Comments on: News releases on life support? Five reasons why.

By: PRos in Training » Blog Archive » Off Season Linky Love

PRos in Training » Blog Archive » Off Season Linky Love — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:45:35 +0000

[...] News Releases on Life Support? Five Reasons Why (Class Act): Most press releases are bad. here are five reasons why. [...]

By: JonasPK

JonasPK — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:10:35 +0000

I was just referred to your post, Gary, from a comment by Robert French on PROpenMic.org (http://tinyurl.com/65bm9b).

As a young professional writing press releases is that they are nothing more than announcements. Being a newcomer to the agency I recently worked at, I felt that there was little interesting information, and they were really ways to simply get information “out there” without reason or aim other than to have it posted on the web site.

I was overjoyed when I saw a presention by Michael Pranikoff of PR Newswire of the many web-based additions that one can and should make to their press releases.

And I hate writing phony quotes.

By: PR Poetry « My Standwords

PR Poetry « My Standwords — Wed, 28 May 2008 01:06:16 +0000

[...] saying what needs to be said clearly. Especially after reading Gary Schlee’s blog post on news releases (FYI I also found (through Gary’s blog) a blog by PR student Megan Ramsay, where she debunks [...]

By: Gary Schlee

Gary Schlee — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:19:35 +0000

Nice to hear from you, Jane. In many years of teaching, I’ve often been challenged and invigorated by the expanding and changing scope of the communicator’s toolbox. But, the attributes of good storytelling have not changed — and rightly so.

By: Jane Naczynski

Jane Naczynski — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:19:52 +0000

Gary: I’ve just discovered your blog; wonderful writing as always and I agree 100% with your post regarding news releases. “Writing for social media,” the latest skill-set that I see in job postings, is to my mind remarkably similar to writing for news media — and still boils down to this: “What’s the news?” And there’s the lead. … Is it me, or is everything old new again?

By: David Jones

David Jones — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:19:38 +0000

There’s a long way to go. It’s become a bit of a formula for PR people. News releases are our 30-second spots. It doesn’t matter if they don’t work, it’s what people expect and every client is a bit of an expert.

My concession is to at least make the first three paragraphs compelling and to the point. If you haven’t grabbed attention and got the news out by then, you’re dead. If the client demands BS quotes and three-page boiler plates, better they be at the end where no media will go.

Cynical? Guilty as charged.

By: Gary Schlee

Gary Schlee — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:13:03 +0000

Megan – I’d suggest always championing the case for a well written release. The battle usually revolves around getting the client or boss to accept a release that meets the needs of the media and readers, not just the vested interests of the organization. You win some and you lose some. But if we don’t keep politely trying, releases will only get worse.

Will – Thanks for the; natural; comment.

Christine – It’s certainly important to catch errors and correct them (in this venue, address them). That’s been done, so your employment status is not in jeopardy:-)

By: Megan Ramsay

Megan Ramsay — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:42:59 +0000

Gary,
If you are looking for a well-written news release, why not turn to your recently turned professional students? We are so new to the profession we still write releases to the standards we were taught, and now have gained experience so our writing makes sense.
I used to get confused when reading releases and think, “Was Gary wrong?” Most of what I read on wire services contradicts the principles of a good release. What do you suggest, stick to the rules or conform?

By: Christine Smith

Christine Smith — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:48:30 +0000

And, I just sent you a comment with a spelling error in it………cardinal rule of effective news releases just broken. Fire me.

By: Christine Smith

Christine Smith — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:45:52 +0000

Great post, Gary. This morning, our students reviewed how to write a simple media advisory.

Of eight samples we examined (downloaded directly from CNW), only one was writeen and organized for the intended audience: the media.

And, believe it or not, it was from an Ontario government communicator. There’s hope yet.