Writing publications: leaflets and information booklets

Course summary

Whether you need to inform your readers or encourage them to take action, high quality print materials are central to your organisation's success. It's vital that your publications are clear, engaging and on message if you want to be respected and trusted.


Course outline

This practical, hands-on course equips you with the writing skills you need to persuade, inspire and build a strong relationship with your audience. You will also learn fool-proof planning and editing systems that you can take back and share with your team.

Over the day you will cover:

• planning your publication
• reinforcing your brand
• your own writing style
• audience
  • understanding your audience
  • overcoming readers' prejudices
• what type of publication suits your material?
  • purpose of your publication
  • benefits for your organisation and for readers
• persuading your audience
  • case studies, testimonials and quotes
  • third party endorsements
  • facts and statistics
• participation - how to support your users to get involved
• advanced writing skills
• the planning sheet
  • have a clear message
  • headlines, subheadings and bullet points
  • sentences
  • paragraphs
• keeping your writing short
• managing copy and the editorial process
  • style guides
  • visual images
• working with designers

Your trainer will engage directly with your needs and those of your organisation. Throughout the day you will participate in discussions, training sessions and practical exercises.

Please bring any publications you have produced for feedback on the day.

"The course was really useful and covered many topics in depth in a short space of time. The trainer applied the information to our individual organisations." E L, Water Aid
"Very informative and enjoyable. I found the trainer's comments on my organisation's publications extremely valuable." LS British Polio Fellowship


Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone involved in producing publications. It is particularly useful for those who need to write or re-write print materials, or those who manage or commission publications.


What will this course help me do: learning outcomes?

After the course you will feel more confident in your writing skills and will be keen to put your new, fresh ideas into practice. The course will enable you to assess your current output and see how your written materials can be improved.