How To Be a Brilliant Editor: From Ideas to Feedback

Refine your briefing, copy and communication skills

This one-day editor training course will take you a step closer to receiving perfect copy from writers, and fixing any problems quickly and with flair.

What You’ll Learn: How to lead ideas meetings, edit copy and deliver feedback

Being an editor isn’t easy and even journalists with decades of experiences can struggle to make the leap from writing or reporting. This course will help you gain a clear understanding of what the role of an editor is and what it takes to be successful in the job.

We’ll take an in-depth look at what makes a good feature, and discuss how the best in the business conjure concepts that keep you reading to the end. We’ll equip you to think critically while assessing the current features landscape; and help you build a toolkit for developing winning ideas.

A focus on how you can work well with writers will help you shape their ideas sensitively and effectively, and you’ll learn how to run successful brainstorming sessions that encourage genius ideas. You’ll also take a closer look at the briefing process and how to write concise and clear guidelines to ensure writer and editor are aligned.

We’ll spend time discussing what to look out for when reviewing writers’ work, and address one of the trickiest aspects of the job – giving constructive feedback that results in better copy and strong working relationships.

How you’ll learn

This three-module course will be led by an experienced editor and trainer who will share their practical expertise through presentations, discussion and practical exercises – ensuring you have opportunity to reinforce your learning and test your understanding.

Who the course is for

This editor training is for you if you’re looking to build your editing skills or are moving into an editing role. Delegates should have professional experience in an editorial or content role. For a detailed look at copy-editing, you might like our Become A Subediting Superhero course.

We currently offer this course as bespoke training for teams and can deliver it remotely, or in your offices. Get in touch using the button below to discuss times and dates, as well as how we can tailor it to your needs. 

Course Modules

Generating Brilliant Ideas

  1. Exploring feature formats
  2. Generating features ideas
  3. Developing your idea
  4. Regular and returning features
  5. Build your own ideas – practical

Commissioning: From Idea to Brief

  1. Generating ideas
  2. Running an ideas meeting
  3. Why briefing matters
  4. How to write a good brief
  5. Editing to brief

Editing Stories (And Writers)

  1. The role of the editor
  2. The speedy edit
  3. Giving writer feedback
  4. The considered edit
  5. The final polish
Editor training - writer works on a laptop

How To Be a Brilliant Editor: From Ideas to Feedback

Refine your briefing, copy and communication skills

Get in touch

What our students say

View all testimonials

The small class sizes nurture a comfortable environment where everyone supports and learns from each other. The staff helped me hone in on my writing skills and develop the confidence to feel comfortable on camera.

Camilla Foster
, Reporter
, Newsquest

I honestly thought that the whole day was fabulous!!! You really couldn’t have done anymore for us. The combination of practical exercises and feedback was particularly useful, it was a challenging day (in a very good way) in that we really had to think, learn and adapt quickly. I know the team are significantly better prepared for media interviews after this training.

Fragile X Society
, Managing Director

The methods and techniques you learn (and apply) on a daily basis through teaching, coursework and eventually exams crop up again and again in both job applications and jobs themselves – the course content is directly relevant to the realities of the industry. 

James Saunders
, Digital News Reporter
, GB News

Not only did I develop the necessary toolkit to become a journalist, but I also did so in an environment that fosters a real sense of community and personal career support.

Erin Waks
, Trainee Sub-Editor
, Daily Mail

My time at PA Training was a whirlwind of fun and excitement. The full-time NCTJ course in London is fast-paced and hard work but perfectly sets you up for what to expect in a reporter role.

Camilla Foster
, Reporter
, Newsquest

Being equipped with an NCTJ Diploma does massive favours for your future, and the skills the course taught me are ones I lean on every single day. The simple fact is, I wouldn’t be where I am without that course. 

Alex Barker
, Videographer & Presenter
, The Athletic

Contact us

Do you wish to train on one of our specialist courses? Start by filling in the application form – we’ll ask you for some important information such as your education and employment history.

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Name*
By submitting this application form you confirm your acceptance that the information you have provided will be used during the recruitment procedure. Once the recruitment procedure is completed, the data will be stored for one year and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, relevant information may be taken from this form and used as part of your personnel record.
If you would like to receive regular updates from PA Media Academy, please tick here:

Contact us

For more information , simply fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
By submitting this application form you confirm your acceptance that the information you have provided will be used during the recruitment procedure. Once the recruitment procedure is completed, the data will be stored for one year and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, relevant information may be taken from this form and used as part of your personnel record.
If you would like to receive regular updates from PA Media Academy, please tick here:

Contact us

For more information , simply fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.