| Author |
Message |
    
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1561
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2005 - 03:56 am: |   |
Can anyone post some examples of bona fide press releases?
I'm looking for a rhythmn and flavor that will be intriguing to the reader. I'd also like to know what should be avoided.
Target ideas (who to send them to) are welcome too. |
Jennifer Lynn
Unity Member
Post Number:
1738
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2005 - 06:57 am: | |
Speak to Joyce. She wrote a killer press release for Champagne. It's still up on our website if you want to take a look, under the 'in the news' tab at www.champagnebooks.com
Jenn
Jennifer Lynn
www.jenniferlynn.ca |
Alphabeter
Wandering Member
Post Number:
142
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2005 - 10:06 am: | |
Dennis,
Your first press release didn't resonate with you? 
That was mean but funny in a twisted way.
Joy*
Internal Memo: "You'd better learn proper grammar. You'll need it when you apply for parole." |
Frederick A. Babb
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
353
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2005 - 12:44 pm: | |
Andrea,
I thought that was twisted in a funny way...but I think it was because I was looking at it from a mirror...
Preview books: http://www.frederickbabb.bravehost.com |
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1562
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2005 - 01:39 pm: | |
Good example Jenn. Any others? (Aside from those two who are busy twistng one another in funny ways.) |
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2377
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2005 - 04:28 pm: | |
better than funning each other in twisted ways, methinks...
Mindsight Moderator
Check out Who Needs a Hero?
|
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1564
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 08:54 am: | |
Let's add this up...
Serious replies = 1
Smart ass answers (including my own) = 4
That's what I like about Mindsight, so many people willing to help. |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3859
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 09:56 am: | |
I get excellent press releases from various presses, Dennis, but I would have to take hours to copy them by hand from the hard copy press release into Mindsight. Not that you aren't worth that sort of effort, but it's hard to read with a magnifying glass and type at the same time.
Diana always sent out great press releases with Behler books.
Timberwolf Press sends out smashing press releases.
Howling Dog Press has some of the most professional and appealing press releases I have seen anywhere.
FSB Associates -- a group of publicists -- sends out excellent press releases.
Caitlin Hamilton of Unbridled Books sends out excellent press releases.
Some of the websites I mentioned have news and/or press releases on their websites. You could check those out.
Personally, I don't send out press releases so this is the best I can do.
Laurel Johnson
Author: The Grass Dance
The Alley of Wishes
Color of Laughter, Color of Tears
|
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2381
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 12:44 pm: | |
I'd have to finish another book and get it published before I even think about press releases...that's my excuse.
Mindsight Moderator
Check out Who Needs a Hero?
|
F.E. Mazur
Hunger Member
Post Number:
77
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 04:58 am: | |
Google with 'how to write press release' and some of what comes up may be fruitful. |
Alphabeter
Wandering Member
Post Number:
143
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 02:29 am: | |
Dennis
But you did get ONE helpful answer!
Joy*
Internal Memo: "You'd better learn proper grammar. You'll need it when you apply for parole." |
D.R. Bennett
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
302
Registered: 05-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 05:45 pm: | |
"Let's add this up...
Serious replies = 1
Smart ass answers (including my own) = 4
That's what I like about Mindsight, so many people willing to help."
You're not alone Dennis. Try Webwire.com......a great place to post press
releases, but I think they charge a small fee.
http://www.literaryagent.2ya.com
~ You were born Enlightened ~ |
Tom Elkins
Hunger Member
Post Number:
72
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 06:34 pm: | |
For 40 years I was the recipient of press releases. Most of them were trashed. I suppose we must send them..."everybody does it". Mine were sent out to every newspaper, radio and TV outlet in central Texas. Net result, one radio interview and one TV interview. Even my home town newspaper ignored it. And it was pretty good, as press releases go. But keep in mind that what seems very important to us is not necessarily important to the media, which receives many such blurbs every day.
te
Tom Elkins
NORTH of TEXAS |
cora morace
Wandering Member
Post Number:
114
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 10:21 pm: | |
Ditto, Tom.
The only use I've had for my press releases is after I've landed the promotion by personal contact, the press release information is a back up to the interview - nice to leave behind.
