Help needed with our Press Release

Cann_Print · #1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 08:45

Hi Everyone

Our company hosted a launch event on Friday for our new printing press. Various high profile customers along with the secretary of state for scotland turned up to have a look at the new equipment.

We hired a professional photographers so we have lots of great pictures.

We want to have as much press attention as possible, inc local newspapers, national business magazines and trade press.

The only problem is; i have never written a press release in my life. Can anyone give me any pointers. Do's and Don'ts!

Andi McCann
Cann Print

OldWelshGuy · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 08:55

Andi, pay someone.

Honestly there are things you can do and things you can't, there are even times when things you can do yourself should be left to professionals. This IMO is one such time.

This is a huge step, you have the opportunity to piggy back the SOS fo Scotland, get it wrong and it will be a wasted opportunity.

Stepping back, WHY did he attend? did you get OB1/convergance funding help? if yes then it is great as that is a story that the politicians will want publicised. get in touch with his office, ask them for advice on places to contact. try and get some free .gov links

Honestly for the cost of a few hundred you could end up blowing a great opportunity to get press voverage and some great backlinks.

Indizine · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 12:45

There's a thread here somewhere from Andy@ 10yetis about top tipds for writing a press release. Trawl through this forum, it should be here somewhere.

Carbon Neutral Copy · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 13:07

This might help.

Vicky

Indizine · #5 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 15:24

ooops sorry Vicky it must have been yours I was thinking of!!

coe114c · #6 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldWelshGuy

Andi, pay someone.

Honestly there are things you can do and things you can't, there are even times when things you can do yourself should be left to professionals. This IMO is one such time.

This is a huge step, you have the opportunity to piggy back the SOS fo Scotland, get it wrong and it will be a wasted opportunity.

Stepping back, WHY did he attend? did you get OB1/convergance funding help? if yes then it is great as that is a story that the politicians will want publicised. get in touch with his office, ask them for advice on places to contact. try and get some free .gov links

Honestly for the cost of a few hundred you could end up blowing a great opportunity to get press voverage and some great backlinks.

I agree, I sent out so many press releases doing all the right things, but got nowhere. I then used a PR person who had all the contacts and bingo got loads of coverage.

OldWelshGuy · #7 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 17:00

I should add that 'real' press releases is not a service I offer. I use PR's for link building but that is purely through online stuff.