I need help with creating a press release.

[handittome]

Hi Erin:

Originally Posted by ErinWrites

Jagella mentioned to me that he's a wheelchair-access advocate. He started his freelance design business because he was unable to get jobs in most traditional venues for lack of wheelchair access. He could potentially write another release focusing on this angle, and try that approach, too.

I'm hoping to become an educator some day. If I can “make it,” then I'd like to let other people know they too can get out of the hell known as “government entitlements.” Granted, freelance graphic design isn't for everybody, but I think it's a viable option for a lot of people who are having trouble finding employment working for others. Other occupations are also possibilities for people who may find working at home desirable. Maybe I can come up with a good game plan for those people too.

Originally Posted by ErinWrites

(A note about #4, though...you have to proceed cautiously with this tact. It could backfire in that they subsequent article or press focuses more on your special circumstances and not much on your business. The point here is to get more clients...the editor might not even mention the name of your business and use "small design business" instead...which doesn't drum up much business!)

I tend to cringe at the “feel good” stories I read in the mainstream media about some boy wonder who “despite his disability, is running a multi-million dollar corporation and is married to a super model.” Such content has little to do with reality and only serves to pat society on the back and emforce the status quo. We need to change the status quo into something more just and equitable. When we cling to stereotypes we only dehumanize people and keep them on the margin. I don't want to be known as a “disabled” business owner. I prefer to be seen as an “able” business owner. If I wasn't able, then I would have never made it this far.

Oh yes—the press release—I haven't submitted it to anybody yet. I recently redesigned my site, and I want to wait for a while to see how the new design impacts my client base.

Thanks again,

Jagella

[handittome]

Originally Posted by Gunslingergirl

Good tips and great revision of the release.

Good work.

You were very helpful too, Kristine

Jagella

[deckeleven]

Glad I could help.

Jagella - Sorry I kind of hit and run in my criticism of your release. I've been busy lately and haven't had time to stop in to check back. Glad you got the help you needed.

Speaking of the help - where is the final version? I don't see it anywhere in here. Maybe I missed it.

[handittome]

Originally Posted by steve@endgamepr

Jagella - Sorry I kind of hit and run in my criticism of your release. I've been busy lately and haven't had time to stop in to check back. Glad you got the help you needed.

Thanks, Steve. For a guy running a graphic design service from his dinky little apartment from the pennies he saved from his paltry SSI checks, I need all the help I can get.

Originally Posted by steve@endgamepr

Speaking of the help - where is the final version? I don't see it anywhere in here. Maybe I missed it.

Here's the latest press release. Let me know what you think.

Jagella

Originally Posted by Jagella

Here's the latest press release. Let me know what you think.

Jagella

I like it. It's a bit more casual than I would have written it, but that's just a matter of style -- not an error of any kind. The only thing that jumps out at me is that it's two pages. Except with major announcements I try to keep releases to one page. I've got concrete proof that reporters rarely read the second page of releases. With that said, I don't think I'd change much if anything.

Have you posted that anywhere online other than your own site? If you want a review of online news release distribution sites, check out this episode of Startup BizCast, or this post on my blog, Media Relations & SEO PR. You should, if you haven't already, probably get that to the business section of your local newspaper. There's probably someone who covers new businesses.

[handittome]

Originally Posted by steve@endgamepr

Have you posted that anywhere online other than your own site? If you want a review of online news release distribution sites, check out this episode of Startup BizCast, or this post on my blog, Media Relations & SEO PR. You should, if you haven't already, probably get that to the business section of your local newspaper. There's probably someone who covers new businesses.

So far I have submitted the press release to PRWeb, a local newspaper, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Forbes Magazine.

Thanks!

Jagella

Originally Posted by Jagella

So far I have submitted the press release to PRWeb, a local newspaper, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Forbes Magazine.

Thanks!

Jagella

Poke around the closest big city and see if they have a business newspaper or magazine. They might have some interest. Also, don't forget blogs ... you might have some success with blogger relations.