Our little newspaper gets press releases from artists in the recording and book publishing business in the mail and over the fax everyday. Not a one of them ever makes it to the editor's desk - I should know I'm in charge of the round file for such things.
If it is someone local we may do the story if contacted in person, but even the best unsolicited press release through the mail is just so much fodder for the recycle bin, I'm afraid.
CJ |
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1568
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 06:34 am: | |
Thanks to all; Frank for the tip, Tom for his experiences, Cora for the insight, and Joy for the exciting twisting |
Mary Erickson
Wandering Member
Post Number:
191
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 08:44 am: | |
"Our little newspaper gets press releases from artists in the recording and book publishing business in the mail and over the fax everyday. Not a one of them ever makes it to the editor's desk."
Oh great. I just sent out about 99 press releases. Say it isn't so!
www.merickson.org
www.behlerpublications.com |
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1107
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 10:01 am: | |
"But keep in mind that what seems very important to us is not necessarily important to the media, which receives many such blurbs every day."
"...even the best unsolicited press release through the mail is just so much fodder for the recycle bin, I'm afraid."
Permit me to start a fight! Those attitudes (although I know they are real) are arrogant, rude and disrespectful. Spare me the, 'we get hundreds every day' story.
My college training and many years in the business world taught me that if a given entity can't handle their workload, they are either under-staffed or have an incompetent staff. In either case, change is in order. What if they got none each day?!?
The entire publishing and printing industry suffers from the 'we have always done it this way' attitude, which will eventually put anyone out of business.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Tom Elkins
Hunger Member
Post Number:
73
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 10:51 am: | |
Come now, Bill -
You can't really believe that media operations should change their ways because they don't seriously consider most press releases??? "What if they got none each day?" Most of them would consider that a bonus...like not receiving SPAM. Serious news is rarely gleaned from press releases, but from diligent rounds by reporters who ask questions, many of which the sources don't really want to answer. Press releases contain information which is important to the sender, rarely to the recipient. As Cora attests, if you can find a local angle for a local paper or station you might have a chance. Above all, you should approach the task from the mind-set of the editor or news director. What does he/she want? Something that will interest readers or listeners. Otherwise it's not worth wasting time or space.
te
Tom Elkins
NORTH of TEXAS |
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1108
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 10:54 am: | |
You have a point, BUT I'm really thinking of general attitude (queries, press releases, proposals et.al.) and the attitude is the same.
By your own admission, you didn't even look at them!
Yes, I think that is a problem on that side of the desk.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
cora morace
Wandering Member
Post Number:
115
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 10:32 pm: | |
Dear Bill,
I apologise - I did sound arrogant, I was aiming for blunt, but overshot the mark....anyway, I still think Tom is right, an author is wasting time sending press releases en' masse to newspapers and radio stations. A personal visit to a select few will serve you much better than a flood by mail. And that is not an attitude problem with the editors, it is generally what we call "space consideration". There is only so much space in an issue, determined by the amount of revenue from advertising, these days filling pages is not a challenge. To be fair most local papers don't even review the best sellers so it is not a reflection of the "status quo" attitude I'm try to inform you about....merely a mention of the futility of any author submitting a unrequested press release to the media. As I said a good press release can help when you have the media interested and makes a great professional tool at bookstores and speaking engagements, but will have limited impact by itself.
My opinion,
CJ} |
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2393
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 07:46 am: | |
Myself, I can see the point...especially with all of the credit card/high interest loan/car dealer offers I get in the mail on a regular basis...at some point, I stopped reading the things and just ended up shredding them.
Mindsight Moderator
Check out Who Needs a Hero?
|
LaurieAnne
Unity Member
Post Number:
1899
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 09:58 am: | |
"Permit me to start a fight! Those attitudes (although I know they are real) are arrogant, rude and disrespectful. Spare me the, 'we get hundreds every day' story."
Well, Bill, you had to expect me to take offense to this post in a big way. Frankly, if you worked in any newspaper office and saw the volume of press releases we DO get every day, you might think twice before you type. The newspaper press release pile is like the publisher's slush pile. Get used to that idea. And the more individuals who start sending out releases on top of the companies who do, well, that pile grows taller and taller. If you don't follow up your press release with some form of personal contact, you may as well not bother wasting your time and money on sending it to begin with.
