2 Pieces of the Press Release Puzzle
If you are struggling with getting the media to pay attention to your press release, do not fear! Here are two great tips to getting your press release to grab the attention of the busy, inundated producer! 1. Topic Overview After you have grabbed the attention of the busy producer or host with your headline, topic summary and talking points it is now time to present your show idea. It is now time to position you as an expert. Now you are not going to go and write a sales piece here. In the Topic Overview, write your show idea. Make sure to work your name, quotes and book title into this section of the press release. Don't be afraid to use tons of testimonials, statistics, newsworthy facts, etc in this section. Use anything that will interest the producer, the host, and their audience. Try to limit this section to no more than a page; the ideal range is four to six paragraphs with no more than four sentences in each one.
Here is a Topic Overview for a show on pets:
Some people think "cute" is the only thing that is important when it comes to choosing a pet. But deciding which pet to adopt based solely on the animal's appearance can set new "pet parents" up for disaster. Consider the fact that kitties don't look so cute when they are tearing down the curtains. This leads to 6-8 million unwanted pets ending up at local animal shelters each year. Enter pet expert Dr. Diane Pomerance, author of the new book Pet Parenthood: Adopting the Right Animal Companion for You. As a bonafide animal lover, she wants to help prospective pet owners understand how to make the best decision when choosing a new pet - and to recognize that adopting a pet is a lifetime commitment and responsibility that requires much thought and planning.
"People need to be ready for what is truly involved in taking care of an animal," says Dr. Diane Pomerance. "But people need to be fully prepared for what's truly involved in caring for that animal. They are actually bringing a child into their home, believe it or not. Make sure that your pit fits your lifestyle!"
Another important factor that often goes overlooked is how children in a family will interact with a new pet. Pets make wonderful companions for children and can help teach them compassion, responsibility, and respect for all living creatures, as well as boost their self-esteem. Just make sure that the pet you choose really does fit with the lifestyle of your child and family as a whole.
Money is another factor to keep in mind. Think about all of the veterinary bills as well as all of the day-to-day upkeep.
"The reality is, pets can be expensive and time intensive. When you love your pet, obviously you want to provide the best care possible. So it is important to understand the costs and responsibilities ahead of time when choosing your pet."
5. Biography This is the one piece of the press release that many people omit, play down or play WAY up! It is important to position the author as an expert. Cite a variety of qualifications - education, career, relationships, memberships, travel history, odd pets, and more. If the book is about religion, for example, anything the author does that pertains to religion is applicable.
Be very aware not to sensationalize your credentials or simply rehash the other elements of the press release.
If you put lots of work into these aspects of your press release then you will command the media's attention.
Want to learn more about gaining national media exposure for your company, product or service, without the financial burden of monthly retainers, Marsha Friedman is here to help . Feel free to contact her directly at mfriedman@emsincorporated.com or visit her firm online at http://www.emsincorporated.com. As a public relations expert Marsha Friedman has the ability to get the media attention that you desire without costly monthly retainers .
About the Author: Marsha Friedman has been a leading authority on public relations for nearly two decades as CEO of Event Management Services, Inc (EMSI). If you would like to receive her free Ebook "How to Be a Great Talk Radio Guest" visit http://www.emsincorporated.com.
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