How To Make Headlines – What’s Your Story

By Jess Carter on Sep 22, 2025 10:37:59 AM

how-to-make-headlines-whats-your-story

Overview

How to tell the stories journalists want to hear. Ex BBC Breakfast editor Jess Carter reveals the secrets of a busy newsroom, with practical tips on how to build relationships, gain credibility, write a killer press release, become a ‘good talker’, take control of the narrative, and be your own best PR.

The objectives for this one-day workshop include:
  • How to give journalists what they really want.
    • Top tip, they’re usually busy and stressed, make it easy for them
  • How to make sure your story doesn’t get spiked!
    • Common mistakes that get your story dropped as fast as the love interest of a Strictly contestant
  • How to sell your story
    • Secrets of writing a good press release, and when and where to send it
  • Nailing an interview
    • Live, recorded, online – own your narrative, (with no nostril-gazing if you’re on a laptop)
  • The secrets of Citizen / DIY journalism
    • Social media, podcasting, films – how to make your own headlines
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JESS CARTER
Jess is a communications professional with extensive experience in journalism, broadcasting, live events, film-making, production, and training. Jess has had an international career, including several years in Hong Kong, where she was a reporter for the South China Morning Post, and in the US, where she reported and produced for radio and television at NBC and ABC in California.

“Jess has been a knowledgeable  and nurturing person to have in my corner. She identified skills and talents I hadn’t seen in myself and paved the way for me to regularly appear on national television and radio as a medical expert for the past six years. She is a passionate promoter of female and BAME talent. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity or confidence to do what I do now if it hadn’t been for Jess, and what makes her stand head and shoulders above everyone else is that she stays with you on the journey.”

Dr Aisha Awan

  “I worked with Jess for more than ten years at BBC News. She has a great editorial brain, a real eye for a story and a creative determination to make things happen in an engaging way. She’s also kind, down to earth and great fun to work with.”

Graham Satchell, BBC correspondent

Course Features

Lectures

0
Lectures

Quizzes

0
Quizzes

Duration

8 hours
Duration

Skill level

All levels
Skill level

Language

English
Language

Students

121
Students

Assessments

Yes
Assessments

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