Media Trust

27 Nov 2024

Hi everyone, Media Trust is now on Bluesky! 👋 We're ready to explore what this platform can offer charities, and keen to connect with anyone who's passionate about amplifying voices in the third sector and championing under-represented creative talent. #CharitiesOnBlueSky

Whose story is it to tell? 💬 Join us on Tuesday 17 November for our Ethical Case Studies workshop - exploring how your charity can work respectfully with contributors and share their stories responsibly. Tickets start from £48: https://mediatrust.org/events/ethical-case-studies/

Become a mentor on our Postcode Lottery Mentoring Programme 📢 You’ll be matched with a charity for up to four hours a month over six months, sharing advice and ideas that make a practical difference. Apply here: https://bit.ly/4sbBwpa

A comms strategy doesn’t need to be a 50-page document that sits forgotten in a folder. It should be a practical guide that helps you decide what to say, who to say it to, and how to know if it’s working. Here are 5 steps to creating one 👇🏽

Build your messages and channels Decide what you want people to understand, feel and do after hearing from you. Then choose the channels that actually help you reach them. Don’t try to be everywhere, focus your time where your audiences are most likely to engage.

Measure, learn and improve A strategy isn’t finished once it’s written. Review what’s working, what isn’t, and what your audiences are responding to. Use those insights to keep improving your approach and make your comms more effective over time.

Define what you want to achieve Your comms should have a purpose beyond “raising awareness”. Are you trying to recruit volunteers? Grow support? Influence decision-makers? Increase donations? Choose a few clear objectives and make sure your activity helps move you towards them.

Understand your audiences You can’t communicate effectively if you don’t know who you’re talking to. Think about: Who needs to hear from you? What do they care about? What barriers or questions do they have? Where do they already engage?

Start with your purpose Before thinking about platforms, campaigns or content, get clear on why you’re communicating. How does your comms work support your charity’s mission? A strong strategy connects every post, email and campaign back to your bigger goals.

Ethical storytelling ensures that your community's stories are told with care, respect and consent 💙 Join our workshop on Tuesday 10 November to explore what makes storytelling ethical and how to put it into practice. Register from £48: https://bit.ly/4s0gMAB

Ready to take your charity’s AI skills beyond the basics? 🤖 Our FREE online 'AI and Marketing: Advanced skills' programme explores AI assistants, AI search and new approaches to content and campaigns. Running this November and December, apply here: https://bit.ly/4kiEMwX

Happy (nearly) #Halloween from Media Trust! 🎃👻 What comms challenges have been haunting you this year? We’ll go first - we’ve been keeping a close eye on the rise of AI-generated content and how charities can use it without losing their human voice!

NEXT WEEK: Could influencers help your charity reach new audiences? 🤳🏿 Join our FREE masterclass next Thursday, as we introduce you to the world of influencer marketing and show you how charities can work effectively and authentically with creators. https://bit.ly/4jmCZ9H

Join us next week for a FREE behind-the-scenes look at TV commissioning 📺 Our next Media Trust Talent Tuesday session will explore the role of a TV commissioning editor and how non-scripted programmes make it to screen. Join us from 5PM on 3 November: https://bit.ly/4k8B6xK

intersexday.orgIntersex Day - Intersex Awareness Day, 26 Oct, & Intersex Day of Solidarity, 8 NovIntersex Awareness Day, 26 Oct, & Intersex Day of Solidarity, 8 Nov

Happy Intersex Awareness Day! 💜💛 This is a time to raise awareness of intersex people and their experiences, challenge misconceptions and help build greater understanding and inclusion. Find out more here: https://intersexday.org/en/

People’s lives don’t fit neatly into one issue, and your storytelling shouldn’t either. Our bespoke comms training helps charities navigate complex challenges and tell stories that reflect people’s experiences with greater care and inclusivity. https://bit.ly/4eb6FkQ

