JOURNALIST, COPYWRITER, EDITOR, CONSULTANT AND TUTOR WITH MORE THAN 15 YEARS' EXPERIENCE

Hello. Thanks for stopping by. I’m a freelance journalist, copywriter, editor, consultant and Guardian Masterclass tutor. I’ve worked news shifts and knocked out features for a long list of titles including The Guardian, The Telegraph, the BBC, The Observer, The Independent, Stylist, the Evening Standard, Women's Health, Positive News, The Big Issue, Vogue, The Business of Fashion, The Times Education Supplement, The Scotsman, Mr & Mrs Smith, Refinery 29,  The Debrief, Jigsaw magazine, High50, Drapers, Retail Week, Stylus, Marketing, The Drum, Professional Beauty – and it goes on.

As a freelance journalist, I cover most subjects - from travel and lifestyle to beauty and education. I've planned my funeral for The Telegraph, interviewed several female Bletchley Park codebreakers for the Guardian, visited Myanmar to look at its burgeoning startup scene for the BBC, wrote about the hippest place in Bali for Refinery29, highlighted the impact of volunteering in a long feature for Stylist, scooped the Media Award 2016 for my Guardian piece on how the tech community is helping with the refugee crisis, investigated the cost of attending a wedding for the Guardian, explored the rise of effective altruism for The Observer, researched the best independent shops for Vogue, covered getting a dress tailor-made in Vietnam for the Independent, looked into the alternative funerals industry for the BBC, explored how technology has dramatically changed the fashion industry for The Guardian and reviewed hotels and spas worldwide for numerous titles. That's always a tough gig. And as a roving reporter, I've interviewed major chiefs including the boss of Instagram, Ann Summers chief executive Jacqueline Gold and ex Ultimo boss Michelle Mone.

I’ve worked as an editor on the Guardian’s Small Business Network and Careers desks, editing features and commissioning articles. I’ve freelanced as assistant editor at Professional Beauty and news editor at Drapers. I'm ex Drapers/Retail Week and have read more company results than you'd care to know. As of July 2016, I was hired for six months as a part-time commissioning editor on the Guardian Media & Tech Network.

I host a Guardian Masterclass on how PRs and small business owners can best work with journalists. You can find more information and book on the session here. I also run workshops across the UK targeted at PRs, small businesses and other organisations. During the three-hour workshop, I explain the importance of storytelling and thinking creatively when it comes to securing media coverage. I offer guidance on working with the media and tips on how to build strong relationships with both staff and freelance journalists. An online version of the workshop is available to watch in the ‘Speaking/Events/Webinars’ section on this website.  I also run a consultancy offering Skype or face-to-face sessions focused on helping brands, businesses and entrepreneurs work with the media and secure press coverage. For more information and prices, please email me at susiebearne AT hotmail DOT com.

I'm also a copywriter and write reports. In my former life I was a full-time copywriter, a role that involved writing, editing and proofreading material from an in-depth reports and brochures to posters and leaflets. I also write, edit and proofread anything from reports to advertorials.

When I’m not busy writing away at my Mac with a green tea by my side, I can usually be found desperately trying to improve my plank at Pilates, wild swimming or sweating it out at a body conditioning class. I’m also a fan of volunteering, cycling, cutting down on waste, reserving books at my local library, reading newspapers and Instagramming anything and everything. 

I have an unstoppable dose of wanderlust and have called New York (twice), London, Berlin, Lisbon, Sydney and York home during my adult life. Like most of London, I packed my bags and headed to Margate for a life of sunsets, beach swims, and glasses of wine that don’t cost £9. 

Want to talk about a project, hire me as a consultant or media trainer, or commission me? Drop me a line at susiebearne@hotmail.com.