Intermediate subbing

This hands-on training with Martin Lloyd, the former head of writing standards at the BBC, shows you how to sub-edit stories more analytically.

The course is split into two 3-hour webinar sessions taking place on 18 and 19 August between 10am and 1pm BST.

  • Get checklist tips and spot errors quickly
  • Gain the confidence to correct copy thoroughly
  • Create concise and precise editorial at high speed

Why should you do this course?

  • You need to sub-edit text quickly and efficiently
  • You don’t want to have to rely on anyone else
  • To give your team the ability to sub-edit each other’s work   

Who should do it?

  • Journalists, writers, sub-editors, proof-readers
  • Managers seeking to communicate effectively
  • Marketing, social media and comms staff

Course content

  • Proofreading tips and checklists
  • Spellings to watch out for and exceptions to the rule
  • Ensuring you conform to house style
  • Identifying your publication’s tone of voice
  • Problem words and better alternatives
  • How to punctuate properly and not change the meaning
  • Avoiding the pitfalls of English grammar
  • Online best practice and priming copy for search
  • Writing effective headlines and standfirsts

Getting there

This is an online course taking place over two 3-hour Zoom sessions.


About Martin Lloyd

Martin Lloyd is a Journalism.co.uk, PA Training and NCTJ trainer.

He spent 10 years as writing standards editor at the BBC’s training division, the BBC Academy, where he trained BBC News journalists, TV and radio producers and senior managers.

He’s mentored a team of 15 BBC digital content producers, produced writing guides for BBC staff, and was ultimately responsible for training the trainers.

Since leaving the BBC, Martin has mentored an editor at the Financial Times, trained Filipino and Indian journalists remotely and delivered classroom training through the London School of Publishing.

He’s also been a content designer for the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Earlier in his career, Martin edited copy and designed pages for newspapers and magazines including The Guardian, Metro, Broadcast, New Statesman and Marketing Week.