Roughly Speaking...

Welcome to Roughly Speaking is where you'll find all the latest news about our training courses and workshops, the best of our blog, plus exclusive tips on how you can make the most of the media.

In this edition:

• introducing the Rough House blog
• exciting changes to our website
• how to boost your media profile
• three new courses to improve your media skills
• plus some top tips on story ideas!

Check out the new-look Rough House website

At Rough House, we've been busy updating ourselves online. Our website now gives details of all our courses - including the brand new Art of Podcasts, in which you can learn how to make a podcast with real impact and have the chance to produce one yourself. There is also information about all the courses we've got coming up, and you can book online. There are recommendations for other businesses we know and trust, and we're introducing two brilliant new team members, the BBC sports commentator Paul Dickenson, and presenter Sian Jones.
Find us here: www.roughhouse.co.uk

Rough House gets blogging

We are proud to introduce the Rough House blog. This offers tips and advice about how to improve your media strategy, plus comment, news and views about what's going on in the media. There will be guest blogs from experts we know and trust - on subjects such as social media, communication skills, web design and marketing.
Find us here: www.roughhouseblog.com

The 'who, what, when and where' of boosting your media profile

If you want to increase your media coverage - and after all editorial coverage is far more valuable than advertising - then you need to develop a proper strategy before you even start. This includes targeting the right media, knowing what your competitors are doing, making sure you know what stories are interesting, and knowing what other elements will help them make the grade.
Read more ...

Rough House Tip of the Month

Five ways to win more news coverage:

• Link your activities to a 'peg' or 'hook' such as an annual event or anniversary
• Invite a journalist to test your product or service for a feature article
• Come up with quirky or interesting statistics or research linked to your field or product
• Hold open days or tours at your premises
• Host charity events