local news

[josor]

what would be the best way to have some kind of presence in local papers, apart from the obvious advert.

Make up some kind of story and email the editors? How regular would you do that?

Any help would be appreciated

thanks

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Not sure what you mean by "make up" some stories!
If you want to get yourself some free publicity it is quite do-able, you just need to be a bit clever about it, that's all..
Obviously you do menswear so keep an eye out on what celebs are wearing and do your own "get the look for less" feature (assuming your range is affordable).
You've got the works christmas party season coming up ....... you can do a feature on that letting people know that they can get the latest looks locally/without going to London
There are always hundreds of features around women's fashions, but men like to look good too (and women like to buy for their men to make them look better!) use this to your benefit. THe features editor is likely to be a woman (I've worked on a few newspapers over the years and have nver had a male features editor) so whatever you put forward should appeal to a woman reader too.

You will need good images which can be used by the paper
Writing style should be crisp, punchy NOT OVERTLY SALES PITCHY THOUGH!
Include a word count on your editorial (don't go over 1200 words)..... it helps enormously; send a hard copy with good pictures, papers are a bit paranoid about opening attachments from new sources.
Offer to do a Gok/makeover on one of their reporters ....... a before and after feature makes an interesting read;
Do a "What to Wear for Interviews" feature (everybody is looking for jobs at the moment!)

Read fashion magazines (women's & mens) and adapt the types of features they publish to suit your business.

Do a "How to Make the Most of your Body Shape" feature
...... oh, there's loads you can do, local papers will use well written, well presented stuff with a local angle ........

 

[IE152]

Doodles offers some good advice about the sort of thing you should be looking to do.

I have had a look at the press releases on your website, and they come across very much as a sales /advertising pitch. Start to think about what the readers of the newspaper would be interested to read about that is associated with your business.

So maybe something about next season's likely fashion trends? Xmas is coming up, so why not survey your current customers to discover what item of clothing they would like as a present? Maybe offer to do a "Ask Josor" feature where eaders can write in with their fashion problems.

PM me if you wish to discuss further, or want any more ideas.

IE

 

[Richard Glynn]

Hi Josor,

Good advice so far!

Ready to have a go now?

I noticed you have just launched your Grantham store - right?

One of your local papers is the Grantham Journal. http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/

The assistant editor is called Bob Hart. Email him, copy and paste if you wish, on bob.hart(AT)granthamjournal.co.uk saying:

Hi Bob,

We've just opened a new store in Grantham. It's a massive commitment to the local area for us here at Lindum Meanswear - at a time when other retailers are downsizing - and I was wondering if I could send you some more information and perhaps a photo? It would be nice if our story inspired other Grantham retailers too.

Cheers,

<Your name>
<Your telephone number>

PS Are there any local retail stories you;re working on at the moment that we can help you with?

Bob may do one of three things:

1. He 'may' ask one of his reporters to call you for the full story.
2. Or he may ask you to write him a few paragraphs. There are a few menswear store launch news stories here for inspiration and examples of format and quotes:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/10/27/prweb8912986.DTL
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2011/10/26/jimmy-choo-opens-debut-menswear-store

(I'm sure you can find more)

3. He may ignore you completely. But I doubt it.

The fact that you are already open in Grantham may make this old news. So also consider (off the top of my head) something like:

Lindum Menswear New store blasts sales targets
Lindum Menswear Launches Search Grantham's Most Unfashionable Man. (Free makeover for the winner)
Lindum Menswear Opens Grantham's First Man Creche (Somewhere for men to stay while women shop - papers, free brews and a portable TV if space allows)
Lindum Menswear Staff Cycling Challenge Targets £5,000 Donation for Local Hospice

Want more ideas? Check out what the opposition are up to in Google News and Journalisted. Check out what other menswear retailers are doing in the news or what other local retailers are doing in the local press? Use it to inspire your own stories.

Off for some tea now. But you get the idea?

Good luck,

Richard

PS The Grantham Journal is also running this: http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/ne...ess_benefit_from_a_front_page_boost_1_3177247

It is probably more appropriate for leisure / food outlets but could you offer a low cost item?

 

[Richard Glynn]

Just spotted your store opening info in your website news section.

It needs bulking out with a few more facts and biggest, best, most or first claims. Google search how to write a press release to get a template.

Why should people care that you have opened a new store?

Why have you opened it?
Who are you? Age? Where are you from?
Why is Grantham important to you?
How big is the store?
Where is the store?

Maybe launch a search for the most fashionable man in Grantham. And invite them to 'officially' open the new store?