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Showing posts with label Publicity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Publicity. Show all posts

Press Release Template

A press release format typically includes the following elements: 

  • Header: A business logo, release instructions, and contact information 
  • Headline: A compelling headline
  • Subheadline: An italicized subheadline that adds context 
  • Lead paragraph: An informative paragraph that summarizes the most important points in two or three sentences 
  • Body: Supporting information and context in paragraphs 
  • Background information: Underlying background information 
  • Call to action: A clear call to action 
  • Boilerplate: A boilerplate that summarizes the "who" and "what" 
  • Dateline: A piece of text that describes where and when the release was written or the event happened 
  • Media contact details: Contact information for media 

Perfect Press Release

Trait #1 – Make sure the organization you belong to is very clear.  Placing this information at the top is a good start.
Trait #2 – If your press release doesn’t contain news, you may as well not even send it.  Promise news at the top with “NEWS RELEASE” in a larger font than the rest of the press release.
Trait #3 – One of the main traits of news is that it is current.  Since you are offering news, make sure it is as current as possible.
Trait #4 – Get the name of the person you are sending your press release to and place it in a prominent position.  Be sure to double check the spelling.
Trait #5 – Provide a specific contact person with a phone number where they can be reached. Don’t make contacting you a challenge.
Trait #6 – It’s important to inform your contact when specifically you’d like your press release to be run.  If you don’t have a specific date, be sure to allow for immediate release.
Trait #7 – Just like your other marketing materials, headlines are a must.  Include a newsworthy angle in your headline for best results.
Trait #8 – Where is your press release being released from?  It’s always best to use a local angle, so try to place the story from a local perspective.
Trait #9 – Try to tell your entire story in the first paragraph.  If everything else is cut, at least you got your main points in.
Trait #10 – Turn the story in a personal angle as soon as possible.  Use quotes from known individuals if possible.
Trait #11 – Use subheads to highlight important parts of your story.  People are busy and only read the parts that interest them, so include subheads for each of your target markets.
Trait #12 – Beware of sexism and humor.  What is funny to some groups may be offensive to others.
Trait #13 – Use quotes from each of your target markets.  Be sure to include quotes from groups that read the publications you have targeted with your press release.
Trait #14 – Use later paragraphs for dispelling or confirming rumors. It’s always best to cover your bases with a little objectivity.
Trait #15 – Include quotes from senior executives to build credibility. News releases are taken a little more serious when the boss’s name is on the line.
Trait #16 – Could the local community perceive your news in a negative manner?  If so, highlight the potential positives.
Trait #17 – If promising a specific future result, be flexible.  Not reaching your specific results on time will always bring bad publicity.
Trait #18 – If space permits, allow your executive to inject some human interest to the story.  Use these quotes as a transition back to a more positive tone.
Trait #19 – Is there an executive that matches the demographics of your target audience?  If so, place them in your target audiences shoes to close the story with added trust.
Trait #20 – The notation “-30″- is the standard way of concluding a press release.  Keep your press release to one page!
Trait #21 – Including photographs is a great way to gain more attention for your story.  Make sure the photos you submit are easily reproducible and will hold their quality in both color and black and white.
Trait #22 – If you have other media you’d like to include or have available, be sure to provide the information here.  The more peripheral media you have available, the easier it is to use your press release in a story.
The most important things to remember are to include a newsworthy angle that is of interest to the local community or specific readers of the publications you send your release to.  By including as many of these traits in your next press release, you will drastically increase the likelihood of gaining some free publicity for your small business.

[Thank you, Prevail PR]

Tips for Promotion

A way to attract attention to our venture is to choose an advertising or promotional medium that is unusual for our industry. Here are some ideas ...

