Best Regards,
S ARaju

I would guess that if you’re talking about a major market (SF, LA, or NYC)then it’s an absolute imperative for clients to find a PR person with a strong distribution network in that area.

Smaller communities are decidedly easier, though.

It all depends on the target audience, I guess.

As Rosanna would say, “Never mind!”

Wendy

Well, just one more point then. . . as a publicist I wouldn’t want to be “selling” a release that I hadn’t written.

Mainly because I’d know (or would think I’d know) how it should best be written.

Unless someone wrote an absolutely awesome press release and let me do the follow up. I don’t generally come across awesome press releases.

If you don’t want your info. in the media. . . where is it going to?

I’ll stay out of your hair! I just thought I’d finally say a word or two.

Wendy

Thanks for your input. For my particular release, I’m not looking to get on TV or in the news. However, I plan on doing all the sending out and follow up myself. I’m not good at writing releases and that’s where I need the help.

Well actually I’m about to close this job because I’ve been inundated.

But this is good advice for anyone looking to get into press release writing. Some writers might do well freelancing for publicists who don’t mind sending out the release and doing the follow up but need someone to handle the writing part.

Thanks for your insight! Good food for thought.

With that said, I love doing press release work for those groups ; can make or break how well the event does!

Take care all,
Catherine

I’ve been following the info. on press release writing. I have just a second this a.m., but wanted to add my piece: I’ve been doing PR (writing releases, contacting media) for, I hate to admit, twenty years now.

Getting in a magazine/newspaper, on TV or radio is not at all just about writing a good press release.

Often the media has their spam filters turned up so high that releases never see a pair of eyes. I just went through this with the Sacramento Bee.

To get decent to really good coverage, you need more than a well written release.

You also need someone committed who will do follow up on the project. Follow up means contact phone calls, individual releases written specifically for a certain pair of eyes and then a contact call etc. etc.

Ethically, I have a problem personally with writing releases, getting paid and then sending it out. I also stay committed to the project (ie. getting the info. into the mag, paper, on TV etc.).

Remember the editors get loads of releases every day — you’re a snowflake in a blizzard. It’s very important that you have someone do serious follow up.

To just throw a release out there won’t bring in much — unless you happen to be lucky.

Wendy