The worlds of public relations and copywriting are riddled with industry language and practices. This Back to Basics blog series is aimed at Plain Englishing some of the terminology that’s frequently used by PR professionals and copywriters that isn’t always clear to everybody else, starting with, ‘What’s a press release?’

Going freelance is a big deal – you’re essentially swapping the luxury of being in full-time employment with becoming your own full-time boss. There are so many things Sanina Kaur, Director of SK Copy Co, has learnt since taking the freelance plunge, and there are many more things she wish she’d know before going freelance.

What’s it really like to work with SK Copy Co? When you’ve given us a brief to write your next blog, brochure, email, e-newsletter, press release or press pack, and aren’t sure what to expect because you’ve not worked with us before? Wonder no more because this blog reveals all…

Press release writing is a key PR task that enables individuals and businesses to spread the word about their latest news. Get your press releases right and they’ll be published far and wide by the media and further promoted on social. Get them wrong, and they’ll disappear into the ether, never to be seen or talked about ever again. Amen.

Whether you’re new to PR or are a seasoned pro, there’s one part of the job most people find particularly daunting, and that’s the dreaded media sell-in. As with most things, the more you do them, the more comfortable you are doing them. However, for many PR professionals, this isn’t the case when it comes to media pitches.

Have you heard of ‘silly season?’ It used to crop up every now and again when SK Copy Co Director, Sanina, was a journalist and far more frequently during her PR days. As we’re in silly season, there’s no time like the present to share some insight on what it is and why it can be good for helping secure media coverage.