PR and social media marketing company in Kingston-Upon-Thames PR company, social media marketing, copywriting, publicity.
Only fools rush in, right?
I've had to turn countless people away because they come to me before they're truly ready for a PR campaign. Are you prepped for PR?
You can find out what you need to do before you start plotting world domination, by downloading my FREE ebook.
If you’re at the press release stage of your PR journey, you are at a crucial point into your campaign. A press release has an important job to do – it’s got to sell you and your story to media.
At the height of my career as a journalist, I would delete dozens of press releases daily…sometimes hourly. Don’t want to end up in the trash?
Follow my guide here:
Make it one side of A4
End it with a boilerplate (1 paragraph of info about you/your brand)
Write an attention-grabbing headline
Put all the most important information at the top of the press release
Write in clear, plain English NO corporate jargon
Don’t forget to include your launch date
Include your website address and/or social channel details
Include your contact details
Include a link to hi-res images
When it’s done, read through it and leave it for a day. Got back and re-read it. Is it really interesting? Ask a friend. Run it by a colleague. Is it the sort of thing you read/see in your chosen media?
If so, paste it into the body of an e-mail, write a great subject line and press send!
Or get me to do the hard work for you. I’m a stickler for a killer press release, so you’ll be in good hands! The link to book your press release MOT is I the bio.
Or you can comment below and I’ll send it over.
The thought of reaching out to media can seem scary, but with me on your team, it’ll be a breeze! I have 30+ years of experience as a journalist and eight as a PR.
I understand that talking to a reporter about sensitive issues is scary. But there are ways to mitigate potential problems. Journalists are people too and most of them want their interviewees to be happy with what they write. I’ve written about some of TV’s biggest stars and the only time I upset one was when an Editor changed my copy. Now, I make sure I work with trusted titles.
If there are things that you really don’t want to talk about, that’s fine. You just need to decide what is up for discussion. Remember- you are in the driving seat.
Are you a small business owner who can’t afford PR agency fees, yet feels overwhelmed by the prospect of trying to secure media coverage by yourself?
I have four 1-2-1 PR strategy sessions available for April 2024. What do you get?
* I ask you to fill in a questionnaire so I can get a feel for your business and what you hope to achieve from PR
* I’ll take a close look at your website, socials, and any attempts you’ve made to secure coverage.
* I will then use my 30+ years’ experience as a journalist and eight as a PR to devise a PR strategy.
* We’ll chat through this during a one-hour call
* You’ll get a recording of the call along with some notes, suggestions, links to tools, and details of the best media/journalists to contact.
* You will also get access to my Fame In 15 course FREE (It’s worth £75 and I’m throwing it in because it’s brand new and I’m trialling it to make sure it offers fantastic value).
The cost is £250
The best bit?
I offer a HAPPINESS GUARANTEE. If you’re not blown away by our session, I’ll refund your money. No questions asked.
Link in bio, DM me or email at [email protected] if you’d like more details.
You’d be mad not to! 😉
Here are the steps you need to follow if you want to get media coverage for your business.
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Did you think that only special people got featured in the media? That's not true. The media is actively searching for people like YOU. In my latest FREE download, you can find out how I placed a client in today's Times.
I am going to show you the kind of person who gets into mainstream media, and by that I mean The Times, The Daily Mail, Stylist, etc. 1. Find the nearest mirror. Stand in front of it and smile, because it’s YOU! You are the kind of person who gets in...
There’s nothing quite like the rush of a PR win. Lovely to see Lee Gilbert CMO of Nourish Care in The Times today. A result of my work with .
How did I do it?
✅ I asked Lee if she’d be comfortable sharing her trans journey
✅ We identified the type of story she wanted to do and the publications she preferred
✅I did an extensive interview with Lee so that I really understood her story
✅The team at DAPS agency had noted that it’s International Transgender Day of Visibility in March 31st
✅We also knew there was a business slot in The Times where inspirational leaders share their six top tips
✅We already had a relationship with the journalist who compiles it, so sent a pitch e-mail
✅It was a yes! I asked Lee to jot down her six tips
✅I crafted her words into a piece of the right word length knowing I was using sub headings the journalist would like. She did!
