 24/7. The Skillshare mobile app allows offline viewing, contrary to some reports, making content accessible even without internet.

Mobile Compatibility

Excellent mobile experience through Skillshare's dedicated apps for iOS and Android, plus responsive web design.

Technical Requirements

Standard internet connection for streaming, any modern device (computer, tablet, or smartphone).

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

We found no significant complaints about content quality, refunds, or misleading claims in our research through Class Central and other review platforms.

😬

Refund policy issues

Skillshare's standard subscription refund policy applies. No course-specific complaints surfaced during our research.

😬

Marketing practices

The course marketing remains transparent and realistic. No exaggerated income claims or "get rich quick" promises, just straightforward educational value.

😬

Community feedback

Community feedback stays consistently positive, with no patterns of unresolved issues or concerns reported by students.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At roughly $32/month for Skillshare access (which includes thousands of other courses), this 30-minute introduction provides solid value for beginners. You're essentially paying for a focused, no-fluff foundation in brand copywriting.

Conclusion

Writing for Brands delivers exactly what a Low Ticket course should, a clear, concise introduction to its subject without unnecessary padding. Brian Maehl's experience at Contently shines through in his practical approach. Is it comprehensive? No, and it shouldn't be at this price point. What it does brilliantly is give complete beginners the confidence and basic tools to start their journey in brand copywriting. We found no red flags, no misleading claims, just honest educational content. If you're looking for an affordable entry point into copywriting and already have (or are considering) a Skillshare subscription, this course makes for a smart first step. Just remember, you'll need to supplement it with practice and additional learning as you grow.

FAQs about this course

You'll grasp the fundamentals of brand copywriting, including understanding brand voice, crafting pitches, and basic freelance business principles.

Yes, Brian has held various roles at Contently, including User Growth Manager and Senior Manager of Editorial Services.

Yes, through the Skillshare mobile app, you can download lessons for offline viewing.

It provides the foundation and basic strategies, but landing clients requires practice and applying what you learn.

For a basic introduction, yes. Think of it as your first step, not your entire education.

No, just access to Skillshare and basic word processing software like Google Docs.

Skillshare provides a completion acknowledgment, but not an industry-recognized certificate.

This covers fundamentals only. Higher-priced courses typically include coaching, community access, and advanced strategies.

Probably not, it's specifically designed for complete beginners.

Review statistics

No reviews yet for this course. Be the first to leave a review!

Writing for Brands screenshot
Writing for Brands Review
$ 32
Total score: 7,8/10 ⭐
  • Duration30
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Release Date01/2021
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessMonthly
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options Installments
  • LanguageEnglish
Show More

Our Methodology

At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

Our Rating System

Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

Our Process

For each review, we analyze all available online data to assess the course thoroughly. Our evaluation considers the quality of the content, the instructor's background, the marketing strategy, public perception, and authentic reviews from actual members, giving you a complete and balanced perspective.

Are You a Course Creator?

If you're the creator of a course we've reviewed and believe there are any inaccuracies or outdated information in our review, we want to hear from you.

How We Ensure Quality

Thorough Testing:

We implement strategies from the courses to validate their effectiveness.

Long-term Monitoring:

We track course updates and community development over time.

Writing for Brands Review