7. What The Media Want - with Mel Sherwood - Editor - Your home
30 minutes
Description
In this episode, host Nikki Snell, founder of Press Loft, chats with Mel Sherwood, the editor of Your Home, the UK’s best-selling home magazine. Mel shares her journey from drama graduate during the 2008 recession to editor of multiple magazine titles, including Homes & Antiques and now Your Home.
She gives an insightful, behind-the-scenes look at how content is created, the power of Apple News, and what PR professionals can do to get featured.
Key Topics Covered:
Mel’s Career Journey:
- From working in a bridal shop to becoming an editorial assistant at Perfect Wedding, and climbing the ranks across numerous lifestyle titles.
Life as an Editor:
- Why her days involve jumping between multiple seasons, from Christmas bookazines to November issues to summer gardening features—all in one day.
Inside Your Home Magazine:
- Focused on affordable inspiration, empowering readers (especially women) to create their dream home without breaking the bank.
Pitching & PR Tips:
- Lead times are long – sometimes over a year in advance.
- Best day to pitch? Friday (quieter inbox).
- Best time of year? End of seasons when new content is most needed.
- Great imagery = high-res, well-lit, in-focus, natural styling.
- Lifestyle and cutout images both welcome.
- Be careful with AI-generated content—it must look real.
- Brands doing it well: Nutmeg Home, sofa.com, Dartington Crystal.
- Avoid tortured PR tie-ins (like tennis-themed veg for Wimbledon).
- Press releases need clarity, full info, and strong expert quotes—especially from recognisable names.
Christmas Content Requests:
- Looking for affordable decorating products.
- Deadline: End of August (for features going to print in September).
- Decluttering pitches also welcome for December/January issues.
Links & Resources:
Learn more about Your Home Magazine: https://www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk
Try a free 60-day trial of Press Loft: https://www.pressloft.com
Follow Mel’s work on Apple News
Follow Your Home on Instagram: @yourhomemagazine
Credits:
Presented by Nikki Snell
Produced with support from Press Loft
Guest: Mel Sherwood, Editor of Your Home magazine
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21 Jul 2025
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