Getting the message out about Goode Walks
Getting publicity is never easy, and getting coverage in the local media is pretty hard in this day and age of limited local journalism, for understandable commercial reasons. So managing to get some visibility from a media release on the launch of Goode Walks was a welcome bonus in the past week.
The In Your Area website featuring a section of community news from Brentwood ran a very nice re-write story on Goode Walks and how it got here.
Maybe it might make the hard copy Brentwood Gazette next week too, but we’ll see as news space is hard to come by with physical newspapers being a lot thinner these days.
The article focused on my battle back from Leukaemia, which is fine; but carried lots of the information from my media release about how I am offering guided tailored walks and hikes for individuals and groups of all abilities.
“An outdoor enthusiast from Brentwood, Essex, has launched a new walking and networking business just three years after being diagnosed with Leukaemia,” it started.
“Julian, who was a journalist in digital media for more than 30 years, said: ‘It was while I was undergoing treatment in Barts Hospital in London in 2019 that I came up with the idea of a complete career change and starting up as a walk leader.’
“The 56-year old walker is a qualified Lowland Leader, as well as a member of the Mountain Training Association, British Mountaineering Council, and Institute for Outdoor Learning. He is also outdoors first aid qualified and a certified mental health first aider.”
The article continued: “Julian said: ‘Although things were delayed by Covid, I was able to do my training last summer. Through Goode Walks, I want to pass on my love of the outdoors, my experience and the benefit of my qualifications as a walk leader to everyone keen to get out there walking for themselves.
“My mission for Goode Walks is to help everyone I possibly can to enjoy the great outdoors – leading guided tailored walks and hikes for individuals and groups of all kinds in the Essex countryside, and further afield.
“Later this year, Julian will be taking on a 500-mile sponsored walking challenge – ‘A Really Goode Walk’ – to raise money for Barts Charity and Anthony Nolan, with a six-week trek coast-to-coast across all four countries of the United Kingdom in October and November.
“The new business will be able to organise and plan team bonding or away day networking experiences for employees, clients or suppliers and can build a tailored package to suit organisational and staff needs.
“Goode Walks will also offer introductions to navigation and map reading for those wishing to build their skill level in the great outdoors.”
It was while I was undergoing treatment in Barts Hospital in London in 2019 that I came up with the idea of a complete career change and starting up as a walk leader