✅I sent the piece along with a link to a hi res shot of Lee
BOOM!!💥
It looks easy, but as you can see, a lot of work goes into teeing these stories up.
Want to learn it yourself? I offer PR courses and coaching.
Sounds like too much work? Drop us a line at You can start with a free DAPS60 - an hour where the team (all of us veterans with 15+ yrs experience) will look at your business and chat to you about how we could get you in mainstream media - and that includes TV and radio. We’re a virtual agency, so you don’t have to pay for swish offices/beer taps, etc. 😊😊
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The first thing you need to learn if you want to be in The Daily Mail/Forbes/Stylist/Times, etc is the art of journalist taming. Give them what they want and you’re on your way to being media famous.
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Think twice before greeting a journalist like you are old friends when you’ve never even met. Journalists are more than happy with a simple - hello.
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In my time as a journalist and subsequently a PR, I’ve noticed that some brands like to use corporate speak in their press releases that bamboozles the recipient . A journalist will initially give your press release a few seconds of attention. If they don’t understand what it’s about, they’ll press the dreaded delete button. Your task is to grab their attention and to do this you need to use direct and easy to understand language. Don’t worry. It’s something anyone can learn with a bit of practice. 🥸
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Lovely words from Gillian. Not all clients are ready for or want PR. Gillian wanted to boost numbers for her online courses (which I can highly recommend). I advised her to concentrate on building her audience on social media and making sure she communicated regularly with her already impressive and highly engaged e-mail list. I understand that some people agonise over writing blogs. Fortunately Gillian wasn’t one of them. If you hate the idea of blogging, get someone like me to do it for you. It will save you hours of time and doesn’t cost as much as you think. Contact me if you want blogging help.
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Building relationships is key when it comes to making yourself media famous, but beware because journalists can be a cynical bunch and will spot fake bonhomie a mile off. This post is what a tabloid hack told me.
More pet PR peeves to come. Watch this space. 🥸
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There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a great Most are hard won so hang on in there!
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When I was a journalist, the words “I am chasing up a press release” made me want to scream. Picture this - journalists get sent hundreds of press releases every day and if everyone calls to follow up, they’d never get any work done.
But some of my best PR results have come from following up. What’s a PR or business owner like you to do?
Do it, but be smart about it.
❌ Never follow up within 24 hours of sending!!! 😱 Wait at least 3 days. 5 is better.
❌ Don’t keep sending the same press release to the same person repeatedly. Twice is a maximum
❌ Do not start the call by saying that you are following up a press release. Give them an elevator pitch of your story instead
❌ Don’t EVER call the news desk of a national paper and say you’re following up a press release
❌ Don’t turn up at the journalist’s office asking about your press release 😱😱😱
Things are even tougher than they used to be as journalists rarely pick up the phone. That’s why your press release and pitch email have to be 🔥🔥🔥
Still confused? Nervous? Out of your depth?
✅ I offer 1-2-1 PR coaching that will help you crack the secret code. I was a journalist for 30 years, so I know all their secrets, foibles etc. Link in bio for more bro.
People often ask me what PR is. In the words of Jean-Louis Gassê:
"Advertising is saying you're good. PR is getting someone else to say you're good."
If it's not fun, then we're doing something wrong!
It's not often you'll hear me say that PR is good for the soul 😂 but my work with Nuffield Health has been an exception. I've never met a more inspiring bunch of people than those who worked with personal trainer Sam Quinn to transform their bodies/minds and overall health. There was commitment on both sides and the results are unbelievable. You can read about Neil Dewar, a soldier who hit rock bottom after being injured by an explosion and who is now a successful GB para-athlete, in Edinburgh Live here - https://lnkd.in/eeYCt8rP
Great show for my client Michael Maisey who runs the CIP Project (Change is Possible). Mail Online, Mirror and Yahoo so far.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-11126537/Ex-convict-Dad-wins-police-award-work-helping-young-offenders.html
Want to know what Helen Lederer does at the weekend? Check out her interview in the Sunday Mirror’s Notebook today.
