Fiona Chow wrote:
>
> Ah ha! I have a question - how does one go about writing a press
> release? What should be contained within one, how long should it be and to
> whom should it be addressed?
>
> Good advice so far on another post about press releases: I'd like to add:
1. Be sure to type your press release, readable size font (12-14 pt)
2. On the top of the page, put "Press Release" as suggested, but you could
alternately write "Press Release: Classical Music" or "Press Release: Vocal
Music". This lets the Arts Editor know what he/she will be reading about, and
possibly which part of the arts calendar is the best location for your
announcement to appear.
3. The very next thing you want on the page (before the body of your
announcement) is
"For more info, contact Fiona Chow (or your name, or your press agent's name
:->), 555-5555." Then in ALL CAPS, put "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE" (if your
recital is less than two weeks away) or "FOR RELEASE 4/27/00 (a date two weeks
ahead of your recital). Editors are busy. They will probably sort the
releases first by date to publicise, then by genre, before they ever read or
edit your info. Make it easy for them by giving them the info they need up
front.
4. For a nice touch, look on the masthead of the arts page and find out the
name of the Arts Editor. If you can't find it, call the paper and ask. Then,
address the envelope to him/her personally. You don't like to receive mail
addressed to Occupant, and while they will receive mail addressed to "Arts
Editor," it shows that you care and have something on the ball if you will go
to the trouble to find out who they are.
5. For the body of your announcement, just state all the facts. " Jameson
Linville, a senior at Oak Park High School, will present a solo voice recital
on Sunday, May 14, 2000 at the high school auditorium. The concert begins at
4:00 p.m. Admission is free. (Simple who-what-when-where-how much format.)
That's really all you need. If you have a stunning or interesting biography,
a few salient points can be added in the second paragraph, but it will
probably not be published. Then again, if you're really fascinating, the
editor knows how to contact you (because you put that at the top of the page)
and might come interview you for a feature story.
Final hint: read your copy aloud after you've written it. Time yourself
reading it. If it takes 30 seconds or so, you have a usable Public Service
Announcement (PSA) that can be sent to local radio and TV stations for
inclusion in their "community calendar" features.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
MaryBeth D. Smith
Coordinator of Voice/Opera
Southwest Texas State University
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