It’s amazing how clearly you can see things in hindsight. Like media bias, for instance. During the 22 years I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, if you had told me the media were biased, I’d have wanted to arm-wrestle you. But here we are, 12 years later. In the column I wrote for Bulldog Reporter… Read More
Press Releases
Ban these phrases from press releases
Slap me if you ever hear me uttering the phrase “thinking outside the box.” I’m adding it to David Meerman Scott’s list of most offensive and overly used words and phrases in press releases. (I interviewed David several months ago on “The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them to Attracty Buyers, Not only Journalists.”) His list of… Read More
Press releases that include an incomplete tips list will send readers to your website
Web marketing expert Larry Chase has a dandy tip on how to lead people who are reading your press release online directly to your website: “I sometimes offer 3 out of 10 tips or trends within my press release and a live link thereafter for readers to jump to my site where they can read… Read More
Unsolicited press releases considered spam—but not by me
If you send an unsolicited press release, will journalists consider it spam? Most probably won’t. But there’s an interesting conversation about this topic at the Poynter Online blog. Amy Gahran, who calls herself a conversational media consultant and content strategist, says she flags unsolicited press releases as spam. I commented and said I love getting bad pitches and unsolicited… Read More
Press releases with a video clip come alive
An online press release that includes a video clip can be incredibly powerful. Readers simply click on the video link and watch a short video of you extolling the benefits of your product or service. Here are other ways you can use video: —Readers can watch you demonstrate a new product. —They can see you interviewing a customer who… Read More
Press release writing workshop Oct. 31 in West Bend, Wisconsin
If you live in Greater Milwaukee, join me on October 31 for my first-ever workshop on how to write powerful press releases. It will be held at the University of Wisconsin in Washington County as part of its series called “Adding to Your Organization’s Toolbox—Media and Public Relations.” I’ll present that session over a brown-bag… Read More
Write press releases for buyers, not only for journalists
David Meerman Scott, who recorded an interview with me a few weeks ago called “The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Buyers, Not Only for Journalists,” says that when he used to work as a reporter, he never read a press release, then wrote a story directly from the release. If he… Read More
Press releases or news releases? Which is it?
After I announced my free 89-day tutorial this week called “89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases,” Publicity Hound Jim Nugent emailed me with this question: “In keeping with what you say about press releases, shouldn’t this series be renamed either ’89 Ways To Write Better News Releases?’ or maybe ‘Media Releases’ or perhaps, ‘Universal Information Pitches?’ After… Read More
Publicity stunts to try when the idea well is dry
Author Marcia Yudkin is one of the most creative people I know. Her book “6 Steps to Free Publicity” is perhaps my very favorite book on how to work with the media. I’m one of her groupies, and I read her ezine “Marketing Minute” each week. So I was thrilled when she gave me permission… Read More
Press releases just got easier thanks to this free tutorial
Writing press releases isn’t easy. If you think I’m wrong, take this little quiz. Answer true or false to the following statements: I write press releases primarily to encourage journalists at newspapers and magazines to write articles about my company, or for broadcasters who will feature us on the news or invite us as guests on talk shows.… Read More