Our news staff do skim over every single press release we get. But if we don't have room in the paper for them, they will not get used. Also, because we are a local paper, in contrast to the biggies like USA Today et al., if the information is not related to someone or something that is actually local, we don't use it. We cover 4 counties in our papers, so there is a lot that can be used, but the pile of just plain garbage releases...well, we get $25 a ton for recycled office waste.
.........................
"My college training and many years in the business world taught me that if a given entity can't handle their workload, they are either under-staffed or have an incompetent staff. In either case, change is in order. What if they got none each day?!?"
Fine. Fair question. And fair statement about being understaffed or incompetent. Frankly, my department is seriously understaffed (I am the entire department). But, since it's the corporate bean-counters who tell us how much we are allowed to spend, unless I give up half my pay to someone else in order to spread the load out, that isn't about to change.
"The entire publishing and printing industry suffers from the 'we have always done it this way' attitude, which will eventually put anyone out of business."
lolololol. The reason I laugh at that is, well, someone should tell that to our own government.
The plain and simple is that if you live in Louisiana, you are not going to get much news coverage in Michigan unless you do something that catches federal attention...and that's usually on the criminal level, not the writing level. It takes a TON of work to get a book to catch the kind of attention that Harry Potter, the DaVinci Code, etc., had received.
Just sending out releases is not enough. You have to follow up with personal contact if you expect to get any form of media to take notice.
LaurieAnne
OPEN SUBMISSIONS: Random Acts of Kindness
Available now:
THE BUTTERFLY GAME, Gloria Davidson Marlow ISBN 0-9722385-4-9 |
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1109
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 10:30 am: | |
Laurie,
At least you 'skim over them'.
I thought it would be evident that a local media outlet wouldn't have interest in other than their own area. I understand that.
What do you do with one from someone in your area?
Here in San Antonio they (news, TV, radio) won't look at anything unless you have "a name", know someone, or have written Texana.
If I were the next James Michner, a picture book on blue-bonnets would have more chance of getting ink than I.
I have managed one TV interview and one radio interview (they are still looking for me because I pulled a gun to get them) Just kidding, well...
Anyway, I stand on my statement.
Something needs to be changed! It doesn't work properly now!
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
LaurieAnne
Unity Member
Post Number:
1900
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 10:52 am: | |
Just a small nit, Bill.
It's LaurieAnne, please. It's the only way I differentiate myself from the gazillion Lori/Lorrie/Laurie/etc/s out there. Or just LA like most everyone says/types.
Back on topic.
There is a person to person interview in most cases. Rarely do our newsstaff use some generic release for the information unless its about the usual events that go in our community calendar. That's part of the reason it is so extremely important for a follow-up contact to be made.
It can also take up to three months after the interview for the article to hit the paper. Something like a hometown author would make front page news around this rural community. Not the main headline, but along the right column, it would likely end up. However, if there is breaking news, "feel-gooders" get bumped (which is why it can take months).
I know I can't speak for all papers, or even for all local papers.
But if you really, truly, honestly, earnestly want your "interview" to appear on a certain day, in a certain paper, your best bet is to type something up that looks just like an article, put in extremely tiny print on the bottom, "Paid for by..." and pay for it as an ad.
We've done those here at the Journal a few different times. And it gives the readers the idea that it's an article instead of an ad, therefore it will be more likely to get read. You'd likely be amazed at just how well that does work. We have had so many phone calls regarding those types of ads from people who losdt their "article" and wanted to know what date it was in and if they could still get a copy of that paper.
And if you are lucky, the local paper will be a member of the AP, and the AP might grab it and put it on the wire. doubtful, but it's fancy thinking.
And no, I am not in advertising. But I am responsible for creative marketing for the newspaper itself. I've had to be very creative to make sure that this product keeps selling, and in that process, I recycle many of those ideas for AIB's use.
