What's Wrong with Your Press Release?
Don’t write your press release like a press release.
Huh?
What I mean is, write your press release like an article.
If you think “press release” you’ll write something that’s all about you—not newsworthy. If you think “article” you’ll write a story journalists salivate over.
IT’S TIME FOR A PRESS RELEASE MAKE-OVER!
Read the Q&A below first (from my May newsletter).
Next, read Stacy’s first press release here
Then read her final version here
QUESTION:
I saw you speak at the Entrepreneur “Women in Charge” Conference and was so excited that I got home and wrote my article and submitted it to PRWeb... only to realize that an article was not what PRWeb really wanted. Now I'm confused. I wrote an article that was not a sales pitch. But now PRWeb says they want something more of an announcement or promotion. Could you please take a quick moment to review the differences?
~ Stacy Nelson, Co-Founder of http://www.thewinoclub.com/
CAT’S ANSWER:
(Here are my five favorite tips I shared with Stacy. Happily, her new final version was just approved by PRWeb!)
* Use an Attention-Grabbing Headline
“Networking With Wine: 5 Easy Tips to Turn a Wine Tasting Party into a Monthly Business Club” is too long. Sell the result first. A wine tasting party sounds fun, but a monthly club sounds like work. Consider announcing the club idea a bit later. What about “5 Tips to Turn Wine Tasting into New Business” or something like this?
* Write a Summary that Sizzles
The summary is a sentence or two that should persuade readers to read on. You’ve got a good one; it’s just a bit soft. Shorten it up and tell me how a wine club can help me NOW.
* Create Creative Tips
Rework the 5 tip titles to be more mysterious. You want people to say “why?” or “how?” Some titles like “Choose a Day” seem too obvious.
* Slim It Down
Your press release is over 850 words! Yikes. As David McInnis, CEO of PRWeb, recommended in my new book, aim for 300-500 words. By staying focused you’ll keep readers’ attention.
* Only Advertise in the “About the Author” Area
Uh oh! Tip #5 pitches your wine tasting party kit. That’s not a tip. You can absolutely pitch your product; just do this in the “About the Author (or Company)” area.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whadda think? Go check out Stacy’s old and new press releases, then share your comments. She’s got a great product. What info could she share that would attract YOUR attention?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Huh?
What I mean is, write your press release like an article.
If you think “press release” you’ll write something that’s all about you—not newsworthy. If you think “article” you’ll write a story journalists salivate over.
IT’S TIME FOR A PRESS RELEASE MAKE-OVER!
Read the Q&A below first (from my May newsletter).
Next, read Stacy’s first press release here
Then read her final version here
QUESTION:
I saw you speak at the Entrepreneur “Women in Charge” Conference and was so excited that I got home and wrote my article and submitted it to PRWeb... only to realize that an article was not what PRWeb really wanted. Now I'm confused. I wrote an article that was not a sales pitch. But now PRWeb says they want something more of an announcement or promotion. Could you please take a quick moment to review the differences?
~ Stacy Nelson, Co-Founder of http://www.thewinoclub.com/
CAT’S ANSWER:
(Here are my five favorite tips I shared with Stacy. Happily, her new final version was just approved by PRWeb!)
* Use an Attention-Grabbing Headline
“Networking With Wine: 5 Easy Tips to Turn a Wine Tasting Party into a Monthly Business Club” is too long. Sell the result first. A wine tasting party sounds fun, but a monthly club sounds like work. Consider announcing the club idea a bit later. What about “5 Tips to Turn Wine Tasting into New Business” or something like this?
* Write a Summary that Sizzles
The summary is a sentence or two that should persuade readers to read on. You’ve got a good one; it’s just a bit soft. Shorten it up and tell me how a wine club can help me NOW.
* Create Creative Tips
Rework the 5 tip titles to be more mysterious. You want people to say “why?” or “how?” Some titles like “Choose a Day” seem too obvious.
* Slim It Down
Your press release is over 850 words! Yikes. As David McInnis, CEO of PRWeb, recommended in my new book, aim for 300-500 words. By staying focused you’ll keep readers’ attention.
* Only Advertise in the “About the Author” Area
Uh oh! Tip #5 pitches your wine tasting party kit. That’s not a tip. You can absolutely pitch your product; just do this in the “About the Author (or Company)” area.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whadda think? Go check out Stacy’s old and new press releases, then share your comments. She’s got a great product. What info could she share that would attract YOUR attention?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
posted by Cat Seda at
8:28 PM
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