http://www.roseleighmedia.co.uk/

Roseleigh Media, Wolverhampton (2025)

24/12/2025

And with that it’s time to shut off for Christmas 2025!

Merry Christmas to you and yours. Hope you’re doing whatever brings you happiness and peace. If you struggle with this time of year - it’s ok to treat it like any other day, but just treat yourself with kindness.

Lots of love and can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.

Happy Christmas 🎄

19/12/2025

Hasn’t 2025 felt like a bit of a slog?

This year has certainly stretched me, professionally and personally. Work wise, it was really a year of refinement.

I launched new branding, a new website, and started the year strong with some great clients - then made the decision to raise my rates (I was really undercharging, I think I still am). I lost retainers as a result, and while that stung at the time, it forced me to get very clear on who I’m here to serve and why.

That led to some really big projects - with perhaps the one I'm most proud of being with The Leprosy Mission International to strengthen their crisis communications approach - creating a practical guide and delivering sessions to staff across 27 countries so they could feel confident when things are uncertain. The feedback I’ve received from clients this year has been honest, thoughtful, and a real reminder that I’m on the right path.

It was also a year of finding (and trusting) my voice. I was shortlisted as a Woman Who finalist, run strategy courses and my first TikTok bootcamp and spoke at multiple International Women’s Day events (and got a standing ovation at the LoveBiz event - which I somehow missed?) and been the showcase at the Synergy group in Birmingham. I joined Socially Shared Network, attended the Religion Media Centre conference, Festival of Trusteeship and the Female Finance Festival. Community has played such a big role in what I'm doing. These rooms challenged my thinking, sharpened my ideas, and introduced me to some brilliant business owners. Those conversations have shaped more of my work than people realise.

And personally? The big achievement of the year was turning 40. Travel this year included Florence, Egypt and Pendle. And seeing friends and family and doing things I love reminded me who I am outside of work. All of it mattered more than I expected.

Looking back, 2025 was about building foundations, believing in myself and developing something new - something I’ll be launching in January that I'm so excited about.

Here’s to a great 2026.

16/12/2025

A slightly controversial opinion - TikTok isn’t a platform you can fully understand unless you’ve used it properly as a creator.

TikTok moves fast.
Trends are behavioural, not aesthetic.
What works changes based on how people consume, not what looks the most polished.

That’s why content creators often “get” TikTok instinctively - they live on it, scroll it, test it, and feel when something’s about to land. Where creators can fall down is strategy.

Where social media managers can fall down is assuming TikTok works like every other platform - something you can bolt onto a strategy, outsource cheaply, or copy-paste from Instagram.

The magic happens when you combine both a creator and social media manager.

That’s exactly why my approach to TikTok is different:
I’ve been creating on the platform since 2019
I understand trends, behaviour, and audience psychology
I’ve watched trends rise, peak, and completely disappear – sometimes within weeks. (Does anyone even remember the bear cups from Starbucks people were fighting over?)
I’ve seen how the algorithm has shifted - and what audiences actually want now.

TikTok rewards people who:
Understand their audience
Know why they’re posting
Create content that gives something back
And respect the platform enough to learn how it really works – by being on it

It’s not about going viral.
It’s about knowing what to post, understanding the algorithm and creating content that fits you and your business.
For some people, that leads into strategy days.
For others, full management.
But it always starts with understanding the platform properly.

That’s why I offer my TikTok bootcamp as a taster – to get you set up on the platform and start understanding it.

If you want to raise your visibility in 2026 (New Years resolution anyone?) and try out a new platform, and you think TikTok is something you want to explore seriously - not as a trend, but as a tool - my next TikTok Bootcamp is running in January.

And yes… it’s very different from anything else out there.

Sign up here; https://www.roseleighmedia.co.uk/eventsandtrainingsessions/p/half-day-tiktok-online-bootcamp-e7wby

14/12/2025

Christmas isn’t always a joyous time for everyone – for me, it certainly wasn’t for many years. Seeing the news over the weekend about a disrupted Christmas market attack in Germany has brought up a lot of reflection for me.

On the 19th December 2016 I was at the Berlin Christmas market attack. I was lucky in a sense, I walked away physically uninjured – mentally though I can’t say the same. I am a resilient person, but it’s something that’s stayed with me for years. I am grateful and lucky to say with time, therapy and support I’ve come to understand it for what it was and know that it wasn’t personal against me. These people work to make large swathes of people afraid, with no thought as to who will be on the receiving end.

Over the last 12 months, I’ve reflected on how, when I spoke publicly about being there, I became the target of online abuse and trolling.

