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: 29 May 2013
Time: 10.00-17.00
Venue: LMG Training, Southwark, SE1 8NZ
Number of places: 10
Cost: £200 +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.

This introductory course will look at how existing sub-editors can adapt the skills they already have to an online environment. The emphasis is on building confidence, so that by the end of the day, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of what is required when subbing for the web and feel confident in dealing with online copy.

There is a strong practical element to the day, with opportunities to try out what you have learnt and receive immediate feedback.

This one-day intensive course will cover:

Adapting and marketing the skills you already have
Building confidence in handling web stories
The principal differences between subbing for print and subbing for websites
Content management systems (CMS), and how they work (although please note we will not be teaching any particular program as software will vary between workplaces)
Search engine optimisation techniques (SEO) – how to attract traffic and make sure readers find your stories easily
Best practice for hyperlinking
How to tag your story and enter other metadata
How to write web-friendly headlines – writing heads for the web requires different skills and different thinking to writing for print
Creating a story as part of a well-presented online package
The legal pitfalls to avoid – brush up on your media law for a digital age

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

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.

"I'd recommend doing this course purely because it is taught by two people who work in newspaper and online disciplines for a living and therefore really speak with authority." Deborah Shrewsbury, freelance journalist