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- Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 21:08:59 -0800
- Message-Id: <199503290508.VAA02233@ix3.ix.netcom.com>
- From: CAschaff@ix.netcom.com (Clifford Schaffer)
- Subject: Sample Press Release
- To: drctalk-l@netcom.com
-
- Listed below is a sample press release for your perusal. It is shown as
- an example of what a press release would like look and what it has to
- accomplish. The layout comes from my years writing these things for a
- living. The elements are:
-
- 1. An opening "zinger". Something quick and snappy that catches the
- mind and induces them to read the next sentence.
-
- 2. A follow-up sentence of who the announcer is, and some pithy
- follow-on quote to the "zinger."
-
- 3. An explanation of who we are, and the groups behind it.
-
- 4. Some filler stuff to amplify on the major point made in the first
- paragraph.
-
- 5. A resolution paragraph to wrap things up and reinforce the point
- made in the first paragraph.
-
- 6. Who to contact information.
-
- MAJOR RULES OF PRESS RELEASES
-
- Major rule #1: It has to be catchy and provocative all the way
- through. Each sentence must induce the person to read the next one,
- until they are at least halfway through it. The people who read these
- things to decide if they will be published, read them for a living.
- Come up with something they haven't read yet and you will be surprised
- all the places it pops up.
-
- Major rule #2: In no case can it exceed two printed,
- double-spaced pages. Figure out what you want to say and then cram it
- in to two pages, or forget it. Edit like hell.
-
- Major rule #3: It has to include all of the items listed above,
- including the heading on the first page, etc. That leaves you something
- less than two pages to say everything you ever wanted to say.
-
-
- SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE
-
- The following is a sample of how the elements are put together.
- If you read a lot of magazines, you will notice a lot of "articles"
- which seem to follow this format. It is because they started life as a
- press release. As always, all elements of the following are up for
- discussion or new suggestions.
-
- <<Name of releasing organization>>
-
- <<Date of Release>>
-
- For Immediate Release:
-
- <<City of Origin>> -- A new, international coalition of organizations
- have announced their opposition to the Anti-Legalization Conference in
- Atlanta, May 14. <<Insert name of PR Representative>>, speaking for
- <<Name of Group>> said, "The drug war is a disaster and it is time for a
- change. It is clear that those who support the drug war do not want to
- hear the truth. Why won't they support our call for an objective review
- of the evidence on drug policy? We have nothing to fear from the
- truth."
- <<Name of PR Rep>> said that <<Name of Group>> had been formed
- as a coalition of groups of all types from around the world to show
- united international support for drug policy reform. <<He/she>> said
- that diverse groups such as <<list of groups>> had come together behind
- a common goal. "We want to bring drugs within the law," <<he/she said>>
- "We want to establish a drug policy which will work . . . . >>
-
- << Some more BS here -- total of about 1.5 to 2 pages,
- double-spaced, saying everything you ever wanted to say about the
- subject -- but don't exceed two pages double-spaced.>>
-
-
- "It is time for a change," <<PR Person>> said. "It is time for
- the prohibitionists to come forward and discuss this subject openly and
- honestly, where everyone can hear the evidence."
-
- For further information contact: <<Name, address, and phone
- number of public relations contact>>
-
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