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Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
Escapes provide great "picture interest" to newspapers.
But in folks experience, how many of those sent out get replied to? Thanks, Tod
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
In my experience MORE than sent out .... Got a phone call today from a freelance writer. She read the article in Burton mail. Last time from ONE "press release" (i.e. an email to the local paper). Got local paper, free paper, paper in Derby, Radio Derby and that led to midlands news as well (live slot pm Friday and a pre-recorded on the sat). So yep in my experience they respond REALLY WELL and I LOVE THE PRESS!
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drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
My experience is unusual, but I live on an island off the coast of Maine, a state that is, to a first approximation, uninhabited. In Bar Harbor (population 5,000), there are two rival newspapers. Most people who live here haven't figured out that the newspapers will run the articles and photos that you send them, and will turn out for publicity stunts.
Steady coverage by the local papers has attracted coverage from other newspapers, magazines, and radio programs that are interested in doing more than running my press releases. For more details, please see the notes for my recent Teaching Table on Publicity. So, I am with David on this one. Press gets more press. The folks at the other papers would rather cover stories that have already run in some form somewhere else. Think what it must be like to try to cover something that turns out not to be very interesting. They have wasted their time! Now go get famous! Yours, Paul |
Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
That's odd than, because I live near a major US city.
I sent the below to 3 newspapers, 3 TV stations, and 1 radio station. It's going on the second week since they received it and I haven't heard from anyone, anywhere. Tod ------------------------- For Immediate Release Media Contact: Xxxxx Xxxxxx (000) 000-000 Date: Sept 17, 2007 DRAMATIC ESCAPE FOR YOUTH ESCAPE ARTIST Tod Torrent plans to be shackled with over 100 pounds of steel on October 6, in Xxxx, XX, in a dramatic escape for children of Xxxxxxx. He will be encased in 50 feet of metal chain, 3 regulation police handcuffs, 2 wraps of barbed-wire, and 21 high-security padlocks. All with only one chance to release himself! Torrent’s escape, taking place at the “10th Annual Children’s Day” in Xxxxx Park, is being done to promote the fall youth programs of the City of Xxxx and it’s Parks & Recreation Department. If all goes well, he will accomplish yet another challenge before he sets out for the “Guinness Book of World Records” in a few months. If all goes badly, he will forfeit a check for $500 to a local program for youth in the area. "If adults are not willing to take risks at times,” Tod says, “how can we expect others to show courage also? Many of these kids are often too afraid to report abuse or talk about other problems in their lives that could be helped." “I feel great satisfaction if just one of my escapes makes a difference. That it helps another child or gives them hope. That’s what really matters.” This unique escape starts at 11am at Xxxx Park, located at 25th & Xxxx SE. This is FREE to the public and attendance is expected to be high for this one-of-a-kind event. For additional information on this escape, please contact Xxxxx XXXXX at (000) 000-0000 or Tod Torrent at (000) 000-0000.
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Try sending this to specofic reporters and you might have better luck then a general mailing.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Also try removing all the Fuzzy Warm stuff. They know a story when they see one.
If you are sending to the Human interest reporter THAT would be the person who cares about the children, If you are sending it to the "What's happing around town" reporter, they only care about the children a wee little bit. You have to taylor your approach.... just like you do on a date. When we produce a media event. I have other people do the footwork... including dinner with the mayor, ect. I never give my own phone number because it looks like you are small potatoes. Many press realeases are two paragraphs long. When you write an entire colum, the reporters pick apart your sentense structure and make fun of you... If you provide them with all the information there is no need to write a story. let them discover what is interesting to them. Jay Leslie
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
Thanks, Jay,
But I am getting some conflicting advice Some authors say to write somewhat of story so it saves the reporter time and increases their chance of plugging it into the next edition. Others, like yourself, say cut all that stuff out because that's the reporters job. So, I'm not quite sure how to proceed.
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
Keep in mind that editors at the larger papers get large numbers of press releases crossing their desks, and obvious 'publicity appeals' often get discarded.
Press releases often work better with smaller local papers if the story affects that area. Another ploy is to write a letter to the editor on some 'restraint related' story. This can spark curiosity. I once wrote a letter in response to an incident where a group of transported prisoners broke the swivels on their handcuffs, using their seatbelt latches. I wrote, as an escape artist, pointing out that hinged cuffs would prevent this problem in the future. After the letter was published, I was contacted for a Sunday feature story, had an interview and photos with the feature reporter, and wound up on the front page.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Steve has a good point - he had a "hook" with his letter to the press regarding the prisoner thing. My hook is my problem with my legs (its in all of the articles – and they normally mention steps (the charity I am a trustee for see http://www.steps-chairty.org.uk) as well.
You need to think about your area and the paper you send it to. And like Jay said get a named person - also my local paper has a branch office in a smaller town near by - less happening more likely to get picked up there. I suspect once you get a story the press will snow ball. If you can get a name and number and give someone a ring as well as a shorter press release. You may find they wanted to wait till this week to run it so it was close to the event. Just keep pushing and like jay said - if something doesn’t work for that paper try it slightly different. You could also try getting someone from the event organisers to send a press release on your behalf - I bet they have a contact it is the 10th one and I am willing to bet that have had press coverage in the past – so you need to ease yourself in with the writer who covered it last year. Hope you get a strike soon! |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Good luck. Keep us posted.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
Place the press relelase on a mass media provider....
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
MagicofCurtis,
Can you explain what this is? Or provide an example/link? Thanks, Tod
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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