How I wish, once upon a time, that I had gone to a second-rate university and taken a degree in 'media studies' with a follow-up, superficial course in 'PR'.
Not so.
But when I graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Politics, French & Economics, and then did the ground-work of getting on-board with a local paper, working my way up - with the very best training btw - was I so glad to have this under my belt, without the very unnecessary need for the paragraph above.
Because, simply, I am a journalist. I have trained, worked for many publications, gone on to the nationals, worked for national magazines and, as a result, I know how to get a story into the press - as well as how not to.
I am not a PR who will charge the earth to put out a boring press release in the hope that some random unknown publication might take notice.
I can write, and I write how the press writes. I know what a story is, and just how to angle one.
Why waste an inordinate amount of money on PR agencies who cannot, for all their over-inflated costs, do what I do?
As a journalist, I cannot even begin to tell you the amount of times I have put PR agencies' press releases IN THE BIN.
My stories will get your business in the press.
An ad is just a paid-for, over-inflationary bland piece of information without any kudos. A story gives you credibility, because a journalist has decided to mention you.
An ad would cost you ten times as much with ten times less effect.
Think of my PR and what I can do for your business.
Friday, 17 September 2010
Sarah's story, from a grieving friend
Please take a look at my story.
http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/berrill_my_story.htm
http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/berrill_my_story.htm
Friday, 10 September 2010
Saturday, 4 September 2010
My values and aims as a journalist and PR consultant
For me as a journalist and successful PR, these are what I give to my clients:
Accuracy - A good journalist gets their facts right, end of. No queries, no questions, just facts.
Clarity - As above, the message, the story, is clear, concise and easy to understand, ie: you get the point!
Creativity - The story is made interesting without veering from the truth.
Excellence - I get the best story possible out there, and it always gets picked up.
Simplicity - PR is not a complicated art (although these 'bunnies' might give that impression) it's simple and rewarding if you get it right.
Enthusiasm - I love journalism, I love writing well, and I love seeing my work in print and published.
Engagement - Get the target market/readers onboard..that comes from a great story with lots of fabulous backup.
Accuracy - A good journalist gets their facts right, end of. No queries, no questions, just facts.
Clarity - As above, the message, the story, is clear, concise and easy to understand, ie: you get the point!
Creativity - The story is made interesting without veering from the truth.
Excellence - I get the best story possible out there, and it always gets picked up.
Simplicity - PR is not a complicated art (although these 'bunnies' might give that impression) it's simple and rewarding if you get it right.
Enthusiasm - I love journalism, I love writing well, and I love seeing my work in print and published.
Engagement - Get the target market/readers onboard..that comes from a great story with lots of fabulous backup.
Friday, 3 September 2010
Please can we have more awareness of this silent tragic killer?
http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/berrill_my_story.htm
How many people call themselves PRs ??
It still amazes me, even after knowing this for a long time now, but not having had the balls to say it, how many so-called 'PRs' and 'communication specialists' get away with charging an inordinate amount of money to do what are just the very basic simple skills for me as a journalist.
In other words, these PRs/Comms experts? churn out pages-long, flowery and vague, unnecessary, copy without getting the message across in an accurate, yet interesting and lively way.
They often create an opening paragraph (and don't even mention the crappy headlines) which is boring and ignores the actual 'hook' of the story. They then go on to ramble about unnecessary details, which bog the message down into a uninspiring mess of long-winded vocabulary.
Journalism is the equivalent, in the simplest terms, of shouting some information across the street to a friend, or in a quick catch-up phone call. There you are, that is it: It's quick, it's informative and it's actually interesting.
Because I know how to do this in words - for any publication, and on any subject - getting the exact results for clients with any needs whatsoever, I can guarantee I top any so-called, over-paid and over-rated PR or Communications 'specialist' in every way possible.
In other words, these PRs/Comms experts? churn out pages-long, flowery and vague, unnecessary, copy without getting the message across in an accurate, yet interesting and lively way.
They often create an opening paragraph (and don't even mention the crappy headlines) which is boring and ignores the actual 'hook' of the story. They then go on to ramble about unnecessary details, which bog the message down into a uninspiring mess of long-winded vocabulary.
Journalism is the equivalent, in the simplest terms, of shouting some information across the street to a friend, or in a quick catch-up phone call. There you are, that is it: It's quick, it's informative and it's actually interesting.
Because I know how to do this in words - for any publication, and on any subject - getting the exact results for clients with any needs whatsoever, I can guarantee I top any so-called, over-paid and over-rated PR or Communications 'specialist' in every way possible.
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