three reasons to write a proper press release

Ever thought you might have a newsworthy story, or a business success which you'd like to see celebrated in local newspapers? 

And ever suffered from a sense of frustration at not being able to bring that news story to fruition? 

It helps to know a few of the ins and outs of dealing with newspapers. They're often looking for stories - but they need as much help as you can give them. Here's why. 

• Newspapers are busy places and journalists are rushed off their feet. Send them an inadequate press release with none of the information they will need and none of the contact people the can call or quote, you're going straight into the too hard basket. 

• Time. Journalists don't have enough of it! Send them a well written press release or better still a completed article, and they'll love you forever. It means they don't have to dig around for the facts. If the story is your idea and not theirs, you need to give it to them fully formed. 

• You know your business best. You're the person who knows the ins and outs and the human interest. Get those into a press release or article and your story will jump off the page. 

Putting together an article, press release is easy for someone with the experience in areas like journalism, copy-writing or advertising. 

If you haven't got that experience, or you're just one of those people who can't put pen to paper, why not get a professional to do it for you? It may not cost as much as you think, or take as much time. You'll end up with a well written story that you can deliver to the media in completed form, and perhaps more of an idea of how to create stories about your business which are of interest to the media, next time round. 

Copyright Fiona Stocker 2014. 

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