No matter how you engage with the media, whether you’re pitching stories or being interviewed for one, the need to communicate your message clearly is paramount.
For Holly Alexander, Marketing Manager at Val Morgan, pitching to trade media is a critical part of her role, so crafting clear, compelling messages and mastering pitching were just a few of the communication strategies she refined when participating in AFTRS’ Intro to Media Skills course.
In this two-hour online course, Walkley Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Tracey Spicer leads participants through an interactive workshop to help understand the media, its opportunities and its challenges. In addition to Tracey’s expert insights on messaging, body language, presentation skills and more, participants have the opportunity to cement their learning through practical tasks and incorporating direct feedback.
We spoke with Holly about her experience of the course, her key takeaways and how she is already implementing the skills she’s learned in her work.
What drew you to the Intro to Media Skills course?
“What drew me to this course was the chance to learn from Tracey Spicer. Her extensive knowledge and experience made this course stand out as a unique opportunity to hear from, and gain real-world skills directly from, a true industry leader.”
How did you find the course? What struck you the most?
“I absolutely loved it. The course was incredibly well-structured and interactive. What I enjoyed the most was that we didn’t just hear valuable insights from Tracey; we also worked through practical tasks that helped reinforce the concepts we were learning, receiving direct feedback from her in the process. I was also impressed with how much content was covered in just a few short hours. It was thorough, yet concise.”
What insights did you gain from the course, and how do you see yourself applying these skills in your role?
“The course was comprehensive, covering everything from crafting clear, compelling messages to mastering pitching and handling interviews. I also gained practical, actionable insights into body language and presentation skills.
Since completing the course, I’ve already started applying these strategies in my day-to-day work which has strengthened my communication and helped me refine how I write and pitch stories to trade media.”
Would you recommend this course, and who would you recommend it to?
“I would highly recommend this course to anyone working in PR, communications, or anyone who engages with the media. Whether you’re aiming to build stronger, more effective relationships with journalists or improve your interview techniques and pitches, this course equips you with the tools and strategies to do just that.”
Understand the media landscape and improve your communication skills with Intro to Media Skills. Join Tracey Spicer in this two-hour online workshop and develop strategies for staying authentic, on message and on brand.
Visit the course page below or explore our customised training options for your team.