At the time, there was no guidance or support for people like me. News organisations encouraged me to share my story, but no-one helped prepare me for, or protected me from, the abuse that would follow. That gap in support left me exposed and it’s something that has stayed with me over the years.

It means I always worry about what I say online, how much I share, and overthink things that could seem innocuous but in the wrong hands could be misconstrued. Even writing this post has made me pause and reflect on whether I should share this, knowing it might open me up to scrutiny.

That experience, the trolling, shaped how I understand the internet, social media, and the emotional impact of online harm - especially for people whose jobs and other situations put them on the front line of public response. I never want people to feel the way I did. I want to use my background in journalism, PR and crisis communications to help others and protect them.

I’m not turning this into a sales pitch as it’s not appropriate – but as I begin to share more about online safety and the impact of trolling in the coming weeks, I want to give some context as to why this matters so much to me. That it wasn’t just the trauma of being at the scene of an attack, it was the online abuse that followed, and the lack of support.

Because while tragedy happens, and it is often (unfortunately) unavoidable, the way we treat each other online is something we CAN change. I want to use my experience for good.

I hope you’ll forgive my rambling thoughts and don’t think me insensitive. It’s just something I have to talk about – and if I can change just one thing from my experiences, even just making people feel safer or better equipped to deal with unkindness online, then I will feel like I’m bringing some good into the world.

I’ve shared part of my Tedx talk here if you’d like to hear me talk about this experience and its impact on me in my own words. And the full version is here; https://youtu.be/OcSVQzycKcQ?si=Ogngvhy3-SfB-Ufy

11/12/2025

As we edge closer to Christmas, I’ve found myself reflecting on the conversations and connections over the last 12 months. I think we all forget sometimes: the women we surround ourselves with shape the way we show up in our businesses. This week has been no exception for me.

On Tuesday I went to the Socially Shared meeting in Rugby, hosted by the brilliant . Every conversation gave me a spark of inspiration and grounded me in the best way! It was so great catching up with and so many others.

The guest speaker, Lisa Cressy, shared some incredible insights on creating events from the inside out - and it genuinely shifted how I’m thinking about something I’m launching in January. I’m not officially announcing anything yet (I’m keeping that firmly tucked away for the new year!) but I did share a tiny, exclusive peek with the group. And their reactions made me realise: I’m building something that really matters. I can't wait to share it with you all.

Then last night I had a catch up with the wonderful Bethany Sinacola and it was one of those conversations where you come off the call feeling inspired, braver, and a little bit more yourself. Beth and I met through social media last year and it turns out we share a lot of the same passions and goals, and let’s just say… there’s something exciting brewing between us. Next year is going to be huge - I can feel it!

What this week reminded me - and honestly, what this whole year has shown - is that your people shape your path. The right women don’t just cheer you on; they stretch you, steady you, and help you grow into the version of yourself you’re building towards. Sometimes it happens in busy rooms full of supportive women. Sometimes it happens on quiet, one on one Zoom calls at 9pm.

I’m so grateful for the connections that are helping me expand my work, sharpen my ideas, and step into things I once talked myself out of. Big things are coming next year - and they’re being built alongside and with the support of some incredible women.

We might run our businesses alone, but we're never building them alone.

08/12/2025

Do you know who your ideal target audience is when it comes to PR and Social Media?

I'll be honest, even I’ve struggled with this at times. PR can help almost everyone, which makes it tempting to say “my audience is anyone who needs visibility.” But your messaging lands best when you know exactly who you’re talking to and where they are likely to see your message.

One of the first potential clients I ever spoke to was a gin company who said their target audience was “Everyone.”

They genuinely wanted to advertise to everyone – and you can’t. A single mum watching Strictly with a quiet G&T has totally different motivations to a hipster guy obsessed with botanicals. The same product - but completely different stories.

I saw the same thing in broadcasting. When I worked in radio, we tailored everything to our audience… yet some stations haven’t kept up with how that audience has changed. A station like Heart targets women in their late twenties to mid-thirties. So you tailor your news agenda to the type of TV they watch, their interest in celebrities and local news stories that would really matter to them. In contrast a BBC Local radio station is targeted to 55+ and to local issues.

The problem with BBC Local radio now (don’t pull at the thread) is they still play Elvis and Vera Lynn for that demographic, as if they’re the wartime generation. In reality that age group went out dancing and raving to 80’s and 90’s club classics.

Audience evolution doesn’t just apply to broadcasters - big brands have started recognising this shift too. Think about the latest John Lewis Christmas advert: the dad listening to vinyl from his 90’s clubbing days. We forget that because people get older it doesn’t mean they were around in the 60’s.

We have to build our content, products, and campaigns around what our audience actually likes. So you CAN sell a product and service to everyone, but you SHOULD advertise it to your dream client.

