| |
| |
|
Acne Information |
|
|
|
The 7 Deadly Sins of Press Releases
A press release is often your only chance to make a great first impression. Newspapers, magazines and trade publications receive them by the truckload. That means sloppy, inaccurate, pointless releases are the first to hit the newsroom wastebasket. To make sure yours isn't one of them, avoid these 7 Deadly Sins: 1. Providing insufficient or wrong information on your press releases, particularly telephone numbers. Releases must be complete, accurate and specific. (Note: A news release is the same as a press release.) 2. Writing too long. They should be no longer than a page. 3. Sending it too late. Mail or fax it to local media at least two weeks before an event, preferably three or four. Major magazines work four to six months ahead of time. 4. Sending a release with no news value. News is what happens that is different. If it isn't different, it isn't news. 5. Blatant commercialism. Avoid hackneyed words and phrases such as spectacular, incredible, the only one of its kind, breakthrough, cutting-edge, unique and state-of-the-art. 6. Omitting a contact name and phone number. At the top of the first page in the left corner, let editors know who they can call if they have questions. Include day, evening and cell phone numbers. 7. Calling after you send a release and asking questions like "Did you get my news release?" or "Do you know when it will be printed?" Don't follow up with a phone call to see if the media got your release, unless you are absolutely sure that someone will check for you. Most reporters and editors don't have time. If you do follow up, make sure you have a reason to call. Suggest a particular angle to your story, or ask the media people if they need any other information. Joan Stewart publishes the free ezine "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," packed with valuable tips on how to generate thousands of dollars in free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.PublicityHound.com and receive free the handy checklist "89 Reasons to Send a News Release."
MORE RESOURCES:
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Media Training: Why Nobodys Listening to You SORRY?WERE YOU SAYING SOMETHING?Many spokespeople approach media interviews the same way they would a major speech. They think at length about what they want to say, jot down a few notes, and try to memorize a few key points. The Non-business Business Think for a moment! If you were to do a business, profession or a job that you loved, something that was a passion, you considered worth doing, one that gave you joy; would you ever think early retirement or rush home early from work? 'Doubtful' is a certainty, to say the least!A few years ago, I perchance drifted across a book titled 'To Sail Beyond the Sunset' in which Robert Heinlein's character, Jubal Harshaw, said something that left a lasting impression on me, and ergo, naturally, on the way I look at life. Jubal says "Happiness lies in being privileged to work hard for long hours in doing whatever you think is worth doing. Preparing For Your Media Interview Media interviews are an important part of an overall public relations campaign. Any size company from entrepreneur to Fortune 500 can benefit from media interviews. Publicity Tips from the Pros If you want to know the best way to approach the media, get advice directly from the source: the editors, producers and journalists who choose the stories that get publicity. Here are some of the best tips I've gotten from media representatives about getting your story in the news. Media Exposure Validates And Legitimizes Your Business Although repetition is extremely important, there are times when advertising can help bring you a fast response.If you're having a fire sale, you want to advertise. How to Tie-In With News Events to Score Publicity It's safe to say that we live in interesting times. It seems wehardly have a breather between wars, tragedies, scandals,epidemics, circus trials and other events that capitalize themedia's attention. Franchise Work Vehicles Should Have a Flag on Them If you own a franchise and have company vehicles, be sure you have a flag on it. First let's discuss the American flag. Why Not PR That Gets Real Results? And not results you can measure only in terms of magazine circulation, TV audience numbers, or news release pickups.But rather, results that come from a public relations effort that creates the kind of key stakeholder behavior change that leads directly to achieving your managerial objectives. How To Get Radio-Active PR For Your Non-Profit Cause-Part One "We are in the communications business, the business of conveying messages to the human brain," said the late David Sarnoff, founder and president of RCA. "No man is wise enough to know which avenue to the brain is best. Mind Your Own Business! And the best way to mind your own business is to insure that those audiences whose behaviors have the greatest effect on your enterprise keep thinking about you in the most positive way. Reason is, bad behaviors often follow bad perceptions, so what your external audiences think about you can mean success or failure. Building Community Support for Project Permitting, Construction, and Marketing Redevelopment is replacing new construction throughout the Greater Boston area, as construction costs climb and the commercial/retail vacancy rate reaches new (and alarming) levels.Redevelopment of highly visible, publicly owned or historic properties~ such as shipyards, air bases, and historic mills ~ involves all the usual steps of Federal and State permitting and approvals, and the additional layer of permitting involving historic, archeological and cultural review and approvals. A Natural Phenomenon? Really? Sure. What else do you call a human discipline whose very nature is firmly rooted in the principle that people act on their own perception of the facts. Did You Know That Even TV Remote Control Units Can Get Press and Media Coverage? Did you Know That Even TV Remote Control Units Can Get Press and Media Coverage? It is widely and yet wrongly believed that only very famous, fascinating or controversial people or products can get valuable press coverage and publicity through the distribution of press releases.This would seem to shut out a vast majority of small businesses and their products and services from benefiting and profiting from the lucrative world of the press and media. Hey, Mr/Ms Manager! Does it really make sense to bet your PR budget on results like newspaper mentions and zippy brochures while your all-important outside audience behaviors are probably receiving much less attention than they need?I mean, the concern is valid. What your most important external audiences believe about your organization, and then to what behaviors those perceptions lead, has a lot to do with whether it - and you - succeed. Media Training 201: The Reporters Have Done Their Homework. Have You Done Yours? Just about anyone who has been in the public eye has a story of the media interview that went south. "I talked to that reporter for an hour and all they used was a ten-second sound bite!" or, "He said he wanted to ask me about X when that was just a way to get in the door so he could talk about Y. Austin's Annual Charity Event with KVET In my travels around the country while building my business I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the greatest community volunteers in our nation. I never missed an opportunity to meet community leaders and learn all I could about every market my company franchised in. Getting Free Publicity with Radio Interviews Imagine that you are a radio producer. You have to fill three hours a day, five days a week, every single week. Community Based Marketing Strategies As small businesses we have an opportunity and an obligation to help keep our communities strong. As small business people we have an awesome distribution system, reaching hundreds of people every day who come into our stores. Managers, Have You Been Shortchanged? You have been if you're a business, non-profit or association manager whose public relations budget is focused largely on nifty brochures, column mentions and broadcast plugs. Especially without a workable plan that helps you persuade your most important outside stakeholders to your way of thinking, then moves them to take actions that lead to the success of your department, division or subsidiary. Why You Should Write a Book (Even if You Really Dont Want To) Recently, I told a friend (who's a business owner) that she needed to write a book. Although she's a good writer with terrific ideas, she said, "Do I really have to do it?"For her -- and for those of you who have a business -- the answer is yes.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |