Do you know your SEO from your CMS? How about your social web from your semantic web?

Online subbing is about much more than words. As well as traditional sub-editing skills, you need to make sure the story looks good, is optimised for search engines and is shareable.

This introductory course will demonstrate how existing sub-editors can adapt the valuable skills they already have to the digital world.

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

Tutors Jane Wild and Emmanuelle Smith have experience of several content management systems, including those of The Times and the Financial Times.

However, they will show that ultimately it does not matter where you work – the essential skills required for online sub-editing are the same as for print.

What will the course cover?

  • The principal differences between subbing for print and subbing for the web

  • Adapting and marketing the sub-editing skills you already have

  • Content management systems (CMS), and how they work*

  • The importance of social media and building online communities

  • Search engine optimisation techniques (SEO)

  • How to write web-friendly headlines

  • Best practice for hyperlinking

  • How to tag stories and enter other metadata

  • Legal pitfalls to avoid, including an overview of digital media law

* Please note this course does not teach any particular CMS as software varies between workplaces

What will I learn by the end of the course?

  • Confidence in handling web stories

  • Why writing headlines for the web requires different skills and different thinking to writing for print

  • How to attract traffic and make sure your readers find stories easily

  • What employers are looking for, and how to market yourself

What do I need to bring?

  • You will need to bring a laptop to attend this course

Getting there

<p>This course will be held at The Bridge, 81 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 0NQ</p>



About Jane Wild

Jane has worked at the Financial Times for four years as an online and print sub-editor, as well as editor on the UK news desk.

She was previously a sub and online chief sub at The Times, where she played a key role in the online/print integration of the newsroom, training subs in how to treat and publish online copy.

She is currently transport reporter at the FT.



About Emmanuelle Smith

Emmanuelle is social media editor for The Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

She spent six years at the Financial Times, most recently as online production journalist, and has worked as a freelance sub for various publications, including the Big Issue.

She is also a qualified teacher.



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 tutors 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