my first big press release

[Real World Hypnotherapy]

Easy now UKBFers

I am sending out my first large press release next week and I have put in on here to test reaction before it goes national. It is on the press releases section here http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/ftopic10652.php

I just want to get people's reactions to what they think. I did the actual poll a while back, in fact part of it was carried out on here. I have just been waiting for the right moment to release it, when you read it you will understand why.

I am sending this to new papers, magazines, radio stations and a whole host of media people to read. I think it is quite a good article, I partly wrote it and had the help from a copywriter who I will be using in future (The Copy Queen).

I have also been given permission to print off copies and take them down to my local business consortium to leave for people to read. I will also be handing out copies to people at train stations and in the streets.

Normally is costs about £30 to get someone to write this. I did the research myself and spoke to David at the business centre, so that was free. Then the printing is going to be about 2p each and sending them out via email is free. I think this is a great way to advertise.

Feedback would be most welcomed. If there are any grammar errors please mention them.

Thanks

Matt

 

[Whistle Ink]

Could you not get a reply from Mr. Branson on this poll and what his views are about business cards?

 

[Real World Hypnotherapy]

That would be the dream situation. I have sent an e-mail off to Virgin but I am not holding my breath.

Did you like it?

Matt

 

[Whistle Ink]

It was alright. I'm not an expert on these things.

Did David Bentley metion your prices and the text in his paragraph? Why not just say one line about how much prices start from? 5000? How can you get rid of 5000? Can you not also mention ideal places to not only distribute them but how to meet people also. maybe refer to a tip sheet you have available....

Can the second to last paragraph be moved into others or even taken off?

I'd personally be interested to know how many people voted and for who andalso what the people in this list thought about business cards. maybe you could put off this for a little while longer and chase up some other names on the list?

But generally I thought it was 'alright' but again I'm no expert when it comes to what makes a good press release.

 

[UK2004]

Hope this si constructive criticism, it needs to point a bit mroe to your business there is so much focus on the other people that you are kind of an afterthought perhaps more about your business and about business cards?

 

[Admiral Collections]

I thought it was good. If I was waiting around and the article was there in front of me I would read it. Obviously I have read it before because it was on here but I think most people would find it interesting.

Nic :wink:

 

[welshnoonoo]

it needs to point a bit mroe to your business there is so much focus on the other people that you are kind of an afterthought perhaps more about your business and about business cards?

That's just what a press release isn't meant to do, they are looking for something impartial that is going to be of interest to others rather than a blatant advert.

I thought it was quite good. Good Luck - I for one would be interested to find out how you get on with it!

 

[directmarketingadvice]

It's good, but there's a couple of things I'd change.

Firstly, I'd put in a quote from you. While you've mentioned that your business did the survey, that's something that coud easily get skimmed over in any press coverage. If you say something quotable, you've got a chance to get a more significant mention.

Secondly, I think mentioning the prices is a bad decision as it brings it into the realms of advertising and I can't imagine a newspaper or magazine quoting these prices in an article.

Thirdly, I'd put your name in the contact information at the end. It makes it easier (and more likely) for a journo to contact MK printing if they know who they want to talk to.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Looking at your post again, I remember that you're planning to use this for a flyer, so it makes sense to have the prices in and the contact info as it is.

However, unless there's a reason why you can't have differences between the press release and flyer, I'd make the changes I mentioned for the PR.

Steve

 

[10Yetis]

MK,

My thoughts... I think you have a really strong angle and it is really interesting.

I toyed with suggesting to you that you remove the costing element and pop it in the ed-notes section as it could come across as a bit of a cheesy plug? But I can see it fits well as it is, so maybe leave it? Also add the source info in the ed-notes section.

Just a general thought, I often say to people that when you are starting out your first release can just be a case of 'canon-fodder' to the media. By this I mean that until they have seen a few releases from you and got to see your brand out and about they are less likely to use it.

With this in mind, and given that I would be gutted if such a strong media hook got ignored just cos they don't know you (unless you have sent some stuff before), if I was in your shoes I would use a different (less strong) release to act as the first 'canon-fodder' one.

Some people may think differently re the whole 'canon-fodder' thing, and to be honest they may be right, it is just something I have concluded myself with no robust industry research. Just my thoughts.

Hope this helps

 

[clairemackaness]

You posted almost the same thing a few months back. It's not your first time. You just added the Alan Sugar bit! LOL

 

[10Yetis]

I had another really good idea...

There is a chap on here who wrote a really effective guide to doing PR.

I cannot remember who it was now but you should take a gander.

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/ftopic8577.php&highlight=press+release

Only joshing around, don't want to get in trouble. :shock:

 

[clairemackaness]

Hello people.

One thing I do a lot of is press releases, Matt, MK Printing

Love it LOL!!

 

[fastfences]

Hello people.

One thing I do a lot of is press releases, Matt, MK Printing

Love it LOL!!

This is different, Claire. I'm sure Matt would agree there's a distinct difference between doing 'a lot of press releases' and 'sending out my first large press release.'
Quite possibly, the former 'lot of releases' were all practice ones; and we all know that practice makes perfect.
I'm now therefore puzzled as to why Matt claims this one to be his 'first.'
Cheers, Nigel

 

[Real World Hypnotherapy]

I have done press releases before to a local audience, this one I am paying for it to be nationally distributed and published and looking for it to be published in magazines etc. I believe that this will potentially get a lot of publicity and I do not want to mess it up. I know people on here do press releases on a much larger scale than I currently do, and I value other people's opinions very highly.

Yes I have done a very similar one before using the same data. However I feel that this is an appropriate time to send out this press release as the Apprentice is currently on TV.

I have taken what people have said on board and I thinking of having two versions of this press release, one that will be printed and one that will be e-mailed. The printed one will have the prices on.
I am also going to put in my own comments regarding business cards.

Thanks to everyone who has given feedback, both on here and via PM and e-mail.

Thanks and for people who have given my feedback I will be able to offer you a discount on any business cards you may want printing yourself (please contact me).

Matt, MK Printing

 

[welshnoonoo]

Hi Matt -

Out of interest - if you don't mind me asking - how much is it costing you to get it distributed nationally - and who have you requested to do it?

Thanks.

 

[Real World Hypnotherapy]

I am awaiting a couple of quotes at the moment. I know Creacom on here do these sort of things also Anne from Virtual PA.

I am going to print it out and leave them at the business consortium, so that is about 2p per copy. I have an e-mail list I am sending to, so that is free.

I would get in contact with the companies I mentioned above if you want to do something like this, I can pass contact details on if you need them.

Has anyone else done a big press release and paid for it? If so who did you use and how much did it cost?

Matt