{"id":190,"date":"2017-08-09T16:14:53","date_gmt":"2017-08-09T16:14:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=190"},"modified":"2017-08-09T16:14:53","modified_gmt":"2017-08-09T16:14:53","slug":"tips-for-writing-a-successfulpress-release","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/chapter\/tips-for-writing-a-successfulpress-release\/","title":{"raw":"Tips for Writing a SuccessfulPress Release","rendered":"Tips for Writing a SuccessfulPress Release"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"no-overflow\">\r\n\r\nThe following tips will help you create a press release that editors will want to put in the paper:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>THE EVENT MUST BE OPEN TO EVERYONE<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nBecause of space restrictions, papers do not use notices from clubs unless the public can attend.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nYou wouldn't believe some of the scribble that is sent to papers. Editors can't use it if they can't read it.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>MAKE SURE ALL THE BASIC QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN (time and date) AND WHY<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nA recent press release read: \"A free sled ride will be held 8 o'clock Friday to benefit ....\" It never said if that was 8 a.m. or 8 p.m. or where the ride was taking place.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>GET THE RELEASE TO US IN PLENTY OF TIME<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe release needs to be edited, typed and proofed. The paper needs to get it about a week in advance.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>KEEP IT AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nAgain, because of space limitations.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>TELL THE FACTS, NOT OPINIONS<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe paper can't print opinions unless they have a source to quote from the news release. If you do include an opinion, make sure it is attributed to someone.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>ALWAYS INCLUDE THE NAME OF A CONTACT PERSON AND PHONE NUMBER<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf the editor has questions about a release, or wants to arrange a photo or longer story, he\/she needs to know who to call.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>DON'T TRY TO BE FANCY. JUST SAY IT PLAIN<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nHere are two examples of recent releases editors had to change: The first, about maple syruping, read like sap to the editors: \"If you've ever wondered how that wonderful concoction that you slather over your pancakes, French toast and ice cream is made, now's the time to find out.\"\r\n\r\nThe second, from a college professor, was to tell the editors that his class would be tracing family history. \"The coursework will be focusing on concepts and methodologies of history and historical anthropology through active integration of family history.\" Whew!\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>DON'T BE OFFENDED IF THEY CUT OR CHANGE THE RELEASE<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nEvery release is changed to conform to newspaper style. Many are cut down because papers have lots of news to get in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2><strong><em>Model Press Release<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<div align=\"center\"><\/div>\r\n<div>From:\u00a0\u00a0 North Country Girl Scout Council\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Contact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sharon Smith<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 155 Boynton Avenue\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 561-0000<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plattsburgh, N.Y.\u00a012901<\/div>\r\n<div><\/div>\r\n<div><b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/b><\/div>\r\n<div><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\r\n<div align=\"center\">GIRL SCOUT CAMP REGISTRATION BEGINS<\/div>\r\n<div align=\"center\"><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 PLATTSBURGH \u2013 North Country Girl Scout Council will be accepting registration applications April 1, 2004 for day camp beginning July 6.\u00a0Camp is open to all Scout and non-scout girls in Brownie and Junior levels (ages 6-11).<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A bus, donated by the Ernest Turner Memorial Fund, will pick up girls at three designated locations \u2013 St. Peter\u2019s parking lot, North Country Shopping Center and at the Donneymede on Route 9 \u2013 starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday thru Friday.\u00a0The bus will deliver the campers back to the pick-up sites starting at 3 p.m.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tapawingo will feature four one-week sessions this summer.\u00a0Weekly programs will vary, but will include health and safety awareness, arts, crafts, songs, drama, campfire skills, tent raising, recreation and field games, and water-front activities.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The weekly fee of $25 per one-week session includes a Thursday overnight with dinner and Friday breakfast and lunch.\u00a0Girls are to bring a bag lunch daily and milk will be provided.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe Lake Champlain area was the home of Native Americans and in preserving the heritage of our land, our Girl Scout Camp was named \u2018Tapawingo\u2019, which means \u2018A Place of Joy,\u2019\u201d stated Mrs. Jan Dean, director of Tapawingo. \u201cIn establishing a tradition with the meaning of Tapawingo, one day will be set aside as a \u2018Tapawingo Day\u2019 in which Indian lore and heritage and games will be experienced by the girls.\u201d<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The girls will experience some hand pottery, candle dipping, creating a \u2018Human Totem Pole\u2019 and building a teepee. Each girl will have the option to keep a camp log (record of daily happenings) and to make name signs from cedar shingles and rawhide to hang on their lean-tos and to take home with them after the week\u2019s activities.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The efforts of volunteers enables the program to be offered at this low cost. Some volunteers work the entire time, some can give a week, and others one or two days. Other volunteers help for an hour or two to teach a special activity. A REBATE is available, for up to 2 campers, for any adult who qualifies as Volunteers Staff for a\u00a0<u>full session<\/u>. The REBATE is one-half of the Session Fee for each camper. Persons interested in volunteering are asked to call the North Country Girl Scout Office at 561-0000.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scholarships are also available to both Scout and non-Scout girls through funding received from the Clinton County Youth Bureau and North Country Girl Scout Council.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Camp Brochures are now available and can be picked up at the Girl Scout office on Boynton Avenue any weekday from 9 to 5. Other Girl Scout day camp opportunities are being offered at Lake Clear and at Pine Ridge. Residents camp is being offered at Lake Clear also.<\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A New York State Licensed Registered Nurse and a Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor will be at camp during all hours of operation.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"no-overflow\">\n<p>The following tips will help you create a press release that editors will want to put in the paper:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>THE EVENT MUST BE OPEN TO EVERYONE<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Because of space restrictions, papers do not use notices from clubs unless the public can attend.