| |
| |
|
PR Information | Mommy Home Jobs |
|
|
|
How To Write A Press Release: The 10 Commandments Of A Great Lead Paragraph
How to write a press release is a major challenge facing both experienced and aspiring PR professionals. Press release writing is a learned skill. This article contains press release sample writing, including that all important first paragraph. "If it bleeds it leads" is a famous saying amongst news editors on why certain stories are on page one or first up in a TV or radio news bulletin. With so many big news stories breaking recently, such as the Pope's death and the Navy helicopter crash in Indonesia, how can you make your media release stand out? Well, the success of a news release being followed up by the media depends on the all important lead or first paragraph. After the headline, this is the first message an editor or journalist will read and it is one of those critical moments of truth when you either win over or lose the media. The first paragraph sets the structure for the whole of the media release. Take this example of a very poorly written opening or lead paragraph that was actually sent out from the office of Northern Territory Opposition spokesman, Richard Lim on March 9, 2005. Shadow Minister for Employment Education and Training Dr Richard Lim says that private registered training organisations which provided vocational education and training for Territorians are struggling to survive because over the last two years, the Northern Territory Government has a policy of using the Equipment Grants for government providers only, they being the Charles Darwin University and Batchelor of Indigenous Tertiary Institution. (Source: D.D. McNicoll, The Diary, Media Section, The Australian, Thursday march 17th, 2005, pg 22.) What is this person trying to say? As a media and communications specialist working with clients, I find I spend at least half my writing time working on that all important first paragraph. It is were all the value is. Here are my Ten Commandments for writing a great lead paragraph. A good lead paragraph must: 1. Summarise The Whole Story. 2. Answer The Five W's. 3. Grab Your Attention. 4. Make Every Word Count. 5. Make Sense. 6. Be Accurate. 7. Keep To One Sentence. 8. Provide Context. For example: 9. Be Precise. 10. Edit, Check and Proofread A Minimum of Three Times. Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com. Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
PR - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Media Exposure Validates And Legitimizes Your Business Although repetition is extremely important, there are times when advertising can help bring you a fast response.If you're having a fire sale, you want to advertise. Not Getting the PR Results You Want? The reason might be this simple: as a business, non-profit or association manager, you're too focused on communi- cations tactics and not on a workable blueprint for dealing with those important outside audiences whose behaviors most affect your department, division or subsidiary.If this sounds familiar, the blueprint I refer to provides the tools required to persuade those key external stakeholders to your way of thinking. Right PR Empowers a Manager Business, non-profit and association managers are in a stronger position to succeed when they use their public relations resources in a way that alters individual perception leading to changed external stakeholder behavior.A mouthful, but true. Public Relations: Understanding Educated Gambling As an entry level position to PR, I found myself typing up a forecast by a major Public Relation's firm for a major pharmaceutical company of what life would be like in the year 2000. Market research predictions included telephones with monitors that could help you see people while you talked, fax machines that could transmit information over telephone wires, microwave ovens for reducing food defrosting time from hours to minutes and other devices that have certainly come to pass. Recessions Dont Last Forever! It could, but what if it doesn't?Will you be prepared?Will those key external audiences of yours, whose behaviors REALLY affect you, look favorably at you and your business?Because, once the economy emerges from recession, if they don't, you'll have one arm tied behind your back.Don't let that happen. Does Your Small Business Have a Grooming Policy? They say that image is everything and some of us have seen it all. Have you ever went into a store and just could not believe what you were seeing behind the counter? Is that a real human? Without trying to make the world into a civilization like the "Borg" there are a few things you need to think about in your small business. Financial Planners Garner Free Publicity by Making it Easy for the Media Would you advise clients to buy a stock based on the say so of an investor relations person, or something you overheard at a restaurant? Of course not. You want to see at least some independent research before suggesting it be added to your clients' portfolios. Nows The Time To Get Christmas Media Coverage Publicity seekers know that Christmas can provide a bonanza of media coverage. Every media outlet, it seems is cranking out a special edition on gifts for the winter holidays. The Medias Muscle: Make it Work for You The least expensive, most effective way for you to promote your product is through media coverage. Reporters are excellent communicators. Managers and PR Genius The real public relations geniuses might be managers. You know, managers who pursue their objectives by reaching, persuading and moving those outside audiences whose behavior most affect their organizations, to actions those managers desire. How to Get PR There is a process for successfully getting publicity about your business or organization. Publicity is no great mystery, just a thorough and strategic sales job. HELP: I Need a Press Kit! A press kit is an essential press relations tool. While it can be used to support a special event or promotional activity, it is most helpful in strategically positioning an organization or product. Be Patient? Nah, Lets Kill Something There's the old joke about the two buzzards sitting in a tree overlooking a highway. One responds to the other, "Be patient? I'm hungry. Media Training: When Reporters Bully You UNDER FIREA friend whose organization is often in the media spotlight recently told me a story about her boss. Her boss, let's call her Susan, is on the leadership team for a lobbying group that represents a somewhat unpopular industry. Monarch Health Sciences starts shipping long awaited Monavie and Monavie Active The Acai Berry is starting to gain world wide recognition as a "wonder of nature." On a recent Oprah Winfrey show, titled 'LOOK 10 YEARS YOUNGER IN 10 DAYS," it was named as one of the top ten superfoods in the world for combating the effects of aging. Publicity: Nailing a Media Interview, Part III (Staying on Topic) In a media interview, always stick to your main points without rambling or digressing. Practice this when you rehearse. How to Write News Releases that Get Noticed What do you do with junk mail? Are you like me? I toss this stuff without opening it - unless I see some benefit. Publication editors do the same. How to Make A Great Press Kit - A Musicians Guide As an owner of an independent record label, I often get asked how to put together a great press kit. I have found that young musicians understand their music, but are often intimidated by the marketing end of the business. Financial Planners Publicity and Marketing - Live By The Calendar The media live by the calendar. Your story pitch might miss the mark with them the first time out, solely because it's out of whack with the seasonal cycle (obvious examples: just try pitching another tax story on April 16, or offering the media your 10 tips on backyard barbecue safety the morning after Labor Day). The Ultimate PR Edge: Getting Reporters To Open Your E-Mails You know that getting publicity is vital to the health of yourbusiness. You probably also know that e-mail is the way mostpublicity seekers get in touch with reporters to score thatprecious coverage.
|
| Mommy Home Jobs | Mommy Matters | index | site map |
| Copyright © MommyHomeJobs.com |