Oh, and on the topic of standard press releases:
Top left, contact information
center, catchy heading
1-2 paragraphs describing the book, 1/2 paragraphs describing the author. Keep is simple, but hook 'em good.
Fancy graphics don't help.
Fancy paper means nothing.
Only graphic recommended is cover art and perhaps picture of author.
Exclude all graphics if release is being faxed.
LaurieAnne
OPEN SUBMISSIONS: Random Acts of Kindness
Available now:
THE BUTTERFLY GAME, Gloria Davidson Marlow ISBN 0-9722385-4-9 |
Tom Elkins
Hunger Member
Post Number:
74
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 01:36 pm: | |
LaurieAnne -
Well said. Let's keep our sense of humor. It's a laugh that people who want our space and our time, and don't get it, call US "rude, arrogant and disrespectful". Much like the pot calling the kettle...if that. More like the accuser ascribing to others his own attitudes.
I have succeeded in the media, and failed as an author...at least so far. I take that as a sign that I understand mass media better than I do mass marketing of literary works.
(Note: I could blame it on my publisher (PA), but that serves no useful purpose.)
te
Tom Elkins
NORTH of TEXAS |
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1110
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 02:26 pm: | |
To keep the fuss going:
"I still think Tom is right, an author is wasting time sending press releases en' masse to newspapers and radio stations."
A given media outlet has no idea how many more you've sent. It comes back to attitude towards all releases.
Tom, you think they're spam and would like to get none.
How would an informed editor stay informed?
Using that logic, General Motors or Toyota should never produce a commercial. There are simply too many car commercials (like spam) out there.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Tom Elkins
Hunger Member
Post Number:
75
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 07:13 pm: | |
Bill -
Perhaps you don't understand. GM and Toyota spend huge somes of money producing commercials for a mass audience, and even more to have them aired. (They also send out press releases, which rarely see the light of day). A press release seeks time or space that is free...at least to them. Of course, you know about the free lunch. It costs something to print anything in a paper or put it on the air. You would prefer not to pay for it yourself. So would I. But therein lies the rub.
te
Tom Elkins
NORTH of TEXAS |
cora morace
Wandering Member
Post Number:
116
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 07:34 pm: | |
Bill,
Do you think GM or Toyota would get those commercials aired in the general media if they didn't pay for them? And even after shelling out "big" bucks for the space or air time the corporate giants have learned that press releases still don't happen.
And I don't think that is an undesirable attitude, I believe that it is called integrity, and I doubt that you would value your favorite newspaper or radio station if they didn't protect theirs.
"A given media outlet has no idea how many more you've sent. It comes back to attitude towards all releases."
I didn't mean that the media would have any consideration by the numbers - I mean the more the author sends out the more it costs that author.
"How would an informed editor stay informed?"
How an informed reporter stays informed is something akin to an art of intuitive deduction and great sources. Usually if something is newsworthy it will be known to the good reporter long before a press release arrives. A newspaper that depends on the news walking, mailing or faxing into their office is one that doesn't stay in business long.
You may well have a legitimate gripe about your hometown paper, Bill, but only because you are member of that community, your accomplishment as a published author should be recognised there, but in other locations you lose that appeal and should not expect consideration from just a press release.
Just my opinion,
CJ |
Mary Erickson
Wandering Member
Post Number:
192
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 07:53 am: | |
I've been thinking about this. When I sent a press release to our local paper, I put a little note on the top of the release, stating I'd love to have an interview about my book. The editor of the books page called me and I got a half page spread, including picture of the book. So, I agree if it's not in the local area your press releases will probably get ignored, but if it's local you have a better chance.
www.merickson.org
www.behlerpublications.com |
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1111
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 10:41 am: | |
Well,
Got some conversation! After all that, let me say I have never sent anything to an out-of-area-market for all the reasons you guys mentioned. Why?
My attack was on the collective attitudes of editors, agents, publishers, etc.
in general.
To treat any prospective "business" (whatever the field) with disdain is
(see above for description) in my opinion.
Quick story about attitude.
I was out killing myself, looking for business one day. I had a lunch date with a banker.I was seated in his office and he looked out and saw three people waiting. He said, "Damn, I wish those people wouldn't come in when I want to go lunch!" Man, if I had them lined up in my office waiting for me, I wouldn't even go to lunch!
