Open Courses

Open Courses - Media, PR, Communication and Marketing Skills

Our open courses are held at convenient city centre locations across the UK: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Birmingham, Reading, Oxford, Norwich, Cambridge, Brighton, Southampton, Cardiff, Bristol and London.

All are one-day events running from 9.30am to 5pm with the exception of the half-day 'Digital Photography - Getting Started' and 'Dealing With Media Enquiries' courses which run from 1.30pm to 5pm.

Search Engine Optimisation - Getting Started

A highly practical and interactive one-day course to help you improve your website’s ranking on Google and other search engines - with introductions to Google Adwords and Analytics.

During the day we look at the techniques and processes of SEO, the selection and refinement of keywords and key phrases; the writing of page titles, page descriptions and web text; an introduction to Adwords and other off page optimisation ideas; and how to monitor and improve your site’s performance using Google Analytics.

Writing for the Web

An interactive one-day course to help you learn the priorities and practicalities of web writing.

We focus on the essential differences of writing for the web as opposed to the printed page, the importance of tuning into readers' needs, and how to improve your site's usability. Learn the importance of keywords, get an introduction to Search Engine Optimisation and how to adapt your writing and web site.

Introduction to Marketing

Marketing is essential for any organisation; large or small, public or private; for those selling products or providing information and a service. An understanding of marketing is a key skill for all communications professionals and anyone in a customer facing role. This practical one-day course will introduce you to the important elements in a straightforward, easy to understand format.
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Success with Social Media

Many forms of Social Media are now an indispensable part of the marketing mix and an essential way to spread your organisation's message and engage with customers and the public.

FaceBook, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, Ning these are just some of the names on the new breed of social marketeer's lips. But what are they? How do they work? And how can organisations learn to use them for effective communication?

Handling Press & Radio Interviews

A practical one-day course building the skills and confidence to give really effective press and radio interviews. The 'hands-on' training approach provides practice in the full range of typical interview situations and thanks to the involvement of a real journalist and skilled PR specialist, you'll get a priceless insider's insight into the way reporters think and work.
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Better Feature Writing

A practical one-day course geared to producing features that promote the organisation and its aims - while still providing editors and their readers with interesting, entertaining and informative material.

Features are an essential part of the PR toolkit and a skill you can't afford to be without. Whether you are writing features aimed at specific publications, or giving a features slant to a press release, this is an essential course that has been much acclaimed by previous participants.

How to Create a Successful Blog

Blogging has taken the digital world by storm, a new era of citizen journalism has been heralded in many quarters. But just what is this new revolution about? This practical one-day course provides an essential guide to blogging - guiding you through the process of creating a successful, hard-working blog that can have a powerful effect on your marketing and communications.
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Writing for Corporate Publications

The messages you put out to your customers, staff and suppliers are crucial in helping to build your organisation's reputation. This interactive workshop focuses on improving journalistic know-how and increasing confidence and fluency in writing skills for corporate magazines and newsletters.
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Write Better Press Releases

Write better press releases that will catch the journalist's eye and get your story into print. Structure your news release exactly as a journalist would write it. In one intensive day you will learn how to produce tightly written copy that will give your story the best possible chance of being published.
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Creating Successful Email Newsletters

Email newsletters are one of the most versatile and cost-effective communication tools for any organisation wishing to engage its subscribers, customers or clients. This practical one-day course will show you how to harness the power of email marketing.
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Handling Media Interviews in a Crisis

This practical one-day course is designed for anyone who could find themselves in the spotlight at a time of intense media attention. With realistic scenarios based around an unfolding crisis situation this 'hands-on' training day will prepare spokespeople to handle press, radio and TV interviews when under pressure.
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An Introduction to PR Photography

Great photographs can do wonders for our PR effort, not to mention taking newsletters, websites and publicity to new levels. Digital cameras have made it easier than ever before for anyone to take pictures but are the results stunning shots that the press are using ..... or run-of-the-mill snaps that are being ignored?
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Creating Video for the Web

Broadcasting video on the web is astonishingly powerful - a vodcast can directly and precisely target the viewers you want to reach, locally or globally. Research has shown that video is more effective than any other communication medium. A video on You Tube can easily attract an audience of millions in just hours.
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Effective Writing in the Workplace

Not everyone is a confident writer, but clear communication - writing with clarity, persuasion and impact - is an essential part of most people's work. Whatever your occupation and individual needs, this is an opportunity to improve and develop your skills.
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Rev Up Your Writing Power

Energise your writing! Abolish writers block! And never again feel lost for words when faced with a blank screen. Whatever kind of writing you do - for PR, marketing and the media, online or in print - this course helps you do it faster, more fluently and more creatively.
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The Newsletter Crash Course!

Newsletters have the potential to be an astonishingly cost-effective way of reaching customers, clients, staff or the community. Sadly many of them are binned or deleted unread. Using techniques developed in the newspaper and magazine industries, this practical one-day course will ensure your printed or online newsletter has real impact.
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The Public Relations Course

'Press officer in a Day' Advertising costs a fortune. Positive publicity is not only highly effective - it can also be free! With a small number of people trained in key PR skills any business, organisation, or department, can achieve spectacular rewards in terms of publicity for products or services.
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Television & Radio Interview Skills

Two practical half-day workshops developing the skills and techniques to give confident and effective media interviews. The 'hands-on' training covers the range of typical live and pre-recorded interview situations in each workshop including telephone, face-to-face, outside location, studio and straight to camera live satellite link-ups.
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Presentation Skills

A one-day course for all those who need to make confident presentations to colleagues or clients in meetings, or at seminars and conferences. With friendly support and guidance from experienced tutors, the course will help you acquire the skills and confidence to give really effective presentations.
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Dealing with Media Enquiries

An essential half-day course to help all frontline staff who may find themselves as the first contact point for journalists and broadcasters making enquiries. The practical training session is designed to enhance confidence and effectiveness in dealing with day-to-day contact from the media.
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