We've had the absolute pleasure of working with Helen Lederer at Wow PR. You can listen to her here on Fubar radio: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-145-helen-lederer/id1389959357?i=1000531211534
And read about her in Woman & Home (Sept), S Magazine, Sunday Mirror, Notebook, Daily Express, and Fab Daily.
Helen is currently running the Comedy Women In Print prize (which she also founded) - the shortlist will be announced on Weds Sept 22nd.
Well done to Neil Roberts, who was on BBC Radio Lancashire this morning, talking about Live Like Ralph, the fundraiser he and his wife started in memory of their incredible son Ralph, who died in January this year. You can listen to Neil at 1.40mins here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09cw2gd
And if you'd like to donate, visit the fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ralph-roberts
Weʼre raising money to remember Ralph Roberts who loved skateboarding & helping others. His family want to help fund other people in skating to LIVE LIKE RALPH!. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
Great piece about my client Helen Garlick in yesterday's You magazine. Her book No Place To Lie is out now.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-9441177/The-secrets-lies-happy-family-photo.html
My fabulous client Helen Garlick who is making it her mission to get people to open up about their struggles, was in The Telegraph yesterday! She's been on Vitality.co.uk, has pieces going in the West Sussex County Gazette and Cornwall Live, and next month, she'll be in You and Prima magazine. Her brilliant memoir No Place To Lie is out on Feb 4th, which is aptly day.
Kingston Upon Thames
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Don’t rush in! Think before you start your PR. Have you – ✅Got a website or landing page? ✅ On brand social media channels? ✅ Professional sounding e-mail address? ✅date for your launch? ✅Professionally shot hi-res images? And then, when you’ve done those things, outline your PR goals. Do you want: ☑️More website traffic? ☑️More sales? ☑️To raise your profile? ☑️Build your e-mail list? When you’ve done that, sit down and come up with a plan – try and plan your PR strategy for the next three months, six is even better. * * * #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #publicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
PR is hard when you don’t know how and I hear from so many small biz owners who have stumbled at the first hurdle. One friend of mine gave an agency £2,000 and what did she get? A phone call saying they hadn’t managed to get any coverage. Not even a coverage report or a list of the media that had been approached. No PR on the planet can guarantee results and if they say they can, they’re lying. If an agency promises you the earth, be wary. The best you can do with PR is give yourself the best possible chance of getting coverage. It also pays to hire someone like me who is results drive and knows their stuff – nearly four decades of experience as a journalist and eight as a PR. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Make sure that any PR you hire puts the same commitment into your media outreach. #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #publicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
How to go about getting yourself into a particular publication. #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtrainingacademy
Here’s the things you really should do before you embark upon your PR campaign. No 1 is get yourself a website! #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
Are you ready for PR? You n I d to be if you are going to start because it’s definitely a marathon and not a sprint. #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
Boilerplate last and bios - all you need to know. * * * #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
When is a no really a no in PR? Opinions differ, but here’s my take on it. * * * #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
What are you doing to attract attention? Congratulations to @paulfurnerphotography for a FANTASTIC photograph in today’s Daily Telegraph. * * * #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
It’s coverage day! It’s always exciting when you go to the shops to buy magazines that you and your clients are featured in. * * * #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
Did you know you can’t photocopy press clippings about your business or put them on your website without an NLA and CLA copyright licence? #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #publicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
Do not underestimate the power of local papers! Here’s what happened when a new cafe in my area got a review in Surbiton’s The Good Life. #pradvice #marketyourbusiness #marketyourbrand #prcoach#prcoaching #prcoachingtips #prhacks #femaleentrepreneur #femaleentrepreneurmovement #femaleceomindset #smallbizowner #smallbiztips #smallbiztipsandtricks
