Ill Alert The Media

There is something newsworthy happening at your organization right now. Here are some tips on how to tell your story.

First, make sure your story contains all the relevant facts. Ask yourself: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How?

Next, make your story readable. Here's how:

? Use short sentences. (Best single thing you can do...and easiest.) Research shows sentences of 15-20 words or less are easiest to comprehend. If you must write a long sentence, punctuation - like colons and dashes - can help the reader.

? Use short paragraphs. Usually one or two sentences per paragraph is enough. Otherwise, the reader sees a solid, gray mass when looking at a narrow newspaper or magazine column.

? Use easy words. Avoid multi-syllable and/or technical words that are hard to understand. If you must use them, explain them with simple definitions or by using analogies.

? Use personal words. These are human interest words: e.g., "I," "you," "me," "they," names, quotes.

? Use active verbs. These are words that show action. Examples are easily found in recipes or on sports pages (mix, stir, blend, whip, hit, run).

? Get to the point...fast! Readers and editors don't have the time or inclination to wade through a bunch of words before finding out what a story is all about.

? Use an "inverted pyramid" style. Most editors usually chop stories - to make them fit available space - from the bottom. So put the most important points first, second most important next, and so on down to the least important.

Now, alert the media.

About the author: Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR, http://www.hoover-ink.com. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Duke Energy, Levolor, North Carolina Tourism, Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, VELUX and Verbatim.

---

Why PR is a Vital Force

Because it can alter individual perception and lead to changed... Read More

Managers: Do You Trust Your PR?

You can if, as a business, non-profit or association manager,... Read More

Public Relations: The Fundamental Premise

It seems difficult to believe at the dawn of the... Read More

There Is No Such Thing as Competition

A wise friend of mine has often said, "There is... Read More

Speak Up

Another way to really become known in your area is... Read More

Media Exposure Validates And Legitimizes Your Business

Although repetition is extremely important, there are times when advertising... Read More

Killer Press Kits - Press Kits That Demand Attention

So, you've had your book published or you've gone the... Read More

Free Radio Publicity for Marketing-Minded Financial Planners

Radio is a powerful publicity tool. Most stations offer news... Read More

R.O.I. -- O.K., Heres The Deal!

You can SO measure return-on-investment for a public relations program!Try... Read More

TV Reporter Shares the Secrets to Getting Covered on the News

Do you have a great idea for a story, but... Read More

Why PR Can be Effective Medicine

When properly applied by business, non-profit and association managers, public... Read More

If Your PR Cant Do This, Bag It!

As a business, non-profit or association manager, why continue a... Read More

Press Kit Elements That Work

Considering how fundamental they are to the publicist's trade,it's always... Read More

PR? Why?

Well, for starters, because good public relations can alter individual... Read More

Possibilities Of The Blogosphere For The PR Industry In Spanish-Speaking Countries

Only two media in Spanish speaking countries offer RSS: the... Read More

PR: Room at the Bottom?

When special events and communications tactics rule the PR roost... Read More

Killing Them Softly

The world has woken up to ethical issues in corporate... Read More

How To Get Press To Come To You

Have you ever noticed how the same people's names always... Read More

The Right Hook

Have you fantasized about spreading word of your business on... Read More

Want to Light a Fire Under Your PR?

Yes? Then do something positive about the behaviors of those... Read More

Easy to be Foolish About PR

In fact, here are three really foolish goofs made by... Read More

Leveraging Your Reputation - Making PR Work for You

We rely on all kinds of tools and advice to... Read More

Media Relations: When Google Got Googled

Before meeting my soon-to-be-wife for the first time, I "Googled"... Read More

Writing a Press Release: The Design Basics

Big corporations like General Motors and Coca-Cola spend thousands of... Read More

PR: Short Form for Managers

Experience tells me that too many business, non-profit and association... Read More

Publicity and Marketing Magic For Financial Planners: The Four Mores

Publicity will take your financial planning practice, your business, and... Read More

Youve Done PR the Hard Way Long Enough

As a business, non-profit or association manager, let the tacticians... Read More

Public Relations Productivity

Should it be measured in "publicity by the pound," or... Read More

What People Believe Can Bring You Success

Just think about it.If I come to believe that you... Read More

Think Big

Would you like to be the next Dr. Phil, Suze... Read More

Underestimating the Power of In-House PR

Do small-business owners always have to rely on large PR... Read More

Managers: Super-Charge Your PR

Ain't a gonna happen unless business, non-profit and association managers,... Read More

Nows The Time To Get Christmas Media Coverage

Publicity seekers know that Christmas can provide a bonanza of... Read More