Your charity’s data might not be telling the whole story. 📊 Check out Megan Price’s (Content Strategy Lead at Few and Far) new article on our Resource Hub to find out how to interpret your data more effectively and make better-informed decisions. https://bit.ly/4elCfhO

Influencer marketing isn't just for brands ⭐️ We're running a FREE masterclass on Thursday 5 November, introducing charities to the world of influencer marketing and showing you how your organisation can work effectively and authentically with creators. https://bit.ly/4jmCZ9H

Have you got creative, digital or media skills to share? ⭐️ Our #MatchedByMediaTrust volunteer platform connects professionals like you with charities that need your expertise. Sign up now to get #MatchedByMediaTrust: mediatrust.org/register/

Did you know around 20% of the population live with a disability? Come along to our Accessible Content Creation webinar on Tuesday 24 November for a beginner’s guide to creating content that prioritises accessibility for all. Sign up from £48: https://bit.ly/4id1W5x

Wondering what your charity should post on TikTok? 📱 Join our FREE masterclass, on Wednesday 4 November, to learn how to create engaging TikTok content that reaches the right audiences and connects with them. Register now: https://mediatrust.org/events/tiktok-for-charities-masterclass/

Calling social-first video agencies and freelancers! #MediaTrustFilms team is looking for experts in short-form content to turn our charity films into engaging cutdowns with strong hooks, snappy edits and platform-ready formats. 📨 Email laurent@mediatrust.org to get involved.

Ethical storytelling starts with putting people first 💬 Join our online workshop on Tuesday 17 November to learn how your charity can share lived experience stories responsibly, build trust and protect contributors. Tickets start from £48: https://mediatrust.org/events/ethical-case-studies/

How do TV commissioning editors decide which programmes make it to screen? 📺 Join our Media Trust Talent Tuesday's session on Tuesday 3 November as we explore how commissioning works, what broadcasters look for and how non-scripted programmes get made. Sign up for free: https://bit.ly/4k8B6xK

Black History Month is a reminder that representation matters all year round 🤎 A small win for your charity comms: add a regular check-in to your content planning. Whose voices are missing? Who are you creating space for? What stories still need to be told?

Join our Ethical Storytelling workshop, on Tuesday 10 November, to learn how to: ✅ Tell stories that are respectful and inclusive ✅ Gather stories with meaningful consent ✅ Strengthen fundraising without compromising dignity Sign up from £48: https://bit.ly/4s0gMAB

NEXT WEEK: Last chance to become a volunteer mentor ⏰ Share your expertise with a charity on our Postcode Lottery Mentoring Programme. Give up to 4 hours a month to help a charity strengthen its comms and make a difference! Sign up for our November cohort: https://bit.ly/4sbBwpa

The clocks go back this Sunday ⏰🍂 So, what are you doing with your extra hour? Catching up on sleep, watching another episode, just taking it slow or something else? Let us know below! 👇🏽

It’s ADHD Awareness Month! 💜 A time to learn more about ADHD, challenge misconceptions and build greater understanding of the experiences of people with ADHD. Find out more: https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/

This Wednesday: Your charity could access up to £7,500 a month in free Google Search ads 📢 Join our session from 10AM to learn how Google Ad Grants works and how to make the most of it for your charity. Sign up from £48: https://mediatrust.org/events/google-ad-grants-for-charities/

TOMORROW: Cut through with clearer messaging 💬 Join our FREE online Comms Clinic with Unstuck to explore how your charity can simplify complex ideas and make sure your audience understands what matters most. Sign up now: https://mediatrust.org/events/comms-clinic-social-media-oct26/

Your skills could help a charity do more 📢 From creative and digital expertise to media and communications support, charities need talented professionals to help bring their work to life and reach the people who need it. Get #MatchedByMediaTrust today: mediatrust.org/register/

Some stories need more care, nuance and understanding Our bespoke charity training is delivered by experienced trainers who know how to navigate complex and sensitive issues, from domestic abuse to racial inequality. Learn more: https://mediatrust.org/communications-support/create-training-course/

