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Slide Show used in workshop entitled Writing the Modern Press Release. Discussed: Adapting your message for modern media, tailoring messages for markets, developing your own distribution channels, networking with bloggers and social media, various forms of content.
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Welcome to
Writing theModernPress Release
Journalism-University of Pittsburgh
Magazine News Editor
Stringer-Somerset Daily American
Publications Manager-Nonprofit
Self-Employed In Publishing since 1978
GotwaldCreation
Blog 2x2virtualchurch.com
Content editor for several companies
Judith Gotwald
What About You?
• What are your objectivesin attending this workshop?
Tell Us About Yourself
?
How WeCommunicate Changes
Today’s World Has Many More Communication Options.
This baby holds in his hands more power to communicate than the entire staff of worldwide network TELEVISION 20 years ago.
AND They Keep Changing!
Today’s World Has Many More Communication Options.
This baby holds in his hands more power to communicate than the entire staff of worldwide network TELEVISION 20 years ago.
• Expensive
• Few choices
• Competitive
• Hard to Target
• Hard to Track/Measure
• Never Guarantees
Old Ways
New Ways
• FAR LESS expensive
per impression
• EASY to target
• MORE Media Choices
• LESS Dependent on
Gatekeepers
• MORE WORK (in some ways!)
• MORE CONTROL!
FIND THE ANGLE
If it’s not news, find a way to make it news.
MAKE SURE IT’SNEWS!
Fundamentals of a Press Release
6HOW
5WHY
4WHERE
3WHEN
2WHAT
1WHO
5 Ws (and if can Add the H)
The Basics
1HEADLINEKeywordsAbout 80
characters
2FIRST
PARAGRAPHDon’t bury your
lead!
3Be Factual
Specific
4Use
flawlessgrammar
5Spell
Check
6Use quotes
7Think
humaninterest
8Include
contact info
9Keep It Short
Understanding Today’s News Outlets
1FLYERS
AndBULLETINBOARDS
2LOCAL
NEWSPAPERS(NeighborhoodAnd Regional
3RADIO
4TELEVISION
5LOCAL
BLOGS & WEBSITES
6ONLINE NEWS(Patch)
7LINKED INGOOGLE
Groups and Circles
8FACEBOOKTWITTER
9BLOG
Can you think of any others?
Style Checklist
Different Media Have Different Focus/Needs
JARGONRecognize itDon’t use it
VOICESpoken/Written
AUDIENCEWrite as if you were talking to someone you met at a bustop!
SELF-PRAISE STINKS
HISTORYDon’t include it. Point them to your web site.
POINT of VIEWAdopt an outsider’s
21 3
54 6
Ask yourself this question as you write.Why should this interest anyone else?
SO WHAT?
If you use statistics to make your point, double check them.
Build trust with editors.
BE TRUTHFUL
Don’t compare yourself to competition.They might be advertisers!
STICK TO YOUR STORY
If your cause/event is part of something broader, make sure you say so.
GIVE CREDIT WHERE DUE
Add something valuable
Develop a Sense of Feature
Tie It to Something Else
Study Tabloids!
Visual World
Photo/Video/Infographic
DISTRIBUTION
Bullet Lists and Subheads break up text
Key Words
Elevator Pitch
Add Personal Note (don’t blast spam)
Attach Word Document or Include Text in Body of Email
Subject Line of Email must catch attention
Include contact info and links
Headline (Limit Characters)
Making ChoicesALWAYS CustomizeToday’s world gives us many choices. Each is a time suck. Don’t waste editors’ time with press releases that do not fit their editorial needs. Protect your relationship with them.
Add a personal note that tells the editor why you think your news is of interest to their readers.
Rewrite the first paragraph to make sure the lead fits their readers.
Know Your Local Gatekeepers Different Media Have Different Focus/Needs
• Find out what each is looking for• Ask what their deadlines are• Find out any limitations (word
count, topic,
size/format/resolution of logos
and pictures)• Show that you care about them!
Develop Your OwnDistribution Channel
Build Your List with Opt-ins
Use Twitter (follow the gatekeepers)
RECIPROCATE!
Start Blogging
Connect to Facebook/LinkedIn
What’s theNext Big Thing
Video PR
Podcast PR
(Pay special attention to PATCH.com)
Online Resources
prdaily.com
Lots of good PR tips
PRWeb.comDistributors-some good articles
My business webGotwaldcreation.comPortfolio, Résumé
socialmediaexaminer.comGreat source/community for learning and keeping up with social media
Online Resources
Copyblogger.com
Lots of good PR/writing tips
hubspot.com/
Publish FREE resources for learning social meidiaCan help you build lists
My blog!2x2virtualchurch.comDozens of articles about using social media (aimed at churches who rarely have professionals doing this work)
patch.comFind which neighborhoods in your service area have a patch news outlet and start posting your Press Releases, photos and videos. Form relationship with patch editor. They are hungry for local news and their space is unlimited.
Connect Judith Gotwald
@jigotwald
215 487 0618
gotwaldcreation.com
2x2virtualchurch.com
Thank you!Please don’t let me forget to give you the evaluation forms!
Photos Creditsnewspaper boyphoto credit: ClaraDon via photopin cc
town crierphoto credit: Ennor via photopin cc
smoke signalsphoto credit: americanartmuseum via photopin cc
tvphoto credit: x-ray delta one via photopin cc
computerphoto credit: larskflem via photopin cc
anglephoto credit: chrisinplymouth via photopin cc
Emailphoto credit: ganderssen1 via photopin cc
baby with iphonephoto credit: DaveLawler via photopin cc
arrowsphoto credit: piermario via photopin cc
square pegphoto credit: rosipaw via photopin cc
jargonphoto credit: Gavin Llewellyn via photopin cc
voicephoto credit: Beverly & Pack via photopin cc
conversationphoto credit: procsilas via photopin cc
queenhoto credit: lisby1 via photopin cc
Praisephoto credit: annthrop via photopin cc
binocularsphoto credit: gerlos via photopin cc