Press Release Tip 19

Publicize a meeting

Many press releases written to promote routine meetings have too much information or too little. Most of them seem to be written for the group holding the meeting, not for the people who could attend.

Yet meeting announcements are one of the most frequently publicized news events.

I wrote the press release below about a fictional meeting that’s open to the public—and where I would be speaking. Sometimes, if I’m invited to speak, I offer to write the press release for the group that’s hosting me. And when I do, the group is usually grateful that I’m willing to publicize this myself.

Even if your meeting isn’t open to the public, you can still write a press release about it and post it online. It will be one more way for people to learn about your group. 

In the release below, notice:

• The problem/solution angle in the first paragraph. The emphasis isn’t on the group, or even the speaker, but on the people who will attend, their problem, and the solution that the meeting will provide.
• The date of the meeting in the headline.
• A sub-head that shows the benefits of attending.
• The bulleted list of benefits.
• The call to action at the end.
• The note at the end about the expert’s photo and the invitation to contact the expert for an interview, tips or articles.

If you’re trying to attract a huge crowd, you can also write an article or blog post explaining how people can solve a problem that’s tied into the topic of the meeting.

Here’s the release:

CONTACT: Joan Stewart at 262-284-7451 (days) or 414-284-2222 (evenings)
Box 437
Port Washington, WI 53074
jstewart@PublicityHound.com 
http://PublicityHound.com 

 

Learn Press Release Writing, Distribution April 22 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

PR Pros meeting will show how to write releases for consumers, not only journalists, to draw website traffic and buyers

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis., — April 1, 2019 — Public relations professionals and business owners who struggle with the problem of how to write and distribute press releases will learn valuable tips when PR Pros meets from 1 to 3 p.m. on April 22, 2019, in Milwaukee, Wis.

Publicity expert Joan Stewart, also known as The Publicity Hound, will speak on “How to Write Powerful Press Releases” and explain how to write them for consumers, not only for journalists. The meeting will be at the Main Street Library, 1234 Main Street, in the conference room.

Participants will learn:

• The 6 parts of a press release.

• 3 things they must decide before they start writing.

• How to write press releases that encourage people to visit a business owner’s website.

• The best press release distribution services.

• How to write compelling headlines that pull in readers.

• How to turn boring press releases into compelling releases that get results.

The meeting, open to the public, is for anyone who does public relations for a company, nonprofit, government agency, or anyone who wants to learn more about press releases.

The meeting is free for members of PR Pros, and $20 for non-members.  To register, call Stewart at 262-284-7451.

PR Pros is a professional development group for public relations practitioners. Learn more about the group at http://www.PublicRelationsProfessionals.com/about 

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To the Media: Joan Stewart’s high-resolution photo is at https://publicityhound.com/about 

She is available for interviews and can provide trends, background, commentary and tips on any other publicity-related topic. Call 262-284-7451 or email JStewart@PublicityHound.com
                                                                   

Opportunity #19 to write a press release: Expanded hours

If you’re expanding your hours, let people know through a press release. Be sure to list the benefits to your clients or customers.

Next: How to turn the press release above into a routine calendar listing.

If you’re stuck writing your press release or getting publicity, let me help. My Rent My Brain sessions can save you weeks of time struggling to find the right media contacts and catch their attention. Learn more about how to Rent My Brain here.