Still not sure how to work out who your target audience is? Book in a session with me for the new year and we can work through it together.

03/12/2025

As we move into the Christmas season, I’ve found myself reflecting on how our beliefs - whether that's rooted in faith, values or community - shape the way we communicate, and why purpose led storytelling matters more than ever.

Not every PR project starts with Theology - but mine often do.

Many of the organisations I support in my business are faith based and it’s something that's really important to me. I was raised Catholic and studied Theology and Religious Studies at university, which gave me an understanding of how faith shapes not just beliefs, but communication: tone, trust and compassion.

That insight has been invaluable in my work - from small women led businesses to those faith based organisations and charities - from The Leprosy Mission International to the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, who said:

“Working with Emma at Roseleigh Media has been a pleasure, giving us the PR edge we've been searching for to enhance our public relations. Emma is professional, offers excellent advice, and consistently brings fresh ideas to the table.”

These organisations often face unique challenges - wanting to be open and honest, while still caring for and protecting their communities. When I work with them, I’m always mindful that it’s not just WHAT we say that matters, but HOW we say it.

My time as a journalist shaped that too. One of my proudest moments was travelling to Lebanon in 2016 with the charity Global Care which has a long Christian heritage, reporting on their work providing education for children in Syrian refugee camps. The stories I heard there left a lasting impact, and they’re a big part of why I do what I do now.

Through Roseleigh Media, I’ve brought all of those experiences together using my expertise to work on purpose led communications, where I help organisations tell their stories with honesty, purpose and heart. Because good communication isn’t just about being heard - it’s about making a difference.

And that’s what I hope to continue doing as we head towards Christmas and into a new year - use the skills I have to support organisations that are doing meaningful work, and constantly learning how to serve them better.

If you are a faith based organisation, charity, or purpose led business or project that’s making a positive impact in the world, I’d love to hear from you and see how we can work together.

(Photos: Interviewing Terry Waite about how his faith provided him the ability to cope with his kidnap and captivity; Reporting in Syrian refugee camps with Global Care in Lebanon — one of my proudest moments as a journalist; my first foray into charity work with BBC Children in Need; and more recently, attending the Religion Media Centre Conference to connect with others working in faith based communications and better understand what my clients need.)

01/12/2025

The Christmas tree is up, it’s officially 1st December.

November's been a full month, I've been put through my paces as part of Thought Leadership challenge, which gave me a confidence boost I didn’t realise I needed and inspired me to share more openly about what I do.

The first Socially Shared Female Finance Festival was great. What could have been an intimidating topic - finance - was turned into an inspiring celebration of women and their businesses. I left motivated and grateful for the chance to connect with so many brilliant women.

I had the pleasure of attending some sessions at the Festival of Trusteeship. I’m not a trustee, but many of my clients are charities and faith organisations whose success depends on the strength and insight of their boards. Understanding how trustees operate - the decisions they make, the pressures they face, and the structures they work within - is essential if I’m to support them.

I loved speaking at Socially Shared in Sutton Coldfield. I delivered “5 Steps to Becoming a PR Superstar” Watching women realise they do have a story worth sharing? Absolute Magic.

I also ran my first TikTok for Business Bootcamp. Helping women find their voice online, remove the fear around TikTok, and start telling their amazing stories felt so aligned with everything I care about. If you missed it there's another one coming up in January.

I had my first turkey and trimmings of the year with What stayed with me most was the honest conversation about mental health and the realities of running a business. It's amazing being surrounded by so many fab women.

Heading into December, I’ve been quietly reworking my services and new options are coming very soon. Have an idea of what you want? Drop me a message and book in early for January.

AND - if that wasn't enough I've started building a project I’m so excited and passionate about - which does what I tell all my clients to do, use your story to raise your visibility. That will be launching in the new year.

So yes - November was busy, brilliant and full of reminders of why I love this work. Here’s to an amazing December.

28/11/2025

"How did I miss your posts about this? "

I had so many messages saying you'd missed me promoting my TikTok Bootcamp the first time around and only spotted it when I posted about how well the session went (and how proud I was of my attendees!) The temptation is to blame the algorithm but the truth is we are all busy!

But to make sure you don't miss it this time, I'm starting early.

By popular request, another TikTok Bootcamp for Beginners will be running on Wednesday 28th January.

This half-day online session is perfect if you want to use TikTok to grow your business but don’t know where to start — or you’ve been lurking on the app thinking “I really should figure this out.”

In this practical, hands-on bootcamp we’ll cover:
- Setting up and optimising your TikTok profile
- How to talk to your ideal audience
- Editing basics (yes, I show you step-by-step)
- Creative content ideas tailored to your business
- The algorithm (it’s not as scary as you think!)
- How to read analytics so you can improve your content
…and you’ll leave with the confidence to finally post.

