[Journalists] TV versus newspaper press release

[Bryan Bashin]

Linda,

Actually press releases for television can be far more likely to get
covered if the release includes some information specific to what a
television assignment editor is looking for.  The release, above all, should
say what there is to photograph.  If the options are just blind people
sitting at a table that is DOA.  Figure out a way to highlight blind people
doing stuff.  The more unusual the better.  The more active the better.  And
the more emotion the better.  If the goal is to get covered that is what you
must do for an effective television press release.

Additionally, if you have what television calls 'b-roll' or existing video
of blind people doing stuff -- and here is the important part -- in your
city -- it is more likely to be covered.  

Television isn't about information.  It's about story.  Is there a blind
student at her first month in college?  How about someone new to a job?  Or
maybe a new family of blind parents could be profiled.  Any of these stories
can get a powerful blind-positive message and be comprehensible to even an
assignment editor.

Best of luck,

Bryan 

-----Original Message-----
From: Journalists [mailto:journalists-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of River
Linda via Journalists
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2015 10:44 AM
To: Journalists at nfbnet.org
Cc: River Linda
Subject: [Journalists] TV versus newspaper press release

Hello,

I was asked to write a press release for our chapter's meet the blind event.
I did, but was told it was way too long for a TV press release.

What is the difference between a press release for TV or radio versus the
newspaper?

My press release was one page and contained contact info, what the event is
about, the NFB one minute message, and a blurb about the NFB. If I need to
shorten this for TV/radio, what are the necessary items?  What is the length
-- few sentences, a paragraph?

Thank you.

Linda
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