(see above again for description).
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1113
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 10:56 am: | |
P.S.
Claudia,
"...didn't mean that the media would have any consideration by the numbers - I mean the more the author sends out the more it costs that author."
My point here (not well stated) was that if all editors have the same attitude, it doesn't matter if you send one or one-thousand, it's useless. Which means that those that are germane are not seen either.
Question: Wouldn't a responsible editor look at everything of local (area) interest?
Some of you have said none of the press releases are seen by an editor.
Pity.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1114
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 11:11 am: | |
PSS.
Someone please tell me why I addressed Cora as Claudia?
Man, I've got to switch to Miller Lite for breakfast.
Sorry, 
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2083
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 11:53 am: | |
it all started with a "C", Bill, and then the rest of the world followed suit and got all screwed up. No offense on my part, and I hope Cora understands. All of us "C's" are friendly anyway.
But I was kinda wonderin' how I got into the conversation. 
Claudia
MINDSIGHT MODERATOR
|
F.E. Mazur
Hunger Member
Post Number:
82
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 05:19 am: | |
Bill wrote: "Man, if I had them lined up in my office waiting for me, I wouldn't even go to lunch!"
That appears to be an admirable attitude and one with which I've often agreed. It seems to show ambition, determination, and similar qualities. But as I aged, I moved away from that viewpoint. Today, I am more inclined to view the statement as a sign that the owner of it is out of control as regards his or her life. |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3866
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 05:44 am: | |
To carry Bill's analogy into familiar territory for me, I don't need to worry about missing my lunch due to people lined up to interview me, buy my books etc. in this area. I learned early in the game that press releases, personal notes, visits to the editor of the local paper brought no harvest to my door.
That sounds like sour grapes, but it isn't. Truly.
My home town paper sent me a loud message when the local book store hosted a signing. It was a nice day, successful signing. The store placedd a huge paid ad in the local paper. The editor -- who shows up with his camera if someone finds a quarter on the street -- in his search for content -- did not show up. Nor did he send any of his ten or twelve reporters. That was my first lesson in humility.
We subscribe to our local paper now, and a paper from a town twenty five miles from here. I know both the editors personally and enjoy a cordial relationship with them. Both decided not to give my book releases or signings any coverage because "if they do it for one they have to do it for everyone." I asked how many published writers live in either town. They said, "Only you I guess, but you know what I'm saying."
Yes. I did know what they were saying. I have received more interest and coverage from non local media around the country than I have in the areas I lived and worked. That was my second lesson in humility.
I'm not good at press releases or marketing myself. Those of you who are have my admiration. Me? My energies are focused elsewhere.
Laurel Johnson
Author: The Grass Dance
The Alley of Wishes
Color of Laughter, Color of Tears
|
Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number:
1115
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 11:14 am: | |
Frank,
As always, your intelligent, insightful and totally unbiased opinions are welcomed.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
LaurieAnne
Unity Member
Post Number:
1901
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 01:01 pm: | |
I can add another perspective to that picture, as well. As most of you know, I work days at the newspaper, Sturgis Journal, to keep paying the bills while I establish and help to flourish my own company, Authors Ink Books.
I have seen things from both sides of that fence. Looking at the fact that I am not only the publisher, I also work for the paper, and the first release of AIB (which is no longer available) was by a local author...and I still could not garner any coverage. I even personally delivered a review copy.
Marketing is not easy. And as was pointed out very succinct and clear above, when you are selling a product or service, the likelihood that you will get either air time or print space is slim to none when you are asking for free space. This has been reviewed in many different forms and from many angles. You would have a better chance if the local paper has a Business Section with dedicated Business reporters.
However, let us not beat a dead horse.
Dennis,
I hope your questions regarding a professional press release were answered clearly enough.
Blessings all,
LaurieAnne
OPEN SUBMISSIONS: Random Acts of Kindness
Available now:
THE BUTTERFLY GAME, Gloria Davidson Marlow ISBN 0-9722385-4-9 |
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1570
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 04:36 pm: | |
At the risk of returning to the original spirit of this thread, my intention NEVER was to send mass mailings to newspapers or television stations. I wasn't even thinking Oprah!
