Lessons from a journalist: How to secure media coverage

Want to land press coverage but unsure where to start? Or are your pitches being ignored? In this workshop, national journalist Suzanne Bearne who writes for national titles including The Guardian, The Observer and the BBC and runs The Guardian's PR and Marketing Masterclass, will explain how the media operates, what journalists are looking for from a story, and how tweaking your pitch and your approach can have a major impact in securing press coverage.

Delving into her 12 years' experience as a journalist across trade, national and consumer titles, Suzanne will offer guidance on working with the press, explain what to include in a press release, reveal how to take advantage of digital platforms, and provide tips on building relationships with both in-house and freelance journalists.

Featuring strong case-studies, this fun and interactive session is aimed at anyone interested in securing more media coverage, whether you're a startup, an entrepreneur, a PR or a big business.

What the workshop will cover:

  • how the media operates

  • what journalists look for in a story

  • what to include in a press release

  • how to think creatively about securing press coverage

  • how to use digital to find opportunities

  • how to boost your relationship with the press

  • key dos and don'ts when it comes to working with the media

 

Suzanne Bearne is a freelance journalist for national titles including The Observer, the BBC, and The Guardian, where she has worked as a commissioning editor. She covers everything from technology and travel to small businesses and lifestyle and has reported from Myanmar, New York and Lisbon.

Please arrive for 2.20pm. The session will start prompt at 2.30pm.

There will be a break half-way through. The session will also include time for any Q&As.

If you have any questions, please email susiebearne@hotmail.com

Early-bird tickets just £85.

Limited spaces available.

For those unable to attend, I also host monthly webinars covering the same content and have pre-recorded online videos on my website (suzannebearne.com) full of insider info on how to secure media coverage. Feel free to email me susiebearne@hotmail.com, or follow me on Twitter @sbearne, for more info.

 

We are not able to offer refunds. However you may transfer your ticket to a colleague/friend providing you email us their name before the event.

Testimonials:

“By attending one of Susie’s classes you can capitalise on all her knowledge and experience of working as a journalist for the BBC, The Guardian and The Observer. From practical tips to insights on how to identify, target and create opportunities for media coverage, Susie’s creativity and energy is inspiring. Her vivacious personality brings excitement to the process of storytelling and engaging journalists in that process. Whether you are new to PR or have years of media/PR experience, her classes are a trigger to keep refreshing your approach. After the class, I left with a notebook full of ideas and a commitment to ‘shaking things up’.” - Stella Harkness, press officer, University of Hull

"Thanks for a really useful and informative session. A little perspective shift and reminder of the good old PR/journo relationship (..it’s so easy to get stuck in the in/house bubble!)." - Suzi Burns, head of consumer PR, N Brown

"Suzanne’s masterclass is fascinating, engaging, informative and a real eye opener. In the space of 3 hours I went from a complete beginner to feeling like I knew exactly what to do to get a feature published. She gives you the top tips and all the tools you could need to be successful. Highly recommended!" - Louise, Cocoa Libre

"After a training session with freelancer Suzanne Bearne, I came away feeling completely besotted with my chosen profession. After twenty years in this job, I didn’t think there was anything I didn’t know. I know that sounds full of myself but after a certain amount of time, you can say that right? But actually, Suzanne taught me a lot of things that I’d either forgotten about, taken for granted or just hadn’t even considered." - Lynsey Walden, director, Front Door Communications

“Suzanne Bearne’s class was interesting and insightful. She used real scenarios and great examples to back up her useful tips and ideas. Came away with much more knowledge and understanding of what journalists are looking for. Would highly recommend.”

“Thanks for the masterclass - even though I’ve been in PR for a good while now it was enormously helpful to me."

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