This is one PR hack you should really know about it - the incredible listicle. I love a listicle, but what is it? ✅ A feature in the form of a list ✅ It gives solutions to a problem ✅ it has 5 - 10 points ✅ It’s a way to get your expertise in the media ✅ It's short and sweet, written in easy to read, plain English (no jokes or purple prose) ✅ It's an effective PR hack #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #publicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining #listicles 🔥 🔥 🔥
The language you use when speaking to journalists is key. ❌ No flowery prose ❌ No sales speak ❌ No jokes ✅ Clear and concise language ✅ Lots of facts ✅ All the most important info at the top #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
The PR ladder - pitch your stories in this order. 1. Local news 2. National news 3. Magazines (TV + radio) That way you’ll maximise coverage. If it’s a really big story, you can jump straight to no.2 but if you work your way up the ladder in the correct order, you could x3 your coverage. 🙌🏻 * * * #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
Can I really relate PR to growing veg? Just watch me…😂😂😂 * * * #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
Are you nervous about sending your press release to journalists? I get it, but you need to remember this is a business transaction. You are selling your business/story to the journalist. If they're not interested, there is no shame to it. Follow up and move on. I fail all the time with my PR pitches but know that if I keep going, I will eventually get a hit. 🔥 🔥 🔥 💃 #prtips #prstrategy #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleempowerment #prtips #prcoach #prcoaching #prcampaign #bevisible #standout #femaleentrepreneurship #marketyourbusiness #pubicity #prtips #prhacks #smallbusinessowner #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #marketingtips #femalenentrepreneurs #prmentor #prtraining
There is one hashtag that every small biz owner without a massive PR budget should know - #journorequest It is PR gold! Use it for 15-minutes a day and you will get the kind of results that you can only dream of. I’ve got clients into The Daily Mail, The Times, The Telegraph, etc using this beauty. DM me if you want to know more 😊 * * * #pr #prtips #prforsmallbusiness #prforstartups #publicity #hashtagsforbiz #hashtags #trendingaudio #mediacoverage📹 #prcoach #prschool #prmentor #prtraining #freepublicity
That’s me, talking to a roomful of 17-year-olds at my local college who didn’t want to be there. But… There is always that one seated at the front. I know by the way they look at me that they’re interested in what I have to say, but don’t want to appear too keen in front of their peers. And then they can’t help themselves and ask a load of questions and that’s what gives me a buzz. Watching their faces light up as they start to believe that anything is possible- they can run the business of their dreams and shout about it in mainstream media. Few know what PR is when I begin. Then I ask them who takes any notice of adverts. Tumbleweed. Then I ask if they’ve read, heard or seen anything interesting about someone famous. A few hands go up. Next, I ask them how they are going to tell the world how brilliant they are. Then I explain that if you were to buy a full page of X newspaper, it would cost £35K. All of a sudden they see the value in PR. I am praying that the young lady who told me she wants to run a bookstore and become a writer realises her dreams. It was worth showing up just for her. * * * #prstrategy #prcampaign #prcoach #prmentor #publicity #femaleentrepreneur #femaleentrepreneurs #genz #genzmarketing #publicspeaking #inspireothers #prwin #marketing #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself
Is this the worst PR on the planet? A disgruntled Telegraph reader thought so. Others took an instant dislike to me too - SOMEONE SAID THEY HOPED I WOULD GET DIABETES AND HAVE MY FEET AMPUTATED!!! 😮😮😮😮😮 I’d done a journalist a favour, supplied a quote and had my own Mimi PR crisis. It’s like how you often prang your car on routes you know inside out. I sleepwalked into it. It’s the first time something like this has happened after eight years doing PR - how ironic that I was the victim! IT taught me a valuable lesson and makes me an even better media trainer I think. Thankfully I was able to laugh about it. * * * #mediatraining #prcrisis #prcoach #prstrategy #prcampaign #publicity #trolling #mediatrainers #prdisasters #femaleentrepreneur #femaleentrepreneurship #femaleempowerment #startup #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #trolls
Don’t be shy. You’re great at what you do, so shout about it. You deserve media coverage as much as the next person. Tell the world how awesome you are!! 🤩 * * * #femaleentrepreneur #femaleempowerment #prstrategy #prtips #prhacks #prcoach #marketyourbusiness #marketyourself #publicity #publicist #prcampaign
Wow PR is a boutique agency that was started by journalist Sally Brockway in 2016. Along with our trust partners, we offer PR, social media management, digital marketing, design, website design, copywriting, videography and blogging services. Better still, we deliver big results with smaller prices. Get in touch to find out more.
