How to promote your small business

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How to promote your small business

By The Guardian Masterclasses

Date and time

Tuesday, September 22, 2015 · 6:30 - 9:30pm GMT+1

Location

The Guardian

Kings Place 90 York Way London N1 9GU United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Description

Ensure your business gets the press coverage it deserves at this interactive evening course

If you’re looking to raise awareness of your business or brand, this is a course you won’t want to miss. Led by journalist and editor Janet Murray, the evening is designed to teach small business owners how to develop great story ideas and pitch them to the media.

During the course, you’ll learn what journalists are looking for in a story, as well as how to write press releases that they’ll want to read. You’ll also learn how to deliver effective phone and email pitches, and receive valuable tips on promoting your press coverage. With plenty of time for practical exercises and questions, it's the ideal course for entrepreneurs who want to ensure their business gets the publicity it deserves.

Course content

  • How to develop story ideas to attract press coverage for your small business
  • What journalists are looking for in a story (and what they’re not looking for)
  • Good examples of press coverage – across newspapers, radio and TV
  • Getting hold of journalists’ contact details
  • Best practice for approaching media professionals
  • How to write and deliver email and phone pitches
  • Writing an effective press release
  • How to get journalists to read your press releases
  • Promoting your press coverage (and why you need to)
  • Practical writing exercises, with opportunity for feedback from the tutor
  • Q&A and group discussion

This course is for you if...

  • You’re a small business owner looking to raise awareness of your brand
  • You work for a small business in a PR role and want to learn how to communicate more effectively with the media
  • You’ve started your own business or brand within the last five years and want to learn how to get press coverage
  • You’re a freelance entrepreneur looking to learn more about communicating with media professionals in journalism, TV and radio

PLEASE NOTE: Attendees should arrive with some notes and/or materials relating to a story they would like to get press coverage for

Tutor profile

Janet Murray has over 15 years’ experience as a national journalist and editor. While she now writes mainly for the Guardian, she has contributed to a range of national and consumer titles including The Telegraph, Independent, Daily Express and The Sun. Janet also runs a media training company, helping businesses and brands get press coverage in newspapers, magazines and on radio and TV. You can read articles from her popular PR blog atwww.janetmurray.co.uk

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Organized by

Welcome to Guardian Masterclasses – a unique programme of learning embedded within one of the world's most forward-thinking media organisations.

We offer a broad range of short and long courses across a variety of disciplines from creative writing, journalism, photography and design, film and digital media, music and cultural appreciation.

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award winning guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The programme is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

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