A signed consent form isn’t the end of the conversation ✍🏻 Join our ethical case studies webinar, on Tuesday 17 November, to earn how to create powerful case studies while putting the people behind the stories first. Book from £48: https://mediatrust.org/events/ethical-case-studies/

Could influencers help your charity reach new audiences? 🤳🏿 Join our FREE masterclass, on Thursday 5 November, for an intro to the world of influencer marketing and discover how your charity could work effectively and authentically with creators. Register now: https://bit.ly/4jmCZ9H

Your filmmaking skills could help a charity tell a story that needs to be heard 🎬 Volunteer with #MediaTrustFilms to help charities create powerful short films that raise awareness, connect with audiences and drive change. Register here: https://bit.ly/4bJnJ2V

"This was incredibly useful, with lots of practical tools that I used right away." Come along to our Ethical Storytelling webinar, on Tuesday 10 November, to discover how to tell powerful stories that build trust and put people first. Join from £48: https://bit.ly/4s0gMAB

Join our FREE TikTok for charities masterclass, on Wednesday 4 November, as we cover how to: 👥 Reach the right audiences 💡 Find content ideas 📱 Create engaging videos And so much more! Sign up now: https://mediatrust.org/events/tiktok-for-charities-masterclass/

Can’t share photos of the people your charity supports? 📷 Protecting someone’s privacy doesn’t mean your storytelling has to lose its impact. Here are 5 ways to represent your beneficiaries while keeping their dignity at the centre:

Focus on the wider community Your charity’s work involves more than just the people you support. Sharing stories from staff, volunteers, partners or supporters can help show your impact while protecting beneficiaries’ identities.

Give people choice and control If someone does want to share their image or story, make sure they understand how it will be used and feel comfortable with the process. Good storytelling starts with respect.

Get creative with visuals You don’t always need a person’s face to tell a human story. You could also try illustrations, behind-the-scenes images, simple animations or many other options! The focus should be on the person’s experience, not just their image.

Use statistics to add context Data can help your audience understand the bigger picture behind your work. Pair key facts and figures with human stories to show both the scale of an issue and the people affected by it.

Tell the story through their words A powerful quote, personal reflection or anonymous story can help people connect with your cause without revealing someone’s identity. Just make sure you have appropriate consent and avoid details that could identify them.

NEXT WEEK: Google Ad Grants for charities webinar ⭐️ Join us next Wednesday to learn how to access and make the most of Google's free advertising grant - worth up to £7,500 a month! Tickets start from £48: https://mediatrust.org/events/google-ad-grants-for-charities/

There's just one week to go until our next Comms Clinic, all about cutting through with clearer messaging 💬 Join us next Tuesday as we explore how your charity can simplify complex ideas and make sure your audience understands what matters most. Sign up for free: https://bit.ly/3U0BK5Z

There's just two days till our 'Messaging that Moves People' webinar 📢 Join us on Wednesday to understand the drivers behind supporter action and how to inspire people to get involved with your charity's cause. Register from £48: https://bit.ly/46FV4Z6

What actually makes a TV idea get commissioned? 📺 Join our next Media Trust Talent Tuesday session on Tuesday 27 October, for a free online look inside the world of TV commissioning. Book your space here: https://mediatrust.org/events/inside-the-world-of-a-tv-commissioning-editor/

blackhistorymonth.org.ukBlack History Month 2026Discover the pioneers celebrated during Black History Month 2026, highlighting achievements in literature, music, sport, business, academia, and more. Inspiring change and innovation.

Happy Black History Month! 🤎🖤 This year's theme is 'Honouring Our Communities', recognise the individuals whose everyday contributions shape, support and sustain Black life across the UK. Read more and find what events are going on this month here: https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/

Good comms doesn’t have to come with a big price tag 🏷️ Our bespoke training is designed around your organisation’s needs, with practical advice you can put into practice, without being pushed towards expensive tools or strategies. Book now: https://bit.ly/4eb6FkQ