Advertorials ... attention getters ... balloons ... billboards ... blog marketing ... brochures and pamphlets ... bulletin board signs ... bumper stickers ... bus and taxi ads ... bus bench/shelter signs ..
business breakfasts/lunches ... business cards ... business networking ... buttons ... calendars ... charitable contributions ... high profile ... charitable volunteerism ... city/regional magazine advertising ... classified advertising ... community involvement ... computer bulletin board ... computer data service ... consumer magazines ... contests ... co-op advertising ... customer newsletters ... decals ... demonstrations ... developing a sales slogan ... direct mail and sales letters ... direct mail with co-op advertising ... discount coupons ... discount premium books ... door hangers ... door-to-door canvassing ... drive-time radio ... employee events ... endorsements or promotion by famous personalities ... enthusiast magazines ... envelope stuffers ... envelope advertisement ... event sponsorship ... exterior building signs ... fliers and circulars ... folders and binders ... format radio ... free information ... free trials ... general business magazines ... gifts and premiums ... grand opening/anniversary celebrations ... greeting cards ... grocery store cart signs ... home parties ... hot air balloon ... Internet ... letterhead ... local business magazines ... local cable ... local newspapers ... local TV ... loudspeaker announcements ... magazine ... mailing labels ... major network TV ... membership in organizations ... messages pulled by airplane ... moving billboards on trucks ... mugs ... magnetic holders ... etc. ... multiple purchase offers ... national cable ... national newspapers ... news releases ... newsletters ... newspaper ad ... newspaper insert ... offer a reward for referrals ... on-line computer services ... package inserts ... packaging ... per-order/per-inquiry ads ... personal letters ... personal sales ... picket your establishment ... place mats ... point-of-purchase signs ... postcards ... price specials ... print advertising ... print on the box/container ... product exhibitions ... programs and yearbooks ... promotional plan chart ... proposals ... public relations and publicity ... radio advertising ... radio spots ... rebates ... referral incentives ... reminder advertising ... sales calls ... sales incentives ... sales tools ... samples of product ... search lights ... seminars ... free or low-cost ... send a thank you note after a new purchase ... share costs with event sponsors ... shopper classified newspapers ... sidewalk signs ... signs at sporting events ... signs on your building ... signs towed by airplanes ... skywriters ... special events ... special sales ... specialty items ... spokesperson ... sponsorship of charitable events sponsorships ... statement stuffers ... stickers ... symbols ... take-one racks ... talks and presentations ... tape or ribbon ... telemarketing ... telephone hold messages ... telephone pole signs ... television advertising ... television spots ... thank-you letters ... tie-ins with other products ... tours ... trade and technical magazines and newspapers ... trade fairs ... trade journal advertising ... t-shirts ... two-for-one offers ... vehicle signs ... video commercials in stores ... video tapes ... walking signs ... window signs ... and yellow page advertising ...

Finding a Name for Your Venture

There isn't a one-stop place to find out whether a business name is already in use, so it requires some checking around. 

A good start is a thorough Internet search ... If you do come across another business using the name, there are a couple questions to ask: Is the business in the same industry as yours? Is it operating nationally or solely in its local area? Would prospective customers confuse your business with the other business?

Under federal trademark law, a business can claim rights to a name if it's first to use a name in a particular category of business in the geographic area it serves. So you want to determine whether another business in your industry is using the same name in the same geographic region you are. A business still has rights to the name if it is using the name publicly -- even if it hasn't officially registered it for trademark protection.

The next step is to go to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Web site, www.uspto.gov, to see whether another business has officially registered the name for federal trademark protection. Click on "Trademarks" on the left navigation bar. Then click on "Search TM database" on the left to access the trademark search database.

If another business has registered the name, you're typically restricted from using it only if that business is registered in the same category of business as yours or sells the same goods and services. If the businesses are totally different -- say, you're a bakery and the other business using your chosen name is a florist -- then it probably isn't a problem.

But you do want to ensure that your business name won't be confused with another business in your area ... the last thing you want is your potential customers to be confused ... and end up having to change the name.

Some businesses register trademarks only in their state, so check with your state's trademark authority as well. Many states have online databases. You also can hire a naming consultant or a trademark attorney to conduct an exhaustive name search.

Another issue: Make sure there's a domain name available that closely matches the name for your company, since that will be important if you want your business to have a Web presence.

[Thank you, Wall Street Journal]

AIDA

AIDA is an acronym for Attention, Interest, Desire, Action ... every ad or promotional activity should have these four elements. (Of course, there are exceptions to every rule!) ...
  1. Does the ad grab viewer/reader/listener attention?
  2. Does the ad hold viewer/reader/listener interest?
  3. Does the ad develop viewer/reader/listener desire to do something?
  4. Does the ad provide a clear path to action by the viewer/reader/listener?
(Note: a business plan or executive summary or proposal is a form of advertising ... it is intended to "sell" the reader on the viability of the concept.)