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I Just Received Free Press - Here's What I Did

by boaterscott
11 replies
I just typed this out on another thread, but thought it might get buried - and thought the warriors might want to read it.

I wanted to get into the local paper and on the local news channel as I know the national papers and news organizations spend time looking at their local affiliates for news stories (so I've been told by multiple editors). It's free press, and it's very good press to have on your side.

I came up with angle for my local newspaper and tv news station. Basically a story I thought they might be interested in. I live in Boise, a fairly small city. After several attempts to get them to run my story - they did!

The local newspaper picked up my story and wrote an article. Then the local news channel contacted me, and they are going air it next week.

I've spoken with several editors (6 to be exact), and here's what I got from them:

#1 Keep your press release very very short - about 300 words max (every one of them said they toss anything that's looks long). Get right to the point. One editor said they love with major points are listed as: who, what, where, when, and why. If she is then still interested, she contacts them for more info.

#2 Your pitch should include WHY your product or service benefits the audience. In other words - how have you helped someone (or a group) with your product or service (I had to get creative but I came up with an angle for this one)

#3 Call the editor personally. Submit your PR however they ask for it, but also call the editor. Ask if they have a minute to talk. Tell them what you have and who you are. Be polite and brief. It was hard for me to do this as I was nervous, but I overcame it. Several news outlets didn't get back to me, but one did.

From how it was explained to me - the national news channels and newspapers look at all of the local affiliates (local news stations) every day for interesting stories. I'm hoping my piece in the local news will get noticed and written up or reported on national news. I'll keep you posted, but it's starting to look good.

I wish I had a PR product to promote...
#free #pr. #press #press release #received
  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    Very nice share boaterscott,

    What kind of product were you promoting?

    It is helpful to hear these details, and I will certainly incorporate them into my business. I'll be doing press releases soon for my upcoming product, and will definitely try the local end as well

    Matt
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    • Profile picture of the author boaterscott
      it's a memory program I just created. I only got a few sales, but my list is starting to build - which is my real goal anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    Hey thanks for this useful post I am just about to do mine 300 words I can do

    Good job on getting this and i wish you much much success in the year to come
    -WD
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    "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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    • Profile picture of the author boaterscott
      good plan - make it short and to the point. Every single editor said this, so it's probably true.

      The other main point (I think I said this) was to find an angle that helps the community (or the people in it). If you can't think of it, then ask it here. No one is going to write a story about your new product if it only benefits you. Can your product or service help the senior citizens in your town? The homeless? Vets? Children? People going back to school? The unemployed?

      I forgot who said it, but you should try to add value to others' lives.
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      • Profile picture of the author mgkimsal
        Originally Posted by boaterscott View Post

        I forgot who said it
        ...said the man selling a memory product.

        Happy New Year to everyone!
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        • Profile picture of the author boaterscott
          yea - I caught that too. Good comments so far. Making it funny is an angle I'll try next.
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  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    Hey boaterscott,

    Good job and Congratulations.

    I'm curious, did you create a product based on research or is "memory" your field of expertise already.

    Thanks,

    George Wright
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    "The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane
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    • Profile picture of the author steve995
      Originally Posted by boaterscott View Post

      I forgot who said it, but you should try to add value to others' lives.
      Online of off, still the most important factor to remember in business and always will be.

      On a more general note, this is a nice simple guide to writing effective press releases, a vastly underused marketing strategy in my opinion, so it's very valuable info

      Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author boaterscott
      Originally Posted by George Wright View Post

      Hey boaterscott,

      Good job and Congratulations.

      I'm curious, did you create a product based on research or is "memory" your field of expertise already.

      Thanks,

      George Wright
      Both. I am a reseacher, but I've also done some research as well. It's a combination of passion and profit...
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  • Profile picture of the author kosmo101
    If I can add my 2 cents, make any press release about news. Sure, every release is meant to promote something but you would be surprised how many people write it just as an advertisement. If you structure it like news, almost any product or service will be picked up. Find a funny angle on it. Find an angle that people are taking about these days (Health care, going green, etc). I have been very successful submitting to several services using this approach.

    Also I prefer the paid ones (low cost) as they do offer much more benefits over the free ones which I believe many search engines and sites consider spam. Just like anything you get what you pay for.. and to me the free ones are not worth it. Its worth the $20 bux to have a professional site syndicate your release, no ads, top billing, Google News pickup, etc...

    Thanks Kos
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  • Profile picture of the author EndGame
    Out of interest, did you ring the editors before or after your press release? I am assuming before. And also, did you send your press release directly to the editor of the news outlet themselves?
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