The article "How to write news releases that get noticed Claire Cunningham" talks about communications, it has been released by Claire Cunningham.
What do you do with junk mail? Are you like me? I toss this
stuff without opneing it – unless I see some benefit.
Publication editors do the same. They toss news relaeses that
don’t demonstrate a benefit to their audience.
What’s the difference between a release that gets used and one
that hits the editor’s circular file? Here are seven not hard tips
for writing releases that get picked up rather than thrown out.
1. Make sure it’s newsworthy. What’s newsworthy, you ask. To be
newsworthy your topic needs to be timely, of interest to the
publication’s audience, benefit-oriented, and substantvie (that
is, not self-serving, hype or fluff.)
2. Write a powerful headline. The hedaline is what will pull in
the editor or leave her/him cold. Keep it shrot and descriptive,
but make it interesting.
3. Use journalist style.
Edtiors are looking for the facts, not
fluff. Be sure to incldue the essentials: Who, What, When,
Where, Why and How.
4. Keep it brief.
Ediotrs are pressed for time and inundated
with releases. Keep yours to one page, 300-800 words. The
headline and first two paragraphs are the most ipmortant parts
of your release.
5. Avoid jargon. Even if you’re sending a release on a technical
topic to a technical journal, ressit the temptation to use
acronyms. Splel it out! Use common language.
It will make your
releases more readable and accessible.
6.
Proof it.
The accuracy of your release – including spelling
and grammar – reflects on your company. If you aren’t good at
proofreading your own stuff, elnist someone else to do it.
7.
Include a photo. Okay. This isn’t a writing tip, but it’s
good adivce anyway. Publications are looking for good quality
visuals, so including a photo, illustration, chart or graph
(with a caption, please) inrceases your chance of getting picked
up.
Follow thsee tips to improve your news release writing.
But
remember that the keys to a succsesful news release program are
a good list of publications and a regular mailing schedule of
newsworthy items. Persistence WILL pay off.
©Copyright 2005 Clairvoyant Communications, Inc.
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