Do's and don'ts for writing a press release...

[allingtm]

Does anyone know of any good resources for writing a press release specifically about the launch of a new website. Ideally I am looking for some examples, showing good and bad techniques. I have found quite a few top 10 "general" do's and don'ts but I just wondered if there was anything specific out there, maybe with statistics showing why the recommended techniques wins over the others.

Thanks

M.
web:blogrelief.com (http://www.blogrelief.com)
twitter: twitter.com/blogrelief (http://www.twitter.com/blogrelief)

[PhilAtBFCA]

allingtm

You may want to start here on w w w dot bytestart dot co uk and do a search on DIY PR.

There is a good article on there to get you started.


Phil

[10 Yetis]

Watcha, most of the PR's on here have a load of help and advice sections, and we are no different :-)

The main thing to remember is that the angle you choose is very important, it must be a good news hook that gets people interested. To decide this for a consumer angle we give ours the "pub" test, as in, can you imagine people talking about your story down the pub.

Of equal importance is the way in which you get it to journo's and sell it in. Again, there are hundreds of different theories on the best ways.

The ones that work best for us is pasting the release into an email (under you auto sig) and then sending to named individuals from newspapers and mags you want to target. You can find their contact info from a quick bit og Googling usually.

You will need to follow up with a phone call (try the switchboard if you don't have a direct line) and never open with "did you get my press release", journo's have killed PR's for asking this, of course they got it. Instead ask what they thought about it, if they need any further information etc etc

Also, try and get some quirky pics to support the story and have them ready to send over in high quality resolution (300dpi).

Hope this helps a bit.

Oh yeah, and a few of our free guides and hints and tips include:

PR Tips, How to Write a Press Release (http://www.10yetis.co.uk/newsletters/tips-writing-press-release.html)
Press Release Tips from a Journalist (http://www.10yetis.co.uk/newsletters/journalist-tips.html)

[allingtm]

Thanks for your help 10 Yetis and Phil, I will check out the resources.

M.

[ken_uk]

Make sure your site can cope with the expected demand generated from the press release. Even the mighty google has fallen foul of releasing things and underestimating the demands on a new service or product.

Make sure there is someone there if the site needs any moderation also, I have seen one site that made it onto the national news and they had no one moderating there at all, despite the fact they knew it would be on the news. The spammers, and some sick individuals had a field day.

[lm11]

I have created a handful of press releases some of which are online and some in national press.

I would post a link but I havnt posted 15 times yet :( PM me if you would like the link to mine so you can have a read and get soem tips.

Luke

[NessieMac]

Hi

I have an article that might help. Email me and i will give you the link.

Kind regards
Vanessa Holmes

[Write My Site]

DO

Tell it from the customer's POV - "Joe Bloggs loved this product because ..."

DON'T

Stuff it with industry jargon

DO

Give it a punchy headline

DON'T

Make it too long-winded

[silver]

I have not sent out any press releases as yet but came across a good site and I signed up to their newsletter www.doyouownpr.com (http://www.doyouownpr.com). Information seems very relevant and helpful.

Good luck!

Alison

[allingtm]

Hi Alison,

Thanks for the link - is it www.doyourownpr.com (http://www.doyourownpr.com)

Thanks,

Marc.

[seasonsonline]

Hi folks!

Sorry, I can't help the OP but I would be really grateful if anyone can give me some general advice on HOW to even get a press release? As the name would suggest, are you supposed to contact newspapers/press/media etc?- Or is there a way of doing this over the internet?

Sorry for sounding like a spoon, but would still appreciate any help! Thanks.

[allingtm]

Well, I haven't tried them (yet) but look at sites like:

prweb.com
freepressreleases.co.uk
etc.

if you search for press releases on google you should find what you are after.

I hope that helps.

Marc.

[FelixSilver]

There are some tips here:
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/content/marketing/pr/press-release-advice.shtml

http://www.bytestart.co.uk/content/marketing/pr/write-a-press-release.shtml

http://www.bytestart.co.uk/content/marketing/pr/public-relations-pr-tips.shtml

and some examples here:
http://www.acpr.co.uk/pr-consultancy.php#press_release

[silver]

Hi Marc

Yes, you are quite right...it was far too late for me!:)

www.doyourownpr.com (http://www.doyourownpr.com)

Thanks!

Alison

[dynamic08]

Does anybody have an idea how much it costs to place 15 second adverts on small sky channels etc?