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You wouldn&#8217;t believe some of the scribble that is sent to papers. Editors can&#8217;t use it if they can&#8217;t read it.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>MAKE SURE ALL THE BASIC QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN (time and date) AND WHY<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A recent press release read: &#8220;A free sled ride will be held 8 o&#8217;clock Friday to benefit &#8230;.&#8221; It never said if that was 8 a.m. or 8 p.m. or where the ride was taking place.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>GET THE RELEASE TO US IN PLENTY OF TIME<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The release needs to be edited, typed and proofed. The paper needs to get it about a week in advance.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>KEEP IT AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Again, because of space limitations.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>TELL THE FACTS, NOT OPINIONS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The paper can&#8217;t print opinions unless they have a source to quote from the news release. If you do include an opinion, make sure it is attributed to someone.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>ALWAYS INCLUDE THE NAME OF A CONTACT PERSON AND PHONE NUMBER<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the editor has questions about a release, or wants to arrange a photo or longer story, he\/she needs to know who to call.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>DON&#8217;T TRY TO BE FANCY. JUST SAY IT PLAIN<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here are two examples of recent releases editors had to change: The first, about maple syruping, read like sap to the editors: &#8220;If you&#8217;ve ever wondered how that wonderful concoction that you slather over your pancakes, French toast and ice cream is made, now&#8217;s the time to find out.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The second, from a college professor, was to tell the editors that his class would be tracing family history. &#8220;The coursework will be focusing on concepts and methodologies of history and historical anthropology through active integration of family history.&#8221; Whew!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>DON&#8217;T BE OFFENDED IF THEY CUT OR CHANGE THE RELEASE<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Every release is changed to conform to newspaper style. Many are cut down because papers have lots of news to get in.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong><em>Model Press Release<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n<div style=\"margin: auto;\"><\/div>\n<div>From:\u00a0\u00a0 North Country Girl Scout Council\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Contact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sharon Smith<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 155 Boynton Avenue\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 561-0000<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plattsburgh, N.Y.\u00a012901<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/b><\/div>\n<div><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: auto;\">GIRL SCOUT CAMP REGISTRATION BEGINS<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: auto;\"><\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 PLATTSBURGH \u2013 North Country Girl Scout Council will be accepting registration applications April 1, 2004 for day camp beginning July 6.\u00a0Camp is open to all Scout and non-scout girls in Brownie and Junior levels (ages 6-11).<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A bus, donated by the Ernest Turner Memorial Fund, will pick up girls at three designated locations \u2013 St. Peter\u2019s parking lot, North Country Shopping Center and at the Donneymede on Route 9 \u2013 starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday thru Friday.\u00a0The bus will deliver the campers back to the pick-up sites starting at 3 p.m.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tapawingo will feature four one-week sessions this summer.\u00a0Weekly programs will vary, but will include health and safety awareness, arts, crafts, songs, drama, campfire skills, tent raising, recreation and field games, and water-front activities.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The weekly fee of $25 per one-week session includes a Thursday overnight with dinner and Friday breakfast and lunch.\u00a0Girls are to bring a bag lunch daily and milk will be provided.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe Lake Champlain area was the home of Native Americans and in preserving the heritage of our land, our Girl Scout Camp was named \u2018Tapawingo\u2019, which means \u2018A Place of Joy,\u2019\u201d stated Mrs. Jan Dean, director of Tapawingo. \u201cIn establishing a tradition with the meaning of Tapawingo, one day will be set aside as a \u2018Tapawingo Day\u2019 in which Indian lore and heritage and games will be experienced by the girls.\u201d<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The girls will experience some hand pottery, candle dipping, creating a \u2018Human Totem Pole\u2019 and building a teepee. Each girl will have the option to keep a camp log (record of daily happenings) and to make name signs from cedar shingles and rawhide to hang on their lean-tos and to take home with them after the week\u2019s activities.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The efforts of volunteers enables the program to be offered at this low cost. Some volunteers work the entire time, some can give a week, and others one or two days. Other volunteers help for an hour or two to teach a special activity. A REBATE is available, for up to 2 campers, for any adult who qualifies as Volunteers Staff for a\u00a0<u>full session<\/u>. The REBATE is one-half of the Session Fee for each camper. Persons interested in volunteering are asked to call the North Country Girl Scout Office at 561-0000.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scholarships are also available to both Scout and non-Scout girls through funding received from the Clinton County Youth Bureau and North Country Girl Scout Council.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Camp Brochures are now available and can be picked up at the Girl Scout office on Boynton Avenue any weekday from 9 to 5. Other Girl Scout day camp opportunities are being offered at Lake Clear and at Pine Ridge. Residents camp is being offered at Lake Clear also.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A New York State Licensed Registered Nurse and a Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor will be at camp during all hours of operation.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-190\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Eng 235. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Jeff Meyers. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Clinton Community College. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":23590,"menu_order":5,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Eng 235\",\"author\":\"Jeff Meyers\",\"organization\":\"Clinton Community College\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-190","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":26,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23590"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":191,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/190\/revisions\/191"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/26"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/190\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=190"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=190"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-clinton-technicalwriting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}