Do you write news releases that require six levels of approval before they can go out the door? Do you labor over every word in your releases, and worry what reporters will think about the lame B.S. quote in the third paragraph---the one the boss insists be kept in? If so, you might welcome the claim from Sally Saville Hodge that the typical news … [Read more...]
Feds should butt out of VNR controversy
The federal government should stay out of the squabble over prepackaged news materials such as video news releases. The FCC is reviewing existing rules and regulations on two types of prepackaged news materials – those involving financial or promotional considerations for broadcasters who air them and those involving “controversial” or “political … [Read more...]
End-of-summer story ideas
The calendar says spring is here, but if you're pitching to national magazines, particularly those that work several months out, you should be thinking of end-of-summer stories. They include: --Anything that can tie into Labor Day which we celebrate on September 5 this year. --Back-to-School stories, particulary trends in things such as … [Read more...]
Press releases becoming a thing of the past
In this week's issue of The Business Journal in Milwaukee, publisher Mark Sabljak says in his weekly column that "Press releases, frankly, are old news." In most cases, he said, the media are looking for exclusive news, not the same old stuff that's offered to all the other media. That's particularly true with The Business Journal. I was the … [Read more...]
Double-check dates in press releases
Here's a tip that seems so obvious that you'll wonder why I'm even mentioning it. But TV personality Connie Dieken says it's a frequent mistake that will send your news release or story pitch right into the TV station's wastebasket. Ditto for news releases sent to print media outlets. Too often, the day and date of an event don't jibe. For … [Read more...]
Don’t put dates on press releases
Here's another big boo-boo made by made by many people who write news releases. They put the date the release was distributed right at the top. Why not just include a headline in 40-point type that screams, "OLD NEWS." In an era where hour-old news is practically ancient history, dating your news releases is just one more reason for reporters to … [Read more...]
Emphasize readers in press releases
Christine Slowinski of the Girl Scout Council in Waukesha, Wisconsin writes with a helpful reminder about writing news releases: "I created a release based on a national Girl Scout study that defined what girls are afraid of. Initially, my headline was "Girls and Safety: National Institute Releases Study Linking..." (by that time I lost them, … [Read more...]
Use other people’s days, weeks, months of the year
Publicity Hound Genevieve Frederick of Paw Publishing in Carson City, Nevada wrote to me to comment on the importance of piggybacking off other people's days, weeks and months of the year.
"The American Kennel Club celebrates Responsible Dog Ownership Day on September 17. I was able to get a big article and photo in the Carson City local … [Read more...]
Don’t use letterhead for press releases
Publicity expert Paul Hartunian says there's no reason you can't write a succinct one-page news release.
His advice makes sense. Scientific studies inside newsrooms have shown that reporters and editors spend an average 5 seconds reading a news release before deciding whether to use it or trash it.
Why, then, do so many … [Read more...]
Business Wire waves its annual fee
--Business Wire is waiving its annual $120 membership fee starting January 1. That means you only have to pay a fee if you want the company to distribute your news release, or provide other services. Business Wire also will reduce rates on premier multimedia services.