Alert for Those Editing Their Own Blogs, Newsletters, and Web Sites

Just in case you are one of those bloggers or newsletter editors who publishes media releases in exactly the same form as they are sent to you, this from my SharingwithWriters newsletter:

Too many don't understand that news releases (media releases) are not really meant to be reprinted exactly as they are received. Media releases are intended to pique the interest of a feature or business editor, producer, or others in the media. Then those media people can proceed to use them as they see fit. If they use a direct quote they attribute it, of course, but they may just choose to use the release as an idea for a story, and mention the person who issued the release. There is tons more information on releases--right down to templates and step-by-step instructions on how to write a release—in The Frugal Book Promoter (http://budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo).

 

Having said that, there is really no one right way to write a release as long as it maintains a professional format and gives the media what they need.

 

Those who would like to subscribe to the SharingwithWriters newsletter need only send me an e-mail with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. I'm happy to do it for you. Yay!

-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and how to books for writers including the award-winning second edition of, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher; The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success; and Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers . The Great First Impression Book Proposal is her newest booklet for writers. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor .