Writing Course: Press releases and other articles and marketing material

This intensive, interactive two-day course will help anyone to improve their writing skills, regardless of whether they already have writing experience, and it is held periodically, depending on demand. See upcoming writing course dates below.

Tailored writing courses can also be arranged for specific companies that need to improve the writing skills of certain groups of employees or management in relation to any type of written material.

Jennigay Coetzer, the facilitator of these writing courses, is an experienced journalist and author and has been teaching article writing skills for more than 14 years.  See recommendations below from some of those who have attended her writing courses.

Writing Course Format


First day: The first day of the course covers the gathering of rich content from spokespeople and other sources for articles, brochures, web content and other publishable material.

We discuss how to identify interesting topics for press releases and other types of articles and for media interview motivations, how to motivate spokespeople to provide good content, briefing spokespeople, interview techniques, article construction, writing style, technique and flow, writing and rewriting copy, the different approaches to writing press releases, authoritative opinion articles and other publishable material.

In addition, course participants learn how to add value to different types of articles and optimise the chance of them being published, address different target audiences, avoid traps like hyperbole, superfluous words, gobbledygook, and the fog factor, and motivate journalists to cover stories. We also discuss journalists’ pet hates and preferences, formatting press releases, and other important issues.
 
I then discuss with each of the participants the articles and other written material they are looking to write.

Each person then selects a topic for an article and is given guidelines as to the content they need to gather in order to write it. This is a brainstorming session during which everyone participates. Delegates are then given a deadline date for the following week by which to write their articles.

Second day: At the follow-up full-day course session a week later each participant’s article is discussed and analysed by the group and suggestions are made for improvement. Everyone learns from each other during this process.

After this course session, participants are asked to rework their articles based on what they have learned and resubmit them to me. I then go through them and arrange to discuss any further suggestions for improvement on the phone.

Writing course duration

The writing course is typically run as two full-day workshops, with a week in between to give participants time to complete their writing assignments. Tailored writing courses and one-on-one sessions can be arranged.

Writing Course: Course Cost

The two-day writing course costs R2,500 per delegate (ex VAT). Significant discounts for those who are paying for themselves.

Next Writing Course Dates:

Johannesburg: The next two-day article writing course will be held on Friday, 17 and Friday 24 August, 2012.

Cape Town: The dates for the next article writing course to be held in Cape Town will be advised shortly.

Writing Course: How to sign up or get more information:

If you are interested in this writing course, contact Jennigay Coetzer by phone on 083 212 5754, or email her at Jennigay Coetzer or complete the enquiry form.

Comments about this writing course:

Jarred du Plessis

“I would recommend Jennigay’s two-day writing course to anyone who is looking to sharpen up their writing skills. The personal follow ups she does with each workshop candidate ensures that all needs and concerns are attended to. My writing ability has improved considerably since working with Jennigay.

Darren Francis

“I am thinking more critically about topics I wish to write on. If had to grade the workshop I would give it a 10 out of 10.”

Murray Anderson-Ogle

“Jennigay Coetzer’s two-day writing course is an intensive, thoroughly enjoyable exercise well worth doing. The rigorous analysis of practical assignments was the course highlight for me.”

Thamari Claassens

“Even though I studied journalism (I have my Honours in it), I really found tons of value in your training. I’ll definitely recommend it!”

Lynn Bannerman

“I particularly enjoyed the interactive style and the encouragement of questions and discussion.”

Kim Camilleri

“I had a fantastic time at your writing workshop and learnt many great tips.”

Neo Khumalo

“I loved the workshop. I learnt a lot, including how tackle certain sentence construction aspects that have been bugging me.”

Charlotte Danby

“Jennigay’s writing workshop teaches you to cut through the clutter of language and bring the message of words into clear, concise focus. I highly recommend it!”

Andrea Berelowitz

“I really enjoyed the workshop. It was informative, interactive and interesting.”

Keitumetse Hlahatsi

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. Thanks for all the great insight. I will always remember your words: “Don’t de clever, be clear.”

Lindi Tshabangu

“Thank you for the most wonderful yet scary experience. The workshop gave me much to practice and think about. I shall always value the lessons.”

Jason Jenkinson

“Thanks for the great course. Your simple approach to writing articles makes so much sense and ensures a clear and concise message is sent to the audience.”

Patricia McClelland

“Jennigay’s writing workshop helps you identify the bad habits you’ve picked up over the years and reminds you of the fundamentals of good writing that are so easily forgotten. It’s useful for writers of any level of experience.”

Gabrielle Erasmus

I thoroughly enjoyed you writing course. It was engaging and fun to participate in. I am now able to introduce a story line to rather technical information that ensures the reader will take the time to read what I have written.

Michelle Oelschig

“The course has enabled me to write better briefs for our writers. I have a better understanding of what the requirements are for a good article.”

Nicola Weiner

“The writing workshop was great. It has allowed me to improve my consultancy to my clients in terms of their content requirements. It has also taught me the power of identifying a good story.”

Candice Segar

“I realised that you really need to research your subject matter thoroughly before you tackle an article.”

Carolyn de Kock

“Jennigay’s writing course helped me see my writing in a different perspective. I now know how to reach the level of excellence required to get published.”