Question About News Releases.....

[hoosierchef]

Have any of you used the News Releases? If so, what are we supposed to do? Just send them to our local newspapers or what? This is something new to me. Does it cost anything?

Sorry about all the ????'s. TIA!

 

[julesh]

There's no charge to send a press release, BUT it's at the newspaper's discretion whether it's used or not. They have stacks of press releases, and a lot of them are only used as "filler."

 

[quiverfull7]

Has anyone been able to locate this press release on the website? I am hunting and have followed the directions in the email from yesterday but it is NOT coming up! HELP me all you smart people!

 

[hoosierchef]

Go to CC, then go to the "Promoting Your Business" Tab. It's listed about half-way down there.

 

[quiverfull7]

I am so sorry... but that's where I've been and it isn't there... there is nothing that says overview or press release or anything. I went to the downloadable tab as well and there is nothing there either... why can't I see this? I'm following your's and the emails instructions... sigh...

 

[quiverfull7]

I'm going to shut down my computer and start up again.... who knows... I can't figure out why I can't see the same things on the website ... I even have my contacts in and I can't find it!

 

[jenniferknapp]

Instead of rolling over "Promoting Your Business," you actually have to click on it. It then brings you to a DIFFERENT list of items (how stupid!) ....I am thinking that this is what they are calling the "overview of promoting your business"

 

[hoosierchef]

Thanks for clarifying that Jennifer. Yep. You actually have to click on the tab. Then it is half way down under Press Releases.

 

[jenniferknapp]

She must be restarting her computer!

 

[quiverfull7]

WHAT would I DO without you guys!!!!!!!!!??????????????
Thanks SO much... I feel really stupid but am relieved to know it wasn't right there staring at me!

 

[MandyK]

I used to do PR and Marketing full time (just some background info). Send to the community sections of your local newspapers -- even better if you can get a name. Just call and ask who covers local business community news .

I thought the release they gave us was way too long and poorly written (must have been an intern -- that's who wrote my straight cut releases back in my agency days.) Newspapers cut from the bottom up so you need to write in "pyramid" style. Most important news first. More likely than not the local paper will just run the 1st paragraph. PLus it is alwasy best to have a one page release.

I've attached my edited release -- feel free! (I printed it on pale pink paper)

 

[jenniferknapp]

Thanks Mandy!! I didn't realize that we could change the wording around and such! I will try this again once I set up a fundraiser...so that I can try and get it in there this time!

 

[KellyTheChef]

Mandy~

Thanks! You have probably helped out a lot of us with that extra info about how newspapers will cut from the bottom up. Thanks for editing and posting that!!!

 

[sailortena]

It depends on the newspaper, actually and their policies, plus if they want to publish the information or not.The way the press release is written is an inverted pyramid, giving general information first, then narrowing down the details. I like how it is written because it gives pertinent information about the national cause, and then later narrowing it down and saying exactly how they are going about raising the money. I've mailed the press release as-is to a couple of community newspapers. Hopefully they will run something. Sometimes they run it word for word, if they are desperate for something to fill their pages, that is.

 

[MandyK]

Yes - "inverted pyramid!" I agree with sailortena -- every paper has different policies. In my experience, smaller community papers tend to give the best coverage of this type of news. If it is a slow news day/week -- they probably will run it word for word -- which would be great!

Here's to a very slow news week and lots of columns to fill!

 

[pamperedharriet]

Great job, Mandy on the press release!

 

[hoosierchef]

Yes - "inverted pyramid!" I agree with sailortena -- every paper has different policies. In my experience, smaller community papers tend to give the best coverage of this type of news. If it is a slow news day/week -- they probably will run it word for word -- which would be great!

Here's to a very slow news week and lots of columns to fill!

Mandy, Thanks so much for the info!! It's great to have so many "insiders" on here!! I knew someone would step forward and let us know how the industry tends to work!

Have a grate weekend!