Online PR courses are increasingly available to anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of public relations in a convenient and affordable way. These courses provide an invaluable opportunity for aspiring PR professionals to get a basic understanding of the core principles of the profession from the comfort of their own home. The teachable material in online PR courses covers everything from media relations to branding and crisis management. Students will learn about the different aspects of audience targeting, how to properly craft persuasive messages, and the differences between traditional PR tactics and digital PR. Additionally, students will get a better understanding of marketing and advertising and the kind of content that works best for a successful PR campaign. Most online PR courses operate on a subscription basis, meaning the student pays for a certain amount of access time (usually monthly). All courses offer a variety of lessons featuring interactive tools, audio-visual resources, forums, and exercises to help the student better understand the material. Examples of popular online PR courses include Professional PR Training and PR Academy. While most online PR courses are free, they may require a small fee to cover the cost of the materials they provide. Regardless, the cost of an online PR course is much lower than the cost of attending a conventional PR school or program. With the right course, students can gain an understanding of public relations without investing too much time or money.