[stylist] News release feedback

Thu Nov 10 16:41:06 UTC 2011

First, when submitting a news release to publications, it's best to send
directly to a specific person. When sent to a news room or some vague,
public email, releases tend to be sifted through, and if a name, or
group, is not recognizeable, it's not considered. Research specific
editors and writers you think my find the story interesting.

Second, any news release should be staggered so that the immediate story
is the first thing covered before any other info is mentioned. With
this, your lead needs to be stronger and spotlight exactly why you're
advertising this which is the event itself. The following para should
mention the date, time and location, and if any cost is involved,  and
then your following paras can build more upon the event and its
importance.

I don't have much time to get into structure, but try to keep a release
to two pages or less, follow AP Style, which I know isn't the only
accepted style, but I was instructed to do this and it makes sense to
me, and make sure grammar and formatting are proper and consistent.
Don't include info that's not immediately related to the event/activity,
use hyperlinks so editors/writers can easily access info and if a
group/organization is hosting it, don't include a ton of stuff on the
group except what is directly related to the event, instead include a
boiler plate at the end of the release which is a brief over-view of a
group and what it does, usually no more than a single para with three to
four sentences. Oh, also, on a personal note, watch for placement of
commas, smile.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/

"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:08:52 -0600
From: Brad Dunse' <lists at braddunsemusic.com>
To: Writer's Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [stylist] News release feedback
Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.2.20111108125927.05227968 at braddunsemusic.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed

Feedback please. Also, since I'd never submitted 
a news release to a newspaper, what department is 
"the" one to get it in in a relatively short 
notice? Thanks in advance. I'm not sure which 
number he might want so I omitted it for the time being.

Minnesota Association of Songwriters
Wayne Hamilton
St. Paul, MN <mailto:info at mnsongwriters.org>info at mnsongwriters.org

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Wayne Hamilton
Minnesota Association of Songwriters
<mailto:info at mnsongwriters.org>info at mnsongwriters.org

Minnesota Association of Songwriters Hosts 
Songwriting Workshop of Berklee School of Music Professor Pat Pattison

St. Paul, Minn, Nov 12, 2011?Minnesota 
Association of Songwriters Educates songwriters 
with its fourth professional workshop in 2011 on Saturday, November 12.

Minnesota Association of Songwriters (MAS) (and 
its former appellation Minnesota Songwriter?s 
Association (MSA,)) since 1980, has been helping 
songwriters in the Midwest reach their 
songwriting goals ranging from personal 
development to Grammy Award winning songwriters. 
With their 8-member Board of Directors and 70 
plus membership, MAS offers two monthly meetings, 
on-line song evaluations, showcase opportunities, 
monthly educational speakers, downloadable 
interviews with Nashville writers, MAS Radio (an 
on-line streaming radio portal) featuring songs 
from its members, networking opportunities, and 
professional songwriting workshops instructed by 
some of the nation?s best writers.

The fourth workshop of 2011 held at McNally-Smith 
School of Music in St. Paul, MN will be 
instructed by nationally recognized author and 
professor, Pat Pattison. A Minnesota native 
Pattison has stretched his career from band 
member, to author, to professor for the past 
thirty-six years at Berklee College of Music in 
Boston, Mass.; one of the most recognized music 
college?s in the country. Author of ?Songwriting 
Without Boundaries,? ?Writing Better Lyrics,? 
?The Essential Guide To Rhyming,? and
?The Essential Guide To Lyric Form?; Pattison 
will bring his vast knowledge in lyric writing to 
songwriters in the greater Twin Cities area.

? When: November 12, 2011 ? 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
? Where: McNally-Smith School of Music (auditorium),
19 Exchange St. St. Paul, MN

The five hour workshop registration fee is 
thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for non-members and 
free to MAS current members. All non-member 
attendees may opt-in for a one-year membership at 
no additional cost for the $35 workshop registration.

To learn more about what the Minnesota 
Association of Songwriters has to offer, how to 
get involved, or obtain registration for the 
Pattison workshop visit: 
<http://www.mnsongwriters.org/>http://www.mnsongwriters.org/ 
or contact Wayne Hamilton at 
<mailto:info at mnsongwriters.org>info at mnsongwriters.org

The Minnesota Association of Songwriters is a 
volunteer, member supported, non-profit 
organization. Its mission is to inspire, educate 
and strengthen the songwriting and performance 
skills of its members through seminars, 
workshops, review meetings, showcases and 
networking opportunities, while encouraging 
collaboration and exploration of the creative 
process. MAS meets twice monthly to learn about 
the craft of songwriting, to review and provide 
commentary about each other's music and to 
exchange information about topics ranging from 
song contests and conferences to legal issues and internet concerns.