3.
Feature Article:
* Exclusive *
"Making News--How to Know if You Should Send Out a Press Release"
By: Kevin Nunley
In the two decades I spent in radio and TV broadcasting, I
can't count the number of press releases I took one look at
and chucked into the recycling pile. Maybe that sounds a
bit harsh and dismissive, but one look is all I needed.
What was I looking for in this single glance? The element
that makes a press release what it is -- it has to be
newsworthy. A press release that is not newsworthy is like
an empty saltshaker at the dinner table. What's the point?
The problem is, most people don't know what is
newsworthy and what isn't. Often, what seems newsworthy
to some people is the opposite to others--especially those
who matter, like editors.
But what surprises me is that so many businesses with
newsworthy stories to tell don't even bother to inform
the media.
It's one thing to send out a release full of unusable
information; but it's quite another to fail to recognize
important news that could land your business on the front
page of a trade magazine, newspaper, or even warrant a
mention on broadcast television and radio.
So how do you know if you have news that editors want to
hear? Here is a list of some favorite newsworthy elements
that make editors sit up and take notice:
1. You are offering a new product or service on your
website - Remember to use your head on this one. Don't
send out a press release that sounds like a sales letter for
your new product. Promoting your product is not in the
best interest of editors. However, if your product is
something new, people will want to hear about it,
especially if you create a tie in between the product and
a current news story, or offer some helpful tips along with
the details of your product.
2. You are hosting a trade show or seminar - Knowing this
information is very much in the interest of readers, editors
are quick to print the details of trade shows and seminars.
Focus especially on trade magazines in your field and
you'll have an easy time getting publicity. You might try
offering a taste of the information you'll be revealing at
your trade show or seminar.
3. You are starting a new website - Is your website
something new or different? Does it tie into any current
news stories or ongoing issues? Then let editors know
about it. But be sure to write about whatever tie in's exist.
Don't expect editors to figure it our on their own. They
won't bother to try.
4. Your business or website has won an award - Awards
are always newsworthy, so milk them for all they are
worth, even if the award seems insignificant. Use the news
of an award as an excuse to talk about your business or
website.
5. You are giving something away free - What was that?
Did you say "FREE!" Whether you are offering a free
e-mail newsletter, free samples of your new products, or
free services for your new practice, people want to
know about it.
6. You are starting an online business association or club -
This is news for a select group of people, namely those
who would be interested in whatever the purpose of your
organization is. Be sure to send your release to the right
publications and media to get the information in front of
your target audience.
7. A famous person is endorsing your business, product or
website - We love to hear about everything famous people
are doing, from who they are dating to what they are
wearing to how much their house costs. We also want to
hear about their likes and dislikes, which products they
think are great, which businesses and restaurants they
patronize, and which websites they visit frequently. So if
someone famous agrees to endorse your business, product
or website, or even let's you quote them saying something
positive, the press wants to know.
8. You are starting a new venture with another business -
Are you joining forces with another business? That's news
to us. We want to know who, when, why, how, where and
what.
9. You wrote a book or an e-book - What's it about?
When is it coming out? How will it benefit us? These
are the things we need to know about your new book or
e-book. And editors know we need to know.
10. You are involved in a fundraising event or nonprofit
organization - Whenever a business takes their attention
away from getting more money for themselves and helps
organizations in need with fundraising or volunteers
services, we like to know. If you craft a release around a
fundraising or nonprofit event, be sure to focus mainly on
what is going on, not just your involvement. Tie in your
part in the event while providing all the details.
11. You are holding a contest - Provide all the details of
the contest: prizes, entry fee or entry details, restrictions,
etc. Then you can give some details about your business,
product or website in the process.
###
Kevin Nunley uses his 21 years experience in media
to create your winning press release.
See http://drnunley.com/release.htm
Reach him at mailto:kevin@drnunley.com
======================
Business Opportunities Classifieds
======================
Project Cash Flow is in pre-launch, lock in your position now!
FREE No Obligation 30 Day Trial Proves How Simple
It Can Be For You To Earn An Extra $5,000+ a Month
In Little As 7 hours a week! Act Now!
http://callisto.t.mygrn.com/?projectcashflow
======================
Finally, a SYSTEM to make a gigantic income on the Internet
From thin air that molds itself to YOU. If you have the desire,
you can begin creating "Net Profits on Demand" in only 20 days
with this complete system that contains all the tools you need.
If you can knock down dominos, you can trigger this business
process that can't be stopped. Click for details:
http://netprofitsondemand.com/spcl/?t=28
======================
Fact ... 168 hours in a week! You earn money a measly 40 hours
a week! No wonder you're behind the 8 Ball! Working alone guarantees,
losing money 128 hours a week--- every week! Beat the clock
without working harder... http://www.super-cashflow-system.com
(24 hr. rec.) 618.355.1819
======================
Hot new EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT
Incredible PATENT PENDING PAY PLAN, AND A TURN-KEY
MARKETING SYSTEM that does 90% of the work for you.
