WORKSHOPS
Lessons from a Journalist:
How to Secure Media Coverage
Want to boost press coverage for you or your client? Are your pitches being ignored?
In this three-hour workshop, national journalist Suzanne Bearne who writes for national titles including the Guardian, the Observer and the BBC and former host of the Guardian's PR Masterclass, will explore 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 18 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 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.
Register Your Interest
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Register Your Interest ~ Join Workshop Waitlist ~
TESTIMONIALS
“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, accounts director, Touchdown PR
"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
"After some years away from the PR industry it was important to bring my understanding and skills back up to date. I found Susie's insights really helpful and refreshing, helping me to revive my own approach. Already it is proving fruitful in terms of placing stories for my clients. I would definitely recommend Susie's 'How to Pitch' workshop as a matter of course in any PR's developmental journey."
Kate Ashley-Norman, PR director and communications strategist
“Thank you so much for the time yesterday. We had a flurry of messages in our whatsapp group after about how helpful, practical and enjoyable the course was – even the people who started at 6.30am 😊”
Sarah Okrent, global communications director, MullenLowe Global
“I recently had the pleasure of attending Suzanne's "Lessons From a Journalist" media masterclass, where she took PRs through a crash course of helpful tips on pitching, building close relationships with journalists, and crafting news that warrants press pickup. Her experience as a journalist meant we had an insight into even the smallest details that journalists look for when PRs pitch, and I've came away from the session with a new sense of how I can make myself as helpful to journalists as possible. If you're a PR, Suzanne's workshop is invaluable - highly recommend!”
Sophie Johnson, Eleven Hundred Agency
“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
"Thank you so much for enriching the team with your knowledge. They are really enthusiastic about your talk. Already thinking differently :-) So well done."
Henk Boersen, managing director, Glasnost, Amsterdam
"10/10 can recommend this workshop for PR Pro's, whether in house or on agency side!
Thanks again Suzanne! 😊"
Tom De Beus, corporate PR consultant, NewsLab, Netherlands
“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
"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
“Just a quick one to say that I rewrote a pitch I had been preparing to send to one of the design magazines about one of our projects based on Monday's workshop and... it was successful. Thanks very much for the solid and relevant advice!”
Jenny Stephens, PR and digital comms, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studio
"Whenever I get a new team member into the press office I always put them through your training, so will continue to do so!"
Dan Williams, senior PR manager, WSP
"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’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'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 3 hours packed with valuable insights, lifehacks, 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
"Thank you so much for a brilliant workshop. Really appreciated your candour. Less than 24 hours later, I’m already putting your training into practice – for pitching, thinking more creatively about stories, and with the ‘consultant’ hat on, as supporting evidence (or ammunition, probably… I don’t shut up about case studies & data at the best of times, but definitely ramping it up now).”
Lex Rosenthal, account manager, Tala
"I’m so glad I booked myself onto one of Suzanne’s workshops. I only did it the day before, on a whim. My gift wrapping business is ME! Yet I have to learn to deal with all aspects of it. I wrote continually throughout the workshop and even a good year later I still reread those notes before approaching journalists.
To my great joy, following Suzanne’s recommendations , I secured a piece of editorial with environmental journalist Anna Turns. She later came back to me for a larger piece on eco wrapping pre-Christmas in Reclaim magazine. Thank you!"
Amanda White, owner, Gift Frippery!
"I found the session the be hugely insightful, providing invaluable insights into the world of a journalist and how to create the ultimate pitch for your features.
I'm grateful for the knowledge gained and the connections made during this enriching experience and look forward to applying these newfound skills to create impactful future pitches and drive meaningful results for my clients and organisation.
A huge thank you to Suzanne Bearne for holding the session and all of the knowledge passed on today."
Ollie Manser, public relations executive, The MTM Agency
"Just a quick note to say thank you for a fantastic workshop. It was full of valuable and practical advice, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of key takeaways I can put into practice straight away."
Jen Davies, communications lead, Active Partners
"I would highly recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to take a deeper dive into the mind of a journalist and receive key insights on how to make your pitch stand out. I left the workshop feeling knowledgeable, optimistic and with a strong sense of admiration for the field of journalism."
Hailee Harris, campaign and event manager, Vegan Friendly
"If you've ever wanted the inside track on how to secure media coverage, I'd highly recommend the 'Lessons from a journalist' workshops. In a hectic world, connecting with journalists the right way can be hard, but after attending Susie's workshop, it feels like it's going to be a lot easier. I left with a host of resources, practical tips, and creative ideas.
I've gone on to secure more press pickups using on Twitter and my new pitching style."