[stylist] Standard for PR Writing

Fri Feb 4 22:16:26 UTC 2011

Well done, Bridgit. I'm glad you mentioned the city/state/date at the 
beginning of the first paragraph. I forgot to include that in my 
template. I think the Associated Press has an online manual of style 
which is constantly updated. It's not free. Several years ago, I was 
testing it for accessibility, and I remember genuinely liking it, but 
somehow let my subscription lapse.
Donna

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On 2/4/2011 4:09 PM, Bridgit Pollpeter wrote:
> Pete,
>
> There are experts like Donna who know far more than I do, but here are
> some examples to keep in mind when it comes to public relations writing.
>
> For all PR writing, you should follow Associated Press Style.  There are
> books available as well as online sites that describe this style of
> writing.
>
> When it comes to news releases that you send to media outlets:
> Use headline that grabs attention, and use active verb
> This is how all news releases should begin:  Omaha, Neb., Feb. 4, 2011-
> Woman describes news releases.
> Make sure your lead sentence, again, captures the point of the story,
> and it must grab readers attention
> Paragraphs should be short, and write concisely
> Quotes should be their own para
> Don't insert an opinion yourself.  Use quotes and stats to express
> opinions or to sway readers in a certain direction
> Should not be longer than 2 pages, and leave proper contact info
>
> News alert:
> Send to media to remind them of a story
> Not longer than one page
> Use bullet style with who, what, when, where and why
> Include short paras at end that highlight key elements of story
> Include proper contact info
>
> Sometimes, you may want to pitch a story or idea to the media.  For
> this, you write a simple pitch letter.:
> Should be no longer than one page
> Use story or stats to create short, attention grabbing first para that
> will make reader interested
> Again, be concise and include the key elements
>
> There are other forms of PR writing that I am not as familiar with so I
> will not discuss them, but always follow AP Style.  Professional media
> outlets will respect you more if you use the standard they follow.  AP
> Style has specific guidelines that differ from other forms of writing,
> for instance, state abbreviations used are not the post office version,
> I. E. Nebraska is Neb. According to AP Style.  And there is a certain
> way to write percentages and numbers as well as titles and/or positions.
> You always use "said" after quotes from people, and only use "according
> to" for info from printed sources.  There is a lot of technical stuff
> like that.
>
> PR writing is more journalistic in nature, though you do include more
> aspects of creative writing-- it is not straight reporting.
>
> Again, Donna, and others, are more experienced and can provide better
> help here, but I hope this explains some of what I mentioned before.
>
> Bridgit
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 17:18:24 -0500 (EST)
> From: Peter Mikochik<mikochik at panix.com>
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List<stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Blind driver challenge
> Message-ID:<Pine.NEB.4.64.1102031717230.26905 at panix2.panix.com>
> Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
>
> hi
> could you be specific about what the format should be.
>
> thanks pete
>
>
> On Thu, 3 Feb 2011, Bridgit Pollpeter wrote:
>
>    
>> Donna,
>>
>> I agree that we need to double our efforts to really push the media to
>>      
>    
>> recognize stories that exhibit the positive influence the Federation
>> continues to display.
>>
>> I have written news releases for local efforts here, but the media
>> does not always consider the story news worthy enough.
>>
>> I would love to assist you, or any other Federation group or person,
>> with writing news releases.  As you know, there is a very specific
>> formula for news releases, and I think when we follow the professional
>>      
>    
>> standards established by the media, they will pay more attention to
>> material that they recognize.
>>
>> Anyway, I commend you for your efforts to promote the Federation and
>> get the word out there.
>>
>> Bridgit
>>      
>
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