Key details

One-day course that teaches how to produce well written and effective press releases using the tools and techniques available to established journalists.

This course focuses on:

• How the media works and what they are looking for.
• What to include in press releases, and what to leave out.
• How to build long-term relations with the media.

It is ideal for anyone working in public relations or a company press office whose responsibilities include writing for the media. As well as developing and refining your writing talent, you’ll pick up invaluable hints and tips.

Writing press releases training is arranged on-request, i.e. one-to-one training or a ‘closed course’ for your group. Your training can be tailored to take into account any existing knowledge you have, and the work you’re going to be doing.

In-class or online

This course is available in-class at eight centres or live online.

Expert trainer

Writing press releases courses are hosted by Robert Bullard, a seasoned journalist and instructor who has built up a rich knowledge base from years of exposure to the front line of journalism for both local and national newspapers.

How will I learn?

Training combines lecture, demonstration and hands-on practice.

Exercises provide activity-based experience and help build delegates’ confidence writing effectively. These exercises can be tailored to deal with issues specific to your business.

You have ample opportunity to discuss specific requirements with the trainer.

Training guide and certificate

Course delegates receive:

• Comprehensive training materials, to refer to throughout the course, and to use as a refresher back in the work-place.
• An e-certificate confirming successful completion of a Writing press releases training course.

After course support

Following Writing press releases training, delegates are entitled to 30 days’ email support from their trainer to help with any post-course issues. For further details, see Support.

General information

Course times

Standard course times are 9.30am–4.30pm.

As we’d be hosting this as a ‘closed course’ for you/your group, there’s usually flexibility to change these times to suit you, e.g. start or end 30 minutes earlier or later.

Payment

Payment for journalism training can be made by:

• Bank transfer. Please call 01527 834783 for our bank details.
• Card. All major credit and debit cards accepted. Payment can be made securely online or over the phone. Card payments are processed by Stripe. Armada doesn’t record or store your card details.

Purchase orders

We accept purchase orders from UK-registered companies and public sector organisations.

Accommodation

See Accommodation local to our training centres.

Cancellations and postponements

If an on-request Writing press releases course booking is cancelled giving less than 20 working days’ notice, a cancellation fee is payable. View cancellation terms.

If an on-request Writing press releases course booking is postponed giving less than 20 working days’ notice, a postponement fee is payable. View postponement terms.

Terms and conditions

Expert trainer

Robert Bullard

Robert has over twenty five years’ experience in a varied range of writing roles including technical author, copywriter, feature writer and freelance journalist.

He has worked for several national newspapers and magazines including The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Local Government Chronicle and Community Care, and has experience in the PR and media industries having ventured into national and regional radio, giving interviews and writing press releases.

Robert also carries out regular training course development work, and he delivers a variety of training courses in all aspects of writing for business.

He particularly enjoys relaying the knowledge he has acquired in his extensive and diverse career.

Course content

Introduction

• The essential characteristics of news stories

Understanding the media

• An introduction to how the media works, and the terminology it uses
• Learn which media to have contacts with, how and when to approach them, and what they are looking for in a press release

Preparing your material

• What to include in a press release and what to leave out
• Learn the importance of good headlines, introductions and quotes
• How to deal with:
  – Statistics
  – Negative issues
  – Complex stories
  – Long-running campaigns

Writing press releases

• Samples of good press releases:
  – Their typical structure
  – Their content and message
• Exercises in writing press releases, and following up your work with editors
• Individual feedback on your organisation’s work

Catering for different audiences

• Learn the requirements of different types of media:
  – Monthlies
  – Weeklies
  – Magazines
  – TV/radio
  – The Internet
• Learn to tailor your material and press releases for different outlets

Beyond the press release

• Building relations with the media. The longer term prospective

Live online training

Live online training lets you participate in a course from your place of work or home.

We do everything possible to make your online training experience as close as possible to actually being in the classroom. You can:

• See and hear our trainer, and the other delegates participating in the course…
  
• Interact by speaking, using chat, or raising your ‘virtual hand’ if you need assistance.
• Share your screen with our trainer, and allow them to take control to explain something.

Like our in-class courses, online courses…

• Are presented by expert instructors.
• Give you plenty of opportunity to carry out assisted, practical exercises.
• Offer 30 days’ email support from your trainer.

All you need is an Internet-connected computer with a webcam and audio capability. We provide everything else…

• Links to download the files, resources, etc. you’ll use in your course.
• A training guide. For most courses, you can choose from a printed copy that we post to you, or a PDF.

In the week before your course, we’ll send you an email containing everything you need to prepare for and participate in the training. Then, a couple of days before your course, we’ll give you a courtesy call to make sure you have everything in place and answer any questions you may have.

Please note that we are not able to record scheduled online courses for privacy reasons.

When you attend live online training, you’re participating in a real course, hosted by a real trainer, in real time