Lessons from a Journalist: How to Secure Media Coverage

Delving into almost 20 years' experience as a journalist across trade, national and consumer titles across print, online and radio platforms, Suzanne will offer guidance on working with the press, explain what to include in a press release that'll catch a journalist's eye, reveal how to take advantage of many of the digital platforms now available, and provide tips on building relationships with both in-house and freelance journalists (despite how tough it is right now)

Featuring strong case-studies, this interactive session is aimed at anyone interested in securing more media coverage, whether you work in PR or marketing, or run your own business. You'll also come away with a document featuring tips and successful pitches.

What the workshop will cover:

1. how the media operates
2. what journalists look for in a story
3. what to include in a press release
4. how to think creatively about securing press coverage
5. how to use digital to find opportunities
6. how to boost your relationship with the press
7. key dos and don'ts when it comes to working with the media

The session will also include time for any Q&As.

Please arrive from 1.45pm. The session will start prompt at 2.00pm. Please allow for an additional 15 minutes at the end in case we run over.

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

If the event has to be cancelled, we will move the session online.

General admission tickets are 249 euros.

No refunds. If you're unable to make it you may transfer the ticket to a colleague or friend, or you will be able to attend another workshop or can choose to have access to webinars featuring the same content. There's also webinars and a course you can watch at anytime. Suzanne is also available to run private workshops, online and in-person. Her email is susiebearne AT hotmail DOT com.

Limited spaces available.

Discounts available to those buying more than three tickets (please message me). Also, if you are self-employed and struggling with the price, please do drop me a line to discuss. My email is susiebearne AT hotmail DOT com.

The venue is wheelchair accessible.

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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 is also a radio producer for Radio 4's Today programe and 5 Live. She covers everything from technology and travel to small businesses and lifestyle and has reported from Amsterdam, Myanmar, Guatamala, Mexico and Lisbon. She also runs Power Hours, webinars and connects PRs and businesses with talented journalists through her content network. More info available through her website. She has trained hundrds and hundreds of PRs, business owners and marketing professionals globally.

Looking to improve your or your client's media training skills? Watch media trainer Guy Clapperton in this recorded webinar discuss how to deliver clear and engaging messages.

Discover how to pitch Digiday in this recorded webinar with former Future of Work managing director, Jessica Davies.

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In the meantime, you can join Suzanne's bi-monthly newsletter here.

TESTIMONIALS:

"Susie's workshop is the best one I've been to in all my years of comms-ing. Better than CIPR's, if you ask me. If you're looking to give yourself a refresher, or you're new to the magical world of the media and need to learn how to pitch, Susie's your woman!" Lisa Davies, head of communications at PSS UK

“I attended Suzanne’s masterclass on securing media coverage and came away buzzing with ideas. Suzanne provided tonnes of useful advice that I could action straight away within my role, and her session included lots of examples on successful pitches and coverage of different topics. I recommend this to anyone working in PR who is looking for insights and tips on securing media coverage, as you’ll definitely learn a lot.” Chelsea Harrop, communications officer, Veganuary

“As PR’s it’s rare we get to sit down with a journalist and pick their brain about what makes a great pitch - especially one with such extensive experience. Susie gave a whole host of advice, speaking about best approaches to creating compelling stories, with her real-life examples helping to bring this to life. The whole team - from new starters to Account Directors - walked away from the session with practical tips about how to pitch national journalists more successfully, excited about how they could put these tactics into practice. Thanks Susie!” Hannah Sobolewski, Account Director, Touchdown PR

“Definitely recommend @sbearne’s workshop and courses if you want to get inside the mind of a journalist! So many useful tips and tricks. Lance Honegan, Content & PR Executive, Assisted Digital

“It was really interesting to hear Suzanne Bearne's first-hand experience, tricks of the trade and most importantly what a #PR should NOT pitch in her Lessons from a Journalist workshop yesterday with my fellow media specialist Kate Hellig.” Annabelle Tooby, Account Executive, Whiteoaks International

"I attended one of your workshops yesterday afternoon and just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you. I found the session really insightful in terms of top tips and tricks, but it also immediately sparked a few creative thoughts as to how I can try and pitch for some of my current clients. I also really appreciated the candour of your delivery, and feel it helped with the sense of 'seeing behind the curtain' that the session carried.” George O’Neill, Account Executive, Good Relations Group

"Just wanted to drop you a quick line to say thank you for the workshop on Friday – it was really useful and gave me some interesting food for thought to take back to the team." Louise Cousins, head of media and PR, National Deaf Children’s Society

"Suzanne’s workshop was invaluable. She gave extremely practical advice and creative suggestions for securing more media coverage. She shared with us varied examples of successful pitches and the kind of coverage that they resulted in. Her dos and don’ts of engaging with journalists were particularly instructive! I’ve already signed up to Suzanne’s newsletter for more helpful tips." Katie George, Crest Communications

"I just wanted to follow up on your Lessons From A Journalist workshop yesterday and let you know how insightful and helpful it was! I've gone away with a great deal of knowledge on how to refine my pitches and build relationships with journalists, so thank you again for putting on such a great masterclass." Sophie Johnson, Eleven Hundred Agency

"My colleagues really loved last week's session - they found it incredibly useful. Thank you!" Rhiannon Evans-Young, director and founder, Crest Communications

“Thank you for organising last week's workshop on securing media coverage - as someone just starting out in PR, your tips were incredibly helpful and I'm beginning to have conversations with colleagues at WSP about stories and projects that would be interesting to share with the media.” Margarita Zvereva, public relations officer at WSP

“I've turned to Susie many times now, and her content has been incredible for my PR efforts. I started with a newsletter followed by a Power Hour and finally visited her workshop. Those were amazing three hours packed with valuable insights, life hacks, real-life case studies and pitches. I left with lots of notes and ideas that I can't wait to implement. I also got a better understanding of how to become a reporter's trustworthy partner and valuable source. I highly recommend the workshop both to PR newbies and more experienced folks - seeing the whole PR process through a journalist's lens will definitely help you bring your A-game.” Nadya Movchan, PR manager, 3DLook

“I just wanted to say a big thank you for the workshop yesterday. I really enjoyed the session and have definitely learnt a lot!” Jamie Cuthbert, junior press officer, VoucherCodes

“Susie’s workshop was an absolutely fantastic insight into how a professional journalist views our pitches. The session was in-depth and covered everything you needed to know about getting a journo’s attention, without for a moment being condescending. I can genuinely say Susie’s course has helped become a more effective press officer.” Will Berrington, Media and PR Officer, Stepchange Debt Charity

"I genuinely think this was the most useful workshop I can remember attending. Really well thought out and just had the right amount of practical useful guidance." Ben Yelton, Communication & Event Manager, Sepura

"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’s masterclass is fascinating, engaging, informative and a real eye opener. In the space of three 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

"I just wanted to quickly thank you for today's PR workshop & learnings, it was a super useful experience for me and very interesting to delve a bit further into the journalist and media's world to understand your way of working." Lilly Gerlach, PR and media relations manager, Berlin

"Thank you so much for a beneficial and interesting workshop yesterday. It has given me lots of focus and ideas for launching 'My Green Career' in September." Traci Lewis, Co-founder and director, Catalyse Change

“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."

“I just wanted to send a quick note to say thank you as two of my team members attended your workshop yesterday and both came back today saying how much they enjoyed it and how helpful it was.” Kate Baldwin, Founder & MD, The Flywheelers