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Current Course Programme
New dates now listed below, for both London and Bristol.
Following the great response we received from our inaugural Freelance Training Academy sessions Xchangeteam, in association with Talking Heads, are pleased to announce the next courses in our Academy series. We’re also pleased to announce that the low-cost courses are open to clients and permanent candidates too.
Back by popular demand, we are offering our courses on Social Media. We are also offering a brand new course on Networking which will appeal to novices and experts alike.
For more information on any of the courses below, or to book your place please call 01275 847 774 or email hello@talkingheadsuk.co.uk. Hurry, as spaces are limited!
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Networking Know How - A half day course run by Melissa Kidd - London - date tbc
Networking is now more important than ever, given the economic climate. As a freelancer, visibility and honed networking skills are critical to your success. Yet making the most of every networking opportunity can be difficult if you haven’t been trained.
Just the thought of walking into a room full of strangers is enough to bring many out in a cold sweat. So if you’ve been to a networking event before but not enjoyed it, are unsure about how to approach a group of strangers, or find it difficult to succinctly answer the what-do-you-do question, you may want to come along to our networking workshop.
You’ll learn how to:
• read body language
• approach groups of strangers with confidence
• ensure your introduction is interesting
• end conversations gracefully and purposefully
• maximise your opportunities before, during and after the event.
Don’t be surprised if you come away with some great contacts too because we structure the session so you can maximise your business opportunities. So if you’re looking for work, support or information, this 2.5 hour workshop will give you some simple tools that will ease your efforts – giving you clarity, confidence and connections.
The cost of this course will be £49.50 + VAT, and includes complimentary drinks afterwards to help put your skills into practice.
Social Media and PR - An Introduction. A half day course presented by Drew Benvie. London 8th March or 15th March and Bristol 22nd February
This course will provide a foundation in the five essential cornerstones of social media in a PR context: monitoring, content creation, engagement, networking and measurement. This session will give you enough of an understanding of social media enabling you to publish a podcast, organise a blogger briefing, design and write a blog, monitor your buzz and measure your results. You’ll get a feel for the equipment and skills needed to make a social media campaign fly, and see the opportunities made available beyond the traditional PR remit in this changing social media landscape. This social media foundation workshop is suitable for communication practitioners of all levels, but is geared toward more beginners.
Social Media and PR - Advanced. A half-day course presented by Drew Benvie.
London 22nd March and Bristol 29th March
You are welcome to attend one or both Social Media courses (An Introduction and Advanced) and we are offering a special price of £95 + VAT for one course, or £180 + VAT for both.
Drew Benvie`s courses in London will take place at 33 Digital`s offices in London, 33-41 Dallington Street, London, EC1V 0BB, and in Bristol at JBP`s offices at Whiteladies Road, Clifton.
News Release Writing – Getting Your Story Straight. A full day course presented by Vyvyan Kinross. Bristol – 25th February
News releases writing for beginners.
News releases still remain one of the major building blocks of successful media relations and thus effective Public Relations. Whether aimed at traditional or new media, high value news is the lifeblood of coverage for organisations and individuals with something significant to say.
This interactive one-day programme is for PR Account Executives, marketing assistants, freelancers, independents, entrepreneurs and all those who want to develop more professional news writing skills. It starts by identifying the universal elements of news stories, looks at the context for news and shows how to develop compelling news releases which are geared for each intended audience. Individual elements include:
- content assessment – knowing when you have a story
- technical writing processes
- a classic news story structure that will never let you down
- headlines and how they can make impact
- embedding key messages
- structuring effective quotes
- style and impact
Writing PR Proposals – A full day course presented by Vyvyan Kinross. Bristol – 25th March
Great presenters play a major part in delivering and keeping new business. But presenters alone cannot make the difference. Behind the presentation lies the winning proposal – the ideas, the strategy, the tactics and the right team. Putting together a successful proposal is a skill that lies at the very heart of PR consultancy, offering a tangible expression of the way we think through communications and PR solutions to sometimes complex business challenges. Develop and write compelling proposals and you are on your way to winning business and building your career too. This course shows you how to get your proposals on the road.
Who Should Attend
PR executives new to writing PR proposals or those wanting to improve their proposal writing skills
What you will learn
- Interrogating a brief
- Communications audits
- The major components of a PR campaign
- Measurable objectives
- Audiences: who you are talking to
- Messaging: what you are trying to say
- Strategy: shaping your approach
- Tactics & implementation
- Timelines & budgets
- Measurement & Evaluation
- Writing in a persuasive business style
Special Delegate Instructions
This is a highly interactive course involving writing exercises. Delegates will receive printouts of PowerPoint presentations, handouts and case studies.
The cost of Vyvyan Kinross` courses are £125.00 + VAT for members, £150.00 + VAT for non-members.
How to write Winning Award Entries - A half-day course presented by David Hare. London - date tbc
Industry awards are a great way to gain independent endorsement of your own achievements, or to put your client’s name in lights. There are hundreds of accolades up for grabs every year, but how do you pick the ones that are really worth winning? And, with more and more companies entering, how can you make sure yours stands out from the crowd? This course answers these questions and is packed with powerful tips and techniques.
You will cover:
• Selecting the right Awards
• Behind the bullet points
• The art of persuasion
This course will be held at The Training Room Hire Company, Lafone House, The Leathermarket, Weston Street, London SE1 3ER. The cost of this course will be £75 + VAT.
An Introduction to Marketing - A full-day course, presented by Jane Silk. London - date tbc
If you’re new to marketing, or if it’s a string you’d like to add to your bow, this hands-on, practical course will give you the essential grounding you need – in just one day. This course is designed specifically for people who want to gain a better understanding of how to work more effectively alongside marketers, and how effective marketing can benefit any business.
If you are serious about advancing in your chosen profession, and playing a more valuable role in your organisation, this could prove the most useful day’s training you ever take – for you and the business you work for.
You will cover:
• The definition of Marketing
• Analysis/Audit - where are we now?
• Objectives - where do we want to be?
• Strategies - which way is best?
• Tactics - how do we get there?
• Control - ensuring arrival
This course will be held at The Training Room Hire Company, Lafone House, The Leathermarket, Weston Street, London SE1 3ER. The cost of this course will be £175 + VAT.
