I need help with creating a press release.

[handittome]

Hi everybody:

I decided to create a press release to announce my design business. I've never created a press release before, and I'm not sure if I'm moving in the right direction. You can check what I have so far in my press release here. The press release example in a book I'm using is written in the third person, and that's why I refer to myself not as “I” or “me” but as “Mr. Jagella.” Is that correct? I'd also appreciate helpful comments on the content and style of my press release.

Thanks!

Jagella

Press Releases are never written in first person. YOu did the right thing by referring to yourself as Mr. Jagella. Think of it as someone writing the article about you, yet you're the author.

Blacktalon

[handittome]

Originally Posted by Blacktalon

Press Releases are never written in first person. YOu did the right thing by referring to yourself as Mr. Jagella. Think of it as someone writing the article about you, yet you're the author.

Thanks Sean. Have you any advice about the press release's content?

Jagella

[Ruth]

I generally find the biggest mistake people make is treating a press release like an ad, and put obvious "ad" things in it.

For example, say you had a press release about the opening of your new shoe store - don't just say Bill's Shoes carries all of your favorite brands and has the lowest prices. That sounds way too much like an ad.

Instead, make it within the context of a news story. Write it like you are a reporter reporting on your company. And quote yourself once or twice.

Like Bill's Shoes plans to compete aggressively both in terms of a large inventory and on price. In fact, Bill himself enthusiastically emphasized that point: "We have a large selection of the most popular brands and styles - one of the biggest in the area - and we also have a low overhead, meaning we can pass the savings on to the customer."

Keep in mind I wrote that off the top of my head at 1:47am. So if it sounds silly, well, you know why

[handittome]

Originally Posted by Clear Writer

I generally find the biggest mistake people make is treating a press release like an ad, and put obvious "ad" things in it.

Instead, make it within the context of a news story. Write it like you are a reporter reporting on your company. And quote yourself once or twice.

Thanks. I incorporated some of this advice into my press release.

Originally Posted by Clear Writer

Keep in mind I wrote that off the top of my head at 1:47am. So if it sounds silly, well, you know why

1:47 AM? I get to quit work at midnight.

Jagella

[BenStiller]

Also press releases should catch the reader's attention. Yeah i'm captain obvious.

But what I mean by that is that you need to relate your press release to something current and something people care about. For example if you're manufacturing electric powered vehicles your press release could start off by mentioning global warming, fuel dependacy from other countries, etc. etc. And then you could plug in your company by saying Bob's Electric Cars, Inc. is being environment friendly by ... and so on.

[handittome]

Originally Posted by fierceapple

But what I mean by that is that you need to relate your press release to something current and something people care about.

I decided to mention "struggling entrepreneurs" in the headline. I know people care about their new businesses, and it's a current issue. Is that what you are referring to?

Jagella

[mysunsite]

Will someone get straight to the point… a press release needs to contain news worthy material; editors are looking for content for their publications, not advertisements. Starting a graphic design business is hardly news worthy and is on no interest to anyone but you.

So instead, why don’t you write it from the perspective of the local guy overcoming adversity and coming good… by helping others to become successful entrepreneurs and thus developing his own business success… it’s the same story just with a different spin and just might attract the attention of a local newspaper editor.

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Will someone get straight to the point… a press release needs to contain news worthy material; editors are looking for content for their publications, not advertisements. Starting a graphic design business is hardly news worthy and is on no interest to anyone but you.

I have to disagree with this. This may have been true when press releases were distributed by print only, but that's not so anymore. I can tell you of many instances where a press release for something seemingly mundane got the business a nice amount of publicity / website visits. Now, maybe not the AP wire or the big local paper printed it, but there's a whole lot more than that out there these days. Especially for an online business.

That said, his press release does sound like an ad (I didn't read it before my last post.)

[handittome]

Originally Posted by SteveC

So instead, why don’t you write it from the perspective of the local guy overcoming adversity and coming good… by helping others to become successful entrepreneurs and thus developing his own business success… it’s the same story just with a different spin and just might attract the attention of a local newspaper editor.

Thanks for the advice.

I'm using the accessibility angle, but I'm also aware that I shouldn't overemphasize it either. I want people to see me as a capable designer and not a welfare case. There's a lot of stigma attached to what some people call "disability." That word has a lot of negative connotations including what some people see as the inability to work or produce. So I agree with you that it may attract attention, but I have to be very careful that it attracts the attention I want.

Thanks again.

Jagella