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I still think of myself as an author and journalist, but now, I’m more publicist than journalist. In 2018, after a 15 year career working in national newsrooms, writing books and being a media commentator myself, I realised that my years of experience, knowledge and contacts was of value to those from non-media backgrounds.
I was regularly asked, ‘how can I be a talking head on TV?’ ‘How can I get my business mentioned in the media?’ ‘How can I can get a book deal?’ I’d always happily give advice. But when journalism started to go into decline, and freelance journalist budgets increasingly dried up, I switched my focus from getting my own articles and books into the media to helping others to the same.
That’s where the idea for Thought Leadership PR came from. I realised that with the 15 years working across TV news, radio, print and digital features, book publishing and giving talks, I had a pretty good formula of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to raising people’s profiles.
I use my real-world formula – tried and tested on myself – to train my team at Thought Leadership PR. We promote the reputations of c-level executives, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, political figures, authors and academics, positioning them as thought leaders in their profession. personal PR.
Typical things we have helped our clients with, include:
- Securing keynotes or panel talks
- Developing media worthy ideas for opinion pieces and placing them in prestigious publications
- Helping them write the above
- Securing profile pieces in national papers or business magazines
- Promoting clients to the media as the go-to commentator in their industry whenever topical stories arises
- Delivering media training
- Book consultancy, (or sourcing a ghost writer if needed)
- Advising on content, structure and SEO for personal websites
- Growing a social media presence
- Launching or producing client’s own thought leadership content like a podcast or white paper
We focus on personal PR for individuals. This doesn’t mean a vanity project. The end goal for our clients is often to promote their business or event or charity. We view Personal PR as the vehicle to promote something greater. What a career in media has taught me is that people are much easier to PR than businesses because they have a story, a view and expertise. That’s what I’m an expert at drawing out.
If you want some of media insights on getting into the press, check out my Media Insider Podcast.
That's what I do now, but here's a bit about my media career
I have 15 years experience of the media – across print, broadcast, digital and books.
Seven of these were in a staff role in high pressure newsrooms at ITN. Eight of them were freelance (which is when I got to do fun stuff like debate ‘dry January’ on breakfast telly, or write provocative opinion pieces).
I’ve written for almost all national newspapers both news and features: I’ve investigated where our all our 5p’s from carrier bags go for The Times, I’ve uncovered fake sperm donors for The Mirror, I’ve tried the world’s most expensive bed for The Sunday Times and done every new fitness class going from Bohdi to night swimming for Metro. I’ve got bylines in glossy magazines too, such as Cosmo, Psychologies and Good Housekeeping.
I’m author of three popular non-fiction books. My first was a WHsmith bestseller, my third (and most recent) was long-listed for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2018. (Check out, This Girl Ran: Tales of a Party Girl Turned Triathlete). It was described as ‘chatty and racy’ by The Daily Mail, ‘inspirational stuff’ by Sky News and ‘utterly brilliant’ by the ed of Women’s Running. That level of press didn’t come by luck. I worked to secure it, as I now do for my clients.
As an author, I sometimes get to be TV commentator. So, you may have seen me reviewing papers early on Sky News or late at night on BBC News Channel. There have also been times when I’ve discussed middle aged sex lives on Newsnight, questioned whether the pill is a good a thing Woman’s Hour and debated anything from ‘gender reveal parties’ to whether TV shows too much drinking on shows like This Morning, GMB, Lorraine, The Alan Titchmarsh Show, BBC Breakfast and more.
When I’m not working, I’m a mad-keen triathlete. I competed for GB in my age-group (just don’t ask which age group!) at World Championship in 2015 and most weekends I’m usually found freezing, exhausted or covered in mud on a bike or in a lake.