There is something newsworthy happening at your organization right now. Here are some tips on how to tell your story.
First, make sure your story contains all the relevant facts. Ask yourself: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How?
Next, make your story readable. Here's how:
? Use short sentences. (Best single thing you can do...and easiest.) Research shows sentences of 15-20 words or less are easiest to comprehend. If you must write a long sentence, punctuation - like colons and dashes - can help the reader.
? Use short paragraphs. Usually one or two sentences per paragraph is enough. Otherwise, the reader sees a solid, gray mass when looking at a narrow newspaper or magazine column.
? Use easy words. Avoid multi-syllable and/or technical words that are hard to understand. If you must use them, explain them with simple definitions or by using analogies.
? Use personal words. These are human interest words: e.g., "I," "you," "me," "they," names, quotes.
? Use active verbs. These are words that show action. Examples are easily found in recipes or on sports pages (mix, stir, blend, whip, hit, run).
? Get to the point...fast! Readers and editors don't have the time or inclination to wade through a bunch of words before finding out what a story is all about.
? Use an "inverted pyramid" style. Most editors usually chop stories - to make them fit available space - from the bottom. So put the most important points first, second most important next, and so on down to the least important.
Now, alert the media.
About the author: Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR, http://www.hoover-ink.com. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Duke Energy, Levolor, North Carolina Tourism, Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, VELUX and Verbatim.
rental limo Atlanta .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareIs that what we are? Fanatic, over-the-top disciples of some... Read More
There are all kinds of smart moves professionals can make... Read More
Yes, that's what public relations really is when it tracks... Read More
Most business, non-profit and association managers live to tell about... Read More
Yes indeed! If you are a young person who has... Read More
When developing a publicity campaign for their business many owners... Read More
Media management has become one of the strategic tools for... Read More
Do you dream of being on Oprah Winfrey's television show?... Read More
Media placement is an art. Practicing it often requires as... Read More
If you want to know the best way to approach... Read More
Often the first point of contact the media has with... Read More
Everything, that is, if you ignore those folks whose behaviors... Read More
Simply that the behaviors of their most important outside audiences... Read More
The media need you. Need the information and expertise you... Read More
You won't accomplish much if you call the gas company... Read More
Fiercely combative business, non-profit and association managers use every PR... Read More
Yes, and that pressure often comes from a CEO who... Read More
When your public relations results pretty much depend on whether... Read More
As an entry level position to PR, I found myself... Read More
The Key to Great PR is PerseveranceBy Paula Gardner of... Read More
If a reporter approached you about an interview, would you... Read More
Yes?Good!Still, as a business, non-profit or association manager, if you're... Read More
One study found that as many as 90% of the... Read More
As an owner of an independent record label, I often... Read More
It happens to business, non-profit and association managers when their... Read More
Bedford Park taxi to Midway ..You are getting a good deal when you accept the... Read More
In previous articles for marketing-minded financial planners, I've discussed what... Read More
Prior to a TV interview it is guaranteed the journalist... Read More
Lights...camera...ACTION.That's what often happens when people think of using media... Read More
1) Package your story. Two critical elements will help you... Read More
You are if you stand by while your public relations... Read More
You may remember Forrest Gump's Vietnam pal ? the one... Read More
If you're serious about getting great results from your PR... Read More
It sounds too simple to be true, but it really... Read More
Tracking your correspondence with reporters, via phone or email, is... Read More
Publicity is an important and often overlooked tool of creative... Read More
Think for a moment! If you were to do a... Read More
When, as a business, non-profit or association manager, you are... Read More
So you've put yourself "out there" with a public relations... Read More
There's an old African proverb:"If you think you are too... Read More
Business to Business relationships come to expect a certain level... Read More
What is the true purpose of public relations and how... Read More
How cool is this? You're a business, non-profit or association... Read More
Everything, that is, if you ignore those folks whose behaviors... Read More
SORRY?WERE YOU SAYING SOMETHING?Many spokespeople approach media interviews the same... Read More
Another way to really become known in your area is... Read More
Small Business Owners should send press releases out at least... Read More
Have you ever heard of the saying, "One person's trash... Read More
So you have spent hours and hours writing, shaping and... Read More
Have you ever noticed how the same people's names always... Read More
Public Relations |