Still not sure? Check out what previous attendee said below!

Spaces are kept small so I can support everyone properly. If you want to join us, you can book your space here: https://www.roseleighmedia.co.uk/eventsandtrainingsessions/p/half-day-tiktok-online-bootcamp-e7wby

Can’t wait to see you there!

26/11/2025

I received some really lovely feedback this week from The Leprosy Mission International about the crisis communications toolkit I created for them - and the follow up global training session I delivered to support it.

It genuinely means a lot when an organisation you work with goes out of their way to let you know you've done a good job.

This project was complex, detailed, and required a deep understanding of how their international teams work day to day. I wanted to make sure the toolkit wasn’t just “theory”, but something practical, clear and genuinely useful in the middle of a crisis - and hearing that it’s already giving people more confidence makes all the hours worth it.

Good crisis communications can protect people, prevent misinformation, and preserve trust when it matters most. You never know when a crisis is going to happen, but I help you be prepared when it does.

In their email, they shared that they felt in safe hands throughout the process, that the toolkit is clear and easy to use, and that the training helped their teams feel much more prepared for situations none of us ever want to face. That kind of feedback is the best part of this work.

I’ll be continuing to support them into the new year, and I’m really proud of what we’ve built together so far.

If your organisation needs help strengthening your crisis communications - whether that’s toolkits, training, or hands on support - I’m always happy to chat.

24/11/2025

Over the years, I’ve learned that the difference between a well managed crisis and a communications disaster often comes down to one thing - preparation. And not just any preparation. It’s about knowing your plan, knowing your people, and spotting early warning signs before small issues spiral.

In my experience, most crises don’t appear out of nowhere. They often start as small things: a missed email, a comment taken the wrong way, an incident no one’s quite sure how to handle. That’s where communication makes all the difference.

When I develop crisis plans, guides and run familiarisation sessions, I focus on helping teams:
- Recognise early indicators and escalate appropriately
- Respond with clarity and calm
- Stay aligned internally before communicating externally

Because how you respond in the first few hours doesn’t just protect reputations - it protects people.

My background as a journalist taught me how quickly stories can move, how tone shapes trust, and how small missteps can escalate. Those lessons are with me in every piece of crisis work I do today - whether it’s creating new frameworks, advising senior teams, or guiding staff through real life scenarios.

Some key principles I always share:
- Ultimately our job is to protect people first. Reputations matter, but only after those affected by the crisis itself are safe.
- Communicate early, clearly, and consistently. Share verified facts and keep colleagues informed.
- Escalate quickly. Don’t wait until you’re sure - it’s better to raise the issue when it's a small problem, than let it grow and become a catastrophe.
- Have templates and checklists for your staff - and actually use them.
- Learn every time. If you've dealt with a crisis you'll know some things go well, and other things less so. If we capture what works and feed it into your process - we can make the next crisis run more smoothly.

A strong crisis plan is about confidence and giving people the tools to say, “We’ve got this.”

If your organisation hasn’t reviewed its crisis comms recently, now is the perfect time. We are heading into a new year soon - let's make sure you're prepared in 2026.

21/11/2025

Absolute pleasure to have been invited to speak about PR at in Sutton Coldfield yesterday.

Bev Skitt asked if I could run a "5 Steps to becoming a PR Superstar" session - and I'm not used to someone else coming up with my talk titles, but it really gave me focus on what the room might need. A 15 minute planned talk turned into over an hour because of lively conversations, thoughtful insights and great questions. There's something really powerful about being in a room full of brilliant women, running amazing businesses who start to realise that they do have a story to tell and it's worth sharing.

I got into PR because I love storytelling and yesterday I broke down what that means for women led businesses and their visibility.

We covered;
What is PR? Really?
How to craft your own story - what makes us unique?
What are PR channels and how do I choose which ones to use?
How do I even contact a journalist, or pitch my story?
How do we utilise PR and turn it into long term visibility?

There were anecdotes, stories, questions and more importantly for me - understanding. Seeing a switch flick and women say "Oh yes this is what I would talk about" It was brilliant. I left feeling energised and reminded why I love this work.

A small and mighty little group, who I hope have gone away inspired to tell their story. Great to see Rowena Wilding Becky Street

If you’d like support crafting your own story to help increase your visibility, I’d love to chat. My 1:1s and consultancy days are always open.

Roseleigh Media

24/12/2025

19/12/2025

16/12/2025

14/12/2025

11/12/2025

08/12/2025

03/12/2025

01/12/2025

28/11/2025

26/11/2025

24/11/2025

21/11/2025

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category