What I had in mind were high school and college alumni associations, LOCAL bookstores and libraries, and MAYBE selected local media enterprises. |
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1573
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2005 - 12:59 pm: | |
What do y'all make of this?
“PR Web Direct (http://www.prwebdirect.com/index.php) recently sent out a 400-word press release for me. I spent $80.00 for this service. Within hours of the release going out, it was picked up by a news wire service. A journalist called to interview me about Random House's release of Flying by the Seat of My Pants: Flight Attendant Adventures on a Wing and a Prayer. The story he wrote was sent out on the news wire to radio shows around the world, and now I've been swamped with media calls. I've been doing morning radio shows for as far away as Ireland, and all over the United States and Canada. My sales at Amazon.com have gone through the roof, and the book isn't even released yet. And all this from one press release. I highly recommend PR Web Direct.” — Marsha Marks, http://www.flyingbytheseatofmypants.net. |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3870
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2005 - 01:18 pm: | |
I think the two key words in that press release were RANDOM and HOUSE. But if I had eighty dollars to spare, I would try it.
Laurel Johnson
Author: The Grass Dance
The Alley of Wishes
Color of Laughter, Color of Tears
|
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2089
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2005 - 01:23 pm: | |
I would say it sounds like a dream come true for Marsha Marks.... but the thing you have got to look at first is the book comes from RANDOM HOUSE and not PA. Now with your Turn Left at September, it might be a truly economical, wonderful/profitable outlay of $80.00, cause at least you have a book that can be immediately shipped anywhere or may indeed be in the store when the person hears the interview and stops by B&N or Borders to pick up a copy.
If you are thinking of using it for Turn Left, I would say hop to it and good luck, doing nothing is a sure way for your book to NOT get noticed, and doing something/anything is better than doing nothing for you. Give it a try.
Claudia
MINDSIGHT MODERATOR
|
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2397
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2005 - 03:32 pm: | |
I'd say if I picked up an advance from Random House, I might have $80 to spend on press releases...whether I would or not would depend on the amount of marketing they were offering themselves...
Mindsight Moderator
Check out Who Needs a Hero?
|
priceless1
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
550
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2005 - 03:43 pm: | |
"At the risk of returning to the original spirit of this thread, my intention NEVER was to send mass mailings to newspapers or television stations. I wasn't even thinking Oprah!
What I had in mind were high school and college alumni associations, LOCAL bookstores and libraries, and MAYBE selected local media enterprises."
Dennis, I've already emailed you. But we take care of the local media for you. This encompasses anyone who would be willing to interview/review you and your work.
The bookstores don't really give a rip about press releases and tend to toss them. That's when the marketing dept. becomes involved in getting you signings. You aren't going to be left twisting in the wind, big guy. |
F.E. Mazur
Hunger Member
Post Number:
83
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 03, 2005 - 12:40 pm: | |
Hey Bill,
I wasn't suggesting you're out of control with your life, though I can see how you might think that, judging from how I wrote what I wrote. I rarely reach any firm opinions about individual posters to messageboards, and certainly not one of such magnitude. A post reveals only the thinnest slice of anyone, and a thousand of them still hasn't added much in my judgment. I wouldn't even make a guess as to your height. You could be anywhere from 5' to 7'2" for all the info that comes out on this or any board. I Just thought your statement was interesting, not of itself. And not if lunch was missed once, or a few times, or even occasionally. But missed habitually by someone, anyone, except those who work alone. Habitually by those who work for companies, small businesses, schools, organizations, and the like, where lunch is part of the contract, often union negotiated. Lunch seems like such a civilized event to me. I threw the topic out for discussion because it seemed Dennis's request for the posting of press release examples had come to an end. |
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1576
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 03, 2005 - 03:52 pm: | |
Holy Bennet Cerf, did that say Random House? I thought it said Rangoon House, one o' them third world publishers. |
poker casino798 (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 211.202.1.52
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 12:16 pm: | |
poker casino poker 827 |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page