Details: http://n94258.plugandplay.com
======================
How can you FINALLY learn what you need to make FAST CASH
on the Internet? Subscribe to this F^REE e-mail series that
will show you what to do to make faster profit from your
internet business. mailto:fastprofitnow@dnovacek.par32.com
======================
ZERO to a MILLION!
FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Financial Success
http://www.zerotoamillion.com
======================
4.
~/~ SOHO Help Desk ~\~
http://www.demc.com
Today's SOHO Help Desk discusses how to effectively write
articles for ezines.
If you have a valuable tip, promotional idea, question or
answers you would like included in an upcoming issue of
DEMC, all you have to do is submit it by email to -
mailto:helpdesk@demc2.com
Before we get to today's tip on article writing, a DEMC
reader needs your input. Take a minute to see if you have
any advice you can share.
=== Help Request ===
From: Jenny Colynd
I am going to run my own online business very soon.
I would like advice on how I can target my audience.
Many Thanks for your time and attention.
Jenny Colynd
Texas, USA
Send your answer to: Mailto:helpdesk@demc2.com
===> Tip On Ezine Article Writing
"3 Ways to Get Unstuck When Writing Ezine Articles"
By: Lisa Sparks
Come on, admit it: Whether you're a professional writer or
not we all draw a blank when we want to write an ezine
article. I've found an answer to that dilemma that will get
you writing in no time so that you can publish your ezine
article and begin to receive that new wave of subscribers
you've been hoping for. Here's how to get the lead out if
you draw a blank:
1. Write your action steps first.
Forget about the catchy headline and attractive lead
paragraph for now. There's no use in cleverly leading a
reader into an article that has no real value to them. So
start where you build your credibility, right in the action
steps. Of course you want to identify your subject and then
tell them how to make their lives easier. For instance,
plumbers are always going to have to fix pipes, it's the
nature of their business. If you have an ezine to others in
the plumbing industry, write about a new technique in the
industry on sealing pipes or preparing them for the winter,
etc.
2. Save the best for last.
There's something called takeaway or take-home that should
be in every one of your articles. It's your last chance to
tell your audience, "I know my stuff." Try to put that key
piece of information in the last paragraph of your article
and you'll want it to be something your reader can do as
soon as he or she finishes reading your article. If you're
writing to accounts payable clerks, you'd tell them ways to
get each department to get approvals on all purchase orders
before submitting them. A/P clerks would just eat that up.
It's their number one gripe. Bottom line: Give your audience
something they can do immediately at the very end of your
article. They'll remember your name and become devotees for
life- hanging from your every word.
3. Get excited about the benefits.
After you've taken care of the credibility building portion
of your article, you have to draw the reader in and whet
their appetite for all this great information. By the way,
if you write the action steps and take-home first, this part
will be easier because you'll be so excited about the
information you'll see the benefits of it. And that's what
writing lead paragraphs and headlines is all about: benefits
to your readers.
Your final take-home
Don't forget your info at the very end. No matter what you
do, when you're writing to an ezine audience, always include
an "About the Author" blurb (some call this a SIG file,
short for signature file) and a plug for anything new you're
into. To do this, determine what you want the reader to do
after he or she is finished reading. Do you want the to
subscribe to your ezine? Buy your new ebook? Or just visit
or site? Whatever the benefit to you is, identify it before
you write your "About the Author" section. And you can write
this at any time because it's separate from the article and
you can use the same "About the Author" blurb for multiple
articles. As a matter of fact, you could write one right
now. Check out the one I'm using at the bottom of this
article.
###
Need to get more subscribers FAST? Lisa Sparks is the author
of POWER WORDS, where she reveals how to write ezines that
boost sales, build your list and position you as THE
undisputed expert in your industry. For just a few hours of
reading and writing enjoy a steady stream of income.
Go to:
http://www.integritywriting.com/power_words
----
Send in your feedback for an upcoming issue.
Email your questions, advice and/or thoughts to:
mailto:helpdesk@demc2.com
Be sure to include your SIG and contact URL with your
post as we'll be sharing any viable ideas/information
in an upcoming issue of DEMC E-Magazine.
======================
Advertise In DEMC - * Prices *
For information on advertising to the DEMC E-Magazine's
175,000 subscribers for as little as $36, plus details on How
To Get a FRE Ad in DEMC E-Magazine Go To Visit Our Web Site:
http://www.demc.com/Advertise/advertise.html
DEMC
PMB 227, 24-G West Main St.
Clinton, CT 06413
(860) 669-4365
(c) 2003 DEMC All rights reserved
View other back issues of DEMC.
Just click to access our email marketing newsletter archive.
