Online sub-editing - 1 day training course

Whether you’re a print sub-editor looking to update your skills and transfer them to the web, or looking for that first job in online journalism, you will benefit from this one-day course. As the media and the way in which readers consume it evolve, multi-skilled journalists who can produce great copy for the web are more in demand than ever.

Course tutors: Emmanuelle Smith and Jane Wild

Date: tbc - please contact Ed Martin for details
Time: 10.00-17.00
Venue: Royal Society of Medicine, London W1
Number of places: 10
Cost: £200 (+£40 VAT)

Do you know your SEO from your CMS? Do RSS feed headlines hold no fear for you?

Traditional print journalism is in decline and internet readership is on the rise – so knowing how to get a piece up online looking perfect and attracting optimum attention through search engines is a must for any production journalist.

An understanding of the technology and how to maximise use of it is essential for subs, as is a confidence in how the approach for web stories differs from that of print.

This one-day intensive course will cover:

The principal differences between subbing for print and subbing for websites
Content management systems (CMS), and how they generally work
Search engine optimisation techniques – how to help attract traffic and make sure interested readers find your stories easily
Best practice for hyperlinking
How to write web-friendly headlines – writing heads for the web requires different skills and different thinking to writing for print
The fine balance between publishing content fast and ensuring it’s up to scratch
Creating a story as part of a package with pictures and video
The legal pitfalls to avoid – brush up on your media law for a digital age

There will be a strong emphasis on practical work, with opportunities to practise online subbing and receive immediate feedback.

Emmanuelle and Jane bring with them experience of several content management systems (including those of The Times and the Financial Times), but they will show that ultimately, it doesn’t matter where you work, the essential skills required for online sub-editing are the same.

About the trainers

Emmanuelle Smith is Business Education reporter at the Financial Times and also edits FT Lexicon, an online glossary of financial terms. Previously, she was a production journalist at the FT for three years, subbing for the paper and the website. She is a qualified teacher.

Jane Wild works in production at the Financial Times, subbing for the paper and website. Previously, she had roles as a sub and as online chief sub at The Times, where she helped in the integration of the newsroom (merging the online and paper operations), training subs how to treat and publish online copy.

Book now

To book your place now, please click here.

Testimonials

"A very worthwhile course, taught by two online journalists who know what they're talking about." Helen Bird, editor

"It has definitely expanded my knowledge and increased confidence" Kate Mitchell, freelance sub-editor

"A course for journalists designed and presented by journalists - it's a win win." William Trevethick, senior night production sub-editor

"It was a very good overview of online editing and page layout. Lots of good tips." Clelia Oziel, freelance sub-editor

"The course was very well balanced and the tutor was fantastic." Dana Gornitzki, freelance sub-editor.

"A very useful and informal way into the world of online sub-editing." Stephen Furlong, sub-editor.

"The tutor provided a comprehensive and informative overview of the essentials of online subbing and took the time to answer our many questions. I now feel better equipped to enter the world of online subbing." Catherine Gin, freelance sub-editor.