Writing training
Helping you get your message across
What kind of writing training do you need? Most of the time, clients ask me to help their people to:
- * Write more concisely
- * Write more clearly
- * Write more persuasively.
I help by creating bespoke writing training courses that draw on my experience as a journalist and copywriter.
Sharing journalistic and copywriting techniques
I started out as a journalist, writing features for national newspapers and magazines, including The Guardian, The Times and Esquire. This means I can pass on techniques on how to write for specific readers, distil information, identify key points and convey important details in a way that engages and connects with readers.
As a copywriter, I’ve worked with organisations such as Nike, Nokia and the BBC and with many different charities, including the Environmental Investigation Agency, Help Musicians UK and Save the Children. I understand how businesses and charities work, and what drives their communications.
In the end, though, it’s about writing for your reader and making your message as clear, informative and persuasive as possible.
Writing workshops for all kinds of organisations
I’ve created and run writing training workshops for many organisations. They include:
- * Writing, editing and interviewing workshops for Kooth / Qwell.
- * Storytelling webinars for Coca-Cola.
- * Writing training workshops for Countrywide.
- * A workshop on ‘Getting your message across in a busy world’ for BergHind Joseph.
My training workshops are always tailored to suit the people and the organisation, whether it’s a series of one-to-one sessions, a day with a team of people, or writing training workshops for everyone in a company of 150 people.
Lively interactive workshops
I like sessions to be lively and interactive, with plenty of exercises to make sure that the learning sticks. I do this in a way that aims to meet everyone where they are and lift them up a level. People go away with useful, practical tips that will make it easier and quicker for them to carry out their everyday writing tasks.
How can I help you?
Please get in touch and let’s talk about what kind of writing training you need. I’d love to help.
Testimonials
“Fiona is brilliant at untangling complicated messages and showing you how to write clear, concise and effective copy. I found her sessions incredibly useful. She’s also really patient and has a warm and humorous approach, which really helps when learning new skills.”
Kate Whalley, Rowan Dartington
“Fiona came highly recommended by a colleague. She was tasked with improving the writing skills of one of our executive assistants who spends a lot of her time writing multiple business meeting minutes, including Board and Partner meeting minutes. Fiona quickly grasped the in-house style and was able to coach our executive assistant over a course of 7 sessions. We were all very pleased with the results and would definitely call upon Fiona in the future should the need arise.”
Rebecca Peacock, Global HR Manager
“A HUGE thank you for yesterday’s storytelling workshop and all the hard work that went into making it wonderful.
I hope you could see how useful it was for us all, and that it will have a big impact on how we present our work in future.”
Leah Holmes, Senior Associate – Development, Hopkins Van Mil
“Fiona has held several communication workshops for the team at IPC Europe. She showed us some great techniques and there were lots of ‘light bulb’ moments during the training.”
Abbie Gregory, CSR Manager, IPC Europe
“I felt energised after the training and was excited to be able to utilise all of the new skills and tricks I’d learnt. I felt comfortable and supported throughout, but also gently challenged, enabling me to learn as much as possible. We were talking as a team afterwards and we all agreed that we didn’t want the training to end. We all learnt so much, at a really nice pace.”
Helen Rhodes, Content Lead / Clinical, Kooth
“I just wanted to say thank you for the writing training session today. I found it really useful. You’ll be pleased to hear that people are already demonstrating their new knowledge in the office, and I’m looking forward to using some of the new techniques when I write a proposal tomorrow!”
Lauren Walder, Client Manager, BergHind Joseph